The argument of high school players is there and definitely valid. My argument (and I’m going to admit that I’m getting a little off track of where my knowledge of this whole issue is) is that NCAA players spend a very large amount of their time practicing and working for the team. From what I’ve heard/read, student-athletes for top programs in football aren’t really “allowed” to pick majors that my benefit their future since they’re too time-consuming. Instead they’re placed in grade-inflated classes that don’t teach them anything. They’re not forced to do that, but if they don’t, they’ll be overbooked in commitments.

The discretionary spending attached to scholarships solution that you mention is one considering though.