The SEC recently made a decision to keep scholarship limits for its football programs at 85 for the 2025 season. This move was unexpected, especially with the possibility of teams being able to move to 105 scholarships next year due to the NCAA vs the House lawsuit settlement. The decision has left football coaches in the conference wondering about the guidelines for next year’s roster, especially with national signing day moved to Dec. 4.
As SEC schools prepare for the 2025 season, the ACC is now in the spotlight. The question is whether the ACC will also set a limit on scholarships and how this decision will impact Clemson. Currently, Clemson has 85 scholarships and fills the rest of the roster with walk-ons. The House Settlement, with an expected $2.8 billion, has passed preliminary approval but awaits finalization in an April 7, 2025 hearing.
The recent elimination of the National Letter of Intent by the NCAA is seen as a positive step in these discussions. Clemson’s head coach, Dabo Swinney, expressed hope for a new scholarship agreement to replace it. The potential revenue share from the settlement is also encouraging for schools like Clemson, hoping for a more level playing field against programs with wealthy boosters offering better Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities.
With the possibility of sharing $22 million with student-athletes, schools have the opportunity to enhance their programs. Clemson aims to leverage this financial support, along with potential roster limits of at least 105 scholarships, to attract top talent and retain current players for future success.
However, if the ACC decides to maintain the 85-scholarship limit like the SEC, Clemson may face challenges in recruiting and the transfer portal. Despite the current focus on the remaining weeks of the regular season, conference championships, and upcoming bowl games, the upcoming off-season in college football is already shaping up to be an intriguing period to monitor.