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College basketball players out of eligibility are entering the transfer portal — why?

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7 months ago

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Of the thousands of college basketball players who entered the transfer portal this spring, at least 137 of them stand out because of one thing they’re all lacking: remaining college eligibility.

Take star College of Charleston center Ante Brzovic, for example. The Croatian-born big man moved to America in 2020 and enrolled at Division II Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He redshirted his first season when he wasn’t academically eligible because he barely spoke English. He then played in 28 games the following season before transferring to Charleston, where he became a three-year starter and first-team all-conference honoree. That’s four full seasons of NCAA competition — which, under conventional rules, would normally mean Brzovic is out of eligibility.

Instead? Brzovic and his legal team are suing the NCAA for another season of eligibility, after his initial waiver request was denied on April 1. While the case is unlikely to be fully adjudicated before next season, all Brzovic needs to suit up come November is for a judge to grant a temporary restraining order (TRO).

Brzovic’s situation is unique, but his larger strategy — hoping the courts offer relief — is not. More than 10 eligibility lawsuits have been filed against the NCAA since Jan. 1. Other athletes are appealing to the NCAA. Minnesota forward Dawson Garcia averaged a career-best 19.2 points per game last season and is seeking a waiver for his sophomore season, when he left North Carolina early to be closer to family dealing with medical issues. Saint Louis guard Isaiah Swope played his freshman season in DII and, like Brzovic, is seeking another season accordingly. Both Garcia and Swope — and Brzovic, who has drawn interest from high-major programs this offseason, according to his legal team — have the potential to be difference-makers next season, which is why coaches have continued recruiting these players despite their uncertain outcomes.

Now, that’s not to say that all 137 such players are the same. Clemson starters Ian Schieffelin and Jaeden Zackery, for example, both have played four full DI seasons and said on social media they entered the portal only at the advice of their representation — just in case the NCAA loosens its restrictions.

 

But if there’s one thing that most players seeking extra eligibility have in common, it’s the possibility of a hefty payday. Brzovic’s legal team has argued that he stands to earn at least $1 million in NIL next season if deemed eligible, for example. That claim also hits at the general idea tying many of these legal challenges together: Eligibility limits could violate antitrust laws.

“Any rule that limits how long they can play,” said college sports lawyer Mit Winter, “is hurting them economically.”

That’s especially true because there has never been more money in college basketball — in part because of the pending House v. NCAA settlement, which will allow schools to pay players directly for the first time. Potential All-Americans, like Texas Tech forward JT Toppin, stand to make over $3 million next season alone. The going rate for all-conference players, or elite five-star recruits, is easily north of $2 million, according to multiple high-major coaches and general managers who spoke with The Athletic. Even average high-major starters are often looking at seven-figure deals.

Comparatively, the starting point for most G League and overseas contracts is in the five figures.

Though the NCAA has granted several blanket eligibility waivers lately — as it did after the COVID-19 pandemic, for anyone who played during the 2020-21 season — that isn’t usually the governing body’s first option.

Instead, it often takes legal recourse to force the NCAA’s hand. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia won an injunction against the NCAA in December, which allowed him to recoup a year of DI eligibility for the time he’d spent in junior college. Then the NCAA, while appealing the ruling, granted another blanket waiver — this time, for any players whose eligibility was set to expire in 2024-2025 and who had “competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years.”

“Candidly,” said Mark Peper, Brzovic’s South Carolina-based lawyer, “I would love for this to open the floodgates.”

Still, the NCAA has not lost all of its eligibility challenges. A Tennessee baseball player and four football players in North Carolina seeking additional eligibility were recently rebuffed in court. In a statement provided to The Athletic, Tim Buckley, the NCAA’s senior vice president of external affairs, referenced the association’s standing efforts to gain relief from lawsuits through federal legislation. “Eligibility rules ensure high school students have the same access to life changing scholarship opportunities that millions of young people had before them,” he said in part, “and only Congress can act to protect these basic rules from these shortsighted legal challenges.”

