Nebraska and talent acquisition

[Kaladin]

I’m excited to see what Rhule does at QB. I’m not sure if Purdy is it but he looked competent at in his two games. Originally I thought we would go out and get an upperclassman to take over at QB and then get a younger guy. But unless there’s a sure thing out there, like a Daniels, then I’m thinking Rhule will just grab a couple younger guys, maybe an FCS guy with some experience and then a talented freshman who didn’t play in 2023.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

I can recall the Raiola story when Georgia upped the price and we wouldn’t make. Seems a little silly not to step up and match it today doesn’t it? So far I haven’t been impressed with Nebraska NIL people. They’re just ok

They’ll have to show me they’ll spend the money. I kinda think they will…but I gotta see it. I think we have a good pitch for transfer guys right now so it’ll be interesting to track.

Raiola claims there was no NIL promised at UGA, but really most of the NIL reports are pretty shoddy third hand reporting that it's tough to say what is true and what isn't.

But even so I think people view it as some kind of magic bullet even after they watched TAMU's most expensive class of all time disintegrate into ashes on the field. Should we be set up to pay key transfers enough to come here? Yeah. If we aren't that's a failure. But if you want a team built for sustained success you have to do it the good old fashion recruiting and development way

 

[Jay Bilzerian]

If they stadium is renovated from donations then I would think it it directly effects NIL donations.

There’s a whole fuck load of money out there that’s not eligible for NIL. The stadium upgrade impacting NIL is one of the dumber narratives running around our fan base.

 

[doublewing]

We're not going to NIL and Transfer Portal our way to greatness. You should use both but also understand what our limitations are.

NIL - NU has nowhere near the financial resources of the P5 powers. NU fans think that since we sellout the stadium, that it would translate to $$$ for players. Loyal fans does not necessarily mean you have as wealthy or as vast of an alumni network as Texas, USC, Florida, Michigan, etc.

Transfer Portal - when you're lucky, you land a Tre Palmer. For every Palmer there are more Arik Gilberts. It's the CFB bargain bin and there is usually good reason as to why these kids are leaving. I hope we get a good QB out of the portal, but let's remember that 2 of our top 3 QB's were seen as Transfer Portal victories. Transfers will always be hit and miss.

I like that Rhule and staff are good at developing talent. That will be the foundation of the program.

 

[HerbRedman]

Raiola claims there was no NIL promised at UGA, but really most of the NIL reports are pretty shoddy third hand reporting that it's tough to say what is true and what isn't.

But even so I think people view it as some kind of magic bullet even after they watched TAMU's most expensive class of all time disintegrate into ashes on the field. Should we be set up to pay key transfers enough to come here? Yeah. If we aren't that's a failure. But if you want a team built for sustained success you have to do it the good old fashion recruiting and development way

I assume Raiola meant there was no signing bonus NIL $$$. Like every dollar he'll earn in NIL is tied to something (making___ starts, etc).

I mean, the rumors were it was a $12m NIL package just for Raiola alone. What that number probably represents is if Dylan hits every single $ marker over 4 yrs (60 starts) then he'd make all $12m. How much would he make if he started all games FR yr and they went 8-4? Who knows. Probably $1-2m minimum I'd guess.

If Ochaun Mathis was on $650k NIL
If Jeff Sims was on $850k NIL

then Dylan Raiola could have a $12m NIL package (over 4 yrs), that math would track. BTW our NIL coffer in total was purportedly $10m. So we could obviously put together one of these big 4 yr incentive-laden packages for a Dylan Raiola, but you'd assume that would deplete our NIL coffers in a way that it wouldn't for UGA, Bama, Texas, Ohio State, etc

 

[Cash68847]

I can recall the Raiola story when Georgia upped the price and we wouldn’t make. Seems a little silly not to step up and match it today doesn’t it? So far I haven’t been impressed with Nebraska NIL people. They’re just ok

They’ll have to show me they’ll spend the money. I kinda think they will…but I gotta see it. I think we have a good pitch for transfer guys right now so it’ll be interesting to track.

I don’t think Raiola was ever coming here even if we matched of beat Georgia’s NIL package.

