The college baseball transfer portal officially closes on July 2, and with teams facing a new 34-man roster cap for the 2026 season, this offseason has become one of the most complex in recent memory. NIL uncertainty has only added to the chaos, leaving programs across the country scrambling to find impact pieces without overspending.
In a landscape where undervalued talent is more important than ever, Baseball America college writers Jacob Rudner and Peter Flaherty have highlighted 10 underrated transfers who could provide major returns next year. Players are listed alphabetically.
Michael DiMartini, OF
Previous School: Dayton
New School: Duke
After logging just six at-bats as a freshman at Penn State in 2023, DiMartini entered the transfer portal and eventually committed to Dayton. Though his time as a “Fly Boy” was only one season, DiMartini certainly made his mark. He posted a gaudy .403/.465/.685 slash line with 11 doubles, seven triples, 14 home runs and 37 stolen bases.
DiMartini has a strong, athletic frame and his toolset enables him to impact the game in a myriad of ways. In the box, he has a crouched stance and an ear-high handset. DiMartini has plenty of hand speed and uses the middle of the field well, though he has also shown the ability to drive the baseball to the opposite field.
He posted a maximum exit velocity of 113 mph and was all over pitches in his “go zone,” but I’ll be curious to see how DiMartini’s hit tool translates in the ACC. He made contact at just a 64% overall clip and also showed the tendency to expand the strike zone. However, when he made contact, DiMartini was consistently on the barrel. Dimartini’s speed translates well in the outfield and on the bases, and it’s a tool he knows how to use. (PF)
Kaden Echeman, RHP
Previous School: Northern Kentucky
New School: Kentucky
Echeman is trending towards being drafted and subsequently signing, but for now, he fits in the “underrated transfer” bucket. After missing all of 2024 with an injury, Echeman this spring anchored Northern Kentucky’s rotation and pitched to a career-best 4.34 ERA with a career-high 87 strikeouts to 23 walks across 56 innings. Echeman has carried the momentum he built during the spring into this summer, as across three starts (12 innings) on the Cape, he’s posted a 2.25 ERA with 19 strikeouts to five walks.
An undersized righthander, Echeman stands at a modest 6-feet, 190 pounds with some strength in his lower half. He works exclusively out of the stretch and attacks from a high-three quarters slot. He uses a glove tap as his hands break as a timing mechanism to keep everything in sync and does a job of creating a positive angle with his shoulder tilt.
Echeman’s fastball sits in the low 90s, but it’s been up to 96 mph with plus carry through the zone. It averaged nearly 21 inches of IVB this spring and—unsurprisingly—it was at its best when located in the top half of the zone, where it consistently got over the barrel of opposing hitters and generated plenty of empty swings. Echeman’s high-70s curveball will flash big-time depth with some bite, and he’ll also mix in a sharp, low-80s sweeper, an intriguing high-80s cutter and a mid-80s changeup. (PF)
Jackson Kircher, RHP
Previous School: Oklahoma
New School: Arkansas
Kircher saw limited action as a freshman at Oklahoma, logging just 12.2 innings over 13 relief outings with a 5.68 ERA and 17 strikeouts to five walks. But the Memphis native flashed real upside in that short stint. A physical 6-foot-3, 220-pound righthander, Kircher works with a power fastball that averaged 94 mph and touched 99, showing big-time ride and late finish. He threw it 71% of the time, using it to overpower hitters up in the zone. His only secondary offering with notable usage was a firm, mid-80s power curveball that flashes bite but needs refinement.
There’s no question Kircher has the strength and arm speed to thrive, but his arsenal lacks variety and polish. Adding a true gloveside weapon would deepen his profile and help him stay off barrels. That’s where Arkansas becomes a strong fit. The Razorbacks have made a habit of developing raw, high-octane arms under Matt Hobbs, and Kircher fits that mold. He has yet to reach 15 college innings, but the raw stuff is loud and the upside is obvious. With continued development, he could quickly emerge as a key piece in the back end of Arkansas’ bullpen. (JR)
Danny Lachenmayer, LHP
Previous School: North Dakota State
New School: LSU
Lachenmayer this spring cemented himself as North Dakota State’s best and most reliable arm, pitching to a 2.37 ERA with 56 strikeouts to 18 walks in 38 innings. Lachenmayer last Thursday announced his commitment to LSU, but it won’t be his first time pitching at Alex Box Stadium. Earlier this spring, Lachenmayer struck out both star freshman Derek Curiel and Luis Hernandez in what ended up being a hard-fought midweek loss for the Bison.
