No opt-outs

[#1DieHardHawk]

It may sound sappy, but I'm proud to be a Hawkeye fan today.

There were several gut-wrenching "What ifs" with this 2025 squad, but at the end of the day it was a solid all-around season that gave this fan a sense of satisfaction that I haven't experienced for awhile.

Perhaps what is even more satisfying is the comfort knowing that we support a program that many would view as a dinosaur - a throwback to a time when players took pride in what their program stood for, a time when prioritizing the bigger picture was more important than individual aspirations.

No program is perfect, and idealism ultimately always succumbs to reality, but in the day and age of NIL, portal and bowl opt-outs, I'm more than proud of the way this Iowa staff has been able to maintain the "team first" culture. Not having any bowl opt-outs is a badge of honor, IMO, and something that deserves a shout-out.

 

[HuckFinn]

It may sound sappy, but I'm proud to be a Hawkeye fan today.

There were several gut-wrenching "What ifs" with this 2025 squad, but at the end of the day it was a solid all-around season that gave this fan a sense of satisfaction that I haven't experienced for awhile.

Perhaps what is even more satisfying is the comfort knowing that we support a program that many would view as a dinosaur - a throwback to a time when players took pride in what their program stood for, a time when prioritizing the bigger picture was more important than individual aspirations.

No program is perfect, and idealism ultimately always succumbs to reality, but in the day and age of NIL, portal and bowl opt-outs, I'm more than proud of the way this Iowa staff has been able to maintain the "team first" culture. Not having any bowl opt-outs is a badge of honor, IMO, and something that deserves a shout-out.

Right there with you, DieHard!

 

[trj]

It may sound sappy, but I'm proud to be a Hawkeye fan today.

There were several gut-wrenching "What ifs" with this 2025 squad, but at the end of the day it was a solid all-around season that gave this fan a sense of satisfaction that I haven't experienced for awhile.

Perhaps what is even more satisfying is the comfort knowing that we support a program that many would view as a dinosaur - a throwback to a time when players took pride in what their program stood for, a time when prioritizing the bigger picture was more important than individual aspirations.

No program is perfect, and idealism ultimately always succumbs to reality, but in the day and age of NIL, portal and bowl opt-outs, I'm more than proud of the way this Iowa staff has been able to maintain the "team first" culture. Not having any bowl opt-outs is a badge of honor, IMO, and something that deserves a shout-out.

Normally, I would roll my eyes and say another Iowa fan on the “holier than thou” tip, and getting all sanctimonious about how only Iowa can get the “right” players. But getting all 27 seniors to buy into this bowl game says a ton. The word culture is a buzzword now, but that still means something with the Iowa program. And, you hope that never goes away.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Not to be a cynic, but I am wondering if the boosters and the schools, now that they are paying these kids and they have contracts, have bonuses if the kids play in the bowl games? It does seem as a whole you have not heard as much about opt outs for bowl games this season compared to the last couple. Whether you like bowls or not, they are a huge part of the revenue stream for college football, and having them marginalized with a lot of kids skipping them is not good for the cash printing press. I just wonder if the lawyers are part of the reason why?

Not at Iowa, of course! All culture.

Again. I am a just cynical lawyer.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Not to be a cynic, but I am wondering if the boosters and the schools, now that they are paying these kids and they have contracts, have bonuses if the kids play in the bowl games? It does seem as a whole you have not heard as much about opt outs for bowl games this season compared to the last couple. Whether you like bowls or not, they are a huge part of the revenue stream for college football, and having them marginalized with a lot of kids skipping them is not good for the cash printing press. I just wonder if the lawyers are part of the reason why?

Not at Iowa, of course! All culture.

Again. I am a just cynical lawyer.

That's a legitimate question, and I definitely could see that as a boiler-plate contract inclusion moving forward.

Nevertheless (and admittedly I haven't researched it), I wouldn't be surprised if Iowa was the only non-CFP bowl team with zero opt-outs. They've stressed the importance many times, but when our coaches talk about recruiting "character" I believe they are being genuine, and it shows.

 

[haydensly]

I know everybody from message boards to the media have been talking about Iowa having no opt-outs. But isn't TJ Washington an opt-out?