OSU Allegedly Offering 1st-Round Money to MHJ and Henderson
This was posted on r/cfb.
Not sure what to think about this information, if it's true. OSU's recruiting class seems to be falling apart relative to their standards, and a bunch of dudes are transferring out, so one way to view this is desperation. On the other hand, maybe you say it's best-in-class comp for players that sets a standard.
I think Harrison should go to the NFL. He's not playing for a rookie contract; he's playing for the next one. But I didn't realize Henderson was considered a 1st-round talent, especially with his injury history. If he won't see that first round money, maybe it's a good move for him.
As for the recruiting consequences, I think it's a wash. On one hand, the great players get paid and this creates a carrot similar to what Michigan currently provides. On the other hand, if you're a kid focused on playing time and these big names keep coming back, maybe you look elsewhere.
December 7th, 2023 at 12:51 PM ^
Even if this is true, I'd be surprised if Harrison stays. It's not really about how much money he makes next year, it's about getting 1 year closer to his first non-rookie contract.
Henderson staying is more plausible, but with RB careers so short, I'd still expect him to leave unless he thinks he can improve his draft position.
December 7th, 2023 at 12:55 PM ^
If OSU offers Henderson above his slot (later on day 1?) he should stay.
If Harrison stays, he's not very bright.
December 7th, 2023 at 1:39 PM ^
Why would Harrison take 1 year of guaranteed first round money when he can get 4 years of first round money and probably half of that as a signing bonus?
December 7th, 2023 at 1:55 PM ^
Yeah, I'm not sure I buy this rumor. First round money for MHJ mean $8-9 mil+ for a single season, and that's not even considering the $20 mil+ signing bonus he'll get.
December 7th, 2023 at 2:24 PM ^
Clearly BS.
December 7th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
Yeah this is nonsense. MH Jr is projected to go 3rd overall. Will Harrison JR went 3rd overall last year with base + pro rated bonus is $6.4M. Derek Stingley the prior 3rd overall was $6.3M
OSU ain't offering $6.5M for 1 player when QBs are going for $1-2M
This is some hack guy starting rumors and people running with it because "journalism" 2023 has such high standards.
I hope they are wasting $1M+ of their pool on a running back though, gives them less money to spend elsewhere.
December 7th, 2023 at 3:21 PM ^
Yeah, if they want to blow a huge chunk of their NIL money on a finesse runner who can't break tackles, fine with me. Trayanum was the more dangerous guy against us, but Day was too dumb to realize it.
December 7th, 2023 at 7:54 PM ^
This is some hack guy starting rumors and people running with it because "journalism" 2023 has such high standards.
Respectfully, journalism 2023 does have some very high standards in most newsrooms. But sports “journalism” … that’s another matter altogether.
December 7th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^
question.
1. Why would a Harrison come back to a team that just ran off his HS teammate, friend and QB? In addition to the contract and money issues being discussed.
December 7th, 2023 at 8:23 PM ^
He’ll almost certainly leave but same with Stroud all of those losses to us will overshadow everything else they achieved on the field at OSU. Not surprising a competitive athlete would want to stay and achieve the #1 goal at their school.
December 7th, 2023 at 2:40 PM ^
A couple of the OSU insiders have Henderson staying and attribute their other RB entering the portal to that, FWIW. Apparently the fanbase mostly wants their freshman RB to get most of the reps either way, despite being horrible in pass pro this year.
December 7th, 2023 at 3:36 PM ^
No way. As a RB, with their known short shelf life in the NFL(I think the average is 3 years?), he goes now. Particularly with his injury history.
December 7th, 2023 at 12:57 PM ^
If I were an RB, I think I might look at the money the other way. I can play for a year on good money in college where I play 13-15 games against good athletes instead of 17-21 games against otherworldly athletes. I'm less likely to get hurt. If I help my team win something, I become a legend in a way that I can use for commercials until the end of time...
I don't know as much about rookie first year deals with injuries, though I imagine you can get insurance on that.
December 7th, 2023 at 1:34 PM ^
Agree with this. As a RB you are gaining a year of earning potential. He gets paid now + his rookie deal. Since only the top of the top (and even then....) RBs are getting decent 2nd contracts it makes much more sense for Henderson than it does Marvin.
December 7th, 2023 at 2:11 PM ^
Best case scenario for Henderson is probably to take the NIL deal, hope he stays healthy and has a great year, and improves his draft stock to late 1st round (or at least day 1). Is he a day 1 guy now?
December 7th, 2023 at 3:20 PM ^
worst case scenario for Henderson is OSU can't protect him, his numbers drop and/or gets injured with extra losses and his draft stock drops.
Seems like their team next year has some holes they need to fill. Which is exactly how you make a good RB look bad.
