NIL

College World Series

Published

7 months ago

June 13, 2025

It was never going to be easy. The Oregon State baseball program — despite its status as a blue blood and arguably the top operation in the sport this century — faced an uphill battle from the moment the Pac-12 collapsed. When the Beavers stared elimination in the eyes five times this postseason, they were no strangers to adversity. Right at home with their backs against the wall, they rattled off victories in each of those do-or-die contests to punch their ticket to Omaha.

Superheroes. That’s what coach Mitch Canham called his players ahead of their opening game at the 2025 College World Series.

“I really want more of the story to be out,” Canham said. “I don’t want walls around our clubhouse. I would like just pillars so people can see in and understand what they went through in its entirety this year and how special it really is. That was the prayer from the get go: Let’s make this thing so challenging. Let’s do something that no one else has ever done.

“That gives them the opportunity to go out there and transform college athletics.”

Oregon State goes independent

The grueling road back to Omaha began well before Nelson Keljo threw the first pitch on Valentine’s Day. The opening chapter in this team’s story hit the paper in the summer of 2023 when eight schools, following USC and UCLA from the year prior, announced their intentions to depart from the Pac-12.

Only Oregon State and Washington State went homeless in the landscape-altering wave of conference realignment. Both universities patched together plans for the two-year grace period in which they control the Pac-12’s assets and continue to rebuild the league. For baseball purposes, the Cougars packed their bags for the Mountain West as temporary members. The Beavers paved their own path and became the only Division I Independent for the 2025 season.

⚾️ Independents to reach NCAA Tournament since 2000

2025	Oregon State	TBD
2012	Dallas Baptist	Lost in regional
2004	Miami	Reached CWS
2003	Miami	Reached CWS
2001	Miami	Won national championship

Going conference-less in an era of college athletics where media rights deals reign supreme, leagues boast as many as 18 teams and the chasm between the haves and have-nots only continues to widen was a major risk, yet it paid off.

Transfer portal ravages the Beavers

The transfer portal gutted Oregon State’s athletic department following the Pac-12’s demise. Football and women’s basketball were among the hardest hit, and their results last season plummeted. The football team’s win percentage dropped from 61.5% to 41.7%. Women’s basketball miraculously returned to the NCAA Tournament but did so at just over .500 on the year.

The Oregon State baseball brand was so strong, however, that Canham used the portal to his advantage rather than his detriment and built a roster that posted a better record than the 2024 squad. In from Washington came shortstop Aiva Arquette, who turned down larger NIL packages because, in his words, he wanted to win. The projected first-round MLB Draft pick has been the best bat in the lineup and is a walking highlight reel defensively.

2025 MLB Draft rankings: Top 30 players in class, including Eli Willits, Jamie Arnold, Ethan Holliday and more

R.J. Anderson

2025 MLB Draft rankings: Top 30 players in class, including Eli Willits, Jamie Arnold, Ethan Holliday and more

Perhaps most importantly, Canham convinced nearly all of his most important players from a year ago to stick around rather than look for a new program, star outfielder Gavin Turley and stalwart catcher Wilson Weber chief among them.

“One of the biggest things I want to point out is with all of this going on with NIL, transfer portal, the amount of money that can be had in the draft, you name it, these guys all chose to be at Oregon State,” Canham said. “That means a lot about who they are as men and where their values lay, how much they care about that place and that brotherhood. It warms my heart that I get to go be a part of that.”

Beavers attack brutal, road-heavy schedule

In an anecdote that defines Oregon State’s struggle the last two seasons, players and coaches recall earlier this season when the team bus never showed up on travel day. Players and coaches scrambled to find enough cars to drive themselves nearly two hours north to the Portland International Airport for one of their countless road series.

By the end of the regular season, the games they played on that trip accounted for some of the 35 for which they suited up away from Goss Stadium at Coleman Field. The Beavers held just 19 games, in contrast, at the nation’s oldest continuous ballpark before the start of regional play.

“I’ve been saying it all year,” said Freshman All-American starting pitcher Dax Whitney, who is set to take the mound in Friday’s College World Series opener. “I think we’re more prepared than anybody to go do this thing. We’ve been handling adversity all year, and we welcome it all the time. I think we’re better trained than anybody in the country to go do this thing.”

Oregon State’s strength of schedule ranks No. 33 nationally, per D1Baseball. That is not too shabby for a program that did not have the luxury of playing consistent weekend series against power conference competition. Road battles with tournament-caliber opposition and a couple of preseason events with premier programs boosted the résumé and ensured the Beavers got enough tests in before postseason play. But it was a drag.