Could a landmark eligibility alteration be on its way? Earlier this year, the NCAA discussed the possibility of giving college athletes five full seasons of competition instead of four, regardless of situation, in an attempt to clear the system of redshirts and waivers. Some college leaders have voiced concern for possible downsides, such as fewer opportunities for high school recruits — and questioned if the change would actually stop waiver requests and legal challenges. The concept of five seasons in five years hasn’t been recommended for formal review, but it’s a conversation that could pick up again once the House settlement is finalized and would represent another seismic shift to college sports’ infrastructure.

Current NCAA rules state that college athletes have five years to complete four seasons of full competition. (The fifth year is for players who redshirt, either for development or injury reasons.)

But ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, various exceptions and court rulings have whittled away that standard “four-in-five” rule. That began with the “COVID-19 year” of eligibility that allowed stars like Hunter Dickinson, Armando Bacot and Johni Broome to play five seasons of DI ball. Then there’s the Pavia case, which will allow players like Chad Baker-Mazara — who spent a year in juco before starting for Auburn the past two seasons — to suit up again next winter. Baker-Mazara recently announced his transfer to USC.

And that’s only the tip of the eligibility iceberg.

In April, Rutgers football player Jett Elad earned a temporary injunction by playing off Pavia’s ruling. Elad’s college career began in 2019, meaning his NCAA-allowed five-year window should be up. But because he spent one season redshirting, one season at junior college and got back a season for the COVID-19 year, Elad argued he had played only three countable seasons in Division I. A federal judge issued a TRO, making him eligible this fall, despite that technically being Elad’s seventh season of college football. The NCAA has appealed that ruling in another effort to defend its ability to enforce eligibility rules and has until June 6 to file its response.

“The four-year rule now is sort of arbitrary,” Winter said. “Initially, it was the thought that most people go to school for four years, but that’s not always necessarily the case anymore.”

Then there’s Brzovic, arguing his second season at Southeastern was a “lost year” because of language difficulties, mental health struggles and hardships following the pandemic — and therefore, Brzovic’s time at DII shouldn’t count against his four years of eligibility.  He makes a similar argument as the one that Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean used to receive an injunction in February. Fourqurean’s lawsuit is still pending and is also being challenged by the NCAA, but the TRO he received means he’ll be able to suit up for the Badgers this fall.

Additionally, Brzovic’s legal team claims the NCAA’s rigid waiver categories no longer accurately represent the variety of players and backgrounds in DI. Atop that list is there not being any specific waiver for international players, despite them migrating en masse to the United States to play college ball (and reap the benefits of NIL).

Darren Heitner, a Florida-based NIL lawyer who is also part of Brzovic’s legal team, said he’s heard from over 50 players this offseason all wondering how they can secure additional eligibility. Of those players who have reached out, he’s presently working only with a handful whom he believes could qualify for legitimate hardship waivers. Heitner has previously worked with the NCAA on eligibility waivers.

To his point, Tennessee baseball player Alberto Osuna’s motions for additional eligibility were twice denied in court. Four former Duke and North Carolina football players were also denied after challenging the NCAA’s five-year window of eligibility.

As for those hoping for a blanket fifth season? Changes in NCAA policy may not come quickly enough.

“In my conversations with the NCAA,” Heitner said, “all I’ve been led to believe is that they’re just conversations and that there is no draft legislation yet — which means, to me, it’s very unlikely that the class of individuals who are reaching out to me now will be affected by any change in policy. It’s likely (to be) those players next year, if at all.”

That’s not to say the sport won’t include mid-20’s hoopers with various one-off situations.

After averaging 18.4 points and 8.1 rebounds last season, Brzovic could easily be a high-major starter in the winter, if he’s deemed eligible — and he’s not the only one.

