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College football changed fast — and Ohio State GM Mark Pantoni changed with it.

In this episode, we break down how Pantoni evolved from elite recruiter and relationship builder into the most influential college football general manager in the sport. With NIL, the transfer portal, agents, salary caps remember — this is no longer traditional recruiting.

We dive into:

• How Mark Pantoni's role has completely transformed in the NIL era

• Why Ohio State adopted the "Indiana model" in the transfer portal

• How Pantoni balances high school recruiting vs portal "win-now" players

• Why Ohio State prioritized older, experienced portal players for 2026

• The reality of negotiating with agents and managing a salary cap

• How culture still drives Ohio State's roster construction

• Why Pantoni intentionally distanced himself from players — and why it matters

• ESPN's evaluation of Ohio State's top-five 2026 transfer class

Pantoni is widely viewed as the architect of the modern College Football GM role, and this episode explains why Ohio State continues to adapt faster — and smarter — than most programs in the country.

If you want to understand how elite programs are really built in the NIL era, this is a must-listen.

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Tuesday, February 10, 2026

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