At one point, the Beavers even reached a mutual agreement with Portland to cancel one of their midweek matchups due to the scheduling demands. Canham’s team had just arrived back on the mainland from a four-game swing at Hawai’i when it was scheduled tens of hours later to depart for a neutral-site battle against Iowa in Des Moines. Rather than play eight games in 10 days, Oregon State took a much-needed breather.

It worked wonders, as they won the first two games against the Hawkeyes and tied the last, shoring up a top-eight national seed in the process and guaranteeing home-field advantage through the super regional round.

Long wait for home games pays off

While teams across the nation competed in their conference tournaments, Oregon State held a three-day fan appreciation weekend of sorts with open scrimmages, autograph sessions and even a community movie night. Accustomed to their constant trips up and down Interstate 5 to the PDX airport and night after night in hotel rooms, the Beavers suddenly found themselves in the early stages of an extended home stand.

Only once in the regular season did Oregon State play more than four straight games at home. Opponents simply would not make the trek to Corvallis to play in one of college baseball’s most intimidating parks. The NCAA sent four squads to the home of the three-time national champions for regional play, though, and another in the super regional round. The Beavers strung together eight consecutive games in their home digs.

Program legends Jacoby Ellsbury, Darwin Barney and Nick Madrigal were among those on hand over the last two weekends. Football coach Trent Bray was a ringleader of the constant chants and rhythmic clapping that echoed throughout the legendary grounds, nestled between campus buildings and an old railroad line. Record crowds packed both permanent and temporary seats on a daily basis as Oregon State inched closer to the College World Series.

“I’ve had a lot of other coaches come in and go, ‘Wow, it’s really like this out here, huh?'” said Canham. “Hearing coaches that are coming from the East Coast. Butch Thompson said that when he came in a couple years ago. Link (Jarrett) said it when he was here. ‘Wow, this place is pretty special.’ There’s no doubt about it. That’s why I wish everyone could live it for a little bit of time.”

The Beavers played the maximum number of games across the Corvallis Regional and Super Regional, needing to bounce back from a loss in the regional opener and a defeat in Game 2 of the super regional series with Florida State. They won the ones that mattered most, like they did in 2006 and 2018 when they became one of just two teams this century to lose their College World Series opener and proceed to win the national championship.

It is almost as if Oregon State is most comfortable when the adversity is at its strongest. There is a good chance it will strike again in the final stanza of the Beavers’ hunt for national championship No. 4.

Frankly, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

NIL

Urban Meyer predicts winner of college football national championship

Published

37 minutes ago

January 13, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Indiana (No. 1) crushed No. 5 Oregon 56–22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal, forcing multiple first-half turnovers, dominating in all three phases, and improving to 15–0.

Miami (No. 10) survived a 31–27 Fiesta Bowl win over No. 6 Ole Miss, with quarterback Carson Beck’s late 3-yard scramble sealing the outcome after earlier College Football Playoff victories over Texas A&M and defending national champion Ohio State.

Miami’s College Football Playoff berth carried nearly as much drama as its postseason run.

Both the Hurricanes and Notre Dame finished the regular season 10–2, but despite ranking ahead of Miami for much of the year, the Irish were left out of the field, in large part because of Miami’s head-to-head win earlier in the season.

The decision sparked national debate about CFP criteria and the weight of head-to-head results.

Since then, Miami has done nothing but validate the committee’s call, advancing to the national title game, now just one win away.

The CFP national championship is set for January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, pitting Indiana against Miami.

On Monday’s episode of “The Triple Option” podcast, former head coach Urban Meyer praised Indiana’s coaching, offensive line, and efficiency on film, ultimately picking the Hoosiers to win the title.

“I think Indiana wins by 9,” Meyer said. “I think Vegas is right on the point spread, but I think Miami plays their [expletive] off at home.”

Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) raises the trophy. — Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) with quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15), wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13), and Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe (17) | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Indiana powered an unblemished run under second-year head coach Curt Cignetti, transforming a 3–9 program into Big Ten champions.

The Hoosiers stacked signature road wins over Iowa, Oregon, and Penn State, dismantled Alabama 38–3 in the quarterfinals, and overwhelmed the Ducks again in the Peach Bowl semifinal.

Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza has driven a balanced, physical attack that has dominated all season, throwing for 3,349 yards and 41 touchdowns while adding 284 rushing yards, six scores, and a 73% completion rate across 15 games.

