NIL Priorities for 2025

[YaketySax]

Given finite NIL funds…

1. Don’t pay above market rate for Barion Brown.
2. Don’t pay above market rate for Brock.
3. Don’t pay above market rate for last year’s OL transfers. I’ve not seen much to warrant a bidding war for their 2025 services. If they return at discount rate then good.
4. Don’t pay above market rate for Traynam.

Bright spots…

1. Maintain and develop current WR corps with improved QB play.
2. Young RBs seem promising. Build with them.
3. Kicking game
4. DB corps has been recruited and developed internally. Retain previous transfers.

NIL funds prioritize in this order…

1. A transfer QB. I don’t trust Boley to be a starter based off what he did against FCS, 1-9, Murray St. NOW, if you want to find out what ya got, and if you want to be able to compare while QB shopping in the portal next month, then play him a good bit in the next two games. Keep in mind that may expose him to his own NIL recruitment. There are always trade-offs.
2. DT and DE transfers
3. ILB transfer
4. OT and OG transfers
5. Best available: OLB, RB, and CB.

Addendum: Keye probably earned a NIL bump. I would entertain a bidding war to a to 30% over what he’s making now but beyond that I get concerned about the opportunity costs for other transfer needs highlighted above.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Need a lot more NIL money.

 

[Glenn's take]

You all just need to pony up.

 

[catben]

Need an LT above ALL other positions!!!!

Boley is the future, give him the reins NOW!!!!

A DT would be nice, but not essential.

Play all of those YOUNG dudes on defense next season and develop the young O-Linemen.

Pay whatever it takes for 2 OT's!!!

Go from there.

 

[UKat1]

Given finite NIL funds…

1. Don’t pay above market rate for Barion Brown.
2. Don’t pay above market rate for Brock.
3. Don’t pay above market rate for last year’s OL transfers. I’ve not seen much to warrant a bidding war for their 2025 services. If they return at discount rate then good.
4. Don’t pay above market rate for Traynam.

Bright spots…

1. Maintain and develop current WR corps with improved QB play.
2. Young RBs seem promising. Build with them.
3. Kicking game
4. DB corps has been recruited and developed internally. Retain previous transfers.

NIL funds prioritize in this order…

1. A transfer QB. I don’t trust Boley to be a starter based off what he did against FCS, 1-9, Murray St. NOW, if you want to find out what ya got, and if you want to be able to compare while QB shopping in the portal next month, then play him a good bit in the next two games. Keep in mind that may expose him to his own NIL recruitment. There are always trade-offs.
2. DT and DE transfers
3. ILB transfer
4. OT and OG transfers
5. Best available: OLB, RB, and CB.

Addendum: Keye probably earned a NIL bump. I would entertain a bidding war to a to 30% over what he’s making now but beyond that I get concerned about the opportunity costs for other transfer needs highlighted above.

I think Key and Brown go to the draft or transfer

 

[truebluewildcat]

Wilcox, Patterson, Boley. If push comes to shove with the older guys already on roster and negotiating with potential incoming portal guys you error on the side of the long game with the youth you already have. Wilcox is the most obvious as he clearly has star potential. Patterson is nice in the limited action he gets...averaging well over 5 yds a pop. Boley is a question mark but by all accounts, the raw talent and potential is there he just needs the reps, experience, maturity, and physical development that comes over time.

The older guys we have, had their shot. I can appreciate the effort, but I can also see the overall results. No thanks, I'm not going to overpay for guys who've struggled against Vandy, SC, Missouri, and a down Florida.

The ROI potential on those 3 freshmen, among the other young underclassmen, talent is greater, and we have them for longer.

 

[YaketySax]

I think Key and Brown go to the draft or transfer

Frees up funds either way

 

[_ukcat]

Need a lot more NIL money.

A lot lot more. Saw where Mich going 10.5M for the QB they are after. Also seems like I read few Big Time schools have like 25-35M in NIL they will be using

 

[UKBlueBlood]

A lot lot more. Saw where Mich going 10.5M for the QB they are after. Also seems like I read few Big Time schools have like 25-35M in NIL they will be using

Pure lunacy. No one is getting a legitimate business return on pumping such NIL dollars into a program, unless you just want to throw the money at it for pure entertainment.

 

[Boz]

Have put a huge about of nil money into the OL number 1.

 

[rick64]

New head coach.

 

[TOMCATS1990]

Listening to Sports radio on the way to work everyday I turn to different shows and channels. I heard each school is to receive 20 million for NIL starting next season. I didn’t catch the entire conversation so I don’t know all the details. Does anyone know more?

 

[mrschwump]

Listening to Sports radio on the way to work everyday I turn to different shows and channels. I heard each school is to receive 20 million for NIL starting next season. I didn’t catch the entire conversation so I don’t know all the details. Does anyone know more?

