The college athletes have agents now. The biggest difference is what you pointed out (IMO), the college athletes also have the spotlight more than some kid playing single A ball in Springfield, Missouri.
I think navigating NIL will be a difficult thing for college football coaches, no doubt. It'll be another layer to the onion that is recruiting and college sports. Obviously, I have no idea how this will all play out but my initial thought is that it will help a school like Minnesota. We play in the Big 10, if we're good, our games will be everywhere
The stars at Ohio State, Alabama, Oklahoma, etc. will make way more at those schools - no doubt. We were never getting those players regardless. Quinn Ewers was going to a blue blood. In fact, NIL probably puts MORE pressure on Ohio State. What do they do if Stroud is good? There is a really good chance they lose Ewers. There was probably less of a chance if Ewers didn't reclassify.
But what about the backup WRs? What about a rotational DT that could start at MN? The blue blood programs are landing 2/3 deep recruits every year better than our best (higher rated). I think with the help of an agent, a kid might examine those depth charts a bit and try to find a spot where there might be more immediate spotlight (more $). But I don't know.