Caleb Williams to the Portal... keeps open option to return to OU

I know that the recruiting board and other college football outlets have been in a tizzy about A&M spending $30MM for a recruiting class and inking those NIL deals, but that's basically how it's going to be done now. In a way, that's how it was probably done behind closed doors anyhow.

Over in Europe, they find the idea that we have 100K-seat stadiums for "amateurs-who-aren't-really-amateurs" laughable because everyone knows what's really going on. They pay using Adidas or Nike money to effin' 12-year-olds to get on the U15 team and then stay on the U18 and U23 teams in some cases. And they have a ****-ton of clauses about workouts, diet, behavior, being unable to transfer, parental involvement, etc. in order to be able to keep the cash. I know those are pro sports teams and not colleges, but why not trend it that way? Cat's out of the bag.

 

I was on a business call with a coworker/buddy in the UK this morning and the conversation went there - he said basically the same thing. Crazy times...

 

All the Sooners in the portal- is this primarily a challenge to OU to get its NIL up and running competitively?

 

They have been experts at paying players under the table - apparently having trouble figuring out how to pay on top.

 

Or is there something else going on?

 

The difference between NIL and payola is the scale to be competitive. My guess is that at OU, or a typical SEC team, every scholarship player gets about $40k in extra benefits per year, roughly $3-4M for the roster. Texas’ NIL will be about $10M and up per year.
Not everybody can afford that, easily. And it’s going up.

 

Texas $10ml to aggie $25-30? Hmmm, yep they’re going to do well.

 

We'll be fine regardless. I expect CW to end up at USC. The word is that UGA didn't have enough $. I think a player like CW should do the long term math. OU puts out NFL QB's. The difference over the first contract from Mac Jones to Trevor Lawrence was about $21,000,000. That and success into the second contract is how you build generational wealth. And, don't tell me Riley did it. Baker was a walk on who was just a natural college QB and Murray is there because of his freaky speed. They also had a TON of future NFL players around them and (most importantly) in front of them. Rattler was a mess and CW was 5-2 with a few games way too close (KU). I'll take a QB with heart who's a leader (like an Ehlinger?) over a guy who calls himself superman.

Look at how Brady chose TB. He saw a stout defense with a straight up NASTY OL along a coach that he could work with. Smart guy. As was alluded to earlier, smart QB's make sure the team has enough to pay around them so they'll be better. I loved watching that OL during Jameis' last year. That center is so good.

 

Well, used cars are in short supply so Big Red might be having cash flow problems.

 

I think Caleb is headed to South Carolina.

 

Oh yea?
Wants to join his old buddy Rattler there?

 

Exactly. Good catch I was expecting people to tell me I was out of my mind.

 

I was thinking Bohmar is shaking his head right now.
I always felt bad for that kid.

 

I was thinking the same.’
Billy gets a 100k deal, ends up abusing some broad two weeks after collecting that check…. Team kicks him off and OU quickly steps in to offer a scholarship before he turns in his cleats.
Now what?

 

Some broad?
Really?

 

Yeah, sorry been watch Goodfellas. Again, great catch.

 

I forgot to put Eastern Michigan in the poll...

Charlie Batch offers Caleb Williams $1 million to play at Eastern Michigan - Sports Illustrated

 

There's going to be a lot of these "hot shot" offers at first. But I think things will normalize in a few years.

 

Major, only if there are no more ‘hot shots’, and I don’t think that will ever happen. CW is trolling for dollars.

 

I’m reversing my opinion on CW. I was disgusted at first. But stepping back, his decision is almost certainly being driven by NIL as others have mentioned. So while I hate the optics and apparent lack of loyalty, I now can’t blame him for working the system to his advantage.

 

And, to be fair to him, he came for Riley. He apparently doesn’t like that lebby runs the qb. That’s what made him great.