Take Memphis big Dain Dainja, for instance, who reportedly filed a waiver to the NCAA last week. Dainja redshirted his freshman season at Baylor in 2020-21 — which he would get back regardless because of the COVID-19 rule — and played in only three games during the 21-22 season, before transferring to Illinois in December 2021. (He did not suit up for the Illini the second half of that season.) Dainja then played two full seasons at Illinois before ending his career at Memphis this season. Technically, because Dainja played in three games during the 2021 fall semester at Baylor, he’s already used four “full” Division I seasons. But the NCAA has shown a proclivity for granting waivers to players who appeared in under 30 percent of their team’s games in a given season, usually because of injury, which was not the case for Dainja. He turns 23 in July.

Or how about Baker-Mazara, who will turn 26 next January? His college career began in 2020-21 at Duquesne, although the COVID-19 year wipes that from his eligibility slate. The Dominican wing then transferred to San Diego State for the 21-22 season, before dropping down to the juco level at Northwest Florida State College in 22-23. He then transferred up to Auburn, where he spent the past two seasons and became a key cog on a Final Four team. Normally, Baker-Mazara’s year in juco would have counted against his four-year clock — but the Pavia ruling granted him another year of eligibility.

Perhaps the most remarkable one-off is former Grand Canyon wing Tyon Grant-Foster, who is in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-7 NBA prospect began his college career in juco in 2018-19 at Indian Hills Community College and spent two seasons there before transferring to Kansas. Grant-Foster was a rotation player at KU in 2020-21, before transferring to DePaul.

Then midway through DePaul’s season opener in 2021-22, Grant-Foster collapsed — and because of two heart surgeries that followed, he was unable to play the remainder of that season or the next. He was granted a medical redshirt for the 21-22 campaign, meaning, once again, Grant-Foster had yet to have a college basketball season count against his four years of eligibility. He was finally cleared to play in March 2023, at which point he transferred to Grand Canyon, where he’s spent the past two seasons as the Antelopes’ best player. Grant-Foster should have at least one more season of eligibility left, despite turning 25 in March.

“Everyone says the world’s going to end because all these players are going to have 12 years and play into their forties,” Heitner said. “That’s hyperbole.”

But that, at least in some circumstances, has been the NCAA’s viewpoint. The governing body’s response to Brzovic’s first waiver request, for instance, cited that sentiment as a slippery slope college sports could go down if eligibility mattered only at the DI level:

Plaintiff effectively seeks permission for student-athletes to compete during, at minimum, fourteen seasons of intercollegiate competition: an athlete could compete in two seasons of junior college competition, four seasons in Division III competition, four seasons in Division II competition, only then to matriculate to a Division I institution at roughly the age of twenty eight with a fresh four-season clock. The outcome would eliminate the collegiate nature of intercollegiate sports — making Division I the “professional” ranks that “student”-athletes may join after participating in the “minor leagues” of the lower Divisions.

Translation: Where does this all end?

“The NCAA does allow for additional years beyond the traditional four, and that’s why there is a waiver process,” Heitner said. “There’s many, many, many instances where players perform for more than four years and beyond a five-year window. So I think if you’re going to make exceptions, it just needs to be streamlined.”

But for the time being, college sports’ eligibility status is a patchwork quilt of various federal injunctions, court rulings and one-time waivers. If the House settlement is finally completed this summer, the NCAA could return to exploring the five-year plan. That wouldn’t provide relief in time for players like Brzovic, whose legal battles are ongoing.

If anything, situations like Brzovic’s have underscored the need for a long-term, stable solution.

“Five years is, I think, going to be looked at as a compromise,” said a former NCAA official, who was granted anonymity in exchange for his candor, “the more sixth- and seventh-year guys get approved to be able to stick around.”

(Photo of Ante Brzovic: Ehrmann / Getty Images)





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Way-too-early favorites for college football’s top award

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35 minutes ago

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December 15, 2025

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The 2025 Heisman Trophy ceremony wrapped up at the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City on Saturday night.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was selected as the 91st recipient of the Heisman Trophy. Mendoza received the award over Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.

