NEW: BYU's Kalani Sitake FIRES BACK At Texas Tech's Joey McGuire On Focus Of Athlete Employment

The landscape of college football has undeniably transformed, with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and the ubiquitous transfer portal pushing the sport closer than ever to a professional model. For many, the lines are blurring: is playing college football still an amateur pursuit, or has it become, for all intents and purposes, a job? The arguments for it being a "job" are compelling. Athletes now sign lucrative NIL deals, sometimes worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. The transfer portal allows players to seek better financial opportunities, playing time, or a more favorable "fit," mimicking free agency in professional leagues. The time commitment for top-tier college football players is immense, often exceeding that of a full-time job, with year-round training, practices, film study, and travel. When a player can earn significant income and change employers (schools) with relative ease, the "amateur" label feels increasingly anachronistic. Yet, amidst this rapid professionalization, BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake stands as a voice for a different perspective. While acknowledging the irreversible changes ("the toothpaste is out of the tube," he's famously said), Sitake consistently emphasizes that college football, particularly at BYU, is about more than just money or individual gain. Sitake's philosophy centers on the holistic development of the "student-athlete." He views his role as helping young men transition into adulthood, focusing not just on on-field performance but also on education, financial literacy, and personal growth. He questions whether simply paying athletes more money is the sole solution, advocating instead for a structure that prioritizes long-term well-being and the value of a degree. The unique aspect of BYU's program, with players often serving two-year missions, further reinforces a sense of commitment that transcends immediate financial incentives. While the transfer portal offers players freedom, Sitake also expresses a desire for more structure to prevent constant movement, highlighting the academic challenges of frequent transfers. For Sitake, the "job" of a college football player extends beyond the field to include the responsibility of representing a university, building a community, and embracing the unique collegiate experience that, in his view, still sets it apart from the NFL. In an era where the financial stakes are higher than ever, Kalani Sitake reminds us that for some, college football remains a calling—a transformative experience that blends athletic pursuit with personal and academic development, rather than solely a transactional employment opportunity. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year. FanDuel Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOBig12?sid=YouTube Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drakectoll Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LOBig12 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.