A couple thoughts on NU’s future in the age of NIL

[eastbaycat99]

I was at the game Eugene with my OU alum son yesterday. As we were walking toward the gate we started to talk to guy wearing NU gear, and I asked if he was an alum. He replied that his son was a freshman on the team. When I asked him how his son liked the classes at NU, he said they were great and that he (the Dad) was so happy it was the school he had chosen. He went on to say, jokingly, that he had forbidden his son to transfer until after he had earned his degree. Then, if an SEC school wants to pay him a gazillion dollars, he could go there. In June, my wife and I had the chance to attend the SESP commencement as our niece was getting a degree. A number of the football players were graduating from that school and a had a chance to talk briefly with a few at a reception afterwards. Several said that their degree was always their goal, and that while they were glad NIL was there and they would take advantage of it as they continued to play, they were really happy to have chosen NU.

Watching the game, it was interesting to contrast the NU and OU teams. The depth of talent for the Ducks was evident, but NU was very competitive with its mix of players who have been on the roster for 3 or 4 years and strategic transfers. Chiles was the best player on the field yesterday, and the Cats were able to put a value proposition together that brought him in for at least a year. He could transfer to an SEC school next year for the money, or he may not. He is clearly at NU because it was the best choice for his football career. The other players I had talked to were on the field because it was a great school and a good choice for their football opportunity. While the Oregons and OSUs of the conference will be professional football teams, the Cats will be a hybrid of a college and pro team as long as it maintains a coaching staff that can both develop student athletes and further professional athletes careers. Yesterday, they had the chance to beat the pro team and fell short of the level of execution required. If they had played last week, they probably would have beaten them. With OSU’s QB problem, the Cats have a chance to beat them in a few weeks.
I think at this point NU is at a generally competitive disadvantage to a few teams like OSU and OU, but have a general advantage over teams like Nebraska and Michigan State. They may not be able to maintain that position, but I would not bet against it.

 

[Fanaticat98]

So what you’re saying is we should somehow find a way to make it difficult to get into their required classes so they take 5 years to get their undergrad degree

I have to think that we will pay up for Chiles and as long as Neuheisel and Kelly are here he’s likely to stay - this is already his 3rd school and he’s just getting good coaching now.

 

[JustGary]

So what you’re saying is we should somehow find a way to make it difficult to get into their required classes so they take 5 years to get their undergrad degree

I have to think that we will pay up for Chiles and as long as Neuheisel and Kelly are here he’s likely to stay - this is already his 3rd school and he’s just getting good coaching now.

Chiles probably had better financial offers this year than coming to NU. He chose because of his relationship with Chip, the coaches he met, and the vision we had of him. He has excel because we gave him everything he needed to reach his potential. He will have very high value on the market but he is very smart. He knows what he will have if he stays another year with Chip and Jerry. He knows going to the wrong system or getting the wrong coach could actually hurt his future value. We need to be smart and give him Heisman-level money or as close as we can. We can do that by getting those NIL connections going. He is a great representative of the school and football program.

 

[Deeringfish]

Chiles probably had better financial offers this year than coming to NU. He chose because of his relationship with Chip, the coaches he met, and the vision we had of him. He has excel because we gave him everything he needed to reach his potential. He will have very high value on the market but he is very smart. He knows what he will have if he stays another year with Chip and Jerry. He knows going to the wrong system or getting the wrong coach could actually hurt his future value. We need to be smart and give him Heisman-level money or as close as we can. We can do that by getting those NIL connections going. He is a great representative of the school and football program.

That is a really good point. What impact on his retenion would offering him a well thought-out Heisman campaign be?

 

[Baz = Heisman]

Yes. We have real student-athletes and always will. We don’t sell our souls to win. Which is a huge reason we should be admired by the whole country. Do what we believe is right. And we are.

 

[JustGary]

That is a really good point. What impact on his retenion would offering him a well thought-out Heisman campaign be?

For one thing, we need to sign him up now. I know there is talk about him going to the draft but negotiate another year now and announce it. Try and sign deals with as many returning starters before the season ends.

You need about 2 million in revenue sharing plus 4+ million in NIL. Sounds like a lot but he is going to demand that much with what he has shown.

 

[Fanaticat98]

I honestly don’t know what the QB class is like this year compared to next year. If Chiles had continued to pick apart Oregon and we won there would be more talk, but we were shut down in the second half. I could moreso see him getting more draft escalation if we win at least 3 more with good offensive output, which would mean at least 2 of 3 of ranked Iowa, ranked OSU and Minnesota on the road. If we did that, it would be an extremely good year based on the schedule and he’d deservedly be looking at the draft. But if we go more like 8-4 or worse there won’t be as much hype. Unless it’s because Chiles helps us out up 35+ points and the defense has just continued to collapse and give up like 40.

 

[Catmandoo78]

I don’t think the draft is a real concern here. He’s a better athlete than QB. The NFL never invests a high pick in those guys. And he’ll command more money in college than his first NFL contract.

 

[eastbaycat99]

I would love Chiles to be back, but don’t expect him to be. What I do think is that the GM and staff will budget NIL money to target a QB with high upside, retention of a group of players who have completed a Bachelors, and a small group of transfers to plug holes.

 

[loyolacat]

Chiles probably had better financial offers this year than coming to NU. He chose because of his relationship with Chip, the coaches he met, and the vision we had of him. He has excel because we gave him everything he needed to reach his potential. He will have very high value on the market but he is very smart. He knows what he will have if he stays another year with Chip and Jerry. He knows going to the wrong system or getting the wrong coach could actually hurt his future value. We need to be smart and give him Heisman-level money or as close as we can. We can do that by getting those NIL connections going. He is a great representative of the school and football program.

....therefore we should pay CHIP!!!!!