In today’s shifting landscape of youth athletics, the path to the NFL is no longer the automatic dream it once was.
Duane Bowser, a Bronx native and respected figure in football circles, recently shared his observations on why many young athletes are prioritizing college life and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals over jumping straight to the professional ranks.
Bowser pointed to his experiences at the high school All-American game, where he noticed a striking trend.
“I asked these kids what they thought about the NFL playoffs,” he said.
“Ninety to ninety-five percent said, ‘I don’t keep up with the NFL.’ That bugged me out.”
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For decades, aspiring athletes from Pop Warner through high school have fixated on the NFL as the pinnacle of success.
But Bowser sees a generational shift: today’s players are finding new incentives to stay in college.
The driving force, according to Bowser, is the rise of NIL opportunities.
“You’ve got guys risking $50 million in potential draft earnings just to go back to school,” he explained.
“Why? Because they’re signing deals—sometimes worth $10 million—through the NIL. That changes the whole calculus. Now, they can stay in college, make money, and explore other options.”
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Before NIL deals existed, college athletes often felt pressure to leave early. Bowser notes,
“You got three meals from the college, barely scraping by, and you had to go to the NFL just to survive. Now, they can stay, grow their brand, and still earn millions.”
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For many young players, college football offers a unique combination of opportunity and lifestyle. “It’s a different game now,” Bowser said.
“You’re not working as hard as you would in the NFL, you’re getting your education, building your personal brand, and still making money. College gives you space to grow and experiment. Some are starting YouTube channels, others are exploring business ventures. The options are endless.”
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Bowser also emphasized a broader mindset shift: not every player is destined to go pro, and that reality is shaping decision-making.
“Young people today are thinking strategically. They want to get the bag, minimize risk, and maximize opportunity,” he said.
“It’s the same drive every generation has—work smart, not just hard.”
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As NIL deals continue to expand and college football evolves into a platform for personal branding, Bowser predicts this trend will only grow.
For the Bronx’s young athletes, the NFL may no longer be the sole measure of success—it’s just one option among many.
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