Joel Klatt defends Ohio State from NIL narrative surrounding roster construction

Joel Klatt once more tried to dismiss the narrative of what this year’s team, which is now full of national champions, was at Ohio State.

Klatt spoke on this roster of Buckeyes on his show on Tuesday in recapping their victory in the College Football Playoff. That included a reference as to what this collection of players cost in NIL. However, Klatt wanted to note that this was a group that cost as much as it did only because of how many that they wanted to keep in Columbus rather than them going to the NFL.

“This team and its construction? It was not a team that was bought,” said Klatt. “I tended to stay out of this whole conversation and narrative about this, like, ‘$20 million roster’ and so on and so forth. That was intentional because I know more of the behind-the-scenes than most. In my conversations with Ryan and the coaching staff? Listen, their NIL money was spent on their existing players. It’s no different than what happened last year with Michigan brining back so many veteran players. That’s exactly what the Buckeyes did this year. They brought back all of these veteran players and, man, they went out there and they all performed at their best.

“Largely, the core of guys were Buckeyes. That’s where the leadership was…These guys all have played, like, 50-plus games.”

Yes, Ohio State did add several key pieces in the transfer portal. That class namely included QB Will Howard, RB Quinshon Judkins, and DB Caleb Down among others. With that said, they did more so spend the money on keeping the veterans, on offense and defense, for another season in college.

Now, as of last night, they spent that money well with the Buckeyes achieving that ultimate goal they had for one another together in Atlanta.

“They had so many guys that decided to come back. Could have gone to the National Football League, decided not to, decided to stick around and try to achieve something really great. And then they were able to do that. That’s awesome. That’s just really cool because this game and this sport, I still believe deep down in my heart, should be about the team aspect,” said Klatt. “This sport more than (other sports) is about a group of men coming together and laying themselves down in order to try to achieve something bigger than themselves, an objective that is bigger than themselves. That’s what this Ohio State team was really all about.

“Think about it. There are countless guys, double-digit guys, both sides of the ball, that could have gone to the National Football League and been fairly high picks. But they didn’t. They came back and they came back for a purpose. Now, did they get taken care of in the era of NIL? Yes. Was that the purpose in coming back? No. No, it wasn’t. Their purpose in coming back was fulfilled on Monday night – to go out and win a national championship. They were able to do that.”

Because of that, this team has earned something even more valuable than the money. They’ve taken a place in program history and in the history of the sport that is theirs and theirs alone.

“They will never forget this. You know, they will live in the annals of history, not only for our sport but, certainly, at Ohio State,” Klatt stated. “Ohio State celebrates their history as well or better than anybody out there. That year is going to go up in The Shoe. They’re gonna have a big ‘ole 2024 in there and, you know what? Congratulations to those guys because it was quite a journey. It was quite a journey.”

This season might’ve been different had the retainment not been what it was last offseason for Ohio State. Since it did, the Buckeyes, and deservedly so, started and finished the year as the best team in all of college football.

“I got to tell you, man. Just, as a former player, just, I loved seeing that. I loved seeing that come to fruition and the happiness in terms of this brotherhood that was able to go out and achieve something bigger than any of their individual accolades,” said Klatt. “Again, that’s why I love this sport.”