Zak Zinter says Michigan ‘is gonna compete with anybody in the NIL game’

Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter recently announced his return to Ann Arbor for one more season, and based on his recent comments, NIL may have played a factor in his decision.

“Compared to the millions that I’d be leaving on the table in the NFL — I mean, you really couldn’t compare the two,” Zinter told The Michigan Insider in a recent interview. “But it is nice to know that if you’re coming back, you’re not going to be, ’Oh, man, I don’t got no money to spend or to hang out.’” 

Zinter told The Michigan Insider that the university doesn’t promise recruits any specific dollar amounts for committing. However, he believes Michigan “is gonna compete with anybody in the NIL game.”

“It’s definitely not bad in the NIL game in Michigan,” Zinter told the website. “I think some people give it a bad rap. But there’s guys on the team making money.”

This past season, Michigan finished in first place in the Big Ten East. The Wolverines had no blemishes on their resume during the regular season, as they finished with a perfect 13-0 record and rolled into the College Football Playoff after victories over Ohio State and Purdue to wrap up the year.

As a favorite in their CFP matchup against TCU, the second-seeded Wolverines fell behind early and ended up losing 51-45 in the Fiesta Bowl game, which ultimately ended their season.

Zinter, running back Blake Corum, and quarterback J.J. McCarthy will all return for the Wolverines next year, and once again under head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan should compete for a national championship.