NIL
5-Star Recruit Takes Big Pay Cut To NOT Play In Lubbock, Texas

Audio By Carbonatix
Texas Tech supposedly has the most money in college football right now— oil money. However, Cooper Hackett would rather take a pay cut to play at Oklahoma.
He flipped his commitment from the Red Raiders to the Sooners less than one month after committing to the former over the latter.
This could mark the beginning of an interesting trend within college football. The pendulum might start to swing back toward development instead of finances.
Who is Cooper Hackett?
At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, Cooper Hackett ranks as one of the 10 best players in the college football recruiting Class of 2027. He is the No. 2-ranked offensive tackle and the top-ranked player in the state of Oklahoma.
The five-star prospect has 13 scholarship offers from programs like Auburn, Notre Dame, Florida, Ohio State and Arkansas. That list will only continue to grow over the next 12 months. There is still a very long way to go in his recruitment. Hackett will not have to sign until at least December of next year.
Thus, his current commitment does not really mean anything.
It is very possible that he could stay true to his word. It is just as possible that he could change his mind 10+ times before the Early Signing Period and/or National Signing Day. We’ll see.
Either way, Hackett made a big statement on Thursday.
Oklahoma did NOT out-bid Texas Tech.
It is not a secret that money is the biggest driving force in this modern era of recruiting.
College football programs that can offer the most zeros on a check typically land the most commitments. The first thing a recruit wants to know is how much he is going to make at a specific program.
That is the reality, whether you like it or not.
Cooper Hackett is bucking that trend. He flipped his commitment from Texas Tech to Oklahoma and it was not because the Sooners offered him more money. Rather, the opposite.
The Red Raiders actually offered him a “good chunk” more money but development was more important.
“If I’m in the NFL which is what I want to do overall, that money is not going to matter and I’m going to bet on myself a good amount of the time and that’s what I’m doing,” Hackett told Steve Wiltfong.
Oklahoma offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh produced three different tackles who are currently making seven figures in the NFL: Orlando Brown Jr., Tyler Guyton and Anton Harrison. Soon to be four with Michael Fasusi.
Hackett chose his future over the present… for now. We’ll see if he sticks.
NIL
College football team loses starting QB to NCAA transfer portal
In its first year under head coach Scott Abell, Rice finished the 2025 season 5–7 overall (2–6 in the American Conference) but still earned an Armed Forces Bowl invite, where it will face Texas State (6–6) on January 2 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Across 12 games in 2025, Jenkins completed 119 of 172 passes (69.2%) for 1,025 yards with nine touchdowns against two interceptions, while also carrying the ball 151 times for 531 yards and five scores.
That momentum may be short-lived, however, as Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett reported on Saturday that Jenkins plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, adding another domino to an already loaded quarterback transfer market.
A Houston, Texas product who signed with Rice in February 2023, Jenkins worked his way into the program as a multi-role quarterback/athlete, appearing in limited action early in his career before being named the 2025 starter.
In his first full year as the starting quarterback, Jenkins earned American Conference All-Academic recognition.
Prior to signing with Rice, he starred at Alief Taylor (Houston), where he threw for 4,735 yards and 46 touchdowns against just six interceptions in 22 varsity games and earned All-District 23-6A honors as a junior.
Jenkins was 247Sports’ No. 93 quarterback in the 2023 class, committing to Rice over offers from Alcorn State, East Texas A&M, Jackson State, and Lamar.

With a 69.1% career completion rate and proven mobility, Jenkins profiles as a strong fit for spread-option or run-oriented Group-of-Five offenses that prioritize efficiency and quarterback movement.
He could appeal to programs seeking an experienced starter while also offering value as depth at the Power-Five level, with his Texas roots strengthening his regional appeal.
Some notable programs that have reportedly shown interest in adding a quarterback through the transfer portal include Florida State, Clemson, North Texas, TCU, Virginia Tech, and Cincinnati.
