USC's NIL success sparks envy and outrage, recruiting surge is about more than money

A lot of other fan bases appear to be heavily pocket watching USC. Instead of analyzing what their own recruiting efforts could be doing differently, it seems that with each opportunity that presents itself, there are a lot of efforts to dismiss anything positive that comes from the Trojan side.

The latest comes as a reaction to the latest USC commit, Mark Bowman, reportedly having NIL opportunities that can be in the range of $8-10 million for his estimated three years as a student-athlete. For some reason, these figures are drawing a lot of outrage throughout the college football nation.

Forget that the figures are a rough estimate and are taking all avenues into consideration over the course of three years. This news is seeing a lot of pearls being clutched, particularly among those fan bases who have enjoyed having a considerable advantage paying athletes, both since the inception of NIL and before it was actually allowed.

In earnest, it is not as if USC has handed Bowman or anyone a check for that amount before even stepping foot on campus as a player. This type of figure should instead highlight something that should have been known anyway.

The Trojans have a greater ability to pay student-athletes through the multiple avenues and what comes with being a part of the program. It is something of a complete mystery how people are disregarding how Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world and have simply not been as active or as well organized as they could have been in recent years.

All that is being reflected now is a return to the norm. Apparently that is too much of a bridge too far for others to not believe that some form of cheating or unabashed money waving is not going on.

Things are, in fact turning around at USC

What is nice about these allegations are two things. For one, it shows how worried the rest of college football is. Whether they wish to admit it or not, USC is simply following the currently agreed upon rules that all (allegedly) abide by. 

More importantly, the baseless accusations are not at all what is leading to the latest recruiting successes or why many feel good about USC. Because the money aspect is a distant secondary talking point during the recruiting process, it will be clear soon enough that those who pledged themselves to join USC did so for more than a one-time big pay day.