Is that SEC or NCAA?

That's good news because OL is getting close to QB money now.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

A lot lot more. Saw where Mich going 10.5M for the QB they are after. Also seems like I read few Big Time schools have like 25-35M in NIL they will be using

But people think we can just switch coaches and will magically start competing for sec titles and making the playoff.

I for one am 100% ok with Stoops going away and someone else getting a shot. I'm also a realist and know how much of an advantage teams that spend way more in a no salary cap system have.

 

[RDF922]

Listening to Sports radio on the way to work everyday I turn to different shows and channels. I heard each school is to receive 20 million for NIL starting next season. I didn’t catch the entire conversation so I don’t know all the details. Does anyone know more?

The school gets 22 million

How they spend it is up to them. Most P4 schools will spend at least 70% on football.

 

[bigbluedon]

Pure lunacy. No one is getting a legitimate business return on pumping such NIL dollars into a program, unless you just want to throw the money at it for pure entertainment.

You nailed it. This is absolute lunacy and it cannot be sustained. College sports are ruined and I don’t see it getting better. This is not the way it was intended to be. I will go to my grave despising the term NIL

 

[bnewt]

Need a lot more NIL money.

Uk can't compete in the nil market, not enough boosters with large open pockets

 

[mrschwump]

Uk can't compete in the nil market, not enough boosters with large open pockets

According to published article today, they're in a good place and with Eddie Gran as General Manager, are making headway. FWIW.

 

[gamalielkid]

Given finite NIL funds…

1. Don’t pay above market rate for Barion Brown.
2. Don’t pay above market rate for Brock.
3. Don’t pay above market rate for last year’s OL transfers. I’ve not seen much to warrant a bidding war for their 2025 services. If they return at discount rate then good.
4. Don’t pay above market rate for Traynam.

Bright spots…

1. Maintain and develop current WR corps with improved QB play.
2. Young RBs seem promising. Build with them.
3. Kicking game
4. DB corps has been recruited and developed internally. Retain previous transfers.

NIL funds prioritize in this order…

1. A transfer QB. I don’t trust Boley to be a starter based off what he did against FCS, 1-9, Murray St. NOW, if you want to find out what ya got, and if you want to be able to compare while QB shopping in the portal next month, then play him a good bit in the next two games. Keep in mind that may expose him to his own NIL recruitment. There are always trade-offs.
2. DT and DE transfers
3. ILB transfer
4. OT and OG transfers
5. Best available: OLB, RB, and CB.

Addendum: Keye probably earned a NIL bump. I would entertain a bidding war to a to 30% over what he’s making now but beyond that I get concerned about the opportunity costs for other transfer needs highlighted above.

I'm just an old guy not able to keep up. with NIL - lol! So, I will ask this question in this thread. Is a School currently limited on how much money that players can make from NIL? Is there a proposed limit for the future being considered? Does it affect the entire athletic program at a University or is each sport "on it's on?" Good news/bad news here in one way. When people say UK can't ever compete - well unlimited money would say ANY school could compete. IF a player can make as much or more money at a school where he/she likes the coaches, community, facilities, etc. and with TV exposure being about the same for all schools now - then it goes back to "And why not UK?". This appears to make "cheating" totally obsolete and no reason for any team to ever be put on probation until this issue has some pretty set and enforceable rules in place.

Go Big Blue!

 

[Pelosigalore]

At least 50% of 2025 NIL should go to the OL recruiting for the portal and HS players.

 

[K_TIME]

What Sumrall wants....

 

[truebluewildcat]

UK’s issue is not money/resources overall nor specifically NIL.

Its strategy in terms of using money where, when, on who…

Then even more it’s just good ole fashioned recruiting, development, game planning, play calling and execution.

I’m tired of everyone acting as if we’re in the poor house.

We’re literally a top 20 athletic department in terms of revenue. Not only making it, revenue, but spending it. Which is just as important. You can make a lot of money if you don’t put it to work it’s not doing you any good.

Again money isn’t the sole deciding factor. A bunch of the programs ahead of us on that list aren’t in any better positions. A bunch of programs below us on the list are.

 

[trueblujr2]

A lot lot more. Saw where Mich going 10.5M for the QB they are after. Also seems like I read few Big Time schools have like 25-35M in NIL they will be using

I just don't see how that's sustainable, even for the traditional power programs. What's the ROI for many of those investors?

 

[trueblujr2]

Uk can't compete in the nil market, not enough boosters with large open pockets

It's going to have to be like small market clubs in MLB baseball. Invest heavy for a few years to try and make a playoff. Then back off for a few years of mediocrity or irrelevance before hitting the boosters up again.