With the 2025 Heisman Trophy race in the rearview mirror, the next question about the award is who can win it in 2026. There are many star players from the 2025 season who could find themselves in the mix next season.

Below is a look at the top five players who are most likely to win the award in 2026.

No. 5- QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss

Trinidad Chambliss in Ole Miss' football game at Mississippi State in 2025.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) passes the ball during a college football game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. The Egg Bowl game marks the 122nd meeting between the two teams. | Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Year: Senior

2025 stats: 3,016 passing yards, 18 pass touchdowns, three interceptions, 470 rush yards, six rush touchdowns

If Diego Pavia can successfully sue his way to another season of eligibility for his 2025 Heisman campaign, Trinidad Chambliss should be able to do the same for 2026.

Chambliss’ career at Ole Miss began with him being thrust into action in the third game of the season with the injury to Austin Simmons. The adaptability Chambliss demonstrated midseason will be critical once again as offensive controls shift from Lane Kiffin to John David Baker.

No. 4- QB Marcel Reed, Texas A&M

Year: Redshirt junior

2025 stats: 2,932 pass yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 466 rush yards, six rush touchdowns

Marcel Reed entered 2025 as an intriguing dual-threat quarterback who needed to hone his passing skills. Fast forward to the end of the 2025 season, and Reed has increased his production in the air substantially and is primed to make another jump in 2026.

The biggest challenge for Reed in 2026 will be working with a new offensive coordinator following Collin Klein’s departure. But any capable offensive mind should be able to do good work with an athlete like Reed.

No. 3- QB Arch Manning, Texas

Arch Manning prepares for Texas' football game against Texas A&M in 2025.

Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Year: Redshirt junior

2025 stats: 2,942 pass yards, 24 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions, 244 rush yards, eight rush touchdowns

Arch Manning’s start to the 2025 season shuts down any and all preseason Heisman conversations by the end of September. But the way he ended the 2025 season has the college football landscape giving him a second look.

A faulty offensive line should be much improved in 2026 for Manning’s protection. If he can ride off the momentum of performances against quality competition like Vanderbilt and Texas A&M into 2026, watch out.

No. 2- QB Gunner Stockton, Georgia

Year- Senior

2025 stats: 2,691 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions, 442 rush yards, eight rush touchdowns

Gunner Stockton proved a lot of doubters wrong with his heroics for the Bulldogs in 2025. His ability to make plays with his feet is a big reason why he will be in consideration for a Heisman Trophy in 2026.

Stetson Bennett IV will always receive the most attention for winning two national titles, but Stockton may be the most complete quarterback Georgia has fielded under Kirby Smart

No. 1- WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith stiff arms a defender in the 2025 Big Ten Championship.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) shakes off Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D’Angelo Ponds (5) during the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025. Ohio State lost 13-10. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Year: Junior

2025 stats: 80 receptions, 1,086 receiving yards, 11 receiving touchdowns, 20 rush yards, one rush touchdown

Very rarely is there a wide receiver who is capable of competing with the best quarterbacks in college football for a Heisman Trophy. Jeremiah Smith is one of those wide receivers.

The run he put together as a freshman in the 2024 College Football Playoff would have the NFL considering him as the best receiver in the 2025 draft had he been eligible. Another run like that in the 2025 College Football Playoff would firmly insert him into the 2026 Heisman conversation.



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Skip Bayless says Fernando Mendoza didn’t deserve to win the Heisman Trophy

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2 hours ago

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December 15, 2025

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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza swept to an easy Heisman Trophy victory on Saturday, but everyone wasn’t convinced of his credentials. Count long-time sports personality Skip Bayless among those who aren’t on board with the pick. Bayless, who spent years with FOX Sports and ESPN, took to social media with his take on the Heisman win.

