Think we can dispense with the notion that NIL is why we're doing well in recruiting

[jvols1999]

NIL, ‘booster banks’ and recruiting wars: For some, it doesn’t add up - Sports Illustrated

UT not even mentioned here. Spyre is killing it, don't get me wrong. And NIL I'm sure *was* a component of Nico's decision to commit here, although as had been discussed ad nauseum it was one of many and of course he visited here in Nov 2021 with zero promises of anything. His commitment, along with the groundwork Heup and Co. laid over the last 12 months, is why we've got juice on the trail.

But NIL, at this point IMO, is no longer a competitive advantage for us. It's table stakes, and we're in the game. But if we sign the kind of class we think we are going to it won't be *because of* NIL/Spyre.

 

[VOLfrombama]

Tennessee is mentioned in the article. (see: 7th paragraph, Line 2, hills of Tennessee). In fact, we are the NIL talk of the league after giving Nico 8 million. Just ask Lame Kitten.

IMO, NIL is giving/will give us a competitive advantage over all but probably 30-40 other large fan-base/historic CFB programs due to the sheer amount of money that Spyre will be able to offer across the board.

I hope it will start to show for those programs in the next 5 years and hopefully make the playoffs more interesting to teams not named Bummer or Jawja.

 

[jcvols24]

Just because they don't want to acknowledge that Tennessee is paving the NIL road doesn't make what we have done obsolete. There is around 15 programs that can compete evenly wit the Vols in the NIL market, we just got a massive head start overthe other 14.

 

[Volfan76]

NIL, ‘booster banks’ and recruiting wars: For some, it doesn’t add up - Sports Illustrated

UT not even mentioned here. Spyre is killing it, don't get me wrong. And NIL I'm sure *was* a component of Nico's decision to commit here, although as had been discussed ad nauseum it was one of many and of course he visited here in Nov 2021 with zero promises of anything. His commitment, along with the groundwork Heup and Co. laid over the last 12 months, is why we've got juice on the trail.

But NIL, at this point IMO, is no longer a competitive advantage for us. It's table stakes, and we're in the game. But if we sign the kind of class we think we are going to it won't be *because of* NIL/Spyre.

It wasn't A component it was THE component. Cut that money to below what the next highest NIL deal is and watch how fast he leaves. This is moneyball now(and mostly was before). There is no more loyalty, state pride, school pride, or any other romantic devices that we cling to as fans. The only difference for UT is that we sucked at doing it well and not getting caught before the NIL era.

 

[sjt18]

It wasn't A component it was THE component. Cut that money to below what the next highest NIL deal is and watch how fast he leaves. This is moneyball now(and mostly was before). There is no more loyalty, state pride, school pride, or any other romantic devices that we cling to as fans. The only difference for UT is that we sucked at doing it well and not getting caught before the NIL era.

You keep beating this drum but it reads more like a confession than a legitimate observation. Maybe you ARE driven only by money in your career, family, relationships, or whatever. Some people I suppose are.

Getting paid does NOT preclude loyalty, organizational pride, or other "romantic" devices. I am loyal to the company I work for and the people I work with. I am proud of what we do and how we do it. I "feel" good about working where I work. My job enables me to live a lifestyle I like in a place that I like. Getting a check doesn't change any of that. In fact, just getting paid isn't enough without the rest of it.

So yeah. It is A component and not the only one.

 

[jakez4ut]

i think you have to look at NIL as a value add. it can't/won't be the ONLY reason someone commits anywhere. now, will it be for some? sure. but i'd be willing to bet that for those it is THE reason, more times than not, that dynamic doesn't sustain long term. which is why i think it's going to be interesting to see how aTm does hte next few years with how they recruited last year, and how.

if we were just out bidding everyone for everyone we wanted, i think we'd have more in the boat already. clearly we didn't go that route for Kasper, so i think for us, it's definitely being used as a value add, and not just the biggest, shiniest lure.

 

[BigSteve09]

...NIL is one of the reasons why we are doing better in recruiting.

Why is it wrong for us to appreciate, praise, and boast this?

