Burks is a good example of how programs should be careful in the portal and NIL era. OU invested an amount that mattered to them, to sign him. When he got injured, and was unavailable, they hurt. Then, they had to recommit this spring, lest this talent get away and they have to spend more to replace it.
Contrast that with Isaiah Neyor, a speedy WR portal transfer Texas brought in for 2022. He got injured before the season. It hurt not having him out there across from Worthy, drawing coverage or exploiting the attention Worthy got. But, that’s football. No one felt cheated.
And, when the off season came, and Neyor rehabbed, Texas went out and signed AD Mitchell, who beat out Neyor. Texas wasn’t counting on Neyor for anything more than to compete.
Neyor moved on to Nebraska for 2024. Texas signed three more WRs from the portal for that year.
it’s supposed to be investing, not gambling. You don’t spend any money that you can’t lose, or the game is too rich for you.