BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Midway through a slick commitment video in which Oregon head coach Dan Lanning explains how five-star cornerback Naeem Offord fits into his program, he makes a familiar sound. A man in his 80s, Nike co-founder Phil Knight, appeared on the screen.
Oregon’s super booster said in a video that Offord, the nation’s No. 2 cornerback and No. 12 overall prospect, announced he was transferring from Ohio State to Oregon State’s 2025 class. I didn’t speak either. However, his presence was no accident.
Known as “Uncle Phil” to Oregon State players, he is doing everything in his power to bring his beloved Ducks a national title. Acquiring the requisite 6-foot-1 five-star cornerback from Alabama and keeping him away from the toughest Big Ten competition in Oregon was just part of the plan.
“He played a huge role,” Offord told Phil Knight on CBS Sports. “He’s actually waiting for me to get up there and has a lot planned for me. He’ll help me make the shoes.”
Knight helped Oregon secure big-win status in Wednesday’s early signing period. In addition to Offord, Oregon State plucked four-star quarterback Jaron Keawe-Sagaportele from former Pac-12 rival Cal and beat Florida to sign five-star receiver Dallas Wilson. . That’s especially impressive considering the Ducks have the No. 4 player depth in the nation, according to 247Sports, and only have 19 players under contract.
Oregon State has four five-star prospects with a top-rated average recruiting rating of 93.77 on 247Sports. Oregon signed two of the nation’s top five receivers (Wilson and Dacorien Moore) and two of the nation’s top five cornerbacks (Offord and Brandon Finney).
A big credit goes to Lanning, one of the best recruiting head coaches in the country, and his chief of staff, Marshall Markow, who had recruiting success at Georgia State and Texas A&M before heading to Oregon State with Lanning. It’s in the government. Their relentless recruiting has been the driving force behind the operation, and No. 1 Oregon, which will play in Saturday’s Big Ten Championship game against Penn State (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS), is in its first year in the conference. Built for success for years to come.
But it’s impossible to ignore the value Knight placed on what Lanning and his staff have built in Eugene. Having a five-star recruit like Offord develop a relationship with one of the greatest sports entrepreneurs to ever walk the planet is a tremendous advantage for the Ducks.
There’s also an obvious financial contribution from one of the world’s richest men. Knight, worth an estimated $45 billion according to Forbes, has donated more than $1 billion to his beloved University of Oregon over the years. He funded major renovations to Autzen Stadium, the basketball stadium named for his late son, and spent hundreds of millions of dollars on academic facilities such as the Knight Library, Knight Law Center and science complex. Knight ran track and field at Oregon State in the 1950s.
So it was no surprise that Knight would be involved in manipulating Oregon’s name, image and likeness. He co-founded Division Street and brought on board Nike veterans, including Rosemary St. Clair, who serves as the organization’s chief executive officer.
As detailed in “The Price: What It Takes to Win in a Turbulent Era of College Football,” Knight was committed to doing everything he could to help Oregon State win.
Phil Knight, 86, was a prime example. Before he passed away, the Nike co-founder desperately wanted his beloved Oregon Ducks to win a national championship, and was instrumental in turning Oregon’s Division Street Collective into one of the most cutting-edge and wealthy businesses in the country. played a practical role.
“There was a deal that needed to be completed really quickly. I was waiting for Phil to wake up (on the morning of the deal) because he has to agree to all the contracts,” said NIL, who frequently signs contracts. said a top agent. Covered Division Street.
Another NIL agent who has negotiated multiple deals with Division Street said, “Phil Knight is funding all of that and he wants to see them win a national title. I’m really, really proactive with money.”
Mr. Knight has always kept the total amount of his donations to the university confidential, and Division Street operates in a similar manner. Division Street, believed by many in the industry to be one of the most well-funded groups in the country, operates quietly and efficiently in the shadows, largely avoiding media attention.
“They’re very sophisticated and know exactly what they’re doing,” another NIL agent told CBS Sports. “They are very professional and a pleasure to work with. They are very easy to work with.”
Knight’s role at the University of Oregon aroused a mixture of jealousy and admiration from other college football coaches. Kirby Smart, Lanning’s former boss at the University of Georgia, said he met Knight and his wife, Penny, during his time at SEC Media and said, “Some of the NIL money he is sharing with Dan Lanning.” I wish I could get it,” he said. At Big Ten Media Days, UCLA coach Deshaun Foster said, “Oregon doesn’t have (a salary cap), but we do. We have a salary cap.”
Maryland coach Mike Locksley, one of the central figures in The Price, cited Knight’s influence on Oregon’s NIL when explaining the college football landscape to one of the book’s co-authors. I brought it out.
“Phil Knight wants to win championships and cure cancer,” Locksley said. “He made it very clear: Win a national championship and use those billions to cure cancer.”
Mr. Lanning, a beneficiary of Mr. Knight’s largesse, has gently refuted claims in the past that Oregon has “unrestricted NIL” funds thanks to Mr. Knight. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show this summer, Lanning said, “I think it’s impressive that a player like Kirby (Smart) has been able to sign the No. 1 player in the country without NIL money for so long. “Obviously Coach Smart put in some effort.” If you want to be a top 10 team in college football, you better have great support. ”
Offord, the latest five-star player to sign with Oregon State, said the NIL wasn’t a big factor in his decision because the amount would have been similar anywhere. He’s more interested in preparing for the next level under Lanning’s tutelage and the money he can make from success as a pro in the future.
And I can’t wait to see what Uncle Phil will do for me once I graduate high school early and get to Eugene.
“NIL is cool, but everyone will want to support it,” Offord said. “I’m going to need support from around me and I feel Phil Knight will help me with that. He’ll play a big role and help me with support and marketing.”
more: Signing Day winners and losers, headlined by Oregon