Some of you sound like Saban, Kirby, and Jimbo. "It was never about money, we don't need the money."

It's a new era. One that embraces paying/sponsoring players. And we're doing an excellent job at riding that wave. Why are worried about acknowledging that we are at the forefront of this change? For the first time in however many decades, we understood the landscape of CFB and got a head start on everyone else.

 

[NotoriousRPP]

Try looking at it like a job with benefits. Your salary (scholarship, housing, meal plan, etc) is going to be pretty much standard across the board regardless of which company you choose. The NIL is your bonus. It’s not going to be the same for everyone. It’s not going to be the same at every company. And it’s not going to be the reason you pick that job. But it’s definitely something that might push you in that direction.

 

[Big Orange#1]

...NIL is one of the reasons why we are doing better in recruiting.

Why is it wrong for us to appreciate, praise, and boast this?

Yep, it’s getting us back into the game we’ve been excluded from for almost two decades

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

It wasn't A component it was THE component. Cut that money to below what the next highest NIL deal is and watch how fast he leaves. This is moneyball now(and mostly was before). There is no more loyalty, state pride, school pride, or any other romantic devices that we cling to as fans. The only difference for UT is that we sucked at doing it well and not getting caught before the NIL era.

Prove the $8 million was for Nico.

 

[sjt18]

...NIL is one of the reasons why we are doing better in recruiting.

Why is it wrong for us to appreciate, praise, and boast this?

I don't think we should deny the impact or be less than thrilled that UT got ahead on it. But there is a narrative being pushed by some that NIL is all that matters and all that's behind UT appearing to have a good class going.

A few years back, I was interviewing with two different companies. One was in a small city in Missouri. The other was in Manassas, VA. The latter offered about 30% more. It was a FACTOR in our decision. But ultimately other things were more important to us including the leadership of the two companies, stability, business sector, lifestyle, etc.

I'll make a prediction that's pretty bold and out of character for me. ANY kid looking ONLY at the NIL money... will end up being miserable and in the portal.

 

[BigSteve09]

I don't think we should deny the impact or be less than thrilled that UT got ahead on it. But there is a narrative being pushed by some that NIL is all that matters and all that's behind UT appearing to have a good class going.

A few years back, I was interviewing with two different companies. One was in a small city in Missouri. The other was in Manassas, VA. The latter offered about 30% more. It was a FACTOR in our decision. But ultimately other things were more important to us including the leadership of the two companies, stability, business sector, lifestyle, etc.

I'll make a prediction that's pretty bold and out of character for me. ANY kid looking ONLY at the NIL money... will end up being miserable and in the portal.

So what if it's the narrative? There was a time that we were talked about like a dead program. The way people talk about Nebraska. Now there is a lot of intrigue into what we are doing and how we are doing it. We have successfully changed the conversation around recruiting and are the ones driving that conversation. We haven't been in a position like this in the recruiting game since the early 00's. We are defining the new way of doing things.

I can appreciate your experience around interviewing with companies and having options. I think that anyone that has interviewed for multiple jobs, or held multiple roles in their career, for whatever reason, can appreciate that there are multiple aspects to making a career decision. Which is what these players are doing - making their (likely first) career decision.

Being big money players and having that reputation is getting us more looks and visits. That is the name of the game in recruiting. You up your opportunities in any way that you can.

In a lot of ways, this is the new version of what Oregon did 15-20 years ago with their jerseys and Nike sponsorship. We are doing something different, something exciting, and something that has captured the attention of recruits. We are doing our job.

 

[Volfan76]

You keep beating this drum but it reads more like a confession than a legitimate observation. Maybe you ARE driven only by money in your career, family, relationships, or whatever. Some people I suppose are.

Getting paid does NOT preclude loyalty, organizational pride, or other "romantic" devices. I am loyal to the company I work for and the people I work with. I am proud of what we do and how we do it. I "feel" good about working where I work. My job enables me to live a lifestyle I like in a place that I like. Getting a check doesn't change any of that. In fact, just getting paid isn't enough without the rest of it.

So yeah. It is A component and not the only one.

