Colorado State Coach Says Stars Tempted by Big Money Transfer Offers
Colorado State head coach Jay Norvell is desperately trying to keep his football team intact with the onslaught of players across the NCAA entering the transfer portal in recent weeks.
Norvell revealed that Rams quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was offered $600,000 to transfer to another school, according to a report by Kevin Lytle at The Coloradoan. Luckily for CSU, Fowler-Nicolosi recently announced his intent to return to the team for the 2024 season.
Norvell also shared stories of star receiver Tory Horton receiving offers in the six figures from power schools in an attempt to get him to transfer. However, the coach said that Horton is not considering the transfer portal and is instead deciding between the NFL draft and returning to CSU.
Attempts by Power Five programs to recruit players through NIL are running rampant. Despite rules prohibiting teams - including collectives - from using NIL as "pay-for-play" or inducement tied to an athlete's enrollment at a school, there has been little to no enforcement by the NCAA on this issue.
"Our top 12 players on our team have all had offers to go other places," Norvell told The Coloradoan. "It's really frustrating for me as a guy that's been in this business for over 30 years to really see the misinformation that kids are getting and really the poor decision-making that’s coming of it."
The coach emphasized the importance of getting support through CSU's NIL collective "Green and Gold Guard." In order for schools like CSU to compete with larger programs, it is important for fans to get involved with the teams' collectives. Otherwise, Norvell fears that the Rams will become a "farm system" for Power Five schools.
"We want to recruit great high school players that are tough and athletic and that love CSU. We just want to have a chance to keep them," Norvell said. "We don't want to be a farm system for the SEC or the Big 12. That's what's happening right now."
