NIL

$2.8 billion House v. NCAA settlement hangs in balance as attorneys file brief to address roster-limit concern

The marathon legal battle regarding player compensation and the makeup of college athletics in a landmark, multibillion-dollar antitrust case may have finally hit the homestretch Wednesday night. Attorneys involved in a $2.8 billion settlement filed a brief tweaking the aspect of roster limits in the House v. NCAA settlement, which they hope will convince a […]

Published

1 month ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The marathon legal battle regarding player compensation and the makeup of college athletics in a landmark, multibillion-dollar antitrust case may have finally hit the homestretch Wednesday night.

Attorneys involved in a $2.8 billion settlement filed a brief tweaking the aspect of roster limits in the House v. NCAA settlement, which they hope will convince a federal judge to grant final approval. The judge twice voiced concerns over proposed roster limits, a small but significant aspect of the deal that will enable schools to pay athletes a portion of their media revenues, capped at $20.5 million, starting July 1.

Schools will be allowed — but not required — to reinstate players who were cut from rosters during the 2024-25 academic year without those players counting against new roster limits set to be implemented July 1. Purged players exempt from roster limits can also transfer to new schools.

The key language in the brief, however, is that roster-limit exceptions are to be made at a school’s discretion. It remains to be seen if the brief will satisfy Judge Claudia Wilken of the Northern District of California, who specifically asked attorneys to “grandfather” all players into the deal, after twice delaying a decision on whether to approve the settlement in April.

“In other words, there are no guarantees that designated student-athletes will get or maintain roster spots,” the NCAA and power conference’s counsel wrote in a supplemental brief Wednesday. “But that does not adversely affect any injunctive relief class member.”

High school seniors who were promised scholarships that were later rescinded because of the proposed roster limits will also be exempt.

Now, college athletics waits – again – for a decision from federal court. Wilken gave preliminary approval in October, speaking in favor of most aspects of the deal. However, she has twice delayed final approval because of language tied to roster limits, which could lead to an estimated 5,000 players being cut from sports across the NCAA.

Several objectors testified April 7 against replacing scholarship limits with roster limits at a settlement hearing in the District Court of Northern California. In a brief filed April 23, Wilken ordered attorneys to develop a plan to “grandfather” current players into the agreement, allowing schools to temporarily exceed new limits as part of a phase-in solution for rosters. A two-week negotiation ensued.

If Wilken is not satisfied with the parties’ resolution and declines final approval, the case may advance to trial, a daunting prospect for the NCAA, which has been bludgeoned legally over student-athlete compensation and lambasted by the Supreme Court over the last five years. If the NCAA and power conferences lose in trial, the parties could be liable for $20 billion in damages.

If the settlement is not approved, schools may soon turn to their state governments to help legalize direct pay to players, who have planned to be paid a share of the $20.5 million pool next fall.

Wilken’s request on April 23 to renegotiate aspects of roster limits sent shockwaves across the country, complicating matters for many schools that had already begun cutting players from rosters. Under the preliminary settlement released in October, football rosters were set to shrink to 105 players, meaning as many as 30-plus players would be cut at each school. Even before the judge’s final approval, schools began to cut players in the spring in preparation for the settlement’s implementation on July 1.

Putting the toothpaste back in the tube could prove difficult for athletic departments. Some purged players landed at new schools, but many remain without a home, hoping to land again at their former schools. Most schools might be unwilling to re-sign players and spend extra scholarship money – as well as room and board, meals and health care – that balloon already-tight budgets.

In a brief filed April 23, Wilken was unmoved by the schools’ plight, writing that “any disruption that may occur is a problem of Defendants’ and NCAA members schools’ own making.”

The settlement’s touchstones remain uncchanged. Starting July 1, NCAA schools can share as much as $20.5 million in revenue with their athletes, and former athletes who played between 2016 and 2024 will be paid $2.8 billion in back payments if the settlement is approved.

Each school’s revenue-sharing cap will increase 4% each year during the 10-year agreement.

What is House v. NCAA?

The class-action antitrust lawsuit was filed in 2020 by Arizona State swimmer Grant House and women’s college basketball player Sedona Prince seeking an injunction against the NCAA and the Power Five conferences. It sought to lift restrictions on revenue sharing of media rights revenues.

