The Foundation signs NIL deals with five Ohio State early enrollees: 'You're going to get exactly what we speak about'

The message could not have been more clear: Come to Ohio State, NIL opportunities will follow.

The Foundation held a signing event at co-founder Brian Schottenstein‘s house Tuesday night, welcoming five of Ohio State’s 11 mid-year enrollees to the Buckeyes-focused NIL collective. With a photoshoot set up on Schottenstein’s indoor basketball court, Carnell Tate, Jermaine Mathews, Jelani Thurman, Noah Rogers and Malik Hartford each signed their contracts while checks were cut.

Staying competitive in today’s college football landscape requires a high-functioning NIL collective. The organizations can’t control athletes’ relationships between a coaching staff or NFL development. But they can make the difference in an athlete’s decision to leave for the Transfer Portal or not.

Roster retention has become a driving theme at Power Five collectives, trying to hold off Transfer Portal suitors. Making sure freshmen know they will have NIL opportunities immediately is also a necessity, though.

Holding a gathering specifically for early enrollees — on just the second day of classes — sends a clear message to the freshmen class and prospective student-athletes.

“It’s very important to make sure the freshmen are successful not only on the field but off the field,” Schottenstein said. “When you work with The Foundation, our word is good. You’re going to get exactly what we speak about once you’re a student-athlete here at Ohio State.

“I can’t really speak to the other schools [NIL activity]. I only hear stories about the ‘Wild, Wild West.'”

Since starting The Foundation with his longtime friend and former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones this past January, Schottenstein said 40 athletes have been signed between the football and basketball teams. There are plans to continue to sign more athletes from the 2023 recruiting class, but the first five signings set a strong precedent.

Schottenstein and The Foundation are also not naive to the impact NIL has made across college football. Collectives across the country have entered the game of offering NIL packages upfront to recruits for their verbal commitment.

The Foundation is not going to violate the NCAA’s NIL policy. Payments will not be made contingent on enrollment. Opportunities will arise when athletes once arrive in Columbus.

Carnell Tate could have gone for short-term money

Among the five in attendance Tuesday night was Carnell Tate. The four-star receiver committed to Ohio State in June. But he had turned down plenty of NIL offers when he made the announcement. Tennessee remained a team to watch in his recruitment throughout the summer.

The receiver admitted NIL ranked third on his list of factors in his recruitment.

“NIL ranked third on mine,” he said. “Ultimately, the relationship with the coaching staff, the player development and then NIL. The path to the draft is ultimately first. You can’t be successful if you don’t have a great relationship with the coaches. Also, if the school doesn’t develop talent the right way, there’s no future.”

Tate said he had plenty of coaches offer inflated numbers with the hope he’d ultimately choose their university. He built a strong connection with wide receivers coach Brian Hartline through the recruiting process. There’s evidence Hartline can arguably place him in the best position for the NFL Draft — look at what Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson were able to accomplish in Year 1 in the league.

The long-term money remains the priority for Tate.

“A lot of the kids are chasing the money, but I know the money is at the end of the road for me,” he said. “Doesn’t hurt to get some right now, but if you chase the money you may be putting yourself in a bad position.”

The Foundation balances Transfer Portal, recruiting

Last month, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith publicly backed The Foundation, along with Cohesion Foundation and The “O” Foundation. The move came after the NCAA released NIL clarification in October allowing athletic departments to promote and endorse collectives.

The move was a watershed moment for The Foundation, trying to get fans to rally and donate to the collective. Registered as a 501(c)(3), The Foundation requires each athlete to fulfill a charitable component as part of their agreements. The organization has partnered with Columbus-based charities LifeTown, Buckeye Cruise for Cancer and A Kid Again.

Currently, Ohio State donors are able to make a one-time donation or a reoccurring donation. Schottenstein said the organization is working to launch a subscription model, along with other events in the near future.

Most of the co-founder’s time outside of his job as a real estate developer has been spent working to build connections and funds for The Foundation. Tuesday was the latest example of the collective’s efforts to attract and retain talent for the Buckeyes.

“I think if you see some of the schools in the South — I’m not gonna name them out — but they have 10 to 15 kids transferring,” Schottenstein said. “Ohio State right now is in single digits. When you come here, and you’re playing well, and you’re having some success, it’s very unlikely that you’re going to transfer because you have more opportunities in Columbus, Ohio.

“The foundation’s played a big role in that, too. It’s not only helping out the players once they get here, but it’s also keeping the players that are here. So we’ve tried to help as much as we can.”