The Ohio State Buckeyes were the sole reason Class of 2027 5-star receiver Jamier Brown left Huber Heights Wayne High School to join Big Walnut in Sunbury this past January. That's what Brown admitted to Ashland Source's Curt Conrad.
Per Brown, when asked about his decision to leave the Dayton metro for the Columbus metro, "I wanted a change of scenery and to be closer to Ohio State. ... When God closes one door, He always opens another, and that's what He did for me."
Brown explained after committing in November 2024 that the Ohio State University was his dream school. That message has been consistent through the reaffirmation of his commitment in May. Clearly, this is a spiritual decision for Brown. When you grow up in Ohio, you tend to wear Scarlet and Gray your whole life and feel it destiny to run out onto Safelite Field at Ohio Stadium.
Brown's decision to transfer to Big Walnut meant moving from the Greater Western Ohio Conference to the Ohio Capital Conference. It may be a step down in competition, on paper, at least, but given he's already committed, it may be a smart play for Brown. The media access in the local market will be good for his brand.
Plus, if we're being real, if there's one person who deserves the chance to transfer as he pleases, it's one of the most influential figures in Ohio in making NIL legal for high schoolers via an emergency referendum from the OHSAA.
Jamier Brown was a major voice for Ohio high school players getting NIL
What Brown accomplished in getting high school kids paid is something that will last for generations. Before ever stepping foot on campus and taking a snap, Brown is already a legend in the state of Ohio. Getting high school kids paid is a social justice issue that narrows the inequality gap. Brown helped explain how it gives kids financial literacy.
“You should be able to have what you deserve,” Jamier told Cleveland.com. “A lot of kids, like I said before, put their all in whatever sport they do, and they just don’t get nothing for it. NIL doesn’t just come with sports. You can learn about businesses, stocks, all of that.”
Republicans Adam Bird and Mike Odioso are the sponsors of House Bill 661, which aims to "bar middle or high school athletes from earning NIL compensation."
There could be a fight over NIL earning abilities for Brown and the opposite side all year, but the early returns seem to indicate that capitalism will prevail on the NIL side of the fence. Obviously, with NIL paychecks come agents and legal paperwork to be done. There are job opportunities beyond just the kids getting their money for playing, and that work has to be done by people and not machines.
Whatever happens, Brown is already a major player's rights advocate. It looks good for the Buckeyes to have brought him on as they continue leading the way in being a player-friendly choice for high school recruits around the country.
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