Ohio State Buckeyes Recruit Using NIL Money for Heartwarming Purpose

Buckeye fans learned a lot about the character of one its future quarterbacks.

Oct 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Class of 2027 Huntington Beach, California, quarterback Brady Edmunds visits the field ahead of Ohio State's 35-7 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes after the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. / Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Anytime the terms ‘NIL’ and ‘quarterback’ are used in the same breath, it’s a head-turning moment. The most important position in sports commands the largest compensation in the barely tested waters of the NIL era, which gives us stories similar to the UNLV-Matt Sluka saga or, most recently, with Nico Iamaleava and his split with Tennessee.

Ohio State fans can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to 2027 quarterback recruit Brady Edmonds. The four-star quarterback is putting his early NIL earnings to good use before he even gets to Ohio State.

In a recent social media post, Edmunds said he and his family spent the day with Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, spending time with the staff and patients while donating toys and books.

My family and I had a great day at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. I spent some time with the awesome staff and donated a bunch of toys and books for the kids. I’m looking forward to continuing my relationship with @nationwidekids over the coming years! #GoBucks🌰 pic.twitter.com/axm4JH07wF

— Brady Edmunds 2027 (@bradyedmunds9) June 10, 2025

Edmunds and his family were in Columbus late last week for a recruiting camp where he got his first on-campus work with the Buckeyes coaching staff and other commits.

Edmunds➡️Edmunds for 6 in The Shoe! First of many. #GoBucks @brandonedmunds_ pic.twitter.com/kIBb6xZ14N

— Brady Edmunds 2027 (@bradyedmunds9) June 11, 2025

Edmunds, the No. 3-ranked quarterback in his recruiting class, has an NIL valuation of $368,000 according to On3, making him one of the highest-earning high school athletes in the nation.

Ohio State got an early commitment from the rising junior quarterback out of California, who made his announcement to join the Buckeyes in December. In 2024, he completed 62.4% of his passes for 3,222 yards and 36 touchdowns. 

Ryan Day and his coaching staff know they have a rock-solid quarterback prospect in Edmunds, who stands 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds. But after this quick story, they have to feel confident they’ve brought on a player with the proper intangibles to lead the program into the future.