Gophers' Cole Kramer squashes rumor that he was paid to play in bowl game

It did not take $30,000 in NIL money for him to suit up, contrary to recent rumors.

Cole Kramer was ready to begin the next chapter of his life.

Kramer was planning a wedding with his fiancé, Katie Miller, in the midst of moving to Arizona and searching for a full-time job in sales. Life was moving to its natural next step for the Eden Prairie native after spending five years at the University of Minnesota.

Then Athan Kaliakmanis entered the transfer portal on Nov. 28.

The Gophers were suddenly in need of a quarterback to start the Quick Lane Bowl against Bowling Green on Dec. 26 in Detroit, and Kramer started getting calls from the Minnesota coaches. 

“Got some calls that I would be the starting quarterback, and as a little kid that grew up in Minnesota, that was my dream ever since I was little,” Kramer said Monday. “So it was an obvious yes, and just can’t wait to get out there with the guys I’ve been with the past four or five years.”

And contrary to popular rumor, Kramer’s decision to stay didn’t have anything to do with $30,000 in name, image and likeness (NIL) money.

“I saw the posts and the articles, and you know, that’s not true. It’s not accurate information, as much as I would love for that to be true,” Kramer said. “But like what I said before, just getting the chance to play, especially this last time and start, that’s what means a lot to me and that’s what makes it really special.”

And according to his teammates, there’s no one more deserving than Kramer to get the chance to start a bowl game after years as the team’s backup quarterback. It's years of hard work and dedication in the making for Kramer, who "never complained," per linebacker Cody Lindenberg.

“(Kramer has) put his head down and worked. And to be able to get an opportunity now in a game like this is awesome,” Lindenberg said. “It’s been cool to see guys rally behind him.”

Receiver Daniel Jackson said Kramer’s leadership has been evident as the Gophers prepare for Bowling Green. And in the time Kramer has been preparing as Minnesota’s starting quarterback, Jackson has already seen him progress, put balls “on the money” and play like “he’s been the starter.”

“I’m extremely proud of (Kramer),” Jackson said. “It’ll be nice to see him — his last year, his final year here, he definitely probably wasn’t expecting to start in the bowl game probably leading up to it, but it’s a great experience to him. Credit to him because he definitely earned it.”

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Minnesota quarterback Cole Kramer (12) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the third quarter against Bowling Green at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sept. 25, 2021 :: Harrison Barden / USA TODAY Sports