The shifting landscape of college football in the NIL and transfer portal era has drawn sharp criticism for its lack of regulation. Former Boise State offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter recently highlighted this issue, accusing the Oregon Ducks of tampering with a key Broncos player. Koetter alleges that Oregon offered a substantial NIL deal to lure the player away following Boise State's loss in the Fiesta Bowl.
“I know for a fact that just last week, after the Fiesta Bowl, one of the key starters on defense got a call from the Oregon Ducks offering him $700,000,” Koetter said during an interview with KTIK Idaho Sports Talk.
The accusation underscores the growing disparity in resources between smaller programs like Boise State and powerhouse schools like Oregon. According to Koetter, Boise State’s NIL “salary cap” is approximately $2 million annually—a fraction of what some top-tier programs allocate.
“Our salary cap is $2 million,” Koetter explained. “That’s up from maybe something like $1.6 million last year. But the people we’re competing against… it’s as high as $20 million.”
Oregon could be in big trouble if the accusations are true

The financial gap creates significant challenges for programs like Boise State, even as they achieve remarkable feats on the field. The Broncos’ 2024 College Football Playoff appearance was a testament to their resilience. However, retaining top talent becomes an uphill battle when larger programs can offer much higher compensation.
Koetter elaborated on the stark realities facing smaller schools, sharing that Boise State players could command significantly higher sums in the open market.
“Every starter that started significant games for Boise State would be able to get at least $200,000 a man on the open market,” Koetter stated.
The accusations against Oregon reflect broader concerns about the lack of safeguards in the NIL and transfer systems. Programs with greater financial clout are leveraging NIL opportunities to entice players from smaller schools, creating what many describe as an uneven playing field. Koetter likened the situation to the “Wild West,” with powerhouse programs exploiting their resources to dominate talent acquisition.
For Boise State, the situation highlights the difficulty of sustaining success in an era increasingly defined by NIL-driven decisions. While their 2024 season was historic, the challenges of keeping their roster intact loom large.
Koetter’s comments point to a need for stronger regulations to ensure fairness in college football. Without them, the competitive balance may continue to tip in favor of programs with the deepest pockets. As Koetter aptly summarized, “It’s tough sledding indeed.” The allegations against Oregon serve as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play, raising important questions about the future of college football in the NIL era.