In a move that’s got the whole college football world buzzing, Cincinnati transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby suddenly became the hottest topic among teams desperate for a new QB. LSU football, now led by Lane Kiffin, was lucky enough to get Sorsby on campus for a visit.
While he was there, LSU rolled out a tempting Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) and revenue-sharing offer—$4.5 million, not exactly pocket change. But in the end, Sorsby decided to sign with Texas Tech, who reportedly dangled at least $5 million his way.
Let’s take a closer look at what LSU put on the table, how this might shake up the NIL landscape, and where LSU turns next in its quarterback search.
LSU’s Ambitious NIL Offer to Brendan Sorsby
LSU’s offer to Sorsby was no slapdash proposal. The package was detailed in an 11-page contract, put together with help from Playfly Sports Properties, LSU’s multimedia rights partner.
It spelled out exactly how Sorsby would get paid during his year with the team. The structure was designed to lure a top-tier transfer.
Breakdown of the NIL Offer
The total value: $4.5 million, split into a few main parts.
- $3.5 million from NILSU MAX, which is an independent group tied to Playfly and LSU athletics.
- At least $1 million from LSU’s own revenue-sharing cap money.
If NILSU MAX couldn’t come up with the guaranteed $3.5 million, the contract said they’d use Sorsby’s name, image, and likeness on promotional stuff, plus set up a handful of autograph signings and appearances to raise the rest.
Performance-Based Incentives
On top of the base pay, there were performance bonuses.
- $500,000 for winning the Heisman Trophy.
- $200,000 for taking home the Maxwell Award, which goes to college football’s top player.
It’s clear LSU was serious about rewarding standout play, not just signing a big name.
Implications for College Football’s NIL Landscape
LSU’s eye-popping offer to Sorsby brings up some tricky questions about where NIL deals are headed in college football. The College Sports Commission and NIL Go—both new on the scene—are now in charge of approving third-party contracts for student-athletes.
They’re supposed to make sure these deals make business sense and don’t blow past reasonable compensation.
Challenges and Precedents
Since both the College Sports Commission and NIL Go only started up in June, there isn’t much history when it comes to green-lighting deals this big.
It’s honestly hard to say if NIL Go would’ve approved LSU’s offer, since they’re still figuring things out as they go.
LSU’s Ongoing Quarterback Search
With Sorsby heading to Texas Tech, LSU is back in the hunt for a quarterback in the transfer portal. Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt just visited Baton Rouge, and there’s also interest in Washington’s Demond Williams.
Potential Offers and Competitive Edge
We don’t know the details of what LSU might offer Leavitt or Williams. Still, it’s a safe bet the school will try to stay competitive and put together solid offers.
Sorsby was the top QB in the portal, so future deals might not hit the same financial peak, but they’ll need to be strong enough to attract real talent.
Conclusion
The recruitment of Brendan Sorsby and LSU’s NIL offer really show just how wild and competitive the college football transfer portal has become. Programs now have to juggle NIL deals, revenue sharing, and a whole lot of uncertainty.
It’s hard to say exactly where things are headed, but it’s obvious the landscape is shifting. LSU’s ongoing quarterback search, plus how they handle NIL, will probably end up making or breaking their next few seasons.
If you want more details or just want to keep up with the latest transfer portal news, check out The Daily Advertiser.
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