re: 85 or 125 as roster limit?

I don't know how much a full boat athletic scholarship is, but it's a lot. Tuition, room and board, stipends, some travel maybe and who knows what else. Since this is income, would also have to reimburse taxes--more than the tax bill because reimbursing taxes is income too. I don't know if this is earned or unearned income, but possible social security costs too. Now add in some extra money so they can actually pocket some money too.

Add all this up and the 86+ (walkons) are making substantial NIL money, more than most of the scholarship players. Those scholarship players would have a righteous demand for their NIL money to match or exceed the walkons. You say that the money is to pay for their school. They would reply it's not their problem they aren't good enough to be on scholarship.

While there may be an occasional exception because of circumstances, I cannot ever imagine this as policy. This said, I do believe walkons should get some money.