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Impact of NCAA Division 1 Council return to play and transfer decision

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Two important decisions were handed down by the NCAA this week. New return to play rules could play an important role in the return of college football.

The NCAA had been under the microscope in recent weeks, for good reason. The organization played an integral part in the new normal exacted upon the nation by COVID-19 and the resulting limitations. New recruiting rules and restrictions combined with several other pressing matters came to a head in a meaningful Wednesday vote.

Return to Play

https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1263199201485377537

The first, and most pressing resolution, was the decision to allow athletic activities to resume beginning June 1. The sport most impacted this is football, namely summer conditioning workouts which traditionally begin sometime in June during most years.

The NCAA’s decision to allow in-person events to resume allows for what could be a decidedly uneven playing field. Some states and schools have strict guidelines to adhere to already. The NCAA cannot override those edicts.

Now individual schools and conferences are caught in between a rock and a hard place. Resuming activities will give their players the optimal time needed to get back into football shape, but it also comes with an uncertain cost to safety. On the other hand, for every day or week reopening is delayed these teams could fall significantly behind their peers.

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What happens if Rice gets the all-clear to return to practice one month before Army? Two months? Or what if the American conference issues separate guidance the delays return but Conference USA allows individual schools to choose. Rice and Houston, who are currently scheduled to open the 2020 season against each other, could return to practice at different times even though their campuses are five miles apart.

How this plays out in reality remains to be seen, but the ramifications of this decision, whether right or wrong, could impact whatever season happens this academic year.

No one-time transfer waivers, yet

The concept of a one-time transfer waiver has been gaining steam over the last several months. Under the proposition, individual student athletes would not have to sit out if transferring to another school for the first time. Immediate eligibility is the norm for several sports, but football and basketball are among the holdouts.

That decision has been tabled until next year.

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CFB Realignment: Evaluating merits of a Conference USA – Sun Belt merger

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What’s next in the lifespan of Conference USA? A long-rumored merger with the Sun Belt Conference has merits, but it’s far from a sure thing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put college athletics travel costs, particularly in non-revenue sports, under the microscope. There are no “one-size fits all” solutions, but there are countless theories being circulated about what comes next.

One such concept is a Conference USA and Sun Belt merger. Is it feasible?

Why it makes sense

The geography of Conference USA and the Sun Belt conferences has a sizable overlap. Conference USA stretches from El Paso, TX (UTEP) to Virginia (Old Dominion). The Sun Belt runs as far west as San Marcos, TX (Texas State) and out to Coastal Carolina on the East Coast.

If cutting costs truly is a significant driver, splitting the two conferences down the middle would prevent UTEP from having to fly to West Virginia and App State from coming all the way to Texas for conference games. Just about any way you slice it, a merger of these two leagues drastically reduces the geographic footprint of each new conference.

The fan interest could see an uptick in the process. More regionalized scheduling would lead to more intra-state matchups. Seeing Louisiana Tech square off with ULM would spark more local interest than seeing the Bulldogs face Old Dominion. The same would be true for the Eastern contingent of schools. Stands would be packed if Charlotte and App State faced each other on a regular basis.

What stands in the way?

Television contracts are the obvious initial hurdle. There’s a reason that the decade long rumor of a Conference USA-Sun Belt merger has yet to materialize.

Conference USA’s TV deals span CBS Sports Network, ESPN3, Stadium, the NFL Network and various streaming arrangements. Most of those arrangements are set to expire by 2023. The Sun Belt is two years into an eight-year deal with ESPN.

Then there’s the inevitable bickering about who goes with who. What happens to teams like UAB and Troy who could arguably swing to either side of the geographic split? Both new conferences will surely want the Birmingham market.

The Roost Podcast: Listen now to our Extended Offseason Interview Series

Reaching a “fair” compromise that satiates 28 schools and four unique television partners seems … challenging, to say the least. That’s not to say it can’t happen, especially given these unprecedented times. But it does explain why a move that makes a lot of sense hasn’t yet gained meaningful traction.

And the people say…

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Rice Football Recruiting: WR Christian McStravick commits to Owls

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The 2020 Rice Football recruiting class has added another playmaker. Boston College transfer wide receiver Christian McStravick has committed to the Owls.

The majority of the 2020 Rice Football recruiting class was wrapped during the early signing period last December. The Owls added a few key pieces in February, rounding out an impressive group of incoming freshmen. But it was always the intent to add at least one more cherry on top in the form of an instant-impact transfer.

