The NCAA overturned a ban on satellite camps on April 29th, thus creating a monumental ripple effect across the college football landscape. The controversial ban went into effect on April 8th, but public outcry was too strong for the NCAA to ignore.

What was the main concern for those who felt wronged by the NCAA? At the end of the day, it boiled down to money. It is expensive to attend college camps across the country, and parents cannot fund these trips. But colleges, like Michigan, can go barnstorming across the country, giving kids an opportunity to play at the next level. The ruling also gives smaller colleges the opportunity to see athletes who most likely would never camp at their schools.

With so many parties benefiting from satellite camps, why was there a ban in the first place? Interestingly, the Big Ten was the only conference in favor of satellite camps out of the Power 5 according to an ESPN article. Alabama head coach Nick Saban told AL.com what he thought about the original ban: “It sounds like a pretty ridiculous circumstance for me for something that nobody can really determine [if] it has any value anyway.”

Obviously the parents and players thought differently than the future Hall of Famer. It’s no secret that the South has the best talent for football in the country—the NFL draft proves that each year. ACC and SEC coaches did not want to entertain the idea of colleges from the North colluding with mid-major FBS and FCS schools. What our staff did not anticipate was how local in-state schools UGA and Georgia Tech have embraced the change.

Previously mentioned Michigan is partnering up with the University of Georgia for two camps, both on June 2nd, with one at Cedar Grove High School in the morning and the other at Lee County High School in the evening. As the old adage goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them.”

Another camp to note and perhaps the biggest is the Samford Mega Camp on June 11th. Close to 40 schools ranging from FBS, FCS and Division II will be involved. It is truly a spectacle of an event and Georgia athletes interested in participating can sign up on chrishatchercamps.com.

Recruit Georgia asked a select few coaches on what they thought about the ruling and how it will impact their colleges.

We asked Ball State Director of Player Personnel Tilmon Clark what he thought about the recent ruling.

“This is a great day for all football campers all across the nation,” Clark said. “Their abilities and aspirations can now be proven to college coaches this summer at football camps. Coaching staffs in the Group of Five can now accommodate campers who have travel restrictions by attending other institutions’ camps to find Division I talent. This decision is a huge victory for players who are looking to earn a scholarship this summer.”

Ball State is a program that has seen a lot of success over the last 6-7 years, and they target players in the Peach State during each recruiting cycle. This ruling should only strengthen their ties in Georgia.

Georgia Southern has experienced a shake-up from last season. The Eagles’ Director of Player Personnel John Douglas believes the opportunities should have a positive impact for all parties.

“Satellite camps are great for prospective student-athletes that do not have the means to make it to college campuses,” Douglas said. “They allow the exposure necessary to get a good thorough evaluation from college coaches.”

Georgia Southern has individual camps across the state, but Douglas is especially excited about teaming up with other colleges.

“We are excited about teaming up with the University of Georgia and Colorado State University on June 16th at Buford High School.”

We also asked quarterbacks coach Cayden Cochran of Division II West Georgia, a program that has quickly made itself into a powerhouse and solidified its foothold in the state of Georgia.

“I believe satellite camps provide opportunities for potential student-athletes to be evaluated and trained by college coaches across the country at a location that may be more accessible to the individual athlete,” Cochran said.

Cochran continued on about how the ruling impacts the West Georgia program: “In our case, the Elite Prospect Showcase maximizes the exposure for prospects by allowing them to showcase their talents in front of several different college football coaches in one location–Carrollton, Georgia, on June 7th.”

Obviously we are just seeing the trickle-down effect of the April 29th ruling. Camps similar to Samford’s and schools like Michigan are trailblazing a new path in the college football recruiting world. Where it takes our community we are not quite sure, but it will certainly lead to a more competitive recruiting environment then ever before.

Contributing quotes by Steven Ruzic – Recruit Georgia Analyst