College football began a new era during the 2024-25 season with the expanded 12-team playoff.
The changes to the sport – and to college athletics as a whole – are expected to be far greater this coming year.
A federal judge is expected to give final approval on April 7 to the House vs. NCAA settlement, which includes back pay, revenue sharing and roster changes starting with the 2025-26 academic year.
“This is a challenge all over the country,” Penn State football coach James Franklin said Tuesday. “A lot of coaches are talking about this. A lot of ADs (athletic directors) are talking about this. A lot of (conference) commissioners are talking about this.
“You’re having to make decisions and you’re having to move forward before you have all of the information and guidelines. Decisions are still being made today. It’s very, very challenging.”
The NCAA and the plaintiffs, two former Division I athletes, reached a settlement last year that requires the NCAA to pay nearly $2.8 billion to former Division I athletes for lost NIL opportunities.
It allows schools to share a portion of their revenue with athletes, potentially up to $20.5 million in the 2025-26 academic year.
Under the settlement, the NCAA will impose new roster limits for teams, which will replace scholarship limits. In football, 105 players will be allowed on a roster, including walk-ons, beginning in the fall.
Franklin already has discussed the new roster limit with Penn State players. The team had 120 players listed on its roster Tuesday, not including six members of its 2025 recruiting class who are expected to enroll in May or June.
“It’s going to be different,” he said. “We lost16 guys (to injuries) during the season last year. Now you have 16 guys that you lost during the season who you’re not allowed to replace under the 105…
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