Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin Fires Shots at Ohio State Over $20 Million Roster Rebuild
The Ohio State Buckeyes, one of the biggest brands in college football, are in panic mode after three consecutive losses to their arch-rival, Michigan. These losses have sent shockwaves through the program, sparking an offseason overhaul that has drawn both admiration and criticism across the country.
Determined to reverse their recent misfortunes, head coach Ryan Day went on a shopping spree in the transfer portal, landing high-profile players like Alabama’s star safety Caleb Downs, Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins, and Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. Combined with several key starters who opted to return rather than declare for the NFL Draft, Ohio State has constructed a roster geared toward nothing less than a national championship.
To build this juggernaut, the Buckeyes reportedly spent upwards of $20 million in NIL deals, prompting ESPN’s Jake Trotter to publish an article with the headline, “Ohio State Went All-In This Offseason, Motivated by Michigan.” The piece shed light on how Ohio State assembled what many are calling a “championship or bust” roster—a move that didn’t go unnoticed by rival coaches.
How Ohio State built a $20 million, 'national championship or bust' roster – via @ESPN App https://t.co/HF9OAXKRf3
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) August 26, 2024
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who lost star running back Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State, wasted no time in reacting. Kiffin tweeted out the ESPN article with a thinly veiled jab at Ohio State’s spending spree, further fueling the conversation surrounding NIL’s impact on college football.
Kiffin’s reaction is part of an ongoing dialogue in college football about the increasing role of money in building powerhouse rosters. However, some see Kiffin’s critique as ironic given that Ole Miss also spent heavily in the transfer portal to bolster its own roster.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin tweeted an ESPN article titled "How Ohio State built a $20 million, 'national championship or bust' roster"💀https://t.co/grnQACzlSg pic.twitter.com/tKsNrulBid
— On3 (@On3sports) August 26, 2024
As the Buckeyes prepare for the 2024 season, the pressure is higher than ever. With $20 million invested and Michigan still looming large, anything less than a national championship will be seen as a failure. And if Ohio State faces off against Kiffin’s Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff, it would add another layer to an already brewing rivalry off the field.
For now, Ohio State’s focus remains clear: win at all costs.
