Four Buckeyes sign six-figure deal, helped by NIL collective The Foundation

COLUMBUS — Four Ohio State players have signed a massive NIL deal with well-known brands.

And the deal was facilitated by The Foundation, the name, image and likeness collective trying to help the Buckeyes stay near the top of the college football world.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, running back TreVeyon Henderson, defensive back Denzel Burke and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a $550,000 deal, which was brokered by The Foundation, the collective founded by Brian Schottenstein

By signing the deal, Denzel Burke and TreVeyon Henderson will be promoting American Eagle Outfitters. C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will promote Designer Shoe Warehouse through the deal. And as the quarterback, Stroud has one more assignment: he’ll be working with Value City Furniture, as well.

Ohio State has wanted to get more aggressive in the world of name, image and likeness, but the Buckeyes have been careful with what they are doing — and allowing to happen with their players. With few rules in place, there isn’t much guidance on what can and can’t be done.

“There’s risk everywhere,” Day said in May about all the uncertainty. “There’s risk that if you do nothing, you get left behind. If you go the other end, there’s risk that you can get fired for cause, for crossing the line. So finding that sweet spot is where the challenge is right now. And when there aren’t clear-cut rules or rules that are being enforced, that it creates hard feelings and unrest. I think that’s what we are right now.”

But with player representation through NIL Management, who represents the four players, and The Foundation, the collective helping the deals become reality, the Buckeyes appear to have found a way to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape.

At least four of them have. They signed a deal that is massive. In money. In value. And in the shifting landscape of NIL.