Powerful antitrust attorneys Steve Berman and Jeffrey Kessler represented the plaintiffs.

If approved by the judge, the settlement would resolve three antitrust lawsuits: Carter v. NCAA, House v. NCAA and Hubbard v. NCAA.

What’s next?

A decision: Judge Claudia WIlken will study the brief and decide whether to grant final approval to the House v. NCAA settlement, which was first introduced in October and has included months of negotiations.

Revenue-sharing formula: Many schools are preparing to mirror the back-payment formula in their revenue-sharing model for the future. That means roughly 75% of future revenue will be shared with football players, 15% to men’s basketball, 5% to women’s basketball and 5% to all remaining sports. Those numbers will differ from school to school, but most power programs have shared similar models with administrators.

CBS Sports has learned one school is preparing to share more than 85% of the $20.5 million pool with football players – a reflection of the percentage of annual revenue the sport generates for its athletics department.

More lawsuits: Concerns over Title IX and antitrust issues will continue after the settlement is approved. However, instead of the NCAA being the target, individual schools may soon become the focus of litigation. Each school will split the revenue pie based on its own formulas, meaning a women’s basketball player may sue a school if they believe they are not receiving their fair share of cash. The same can be said for a football player if their revenue share is lower than that of a rival player at another school.

The White House is set to weigh in: The NCAA has long lobbied Congress to pass legislation protecting the organization and its members from antitrust litigation. Now the White House has zeroed in on college athletics.

President Donald Trump is creating a presidential commission on college athletics to find solutions for “issues ailing the ecosystem,” according to Yahoo! Sports. Trump was considering an executive order to regulate NIL after meeting with former Alabama coach Nick Saban, according to the Wall Street Journal. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the former Auburn coach, also met with Trump last week to discuss college athletics. Steve Berman, a lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the House case, criticized the president’s potential actions, saying that an executive order would lead to more lawsuits.

Sen. Ted Cruz is reportedly drafting a bill that could offer the NCAA limited antitrust protection. It’s not clear how Trump’s plans may affect Cruz’s draft.

New enforcement model: The power conferences are expected to launch soon the College Sports Commission, an enforcement arm to police the settlement among its schools. The new organization effectively replaces the NCAA regarding NIL enforcement, and will monitor NIL deals between players and third parties, and oversee revenue-sharing practices at schools. This new organization will also penalize schools and individuals who break rules.

Who is footing the bill? The NCAA is responsible for 40% of the $2.8 billion settlement, and the remaining 60% will come from reducing its revenue distributions to the 32 Division I conferences over the next 10 years ($1.6 billion). The NCAA is utilizing a formula based on revenue distribution presented to each league over a nine-year period starting in 2016, which leans heavily on basketball units tied to NCAA Tournament participation, according to Yahoo Sports. The Power Five conferences – ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC – will pay 24% of the overall damages, followed by the Group of Five at 10%.The FCS is on the hook for 14% and non-football conferences in Division I will pay 12% of the overall agreement, according to documents reviewed by CBS Sports.

House v. NCAA settlement terms

$20.5 million salary cap for revenue-sharing at each Division I school (starting July 1)
$2.77 billion in back payments to as many as 390,000 athletes who played an NCAA sport between 2016 and 2024.
Outside NIL deals of more than $600 must be vetted by a third-party clearinghouse
NIL deals must meet “fair market value.” How that fair-market value is determined is the subject of intense debate.
Unlimited scholarships with new roster size limits
At least 88,104 of approximately 390,000 athletes have filed back-pay claims, plaintiff attorney Steve Berman said in April. That number was expected to reach 118,879 at the end of April.
343 athletes opted out of the settlement

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Keely Hodgkinson stuns in bikini as fellow athletes brand Team GB Olympic hero 'sexy'

EVEN Keely Hodgkinson’s fellow athletes flooded her with compliments after she stripped down to a bikini for a bath. The Team GB Olympic hero put on a bold display as she dunked herself in a tub of water. 12 Keely Hodgkinson was branded ‘sexy’ by fellow athletesCredit: Instagram 12 She wore a black bikini as […]

Published

2 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

EVEN Keely Hodgkinson’s fellow athletes flooded her with compliments after she stripped down to a bikini for a bath.

The Team GB Olympic hero put on a bold display as she dunked herself in a tub of water.

