I believe the NIL thing will be scaled back quite a bit over the next few years, maybe even at the players’ choosing. The irony of the whole “being exploited” argument is that it’s really just shifted to a new exploiter. A million or so for Bar Stool is nothing compared to the press they’re getting and will get in the coming season as these players are followed. Meanwhile, as people like ltraz have pointed out, the players are basically foregoing a year of eligibility and film, being coached by some no name coach, and will then have to transfer, unlearn bad traits, learn new stuff and have at best 2 years of real film. And that’s if they aren’t completely yesterday’s news by then and a new crop hasn’t stolen much of the spotlight as has almost always been the case. If that lack of exposure, film, competition and coaching causes them to slide 10-15 spots in the draft, how much money has it cost them? And Bar Stool—basically the same villain as the conferences or schools—is way better off.
Lugenbill has said some players are completely missing the point and tripping over dollars for pennies. At some point, that will be realized by a lot of these kids. Selling an autograph, or something similar, is one thing. But these major endorsements for what amounts to peanuts in that context, make a lot less sense than they appear.