Addressing a Few Misconceptions of Increased Razorback NIL Money

Pockets of Arkansas fans seem to have warped perspective on where financial increase places Hogs in recruiting, how it impacts transfer portal

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Nov 28, 2023 5:25 AM EST

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – There seems to be an odd misconception among a portion of the Razorback fan base that because of an infusion of money into the NIL coffers, Arkansas will suddenly not only bring in high quality talent through the transfer portal, but be able to afford to keep desirable talent from leaving as well.

This indicates there are three areas where a little more perspective is needed. Otherwise, Razorback fans are going to be sorely disappointed when all is said and done.

First, fans need a grip on how much money is getting added and how it compares to other programs. Boosters weren't willing to cough up roughly $16 million to pay Sam Pittman to retire on the lake in Hot Springs. However, they were willing to invest in players.

It's likely money added wasn't equal to the full amount needed to buy out Pittman, but let's just assume it was. That's not going to move the needle just a whole lot. Arkansas was woefully behind in NIL. Adding $16 million isn't going to send an SEC team perceived to be fighting it out with Vanderbilt in terms of least NIL money in the conference shooting up the list. It still keeps them in the bottom quarter.

Regionally, Arkansas is a tiny fish swimming with sharks. When it comes to Texas, Texas A&M and SMU, the Razorbacks' entire NIL pot is a drop in the bucket. Factor in direct competition with LSU and Oklahoma and things don't look much better. Perhaps Arkansas can now compete with Missouri and Mississippi State for a few players here and there, but the NIL efforts at those schools have been substantial, so the Razorbacks often won't be competitive. The odds of outbidding Ole Miss and the Grove Collective are even lower.

However, one area where things will improve a lot is the ability to win head-to-head with Big 12 schools. Arkansas should have enough NIL money to come out on top in most of those instances.

The second thing fans need to reckon with is the idea that if a good player leaves, Arkansas didn't have the money to keep him. There are players leaving this team that no amount of money could keep.

They don't want to be in Fayetteville a second longer than they have to be, so there's no sense trying to money whip them on the way out. Even if it could be done, is that someone fans want running through the A in a Razorback uniform? That's a locker room cancer waiting to spread that will undermine any good this reported increase in money will do.

Third, fans should realize there are players who will leave, some of them quite productive, that the staff wouldn't ask to stay around for free. Even during the spring it was easy to see certain guys were going to be a problem.

There were things happening on the sidelines that made it clear from the start Pittman and his staff were in for a long season dealing with some of these players. That's the one positive to there being no bowl game. The staff can watch them disappear into the portal never to be a headache again. Plus, there's plenty of time and additional money to focus toward bringing in someone more suitable rather than wasting time begging enough of them to stick around to make sure Arkansas fans have a positive experience at a bowl game.

In addition to those who were a major pain in the backside, the staff will gladly watch those who lacked the talent to warrant a roster spot and NIL money head into the portal as well. There may be a guy or two fans think is actually good that it will upset them to see go, but most won't be guys they remember are on the team.

As for the few who generated fan intrigue upon their arrival, it's important to remember star ratings aren't always right and some athletes peak in high school. There's also the whole work ethic thing that keeps players who came on board with high hope from developing into anything worthwhile.

The two types of players described as those coaches want to replace for various reasons will make up the majority of the transfers. That number may need to be high this year if this thing is to be turned around.

Keep in mind, turning things around is a relative term. The days of Arkansas appearing in SEC championship games are over. There will never be enough money available for the Razorbacks to compete at that level again in the NIL era. But, a nice 8-win season that could stretch to 10 with a fortunate bounce of the ball and the right bowl opponent is still with reach from time to time.

As for the portal, that will forever be a revolving door. Coaches need to churn talent to keep upgrading the roster and remove rotten eggs.

So, don't assume more money is going to change that, and especially don't assume Arkansas suddenly got outbid for a player. From time-to-time that might be true, but in most cases, money won't be a factor. One side or the other simply agreed it was time for that player to go and both sides will be better for it in the long run.