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Baylor Coaches Rock ‘We Pay Players’ Shirts At Practice To Boost NIL Efforts

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“We Pay Players.”

That’s the message that Baylor football coaches wore on shirts at practice this week as the Bears look to promote their NIL efforts as part of a recruiting strategy.

And in the current era of NCAA athletics, it’s all legal.

The Bears are even selling the shirts as part of an NIL fundraising effort.

Baylor currently has the 28th-ranked recruiting class in the nation for the class of 2025 according to 247Sports. But the Bears have picked up their efforts of late, landing in-state stars such as in-state stars Kamauryn Morgan and Taz Williams Jr.

What’s the secret?

“We’re paying players,” head coach Dave Aranda bluntly said at Big 12 media days.

“Then, I think there’s — recruiting is [succeeding] this time. It’s throughout today, recruiting is still going on. So, having the NIL money to win some of these recruiting battles and close it out, whereas a year ago that was not the case. I think those are two big changes,” he continued.

The Bears previously struggled with their fundraising efforts, and Aranda admitted he was a big part of the reason why.

“I think the way it stands right now just with our record and with the amount of freshmen that are playing on our team. … We are kind of the perfect example of a team to be poached [by other teams,]” Aranda said. “So, all that’s in play right now and is happening right now and is something that I’m spending a lot of time on.
“So, whether that’s NIL for the guys on our team and getting that to where that is way competitive. And then, for guys that are coming in, and that are going to be on our team and all that, I think it’s something that is a major focus.”
Aranda went 12-2 and won the Sugar Bowl in his second season in Waco. But back-to-back losing seasons have moved him to onto the hot seat.
Now it appears he’s ready to embrace new solutions in hopes of getting things back on track.