Miami’s path has been far different, as the No. 10 seed fought through adversity to reach 13–2, upsetting Ohio State, beating Texas A&M, and edging Ole Miss 31–27 behind an elite scoring defense allowing just 14.0 points per game, the fifth-fewest nationally.

Indiana enters as the consensus favorite, listed by most sportsbooks as 8.5-point favorites with a 48.5-point total.

With Indiana’s balanced attack facing Miami’s opportunistic defense, the matchup likely hinges on tempo: the Hoosiers aim to dictate the pace while the Hurricanes seek pressure and takeaways.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

NIL

$1.8 million transfer QB expected to visit sixth college football program

Published

2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Beau Pribula, the former Penn State transfer who started the 2025 season at Missouri, announced his decision to re-enter the NCAA transfer portal on December 18 and has been conducting an active visit cycle since.

Over the last week, On3’s Pete Nakos has tracked visits to Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech, along with a stop at Washington amid uncertainty within the Huskies’ quarterback room, followed by a visit to Tennessee.

However, on Sunday, Nakos reported that Pribula is now expected to visit Virginia next.

“The former Penn State transfer has made visits to Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Washington, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee over the last week. He’s expected to visit Virginia next,” Nakos wrote.

“The Cavaliers could offer to come in and be the starter for Tony Elliott’s program. Tennessee is expected to wait for a decision on Joey Aguilar’s court ruling on Monday, regarding his eligibility under NCAA JUCO rules.”

After spending his first three college seasons as a backup at Penn State, Pribula started at Missouri for the 2025 season, finishing the year with 1,941 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while adding 297 rushing yards, six rushing scores, and a 67.4% completion rate.

A native of York, Pennsylvania, Pribula signed with Penn State in December 2021 as a three-star recruit and the No. 27 quarterback in the 2022 class per 247Sports, drawing more than a dozen additional offers, including Nebraska, Northwestern, Rutgers, and Syracuse.

After redshirting as a freshman and seeing limited game action over the following two seasons behind Drew Allar, Pribula sought a change of scenery, and now, after proving his dual-threat capability in the SEC, Pribula is seeking another opportunity to further elevate his profile.

For prospective programs, it is also worth noting that Pribula is among the more marketable players currently in the portal, carrying an NIL valuation of approximately $1.8 million according to On3, a factor that could influence where he ultimately lands.

Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula. — Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) warms up before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

All of the programs Pribula has visited present distinct opportunities and varying levels of appeal.

Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech both face recent turnover at quarterback and are seeking experienced portal options who can operate their systems and provide immediate competition.

Nebraska, under Matt Rhule, has also been active in the portal as it looks to add veteran depth and competition following the departure of starter Dylan Raiola to Oregon.

Pribula visited Washington amid uncertainty within the Huskies’ quarterback room surrounding Demond Williams, a situation that has created a potential opening for an experienced transfer.

Tennessee, meanwhile, has been monitoring eligibility developments involving other candidates, including Joey Aguilar, while keeping Pribula firmly on its radar.

Virginia, however, may offer one of the more intriguing fits as the Cavaliers have reportedly been targeting a veteran, pro-style, dual-threat quarterback who can compete for a Day 1 starting role under fourth-year head coach Tony Elliott.

The opportunity for immediate playing time, combined with proximity to Pribula’s Mid-Atlantic recruiting footprint, adds to Virginia’s appeal.

NIL

College Football’s Semi-Pro Economy & Why the NFL Draft Isn’t a Sure Thing

Published

2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

College football is in its semi-pro era, reshaping the NFL Draft calculus as quarterbacks weigh guaranteed NIL money against rookie contracts.

After four years at Georgia, quarterback Carson Beck declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 28, 2024, slated to make millions as a mid-round pick. But instead of taking that route, Beck entered the transfer portal on Jan. 9 and inked a $4 million deal to play out his final season of college eligibility at Miami, where he succeeded Heisman Trophy winner and eventual top pick Cam Ward. Now, Beck will play next week for a national championship as he’s still in line to make good NFL money at age 23, but now with a guaranteed $4 million in his pocket.

The passing of the House Settlement and the introduction of revenue sharing in Division I athletics have only enhanced this trend and the appeal of college football quarterbacks staying in school an extra year rather than try their luck in the NFL Draft. Alabama‘s Ty Simpson may be the perfect example of that. Despite declaring for the NFL Draft, at least three SEC teams reportedly have interest, with another school offering him up to $6.5 million to stay in college next season and enter the transfer portal prior to Friday’s deadline.

