The University of Tulsa starting quarterback, Cooper Legas, is speaking out about NIL money that was allegedly promised to football players when they were recruited but has since not materialized.
"What I was told was for the QB, Coach Wilson and the other people who were recruiting me specifically," said Legas, according to Fox23. "He said, this was back in May,...there was already enough money in the collective fund or the NIL fund there was enough for the QB room to have between $75,000 and $100,000, and of that money, most of that would go to whoever the starting QB was and the rest to the backup."
Legas asserted that since the season started that money has been delayed.
"If you don't go to class or you miss a lift or you do these things...you're probably not [going to] get your money that month. They would use it as leverage. Follow the rules, play well, be on time to things - they were using this money as leverage and it just kept getting pushed back," said Legas.
Myles Jackson, a defensive player with Tulsa, also said he did not receive the money that was promised to him.
Head coach Kevin Wilson said NIL money was never promised to any of the players on the team.
"I stood in front of the team and stated over and over that no one was promised any money...because I never had any to give," Wilson said in a text to Fox23.
In his signing day news conference in February, Wilson said he didn't use NIL money to recruit.
"It was done the old fashioned way: get in your car, travel, meet guys. It was done with zero NIL money," said Wilson. "It was done with 'we got a good education, we got a good school. We're going to work hard, bust your ass. You're going to be a good player'."
Legas said he spoke with TU athletic director Justin Moore about the situation last week.
"I just went to him and explained, 'Hey, this is what I was told, what I've been hearing. So, you're the last guy I can think to go to. How do we solve this issue?' and his response is just 'You've got to have something in writing or you're out of luck. If you never signed anything, that's just too bad'," said Legas.
Legas and Jackson are now hopeful that whoever donated the money to the school's collective will come forward.
"I know that there's [people investing in this place and these teams, so there's money somewhere," said Legas. "The question is just where is it and why haven't we seen it."
The University of Tulsa sent FOX23 statement, which said:
"The University of Tulsa continues to provide scholarships and academic support to football student-athletes whose eligibility has expired should they elect to earn their degrees. The Department of Athletics is unaware of any promises of NIL payments made by the former head football coach to student-athletes completing their eligibility."
