With college football players now allowed to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), much of the focus of college football recruiting has begun to focus on how much NIL money a player can earn. And LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly is not happy about that.
During a recent interview, Brian Kelly called out other college football programs for “buying” players through NIL, making it clear that his team does not take that approach.
“We’re not in the market of buying players and unfortunately right now, that’s what some guys are looking for,” Kelly said.
Kelly said that there will indeed be NIL opportunities for players at LSU, but any player purely interested in money should not go to LSU.
.@JacquesDoucet : Where are you right now w/the defensive line recruiting?
Brian Kelly: "It's hasn't fared very well quite frankly because we are selling something a little bit differently…
We are not in the market of buying players."
LSU HC sends a STRONG message via @WAFB pic.twitter.com/HO8zfwdRsZ
— Carter Bryant (@PowerHourLSU) May 7, 2024
“They want to be bought,” Kelly said. “And I understand that NIL is part of this, and we have an incredible collective, we have very, very generous opportunities around the greater Baton Rouge area for NIL opportunities. So they are here, but we’re not going to go out and buy players. That’s not what this is about, this was never about that.
“We will develop you, we will get you ready for the next step… but if you’re just looking to get paid, you’re looking in the wrong place. If you like all the things that we do here in developing our players, bringing you into a championship program, playing in front of the best fanbase in America, playing for championships and having an opportunity for NIL, you should be a Tiger. But if you just want to get paid, this is not the place for you.”
Obviously, these comments led to a lot of reactions on social media.
baby you should get in the market of buying players https://t.co/p3aiC6IP1v
— 🦍BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL🦍 (@edsbs) May 7, 2024
This is an unserious approach.
Everyone knew how expensive the few good DTs were going to be in the transfer portal spring window. The idea that you weren't going to go have to "buy" them is fantasyland.https://t.co/rg8sJH9YxB https://t.co/7KHkMvepB7
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) May 7, 2024
Just say you’re poor and move on https://t.co/AF0h4FJ3cp
— Roll ‘Bama Roll (@rollbamaroll) May 8, 2024
I'm not suggesting he's being disingenuous, but this is definitely what I'd say if I couldn't come up with the money for the DL guys I wanted. https://t.co/Is0itUqWec
— parker fleming (@statsowar) May 7, 2024
EVERYONE is in the market of buying players. (It's 2024 and you're not at Notre Dame anymore. You can just say it.)
But if you say "We're not interested in paying way above market value just because demand outstrips supply at this very moment," it's probably true. https://t.co/kMZ78h9ddy
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) May 7, 2024
It’s almost as though he faked that southern accent two years ago https://t.co/B3G776iLlr
— Ty Hildenbrandt (@tyhildenbrandt) May 8, 2024
It’s certainly a bold approach to take these days.
