They're playing the same game everyone else is playing. They have recruiters paid to recruit and they're handing out NIL deals. As much as I see them as our prime rival, they're in the exact same boat. Also 99/100 players aren't picking schools because of academics. For most 4* or 5* players who have NFL aspirations, getting any degree is as far as they about academics, if they care about it at all. Especially the number of players that get processed through high school football factories. Players who are told they are top 1% of 1% and are on a clear path to make the NFL and never realize how few players make the NFL and make enough money for it to make a long term difference.
If they are a four star and they dont have the aptitude of an engineer, thats clearly their best shot at wealth. They definitely should be taking their shot and have 100% focus on football.
They better have a back-up plan or they end up right back where they came from. Think Vernon Maxwell...he once had wealth.
Could be more NIL money than other schools might give them,family influence,or a better chance at starting.
Yet he pretended to be a student for a very long time and everyone looked the other way. Its ok to be stupid as long as you can run fast . Run Forest