Gus Felder on Nebraska Football, Player Development, and the NCAA Settlement

Gus Felder on the NCAA House Settlement + The Future of Player Development

In this powerful conversation, Ed Jones II sits down with Gus Felder, Director of Player Development at the University of Nebraska, to break down how the NCAA House Settlement is reshaping college athletics—and what it means for player development professionals, departments, and athletes alike.

We dive deep into:

How Gus first reacted to the settlement announcement

The real risks he sees for athletes in the new paid model

Where player development must now step up

How Nebraska is preparing—and how other schools can do the same

Why mentorship still matters more than money

What athletic departments should never forget in this new era

A powerful message to athletes walking into the “Paid Athlete Era”

Whether you’re a coach, administrator, athlete, or someone working behind the scenes, this is a must-watch as we enter one of the most transformative moments in college sports history.

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📘 BOOK - The Player Development Guide:

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📰 Player Development Newsletter:

https://beyondthefield.substack.com/

💻 Player Development Plan Course:

https://btfplayerdevelopmentcourses.thinkific.com/courses/player-development-plan-beginners

About Ed Jones II

Founder | Educator | Culture Builder | Voice of the Player Development Movement

Ed Jones II is a nationally respected authority in player development—known not just for what he does, but for how he builds people. With a career rooted in service, leadership, and transformation, Ed has impacted over 500 student-athletes across Power Five programs, including the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, and Baylor University, where he rose to Assistant Athletic Director.

Today, he is the founder and CEO of Beyond The Field, a pioneering company that equips schools, organizations, and leaders with the structure, strategy, and soul to build intentional off-the-field experiences for athletes. Through assessments, certification programs, high-impact workshops, and strategic consulting, Ed is helping shape the future of athlete development across the country.

He is also the creator of a fast-growing educational ecosystem that includes:

– 🎙️ The Player Development Pod (200+ episodes and counting)

– 🎓 The Player Development Summit (the leading national event for professionals in the space)

– 📰 The Player Development Newsletter (insight and strategy delivered weekly)

– 🧭 The Player Development Plan Course & Cohorts (a step-by-step blueprint for building programs that matter)

– 📚 Three published books, including the bestselling Player Development Guide

What sets Ed apart is his clarity. He doesn’t just speak about change—he builds systems that make it possible. Ed’s work sits at the intersection of education, athletics, and personal growth, and he’s quickly becoming the go-to mind for departments, directors, and decision-makers who want to build better, not just louder.

If you're building a program, a department, or a career in the space of athlete development, there are two types of people:

– Those who have connected with Ed Jones II.

– And those who are about to.

🔗 Connect with Ed Jones II

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

📩 Let's Talk Player Development.

Email: [e-mail] | [e-mail]

Website: https://www.btfprogram.com/

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