Is NIL Ruining College Football? Let’s Talk About the Bag, the Portal, and the Fallout

Ever since the NCAA opened the floodgates on NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), college athletes have finally been able to cash in — and rightfully so. But let’s not act like this is all sunshine and scholarship money. There’s a growing crowd of fans and insiders who think NIL might be breaking the game instead of building it.

Let’s get into it…

The Bag Is Real… and Sometimes Too Heavy

These kids are securing bags that would make a rookie pro jealous. Just look at Caleb Williams — the former USC quarterback reportedly made over $10 million in NIL endorsements during his time with the Trojans. We’re talking Beats by Dre, Dr. Pepper, Wendy’s — dude had his own brand before he even entered the NFL Draft.

Caleb Williams sporting his Wendy's headband.

And while it’s awesome to see players finally get paid for their talent, these deals are starting to dictate where kids play ball. We’re no longer watching athletes choose schools for the culture, the scheme, or the coach — they’re picking whoever drops the biggest duffle.

Nico Iamaleava: When Chasing the Bag Goes Sideways

Let’s talk about Nico Iamaleava, the 5-star golden boy who was supposed to be Tennessee’s QB of the future. When he signed his NIL deal, it was reportedly worth $8 million — one of the biggest bags in NIL history at the time. But here’s the kicker: Nico started getting paid before he even stepped on campus, cashing checks while still in high school. Over time, sources told ESPN that the true value of his deal was closer to $10 million.

At the time of his fallout with Tennessee, Nico had already banked $2.4 million, but that wasn’t enough. He pushed to renegotiate for a bigger slice, and when the Vols didn’t meet the new number, he hit the eject button. Skipped practices. Ghosted the program. Entered the transfer portal like a pro athlete in a contract dispute.

It wasn’t about playing time. It wasn’t about scheme. It was about money — plain and simple.

That’s the NIL era in a nutshell. Talent isn’t just developed anymore — it’s negotiated, leveraged, and shopped around.

The Portal Is a Pay-to-Play Playground

NIL + the transfer portal = full-blown free agency.

You don’t like your NIL deal? You’re gone. Someone else offering more? You’re gone. No loyalty, no legacy — just business.

We’re seeing athletes jump ship left and right every offseason, and it’s messing with team chemistry, fan investment, and the idea of building anything long-term. It’s starting to feel more like Madden Franchise Mode than college ball.

Amateurism? That’s a Wrap.

Let’s keep it real: college football used to be about school pride, rivalries, and rising through the ranks. Now it’s turning into the NFL Lite — but without contracts, caps, or real structure. Coaches are no longer building programs — they’re juggling NIL packages, managing egos, and praying their roster doesn’t bail every spring.

The soul of the sport? Kinda feeling like it’s up for sale.

Winners, Losers, and the Great Divide

NIL isn’t lifting everyone up equally. Star QBs and WRs are cashing checks left and right, but the average O-lineman, kicker, or walk-on? They’re lucky if they get a free burrito card.

And let’s not forget international athletes, who are blocked by visa laws from participating in NIL deals at all. The gap between the haves and the have-nots is getting bigger by the season — even inside locker rooms.

Pressure Cooker Mode: Activated

Being a student-athlete was already hard. Now? These kids have to juggle class, performance, and brand management like full-time influencers.

You’re not just playing for the win anymore — you’re playing for your next NIL deal. That’s a brutal kind of pressure for an 18-year-old who just got out of high school.

So… Is NIL Ruining the Game?

I am not saying athletes shouldn’t get paid. They should. But this system?

• It’s messy.

• It’s unregulated.

• It’s killing the loyalty and magic that made college football different.

Has NIL leveled the playing field — or burned it down?

i wanna hear from YOU. Drop your take in the comments. Are we headed toward a better future, or is college football losing its soul in the NIL arms race?