The NIL era has completely reshaped the college football landscape, and no program-no matter how storied-is immune to the growing pains. Ohio State, a perennial powerhouse with sky-high expectations, is right in the thick of figuring out how to navigate this new world of player compensation, transfer freedom, and roster management. And while the Buckeyes are still one of the most talent-rich programs in the country, even they’ve had to make some tough calls-especially when it comes to balancing production, potential, and pay.
Mark Pantoni, Ohio State’s longtime General Manager and recruiting architect, recently shed some light on how the Buckeyes are approaching NIL and the Transfer Portal. Speaking on The Program with Woj, Pantoni didn’t name names, but he gave fans a pretty transparent look at the kind of decisions the staff is facing behind the scenes.
“I think the hard part this year,” Pantoni said, “was the guys who just finished up year one, going into year two, who may not have played a lot, but the market has dictated maybe some potential increases they thought they deserved without a lot of production behind it. And that’s where we had to make some really tough decisions.”
That quote hits at the heart of one of the biggest challenges in this new era: how do you manage a roster when players-especially highly touted recruits-expect NIL compensation that doesn’t always align with on-field results?
Take Quincy Porter, for instance. He came to Columbus as a five-star recruit with all the tools, but he barely saw the field in his first year.
Despite that, the NIL market still valued him as if he were a proven contributor. Ohio State, weighing both performance and fit, opted not to match that valuation.
Porter’s now at Notre Dame, a move that reflects just how fluid-and financially driven-college football has become.
And he’s not alone. Mylan Graham, another highly rated player who struggled to crack the rotation over two seasons, also made the move to South Bend. These aren’t cases of players being pushed out-they’re examples of a program making difficult, calculated decisions about who fits the culture, the scheme, and the budget.
In total, more than 30 players left Ohio State through the portal. That’s a staggering number for a program that’s consistently in the national title conversation. But it’s also a reflection of the current reality: roster turnover is part of the game now, and NIL has only accelerated that churn.
Pantoni’s job, already one of the most demanding in college football, has become even more complex. It’s no longer just about identifying talent-it’s about evaluating value, projecting development, and managing expectations, all while keeping the locker room culture intact.
For Ohio State fans, it can be frustrating to see big-name recruits leave without ever making a major impact. But Pantoni’s comments make it clear: the Buckeyes aren’t just throwing money around because they can. They’re trying to build a sustainable model-one that rewards performance, fosters development, and keeps the program competitive at the highest level.
Yes, there’s always risk in the NIL game. Overpaying for a player who doesn’t pan out can set a program back.
But there’s also risk in letting talent walk. The Buckeyes are walking that tightrope, just like every other top-tier program.
The difference is, they’re doing it with a clear sense of purpose.
And if Pantoni’s track record is any indication, Ohio State isn’t backing down from the challenge. They’re just evolving with the times-strategically, carefully, and with an eye on the long game.