Correct, he does not have his own business. He asked if he could itemize deductions as a W-2 employee. The itemized deductions would include the contractor payments and he would issue a 1099-NEC. Since he does not have an EIN nor DBA he would use his personal name and SSN on the PAYER section of Form 1099-NEC.

He asked if that didn't work, if he should apply for an EIN and file a Schedule C with only the contractor payments, no income would be on the Schedule C only Contractor expenses. 

Personally, my gut tells me this is not possible. Figured I would ask the community.