REPORT: In an effort to field an elite roster, the Ohio State Buckeyes spent $13 million and counting in nonexistent funds.
According to CFB Focus, the Ohio State Buckeyes’ NIL collectives and the Boosters have reportedly spent $13 million in NIL money to add and/or retain elite players for their 2024 roster.
They have so far spent this amount of $13 million. Caleb Downs, a transfer defensive back from Alabama Crimson Tide, is still a target for them. Additionally, they are searching for a few more offensive linemen.
Max Forer, a partner at Miller Nash law firm, compared the current state of non-intervention to an arms race in an article published on Inside Higher Ed. This is especially true in light of the laws that have been implemented in the non-intervention realm.
Everyone was very risk averse when it first started, so it was all happening slowly. However, Forer noted that more organizations and state legislatures are now taking an increasingly assertive stance. It’s similar to the arms race in facilities, where people compete to have the best treatment centers or locker rooms, but now they also want the best and safest state legislation.
When Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day addressed the Columbus business community in 2022 about NIL, he estimated that it would cost $13 million to maintain Ohio State football’s elite status, according to Cleveland.com.
Day didn’t get to that number until this year, but that’s because it’s a requirement of his policy given NIL’s wild west vibe. Day made a comparison between the lawlessness of NIL and a speed limit in the Cleveland.com article.
At the time, Day stated—a claim that Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule later confirmed—that elite college quarterbacks were valued at $2 million.
Day continued by saying that top edge rushers and offensive tackles cost roughly $1 million. Day was accurate, if a little bit under his 2022 projection—he has now invested $13 million to assemble one of the top collegiate football teams.
Not only have the Ohio State Buckeyes been active in the transfer portal this offseason, but they have also persuaded a number of players to return for another season rather than enter the NFL draft.
Former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins, one of the best running backs in the portal, and former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, one of the most highly-touted quarterbacks in the portal, both made their landing at Ohio State. Seth McLaughlin, a former center for Alabama, was also added by the Buckeyes.
Although Ohio State lost two of its best receivers in Julian Fleming and Noah Rogers, they still have one of the strongest rosters in the nation with the players they were able to convince to return.
TreVeyon Henderson, the running back, defensive back Denzel Burke, and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka lead the Ohio State Buckeyes in return plays. Had they been selected in the 2024 NFL draft, all three of the offensive weapons would have been safe picks.
Egbuka was predicted by NFL Draft Buzz to be a late first-round selection. Henderson was predicted to be selected in the third round and Burke in the second round.
Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, guard Donovan Jackson, defensive end Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, defensive back Lathan Ransom, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, and defensive back Lathan Ransom are among the other NFL-caliber players who chose to return to Ohio State.
