re: Recruiting mistakes = opting out

Opting out is a function of amateurism and financial analysis of an individual athlete. It has become more common because the CFP clearly signaled that bowls are second-class exhibitions but it was not uncommon before the playoffs. I think the way it gets reported now is more direct whereas in the past you just found out the young man wasn’t playing when the team showed up to the bowl site. That is probably a function of social media.

The “fix” for opting out is compensation for appearing in these exhibitions. If the NY6 bowls via Disney/ESPN established a big pot of player compensation money, I imagine opt-outs in these bigger bowl games would significantly diminish. How much is it worth it to ESPN that they get a Cotton Bowl with Pitts and Toney playing? I bet parting with 10k+ per player on each roster - hell maybe even up to 25k/player - might be worth it when compared to the increased value to advertisers.