There is persistent noise that Alford is on the ropes. The alleged concern is that Day has spent the past two months convincing Trey to return. If Alford is not retained, then the expectation is that Trey departs for the NFL. This is also where some of the Judkins narrative derives - there is real, mutual interest. According to both SEC and Ole Miss writers, the $1.6M number being bandied about for Judkins is BS. What he will command in NIL is consistent with what OSU has demonstrably delivered to the established, elite players on its roster. While the mutual interest is sincere, it would ultimately prove a surprise if Judkins were to land at OSU. It's not impossible, but it would be a surprise.

A last note: We're also starting to hear leaks that Eliano is far from safe. Nice guy, high energy...but not a closer. KJ Bolden ended up at Georgia for far, far less than is being "reported" on rando X accounts and then re-published on the message board echo chamber. His NIL package was <$500,000 with an additional monthly payment. I have this from two sources at Georgia who are absolutely, unimpeachably in the know on this topic. This is very similar to the OSU package that he was being offered (and, to which, at one point, he silently committed). Eliano is an incredibly nice guy and exactly the type of coach who can help a developmental program identify underrated talent, but the internal concern is that he reliably gets played for leverage in the big game hunts. He's a coach, not a closer. Today, you need to be both.