Heard an interview over the weekend that was discussing NIL. During the interview it was said that, thanks to NIL, ALL players at big name P5 programs are now on "scholarship". Those players that weren't on official scholarship were getting their schooling paid for through NIL groups. An example was given of a late transfer to a P5 school who didn't get a scholarship because the P5 program had already given out all 85 scholarships for this season. The transfer's was given a full ride by an NIL group.
The 85 scholarship limit is meaningless in the day and age of NIL. Now, thanks to NIL, Alabama, Texas, Clemson, ND, Ohio State, etc. can put 85 players on official scholarship and 40 additional players on unofficial "NIL scholarship" thereby having a roster of 125 "scholarship" players.
Now donors really have to consider whether to donate to organizations like the Big Green or donate to an NIL group. Why not donate to the NIL group so all 125 players on the roster can get a full ride "scholarship"?