Rival fans are frustrated as Texas Tech’s aggressive NIL strategy helps them dominate the transfer portal and attract top talent in their pursuit of championships.
Texas Tech has become a hot topic nationally due to its bold approach to the transfer portal, backed by what appears to be an unlimited supply of NIL funds.
Following the softball team’s remarkable run to the Women’s College World Series, the Red Raiders have been making big moves, adding one new All-American transfer after another. Since the end of the season, Texas Tech has secured five new recruits, four of whom are ranked in On3’s Top 10. These include Kaitlyn Terry (UCLA), Talor Pannell (Tennessee), Jasmyn Burns (Ohio State), Mia Williams (Florida), and Jackie Lis (Southern Illinois), plus star pitcher NiJaree Canady, who signed a lucrative seven-figure deal.
Softball OnSI recently published a piece detailing how Texas Tech is able to load up on talent through the transfer portal.
“While NCAA rules prevent coaches from directly recruiting players from rival teams, there’s nothing stopping third parties from contacting these players,” the article explained. This loophole has allowed All-Americans to join Texas Tech’s program. The Matador Club, the school’s NIL collective, and coach Nathan Nelson from Hotshots Fastpitch, a Texas-based travel organization, have been heavily involved in the process.
This strategy has proven highly effective for the Red Raiders in today’s college sports landscape, at least when it comes to attracting top-tier talent. While some critics question the ethics of the approach, Texas Tech is more focused on getting results than worrying about public opinion.
The truth is, such deals have been happening in college athletics for a long time, even before NIL became a factor. With the current rules in place, there’s nothing wrong with being aggressive and exploiting any “loopholes” that can help a program succeed. This kind of approach has been allegedly used by the SEC for years, and now smart programs are doing the same.
However, while Texas Tech’s bold tactics are within the rules, it’s leaving a bitter taste among rival fans who aren’t happy with the way the Red Raiders are pushing the limits. On the other hand, some are reluctantly admitting that Texas Tech is simply playing the NIL game better than anyone else right now.
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