Skieologians: Should a high school phenom ever turn pro?

Hobbs Kessler recently shattered Alan Webb’s high school 1500m record (also breaking Jim Ryun’s 55 year old U20 record as well) with a 3:34.36. This time is also faster than the NCAA DI 1500 meter record. Kessler, who was a 4:24 miler as recently as the start of the pandemic, has committed to running at Northern Arizona. The question has arisen with him, as it did with Mary Cain, Katelyn Tuohy, and Drew Hunter before - should you capitalize on your financial value now and turn pro? Or should you go to college and develop there? Our answer, in typical Skieologian form, attacks the foundational issue with this question.