LSU says the star transfer deal was “modest” and that the asking price of more than $1 million is yet unknown.

LSU’s AJ Haulcy NIL Deal Sparks Questions Amid High-Profile Transfer

AJ Haulcy, one of the top safeties in the college football transfer portal, recently committed to LSU, marking a significant pickup for Brian Kelly’s defense. While reports suggest his NIL deal is not the highest in school history, speculation about the financial side of his commitment continues to swirl.

Haulcy, originally a three-star recruit, broke out at New Mexico before transferring to Houston, where he flourished. His standout 2024 season with 74 tackles, five interceptions, and a First-Team All-Big 12 nod launched him back into the portal in search of a bigger platform—and likely a lucrative NIL opportunity.

Miami, SMU, and Ole Miss all made strong pitches, with Miami even flying Haulcy in for a VIP dinner with Rick Ross. Despite that, he chose LSU, though not without raising eyebrows.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Haulcy’s camp sought at least $1 million for a one-year deal. Yet LSU insider Preston Guy described the NIL agreement as “fair and modest,” though no exact figures have been confirmed. Guy emphasized that Haulcy’s decision seemed rooted more in LSU’s football culture than financial gain—but details remain murky.

Given the lack of transparency in NIL deals, the true value of Haulcy’s agreement is unclear. However, if his original asking price was seven figures and the LSU deal isn’t record-breaking, it’s likely somewhere below that threshold. Until LSU or Haulcy confirms the terms, any estimate remains speculative—leaving many to wonder just how “modest” the deal really was.