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Because NIL income can create the emotional feeling of being ahead while the athlete is actually behind in the categories that matter most after sport: skill development, self-knowledge, ownership, network quality, and role alignment.

In 2019, a high school wide receiver from New Jersey went viral. He made fifteen catches and scored three touchdowns. His highlight reel lit up social media. But two years later, despite leading his state in receiving yards, he walked on at a Division III program. Meanwhile, several of his peers—less flashy and less followed—signed Division I and II scholarships through verified networks and trusted introductions. His story isn’t rare. It’s the rule. According to NCAA researc