I played college football and enjoyed a 4 year, full ride, all paid, plus $15 per month for laundry. All guaranteed from day one. When the NCAA changed scholarships to one year renewables, they changed the game. They gave the colleges the ability to cut costs by axing players that don't pan out for whatever reason, leaving said player out in the cold to pay for the rest of their college education. It's hard not to sympathize with the athletes as they're just playing the "money game", partly as a result of them being played by the NCAA.
If the NCAA wants the high ground, go back to guaranteed scholarships-as it is now, there is no guarantee of a college education-put the 4 year guarantee back in and then they can claim they're providing the education. As the commercials say, most athletes DO NOT go pro in sports. Mandate a little loyalty to the players from the schools and it's easier to get away from the "pay me" claim....and let's have some real player oriented reforms-let players transfer or void their NLI's when coaches leave, increase the "laundry money" to a reasonable monthly stipend for a college student that has all meals already provided, perhaps $150 per month, let players hire agents to advise them whenever they want (why do we restrict them from getting professional advice?), and put some percentage of revenues from jersey sales into a fund that assists disabled former athletes. The NCAA should try-perhaps for the first time ever-to act like it really gives a hoot about the welfare of the athletes.