WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Should college athletes have a chance to profit from their own name or image? One North Carolina congressman thinks so and is preparing to introduce a bill on Capitol Hill next week.

Mark Walker's legislation would modify the tax code, making it so the NCAA must give students the opportunity to make money off their name, image or likeness.

"You should be able to have access to that image or likeness because that’s part of your own talent," he said.

Current NCAA rules bar that practice, which Walker considers to be unfair.

"Sometimes, these student athletes are putting in 40 to 50 hr. work weeks, with really no pay at all. They get some food stipends and some of those things," Walker said. "Whether you’re talking about the University of Alabama or whether you're a backup quarterback at Elon University, you should still have that access to that image."

Walker, a Republican who represents the Greensboro area of North Carolina, says he has met with NCAA representatives.

Walker says he is potentially open to the NCAA imposing guidelines on how students are compensated. However, he opposes the NCAA maintaining the current broad restrictions.

Walker used a back-bench quarterback who is unlikely to ever play professionally as an example.

"This is a moment of peak earning time, where he should have access that he is a Elon University Fighting Phoenix football player and he should be able to profit on that," Walker said.

Online, some athletes are already weighing in.

The Texas Longhorns quarterback voiced support for the legislation. In a string of tweets, he compared college sports to a "full-time unpaid internship."

Walker said his bill will not require the NCAA or universities to pay college athletes. Walker said in an interview that he would push back against essentially putting athletes on the payroll.

"At the same time, don’t restrict that young man or young woman from their own image and likeness to be able to go out and supplement their college income," he said.

The NCAA did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Walker's spokesman said the plan is to formally introduce the legislation next Thursday. Walker said he is talking with Democratic lawmakers and lawmakers within his own party in hopes of finding some cosponsors.