
Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher shot down any speculation that his program has used Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to land the top recruiting class of all time, adding that anyone spreading such “ridiculous” rumors is being “irresponsible as hell.”
“To me it’s insulting to the players that we recruited that that’s why they would come here,” Fisher told reporters Wednesday. “You ever been to a game here? You ever come to school here and see the education? You ever talk about the 12th Man and the Aggie network when you’re done? There ain’t a better university in this country.”
Texas A&M signed five-star defensive lineman Shemar Stewart, one of the most highly-regarded players in Florida on Wednesday, cementing the university’s 2022 recruiting class as the best ever, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings.
The recruiting success for the Aggies, who are coming off a relatively disappointing 8-4 season, has sparked rumors and speculation that Texas A&M is effectively paying recruits via NIL deals.
RECRUITING: Winners and losers from college football signing days
Fisher called out a specific Oklahoma fan message board post and a site that aggregated the post, which alleged a $30 million fund was set up to pay Aggies players for use of their names, images and likenesses.
“There is no $30 million fund. There is no 10 million, there is no five million. This is garbage,” Fisher said. “It pisses me off.”
Fisher, who was hired as Texas A&M’s head coach in 2018, said rival coaches and some media outlets have perpetuated the “unbelievable” rumors.
“To have coaches, in our league and across this league to say it…Clown acts,” Fisher said. “Irresponsible as hell… And the guys griping about NIL, griping about transfer portal are using it the most and bragging about it the most. That’s the ironic part.”
TRANSFER…
..