December 7th, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^
That comment cuts both ways as he already has gotten hurt in college. If he gets hurt again, he'll never get the opportunity to play pro football and will end up worse off.
December 7th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
Last year around this time there were similar rumblings about CJ Stroud, about how OSU was going to get him a package together to stay. I suspect the Harrison talk will die down quickly just like the Stroud talk did. NIL may be handing out some money, but it doesn't touch top 5 NFL pick money.
Henderson seems more plausible, but if you're paying 3 million dollars to get a guy back who has missed multiple games in back to back years...seems like you're better off spending that money elsewhere, but what do I know.
December 7th, 2023 at 2:52 PM ^
You only have so many hits that you are able to take as a player. Harrison is clearly ready for the NFL and he should not spend any more of his hits on OSU.
December 7th, 2023 at 2:57 PM ^
Harrison is holding a winning lottery ticket. Go cash it and go get paid.
If Henderson gets a decent draft grade, he should go too. There’s only so much thread on a RB’s tires.
For a long time I was a “stay in school!!” guy. But there’s too much money in the pro game now, and it’s only there for a limited time. Go get it while you can.
December 7th, 2023 at 5:22 PM ^
Zero chance for Harrison
if OSU is dumb enough to give Henderson first round money, he should stay and laugh all the way to the bank
December 7th, 2023 at 7:16 PM ^
It’s not like the money comes with a contract attached. He could take it then feign an injury and sit the whole year out.
December 7th, 2023 at 9:23 PM ^
We need to circle back to those two CB's we were recruiting and see if they've had a change of heart. Seems like the perfect time. We're going to CFP for the 3rd year in a row, OSU is basically imploding . . .
December 7th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
Henderson should 100% stay if that report is true. MHJ should still go cause the chance of catastrophic injury hurting his future earnings.
December 7th, 2023 at 1:05 PM ^
If it is true Henderson would be an idiot not to take it. Running backs are a dime a dozen in the NFL. Average shelf life is 3 years and even Barley can't get a legitimate contract.
December 7th, 2023 at 1:19 PM ^
Wheat, not even Barley? That's a rye deal. He was the G-OAT during PSU's Moorhead years. The number of times he burned us crispy in a footrice. . . him in space spelt doom.
/ something something and Blue
December 7th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
There’s a grain of truth in your statement.
December 7th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
My first double post. No idea how it happened.
December 7th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
Sorry for the double Post.
December 7th, 2023 at 2:50 PM ^
great album. sync ii was my fave
December 7th, 2023 at 7:52 PM ^
Invisible Sun was an incredible tune
December 7th, 2023 at 4:18 PM ^
happens to the best of us
December 7th, 2023 at 1:49 PM ^
I get the grist of what you’re saying. There’s more than a kernel of truth to it, no need to mill it over. He had a high flour and even higher ceiling. A real super star-ch, a mash-ter of his craft.
December 7th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
Could have played basketball too - he has great hops.
December 7th, 2023 at 7:00 PM ^
Went to dentist today and you irritated my sorghums with that
December 7th, 2023 at 2:21 PM ^
I have no pun. I just have a sudden urge to have a couple beers.
December 7th, 2023 at 3:36 PM ^
I sympathize with your alement.
December 7th, 2023 at 5:11 PM ^
Brimley, how could you spurn your beloved Quaker Oats at a time like this?
December 7th, 2023 at 6:42 PM ^
Not good for your DIA BEET US.
December 7th, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^
Also for MHJ - who's throwing him the ball?
That makes a lot of sense for Treyveon though
December 7th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
It only makes sense to stick around for first round money if you’re not going to be a first round pick.
December 7th, 2023 at 1:01 PM ^
Which I don't believe Henderson would be a lock for.
December 7th, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^
No. Although even a fringe 2nd round is probably still worth declaring unless there is potential for a massive jump in a year. Gotta go get that guaranteed money asap. Henderson finished as strong as any back in the country. It’s a gamble for him based on his injury history.
December 7th, 2023 at 12:53 PM ^
But they would still have to go to class, right? Anybody?
December 7th, 2023 at 1:04 PM ^
Yes, they would be required now to play school
December 7th, 2023 at 1:41 PM ^
They can accumulate enough credits by taking Prof. Katzenmoyer's golf symposium.
December 7th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
GOL 101: Big Katz, Big Dreams
December 7th, 2023 at 2:36 PM ^
Probably as many classes as your typical 'one and done' basketball player...
December 7th, 2023 at 12:53 PM ^
It would be an incredibly stupid decision to come back when projected as a top-5 pick. Where else do you go from there? You would have to pay me 2x the rookie scale given the potential for me to get injured, delay the rookie contract start (as OP said), etc.