Unprecedented Rejection: Ole Miss LB Suntarine Perkins Rejects Massive $3.5 Million NIL Offer from Ohio State, Prioritizing Team Loyalty Over Financial Gain
OXFORD, MS – July 8, 2025 – In a move that is poised to be a watershed moment in the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college football, Ole Miss star linebacker Suntarine Perkins has reportedly turned down a staggering $3.5 million multi-year NIL offer from the Ohio State Buckeyes. This extraordinary decision, confirmed by sources close to Perkins and now reverberating throughout the sport, unequivocally highlights a player’s profound commitment to team loyalty and the burgeoning culture cultivated within the Ole Miss program. It serves as a powerful statement that for some elite athletes, the allure of immediate, record-setting financial gain can indeed take a back seat to established bonds and shared aspirations.
The reported offer from Ohio State, a perennial national championship contender with a well-known, robust NIL collective, would have catapulted Perkins into the very top tier of collegiate NIL earners, making him one of the highest-paid defensive players in college football. For a talent like Perkins, who has already established himself as a dominant force on the field – having recently earned Second-Team Preseason All-American honors from Walter Camp for the 2025 season after a sophomore campaign that saw him record an impressive 10.5 sacks and 60 tackles – such a lucrative offer from a powerhouse program like Ohio State is not entirely unexpected. What is truly unprecedented, however, is the categorical rejection of such a staggering sum.
“Suntarine’s heart is in Oxford, plain and simple,” a source with direct knowledge of Perkins’ decision, who requested anonymity to speak freely, told reporters. “He has an incredible belief in what Coach Kiffin and the entire staff are building here. He’s incredibly close with his teammates, and the camaraderie in that locker room is something he truly values. The money from Ohio State was undeniably massive, but for Suntarine, it’s about finishing what he started with his brothers and chasing a championship right here at Ole Miss.”
Perkins, a highly-touted five-star recruit from Raleigh, Mississippi, chose Ole Miss in the Class of 2023, opting for his home state university over a litany of national powerhouses. His immediate and explosive impact on the field, including a remarkable 4.0 sack performance in a single game last season, quickly solidified his status as a foundational piece of the Rebels’ defensive identity. His decision to remain in Oxford, despite the public and highly lucrative overture from a national championship caliber program like Ohio State, is an undeniable victory for Head Coach Lane Kiffin’s vision and the collective efforts of the Ole Miss athletic department and “The Grove Collective.”
The NIL landscape has fundamentally reshaped college football, with financial incentives often serving as a primary driver in player transfers and high-stakes recruiting battles. Ohio State, with its vast fan base and significant collective resources, has consistently been at the forefront of securing top talent through substantial NIL deals. Just recently, reports from On3.com have detailed some of the top NIL valuations in college football, with Ohio State players like Jeremiah Smith boasting valuations over $4 million. For Ole Miss to retain a player of Perkins’ caliber in the face of such an aggressive and financially superior play from a national competitor is a monumental triumph for the program, demonstrating a unique strength beyond pure monetary leverage.
“This is a testament to the culture we’re cultivating here at Ole Miss,” commented an Ole Miss official, celebrating the news with palpable relief and pride. “We preach loyalty, player development, and a genuine family atmosphere. When a player like Suntarine, who is undeniably one of the best in the country and could command top dollar virtually anywhere, chooses to stay and fight for a championship with his teammates, it sends an incredibly powerful message. It tells every recruit and every player that this place is special, and that there’s an invaluable sense of belonging and purpose that transcends any dollar amount.”
While the specifics of Perkins’ current NIL deals at Ole Miss are not publicly disclosed, it is well-known that “The Grove Collective” has been highly proactive and effective in securing competitive NIL opportunities for Rebel athletes. However, the reported $3.5 million figure offered by Ohio State represents a significant leap from typical collegiate NIL earnings, even for a player of Perkins’ elite status. His decision, therefore, fundamentally highlights a powerful counter-narrative to the prevailing assumption that NIL money is the sole or primary motivator for all top athletes.
For the passionate Ole Miss fan base, who have embraced Perkins as one of their own since his arrival, the news has ignited widespread jubilation. Social media platforms have erupted with messages celebrating his loyalty, hailing him as a true embodiment of the “Ole Miss Way” and a beacon of integrity in the modern game. In an era where player movement can often feel transactional and cold, Perkins’ steadfast commitment is a refreshing reminder of the enduring bonds formed within a team and a community.
As Ole Miss gears up for a highly anticipated 2025 season, with legitimate championship aspirations now more tangible than ever, the unwavering commitment of foundational players like Suntarine Perkins will be invaluable. His leadership, both on the field as an elite linebacker and off it as a testament to the power of loyalty, will undoubtedly inspire his teammates and resonate deeply with the entire “Rebel Nation.” In a world increasingly driven by financial incentives, Suntarine Perkins’ unprecedented rejection of a fortune for the sake of his team and his home truly stands out as a heartwarming and profoundly impactful story.