 

[CybrrMonky71]

Fyi
Nobody “good” who u have to outbid is coming here while also keeping the existing guys in the roster u want to keep bc others will target us to poach
We need to pay the guys already on the roster who we want to build around while also continuing to find over looked talent
We aren’t an elite program
Anyone coming here for a paycheck is likely damaged goods. All things being equal if a guy has a choice between Michigan, Oregon, Texas, Florida st, Ect & Nebraska, a guy isn’t picking Nebraska right now.
There are parts here already, keep them but the QB position has to be solidified & not be a liability. We also badly need a competent co coordinator to help Satterfield. Rhule won’t fire him so we need to get him help & then hopefully move him on.

 

[doublewing]

I don’t think Raiola was ever coming here even if we matched of beat Georgia’s NIL package.

He wasn't. Dominic likely orchestrated it to show NU some love but it was never happening.

Maybe if things go sideways at GA we'll get a second chance, but I never thought he was coming to Lincoln out of HS.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

I assume Raiola meant there was no signing bonus NIL $$$. Like every dollar he'll earn in NIL is tied to something (making___ starts, etc).

I mean, the rumors were it was a $12m NIL package just for Raiola alone. What that number probably represents is if Dylan hits every single $ marker over 4 yrs (60 starts) then he'd make all $12m. How much would he make if he started all games FR yr and they went 8-4? Who knows. Probably $1-2m minimum I'd guess.

If Ochaun Mathis was on $650k NIL
If Jeff Sims was on $850k NIL

then Dylan Raiola could have a $12m NIL package (over 4 yrs), that math would track. BTW our NIL coffer in total was purportedly $10m. So we could obviously put together one of these big 4 yr incentive-laden packages for a Dylan Raiola, but you'd assume that would deplete our NIL coffers in a way that it wouldn't for UGA, Bama, Texas, Ohio State, etc

Yeah. That mostly illustrates my point I think. What is Nebraska even failing to match? Are recruits coming truthfully with whatever package they've been offered elsewhere? What is the structure of packages? When does it even make sense with a total budget to just walk away? Fans are judging nil based off of, at best, extremely noisy information

I think nil is a "problem" for talent acquisition to a far lesser degree than not having a competitive program to sell. Rhule is in the window right now of selling where we're going, but that's going to dry up quick if the results on the field don't suggest it.

 

[RedTillDead]

I assume Raiola meant there was no signing bonus NIL $$$. Like every dollar he'll earn in NIL is tied to something (making___ starts, etc).

I mean, the rumors were it was a $12m NIL package just for Raiola alone. What that number probably represents is if Dylan hits every single $ marker over 4 yrs (60 starts) then he'd make all $12m. How much would he make if he started all games FR yr and they went 8-4? Who knows. Probably $1-2m minimum I'd guess.

If Ochaun Mathis was on $650k NIL
If Jeff Sims was on $850k NIL

then Dylan Raiola could have a $12m NIL package (over 4 yrs), that math would track. BTW our NIL coffer in total was purportedly $10m. So we could obviously put together one of these big 4 yr incentive-laden packages for a Dylan Raiola, but you'd assume that would deplete our NIL coffers in a way that it wouldn't for UGA, Bama, Texas, Ohio State, etc

On the latter part, our NIL allocation is $10 million what per year or over a span of years?

 

[Fargo Husker]

We're not going to NIL and Transfer Portal our way to greatness. You should use both but also understand what our limitations are.

NIL - NU has nowhere near the financial resources of the P5 powers. NU fans think that since we sellout the stadium, that it would translate to $$$ for players. Loyal fans does not necessarily mean you have as wealthy or as vast of an alumni network as Texas, USC, Florida, Michigan, etc.

Transfer Portal - when you're lucky, you land a Tre Palmer. For every Palmer there are more Arik Gilberts. It's the CFB bargain bin and there is usually good reason as to why these kids are leaving. I hope we get a good QB out of the portal, but let's remember that 2 of our top 3 QB's were seen as Transfer Portal victories. Transfers will always be hit and miss.

I like that Rhule and staff are good at developing talent. That will be the foundation of the program.

The fact of the matter is in this day and age of CFB you have to utilize the portal to some degree. The optimal set up would be to build with your high school recruiting and supplement areas of immediate need with the portal. This appears to be the strategy Rhule and company are using.

 

[HerbRedman]

On the latter part, our NIL allocation is $10 million what per year or over a span of years?