Woman in a black bikini sitting in a black inflatable hot tub. — Keely Hodgkinson was branded ‘sexy’ by fellow athletesCredit: Instagram

Woman in black bikini entering a hot tub. — She wore a black bikini as she took a dipCredit: Instagram

Keely Hodgkinson wearing sunglasses and a graphic t-shirt. — Hodgkinson also showed off her chic sideCredit: Instagram

Two women hugging at a concert. — She lived her best life on stage at a festivalCredit: Instagram

Hodgkinson, 23, wore a sleek black bikini as she posed for snaps while clutching the sides.

But she made sure to keep her blonde locks away from the splash zone with a blue headband.

In another picture, Hodgkinson showed off her chic side as she donned some fashionable clothes and sunglasses.

While in another snap, the ace posed with a friend behind a DJ booth at a music festival.

Tommy Castellanos files appeal against House-NCAA settlement

According to Steve Berkowitz of the USA TODAY, another notice of appeal has been filed when it comes to the House-NCAA settlement. This one is by Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos, citing the College Football Playoff‘s role in the settlement. “A sixth notice of appeal regarding House-NCAA settlement has been filed,” Berkowitz said via X. […]

Published

3 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

According to Steve Berkowitz of the USA TODAY, another notice of appeal has been filed when it comes to the House-NCAA settlement. This one is by Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos, citing the College Football Playoff‘s role in the settlement.

“A sixth notice of appeal regarding House-NCAA settlement has been filed,” Berkowitz said via X. “This one is on behalf of Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos, whose objections included the College Football Playoff’s role in, and legal coverage from, the settlement.”

Castellanos is entering his first season at Florida State after transferring in from Boston College. Expectations are going to be high for the quarterback, hoping to help the Seminoles have a more successful 2025 season. Pairing him up with offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn could turn into a lethal combo inside the ACC.

During his time with Boston College, Castellanos threw for 3,614 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions over two seasons. Over 1,300 yards on the ground is a huge part of his game too, getting into the endzone on 14 occasions. The dual-threat ability is why Florida State got him out of the NCAA transfer portal but still want the stats look even better for him moving forward.

We will find out pretty quickly how Castellanos will fare at Florida State. The Seminoles will open the year at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide for one of college football’s top nonconference matchups of the season. Some trash-talking has already taken place from Castellanos, appearing quite confident in how FSU will fare in the game.

Tommy Castellanos calls out Alabama ahead of season opener

Kalen DeBoer enters his second season in charge at Alabama. Times have changed in Tuscaloosa, being now over a year removed from Nick Saban announcing his retirement. Three teams were able to get the Crimson Tide in 2024, causing them to miss the College Football Playoff.

Castellanos believes Florida State will be next. He does not see a world where Alabama is able to contain him, especially without their secret weapon on the sidelines.

“I’m excited, man,” Castellanos told On3’s Pete Nakos in an exclusive interview. “People, I don’t know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.”

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Hawai‘i football featured but overlooked in new EA Sports release

EA Sports College Football 26 was released on Monday, marking the second straight year a college football video game was released for next-gen consoles. EA Sports College Football 25 was released in July 2024, marking the first college football video game in 11 years following new rules that allowed players to be compensated for their […]

Published

5 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

As one of 136 FBS programs in 2025, the University of Hawai‘i football team was again featured in the video game. The Rainbow Warriors were given a 74 overall rating as a ream. The UH defense was given a rating of 78, while the offense was given a rating of 69.

Although Hawai‘i began its new Nike deal on July 1, no uniforms for any UH teams have been publicly revealed. However, the game already features Nike uniforms for the Rainbow Warriors.

Hawaii football home uniforms 070725 — Although not unveiled publicly, the University of Hawai‘i football team is already in new Nike uniforms in EA Sports College Football 26. (EA Sports)

A notable absence for UH in EA Sports College Football 25 was its home field at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, with a generic stadium taking its place. In EA Sports College Football 26, the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex and its specifications are squarely in the game.

Clarence T C Ching Athletics Complex 070725 — The University of Hawai‘i’s Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex is in EA Sports College Football 26 after not making the previous edition. (EA Sports)

Hawai‘i’s highest-rated player in the game is senior safety Peter Manuma, who holds a rating of 85. Meanwhile, wide receiver Nick Cenacle is the offense’s highest-rated player at 84.

