When NIL initially came to college back in July of 2021, the widespread belief was that it would have a major impact on major college football at the FBS level, but it would have less of an effect on the FCS level, even less at the Division II level, and really a minimal impact at the Division III and small college level.
Initially, I think most coaches will agree in that is how it has played out the last few years.
However, that's starting to change, and one Division III coaching veteran believe's we're going to see the Division III scales tip significantly more over the next few years.
Lake Forest (D-III - IL) head coach Jim Cantanzaro is a veteran Division III coach (and also the school's AD), and voice of the profession, with experience working in senior positions with the AFCA when it comes to changes in the game, playoff system, and overall governance and rule changes and joined The Left Hash Call recently where he shared a number of interesting perspectives.
One of those takes had to do with NIL at the Division III level.
After referring to guys like longtime, and very succesful head coaches in Bobby Hauck (Montana State) and Chris Klieman (Kansas State), stepping away because of all the "extra" things a head coach has to deal with since the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal, Catanzaro believes there is reason to be concerned and is then asked about the chances that those headaches trickle down to the Division III level.
HIs response will surprise a lot of folks.
"There's NIL in Division III already," he shares.
"There are at least six schools that I know of, with confirmation from people within their programs and within their [athletic] department, that have north of $250,000 to $300,0000 of NIL money for their football program. Some for basketball, and some for baseball too."
"One of the coolest caveats I've heard is someone had $500,000, but $200,000 of that had to go to offensive lineman, and I thought that's a great caveat. But the guy that donated the money is a former offensive lineman, so he didn't want all that money to go to superstars."
"A lot of people think it's not here...but it's here, and you're going to start to see a separation over the next 3 to 4 years. Even more so than it was in the past. I think you're going to see a lot of teams that had started to catch up, where the middle of the pack had started to catch the upper level teams creating closer games and better competition. But I think you're going to start to see where those challenges of tuition costs, start to no longer be a challenge for certain schools. You’re going to see more teams in that private sector that have a lot of money able to 'purchase' their way into deeper rounds of the playoffs."
Hear more, and listen to coach Cat's full interview, in the clip.