3 different potential NIL deal scenarios for Michigan athletics

Signing bonus NIL deal

Now, this is probably the worst option on the list, but one that would probably be the most successful with high-level recruits.

This type of NIL deal is self-explanatory. Basically, with this NIL deal, the recruit is straight-up paid to come to Michigan. This scenario is kind of like the NFL’s signing bonus. The recruit receives their NIL money as soon as they sign their National Letter of Intent with Michigan.

Now, Michigan would have flexibility in how much they could pay the recruit, but most likely, the more talented the recruit, the more Michigan would need to pony up for his services.

This is the one that would be the most frowned upon by AD Warde Manuel and head coach Jim Harbaugh, as, without even seeing the practice field for the first time, the recruit is paid immediately.

Again, although this is probably the worst option on the list, it is probably the most effective one, as recruits would definitely want to play for Michigan if they were making bank.

This also has a major drawback because, if the recruit doesn’t like Michigan, or the school, coaching, and/or situation isn’t what the recruit expected, then he can leave, and will still have all the money deposited in his bank account without ever getting significant playing time (or any playing time for that matter).

So, basically, the recruit could take his money and transfer the following offseason if he really wanted to.