Maryland head coach Mike Locksley made an interesting claim this week about how NIL is affecting his roster management.
Appearing on BMitch & Finlay, Locksley said that a third-string running back on the team said that he needs $100,000 or he would be leaving the team and entering the transfer portal. He lamented that the sport has become more “individualized” and it’s even starting to make him wonder how much longer he can even do this.
“And for the first time … Because of this portal, NIL. Your third-team tailback coming in and saying, ‘I need $100,000 or I’m going into the portal.’ And you’re like, ‘Where does this magic $100,000 number come from?’ And it just, I mean, I sat in my office and every meeting I had was basically – and we’re seven wins and going to a bowl and taking the next step – but everything coming in was like, ‘I want this. I want that.’ And the greatest team sport has now become kind of individualized. And I went home and was like, ‘Man, I don’t know how much I can do because I’m about ready to come join y’all full-time, man. Y’all got room for me back at the studio or what?”
247Sports noted that while Locksley didn’t name names, running backs Antwain Littleton and Ramon Brown wound up entering the transfer portal with Littleton transferring to Temple and Brown still being in it as of writing.
The rise of NIL seems to have ramped up the amount of player movement around the country as players who perform well at the smaller schools seem to be transferring as soon as they can in order to cash in at wealthier programs.
It’s going to be very interesting to see how this new college football landscape continues to take shape, but it’s certainly starting to wear on some coaches who are used to players sticking around longer.
Is this becoming a problem?
Maryland Head Coach Mike Locksley said a 3rd string RB asked for $100,000 in NIL or he would enter the transfer portal 😳
STORY: https://t.co/cyNaFu1tNa pic.twitter.com/bRnRnWiu15
— 247Sports (@247Sports) February 10, 2024