The Ohio State Buckeyes are serious about boosting their roster. This off-season, they’ve landed some pretty impressive elite additions to their team, including former Alabama All-American safety. How? They’re making good use of their NIL money.

Ohio State’s wild spending of $13 million in NIL money to fortify the players’ roster has raised eyebrows, including those of Ole Miss HC. Leading one of the top-10 NIL collective programs, Coach Lane Kiffin isn’t sitting back to let this news bug him in silence. 

In a recent X post by Lane Kiffin, he subtly threw shade on the Buckeyes by reposting a report by Gridiron Heroics. He reiterated what the report had stated: “Ohio State Buckeyes spent $13 million and counting in NIL money in attempt to field elite roster.” The 48-year-old Ole Miss HC summed up his doubts with a single investigating emoji with a spyglass. 

According to the report, the Buckeyes have reportedly spent $13 million and counting in NIL money to bring or retain elite players to their program. They’ve already lost key players like Noah Rogers and Julian Fleming.

But Ryan Day’s plan could turn the program around because Ohio State has managed to entice elite players like safety Caleb Downs, RB Quinshon Judkins, and QB Will Howard. They’ve even retained NFL-eligible players including WR Emeka Egbuka, DB Denzel Burke, and RB TreVeyon Henderson. 

The growing popularity of NIL money in college football

This venture by Ryan Day isn’t a sudden move because Day has already spoken about the $13 million NIL money investment in 2022 to keep Ohio State on top of college football. But he wasn’t able to fulfill it at that time. He said about NIL back then, “If the speed limits 45 miles per hour, and you drive 45 miles per hour, a lot of people are going to pass you by. If you go too fast, you’re going to get pulled over.” 

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According to Max Forer on Inside Higher Ed on NIL, “When it all started, it was a slow trickle—everyone was pretty risk averse. But now more institutions and state legislatures are becoming more aggressive with their approach.” It may have taken longer than what Ryan Day anticipated, but he just got there. Once the regular season kicks off, everyone including Lane Kiffin will be able to see if Day is making the right choice for Ohio State after all. 

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