Despite ESPN grading Simpson as a late first-round or early second-round pick, $6.5 million is extremely appealing. NFL quarterback Tyler Shough, who the New Orleans Saints selected 40th overall in last year’s draft, got a four-year, $10.8 million contract, including a $4.5 million signing bonus. We seem to be approaching the point that, unless you’re guaranteed to be drafted in the first round, it might pay to stay in school an extra year, essentially making major college football a semi-pro outfit right now.

College basketball has experiencing a similar trend for years now. With the introduction of NIL, NCAA hoops stars like Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, Gonzaga’s Drew Timme, and North Carolina’s Armando Bacot made far more money by staying in school than they would have as an NBA second-round pick or G-Leaguer. Bacot signed a deal worth more than $1 million to play this year in Turkey with Fenerbahce, Timme is on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers worth just over $500,000, and Tsiebwe has a similar arrangement with the Utah Jazz.

Were they still college eligible, they would’ve made more money. It’s why, as we reported, more EuroLeague-caliber talent are electing to come from overseas to college basketball teams. It’s why some players with G-League experience who are still college eligible are electing to go back to school. The money right now is just better.

Right now, schools can directly spend up to $20.5 million on their student-athletes, with the vast majority of that total allocated to football, their largest revenue-generating sport. But that $20.5 million number is expected to rise, and with it the amount that teams will likely offer to quarterbacks like Simpson and new Texas Tech starter Brendan Sorsby, whose record-breaking NIL deal we discussed last week. How long will it take until quarterbacks can make more money in college than they would as first-round NFL Draft picks?

Jaxson Dart, the 25th overall pick last year from Ole Miss, earned a signing bonus of just under $9 million as part of a four-year rookie contract worth just under $17 million. We may get to a point where these QBs get a larger guarantee to stay in school than a first-rounder would receive as a signing bonus, making it worth risking an injury in college that could wipe out potential future NFL earnings. It will take longer for players at other positions like running back and wide receiver, where second-round picks like Houston Texans wideout Jayden Higgins and Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins still got roughly $5 million to sign, still way more than they’d earn for a year in college.

Yet the fact that we’re even having this conversation at all indicates the direction college football is going in. It’s how wide receiver Cam Coleman, who doesn’t turn 20 until August, can leave Auburn for a transfer portal NIL deal at Texas of at least $2 million. We’re talking free agency for hundreds of college kids every year to make upwards of seven figures at their new destinations. If that’s not at least semi-professional sports, I’m not sure what is.

Now, all we can do is wait and see how far things go before the next wave of substantial changes hits college football in this ever-changing landscape that made it possible for Beck to accept, and Simpson to consider, an offer that made it more financially prudent to keep the NFL waiting for one more year.

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NIL

Commission rejected 500-plus NIL deals worth nearly $15 million

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Jan 12, 2026, 02:58 PM ET

The College Sports Commission has rejected nearly $15 million in name, image and likeness agreements since it started evaluating them over the summer, representing more than 10% of the value of all the deals it has analyzed and closed.

The CSC released its latest statistics Monday, saying it did not clear 524 deals worth $14.94 million, while clearing 17,321 worth $127.21 million. All the data was current as of Jan. 1.

The numbers came against the backdrop of a “reminder” memo the commission sent to athletic directors last week, citing “serious concerns” about contracts being offered to athletes before they had been cleared through the commission’s NIL Go platform.

The CSC is in charge of evaluating all deals worth more than $600 that are offered by third-party businesses that are often affiliated with the schools recruiting the players.

“Without prejudging any particular deal, the CSC has serious concerns about some of the deal terms being contemplated and the consequences of those deals for the parties involved,” the Friday night memo said.

The CSC said primary reasons for deals not being cleared were that they lacked a valid business purpose; they didn’t directly activate a player’s NIL rights, instead “warehousing” them for future use; and that players were being paid at levels that weren’t “commensurate with similarly situated individuals.”

The memo reminded ADs that signing players to deals that hadn’t been cleared by the CSC left the players “vulnerable to deals not being cleared, promises not being able to be kept, and eligibility being placed at risk.”

Other statistics from the latest report:

There were 10 deals in arbitration as of Dec. 31, eight of which have since been withdrawn. All involved a resolved administrative issue at one school not named by the CSC.

• 52% of deals submitted to NIL Go were resolved within 24 hours.

• 73% of deals reached resolution within seven days following submission of all required information.

• 56% of the 10,848 athletes who have at least one cleared deal play football or men’s basketball.

