As I have said before on this board, I'm old enough to remember when college athletics was a sport. Scholarships were a way for a student to get schooling paid for. At that time, the education received was more important than the possible gateway to professional sports. Now that big money is involved, and taken over college athletics, maybe it is time for the whole system to be changed. As some on this board have acknowledged that college athletics is a big business, maybe it is time to treat it like a business.
Another question to be answered is "Is the Scholarship Athlete an Employee or Sub-contractor? If the Scholarship Athlete is an Employee, they would be eligible for all benefits afforded to all employees of Corporation (College or University). Most likely, the Corporation would opt to make the Scholarship Athlete a Sub-contractor, since this is a short-term job, (4 seasons maximum work time (eligibility), with a fifth year for training (redshirt year), and a possible sixth year (medical redshirt (also known as workman's comp))).
Letters of Intent need to be regarded as an Employer/Sub-contractor contract. This contract will state the start date of employment (the time of actual enrollment). Until the Sub-contractor is actually enrolled, both the Employer and Sub-contractor can opt out with no penalty to either party.
Once enrolled, the contract takes effect. The contract will have an end date for which both parties are obligated to uphold (no surprise transfers just a few days before the first game of the season).
Should the contract have a non-compete clause (losing one year of eligibility because of transfer)? Because of being a Sub-contractor, I believe non-compete clauses should be waived. This will affect most those who use 1-year renewable contracts (1 year LOI).
Is the contract between the Corporation (school) or a Division of the Corporation (Athletic Department) or a Department within the Division of the Corporation (football team) or the Management of Division (coaching staff), or a combination of all of the above? If there is a change in Management (for whatever reason), can Management choose to terminate the Sub-contractor, and bring in their own Sub-contractor (recruiting new players)? Should the Sub-contractor be given the option to stay or be released, without penalty? I believe all levels of the Corporation should have the option for full release, without penalty. This would need to be spelled out in the Contract. All Contracts would have to be approved by a governing body (NCAA).
I'm sure many of you would have different provisions you would add to the contract. It seems now the athletics are more important than the education opportunity. With the large sums of money involved, I can understand. Possibly the education shouldn't even be considered when deciding eligibility. For the Sub-contractor, maybe all the some of them need is a Bachelor's Degree in Football. Then move on to the NFL.