Lachenmayer has a 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame with projection remaining. He attacks from a near over-the-top slot and features a low-90s fastball that’s been up to 95 mph, a mid-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup. Lachenmayer’s heater averaged over 20 inches of ride this spring and, while part of that is due to the natural carry he’s able to generate from his 6-foot-5 release height, the pitch still plays well up in the zone and generated an impressive 37% miss rate. Lachenmayer has an advanced feel for a gyro slider that’s effective against both left and righthanded hitters, while his changeup, though seldom-used, flashes consistent tumbling life and projects as a potentially above-average third pitch.
Lachenmayer has a chance to explode in Baton Rouge. He presents an intriguing combination of “now” stuff and projection, and could be head coach Jay Johnson’s next massive portal success story. (PF)
Andrew Middleton, LHP
Previous School: Massachusetts
New School: Uncommitted
Middleton, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound lefthander with elite movement metrics and almost no collegiate track record, is one of the most tantalizing wild cards in the transfer portal. Injuries defined his two years at UMass, with a torn UCL and internal brace surgery most recently sidelining him. But when healthy, few arms flash more data-driven upside.
His 89–92 mph fastball mimics the path of a rising skee-ball, regularly producing 20-plus inches of induced vertical break and generating a 50% whiff rate in 2025. He pairs it with a mid-70s, top-down curveball that flashes plus and tunnels well off his heater. Middleton has struck out 54 batters in just 35 career innings—including 29 in only 11.2 frames last spring—but his delivery remains inconsistent, and his 27 walks highlight ongoing control concerns.
Health and polish are real hurdles, but the deception, pitch shapes and swing-and-miss traits are undeniable. If he can return to form and find the right developmental fit, Middleton has major upside as a breakout weapon. (JR)
Dawson Montesa, RHP
Previous School: Adelphi
New School: West Virginia
Montesa was one of the best Division II pitchers in the country this spring, and he compiled a 1.99 ERA with 105 strikeouts against just 24 walks across 72.1 innings. He subsequently entered the portal and had a plethora of prominent suitors before eventually committed to West Virginia, where he figures to slot into the weekend rotation. This summer, Montesa is pitching in the New England Collegiate League, and through four appearances (11 innings), he has a 0.82 ERA with 17 strikeouts to just one walk.
At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Montesa has a lean and somewhat high-waisted frame with room to fill out. He has a quick arm stroke and attacks from a three-quarters slot. Montesa features a three-pitch mix that includes a low-90s fastball, a mid-to-upper-70s curveball and a mid-80s split-change. Montesa’s heater has been up to 94 mph with life in the top half of the zone, though his secondaries are his bread-and-butter pitches. Montesa’s curveball will flash impressive depth with sharp, downward bite, while his split-change flashes fade and late tumble.
Montesa is an advanced strike-thrower, and it will be exciting to follow his development—both from a body and stuff standpoint—at a Power 4 program. (PF)
Aiden Robbins, OF
Previous School: Seton Hall
New School: Texas
Whether it was at Seton Hall or during summer ball in the Cal Ripken League and Cape Cod League, Robbins has hit at every stop in his collegiate career. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, and this spring he enjoyed one of the more prominent breakout seasons of any hitter in the country to the tune of a .422/.537/.652 slash line with 30 extra-base hits, 20 stolen bases and 44 walks to just 32 strikeouts.
Robbins has a somewhat unique operation in the box. He breaks into a high leg lift as the pitcher breaks into his own front leg lift, yet he consistently gets his foot down on time and is in a good position to hit. He deploys the same leg lift move in two-strike counts, yet it is far less pronounced.
Robbins has plus hand speed and sprays line drives to all fields, but his highest quality of contact comes to the pull side. Robbins has a polished approach and plus swing decisions, and this spring he chased at just an 18% overall clip. While he struggles to pick up spin out of the hand, Robbins feasts on fastballs. He posted an 89% overall contact rate and 91% in-zone contact rate against all heaters, and 17 of his 30 extra-base hits came against fastballs.
Robbins is a hit-over-power profile, but his 90th percentile exit velocity was 107.8 mph. Getting the ball up in the air more, especially to the pull side, could lead to more in-game power production. Robbins runs well, but perhaps most importantly, he knows how to run and is an effective base stealer. (PF)
Jayce Tharnish, OF
Previous School: St. Bonaventure
New School: Uncommitted
Tharnish is a dynamic athlete with one year of eligibility remaining and the tools to be an instant contributor if he returns to school rather than signing a pro deal. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound center fielder slashed .403/.461/.597 in 2025 with seven home runs, 11 doubles, three triples and 32 stolen bases in 33 attempts over 46 games. He hit from a low-maintenance, crouched setup with minimal stride and quick, direct hands geared for line drives. Tharnish produced just 47 tracked batted-ball events last season, and his average exit velocity sat at a modest 84 mph, suggesting there’s limited raw power.