UCLA transfer Dermaricus Davis is the team’s highest-rated quarterback (79), ahead of presumed starter Micah Alejado, who holds a rating of 74.

Multiple players who have exhausted their UH eligibility are in the game, such as defensive tackle Anthony Sagapolutele and punter Lucas Borrow. Borrow’s appeal for an additional year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA following spring practice. Kicker Caleb Sempebwa, who left the team in the spring, is also on the video game roster.

UH received $9987.52 in NIL money from EA Sports to distribute among its players in 2024. In 2025, players are set to receive $1500 each to have their name, image and likeness appear in the game.

A notable absence in Hawai‘i’s roster in the video game is its Class of 2025 freshman signing class. No incoming true freshman are currently on the team’s EA sports roster.

Other true freshman across the country are featured in the game, such as Campbell alum and current Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who has an overall rating of 78.

The highest-rated player with Hawai‘i ties in EA Sports College Football 26 is Oregon center Iapani Laloulu. The Farrington alumnus was given an overall rating of 90.

As was the case in 2024, not every team had all its real life players in the game, leading to aliases. Repeat UH aliases such as receiver Damon Brazill and free safety Matthew Sherels are on the Rainbow Warrior roster in EA Sports College Football 26. As was the case last year, the roster will be updated throughout the season, with more current players set to be featured in the game.

For the first time, coaches and coordinators are also featured in the game. UH head coach Timmy Chang and offensive coordinator Anthony Arceneaux are in the game, while defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman is under the alias Jacob Johnson.

Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.

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UCF's Nil Go Compliance CHALLENGES Other Programs

NIL rules shake up college sports landscape. UCF Knights face major changes as NIL Go clearinghouse takes center stage. Host Mike G and guest Andrew Gluco break dow Author: kvue.com Published: 11:34 PM CDT July 7, 2025 Updated: 11:34 PM CDT July 7, 2025 0

Published

6 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

UCF's Nil Go Compliance CHALLENGES Other Programs

NIL rules shake up college sports landscape. UCF Knights face major changes as NIL Go clearinghouse takes center stage.

Host Mike G and guest Andrew Gluco break dow

NIL

Top 100 ranked players in EA Sports College Football 26

College football fans received early access to EA Sports College Football 26 on Monday, with the video game’s official release set for Thursday. The game returned last summer for the first time in more than a decade. Electronic Arts has now brought the game back for a second consecutive year. Among the changes from last year’s game is […]

Published

6 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

College football fans received early access to EA Sports College Football 26 on Monday, with the video game’s official release set for Thursday. The game returned last summer for the first time in more than a decade.

Electronic Arts has now brought the game back for a second consecutive year. Among the changes from last year’s game is an updated Road to Glory, coaches are now in the game and a revamped gameday experience, on top of tweaks to Dynasty Mode.

And for the second time in EA Sports College Football’s history, athletes are being compensated for having their name, image and likeness. That also means on-field performances are being factored into the player ratings update for the first time. EA released the top-100 ranked players in EA Sports College Football 2026. Here’s the full breakdown:

1. Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith – 98 overall
The top-ranked player in this year’s video game, Jeremiah Smith, emerged as one of the top players in college football as a true freshman in 2024. He showed out on the big stage, too, finishing the season with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging over 17 yards per catch. Smith capped off his standout year with a game-clinching, 3rd-down catch against Notre Dame in the national title game.

2. Ohio State S Caleb Downs – 96 overall
Viewed as one of the best defensive players in college football and a possible No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Caleb Downs finished his first season at Ohio State with 107 tackles, three pass deflections and two interceptions. A former Alabama transfer and SEC Freshman of the Year, Downs did not miss a beat in his first year at Ohio State, earning unanimous All-America honors.

3. Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. – 95 overall
The top returning linebacker in college football is Anthony Hill Jr. The third-year linebacker has played in 30 games with 22 starts, registered three double-digit tackle performances last year, finishing 2024 with 113 tackles, eight sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception. He will anchor a defense that will look to push Texas over the top in its hunt for a national title.

4. Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love – 95 overall
Self-described as an “all-around back,” Jeremiyah Love rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024. That included a 98-yard touchdown run in the first round of the College Football Playoff in December while dealing with the flu. Love is already appearing in way-too-early 2026 NFL mock drafts as a first-round pick. The 6-foot, 206-pound running back flashed his versatility throughout 2024, pulling in 28 catches for 237 yards.

5. Alabama WR Ryan Williams – 95 overall
Ryan Williams didn’t turn 18 until after the college football season, but his age did not impact what he was able to do on the field. The former five-star recruit closed out the 2024 season with 48 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown against Georgia. He’s on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26 with Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith

6. Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker – 95 overall
T.J. Parker’s 12 sacks in 2024 lead all returning Power Four EDGEs. He’s also just one of three EDGEs returning who posted an 80.0-plus PFF grade as a pass rusher and run defender. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Parker is projected as a top-10 NFL draft pick entering the season.

7. South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart – 94 overall
Dylan Stewart was no secret on the recruiting trail. With a 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame, it was clear that the Five-Star Plus+ recruit was built to wreak havoc on Saturdays in college football. Last season at South Carolina, Stewart posted 6.5 sacks, falling just shy of Jadeveon Clowney’s freshman record of eight. This offseason, Stewart is up six pounds and now weighs 256. A source said that the EDGE has also ripped off 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

8. Tennessee DB Jermod McCoy – 94 overall
Still recovering from an ACL injury, Jermod McCoy came up big for Tennessee on its run to the College Football Playoff. McCoy logged four interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2024. He tied for the SEC lead in interceptions, too. His 13 passes defended were the most by a Volunteer since Theo Jackson also had 13 in 2021.

9. Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson – 94 overall
Arguably, the top returning quarterback-wide receiver duo in college football is Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound wide receiver evolved into Leavitt’s top target during last year’s run. But Tyson was not available in the Big 12 title game or CFP loss, dealing with a collarbone injury. He finished the season with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns.

10. Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor – 94 overall
Viewed as one of the top offensive tackles on the board for the 2026 NFL draft, Kadyn Proctor has had an eventful college career. Proctor spurned Iowa as a high school recruit, picking Alabama. But after just a year with the Crimson Tide, he entered the portal and transferred to Iowa. That only lasted a few months, as he headed back to Tuscaloosa in the spring of 2024. He earned second-team All-SEC honors last year

11. Clemson DL Peter Woods – 94 overall
12. Utah OL Spencer Fano – 94 overall
13. Texas A&M OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams – 93 overall
14. Duke CB Chandler Rivers – 93 overall
15. Texas EDGE Colin Simmons – 93 overall
16. Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey – 93 overall
17. Oregon S Dillon Thieneman – 93 overall
18. Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers – 93 overall
19. Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt – 93 overall
20. Miami OL Francis Mauigoa – 93 overall

21. Louisville RB Isaac Brown – 93 overall
22. Washington RB Jonah Coleman – 93 overall
23. Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk – 93 overall
24. Pitt LB Kyle Louis – 93 overall
25. Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore – 93 overall
26. Penn State RB Nick Singleton – 93 overall
27. Ole Miss EDGE Suntarine Perkins – 93 overall
28. Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy – 92 overall
29. Kansas State LB Austin Romaine – 92 overall
30. Clemson CB Avieon Terrell – 92 overall

31. Clemson OT Blake Miller – 92 overall
32. Duke OT Brian Parker II – 92 overall
33. TCU S Bud Clark – 92 overall
34. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik – 92 overall
35. Missouri OL Cayden Green – 92 overall
36. Georgia DL Christen Miller – 92 overall
37. Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds – 92 overall
38. Penn State EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton – 92 overall
39. Cincinnati DL Dontay Corleone – 92 overall
40. Drew Allar – 92 overall

41. Auburn WR Eric Singleton Jr. – 92 overall
42. Georgia Tech WR Eric Rivers – 92 overall
43. Arkansas OL Fernando Carmona – 92 overall
44. Illinois LB Gabe Jacas – 92 overall
45. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier – 92 overall
46. Alabama OL Jaeden Roberts – 92 overall
47. Florida OL Jake Slaughter – 92 overall
48. Colorado OL Jordan Seaton – 92 overall
49. Penn State RB Kaytron Allen – 92 overall
50. Oregon RB Makhi Hughes – 92 overall

