NCAA rejects latest Colorado-Syracuse spring combine proposal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The NCAA denied a waiver request from Deion Sanders, Colorado State and Syracuse that would have allowed the programs to hold joint spring practices in 2026, USA TODAY Sports reported.
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Under current NCAA legislation, spring games or practices between two Football Bowl Subdivision programs are prohibited unless special relief is granted. The NCAA Division I FBS Oversight Committee voted to deny the request during a Jan. 22 video conference, citing an ongoing comprehensive review of the college football calendar.
Sanders and Syracuse coach Fran Brown proposed a joint training model modeled after the NFL, where teams regularly train with each other during training camp. Sanders previously described the concept as a potential “pilot program” to modernize spring football.
Buffalo and the Orange are also seeking similar relief in 2025. The request was denied because it was submitted late in the spring training window. This year’s proposal was submitted earlier but rejected for broader policy reasons.
Committee chairman Mark Arnatt, UB’s athletic director, told USA TODAY Sports that the group does not want to grant exceptions to either school and that the subcommittee is “deeply studying” potential calendar changes, including the structure of spring practice.
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“Specific circumstances do not exempt this legislation,” the NCAA wrote in its rationale.
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The governing body left open the possibility of future changes, noting that a group might consider legislation that would allow all members to take joint action.
Colorado will not appeal the decision. Syracuse will hold its annual spring game on April 11, while Colorado will begin spring practice on March 2.