NIL
Federal judge approves $2.8B settlement, paving way for US colleges to pay athletes millions
(AP) – A federal judge signed off on arguably the biggest change in the history of college sports on Friday, clearing the way for schools to begin paying their athletes millions of dollars as soon as next month as the multibillion-dollar industry shreds the last vestiges of the amateur model that defined it for more […]
(AP) – A federal judge signed off on arguably the biggest change in the history of college sports on Friday, clearing the way for schools to begin paying their athletes millions of dollars as soon as next month as the multibillion-dollar industry shreds the last vestiges of the amateur model that defined it for more than a century.
Nearly five years after Arizona State swimmer Grant House sued the NCAA and its five biggest conferences to lift restrictions on revenue sharing, U.S. Judge Claudia Wilken approved the final proposal that had been hung up on roster limits, just one of many changes ahead amid concerns that thousands of walk-on athletes will lose their chance to play college sports.

The sweeping terms of the so-called House settlement include approval for each school to share up to $20.5 million with athletes over the next year and $2.7 billion that will be paid over the next decade to thousands of former players who were barred from that revenue for years.
The agreement brings a seismic shift to hundreds of schools that were forced to reckon with the reality that their players are the ones producing the billions in TV and other revenue, mostly through football and basketball, that keep this machine humming.
The scope of the changes — some have already begun — is difficult to overstate. The professionalization of college athletics will be seen in the high-stakes and expensive recruitment of stars on their way to the NFL and NBA, and they will be felt by athletes whose schools have decided to pare their programs. The agreement will resonate in nearly every one of the NCAA’s 1,100 member schools boasting nearly 500,000 athletes.
The road to a settlement
Wilken’s ruling comes 11 years after she dealt the first significant blow to the NCAA ideal of amateurism when she ruled in favor of former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon and others who were seeking a way to earn money from the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL) — a term that is now as common in college sports as “March Madness” or “Roll Tide.” It was just four years ago that the NCAA cleared the way for NIL money to start flowing, but the changes coming are even bigger.
Wilken granted preliminary approval to the settlement last October. That sent colleges scurrying to determine not only how they were going to afford the payments, but how to regulate an industry that also allows players to cut deals with third parties so long as they are deemed compliant by a newly formed enforcement group that will be run by auditors at Deloitte.
The agreement takes a big chunk of oversight away from the NCAA and puts it in the hands of the four biggest conferences. The ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC hold most of the power and decision-making heft, especially when it comes to the College Football Playoff, which is the most significant financial driver in the industry and is not under the NCAA umbrella like the March Madness tournaments are.
Winners and losers
The list of winners and losers is long and, in some cases, hard to tease out.
A rough guide of winners would include football and basketball stars at the biggest schools, which will devote much of their bankroll to signing and retaining them. For instance, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood’s NIL deal is reportedly worth between $10.5 million and $12 million.
Losers will be the walk-ons and partial scholarship athletes whose spots are gone. One of the adjustments made at Wilken’s behest was to give those athletes a chance to return to the schools that cut them in anticipation of the deal going through.
Also in limbo are Olympic sports many of those athletes play and that serve as the main pipeline for a U.S. team that has won the most medals at every Olympics since the downfall of the Soviet Union.
All this is a price worth paying, according to the attorneys who crafted the settlement and argue they delivered exactly what they were asked for: an attempt to put more money in the pockets of the players whose sweat and toil keep people watching from the start of football season through March Madness and the College World Series in June.
What the settlement does not solve is the threat of further litigation.
Though this deal brings some uniformity to the rules, states still have separate laws regarding how NIL can be doled out, which could lead to legal challenges. NCAA President Charlie Baker has been consistent in pushing for federal legislation that would put college sports under one rulebook and, if he has his way, provide some form of antitrust protection to prevent the new model from being disrupted again.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
NIL
The 247Sports 30under30 for 2025
Who are the top young coaches and staffers in college football ahead of the 2025 season? It’s a question 247Sports attempts to answer annually with its 30Under30 list, which is in its ninth iteration. The initial 2017 list included several future head coaches (Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State; Scotty Walden, UTEP; Jeff Faris, Austin Peay), a few powerhouse coordinators (Glenn […]

