College football’s in a whole different world now—money’s louder than ever. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have totally shaken things up, letting schools lure top recruits with some pretty hefty offers.
Texas Tech’s not just playing along—they’re leading the charge. Thanks to big donations, they’ve pulled together a roster that’s making people take notice.
Desmond Howard, who’s got a Heisman to his name, recently weighed in on what all this means for the game. Here’s a look at what Howard thinks and how NIL is changing the sport for everyone.
The Financial Power of NIL in College Football
NIL has flipped college football on its head. Athletes can finally cash in on their own brand, and that’s a game-changer.
At Texas Tech, donors—especially oil guy and ex-lineman Cody Campbell—have been writing some serious checks. We’re talking somewhere between $27 million and $33 million for the 2023 season alone. That kind of backing means you can chase after the best, on both sides of the ball.
Building a Winning Roster
With all that cash, Texas Tech has landed some real headliners. Outside linebacker David Bailey is leading the nation in sacks.
Wide receiver Reggie Virgil is racking up touchdowns like it’s nothing. The investment’s clearly paying off, and suddenly, Texas Tech is a team nobody wants to overlook.
Desmond Howard’s Take on NIL
Howard’s not shy about his opinions. In a recent media session, he pointed out that NIL’s deep pockets have let teams like Texas Tech build stacked rosters.
“What makes this year special for Texas Tech is that they bought a lot of talent, and so I think talent is starting to pay off in dividends,” he said. Hard to argue with that, honestly.
The Complexity of NIL Agreements
But it’s not all sunshine and touchdowns. Howard called the NIL world confusing and, frankly, a bit of a mess.
Multi-year deals? Often meaningless. “Contracts are not worth the paper you write them on,” Howard said. Players sign, then jump ship anyway. It’s chaos, and nobody really seems to have a handle on it.
The Impact on Smaller Schools
One of the rougher parts of this new era? Big schools are raiding smaller programs for breakout stars.
Guys who get overlooked in high school, shine at a smaller college, and then—poof—they’re suiting up for a Power Four team the next season. Fresno State, for one, has seen some of its best players walk out the door.
The Dark Side of College Football
With NIL, the shady stuff that used to happen in the background is now out in the open. Agents are everywhere, taking their cut and handling every detail.
Even with all this, college football’s never been more popular or profitable. Maybe that’s just how it goes now, for better or worse.
Conclusion
College football keeps shifting, thanks to the rise of NIL. There’s a lot of excitement, but it’s not all simple.
With donors stepping up, programs like Texas Tech have landed stronger rosters. Still, the whole thing gets messy—there are some ethical gray areas and a lot of new headaches.
Desmond Howard’s take? He doesn’t mince words. He thinks the sport could really use clearer rules and a bit more honesty around NIL deals.
Curious about Howard’s full thoughts? You can check out the complete article here.
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