 

[bthaunert]

Listening to Sports radio on the way to work everyday I turn to different shows and channels. I heard each school is to receive 20 million for NIL starting next season. I didn’t catch the entire conversation so I don’t know all the details. Does anyone know more?

That’s not NIL money…that is revenue sharing money in the schools budget that they are mandated to use to pay their athletes. This all comes from a lawsuit settlement and is used to compensate all athletes, although football and men’s basketball will get the most.

NIL money is separate and in addition to that.

https://www.on3.com/news/power-conf...-2025-26-sports-year-house-v-ncaa-settlement/

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

New coaching staff will be able to help set the NIL priorities

 

[RDF922]

New coaching staff will be able to help set the NIL priorities

One can hope but I’d say Stoops gonna be here next year.

 

[Edgarman]

Given finite NIL funds…

1. Don’t pay above market rate for Barion Brown.
2. Don’t pay above market rate for Brock.
3. Don’t pay above market rate for last year’s OL transfers. I’ve not seen much to warrant a bidding war for their 2025 services. If they return at discount rate then good.
4. Don’t pay above market rate for Traynam.

Bright spots…

1. Maintain and develop current WR corps with improved QB play.
2. Young RBs seem promising. Build with them.
3. Kicking game
4. DB corps has been recruited and developed internally. Retain previous transfers.

NIL funds prioritize in this order…

1. A transfer QB. I don’t trust Boley to be a starter based off what he did against FCS, 1-9, Murray St. NOW, if you want to find out what ya got, and if you want to be able to compare while QB shopping in the portal next month, then play him a good bit in the next two games. Keep in mind that may expose him to his own NIL recruitment. There are always trade-offs.
2. DT and DE transfers
3. ILB transfer
4. OT and OG transfers
5. Best available: OLB, RB, and CB.

Addendum: Keye probably earned a NIL bump. I would entertain a bidding war to a to 30% over what he’s making now but beyond that I get concerned about the opportunity costs for other transfer needs highlighted above.

The LAST thing we need to do is bring in another portal QB. What a loud message this sends to any HS QB we may be recruiting. "Don't go to UK, they will run a portal QB around you." How many years in a row have we done this? The answer is "way too many!
Get some OTs & OGs to protect the QBs we develop. Without an OL we will never see great QB play. Boley can and will develop if we can protect him. The kid has as most raw talent as anyone we have had in a while.

 

[YaketySax]

The LAST thing we need to do is bring in another portal QB. What a loud message this sends to any HS QB we may be recruiting. "Don't go to UK, they will run a portal QB around you." How many years in a row have we done this? The answer is "way too many!
Get some OTs & OGs to protect the QBs we develop. Without an OL we will never see great QB play. Boley can and will develop if we can protect him. The kid has as most raw talent as anyone we have had in a while.

Boley threw 14 passes total against a 1-9 FCS team…

Now, if he shows more against Texas and UofL I’d agree with you. Thats the argument to start him.

 

[Edgarman]

Boley threw 14 passes total against a 1-9 FCS team…

Now, if he shows more against Texas and UofL I’d agree with you. Thats the argument to start him.

I understand your thoughts, I really do. The big concern for me is, why would a HS QB want to come here and know that when he is 2nd or 3rd year, Stoops goes to the portal and rents a QB every year. He would waste his opportunity to play when the rental QBs keep coming every year. It is discouraging for a player to commit and always looking over his shoulder to see who is going to be rented for the coming year. Take the time to develop recruits. If I were a D1 QB prospect, no way would i commit to Stoops program. We really have not faired very well with our portal QBs. With Will Levis we had winning overall winning record but losing SEC record and he by far has been the best portal QB we have had. Heck we have two portal QBs this year and we have won a whopping 4 games and possibly only 4 for the whole season. If we are going 4 - 8 or 5 - 7, why not play a young recruit and develop him. A HS QB recruit is not going to develop sitting on the bench.

 

[mrschwump]

I understand your thoughts, I really do. The big concern for me is, why would a HS QB want to come here and know that when he is 2nd or 3rd year, Stoops goes to the portal and rents a QB every year. He would waste his opportunity to play when the rental QBs keep coming every year. It is discouraging for a player to commit and always looking over his shoulder to see who is going to be rented for the coming year. Take the time to develop recruits. If I were a D1 QB prospect, no way would i commit to Stoops program. We really have not faired very well with our portal QBs. With Will Levis we had winning overall winning record but losing SEC record and he by far has been the best portal QB we have had. Heck we have two portal QBs this year and we have won a whopping 4 games and possibly only 4 for the whole season. If we are going 4 - 8 or 5 - 7, why not play a young recruit and develop him. A HS QB recruit is not going to develop sitting on the bench.