Heisman Results

It’s worth noting that Mendoza not only easily won the award, with 643 first-place votes to 189 for the second-place finisher, Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia. He also comfortably won the voting from all six geographic regions into which voting is divided. The fan vote for the Heisman went to neither Mendoza nor Pavia, but to Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez. But Bayless’s take went a different direction.

Skip Bayless’s Take

Congrats to Fernando Mendoza… nice memorized, rehearsed speech… but Diego Pavia deserved this award for his performance on the field, even if his swagger and edge rubbed some voters and viewers the wrong way.

Skip Bayless

Pavia’s Case

Pavia put together an impressive campaign, leading Vanderilt to 10 wins for the first time in program history. He passed for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 826 yards and nine more touchdowns. A season ago, Pavia led Vanderbilt to seven wins, including an upset of then-No. 1 Alabama that spring-boarded the program to national relevance. Of course, Skip Bayless happened to graduate from Vanderbilt.

Pavia likely was hurt by a season in which he lacked a marquee win– Vandy’s best win on the season based on the current polls was over No. 25 Missouri. He also didn’t play especially well against top competition– throwing for six touchdowns and four interceptions against winning FBS teams. Of course, Vanderbilt came up just shy of the College Football Playoff.

Mendoza’s Case

Mendoza, on the other hand, led Indiana to an undefeated season and a No. 1 ranking. Mendoza has passed for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushed for another 240 yards and six scores. He did take advantage of some big-game moments in a comeback win over Penn State and the upset of Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. Mendoza passed for 13 touchdowns and three interceptions against winning FBS teams.

Critics note that Mendoza’s big moment came against a Penn State team that fired its coach and struggled to a 6-6 season. His resume includes just two wins over currently ranked teams, although both Oregon and Ohio State are in the fop five. Mendoza threw for just two touchdowns total in those two wins (which were essentially defensive battles). But most voters clearly disagreed with Bayless’s take and were comfortable with Mendoza’s Heisman claim.

Pavia

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia was singled out as the deserving candidate for the Heisman Trophy. | Brad Penner-Imagn Images



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Major college football coach’s job is on the line this week, analyst claims

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3 hours ago

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December 15, 2025

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Being the head coach who replaces a legend is one of the toughest gigs in college football, but having to step into the shoes of the all-time winner of national championships is quite another task.

And despite being on the right side of most metrics, Kalen DeBoer could be facing more than embarrassment if Alabama doesn’t beat Oklahoma in the first-round College Football Playoff game this coming week.

Former Alabama running back Damien Harris thinks his place at the school is in jeopardy.

Is Kalen DeBoer’s job at risk?

“In my opinion, I think his job is on the line with this game, and I think there’s a lot of reasons why,” Harris said on CBS Sports.

“We’ve seen how hard it is to beat a team twice in college football, and if we look at this Alabama team, and say you showed no improvement from the first time you played Oklahoma to the second time, you weren’t able to make adjustments to flip the script of that game, and you can’t win that football game [after] luckily getting into the playoffs, that’s going to be a problem.”

Oklahoma has Alabama’s number

DeBoer is already 0-2 against Oklahoma during his two-year tenure at Alabama and now they return to Norman for a rematch against one of the best defenses in the country.

Dropping to 0-3 would put DeBoer’s place in some peril, Harris argues, especially given some of the talk around other schools reportedly being interested in him, talk that increased after Michigan came open suddenly last week.

That’s not good enough

“Listen, this isn’t the tradition, this isn’t the history that Alabama fans are used to. This isn’t the standard of excellence that’s used to being had in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama. People are still talking about that,” Harris said.

“I know it’s Year Two. I know we’re talking about needing to give coaches time, but when we’re talking about the University of Alabama and the legacy that needs to be set, Kalen DeBoer needs to put his own DNA on that.”

So far, he hasn’t. 

“We’re not seeing that right now. We’re seeing a team that’s full of a lot of potential, has a lot of talent, a lot of resources, but they just haven’t lived up to the billing quite yet during the Kalen DeBoer tenure,” he said.

