CLEMSON — Once again, the SEC is leading the way in college football.

On Thursday, the SEC reportedly set scholarship limits for its football programs in 2025. The league decided to remain at 85 scholarships.

This is somewhat of a surprising move considering teams will likely have an option to move to 105 scholarships next year as a result of the NCAA vs the House lawsuit settlement.

The SEC’s decision comes as football coaches in the conference try to figure out what limits and guidelines they have in making next year’s roster. As you recall, national signing day was moved to Dec. 4, which also adds a little more spice.

“As football coaches recruit now to build rosters for the 2025 season, it was important to provide them with parameters to manage this interim period as we await a final ruling on the House settlement which would address how scholarships are managed going forward,” an SEC spokesperson told CBS Sports. “SEC schools will maintain an 85-scholarship limit for the 2025 season, the same as in past years, with an overall roster size to be established by the settlement if it is approved.”

Now the question is what will the ACC do? Will it follow the SEC and set a limit, and how will that affect Clemson next season.

Currently, Clemson has 85 scholarships and then supplements the rest of the roster with walk-ons, like the rest of college football. The House Settlement, which is expected to be $2.8 billion, has already passed preliminary approval, but it will not be finalized until an April 7, 2025 hearing.

Last month, the NCAA eliminated the National Letter of Intent, which was another positive step in the discussions.

“There will be some type of scholarship agreement that will take its place,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “I don’t know many details on all of that, but I am encouraged that the (revenue) share seems like it is going to the next step and pushing forward. So, that is a positive.”

Clemson, like a lot of schools, is hoping the settlement can level the playing field somewhat, especially against those schools who have boosters with deep pockets and can provide better Name, Image and Likeness opportunities.

With the settlement, schools will have the ability to share $22 million with their student-athletes. How they share that money is up to the individual school.

Clemson is hoping the $22 million, plus roster limits of at least 105, can benefit the Tigers going forward and give them more of an opportunity to compete for the best athletes in the country, while retaining their current players.

However, if the ACC follows in the SEC’s footsteps, Clemson could lose out in recruiting and in the transfer portal–if it ever does go to the portal–if the league votes to stay at 85 scholarships next season.

Though there are still four weeks left in the regular season, plus conference championships, the College Football Playoff and bowls, the off-season in college football is already setting up to be an exciting one to follow.