Urban Meyer Warns Florida State Recruiting Risks Amid NIL Contract Disputes

Urban Meyer, a prominent former college football coach turned analyst, has voiced concerns about the evolving landscape of college football, particularly with the recent revenue-sharing era and NIL (name, image, likeness) developments. Following the June 2025 settlement allowing schools to pay student-athletes directly, Meyer expressed curiosity about how schools will manage revenue distribution, especially those with sport-specific strengths like Duke and North Carolina. Meanwhile, Florida State's handling of new NIL contracts, which include strict clauses such as fines for lost equipment and contract termination due to injury, has sparked criticism from Meyer and others, who fear these aggressive terms could hurt recruiting efforts and the program's future. Additionally, the ACC's settlement includes a clause allowing limited withdrawal from the conference in specific sports, hinting at potential shifts toward 'super leagues,' further complicating college football's future. On the field, Meyer highlighted Penn State's strength this season, noting their experienced senior players and strong offense, placing them among the top teams to watch alongside Texas and Ohio State. Overall, Meyer underscores the tension between protecting university interests and accommodating student-athletes in a rapidly changing college sports environment.