SEC wins but recruits lose with NCAA banning satellite camps

The NCAA banned satellite camps and that’s good news for the SEC and bad news for the rest of college football.

Satellite camps will no longer be allowed after the NCAA approved a proposal banning the practice that took on a life of its own after Jim Harbaugh brought his Michigan Wolverines to Florida for part of their spring practice on the campus of high school power IMG Academy.

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“The Council approved a proposal applicable to the Football Bowl Subdivision that would require those schools to conduct camps and clinics at their school’s facilities or at facilities regularly used for practice or competition,” the NCAA said in a press release. “Additionally, FBS coaches and noncoaching staff members with responsibilities specific to football may be employed only at their school’s camps or clinics. This rule change is effective immediately.”

This is music to the ears of SEC schools, especially after conference commissioner Greg Sankey was critical of the practice. Further, ACC commissioner John Swofford echoed the sentiments of Sankey.

The thought was Michigan was gaining an unfair advantage by bringing their brand to the southeast so high-profile recruits could see them first-hand when they otherwise would not have the opportunity.

It was great for the five-star recruits, but it was also great for the recruits who aren’t flooded with FBS offers. Banning satellite camps will hurt those players all across the country who no longer have the opportunity to showcase themselves in front of coaches.

The NCAA should want student-athletes to have as many opportunities as possible and while I’m okay with satellite camps being banned, it does seem like they caved to pressure from the SEC and ACC.

But the SEC foremost and the ACC (mostly just Florida State) felt threatened by the presence of teams coming to their territory and potentially luring recruits they would have a stranglehold over and flexed their muscles to get this proposal passed.

They have a geographical advantage and they wanted to preserve that because they don’t need satellite camps. And don’t think for a second if Harbaugh brought Michigan to the northeast or northwest that they would have been so vocal against this.

The Big Ten was the only Power Five conference to vote against the proposal and while Ohio State and Michigan will be fine, teams like Nebraska without a fertile in-state recruiting base will be crushed without the ability to go to California or Texas to attract players.

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Maybe the SEC and ACC role in this new rule are being overblown and it’s as simple as making things easier on the people working for the compliance offices and the NCAA who have to monitor these camps.

If it’s easier for the adults to do their job and the only downside is some kids won’t get a college scholarship to play football, then that makes perfect sense for the NCAA.