Who are the top young coaches and staffers in college football ahead of the 2025 season?
It’s a question 247Sports attempts to answer annually with its 30Under30 list, which is in its ninth iteration. The initial 2017 list included several future head coaches (Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State; Scotty Walden, UTEP; Jeff Faris, Austin Peay), a few powerhouse coordinators (Glenn Schumann, Georgia; Tino Sunseri, UCLA; Nick Sheridan, Alabama, Collin Klein, Texas A&M), an SEC general manager (Jacob LaFrance, Florida) and even an athletic director (Fernando Lovo, New Mexico).
Those are the type of future stars 247Sports aims to identify annually.
The list has changed considerably over the years. For example, one of the list’s original originators, Barton Simmons, is now well into his tenure as the general manager at Vanderbilt. But the process is the same: Surveying dozens and dozens of contacts across the industry to find the best sub-age-30 coaches and staffers in college football.
Given that the sport continues to trend younger and young — there are nearly 100 on-field FBS coaches under the age of 30 this season — the list is harder than it’s ever been to narrow down. So, for the third season in a row, 247Sports is identifying 30 new names while also highlighting every returning 30Under30 class member who remains under 30 at the end of the story.
Additionally, given the volume of high-quality coaches and staffers across the country, 247Sports is also highlighting some sub-30 analysts, GAs and personnel staffers who have garnered strong feedback and bear watching moving forward.
Got it? Let’s get started.
Note: All names are listed in alphabetical order
Bryson Allen-Williams, Quality Control Coordinator, Georgia (28)
Known as a stellar off-field recruiter and a dynamic young coach, Allen-Williams draws a lot of praise across the industry in terms of his future. Allen-Williams joined the Georgia staff this offseason after spending two years as a grad assistant USC, where he helped the Trojans make major inroads in Georgia as a recruiter. Allen-Williams gets a lot of hands-on-work with Georgia’s inside linebackers, especially with Schumann often walking around and observing the whole defense. Allen-Williams, a former top 100 recruit in the 2014 class for South Carolina, is viewed as a very fast riser in the space. Said one source of him: “He’s a dude!!!”
Josh Bringuel, Linebackers Coach, Arizona (27)
A disciple of Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White, Bringuel’s made a fast climb up the ranks since graduating from San Diego State in 2020. He worked under White as a GA with Syracuse in 2021 and 2022 before following him to Nebraska, where he was assistant LB coach. White initially brought Bringuel with him to FSU this offseason before the Wildcats hired him in March. Said a source on Bringuel: “His knowledge for the game is next level. Will be a coordinator one day.”
NIL
Texas Tech running back Quinten Joyner suffers season
Texas Tech RB Quinten Joyner suffered a season-ending knee injury in a weekend scrimmage The USC transfer was part of a top-rated Texas Tech transfer class Texas Tech is the No. 24 team in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll and is among the favorites to win the Big 12 Two weeks before its 2025 […]


- Texas Tech RB Quinten Joyner suffered a season-ending knee injury in a weekend scrimmage
- The USC transfer was part of a top-rated Texas Tech transfer class
- Texas Tech is the No. 24 team in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll and is among the favorites to win the Big 12
Two weeks before its 2025 season opener, Texas Tech football has lost a player who was expected to be one of its top offensive players.
Red Raiders sophomore running back Quintaelyn “Quinten” Joyner, a USC transfer, will miss the season due to a knee injury he suffered on Aug. 16 during the team’s second preseason scrimmage, the university confirmed to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, a part of the USA TODAY Network, on Aug. 18.
Last season at USC, Joyner rushed for 478 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry. He was rated by 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 145 overall player and the No. 9 running back in the transfer portal last offseason.
Joyner entered fall training camp atop the team’s depth chart at running back. While he’s sidelined, the No. 24 Red Raiders will turn to sophomores J’Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey. Last season, Williams and Dickey each had 41 carries, with Williams rushing for 236 yards and two touchdowns and Dickey running for 225 yards and one touchdown. Williams rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries in the team’s Liberty Bowl loss to Arkansas.
An Austin, Texas native, Joyner was a part of a 22-player Texas Tech transfer class that 247Sports ranked second among all FBS programs, behind only LSU. Joyner was one of 13 players in the class rated as a four-star transfer.
The Red Raiders have enjoyed a sharp rise in spending on name, image and likeness deals for athletes in recent years, buoyed largely by mega-donors Cody Campbell and John Sellers, the co-founders of the school’s Matador Club collective.
Softball pitcher NiJaree Canady transferred to the school from Stanford and earned a record-setting seven-figure deal before leading Texas Tech to the championship series of the Women’s College World Series. All-American men’s basketball forward JT Toppin was lured back to the school with a deal worth more than $3 million. In all, Red Raiders athletes will reportedly earn a combined $55 million during the 2025-26 academic year.
Texas Tech opens its 2025 season on August 30 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Though the league didn’t conduct an official preseason poll, the Red Raiders are widely viewed as one of the favorites to win the Big 12 and earn an automatic berth to the College Football Playoff.
NIL
South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers signs NIL deal with Rhoback, Gamecocks fans get special offer
On Sunday night, activewear company Rhoback and South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers announced a NIL apparel deal. Sellers, a redshirt sophomore from Florence, S.C., is the latest college football player to partner with Rhoback, joining Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed and Penn State running back Nick Singleton. Support LaNorris Sellers’ […]

