Kaleb Glenn gives perfect example of how NIL can be used the right way

Tom Izzo has been vocal about disliking the direction in which college athletics are headed, and it has a lot to do with the transfer portal and the crazy NIL deals that players are signing.

Some college athletes are making more than professionals and that irks Izzo. He also thinks that it’s doing these athletes a disservice. He’s not against NIL, if it’s used correctly.

Izzo has to love what Kaleb Glenn is doing with his NIL money, however.

Glenn donated $5,000 to his local United Way for their Hardship to Hope effort over the holiday break, and that’s something that no one told him to do, but he wanted to give back. Glenn is from Louisville, so he’s giving back to his hometown’s United Way. That’s exactly why NIL can be a good thing because these players want to be able to give back.

The FAU transfer hasn’t even played a game this season, but he’s now the second Spartan that has done charity work during the holidays (at least publicly).

Earlier this month, Trey Fort provided food at a local food bank for people in need. Izzo has built a program of players who are willing to give some of their hard-earned NIL money back. That’s something that not a lot of programs have.

Tom Izzo has assembled a roster of OKGs

Not often does it feel like all the players on a team are great for the program, but you can just tell that Michigan State’s roster is full of “OKGs”, as Izzo calls them.

Jeremy Fears Jr. is one of the best leaders that Izzo has ever coached, Jaxon Kohler has turned into a great leader, too, Carson Cooper and Coen Carr have also grown into that role, the freshmen seem to be learning quickly, and the transfers are doing charity work left and right.

The entire team feels like a perfect Izzo mold.

Rarely has Izzo had guys who didn’t buy into his culture or sense of family, but this year’s team seems to be exactly what he hoped for — much like last year’s squad.

We’ll see if this pays off with a run at a national title.