Tom Brady Doesn’t Hold Back on College Football’s New Era originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Tom Brady recently sat down for an interview on the “Joel Klatt Show” and offered a thoughtful take on how college football shaped him. He fondly recalled his days at the University of Michigan, where everything from competition to leadership served as a launching pad for his life.
Advertisement
Brady painted a picture of a college experience built on growth, friendship and hard work, all grounded in a clear focus on learning and accountability.
But the tone shifted when he steered toward today’s landscape. He questioned whether money now saturating college athletics might be steering young athletes away from the valuable lessons he found at Michigan.
Brady’s voice carried both warmth and concern, hinting at a changing ecosystem that may be drifting from its roots.
Advertisement
Tom Brady’s Contrast Between Then and Now
Brady emphasized how, back in his era, the college experience wasn’t clouded by financial distraction when Klatt asked about his thoughts on the state of college football.
He said he felt like a millionaire with a modest $400 scholarship check, and that he wasn’t chasing money, but camaraderie and school spirit.
He wondered if today’s players — facing agents, boosters, parents and real-money deals before their brains are fully developed — might miss out on learning valuable traits like responsibility, leadership and decision-making.
Advertisement
The 48-year-old, who played for the Michigan Wolverines from 1995 to 1999, acknowledged the potential benefits of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals but questioned whether they are short-circuiting the foundational experiences that college once provided.
Modern College Football: NIL Deals and Frequent Transfers
Brady’s worries aren’t abstract. The world of NIL has exploded. Today’s top college athletes, such as quarterback Carson Beck and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, hold NIL valuations worth millions of dollars.
Advertisement
Universities such as Texas, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and USC rank among the largest spenders on NIL. The scale of these financial incentives is orders of magnitude beyond Brady’s humble scholarship.
Meanwhile, the rise of the transfer portal has shifted the notion of commitment. Under current NCAA rules, players can transfer and play immediately as many times as they wish as long as they have remaining eligibility.
Tom Brady explained his view on the state of college football during a sit-down interview on “The Joel Klatt Show.”Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Some athletes have transferred multiple times, such as Savannah State tight end Arik Gilbert, who has moved three times between LSU, Georgia, Nebraska and Savannah State. UNLV defensive back Denver Harris has entered the portal three times, playing for Texas A&M, LSU, Texas-San Antonio and now with the Rebels.
Advertisement
Brady’s reflections remind us that college is more than a proving ground for pro prospects or financial gain. It’s about character and community in ways that may have been lost amid today’s flashy headlines.
The discussion appears poised for continued evolution as athletes, programs and regulators reconsider the balance between education and financial gain.
Related: Tom Brady Points to Key Test Bill Belichick Faces in College Football Transition
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
