CJ Stroud, Ohio State players sound off on the true impact of NIL

NIL has been one of the most talked about issues surrounding the college football landscape, and that was no different at Big Ten media day. Ohio State players CJ Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Ronnie Hickman all spoke on their own personal experiences with NIL and the impact it has had on their lives.

“I just want to thank God for that, it’s been a blessing in my life, definitely has changed a lot of things for me and my family. But I think it’s been long overdue, I think it gives the players more control, not saying the coaches were trying to do us wrong or anything or the NCAA was, but in a sense that’s money that we do deserve and we do earn,” Stroud said. “We work hard just like they do and work hard just like anybody else who works, do I definitely think that it helps us be able to pay bills for our parents if they need it or just help our family whatever the case may be and I’m super excited to be able to work in this space.”

Stroud is currently ranked number five on On3’s NIL Top 100, with an On3 NIL valuation of $2.4 million. His teammate Smith-Njigba isn’t too far behind, ranked at 11 with a $1.4 million valuation, and he also gave his thoughts on NIL.

“Just having a little money in your pocket, something that you deserve it’s changed big time. You don’t have to call mom or dad and say ‘hey I need my allowance’ you know, you can look out for people like CJ said. It’s been a blessing and it’s came at the right time,” Smith-Njigba said.

Hickman also spoke on how NIL has not just helped them and their families financially, but also how it helps them impact their communities.

“Pretty much to piggy back off of what they said, it’s nice to be able to pay your rent and not hit up your mom,” Hickman said. “But outside of the money part just being able to collab with so many organizations, just to give back and these guys have done so much in their community. I’ve done stuff in Columbus and stuff like that, being able to do that is huge. A lot of guys look up to us just like we looked up to the guys before, so to be able to do that is huge for us.”