We’ve heard some troubling buzz circulating about name, image and likeness through the latest early signing period, and when it comes to Ohio State, a lot of it has found its way into the news cycle.
We’ve already told you about a couple of videos that emerged suggesting the Buckeye program has fallen behind other schools with NIL money. One of those, featuring one of Ohio State’s 2023 quarterback signees, seems to confirm those reports.
Four-star quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, an 11th-hour addition to Ohio State’s 2023 class when he flipped from Washington — said he could have made more NIL money with the Huskies.
“I think Washington had better NIL than Ohio State,” Kineholz told Midco Sports. “I think I can go to Washington and get money, or I can go to Ohio State and be developed and then potentially reach my goal of going to the NFL,” he continued.
"I need to bet on myself, stars really don't matter."@AnderaMidco talked to @LincolnKienholz about why he picked the @OhioStateFB on signing day!#MidcoSports pic.twitter.com/cq7I1UOPLd
— đŁ Midco Sports (@MidcoSports) December 22, 2022
Despite the perception that Ohio State’s NIL model isn’t where some other big-name programs are, the Buckeyes still hauled in the No. 6 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports team composite.
Still, these comments are troubling and point to a growing issue with NIL and how it is changing the landscape of recruiting in college football. Without legislation or oversight to rein in some of the ways NIL is running things in college football, the situation could look very, very different in the years to come, and it might not be for the better.
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