That might generally be true, but its irrelevant from a freedom to contract standpoint. If the contract he entered into was clear about the terms and conditions and he signed it, he not only exercised his freedoms but knowingly gave some of them up in return.
He also had the opportunity to exercise other freedoms including trading his talent for schooling elsewhere that wouldnt put such terms on the trade, or to find other avenues to pay for his schooling while walking on to the football team. Thats true freedom.
You really cant have it both ways. You cant say this is mostly about education without acknowledging there are many other ways with even a modicum of academic achievement to go to school without having to play football. You cant say its mostly about football at this level, without acknowledging that, from the players stand point, college football is just a marketing ploy to try to get exposure and resume to get into the nfl. Either way, he decided to trade a skill for either and in return granted some of his rights and freedoms to the school.
Again, Im playing devils advocate but this idea that adults shouldnt be allowed to contract is interesting, at the least. The market dictates the players value to the school. If Eason exercises his ability to not negotiate such terms, he will be replaced by any number of similarly talented people who will.
Ultimately I agree that the system is severely flawed. I dont think it is flawed for the reason being suggested here, however. I think it is flawed by how people are mortgaging their future on something that has a very small chance to be successful. Only the top 1% of the top 1% of the top 1% of high school players will go pro in football. Why risk your body, your education, and thus your future, for such long odds? Why allow so many people to skirt through their schooling because theyre good at a game they could play while also getting an education? Those are the things that concern me.