The Business of College Football: Dabo, Deals, and the Portal Reality | Ep. 248 Jan. 28th, 2026

On this episode of The Group of Five Guys Podcast, The GOFG discuss how College football isn’t just changing — it’s becoming a full-blown business. We dive into the latest comments from Dabo Swinney and the backlash surrounding NIL, the transfer portal, and whether college football has officially crossed a line. Are coaches pushing back… or just getting left behind? With lawyers now directly involved in roster management, we break down what NIL contracts really mean for players, why eligibility disputes are becoming more common, and what athletes should understand before signing anything. We also look at how teams are using the transfer portal differently, the reality of “instant help” vs. long-term development, and how this new landscape impacts Group of Five players — especially when it comes to exposure, the Senior Bowl, and NFL evaluations. Is transferring actually helping players’ draft stock? Are scouts valuing production or competition level more? And what does competitive balance even look like moving forward? All that, plus our biggest takeaways and what to watch next as college football continues to evolve. Do not miss out on another jam packed episode of The Group of Five Guys Podcast! SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@GroupofFiveGuys WEBSITE: http://www.groupoffiveguys.com/ MERCH: https://groupof5guys.onechaptr.com/group_of_5_guys_2-24/shop/products/all?page=1 Subscribe and follow the Group of Five Guys! @groupoffiveguys @Sprouse_68 @Tyler_J_Tipton @JMurphyLee SPONSOR THE SHOW OR BUSINESS INQUIRES: Email: [email protected] Direct Message on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GroupOfFiveGuys #G5 #groupoffiveguys #G5Live Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.