The college sports world has changed a lot in recent years since the emergence of NIL, and the Oklahoma State football program is making an intriguing change by putting QR codes on the helmets of players for fans to contribute, as head coach Mike Gundy outlined recently. LSU football coach Brian Kelly expressed resistance to that happening with his program.

“I think the QR code to me begins to, I don't know, for us, I think we can keep NIL off the field,” Brian Kelly said, via John Brice of Football Scoop. “I think we can generate the things that we need here at LSU separate from the gameday atmosphere. The collegiate kind of feel that you have. This is just my personal feeling, butting a QR code on your helmet doesn't feel collegiate to me. … As much as we can continue this game with the band and with college-age kids part of the game … NIL is here to stay, and that's great. But I think we can separate that and t the end of the game, go work on NIL. That's just my personal feelings about it.”

Oklahoma State is not the only football program that is making NIL aspects visible during games, as the UConn football program is going to be the first school to feature an NIL collective logo on its field this season.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Football News
Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) jumps into the arms of head coach Kenny Dillingham after the the Sun Devils upset the (16) Utah Utes 27-19 at Mountain America Stadium.
Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham makes ‘blue blood’ claim after 2024 successLorenzo J Reyna ·
Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin gives a thumbs up while walking off the field after the game of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Ole Miss defeated Duke 52-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin loses 2-way athlete armed with 22 offersLorenzo J Reyna ·
It's time that HBCU athletics leaders take inspiration from the NBA and look to innovate with their media rights.
HBCUs must innovate with sports media rights; use the NBA as inspirationRandall Barnes ·
Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins runs by Notre Dame defenders during the second half
Michigan football, Notre Dame finalists for 4-star DLScotty White ·
A Michigan Wolverines marching band color guard flag member carries the Michigan flag across the field before the Wolverines played against the Washington Huskies in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium.
Michigan football battling 3 CFP contenders for 4-star EDGEScotty White ·
Florida A&M is under scrutiny for low pass rates in its law and nursing programs. The university has plans to enhance student outcomes.
Florida A&M lands JUCO QB after losing Kent State starRandall Barnes ·

Kirby Smart backs LSU football's Brian Kelly

While LSU football coach Brian Kelly was outwardly against the QR codes being used in his program, Georgia football coach Kirby Smart gave similar comments, indicating that his program could at least wait for revenue sharing to be in place.

“I hadn't really thought about it; I saw the Oklahoma State QR code,” Kirby Smart said, via Brice. “We haven't discussed it and aren't to the point of wanting to d that in terms of commercializing tha part of our game. Many of our players do capitalize on NIL and soon-to-be revenue sharing. … I would argue that people are trying to keep our game as pure as we can. I'm more traditionalist. We'll see where it goes. I don't think anything has to be decided till we get to that revenue share and the settlement comes out.”

For now, Kelly and Smart will focus on leading the Georgia and LSU football programs to as many wins as possible this year. They might eventually have to adopt some type of thing like Oklahoma State is doing, but only time will tell.