Mario Cristobal needs to follow Ryan Day and speak out against college football chaos

On Monday, Ryan Day addressed the growing possibility of NFL players returning to college football after a Louisiana court order opened the door.

"If there are teams that have some players out there who are cut from NFL rosters that are gonna be on other teams, we have to at least consider it and look at it. Do I like anything about it? Absolutely not, but we gotta do what's right for Ohio State."

Ryan Day

Day made no attempt to hide his discomfort as he believes players who reach the NFL should stay there. But he also recognized the competitive reality. Then on Tuesday, the conference unanimously passed a rule prohibiting any player who declared for the NFL Draft without withdrawing, appeared on a professional roster, or signed a pro contract from competing for a Big Ten school.

If Mario Cristobal is against NFL players returning to college, he needs to step up and say it

While Day publicly wrestled with the issue and his conference moved decisively, Mario Cristobal has said nothing. The head coach of the program many consider the best in the ACC has offered no public comment on whether he supports the practice, opposes it, or is prepared to participate if the opportunity arises. This is a sport where coaches have opinions on everything, and one of the most influential figures within the conference is silent?

Cristobal has literally never been shy about criticizing rules he believes disadvantage the Hurricanes. That absence of leadership feels like the weakest position anybody could have in a situation like this. Now we don't know everything that is happening behind closed doors, but just letting this happen and not saying anything can't possibly be the best course of action. Not when college football starts this week and the Canes play in less than two weeks.

Day at least put his cards on the table. Now, in the spirit of not giving Day too much credit, it's not like he absolutely shunned the idea. He actually considered it, but the vote was unanimous in the Big Ten and they can now put one of college football's biggest issues in the rearview mirror.

The young men on Big Ten rosters also don't have to look over their shoulders and worry about an NFL-reject taking their spot one week before the season starts.

And that, at the heart of it all, is why Cristobal needs to be speak up immediately. Dabo Swinney needs to make a statement on the matter as well, but the bar for him is far lower because he has disappointed plenty of times before on matters regarding the players. He is only just now getting around to accepting the transfer portal.

But for Cristobal, the time is ticking. With one statement of disapproval, this can all go away for the ACC, and the time to make it was yesterday.

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