Read More at College Football HQ
- $2.4 million QB emerges as transfer portal candidate for SEC program
- Major college football program ‘expected to hire’ 66-year-old head coach
- College Football Playoff team loses player to transfer portal
- College Football Playoff team loses starting QB to transfer portal
NIL
$2.4 million QB connected to major college football program in transfer portal
Cincinnati closed the 2025 season at 7–5 (5–4 Big 12) and will face Navy in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on January 2, marking the Bearcats’ first bowl appearance since joining the Big 12 and since head coach Scott Satterfield took over in 2023.
Cincinnati rattled off seven straight wins midseason but dropped its final four games to close the regular slate before receiving the bowl invitation.
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby started 12 games for Cincinnati in 2025 and finished with 2,800 passing yards, 27 passing TDs, and five interceptions (61.6% completion, 155.15 passer rating), adding 100 carries for 580 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
A Denton/Lake Dallas (Texas) product, Sorsby was a three-star recruit who signed with Indiana (redshirted 2022, started in 2023) before transferring to Cincinnati in 2024.
However, Sorsby notified Cincinnati and publicly confirmed on December 15 that he will test the transfer portal while awaiting an NFL draft grade.
Since then, multiple programs have reportedly shown interest, with some NIL offers rumored to approach $5 million, a figure that would rank among the highest in college football.
On3’s NIL tracker currently values Sorsby at approximately $2.4 million, placing him among the higher-valued quarterbacks in the college game.
On Friday, Fox Sports’ Laken Litman included Oregon among the programs expected to pursue a quarterback through the transfer portal and identified Sorsby as a “top quarterback from the portal,” along with Texas Tech, Indiana, and Oklahoma.

Oregon’s starter, Dante Moore, is widely regarded as a likely high NFL Draft selection and has not publicly committed to returning, stating that he has yet to make a final decision.
With a young and largely unproven group of quarterbacks behind him on the depth chart, speculation has been that Dan Lanning and his staff could pursue a transfer portal quarterback should Moore declare.
If Moore declares for the draft, Oregon would likely seek an experienced, pro-ready signal-caller capable of operating a tempo-based offense while sustaining recruiting and NIL momentum.
Sorsby’s size (6’3″, 235 pounds), proven starter experience, marketplace value, and dual-threat rushing ability, a trait Oregon has used successfully, would make him an immediate candidate.
Read More at College Football HQ
- No. 1 college football team linked to 1,700-yard RB in transfer portal
- Top 3 transfer portal landing spots for 4,000-yard quarterback Drew Mestemaker
- College football team loses starting QB to NCAA transfer portal
- Major college football program surges as candidate for 4,000-yard QB
NIL
Damon Wilson seeks denial for arbitration in NIL dispute with Georgia
Updated Dec. 28, 2025, 1:33 p.m. ET
Former Georgia football defensive end Damon Wilson is asking an Athens-Clarke County Superior Court judge to deny Georgia athletics’ attempt to go to arbitration on what it contends is Wilson breaking an NIL contract when he entered the transfer portal.
Georgia sued Wilson, seeking $390,000 in liquidated damages after he agreed to an NIL deal with Classic City Collective and transferred weeks later. He played this season at Missouri where he was second-team All-SEC.
NIL
Kyle Whittingham reveals if he had any hesitation on Michigan with controversy, investigation around program
Michigan has been in hot water the past few years. In 2023, the football program was exposed for participating in an illegal sign-stealing scheme. This year, the school fired head coach Sherrone Moore after he was charged with felony third-degree home invasion and two misdemeanors.
Now, the school is thoroughly investigating its entire football program for any other signs of misconduct. Nonetheless, the program is seemingly heading in a new direction after hiring Kyle Whittingham to be its next head coach.
Whittingham is a well-respected figure in the college football community and was Utah‘s head coach from 2005-25. During his introductory press conference on Sunday, Whittingham revealed whether he hesitated to join the Wolverines due to the controversy surrounding Michigan.
“I didn’t have any hesitation. There’s some issues, missteps that are being taken care of, but the key is the players are solid,” Whittingham said. “The players here are rock-solid. None of those issues, none of those things that we’re dealing with involve the players. And to their credit, they just kept grinding and kept after it.
