While stories of high profile and talented college athletes receiving life changing amounts of money from boosters makes headlines in 2026, the real story of what motivates the majority of student-athletes is boring to many.

Jonny Bottorff’s priorities were very different from the big money earners in college football.

After beginning his college career at Division II Missouri Western State and two successful seasons there, the 6’3 295 offensive lineman and native of Quincy, Illinois accepted a scholarship from Northern Arizona University, an FCS school in Flagstaff, Arizona and member of the competitive Big Sky Conference. While some doubted whether a Division II player could come in a contribute, Bottorf earned the staring center position for the Lumberjacks and went on to earn All Big Sky Conference Post season honors two years in a row.

During his time at Northern Arizona, Bottorf earned his undergraduate degree and is now working on his masters degree. While Bottorf was able to earn a couple hundred dollars from NIL, it was not significant as is the case with the majority of college student-athletes.

As boring as it sound, earning a college degree is the main goal and objective of the majority of college athletes. While high profile college athletes continue to make headlines and earn money, it is reassuring that most understand the importance and the opportunity to complete their studies which will help them prepare for life well beyond their playing careers.