Still, his standout performance in the Atlantic 10 and elite athleticism make him an intriguing one-year flier. He covers ground well in center field, offers real stolen base value and shows contact skills that could carry him even if the impact is light. If he stays in school, he’s a plug-and-play top-of-the-order spark plug with upside depending on the environment. (JR)
Cole Stokes, RHP
Previous School: Oregon
New School: Florida State
Stokes isn’t as under-the-radar as others on this list after making 24 relief appearances for a top 25 Oregon team, but the 6-foot-6, 225-pound sidearmer brings too much upside to ignore. He heads to Tallahassee with elite stuff in a compact, two-pitch arsenal featuring a sharp mid-80s slider that generated a 58% whiff rate in 2025 and a fastball that’s touched 99 mph as a secondary offering.
Stokes’ overall whiff rate sat at 49%, thanks largely to the slider’s late bite and his deceptive arm slot. While he’s pitched exclusively in relief over the past two seasons, Florida State is set to lose two thirds of its weekend rotation to the draft, and Stokes could get a look as a starter. To seize that opportunity, he’ll need to rein in his control and potentially add a third pitch. But the raw ingredients—velocity, movement and deception—give him real swing-and-miss potential in any role. (JR)
AJ Soldra, OF
Previous School: Seton Hall
New School: Connecticut
Connecticut hopes it can hold onto Soldra through the draft, as the dynamic draft-eligible sophomore looks like a strong candidate to lead off for the Huskies in 2026. After transferring from NJIT, Soldra proved he could handle Big East arms, slashing .330/.426/.514 with four home runs, 12 doubles, eight triples and 15 stolen bases for Seton Hall in 2025. He’s carried that momentum into the Cape Cod League, opening with a scorching .423/.483/.808 line, three home runs and a double in his first 10 games for Yarmouth-Dennis.
A lean, and wiry lefthanded hitter with above-average bat speed, Soldra generates mostly doubles and triples right now, but there’s room to add strength to his six-foot frame. His swing is geared for contact and gap power, and he moves well enough to stay in center field long term. There’s still projection left physically, and his performance trend points firmly upward. If he makes it to campus, Soldra has a chance to be a top-of-the-order spark plug for one of the Northeast’s premier programs. (JR)
The annual NHL Winter Classic game is a favorite of hockey fans.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) From left, reporter Jackie Redmond, Gary Bettman, the NHL Commissioner, and Ashley and Ryan Smith, both co-founders of Smith Entertainment Group and owners of Utah Mammoth, hold a news conference to announce the location of the 2027 NHL Winter Classic as Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, seen here on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
The marquee game of the NHL’s regular season is coming to Salt Lake City next year.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman joined Utah Mammoth owners Ryan and Ashley Smith on Wednesday in announcing that the 2027 Winter Classic will be held outdoors at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Mammoth will play the current NHL leaders, the Colorado Avalanche. The game will take place at the beginning of next January.
“I think this venue is going to be incredible,” Ryan Smith said. “This is a dream.”
The NHL selected Rice-Eccles Stadium as the venue over competition from BYU’s Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo and several other markets around the NHL that wanted to host the event.
“I wanted it here in Salt Lake. This is right,” Smith, a BYU alum, said. “I mean, I do enough down there. This is my NIL donation here. It’s a good one.”
And unlike at University of Utah football games, the stadium will sell alcohol for the event, university director of auxiliary services Collin Simmons told reporters. “We’re able to sell beer and seltzer for all private events,” he explained. “This is a private event.”
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Ryan Smith, right, and Ashley Smith, both co-founders of Smith Entertainment Group and owners of Utah Mammoth, answer questions during a news conference to announce the location of the 2027 NHL Winter Classic as Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, seen here on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
The exact date for the event has yet to be selected, as the NHL experiments with different dates at the beginning of January that conflict least with the NFL and college football. The game has traditionally taken place on either Jan. 1 or Jan 2.
The Winter Classic began in 2008, as the NHL sought to bring new fans to its games by returning to its roots in outdoor pond hockey. Since then, Winter Classic games have occurred annually with limited exceptions and have proven to be extremely popular with fans and players alike. Fans also enjoy that teams typically wear special-edition uniforms for the event, which Bettman said have not yet been designed.