Whatever you need to tell yourself. Go take a look at how many kids are in the transfer portal. Were that many kids wrong about the loyalty and organization pride? What about all the kids that left, are leaving or will leave UT? Let me guess.... they are traitors while the kids who come here just realized that something (other than money) was missing from their last college and UT was all of those things?? Please...if you got offered 20% more money you would jump to another job without a second thought. I'm guessing that won't happen though because you are too busy being the realist post police to get any work done.

 

[Volfan76]

Prove the $8 million was for Nico.

??why?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

??why?

I would just like to see the evidence. You are making the claim that the only reason we got Nico was because of NIL. I would just love to see some actual facts that back that up.

 

[Orange_Crush]

You keep beating this drum but it reads more like a confession than a legitimate observation. Maybe you ARE driven only by money in your career, family, relationships, or whatever. Some people I suppose are.

Getting paid does NOT preclude loyalty, organizational pride, or other "romantic" devices. I am loyal to the company I work for and the people I work with. I am proud of what we do and how we do it. I "feel" good about working where I work. My job enables me to live a lifestyle I like in a place that I like. Getting a check doesn't change any of that. In fact, just getting paid isn't enough without the rest of it.

So yeah. It is A component and not the only one.

I changed jobs with a substantial increase in pay last year, but mainly because I was no longer happy where I was. I am being offered another substantial increase now, but am VERY undecided since I'm pretty satisfied and fulfilled where I am.

 

[sjt18]

Whatever you need to tell yourself.

Well, no. It is about what you apparently tell YOURSELF. I HOPE you aren't that driven by money in your life... that it dominates every decision and thought. I HOPE that's just an assumption you are making about others without really personalizing it and thinking it through. Most people aren't moved ONLY by money.

Go take a look at how many kids are in the transfer portal. Were that many kids wrong about the loyalty and organization pride?

So because some are in the portal that negates all the "romantic" stuff? I worked for a GREAT, not good, company for 10 years. I did very well. I will tell you that they are still an outstanding company. I was loyal every day I worked for them. But there came a point where our future direction wasn't the same. Other concerns, specifically non-monetary, led me to believe that it was time to move on. It happens. Many of these kids see changes that result in situations much different than what they expected. Some are flat out lied to by recruiters. You can't just throw a blanket of selfishness and disloyalty over all of them like you are.

What about all the kids that left, are leaving or will leave UT? Let me guess.... they are traitors while the kids who come here just realized that something (other than money) was missing from their last college and UT was all of those things??

I'm not the one limiting the reason for every decision to money. That's you. There are A LOT of reasons that go into these decisions... not just one.

Please...if you got offered 20% more money you would jump to another job without a second thought. I'm guessing that won't happen though because you are too busy being the realist post police to get any work done.

LOL... In another post I specifically recounted a case where I took 30% less. Money is NOT the only thing that matters to MOST people. You may be the exception. If so... I'm sad for you.

 

[sjt18]

I changed jobs with a substantial increase in pay last year, but mainly because I was no longer happy where I was. I am being offered another substantial increase now, but am VERY undecided since I'm pretty satisfied and fulfilled where I am.

I'm not trying to portray myself as "perfect". I have left jobs for the wrong reasons including money. It has never worked out unless I fully considered other factors correctly. If you are happy doing what you're doing and who you're doing it with then it is often short-sighted to move. The exception is if they're intentionally paying you sub-market.

 

[Orange_Crush]

Please...if you got offered 20% more money you would jump to another job without a second thought. I'm guessing that won't happen though because you are too busy being the realist post police to get any work done.

Those are usually the thoughts of hourly employees with little job satisfaction. I had recruiters offering me guaranteed 40% increases last year and I didn't entertain them until an upper management change had deleterious effects on work culture. I'm being offered roughly 25% more than current to entertain conversations with recruiters now, and haven't nibbled yet because I'm frankly very happy where I am at. That 25% isn't worth the "unknowns" of culture, etc...

There comes a certain threshold where you have enough $$$ and comfort that it stops becoming the driving force in decisions. Not for everyone, obviously. Unthinking greed is a thing, but I like to think it's not as rampant as some project it to be.

