[DC 86]

It's possible but extremely unlikely. Is a teenager going to pay $100,000 to $250,000 just to make their team marginally stronger?

The teenager might not do it but a booster certainly could....and would. Pay a player for NIL as long as they use the money for tuition, etc. and pay them a nice stipend to do so.

That's a different scenario but plausible. One of the arguments for why NIL doesn't dramatically change the landscape for top schools is that teams like Alabama and Ohio State are already bumping up against the 25/85 limits with all 4- and 5-stars. But if a booster could arrange for an armada of compensated walk-ons then they could create a devastatingly deep squad, although one wonders if players would sign up if there is that much depth at their position.

[DC 86]

It's possible but extremely unlikely. Is a teenager going to pay $100,000 to $250,000 just to make their team marginally stronger?

The teenager might not do it but a booster certainly could....and would. Pay a player for NIL as long as they use the money for tuition, etc. and pay them a nice stipend to do so.

That's a different scenario but plausible. One of the arguments for why NIL doesn't dramatically change the landscape for top schools is that teams like Alabama and Ohio State are already bumping up against the 25/85 limits with all 4- and 5-stars. But if a booster could arrange for an armada of compensated walk-ons then they could create a devastatingly deep squad, although one wonders if players would sign up if there is that much depth at their position.