We’ve heard some troubling buzz circulating about Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) through the latest early signing period, and a lot of it has found its way to the news cycle and rumor mill when it comes to Ohio State.
We’ve already told you about a couple of videos that emerged suggesting the Buckeye program has fallen behind other schools with NIL money, and one of those deals with actual quotes from one of Ohio State’s quarterback signees for the 2023 class that seems to confirm those reports.
Four-star Quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz, an eleventh-hour addition to the 2023 class for Ohio State when he flipped from Washington to Ryan Day and Ohio State — says he could have made more NIL money with the Huskies than what he was being offered by the folks at OSU.
“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
— 📣 Midco Sports (@MidcoSports) December 22, 2022
Despite the perception that Ohio State’s NIL model isn’t where some of the other big-name programs are, the Buckeyes still managed to haul in the No. 6 recruiting class — at least according to the 247Sports Team Composite Rankings.
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 reign in some of the ways NIL is running things in college football, things could look very, very different in the years to come, and it might not be for the better.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on Twitter.
Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
