This is the question I just asked Dave Matter in his chat,

Posted on: August 10, 2023 at 11:18:19 CT

as well as his reply.

Hi Dave, please help to clear something up for Tiger football fans. I thought only instate players who signed on NSD could begin to benefit from NIL. Now I'm hearing that's not true, but that they could sign some sort of financial aid form at any time - today - and start getting paid. And if that's true, is it possible, or even likely, that Nwaneri and or Wingo has already committed to the coaches privately?

Dave:
This is an interesting development. When the state lawmakers drafted the bill and got it passed, they believed the new language allowed recruits to begin earning NIL compensation in December, when they sign their letter of intent. But as some folks have pointed out this week, the bill's language was vague enough - intentionally, I assume, by the lawyers who vetted the language - that allows players to earn NIL money once they sign a non-binding scholarship agreement, which can happen Sept. 1. It would give Mizzou a three-and-a-half month headstart on paying in-state recruits. Again, though, that kind of document is non-binding for the athlete. He can sign the paperwork, make some NIL cash for three months and sign with someone else in December. So obviously there's some risk there. There's zero indication the state's top two prospects have already decided/committed/signed with anyone at this point.