On Sunday night, activewear company Rhoback and South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers announced a NIL apparel deal.
Sellers, a redshirt sophomore from Florence, S.C., is the latest college football player to partner with Rhoback, joining Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed and Penn State running back Nick Singleton.
Support LaNorris Sellers’ partnership with Rhoback
“LaNorris brings a unique spark to everything he touches, and we knew from the start he’d be a perfect fit for Rhoback,” Rhoback spokesperson Shalen Moore said in a statement announcing the deal with Sellers. “He’s a natural leader, a competitor, and someone who’s building momentum fast. We’re excited to welcome him to the family and to help bring his story and style to life through this partnership.”
Last season, Sellers was named SEC Freshman of the Year after finishing with a pair of 300-yard passing games and two 100-yard rushing performances. He was voted as a Rex Enright team captain, the first freshman in school history to earn that award.
Sellers was the Steve Wadiak Team MVP and shared the Steve Spurrier MVP (offense) with running back Raheim Sanders.
“Joining Rhoback is a big-time move for me. The energy around the brand is real, and it’s something I’ve noticed for a while,” Sellers said. “Their gear is next level — whether it’s training, game day, or just everyday comfort. I’m hyped to be part of what they’re building and to rep it with pride. We’ve got some creative stuff coming that I think my people are going to really mess with. This isn’t just a collab — it’s a full partnership.”
In 12 games last season, Sellers completed 196-of-299 passes for 2,534 yards with 18 touchdowns. He finished second on the team in rushing with 166 carries for 674 yards and seven touchdowns.
Rhoback offers a variety of apparel for both men and women, including polos, quarter-zips, hoodies, t-shirts, vests, shorts, joggers, and hats. South Carolina fans can support Sellers and Rhoback U right here by placing an order through Rhoback.
NIL
Mark Murphy excited for his new role helping UW-Green Bay Phoenix fundraise for athletics
GREEN BAY (WLUK) — The retirement of former Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy didn’t last long. Murphy has traded in his green and gold for the UW-Green Bay green and white, joining the athletics staff at UWGB as the college’s first Executive in Residence. “I really missed my days in college athletics […]

GREEN BAY (WLUK) — The retirement of former Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy didn’t last long.
Murphy has traded in his green and gold for the UW-Green Bay green and white, joining the athletics staff at UWGB as the college’s first Executive in Residence.
“I really missed my days in college athletics and being involved in the campus,” said Murphy during an exclusive interview with FOX 11 Monday at the Kress Events Center on UWGB’s campus.
A former college football player who served as the athletic director at both Colgate University and Northwestern University, Murphy became involved at UWGB shortly after starting with the Packers. He currently sits on the Chancellor’s Council of Trustees.
As he approached the Packers’ mandatory retirement age of 70, discussions began between Murphy and UW-Green Bay administrators about his future plans.
According to Chancellor Michael Alexander, “We started to talk to Mark before he retired about what he was planning to do after he retired, and we’re really excited that we were able to work this out.”
The Green Bay Phoenix created its first Executive in Residence position for Murphy. It’s truly a return to his roots.
“It’s a great university and it serves the community, so to be involved and be helpful is something that’s really exciting to me,” Murphy told FOX 11.
Between the introduction of the transfer portal and the name, image and likeness (NIL) deal that allows college students to profit financially on their athletic ability, Murphy believes it’s an interesting time in college athletics.
In this volunteer position, where he will take no salary, Murphy’s main focus will be to help with fundraising for the Phoenix through partnerships and sponsorships.
“It’s the reality of college athletics now, and you’re going to have to put together a program where student athletes are being compensated. Good thing about Green Bay is you have a lot of people that are supportive of UWGB athletics that want them to be competitive, and I’m looking forward to working with [athletic director Josh Moon] in identifying people that might be helpful in moving the program forward,” said Murphy.
While his office is in the Kress Events Center, Murphy won’t only be focused on athletics. He will also work with Chancellor Alexander on other special university projects, too.
“He doesn’t have to learn the university. He knows the university and can help it immediately,” added Alexander.
NIL
North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson turns heads with multimillion
North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson has inked a multi-year, multi-million dollar endorsement deal, according to a report. ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania reported on Monday that Wilson has signed a deal with New Balance. North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, a projected 2026 NBA draft lottery pick, has signed a multiyear, multimillion-dollar shoe endorsement deal with New […]