“I’m so impressed with that because there was a lot of distractions and a lot of adversity, I guess you can say. But, I got no doubt that everything’s going to be handled properly. We’ll see. I’m not knowledgeable enough and privy enough to exactly what’s going on in the details, but I’ve got full confidence that we’ll come out of this just fine.”
Michigan doesn’t have a talent problem. The team posted a 9-3 record in the regular season, including a 7-2 mark in conference play. The Wolverines are expected to return several key players as well, most notably quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Underwood is a freshman this season, but started in all 12 of Michigan’s regular-season games. While Underwood didn’t regularly dominate opponents, he showed promising flashes and will be pivotal to Michigan’s future success.
Kyle Whittingham isn’t allowing any administrative measures to affect his relationships with Michigan’s players. After all, he knows those relationships will be the key to a successful first year in Ann Arbor.
“My culture is going to be with the players. What I’m concerned with is the players,” Whittingham said. “I certainly know the general gist of what transpired, in this series of, I guess we’ll call them unfortunate events, but not really fazing me.
“The players are a great group of kids. They’re hungry. They got a lot of want-to in them and that’s where my focus is. I focus on coaching the team, and everything else be handled in due time and in due process.”
NIL
Kyle Whittingham introduced as Michigan football coach
Updated Dec. 28, 2025, 11:53 a.m. ET
Highlights from the press conference Sunday to introduce Kyle Whittingham as Michigan’s new head football coach:
➤On how someone from the outside will reset the culture: “My culture is going to be with the players.” Whittingham said he knows the “gist” of what transpired in the investigation and firing of former head coach Sherrone Moore, but says his focus is on the players and hopes the university and program will handle the rest.
➤On his conversation with starting quarterback Bryce Underwood: “Quarterbacks have to have that ‘it’ factor, and he has that ‘it’ factor.” Believes that Underwood has potential and can’t wait to work with him.
➤On if his 21 years at Utah prepared him for a top-five job in college football: “Well, I hope so. I definitely learned a lot, it was my first head coaching job. … I don’t care how much you think you’re ready.” Notes how the transfer portal, NIL, etc. have changed the college football landscape, but hopes his lessons have prepared him to be fully equipped for this position.
➤On if he was treated fairly in his final years at Utah: Again states it was his decision to step down at Utah, gives praise to the administration in Utah for being supportive throughout the years. Talks about the community, the sellouts, says it was an enjoyable ride in Salt Lake City.
➤On what he’ll do during the week with the team during their bowl game prep: Currently wants to stay out of the way during the bowl week, has already talked to a few players such as Bryce Underwood and a few coaches, but won’t be hands-on.
➤On expectations: Believes in the 10-win mark, Big Ten championship, and College Football Playoff as expectations during his tenure as head coach.
➤On the type of culture he wants to build: “Family culture, without a doubt.” Whittingham said he wants to build a culture where no one is above the team, and where everyone buys in. Believes in the challenge of roster turnover that other programs face, but wants to retain players currently in the program.
➤On bringing in new staff: “You gotta bring in guys that you’re familiar with that you trust.” Whittingham said he’s talked with Urban Meyer, said there will be a few faces in the current staff that will stay but highly anticipates there will be new guys on staff.
➤On how he’ll use the resources to build and recruit his rosters: “We got excellent resources here.” Talks about the brand and the NIL opportunities that come with being a part of the Michigan brand.
➤On the opportunity to become Michigan head coach after stepping down as Utah’s head coach: Said he didn’t expect the job to open up. Already committed to stepping down as Utah’s head coach a day before the Michigan job became available.
➤What fans can expect from his teams: “Our team will fall in line to what Michigan is used to.” He said he used to watch old Michigan vs. Ohio State games, mostly the battles between Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes, wants his teams to show physicality during games.
➤On why he took the job: “It’s obvious, it’s Michigan,” saying it’s one of the top five jobs in the country in terms of college football. States that he wants to retain players currently on the roster and those coming in for their first season.
➤Opening statement: “I can say, without question, what an honor and privilege it is to be the head coach of this program.” Noted that he stepped down from his position in Utah two weeks ago, did not know if he was done coaching, but decided to take the Michigan job.
