The Ohio State football program has had to deal with around 25 players entering the Transfer Portal. Losing that high number of players is not fun for the program. A large reason why so many players decided to leave is so they could try to get a raise when it comes to NIL.
Not all of the NIL figures that are thrown out there to the public are correct. In fact, most of those numbers are incorrect. A lot of those numbers are higher because of agents trying to drive up prices for their clients. There really isn't any regulation in collegiate sports, so it can be the wild West sometimes.
Former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones knows something about NIL. Prior to this season, he was heavily involved in NIL fundraising for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He took to social media to let everyone know that some rumors involving the Buckeyes are simply not true.
Cardale Jones tries to calm Ohio State football fans' fears
Bo Jackson was rumored to be entering the Transfer Portal because Ohio State was supposedly not meeting his raise demands. The numbers thrown out there were over $1 million. Jones took to social media to let everyone know that wasn't true.
Take it from someone that’s very “in the know” when it comes to NIL, can’t believe everything you hear with these bogus ass assumptions and reports coming out. It’s putting a bad taste in fans mouth about Bo. All from false reports and lack of fact checking. https://t.co/xUgIaH9U8Z
— Cardale Jones (@CJ1two) January 9, 2026
This rumor obviously ended up being incorrect. Jackson announced that he is returning for next season. He did get a raise, but it certainly wasn't anything close to those numbers that were floating around. Jones knows better than anyone that there are a lot of fake NIL figures floating out there.
Fans should still be frustrated that the Buckeyes seem to be refusing to pay for some players in the portal. The amount of depth they have lost heading into next season is alarming. Jones also knows that false reports can stoke anger in Ohio State fans.
The Buckeyes still have several holes that they need to fill before next season arrives. They have a week to do it.