Two years into taking over at LSU, coach Brian Kelly posted a pair of 10-win seasons.
The Tigers are looking to take the next step and return to the College Football Playoff after winning a national championship in 2019 and that requires navigating the tricky landscape that comes with players profiting from their name, image and likeness.
Brian Kell, the head football coach at Louisiana State University (LSU), has indicated that some players in the college football recruitment process are primarily driven by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Kelly suggests that these players are seeking the highest financial offers, stating that they “want to be bought.” His comments highlight the challenges and changes in college sports recruitment since the introduction of NIL, where athletes can earn money through endorsements and sponsorships.
“We’re not in the business of buying players, but unfortunately, that’s what some guys are seeking,” said LSU coach Brian Kelly in an interview with WAFB, when discussing the possibility of acquiring a defensive line transfer. “They want to be bought,” he added, referencing the shift in college football where some athletes prioritize Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
The 15-day spring transfer window opened April 16 and closed last week, although graduate transfers can enter at any time. Kelly said LSU was searching to add to his defensive line through the portal and former Michigan State starting tackle Simeon Barrow was reportedly among their top targets but committed to Miami last week.
Kelly said LSU has a strong collective and NIL opportunities for players but that’s only one part of the equation.
“If you’re just looking to get paid,” Kelly said, “you’re looking in the wrong place.”
Kelly won a pair of Division II national championships during a 13-year run at Grand Valley State before taking over at Central Michigan in 2004. He spent three seasons with the Chippewas and the next three at Cincinnati before being hired by Notre Dame in 2010. Kelly posted a record of 113-40 in 12 years with the Fighting Irish before leaving for LSU.
This was not about a quick fix,” Kelly said. “I didn’t come down here because we were going to jump into the transfer portal and buy a football team. This was about developing a football team, putting in the systems and the process that was going to last for a long time.”
