The embrace of NIL has not only changed the college football landscape but the professional scene, as well. During an appearance on The Triple Option, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell broke down how NIL has affected players joining the professional ranks.

“It brings on a lot of responsibility at an earlier age, and I think it probably puts a lot of responsibility on colleges to make sure that kids understand that and they’re prepared for that. It changes the dynamic,” Goodell said. “The zeroes get pretty big, and the impact when you make bad decisions is pretty significant for a young man and their family, so they need to be prepared for that.

“The more we can help and support colleges to make sure that our transition programs could be applied potentially to them, would probably be a good thing, because it’s a big jump from college football to the NFL. This probably does reduce that a little bit because it’s one less adjustment, but it’s still big.”

NIL has provided athletes with metaphorical training wheels before receiving the multi-million dollar contracts that are common at the next level. While several college athletes such as Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders or Texas QB Arch Manning are already raking in similar figures, most players aren’t.

Nonetheless, essentially any wages are more than what a player made in high school. This money gives them a chance to learn how to invest, save and spend properly — three habits that only become more essential with more money involved.

Roger Goodell knows when the NCAA is successfully helping its athletes, the NFL will only benefit.

“We believe in a strong college football system,” Goodell said. “We also believe that players are better prepared for the NFL when they do have not just the additional experience in college football, but really exposure to the educational system, which is even more important to get that degree. Or, even if you don’t get the degree, hopefully, to get close enough that you can go back and get it.

“A lot of our players do that,” Goodell continued. “I think that’s a good thing for us because it’s indicating kids are staying. They’re not making that choice. They’re going to say,’ I’m going to go back and play college football another year.’ We think that’s always great. We’ll support that every day. I’m really proud of our eligibility rules and proud of the fact that we want our kids to stay in college football as long as they can.”

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