Brian Hartline says recruits prioritizing NIL 'not the right fit' for Ohio State receivers

In the constantly evolving world of NIL and the transfer portal, how coaches handle different elements is a huge source of interest. There are wildly different takes on recruits prioritizing NIL and what the right balance is.

Put Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline in the camp that sees a red flag if a recruit is overly concerned with NIL.

“I would say this, I would say that it’s probably per position per coach,” Hartline said. “I would say as a receiver coach, probably not a guy that would fit my room.”

That Hartline has such a stance is certainly eyebrow-raising. After all, he inked one of the best receiver hauls in the country this signing class.

Ohio State signed four-stars Carnell Tate, Noah Rogers, Bryson Rodgers and Brandon Innis. That’s a load of talent, particularly if very little in the way of NIL served as an enticement.

Hartline said Ohio State’s approach to NIL in the recruiting process is handled by each position coach. But he’s not one that’s prioritizing NIL in recruiting.

“Each coach handles it,” he said. “And how coach (Ryan) Day wants to handle it, that’s fine. But I’m OK saying that’s probably not the right fit for us in our room.”

James Laurinaitis back home at Ohio State

Ohio State added one of its former players to the ranks of the coaching staff last week, tabbing linebacker James Laurinaitis as a graduate assistant.

Laurinaitis leaped at the opportunity to return to the place he starred at from 2005-08.

“It’s my alma mater,” Laurinaitis said. “I love the game of football and I love working with young people, so that’s why I got into coaching. You want to impact the kids on the field, but more importantly you want to leave, after building relationships with them, as better men. Hopefully give them an example of what being a good husband and father can be. Same thing that Luke Fickell did for me and same thing that Jim Tressel did for me.”

Laurinaitis will carry plenty of cache with him.

In four years he totaled 375 tackles, 24.5 tackles for a loss, 13.0 sacks, nine interceptions, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine passes defended.

He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2006, won the Butkus Award in 2007, won the Lott Trophy in 2008 and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2008.

He was also a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and a three-time consensus All-American (2006-08).