He drew interest from programs across the country, including the Nittany Lions, Oregon, Georgia and Notre Dame. The Bulldogs, who have a history of elite running back play, ultimately won out. But according to Spell, he had even higher offers than what UGA plans to pay him in 2027.
“I could’ve gotten more money from other places, but I picked Georgia for the reasons that I want to get to the NFL and I’ll be coached by the best guy [Kirby Smart] each and every day,”
Spell told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He’s going to be on me and coach me hard. I didn’t pick Georgia for the money. I picked it for the development piece and getting to the [NFL].”
So what is he getting to be a Bulldog? $1 million as a freshman, he told the paper. Spell’s market-based NIL valuation from On3 is $750K, and sources previously told On3’s Pete Nakos the deal was between $750-850K.
According to Nakos, the Nittany Lions “made clear they were willing to pay up, with a contract nearing $1 million. But the chance to play in the SEC coupled with a top-of-the-market package was difficult to turn down.”