It's Not the X's and O's, It's The Piles of Dough

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Ok, ok, the saying is really "It’s not the X’s and the O’s, but the Jimmys and the Joes that make the difference.”

In Columbus, where tons of talent hasn't helped win titles recently, Ryan Day decided to open his checkbook instead of the playbook (somebody else's checkbook, technically). Well, he opened the playbook too, by luring Chip Kelly away from UCLA to run the offense. 

Day has not won a national championship. Even worse, he has suffered three straight defeats to That Team Up North, something that hadn't happened this millennium. Adding to the sting, rival Michigan rolled to its first national title in 26 years. Only a week after maize and blue confetti showered the celebrating Wolverines inside Houston's NRG Stadium, Day showed the new athletic director exactly how he planned to rebound, through NIL funds.

Day's vision has become a reality. With a war chest of $20 million for name, image, and likeness deals this year, the Buckeyes have had great success in the transfer portal, securing two of the SEC's top players in safety Caleb Downs and running back Quinshon Judkins. Ohio State has also signed a star-studded recruiting class, including highly-touted freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Notable returning players from last year's team, such as preseason All-America wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, have decided to postpone entering the NFL draft in favor of one final season. 

Furthermore, Day was able to persuade Chip Kelly, a sitting Power 5 head coach at UCLA, to become the offensive playcaller for Ohio State. One NFL scout has even called this Ohio State team the most talented he has ever evaluated, with more depth than the 2021 national champion Georgia team, which set a draft record with 15 players selected in 2022.

"Pound for pound, player for player," the scout said, "they have as many good players as any [college football] team that I can remember."

The payroll on this "collegiate" team even has Lane Kiffin's attention, as he re-tweeted (re-X'd?) this ESPN article...


Former players seem to think this is Day's last chance...

"To the masses of Buckeye nation, I would argue it's national championship or bust," said Cardale Jones, the last Ohio State quarterback to win a national championship in 2014, who later cofounded one of the school's two primary collectives, The Foundation. "I don't think beating Michigan, I don't think winning the Big Ten championship game and just going to the playoffs is enough."

Just two years ago, Day informed boosters that it would require $13 million in NIL funds for the Buckeyes to assemble their team. 

Tyvis Powell, the director of player engagement for Ohio State's other group, the 1870 Society, mentioned that previously the Buckeyes lost out on recruiting players they desired because they lacked sufficient NIL funds. Now, according to industry sources, Ohio State is one of the biggest spenders in college football's NIL market.

Welcome to the new era of college football. A 12-team playoff, but also enormous payrolls for players.

Let's all collectively brace ourselves. 

Side Note: On MyBookie, the 12oz Sports sponsor (promo code 12OZSPORTS for a huge bonus), Ohio State isn't even the favorite to win the title. Georgia is at +300, and the Buckeyes +380. 


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