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SEC program predicted to have college football’s ‘first $40 million roster’

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

As the 2025 college football season comes to a close, programs across the country are in an all-out arms race to prepare to make title runs for next season.

While just about every program in college football is spending money on its roster, there are only a select few programs that are able to outspend anyone in their path. One of those programs is the Texas Longhorns, who, according to On3’s Rusty Mansell, are set to spend an unheard-of amount for next season.

Mansell, who runs On3’s DawgsHQ, revealed in a social media post on X that just one season after starting the year as the No. 1 team in college football and finishing with a 10-4 record, the Longhorns are expected to field a roster worth $40 million.

“Texas will have the first 40 million dollar roster, no doubt in my mind they are close to that in real salary,” wrote Mansell. “This is an ALL IN season for Sark, literally.”

The Longhorns have made notable transfer portal additions, such as the No. 1 wide receiver in Cam Coleman, No. 3 running back Hollywood Smothers and No. 1 linebacker Rasheem Biles. In addition to the top transfers joining the fold, the Longhorns also brought in the No. 10 recruiting class, which features three five-star recruits.

The roster, which is centered on former No. 1 overall recruit and nephew of NFL greats Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch Manning, is built to contend for a title. As Mansell alluded to, the Longhorns are fully equipped to contend for a championship, which means anything short of that would be a disappointment.

While Texas is reportedly set to become the first $40 million roster in college football, it isn’t the only program in college football spending the big bucks. It’s worth noting that there is a revenue-sharing cap of $20.5 million, but there isn’t necessarily a way to enforce it yet.

Other major NIL spenders in the college football transfer portal

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian. — Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian observes the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Thanks to the financial backing of a former player-turned-oil tycoon in Cody Campbell, the Red Raiders assembled a roster that led to their first-ever Big 12 Championship in program history. They were also able to make the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. In a report by ESPN, it was revealed that Texas Tech spent $7 million alone on the defensive line, which led by David Bailey’s 14.5 sacks, was one of the most feared in the country.

The Red Raiders lost in the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff to Oregon in a lopsided 23-0 loss, prompting many to say the Red Raiders need to spend big at quarterback to take the next step. Well, they did just that. Headlining their transfer class, which On3 ranks as its No. 2 portal class, is Cincinnati quarterback transfer, Brendan Sorsby, who reportedly cost them $5 million.

On3 reported that they spent around $28 million for this past season, and it appears they will spend as much, if not more, in 2026.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes spent a reported $20 million to win their 2024 title, and while they aren’t going crazy this transfer portal cycle, they very well could be spending most of their money on roster retention and high school recruits. The Buckeyes have brought in just six transfers, but they did land the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in Chris Henry Jr.

According to Rivals, Ohio State’s 28-man recruiting class has an average NIL Valuation of $136,000. In addition to the costly new faces, they likely also had to restructure deals for notable players such as quarterback Julian Sayin and star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Oregon Ducks

Since players were allowed to profit from their NIL, the Oregon Ducks have been among the biggest players in this category. The program’s connection with Nike co-founder Phil Knight has certainly not gone unnoticed by top recruits, as Rivals reported that their No. 3 recruiting class, which features five five-star recruits, has the highest average NIL at $236,000.

If the Ducks haven’t hit that $40 million threshold yet, they will soon. Front Office Sports reported that their 2024 roster cost $23 million, while former Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy revealed that their 2025 roster cost $40 million before the Ducks beat his Cowboys 69-3.

Other Notable Big-Spending Programs:

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NIL

College watchdog group rejected 500-plus NIL deals worth nearly $15 million, but cleared many more

Published

5 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

The College Sports Commission has rejected nearly $15 million in name, image, likeness agreements since it started evaluating them over the summer, representing more than 10% of the value of all the deals it has analyzed and closed.

The CSC released its latest statistics Monday, saying it did not clear 524 deals worth $14.94 million, while clearing 17,321 worth $127.21 million. All the data was current as of Jan. 1.

The CSC is in charge of evaluating all deals worth more than $600 that are offered by third-party businesses that are often affiliated with the schools recruiting the players.

Other statistics from the latest report:

—There were 10 deals in arbitration as of Dec. 31, eight of which have since been withdrawn. All involved a resolved administrative issue at one school not named by the CSC.

—52% of deals submitted to NIL Go were resolved within 24 hours.

– 73% of deals reached resolution within seven days following submission of all required information.

–56% of the 10,848 athletes who have at least one cleared deal play football or men’s basketball.

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