NIL — which stands for Name, Image, and Likeness — has completely changed college sports, and I believe it’s one of the most important shifts we’ve ever seen. Some people argue it’s a distraction, but from where I stand as an athlete, NIL is giving players opportunities we should’ve had a long time ago.

Before NIL, most of us were just trying to stay eligible, get better, and keep up with school. Now, NIL is part of everyday life. Even if you’re not the star player, you see teammates getting deals, building their brand, and finally earning something from the work they’ve put in for years. It changes how you think about your future and even how you look at recruiting.

Since 2021, college athletes have been allowed to sign deals and get paid for their name, image, and likeness. For a lot of players, that’s life‑changing. Many of us come from families who’ve been supporting our sports careers since we were kids — paying for gear, travel, training, and everything else. NIL gives athletes a chance to give something back. I’ve seen teammates use NIL money to help their parents with bills or cover their own rent so they don’t have to work a job on top of school and practice. One of my teammates even used his first NIL check to fly home and visit family he hadn’t seen in months. These aren’t flashy deals — they’re real situations that make a real difference.

But NIL isn’t perfect. Bigger schools with more boosters can offer way more opportunities, and that makes recruiting uneven. I’ve watched players choose a school mainly because the NIL potential was better, and honestly, I can’t blame them. When you’re 18 or 19 and someone offers you real money, that’s hard to ignore. But it does make things tougher for smaller programs that can’t compete financially.

There’s also pressure that comes with it. Some athletes feel like they have to build a brand on top of everything else — school, practice, games, workouts. I know players who spend hours filming content or negotiating deals when they should be resting. It’s not that NIL is bad; it just adds another layer to an already packed schedule.

Even with the challenges, NIL isn’t going anywhere. Athletes see it as a chance to set themselves up early, whether they go pro or not. Some use it to build a future career outside of sports, and others use it to help their families right now. For me, NIL feels like athletes are finally being recognized for the value we bring. College sports won’t ever be the same, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s just different — and we’re all still figuring it out.