The 2025 edition of the game took place at Wrigley Field between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues. This year, the game moved to sunny Miami, Florida, as the Panthers played the Rangers in a matchup that drew significant criticism from hockey fans. Choosing Salt Lake City as the 2027 hosts reflects a league return to a cold-weather site.
League officials toured Rice-Eccles Stadium in recent months to determine its suitability for the game. It will be the fourth time the Winter Classic has been held at a college football stadium, with Michigan Stadium (2014), Notre Dame Stadium (2019), and the Cotton Bowl (2020) the previous three hosts.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Ryan Smith, right, and Ashley Smith, both co-founders of Smith Entertainment Group and owners of Utah Mammoth, sit on stage during a news conference to announce the location of the 2027 NHL Winter Classic as Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, seen here on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
“This stadium sets up very well. From a sightline perspective, there’s an intimacy here. We expect to have 50,000 plus here. We’re not anticipating any problems,” NHL commissioner Bettman said. “And the Governor” — Spencer Cox, who attended Wednesday’s announcement — “has promised me that the weather will be perfect.”
The Avalanche should prove formidable opposition to the Mammoth; through 42 games this season, they have suffered just four regulation losses against 31 wins. Team stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have pushed the Avs to one of the greatest starts to a regular season in NHL history this season, and should provide additional juice to the matchup.
The Mammoth, meanwhile, are led by team captain Clayton Keller and newly-extended Logan Cooley, who provided a player’s perspective at the announcement.
“Being outside, it’s a whole different experience,” Cooley said, while noting the last time he played outdoors was when he was 4 or 5 years old. “That whole experience will be a challenge. And as players, as competitors, we like those.”
“Just being outside, you see the mountains in the background. As a player, I hope it’s pretty cold and there’s a lot of snow,” he said.
Alabama finished the 2025 season 11–4 (7–1 SEC) under head coach Kalen DeBoer, winning the SEC West, falling to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and qualifying for the College Football Playoff.
Despite optimism that the Tide could make a postseason run, Alabama was routed 38–3 by No. 1 Indiana in the CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl, a loss that ended the season and marked the program’s worst-ever playoff defeat.
The lopsided loss triggered immediate offseason fallout, including significant roster turnover and early transfer portal activity.
On Monday, reports emerged that Alabama outside/edge linebacker Qua Russaw had entered the NCAA transfer portal after three seasons with the Crimson Tide, adding an experienced SEC defender to an already active transfer market.
By Wednesday, On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Russaw had scheduled transfer visits, with three programs quickly emerging as leading contenders: Ohio State, LSU, and Tennessee.
Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Qua Russaw (4) tries to bring down South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Robby Ashford (1) | Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Russaw was a five-star high school recruit in the 2023 cycle, ranked as the No. 3 linebacker prospect and No. 27 overall player nationally by On3, committing to Alabama over more than 20 offers, including Auburn, Georgia, Florida, and Clemson.
He spent three seasons with the Crimson Tide (2023–2025) after redshirting his first year, appearing in 22 career games and totaling 50 combined tackles (21 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
Russaw played in 13 games in 2024, posting 36 tackles, 2.5 TFL, one sack, two interceptions, and a forced fumble, before injuries limited him to nine games and 14 tackles in 2025.
Still, at 6’2″, 243 pounds, the former five-star remains a high-upside, power-athletic edge defender with clear projection in a new system.
All three programs linked to Russaw align with his profile as an experienced SEC defender with pass-rush ability and immediate rotational or starting potential.
LSU is actively retooling its roster under new head coach Lane Kiffin and is seeking defensive reinforcements through the transfer portal after more than two dozen offseason departures.
Tennessee has also experienced roster turnover following the 2025 season, targeting portal additions to bolster linebacker depth and add physical playmakers as part of its defensive reset.
Ohio State’s linebacker room, meanwhile, lacks established FBS starters for 2026, prompting the Buckeyes to prioritize veteran transfers to add proven experience.
Media reports indicate visits are being scheduled immediately, and with the January transfer window underway, a commitment could come within days or a few weeks.
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Indiana defeated Alabama 38–3 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl, delivering a dominant performance on both sides of the ball.
Indiana’s offense, led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and an explosive rushing attack headlined by senior running backs Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby, controlled the game throughout, while Alabama managed just a lone field goal.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson started and played into the second quarter, completing 12-of-16 passes for 67 yards before sustaining a cracked rib on a hit late in the half.
