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A new report on Ohio State’s NIL spending is making waves in the college football world. It’s shed light on the costly measures programs now need to take in order to compete at the highest level.
The new era of the sport is dominated by the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness. Schools are now competing not only for new players but fighting to keep current members on the roster.
Teams are attempting to sway the decisions of possible defectors by offering high-paying deals, using NIL as a way of both fending off poachers and the NFL Draft, all while gauging the interest of potential newcomers.
The grind truly never ends!
Ohio State has excelled this offseason in the department, convincing high-profile prospects to stick around Columbus. While Marvin Harrison, Jr. is NFL bound, leading rusher TreVeyon Henderson and star defender JT Tuimoloau have spurned the draft for one more college season.
The Buckeyes were also able to add six players in the portal, which includes a pair of former five-star Alabama signees.
How much did it cost the school to keep that core intact while adding those talented transfers? Reporter Adam King claims it came at a $10 million price tag.
Sources tell me that the cost of team retention, transfer portal additions and early enrollees for the 2024 Buckeye Football team is around $10 Million.
Ohio State has added 6 players in the portal this offseason and saw a lot of key player pass on the draft to return: pic.twitter.com/5x3f35hHwy
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) January 22, 2024
The Buckeyes got a little relief from Texans’ QB CJ Stroud, who reportedly gave a hefty donation to the Ohio State NIL collective this week, but that’s apparently only the tip of the iceberg!
Ohio State NIL spending highlights new era of college football
If you think the Buckeyes are the only ones spending that type of money on their football program, you’re sadly mistaken. Teams like Texas and Ole Miss, among others, have also made waves with their action in the transfer portal this offseason.
The Longhorns joined tOSU in its attack on an Alabama roster that’s now bolting following Nick Saban’s retirement.
Most notably, UT added wideout Isaiah Bond who was seen flexing his new commitment from inside a Lamborghini at an Austin dealership.
The Rebs, meanwhile, have utilized NIL to add 15(!) new transfers, highlighted by five-star defender Walter Nolen.
Head coach Lane Kiffin might’ve thrown some shade at Ohio State’s gargantuan spending, but Ole Miss seems to be opening the wallet, too!
This is the new world of college football. Open up the checkbook or fall further behind!