10/16/2026
Is your child the next LeBron James or Caitlin Clark?
If the answer is yes, congratulations, and yes, you should be paying attention to NIL, revenue sharing and the house settlement, because there is serious money on the table.
But for the other 99.9% of student-athletes, don’t lose sight of what actually matters:
- A great education.
- An incredible college athletic experience.
- Academic and athletic scholarship money that helps mom and dad pay the bills.
College sports has changed. Competition is tougher, the transfer portal has rewritten recruiting, and the NIL headlines make it all feel overwhelming.
So here is the advice: stop worrying about what you cannot control, and focus on everything you can.
Do your homework. Research colleges beyond the big names. Understand where you realistically fit, academically and athletically. Get yourself noticed, build a strong recruiting profile, seek exposure, reach out to coaches and actually engage with them. Don’t sit around waiting to be discovered.
And take ownership. Be proactive, ask questions, follow up, and make sure you are driving the process, not your parents.
Because success in college isn’t about chasing the biggest name or the biggest paycheck. It’s about finding the right place to grow, compete and build your future.
