The NFL must sign players for more than a few years to get them. They pay for time beyond the athlete's prime to secure part of their prime career. Therefore, their salary pool will necessarily be invested in guys who must only be capable of standing around the bench.
College players cycle quickly. Ewers' portion of a limited salary pool becomes free immediately. That seems to be a profound difference from the NFL.
It's my understanding from those in the know around here that Texas worked to establish a sustainable level of funds. Rather than believing we burn out and see decline, isn't it more apt to see the level of talent and potential talent assembled at any given time will be typical? The only thing that changes are the names.
Further, I don't know shit about any of this. Maybe my premises above are incorrect.
I'll add that recruiting nerds, such as all who post here, can't change their focus from the immediate and the minute. The program, to me, seems to be in a good place with every reason to believe that's where it will remain.
There's my airplane. Shoot it down. I'll at least learn something.