College sports recruiting has always been a highly competitive process, with coaches and universities vying for the attention of the nation’s top high school athletes. But with the recent changes to NCAA rules regarding athlete compensation, a new element has been introduced into the mix: name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.

NIL deals allow college athletes to earn money from endorsements and sponsorships, using their own name, image, and likeness. And while these deals were once off-limits to college athletes, the recent shift in NCAA policy has opened up a whole new world of opportunities.

But what does this mean for college recruiting? How are these changes impacting the decisions of top high school athletes?

For one thing, the ability to earn money from NIL deals has made college sports a more attractive option for some athletes. In the past, top prospects might have chosen to go straight to the professional ranks, bypassing college altogether. But with the potential to earn significant money while still in school, some athletes are now viewing college as a more viable option.

In addition, the ability to earn money from NIL deals has given college athletes more leverage when negotiating with schools. Whereas in the past, a scholarship offer might have been the main incentive for a recruit, now schools will need to factor in the potential earnings from NIL deals when making their pitch.

But there are also potential downsides to the NIL era of college sports recruiting. For one thing, there’s a risk that NIL deals could become a distraction for young athletes, pulling their focus away from academics and athletics. In addition, there’s a concern that wealthy boosters could use NIL deals to gain an unfair advantage in the recruiting process, offering recruits inflated endorsement deals in order to sway their decision.

Despite these concerns, however, many in the college sports world are excited about the potential of NIL deals to transform the recruiting landscape. For athletes, these deals provide a way to monetize their hard work and talent, while also building their personal brands. And for colleges and universities, the ability to offer potential NIL earnings could be a key factor in attracting top recruits and building winning teams.

Of course, it’s still early days for the NIL era of college sports recruiting, and there are sure to be many twists and turns along the way. But one thing is clear: the recruiting game has changed, and those who adapt to this new landscape are likely to come out on top.