 

[Ten_Titans]

Now do a post on why the #1 player last year went to Jacksonville St.

If maintaining the illusion that money isn't the key factor moving forward helps you enjoy the sport.. Go for it.

 

[sjt18]

So what if it's the narrative? There was a time that we were talked about like a dead program. The way people talk about Nebraska. Now there is a lot of intrigue into what we are doing and how we are doing it. We have successfully changed the conversation around recruiting and are the ones driving that conversation. We haven't been in a position like this in the recruiting game since the early 00's. We are defining the new way of doing things.

I can appreciate your experience around interviewing with companies and having options. I think that anyone that has interviewed for multiple jobs, or held multiple roles in their career, for whatever reason, can appreciate that there are multiple aspects to making a career decision. Which is what these players are doing - making their (likely first) career decision.

Being big money players and having that reputation is getting us more looks and visits. That is the name of the game in recruiting. You up your opportunities in any way that you can.

In a lot of ways, this is the new version of what Oregon did 15-20 years ago with their jerseys and Nike sponsorship. We are doing something different, something exciting, and something that has captured the attention of recruits. We are doing our job.

I think you just agreed with me?

Money matters. Money can get you in or out of consideration. But some here are claiming that's all that's happening. It isn't. It is a "whole package" approach with UT, the area, the program, the facilities, the money, the coaches, the fans, the NFL opportunities, etc.

Money talked and mattered before NIL. It was under the table. Some programs dominated because they were really good at it. I'm not wild about NIL or "amateur" athletes getting direct payment in any form. However I AM happy that this is at least above board and that UT has gotten ahead of the curve.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Now do a post on why the #1 player last year went to Jacksonville St.

If maintaining the illusion that money isn't the key factor moving forward helps you enjoy the sport.. Go for it.

Give us the proof that money was the key factor in Hunter going to JS.

 

[sjt18]

Those are usually the thoughts of hourly employees with little job satisfaction. I had recruiters offering me guaranteed 40% increases last year and I didn't entertain them until an upper management change had deleterious effects on work culture. I'm being offered roughly 25% more than current to entertain conversations with recruiters now, and haven't nibbled yet because I'm frankly very happy where I am at. That 25% isn't worth the "unknowns" of culture, etc...

There comes a certain threshold where you have enough $$$ and comfort that it stops becoming the driving force in decisions. Not for everyone, obviously. Unthinking greed is a thing, but I like to think it's not as rampant as some project it to be.

Good post.

At the company I worked for for 10 years... we had a lot of stability with our hourly employees too. Every one of them could have gone somewhere else for more money. Instead, they referred their friends to work for us. Culture is pretty huge like you say. Respect goes a long way. And honestly... getting rid of toxic employees who only look out for themselves is about as critical as anything else.

 

[Orange_Crush]

I'm not trying to portray myself as "perfect". I have left jobs for the wrong reasons including money. It has never worked out unless I fully considered other factors correctly. If you are happy doing what you're doing and who you're doing it with then it is often short-sighted to move. The exception is if they're intentionally paying you sub-market.

Same. It's been my shortsighted mistakes--and living with those consequences--that helped give me current perspective.

But at the end of the day, NIL is probably a great factor, but not sum total. I imagine a kid will go where NIL is offered over where it isn't almost all the time. But there will be other factors weighing in when deciding between 75k/yr and 95k/yr. Do you want to play in [frigid, arctic winters] winters with questionable coaching, whom you can't get along with, and little exposure, over life in [fill in the blank] with great coaches that you 'click' with, a star-studded cast of teammates, and expectation of draft exposure--all for an extra 25-30k/yr? (When you can live quite well until the NFL on what school (B) is offering.)

 

[sjt18]

Now do a post on why the #1 player last year went to Jacksonville St.

If maintaining the illusion that money isn't the key factor moving forward helps you enjoy the sport.. Go for it.

It is a factor. You are trying a bait and switch. The argument isn't that money doesn't factor. It is that money isn't the only or possibly even the deciding factor. Would a big NIL deal have been enough to attract a top tier player into the toxic environment of Pruitt or even Jones? Only for the foolish.