Simpson attempted to return after halftime but ultimately gave way to backup Austin Mack, who finished 11-of-16 for 103 yards.
Making matters worse for the Tide at quarterback, multiple outlets reported Wednesday that Simpson informed Alabama of his intention to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, opting to turn pro rather than return to Tuscaloosa or explore the transfer portal.
On3’s Pete Nakos also reported that Simpson, along with his family and representatives, evaluated potential NIL opportunities before ultimately deciding to declare.
Across the 2025 season, Simpson totaled 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while adding 92 rushing yards, two rushing scores, and a 145.2 passer rating.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) runs against Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman Mikail Kamara (6) | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In his first year as Alabama’s full-time starting quarterback, Simpson guided the Crimson Tide to an 11–4 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
He earned second-team All-SEC honors and capped an Alabama tenure in which Simpson developed from a highly touted five-star recruit with limited early starting experience into a pro-level prospect, pairing mobility with improved pocket play that attracted NFL interest.
Many NFL draft analysts now project Simpson as a top-20 pick and likely first-round selection, generally seen as the No. 3 quarterback in this class behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore.
On3’s NIL valuations placed Simpson at around $2.1 million, ranking him among the higher-valued college players in 2025.
Media reporting also linked Simpson to significant transfer-market interest, with sources naming Miami, Oregon, and Tennessee as potential suitors had he entered the portal.
That interest fueled speculation that Simpson faced a choice between entering the NFL Draft or transferring to pursue a lucrative NIL package.
By contrast, transfer portal quarterback Brendan Sorsby landed a reported NIL package worth roughly $5 million after transferring to Texas Tech.
With Simpson already ranking among the highest-paid college athletes and projected to command even larger offers, alongside Sorsby’s massive NIL deal, this moment underscores the new, multi-path economics of college quarterback careers in the post-NIL era.
Still, while premium portal NIL packages can significantly influence recruitment and roster construction, Simpson’s decision highlights that top quarterbacks continue to prioritize the NFL when their draft stock is strong.
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Thriving in the NIL era, Ole Miss turns into an unlikely college football powerhouse
Well, big games are usually built on two things decision making and nerve. In the Sugar Bowl, the Ole Miss Rebels proved stronger in both. The Rebels didn’t need perfection. They needed poise. And in *** game defined by moments, the Rebels making more of the right ones by taking down *** Georgia team built on pressure and precision. Kind of challenged them at halftime and said, you know, look, we, we were up 9 on these guys going in the 4th quarter last time. I said, let’s play 30 minutes of football and I’ll physical them and execute, and, and they responded like they have all year. Uh, it’s *** super tough group. They got *** lot of grit, and they love playing football, and, and then, you know, they’re not tired of it. So just really, really proud of the group and the effort that took place tonight. Well, with Georgia behind them, the Ole Miss Rebels will now move on to face Miami in the Fiesta Bowl up in Arizona, and the Rebels aren’t just advancing, they’re officially announcing themselves as true, legitimate national contenders. Reporting in the Caesars Superdome, Marissa Stubbs, 16, WAPT News.
Thriving in the NIL era, Ole Miss turns into an unlikely college football powerhouse
Updated: 3:32 PM CST Jan 7, 2026
Editorial Standards ⓘ
Mississippi’s football program is thriving in the NCAA’s pay-for-play era. The sixth-seeded Rebels will face No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl for a spot in the national championship game. It’s the biggest game for Ole Miss in at least 50 years. It’s also the culmination of a massive fundraising effort athletics director Keith Carter and other behind-the-scenes people that’s helped the Rebels gain an upper hand in the NIL era. Carter said he’s confident Ole Miss can maintain its status in the game’s elite, even as bigger schools start to organize their fundraising efforts to match the Rebels.
OXFORD, Miss. —
Mississippi’s football program is thriving in the NCAA’s pay-for-play era.
The sixth-seeded Rebels will face No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl for a spot in the national championship game.
It’s the biggest game for Ole Miss in at least 50 years. It’s also the culmination of a massive fundraising effort athletics director Keith Carter and other behind-the-scenes people that’s helped the Rebels gain an upper hand in the NIL era.
Carter said he’s confident Ole Miss can maintain its status in the game’s elite, even as bigger schools start to organize their fundraising efforts to match the Rebels.
Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr.’s announcement Tuesday night that he plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal sent shockwaves through college sports.
