In case you’re wondering just how much NIL has changed the college football game, listen to what Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed had to say about his experience in the transfer portal and the kind of money being thrown around.
Reed spoke with Chris Vannini of The Athletic about his experience in the transfer portal, specifically noting that some schools promised he would make NIL money comparable to what a late-round NFL draft pick makes.
“When the money that was available was put on the table, it was really hard,” Reed told The Athletic. “This is the kind of money a late draft pick is making.”
In spite of the financial windfalls that could come with transferring, Reed decided to stick with the Hilltoppers for next season.
“Is the money this year more important than the money that could be made down the road? If I go somewhere and I have an average year, I’m just on the edge of being drafted. Or if I have another great year [at Western Kentucky], I can find myself in the first three rounds.”
A year ago, Austin Reed was a D2 quarterback. Now, people associated with P5 schools were offering him NFL Draft pick-type money after one year at WKU.
An inside look at what the portal process is like for a coveted QB, and why Reed decided to stay: https://t.co/A1oUFb6FsF pic.twitter.com/lYq4oHRROU
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) January 27, 2023
Reed, who had to replace Bailey Zappe at WKU, is coming off a stellar season in which he passed for 4,744 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. It’s no wonder other schools were willing to roll out the red carpet for him to potentially transfer.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing that there’s a lot of NIL money out there for college athletics. But it’s good that Reed got the chance to weigh those offers against his long-term potential and make the best decision for himself.