Leary threw for like 2700 yds/25 TDs last year, not bad numbers.

 

[BlueTick2]

You all just need to pony up.

How about the Horse industry / Casino monopoly and Burbon industry pony up?

 

[Edgarman]

Leary threw for like 2700 yds/25 TDs last year, not bad numbers.

13 interceptions and 5 fumbles is not good.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Given finite NIL funds…

1. Don’t pay above market rate for Barion Brown.
2. Don’t pay above market rate for Brock.
3. Don’t pay above market rate for last year’s OL transfers. I’ve not seen much to warrant a bidding war for their 2025 services. If they return at discount rate then good.
4. Don’t pay above market rate for Traynam.

Bright spots…

1. Maintain and develop current WR corps with improved QB play.
2. Young RBs seem promising. Build with them.
3. Kicking game
4. DB corps has been recruited and developed internally. Retain previous transfers.

NIL funds prioritize in this order…

1. A transfer QB. I don’t trust Boley to be a starter based off what he did against FCS, 1-9, Murray St. NOW, if you want to find out what ya got, and if you want to be able to compare while QB shopping in the portal next month, then play him a good bit in the next two games. Keep in mind that may expose him to his own NIL recruitment. There are always trade-offs.
2. DT and DE transfers
3. ILB transfer
4. OT and OG transfers
5. Best available: OLB, RB, and CB.

Addendum: Keye probably earned a NIL bump. I would entertain a bidding war to a to 30% over what he’s making now but beyond that I get concerned about the opportunity costs for other transfer needs highlighted above.

Id argue you dont pay anything to any of those guys. Chip was always a mediocre rb. The OL guys are mediocre and only good at run blocking. Boley isnt a far drop off, if any. Brown is a great return guy but poor wr.

Let them all walk if they want anything. The only people id pay anything for is barion and brock because of continuity. Still, i wouldn't pay much and id make it clear no more coddling for barion.

From this point forward, our nil absolutely must be spent on guys that want to be here. Target those guys and then get competitive with them on nil. Just outright buying guys ruined our culture that stoops worked long and hard to build.

Thats another reason why i continue to preach about a focus on physical football. Thats a much cheaper nil spend and its the best chances for us to win. The only downside are whiney fans complaining that winning alone isnt exciting.

 

[Padsfs07]

At least 50% of 2025 NIL should go to the OL recruiting for the portal and HS players.

Here's what I have us at right now, not sure how accurate with Ford/Mincey and ignoring current and next years freshmen:

LT Ford, Mincey
LG Burton, Selm
C Keenum
RG Farmer, Ray
RT Wood, Crease

So it's not a bad starting spot, but no real standouts.

 

[mrschwump]

Here's what I have us at right now, not sure how accurate with Ford/Mincey and ignoring current and next years freshmen:

LT Ford, Mincey
LG Burton, Selm
C Keenum
RG Farmer, Ray
RT Wood, Crease

So it's not a bad starting spot, but no real standouts.

I think Mincey's out of eligibility, LT is portal priority otherwise the first shot goes to Wood. Can't imagine Burton's still in the hunt. He hasn't gotten pub because of the product that surrounds him but Farmer has had a decent year. Don't recall the game but Farmer's called twice for holding and talking head Stinchcomb, a former All-SEC OL screams in the mic: "That's not holding!!" UK's poor OL rep cost them 20 yards. UK can live with Farmer.

 

[gamecockcat]

Here's what I have us at right now, not sure how accurate with Ford/Mincey and ignoring current and next years freshmen:

LT Ford, Mincey
LG Burton, Selm
C Keenum
RG Farmer, Ray
RT Wood, Crease

So it's not a bad starting spot, but no real standouts.

Yeah, I don't know. Burton has been a big disappointment pretty much his entire time here at UK. Keenum has been around for a couple of years and hasn't shown enough to move Eli back to his best position, OG, so not sure what we have with him. Wood, Crease, at this point, are pretty much complete unknowns. I look at the returnees and see that we're not making many strides forward from what we are this year based on what we know right now about this group. Ford, Farmer, Ray are OK but not all-SEC caliber imo. Gonna need some new blood and/or some serious improvement from this group to get excited about them.

 

[Daniel1962]

At least 50% of 2025 NIL should go to the OL recruiting for the portal and HS players.

Hopefully they don’t let Selm slip away

 

[maroon79]

Here's what I have us at right now, not sure how accurate with Ford/Mincey and ignoring current and next years freshmen:

LT Ford, Mincey
LG Burton, Selm
C Keenum
RG Farmer, Ray
RT Wood, Crease

So it's not a bad starting spot, but no real standouts.

This makes my head explode