Four days earlier, he’d signed a contract to return to Washington, which was set to pay him in the mid-$4 million range and put him near the top the market for college football. Washington continues to pursue legal action, per sources, to enforce the contract.
Williams’ declaration online that he is leaving quickly became a touchstone for a sport and system where there’s already significant skepticism over the viability of signed contracts.
What happens next with Williams will speak volumes about the future of college football and the enforceability of contracts, providing a bellwether for this new era of college sports.
“This is a very bright line,” a high-ranking college official said. “Are we going to respect each other’s contracts? This is a very simple thing. If we can’t protect this, nothing else matters.”
If Williams follows through on his desire to leave Washington — LSU is the presumptive favorite for his services, but others are expected to be involved as well — his case will be a litmus test for the rules of a new era. And it will likely end up in court.
The situation can be boiled down to a simple point that has been a running issue and an embarrassment for college sports: Can contracts be enforced?
“This situation is a product of 2026 football,” a prominent athletic director told ESPN. “Where the story ends, this is one of the big moments in college football — or really, college sports — and what we do next.”
When initially contacted, Demond Williams Sr. — the quarterback’s father — declined to comment.
If Williams attempts to leave for LSU or another school, it is likely to become a bigger saga than former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s jump from Tennessee to UCLA last year.
It’s also a potentially much higher-profile version of the legal fallout — still unresolved — from the departure last fall of Wisconsin defensive back Xavier Lucas to Miami.
Wisconsin sued Miami claiming the school committed tortious interference by knowingly compelling a player to break the terms of his deal with the Badgers.
Williams is a household name in the Big Ten and among college sports fans, as he threw for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. He also ran for 611 yards and six touchdowns. Williams was originally committed to coach Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss in 2023 before flipping to Jedd Fisch and Arizona. He followed Fisch to Washington when Fisch took the head coaching job there in 2024.
“This wouldn’t happen in professional sports,” another high-ranking college official said. “Things like this seem to show that people think that they can do anything.”
The college sports world is watching intently. One general manager at a top program told ESPN on Wednesday: “It’s extremely embarrassing the system allows this. There’s no stability at all. How are people sitting around watching everything crumble? What are the leaders doing? What are the commissioners doing? How do we not get everyone in a room and not leave until there’s a solution.”
One veteran head coach added with a chuckle on the lack of oversight: “I don’t even know who we turn complaints in to.”
Washington sources say the university is prepared to pursue all legal avenues to enforce Williams’ contract. The Big Ten has also been engaged on the issue, and the league has been vocal in the past about how crucial it is that “agreed-to obligations be respected, honored and enforced.” Williams used a traditional agency to complete his deal. Sources said there had been outreach for more than two weeks from people outside the agency to schools. The agency that did his deal was blindsided by Williams’ portal entry.
Per sources, one person who has contacted schools about Williams is Cordell Landers, who generally refers to himself as an adviser and loomed as one of the central figures in Iamaleava’s departure from Tennessee. Landers denied to ESPN that he is involved with Williams.
ESPN obtained some details of Williams’ Washington contract Wednesday. There are two items that loom large. The deal includes a buyout to leave that is at the “sole discretion” of Washington. The contract also states that “the institution is not obligated to enter the Student-Athlete into the transfer portal or otherwise assist or facilitate the Student-Athlete’s transfer to another college or university.”
Lucas’ move to Miami shows that the portal is not a necessity for players to move, but it is another complicating factor.
Williams’ case speaks to a larger issue in which contracts around the sport — binding schools to leagues, coaches to schools and players to programs — are largely being ignored.
The situation illuminates the system’s flaws, including not having any single entity in charge of the inter-workings of contracts in a multibillion-dollar business. The Williams contract issue doesn’t fall under the purview of the new College Sports Commission, which handles third-party name, image and likeness deals to meet legal settlement rules, revenue sharing from schools in relation to the cap and roster limits.
The NCAA deals with tampering, which could be at play. Tampering, however, has become so mainstream in college athletics that it’s nearly impossible to enforce. Modern legalities also complicate oversight, as a federal judge’s ruling in Tennessee in February 2024 made the NCAA’s role in enforcing tampering more challenging.
The cries for new rules are even more complicated. The lawsuit that led to that legal ruling was filed Jan. 31, one day after Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman revealed in a letter to the NCAA that the school’s athletic department was being investigated.
While there are calls for reform, there is inherent resistance whenever rules land on a school’s doorstep.
Suddenly, Williams’ situation has emerged as a flashpoint for a faulty system.
“This is a very important moment in our space,” one high-ranking official said, “about how we’re going to behave.”
