Amid the controversial exchange between Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher regarding the state of NIL deals in college football and Texas A&M's recruiting class, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin sent a fiery message in the direction of Alabama star Bryce Young. Via Sports Illustrated, Kiffin effectively recommended Young get himself a lucrative NIL deal of his own by entering the transfer portal and forcing Alabama to match his market value.

“Why did Bryce Young not go into the portal? If you are advising Bryce Young, why do you not go into the portal and walk into Nick Saban’s office and say, ‘Hey, I want to be here, but I’ve got to protect myself so I’m going to go into the portal. And I want to come back as long as it’s matched with what I get out there.’ The kid would make 10 times what he would have made. How’s that not going to happen all the time? It should. It will,” Kiffin said in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
Kiffin may just be trying to get under the skin of Saban here, but his suggestion to Young isn't actually a bad one, financially speaking. If Young truly does want to collect the bag while still in college, he could create a bidding war for his services by entering the transfer portal.
Related NewsArticle continues below
Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan celebrates 13-10 win over Ohio State at Ohio Stadium
4-star S ‘very high’ on Michigan football
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore hugs Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian after 31-12 loss at Michigan Stadium
Michigan football competing with Georgia, Texas for 4-star S
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart shown during the Georgia Spring game at Sanford Stadium.
Georgia football, Kirby Smart now pursuing NFL legend’s son with new offer
Of course, that seems an unlikely outcome for the Alabama star, but it is certainly interesting to think that players may explore that option in the future, something Kiffin expects to become a regularity within college football. Perhaps he's trying to kickstart that trend by planting the idea in Young's head, while also getting another jab in at Saban in the process.