Period. As in we have a sinking fund right now with $10m. Or maybe did before the season. The money got doled out to guys on the team and probably got very depleted. Then they need additional booster $$ to get it back up to $10m. (Or maybe it never gets that high due to payment frequencies etc)

Honestly their sinking fund probably doesn't get to high bc the #1 use of NIL is for existing roster, NOT portal signees.

They need to keep a sinking fund (that Davison's team manages) so they can have immediate money. Kind of like Kansas is doing now to keep their QB - they needed quick accessible money to keep that guy happy (and they apparently got it). Also need the sinking fund to structure smaller deals for your rank & file players.

Any deal in the $10-12m range like the one for Raiola is gonna go outside the bounds of our NIL funds. But that's not a problem, you have other ways of showing where that money is coming from.

 

[RedTillDead]

Period. As in we have a sinking fund right now with $10m. Or maybe did before the season. The money got doled out to guys on the team and probably got very depleted. Then they need additional booster $$ to get it back up to $10m. (Or maybe it never gets that high due to payment frequencies etc)

Honestly their sinking fund probably doesn't get to high bc the #1 use of NIL is for existing roster, NOT portal signees.

They need to keep a sinking fund (that Davison's team manages) so they can have immediate money. Kind of like Kansas is doing now to keep their QB - they needed quick accessible money to keep that guy happy (and they apparently got it). Also need the sinking fund to structure smaller deals for your rank & file players.

Any deal in the $10-12m range like the one for Raiola is gonna go outside the bounds of our NIL funds. But that's not a problem, you have other ways of showing where that money is coming from.

Appreciate your feedback, thanks! 👍

 

[Boondock_St_Sker]

So the Peed family funds the 1890 Initiative right, I think its pretty cheap for them to do that in the grand scheme of NIL. They pay for the building and infrastructure of that plus salaries for all employees. How much of a tax write off is that? Funding NIL deals is not part of the package, IIRC. All that falls on fans and boosters…mostly boosters b/c when it comes to the casual fan having to crack open the wallet and get nothing in return…crickets and tumbleweeds are what you’ll get.

most expensive NIL positions…QB, OL, DL, WR…imho

I also don’t think Rhule wants to pay any unproven player a YUGE NIL deal. What is YUGE…beats me but I don’t believe we’ll see a blockbuster deal for some HS player anytime soon. I also believe 1890 has players sign NDAs regarding NIL deals, could be wrong

 

[Jim14510]

How much of a tax write off is that?

Assuming C Corp a little under 30%. Wages a little less because you're paying payroll taxes. So put $1,000 into NIL save 30% in tax costs you $700.

 

[NSECTA4]

I think we all know the answer. At this point, Nebraska isn't remotely serious about competing, they are cashing checks. Spending $500m on a stadium upgrade all but confirms that. It is a joke.

 

[COYS]

I believe we have a very strong NIL program. Our strategy has always been to give majority of NIL funds to existing players and not utilize large amounts to buy high school recruits or a lot of portal players. I think with Rhule we actually have a coach who runs his program in a way that is aligned with that strategy. Strong player development and a good culture to where kids are wanting to stay and given the financial means through NIL to not have money be the only incentive to leave. I am sure a lot of fans are going to continue to be upset with the lack of us buying players, but don’t confuse that with Nebraska not having strong NIL. Our NIL is very good, we just allocate the funds in a different way.

 

[whoboppin]

NIL is just the scapegoat every fanbase can blame when shit doesn’t go their way.

Nebraska’s NIL is fine. Most teams aren’t building through NIL, they supplement.

 

[Alcaus]

I believe we have a very strong NIL program. Our strategy has always been to give majority of NIL funds to existing players and not utilize large amounts to buy high school recruits or a lot of portal players. I think with Rhule we actually have a coach who runs his program in a way that is aligned with that strategy. Strong player development and a good culture to where kids are wanting to stay and given the financial means through NIL to not have money be the only incentive to leave. I am sure a lot of fans are going to continue to be upset with the lack of us buying players, but don’t confuse that with Nebraska not having strong NIL. Our NIL is very good, we just allocate the funds in a different way.

A different way that precludes the acquisition of highly coveted portal/high school recruits… sounds dumb.

Every NIL program in the country has to pay their existing roster by default. I’m not sure where this idea came from where big time NIL schools have to choose between the portal or their existing roster… that’s not what’s happening.