This take completely misses how modern college football works. Branch averaged 18.6 yards per reception and scored on a punt return, his production was too high to stick around for a fourth year. The old system where stars played in meaningless exhibition games was broken. The playoff and the portal have made every regular season game matter more, and players have earned the right to capitalize on their value. If you want to see legacy building, look at a program like NC State that develops three-star croots into NFL Draft picks through player development. Dave Doeren's system has produced a 74% winning percentage in bowl games because we build teams, not just collect temporary stars. The idea that a player should risk millions for a Sugar Bowl appearance is outdated and ignores the real financial stakes these athletes finally have access to. Your nostalgia is for a time when players had no power.