STWF Sports | Dec. 13, 2025 – Robert Griffin III is officially campaigning for a job that doesn’t exist — at least not yet. The former Baylor superstar, 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, and current Fox analyst made waves this week when he went on CNBC and openly volunteered to become the first-ever Commissioner of College Football, arguing that the sport desperately needs centralized leadership in the NIL era.

“You know, I’d be the first one to say, ‘I raise my hand, and I’d love to be the commissioner of college football,’” Griffin said during a segment examining the shifting NCAA landscape. “That would be a fun job to try to figure out the best way to serve both the coaches, the players, the student-athletes, and the universities in a better way.”

Griffin’s comments came amid growing debate over the future of college athletics, where the balance of power between universities and athletes has dramatically shifted. With NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) now transforming the sport’s financial ecosystem, Griffin argued that the “old way” no longer applies.

GRIFFIN SAYS THE NCAA CAN’T OPERATE LIKE IT USED TO

Griffin pointed to one example that symbolized the tectonic shift in college football: Nick Saban’s retirement.

Though Saban cited family and health in his departure, Griffin believes the sport’s evolving complexities may have played a role.

“Nick Saban was built for the old model,” Griffin said. “The dynamics between schools and athletes are completely different now. College football needs leadership that understands how to balance player empowerment with protecting the sport.”

Right now, college football doesn’t truly have a single decision-maker. The closest role is held by Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoff, but his authority is limited strictly to postseason matters.

In Griffin’s view, the sport has outgrown its patchwork leadership structure.

GRIFFIN CALLS HEISMAN SNUB A ‘CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY’

Griffin didn’t stop at administrative opinions. He also ignited conversation with a fiery reaction to this year’s Heisman Trophy finalists.

The four players invited to New York for the December 13 ceremony are:

• Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)

• Julian Sayin (QB, Ohio State)

• Diego Pavia (QB, Vanderbilt)

• Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)

But Griffin believes the committee made one glaring omission.

“Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez being left off the Heisman Finalist list is a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY,” Griffin wrote on X.

The statement was bold — but the stats justify the passion. Rodriguez posted one of the most complete defensive seasons in school history:

• 60 solo tackles

• 7 forced fumbles

• 4 interceptions

• 1 sack

Rodriguez’s historic production helped Texas Tech secure a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, yet defensive players rarely earn Heisman consideration unless they play a second position.

Only two primarily defensive players have won the award in modern history:
Charles Woodson in 1997 and Travis Hunter in 2024 — and both doubled as elite offensive or return threats.

A FUTURE LEADER OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL?

Griffin has become one of the most outspoken and charismatic voices in the college football media landscape. His mixture of humor, blunt honesty, and deep understanding of the modern athlete has made him a fan favorite.

And while the role of “college football commissioner” doesn’t exist, the sport is undeniably trending toward major structural change — unionization efforts, athlete revenue-sharing debates, NIL regulation, and conference realignment have all pushed college football into uncharted territory.

If such a job were ever created, Griffin clearly wants to be first in line.

For now, the former Heisman winner will continue offering opinions from the booth and the studio. But his message to college sports leadership was loud and clear:

College football needs direction.
College football needs reform.
And in Griffin’s eyes, college football needs a commissioner — maybe even him.