NIL.

Three letters that changed the landscape of college athletics. NIL is an acronym for Name, Image, Likeness, of course — but it represents an added layer for college coaches to consider when building a team.

FloWreslting’s Christian Pyles interviewed Michigan coach Sean Bormet at the recent National Wrestling Coaches Association Convention and Bormet had plenty to say about NIL. The Wolverines have an impressive recruiting and graduate transfer haul highlighted by Stanford NCAA champion Shane Griffith. 

“I think the grad transfer scenario could dissipate a little bit,” Bormet said. “We have a couple more years with kids who have the COVID year. I think the grad transfer piece is a little better fit for us. It’s definitely an interesting time.

“The highest priority is still recruiting the best kids out of high school and the best student-athletes out of high school.”

Getting the best wrestlers to attend Michigan could take NIL deals, and Bormet is aware of the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics. 

“I know (NIL) is an important variable,” Bormet said. “It’s like many other things. As a coach, your job is to put your team in the best position to be successful, put your athletes in the best position to be successful. 

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve been trying to figure out how to do that. I have a lot of conversations about it. I have had a lot of conversations with other coaches at Michigan. I try to look at and evaluate how these things are being done at this level. A lot of times I’m looking at football and basketball and how they’re doing these things.”

Where does Bormet land on NIL at the University of Michigan?

Allocation of resources is a juggling act and NIL is an added ball to keep in the motion. Winning a team trophy, at this point, requires the right wrestlers, a thriving Regional Training Center, and, possibly, NIL deals. 

And, according to Bormet, he’s ready to adapt. 

“It’s definitely an unprecedented time for coaches to figure out what their blueprint is going to look like and how they’re going to build NIL into part of their plan and how they’re competing,” Bormet said. “This is something that’s impacting your entire roster and keeping your roster intact and also attracting talent to your roster — whether it’s high school recruiting or transfers. It’s a part of it now. Over the last year, it has really accelerated. 

“I have concerns about all 77 (Division I) teams in wrestling but, at this point, (NIL) has to be a part of what you’re doing and part of your plan if you’re going to compete at the highest level. How that will continue to evolve and change? I don’t know. Each year you can only operate on the current rules and what that looks like.”

It looks like Michigan has a top-tier team that will compete for national championships this season — and NIL will continue to be part of the ongoing success of the program.