You can certainly make the argument that the two programs who are having the best “offseasons” in all of college football are the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Ole Miss Rebels.
Lane Kiffin’s Rebs have made a killing in the transfer portal. Although they did lose their star running back Quinshon Judkins, who transferred to – guess who??? – the Ohio State Buckeyes of course.
Ryan Day hasn’t stopped with the addition of Judkins … He’s also brought in transfer quarterback Will Howard from Kansas State as well as transfer defensive back Caleb Downs from Alabama.
Throw in the fact that several Buckeyes who were expected to leave for the NFL have surprisingly decided to return to Columbus, and you have a real monster brewing for the 2024 season.
However, not everyone is impressed with Ohio State’s offseason success…
Kiffin took to X to share an unconfirmed report from Gridiron Heroics, claiming that the Buckeyes have spent a staggering $13 million and counting in NIL money to build their elite roster.
REPORT: Ohio State Buckeyes Spent $13 Million And Counting In NIL Money In Attempt To Field Elite Roster – Gridiron Heroics š§ https://t.co/DGcjTfBIch
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) January 21, 2024
Kiffin, known for his trolling antics on social media, might be expressing a mixture of humor and frustration, especially considering that Ohio State stole Judkins away from him.
As the college football landscape continues to evolve with the prominence of the transfer portal and the influence of NIL opportunities, Ohio State stands out as a program that has navigated these changes and made the best of them (to say the least).
Ohio State On A Fresh Binge Of Cash Infusion Trying To Buy A Championship. They are Bidding For Players Flaunting It And Dare Any One To Stop Them. Just Like Baseball Mew York Yankees. Shameless NCAA Has The Heart Of Coward, The Big Phony Sign Stealing Is Their Outrage.
— Tom malden (@Truebluetom65) January 22, 2024
Day previously commented that the rival Michigan Wolverines winning the national championship was the best thing that could have ever happened for Ohio State’s NIL collective.
Losers of three straight to the hated Wolverines, Buckeye fans are hungrier than ever to get back to the top of the college football world.
Sure enough, it seems like Day and Ohio State are on an absolute mission as they prepare for the upcoming season.
They still have Day, so does it really matter
— Tink Parker (@TinkParker1976) January 23, 2024
While the exact financial figures behind all of the transactions remain undisclosed, there is speculation that the $13 million figure may actually be on the modest side.
Perhaps my soft spot for Lane Kiffin and his wonderful online personality is coloring my opinion here but this feels like a head coach hoping to spur his own base rather than suggesting anything about Ohio State directly https://t.co/kxCzg9ZoOp
— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) January 21, 2024
What are your thoughts on what the Buckeyes are doing?
More importantly, what are your thoughts on the new Wild Wild West world of college football? … In a way, it’s become no different than NFL free agency – and even that might not do it justice.
What type of guard-rails need to be put in place???
As far as Kiffin, you gotta love the guy! … He’s never afraid to speak his mind and ruffle a few feathers.
At the end of the day, will all of these moves pay off (pun intended) in a national championship for Day and Ohio State???
Lane Kiffin Says Ohio State Has Spent $13 Million In The Transfer Portal And That Seems Egregiously Low https://t.co/JMxTj2wE3M pic.twitter.com/pbLA8214YE
— Ohioās Tate (@BarstoolTate) January 22, 2024