Recruiting was about fit; now it’s finance

Recruiting isn't what it used to be. Back in the day, the pitch was simple: scholarship, program, coach — pick the best fit and commit. Now there's a whole new layer to navigate, with NIL deals, collectives, and agents all competing for a prospect's attention before a single letter is signed.

And here's the thing: more money on the table can actually make the decision harder, not easier. When compensation becomes part of the pitch, it's tempting to chase the biggest number and call it a win. But the schools and coaches who show up for you when things get hard, an injury, a coaching change, a rough season aren't determined by a contract.

That's why the smartest move for prospects isn't picking the offer that pays the most; it's building a real game plan, one that weighs the money alongside the fit, the development, and the people who'll actually be in your corner for the next four years.