College Football Insider Names 1 SEC Team to 'Watch Out For' as Future NIL Monster

Multiple teams across the nation have used the NIL to their advantage to build powerhouse programs. However, it sounds like some schools are taking a more strategic route with the NIL before using it to its full extent. If that's the case we could have some future players challenging the top schools in the nation down the road.

During a guest visit on The Next Round , Brandon Marcello of CBS Sports and 247 Sports claims that the Auburn Tigers are a team to "watch out for" in terms of making future NIL deals. Hugh Freeze and the Tigers are reportedly not using all of the available NIL money now to eventually use it later.

The reason is that Auburn wants to reel in high school players and develop them. Once those players are more developed, Marcello claims we could see the Tigers become much more aggressive in the transfer portal to complement the roster.

"They're spending some money but they're holding back, waiting for the time to strike. I'm telling you, year 3-4, watch out for Auburn in the NIL space."

It's a smart strategy for a program that's still in rebuild mode. Auburn has a chance to build a solid roster over the next couple of years consisting of high school players learning and developing together.

Once those players are developed then it would make sense to finally chase after bigger names through the transfer portal. The NIL is wildly intriguing, as it's creating multiple ways for college football teams, and other sports, to build their programs.

The SEC is ultimately led by the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Texas Longhorns right now. But this conference has some serious depth with the LSU Tigers, Tennessee Volunteers, Ole Miss Rebels, and much more.

It'll be interesting to see if Auburn can pull off this NIL strategy. The Tigers are a team with winning history. So, getting back on top of the SEC is the ultimate goal. Hugh Freeze has an uphill battle for the 2024 season. But if this NIL strategy pays off then this program could be back in the mix for the SEC Championship in due time.

Hugh Freeze is an experienced head coach who knows how to develop players. He has over 30 years of experience coaching with 13 of those years serving as a head coach. Freeze took his first head coaching gig back in 2008 for Lambuth University. He also coached Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Liberty before taking the Auburn job in 2023.

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