Ryan Day claims NIL takes backseat for incoming Ohio State recruits

When a player commits to a school or transfers to a larger school, it is really easy to assume that the main factor in their decision is name, image and likeness. Ryan Day was talking about the 2025 recruiting class and mentioned the fact that NIL was not a major motivating factor for anyone committed to Ohio State in 2025.

During Big Ten media days, Day pushed back on OSU shelling out the cash. “I think the thing that fires me up is the fact that none of these guys lead with NIL,: Day sais. “I mean, they’re not looking for that first. They want to be Ohio State Buckeyes. They’ve embraced the tradition and know how important it is to be a Buckeye, and they want to win a national championship when they’re here.”

This is classic coach speak, no coach is going to admit players are only committing due to the money. With that said, I do believe Day here. The Buckeyes arrived late to the NIL party, but when they arrived most of those funds were rumored to be used to convince players already enrolled to come back instead of head to the NFL.