The reason DKR got out when he did and why his recruiting began to suffer is that recruiting became more like a "job fair"...or better..."deal or no Deal"..So many players were getting paid that it got hard to no go along. Frank Broyles threw in the towel before Royal.
In fact , the story was that when DKR went to Earl Campbells house for his "in home" he asked Earl if he had been offered money. Earl just laughed....of course he had....but then he got real serious and told DKR...."Coach, my people were bought and sold like cattle at one time.... aint nobody buying Earl Campbell!"
Sadly, not many felt that way.