➤Warde Manuel leads with an opening statement, giving a summary of Kyle Whittingham’s record and success at Utah in his 21 seasons as head coach, highlighting Whittingham’s players in their play on the field and the graduation rate. Manuel noted that Whittingham’s high character came through during multiple conversations through the hiring process.
Press conference preview
Kyle Whittingham is set to be introduced as Michigan’s new head football coach during a press conference on Sunday at 11 a.m.
The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The Wolverines are in Orlando for the Citrus Bowl, and they will face Texas on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Camping World Stadium.
Whittingham comes to Michigan after serving as head football coach at Utah for 21 seasons, compiling a 177-88 overall record.
Detroit News contributor Kameron Goodwill will provide live updates throughout Sunday’s press conference.
Kyle Whittingham record
Head coaching record: Utah, 2005-2025, 177-88 overall, including 11-6 in bowl games.
Championships: One Mountain West title (2008), two Pac-12 titles (2021, 2022), four Pac-12 division titles (2015, 2018, 2019, 2021).
Awards: AFCA Coach of the Year (2008), Bear Bryant Award (2008), Mountain West Coach of the Year (2008), Bobby Dodd Award (2019), Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2019, 2021).
Playing career: Whittingham earned undergraduate (1984) and graduate (1987) degrees from BYU. He was a linebacker for the Cougars from 1978-81, earning first-team All-WAC and WAC Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1981.
NIL
The Clemson Insider
CLEMSON — From time to time, we have heard Dabo Swinney say, “the proof is in the pudding.”
During Clemson’s run from 2015-’20 in the College Football Playoff, there was plenty of proof of Clemson having an elite football program. The argument was strong — 79 wins, 6 ACC Championships, 6 College Football Playoff appearances, 4 National Championship Game appearances and 2 National Championships.
However, the same argument can now be made that the Clemson Football program is no longer an elite program. And like Swinney says, “the proof is in the pudding.”
Since 2021, the Clemson Football Program has 47 wins, 2 ACC Championships and 1 CFP appearance and that is it.
Now, it is probably not fair to expect the Tigers to play for a national championship in each of the last five years like it did from 2015-’19. However, it is fair to expect the program to compete for one, and right now that is not really happening. And Dabo Swinney knows it.
You could see the look of despair on his face following Saturday’s embarrassing performance to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl. A game in which the Tigers did not look like a competent football team.
There was miscommunication. There was questionable play calling on both sides of the ball. There was a lack of execution. There were a lot of things that went wrong.
It was a disaster.
And yes, Clemson was playing without a lot of players, but so was Penn State, and the Nittany Lions were coached by an interim head coach, plus a staff full of coaches who were leaving for other programs after the game. And Penn State looked way more competent as a football team and program.
Do you want to know why Penn State dominated the Tigers in the second half of Saturday’s game at Yankee Stadium in New York, N.Y.? It had better depth than Clemson.
Why is that true?
Because Penn State, despite their struggles this season, has invested more in trying to build its roster through the transfer portal and NIL, way more than Clemson has at least.
And, as Swinney says, “the proof is in the pudding.”
When comparing the Clemson program in the pre-NIL-and-transfer-portal era to the current era, there is no comparison. The Tigers won 91.5 percent of their games in the previous five-year stretch. In the last five years since the transfer-portal and NIL took over college athletics, Clemson has won 70.1 percent of its games.
However, in the previous five-year stretch, when playing the top programs in college football, the Tigers were 14-4 (.778). In the last five seasons, they are 1-8 (.125), and that is the most telling part of all of this.
I can keep going. Clemson was 38-3 (.927) in ACC play from 2016-’20, and in the last five seasons, 29-11 (.723) which includes two 4-4 campaigns and two consecutive losses to Duke. If Duke had lost to Clemson in men’s basketball in consecutive games, I can promise you Jon Scheyer would be on the hot seat in Durham.
Guess what? After Saturday’s disappointing loss, which wrapped up an extremely disappointing season, the seat that Dabo Swinney has sat on for so long at Clemson is hot. If he does not get things turned around soon, it’s going to be too hot for him to sit on.
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