To that end, Rice has diligently combed through the Transfer Portal, seeking players who could come in and contribute immediately. Bolstering the depth on the offensive side of the ball was a priority in that search. Rice has found someone who fits the bill who will bring that necessary combination of experience and talent.

Former Boston College wide receiver Christian McStravick has committed to the Owls. His addition bolsters the 2020 Rice Football recruiting class. He’s the fourth transfer in the class, joining quarterback Mike Collins (TCU), kicker Collin Riccitelli (Stanford) and offensive lineman Jovaun Woolford (Colgate).

Originally from Houston, McStravick attended Strake Jesuit high school before committing to Boston College. McStravick was a finalist for the Houston Touchdown Club’s Offensive Player of the Year and a Top 100 recruit in the Greater Houston Area.

More: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting Tracker

He did not see significant action with the Eagles, appearing in seven games without recording any receptions. He missed last season recovering from an ACL injury. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining when he arrives at South Main.

McStravick (6-foot-4, 200-pounds) brings size to the Rice offense which needed depth in that area after the departure of Aaron Cephus. Prior to McStravick’s addition, Bradley Rozner was the only receiver listed at six-foot or taller on the Owls’ roster. Now the Owls’ have two big-bodied targets, both of which have multiple seasons of college football under their belts.

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The Roost Podcast | Ep. 31 – DCTF’s Shehan Jeyarajah and the state of college football

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Shehan Jeyarajah from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football sheds some light on the state of college football, offseason storylines and its uncertain future.

The extended offseason interview series continues with a broader lens. After spending a few weeks talking to former Rice athletes, this week’s edition of The Roost Podcast goes bigger picture. The coronavirus pandemic has altered the college football landscape. We talk to Dave Campbell Texas Football insider Shehan Jeyarajah and get his views on that state of college football in Texas.

From rivalry trophies to new coaches, it’s a conversation you don’t want to miss. You can always find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 31.


Episode 31 Notes

  • Housekeeping — Thanks to everyone who’s left a review or shared your feedback with us. If you like the show or want to get in touch with us, you can leave a comment on the site or give the show a follow on Twitter.
  • Shehan Jeyarajah joins the show — Despite the lack of games to cover, the sports world hasn’t slowed down. Texas college football has had plenty of things to talk about, so we covered the gamut:
    • When will Texas A&M and Texas play again? (It’s been almost a decade.)
    • Reasonable expectations for UTSA’s Jeff Traylor and Baylor’s Dave Aranda
    • Which non-Power 5 programs in Texas have the brightest future?
    • What will college football look like this season? Should games without students a real option?
    • Are the potential changes to the Name, Image and Likeness policies good or bad for college football?

Where can you find us?

Download and subscribe to The Roost Podcast on any of your favorite podcast providers. The show is available on iTunes, GooglePlay, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and PodBean. Please consider leaving a review wherever you listen.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2021 OL Ethan Onianwa commits to Owls

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The 2021 Rice Football recruiting class added a big addition in the offensive trenches. Cinco Ranch lineman Ethan Onianwa has committed to the Owls.

Going virtual hasn’t slowed down the 2021 Rice football recruiting class. The Owls continue to add talent to their ranks despite the challenging circumstances. This time they didn’t have to venture out that far from their home base, snagging Cinco Ranch offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa, the latest in a run of Texas commitments.

The Owls have been first too offer on several of their targets, but not on Onianwa. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound grinder in the trenches already held offers from Vanderbilt, SMU, North Texas and a host of Ivies prior to Rice making an official offer. Both parties were in contact often leading up to that moment, which came just a few days before Onianwa made his decision.

Onianwa is the eighth commitment of the 2021 Rice football recruiting class and one of the highest-rated additions to date. The Owls scooped up four before the in person restrictions were put in place. Since then they’ve added tight end Jaggar Hebeisen (April 6), linebacker DJ Arkansas (April 14) and defensive lineman Elroyal Morris (April 24).

More: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting Tracker

Onianwa isn’t coming in blind. He was on campus for the Owls’ last junior day in early March. He’s well aware of what is being built at Rice. And now he’s going to be a part of the growth already in progress. The Owls are well on their way to landing one of Conference USA’s best classes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren had made a concerted effort to add the right pieces along the offensive line. Onianwa is a people-mover in the making and one that’s going to make waves down the road at South Main in the near future.

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