WKU QB Austin Reed Was Offered Money Equivalent to NFL Draft Pick by Power 5 Schools

After leading the NCAA in passing yards last season, Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed said he received significant financial offers from Power Five schools in the transfer portal.

"When the money that was available was put on the table, it was really hard," Reed told Chris Vannini of The Athletic. "This is the kind of money a late draft pick is making."

As Vannini noted, late-round NFL draft picks usually make "a few hundred thousand dollars."

Reed is coming off a breakout 2022 season where he totaled 4,746 passing yards and 40 touchdowns, adding eight rushing touchdowns for a team that finished 9-5.

He was named MVP of the New Orleans Bowl after totaling 497 passing yards and four touchdowns in a win over South Alabama.

When the Florida native entered the transfer portal, he said he was contacted by multiple schools in every Power Five conference with several offering him a starting job. Teams used name, image and likeness rights to create a likely six-figure offer to join their program.

Despite the opportunities, Reed decided to return to Western Kentucky for the 2023 season. He signed an NIL contract with the Red Towel Trust, although it's not as much as he could have made with other programs.

"The decision was not about money, but any kid would appreciate being taken care of, right?" Reed said. "I appreciate having some sort of NIL money for all the work we put in. It meant a lot."