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5 ways the Raiders’ move to Las Vegas will impact college football

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A general view of the 25th Las Vegas Bowl logo at midfield at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A general view of the 25th Las Vegas Bowl logo at midfield at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UNLV Rebels wide receiver Mekhi Stevenson (2) runs with the ball against the Nevada Wolf Pack as running back Charles Williams (8) prepares to block during the second quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UNLV Rebels wide receiver Mekhi Stevenson (2) runs with the ball against the Nevada Wolf Pack as running back Charles Williams (8) prepares to block during the second quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The benefits of an NFL team for the college squad in town

The new stadium at the south end of the Strip will serve not only as the home for the Raiders but also for UNLV. The Rebels will benefit from an instant upgrade in facilities, as it will allow recruiters to sell high school students on the chance to play in an NFL stadium. Speaking of Meyer, this was the exact tactic he was able to use to his advantage when he moved from UNLV to SMU and decided to start playing Mustangs home games at Texas Stadium.

The venue would immediately become the second-largest stadium in the Mountain West, behind only Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. And given that the NFL’s Chargers just ditched Qualcomm, UNLV would have the immediate advantage over the Aztecs in that regard. With the NFL confirming this move, Rebels head coach Tony Sanchez can begin recruiting immediately on the promise that students coming in now would get to play at least one year in an NFL facility.

When trying to land the second tier of recruits coveted by the top mid-major teams, that could be a difference maker.

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