[ghosthi32]

Originally Posted by Seminole

What about a free college education (worth $40k+ a year at some of these schools) and the opportunity a big name program gives you of being in the national eye/increasing chances of playing in the NFL and making millions?

You can argue that a player at a big name Division 1 school has a better shot at making it to the NFL and getting a big time contract than a person at a lower level school. Before going to Auburn Cam Newton won a junior college national championship. If he had stayed at the JC level he wouldn't have been a blip on many NFL scouts radars. Auburn gave him the exposure and opportunity to win a national championship and get drafted #1 with millions in guaranteed money.