Oklahoma State’s implementation of NIL QR codes on helmets comes just one day after coach Mike Gundy expressed his frustrations about the distractions surrounding college football’s evolving landscape.
With the introduction of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness agreements, Gundy is clearly drawing a line in the sand.
“I told the players there’s no negotiating now,” he stated firmly. “The portal’s over. All negotiation’s history. Now we’re playing football. Just coaching and playing football.”
As the Cowboys prepare for their season opener at home against South Dakota State on August 31, Gundy is shifting focus back to the game.
In a proactive move, Gundy and Oklahoma State are gearing up to support their players with NIL opportunities. The Cowboys will feature scannable QR codes on their helmets, linking to a donation page for Oklahoma State’s NIL collective, a pioneering step in the college football arena.
On the field, Gundy has reason to be optimistic about his team’s performance this season. The Cowboys, led by standout running back Ollie Gordon II, are entering the season with a No. 17 ranking in the AP Top 25 and No. 15 in the FOX Sports Ultimate 134 rankings from RJ Young.
Gordon, who earned the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back last season, is also recognized as the Big 12’s preseason offensive player of the year. Instead of transferring, he opted to remain with a team rich in returning talent.
Oklahoma State is positioning itself as a serious contender for the Big 12 title and a potential berth in the College Football Playoff.
“You can tell the team is really hungry,” Gordon remarked during media day. “We have a lot of returners back and we can’t be complacent. I feel like we haven’t shown any part of being complacent. We’ve all been practicing like we haven’t been here before and it’s been a really great thing.”
