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I think there is a lot of truth to this but there is another element involved...someone has to manage the egos of the donors. To pretend as if NIL or anything than the amount of money and the fact it can be done in the light of day is naive. Its always gone on at every program that has had any success and at those that didn't. The differences between the Texas's with a gazillion $ to spend and Alabama ain't the money, its being able to manage the egos and the expectations of those who do the donating. Bear Bryant managed it to the nth degree and Saban seems to have it under control. Its been a minute since someone at Texas was able to do it and to be honest if rumors of Sarks personal issues its doubtful he will be able to do it long. All NIL has done is turned on the lights and increased the amounts...managing the egos of donors AND the egos of 20 year old millionaires is a WHOLE new ball game and some are going to be better at it than others.

That will only be an issue at programs supplementing NIL with the old school bag game, or willing to meet the demands of some high school kid (with an "uncle" managing things) demanding a certain dollar amount for a commitment.

I won't name the program or pretend they're the only one, but we've had players at Texas let it slip that a certain program who recruits the same players we do every year actually pays for campus visits and also pays to cancel scheduled visits to other schools. Then of course they wonder why there is such division and lack of accountability in the lockerroom once they get those players to sign. NIL shouldn't be the deciding factor for any recruit...a star player can make money with their name just about anywhere. It should be about program culture and a coaching staff that prepares them for life..even if football is no longer part of it when they leave.