51. Texas CB Malik Muhammad – 92 overall
52. Indiana DL Mikail Kamara – 92 overall
53. Penn State OL Vega Ioane – 92 overall
54. Michigan S Rod Moore – 92 overall
55. Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. – 92 overall
56. Houston TE Tanner Koziol – 92 overall
57. Duke S Terry Moore – 92 overall
58. Alabama DL Tim Keenan III – 92 overall
59. Penn State CB A.J. Harris – 91 overall
60. Notre Dame OL Aamil Wagner – 91 overall

61. Iowa DL Aaron Graves – 91 overall
62. Oregon State RB Anthony Hankerson – 91 overall
63. LSU CB Ashton Stamps – 91 overall
64. Alabama S Bray Hubbard – 91 overall
65. Georgia LB C.J. Allen – 91 overall
66. Northwestern OL Caleb Tiernan – 91 overall
67. Ohio State WR Carnell Tate – 91 overall
68. Miami QB Carson Beck – 91 overall
69. Minnesota RB Darius Taylor – 91 overall
70. Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne – 91 overall

71. Washington WR Denzel Boston – 91 overall
72. Alabama LB Deontae Lawson – 91 overall
73. Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore – 91 overall
74. Pitt RB Desmond Reid – 91 overall
75. Iowa OL Gennings Dunker – 91 overall
76. Michigan OL Giovanni El-Hadi – 91 overall
77. LSU LB Harold Perkins – 91 overall
78. SMU S Isaiah Nwokobia – 91 overall
79. Oregon OL Isaiah World – 91 overall
80. Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez – 91 overall

81. Missouri S Jalen Catalon – 91 overall
82. Old Dominion LB Jason Henderson – 91 overall
83. Iowa State S Jeremiah Cooper – 91 overall
84. Oklahoma QB John Mateer – 91 overall
85. Kentucky OL Joshua Braun – 91 overall
86. Georgia S KJ Bolden – 91 overall
87. Minnesota S Koi Perich – 91 overall
88. South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers – 91 overall
89. Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields – 91 overall
90. Oregon EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei – 91 overall

91. Ohio State TE Max Klare – 91 overall
92. Texas S Michael Taafe – 91 overall
93. Alabama OL Parker Brailsford – 91 overall
94. Texas RB Quintrevion Wisner – 91 overall
95. Michigan DL Rayshaun Benny – 91 overall
96. Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt – 91 overall
97. Washington CB Tacario Davis – 91 overall
98. Virginia Tech OL Tomas Rimac – 91 overall
99. San Diego State EDGE Trey White – 91 overall
100. Arizona State S Xavion Alford – 91 overall

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SB | Sam Buckley Checks in at #98 in the Inaugural D1Softabll Mid-Major D100 Player Rankings

Story Links MORAGA, Calif. — Due to an increasing interest in Division I Mid-Major Softball, D1Softball.com has released their first ever “D100” Mid-Major Softball player rankings following the 2025 season. Checking in on the list at #98 is a familiar face to Gael fans, sophomore third baseman Sam Buckley. Buckley was one […]

Published

7 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MORAGA, Calif. — Due to an increasing interest in Division I Mid-Major Softball, D1Softball.com has released their first ever “D100” Mid-Major Softball player rankings following the 2025 season. Checking in on the list at #98 is a familiar face to Gael fans, sophomore third baseman Sam Buckley. Buckley was one of just two WCC Players to make the list, joining reigning WCC Player of the Year Cairah Curran of Santa Clara, who checked in at #94.

After arguably one of the best freshmen seasons in program history in 2024, Sam Buckley’s encore performance in 2025 was all the more spectacular. The Burbank, California native set new single season records for home runs (14), runs scored (47) and RBI (41), and became just the fourth Gael in program history to finish a season with a batting average better than 0.400. Buckley led the WCC in on-base percentage (0.523), slugging percentage (0.818) and OPS (1.341), and committed just two errors at the hot corner all season.

The Gaels faced off with many players on this list, including Aaliyah Jenkins (Nevada, #4), Sophia Knight (Boise State, #12), and Makenzie Butt (Boise State, #18). There’s no question that the level of softball continues to grow at the mid-major level, and the Gaels are no exception, now back-to-back WCC champs, and looking for more in 2026, charged by Sam Buckley and company.

#GaelsRise

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