The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era in college football has been earth-shattering in how the NCAA operates, but it also has a profound impact on how NFL teams approach the draft. With college players no able to profit off their likeness and make millions of dollars before they even enter the NFL, it has a ripple effect across the league.
During a podcast with Detroit Lions reporter Tim Twentyman, Lions director of college scouting Brian Hudspeth gave a really good answer about how NIL has directly impacted his department—and it may give a hint as to what the Lions may do this week during the 2025 NFL Draft.