Star wide receiver Tory Horton’s return was a huge boon for Colorado State’s 2024 season outlook. Not only did he decide to forgo the NFL Draft for a final collegiate campaign, but he turned down several Power Four suitors. He wasn’t the only one, as redshirt sophomore QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi also had his fair share of offers. As Jay Norvell revealed at Mountain West Media Days, their decisions weren’t cheap.
Texas A&M, Ole Miss Sought Colorado State WR Tory Horton, Kansas State Offered QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi $600k
When Horton announced his return to Fort Collins, reports were he received multiple six-figure NIL deals to transfer, and Norvell pointed the finger at two SEC programs. “I’ve had every team in America try to take Tory Horton from us. From Texas A&M to Ole Miss, they’ve all been on him.”
It’s easy to see why Power Four conferences would target the perennial playmaker. In his first two seasons as a full-time starter, he posted receiving lines of 71-1,131-8 and 96-1,136-8.
Horton is 40 receptions off from breaking the conference record for a career (currently held by Fresno State legend Davante Adams), and he could become the first Coloroad State pass catcher to post three seasons with 1,000+ yards.
Yet, Horton wasn’t the only sought-after Ram this offseason. Fowler-Nicolosi completed 62.1% of his passes for 3,460 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. While his lapses in decision-making cost the Rams at times, he earned praise from his head coach. “We believe he’s got all of the qualities to be special in this league,” Norvell said. “He threw for 3,400 yards. I don’t think people really understand what that means.”
Fowler-Nicolosi flashed the arm talent teams want under center, and Norvell named one of those teams at Media Days. “He said a guy from Kansas State called and offered him $600,000 because they lost their quarterback.”
The Wildcats saw veteran signal-caller Will Howard leave for Ohio State, and although they had four-star true freshman Avery Johnson returning after flashing his potential, they clearly wanted a QB with experience.
It’s not a great look for K-State, and if the coaching staff in Manhattan, Kansas, is displeased for being outed, Norvell gave a simple response: “If they don’t want their name thrown in it, they should probably get a handle on their people.”
KEEP READING: 2024 Mountain West Power Rankings
Tampering has run rampant in college football since the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules were passed in 2021, and they are simply too difficult to enforce, as Norvell mentioned. “If you have enough evidence, you can prove it. But you know, a smoking gun is a smoking gun.”
The answer? According to the longtime head coach, it’s having good men in your locker room and building the trust needed to ensure they’ll come to you with any offers they receive before accepting them, as both Horton and Fowler-Nicolosi did.
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