North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson has inked a multi-year, multi-million dollar endorsement deal, according to a report.
ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania reported on Monday that Wilson has signed a deal with New Balance.
North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, a projected 2026 NBA draft lottery pick, has signed a multiyear, multimillion-dollar shoe endorsement deal with New Balance, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 18, 2025
Wilson is now part of a New Balance NBA crew that includes Kawhi Leonard, Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Darius Garland, Zach Lavine, Aaron Nesmith, Dejounte Murray and Cooper Flagg.
An ESPN Class of 2025 top-five recruit, Wilson confirmed the deal on social media.
NB Family!!! https://t.co/NxCc0XX2ix pic.twitter.com/2Hq9IgPpnx
— Caleb Wilson (@CalebWilson2025) August 18, 2025
Wilson, 19-year old out of Atlanta who is set to compete for the Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels during the 2025-26 season, is projected to be the eighth pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“At 6-9, Wilson looks the part with an outstanding frame, length and developing two-way versatility that could be harnessed into a very intriguing package long term. He can push off the defensive glass and pass on the move,” noted by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony in a mock 2026 draft. “Wilson’s intensity level and outside shooting need work, but he has attributes you can’t teach and is loaded with long-term upside.”
Fans reacted to Wilson’s deal under Charania’s post via X:
“New balance crushing it with the marketing and their players. Kawhi is my favorite. They’re forming a true BRAND.” – @SquiddyNFT
“It’s so weird reading about college players signing endorsement deals. He is probably the richest kid on campus.” – @Hcp1Hcp
“I’m happy he’s getting paid. But UNC gets all the best Jordans. Gonna be a bit odd to be playing in New Balance while your teammates play in actual good shoes.” – @UNCisFamily
“Aye man I can’t wait to see what design you’re gonna cook up.” – @HIburner252
“Dang going to New Balance instead of Nike 🤯.” – @punk7039
Wilson signed with the Tar Heels as the No. 5 overall prospect and No. 2 power forward in the class of 2025. He was also rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the state of Georgia, according to the Rivals industry ranking. He held offers from Ohio State, Auburn, Tennessee, Kentucky, and multiple other notable Power 4 programs.
— Enjoy free coverage of the the latest NIL news around the NCAA from NIL on SI —
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ESPN analyst names SEC QB who could be the next Garrett Nussmeier
NIL
Sonic features Ryan Wingo, Colin Simmons, Marcel Reed in 'Terry Crews School of Acting …
Texas and Texas A&M don’t collaborate on much. However, several players for the Longhorns and Aggies were featured together today in an advertisement for Sonic, alongside Terry Crews. Sonic released their new ad titled as ‘Terry Crews School of Acting for Athletes’ on Monday. It features five football players between the two programs with DE […]

Texas and Texas A&M don’t collaborate on much. However, several players for the Longhorns and Aggies were featured together today in an advertisement for Sonic, alongside Terry Crews.
Sonic released their new ad titled as ‘Terry Crews School of Acting for Athletes’ on Monday. It features five football players between the two programs with DE Colin Simmons, WR Ryan Wingo, and S Michael Taaffe representing Texas while QB Marcel Reed and RB Reuben Owens represented for A&M.
“Brands are rushing to put college athletes in their ads, but no one’s bothered teaching them how to act…Until now,” opens the commercial.
“Endorsements mean you actually have to be good on camera. That’s where I come in,” Crews jokes in the opening, preparing the athletes with vocal warmups, on vulnerability, on technique, and on emotion among other lessons, like biting perfectly into a Sonic hamburger on camera.
This is the first commercial for Sonic featuring athletes for NIL. With that, the restaurant capitalized in the state of Texas, which has the most locations of any in the United States.
As five of the better players in their respective programs, they’re each marketable when it comes to name, image, and likeness. Wingo (No. 44 – $1.5 million) and Simmons (No. 45 – $1.5 million) are each among the highest valuations in college sports in the Top-50 overall, and in the Top-30 in college football, per the NIL 100. Reed ($435K) is also valued well entering his first season as the starting quarterback in College Station.

Simmons and Wingo, a pair of former Top-40 recruits, are each entering their sophomore seasons in Austin. Simmons led their defense with nine sacks while being second or tied for second with fourteen tackles for loss and three forced fumbles, along with posting 48 total tackles, a pair of deflections, and a pick. Wingo was then one of their top receivers with 29 catches for 472 yards, fourth-most among their corps, and two touchdowns, which was tied for fifth-most. Meanwhile, Taaffe is coming into his fifth and final season at Texas after a career-best campaign at safety last fall with 78 tackles and 10 deflections, which were both second-most on the defense, with two sacks and picks apiece and a forced fumble.
Then, for A&M, Reed comes into his first full year as their starting quarterback after throwing for 1,864 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions on 61.3% completion, while also rushing for 543 yards and seven more scores. Owens, who’s then coming into his junior year, then was limited to just two games last season because of a foot injury after rushing for 385 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman.
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