“All that being said, I think Kalen DeBoer’s job will be in a little bit of jeopardy going into next season if they don’t win this football game.”

But is any of this true?

Speaking frankly, no.

Alabama knew the stakes of finding the right person to replace Nick Saban, the man who defined college football in the 21st century, perhaps for all time, and took great care to find his successor.

DeBoer has been a proven winner, and even despite his relative struggles and losses in two years with the Crimson Tide, is still ahead of the game and has the program in the national title field.

More to it, all of the insider reporting around the coach suggests that he is more than happy being at Alabama, and is entirely focused on leading the school into the future.

And while Michigan is still a seductive opportunity given its prestige, the condition of the athletic department is a genuine concern, before and after the shocking dismissal of Sherrone Moore, who was fired for an alleged improper relationship and landed in jail on multiple charges.

Facing a bevy of negative headlines since the Jim Harbaugh era, whether it be around Covid-era recruiting violations, the Connor Stalions scandal and sign-stealing allegations, and the sudden shocking developments around Moore, even the school itself seems concerned, launching an investigation into itself and its culture.

That would not be an ideal landing spot for a coach who already has one of the top five positions in college football, is in the playoff, and likes where he is. Win or lose this week.

(Harris)

Read more from College Football HQ



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Kalen DeBoer addresses future amid Michigan rumors

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December 15, 2025

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Kalen DeBoer isn’t heading to Michigan.

The Alabama coach decided to release a statement Sunday via Yea Alabama, the university’s NIL collective.

“I have not spoken and have no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job,” the statement from DeBoer read. “I am fully committed to this program and look forward to continuing as the head football coach at the University of Alabama.”

DeBoer said he and his family “are very happy in Tuscaloosa” and are grateful for the support of UA president Peter Mohler, athletics director Greg Byrne, the UA System Board of Trustees “and so many others.”

“We have an incredible opportunity in front of us, so my sole focus is on Alabama football and our preparations to play Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff,” read the statement from DeBoer.

DeBoer was immediately highlighted as a top candidate to watch to coach the Wolverines once Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore for cause on Wednesday. DeBoer had also been mentioned as a candidate for the Penn State job before he shut down those rumors ahead of the SEC Championship Game.

DeBoer and the Crimson Tide are preparing for the College Football Playoff. No. 9 Alabama will face No. 8 Oklahoma on Friday, Dec. 19 in Norman, Oklahoma in the first round of the 12-team playoff. The winner will advance to the Rose Bowl to face No. 1 Indiana.

“We are proud to have Coach DeBoer leading our football program at The University of Alabama,” Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne posted to social media. “He is an incredible coach and does an excellent job with the development of our student-athletes, both on and off the field. Just as he is committed to this team, we are committed to him, and we look forward to taking the field Friday in the first round of the College Football Playoff.”

The game will mark the first for DeBoer as part of the 12-team playoff but his second playoff appearance overall. DeBoer led the Washington Huskies to the national championship game in 2023. Then he agreed to replace Nick Saban at Alabama ahead of the 2024 season.

In 2024, he finished 9-4 and missed the College Football Playoff. Then Alabama improved in his second season, finishing 10-2 in the regular season to reach the SEC Championship Game. The Crimson Tide lost to Georgia in Atlanta. As a result, Alabama heads into the playoff with a 10-3 record.

Heading into the playoff, DeBoer holds an 18-5 record in games against AP top 25 opponents over his time at Alabama, Washington and Fresno State.



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Troy Aikman Blasts College Football NIL Chaos After Player He Paid Bolts Without Thanking Him

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5 hours ago

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December 15, 2025

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Troy Aikman is joining a growing list of major voices calling out the direction of college football.

The Hall of Fame quarterback made the comments during Monday’s episode of “Sports Media with Richard Deitsch,” where he said the current landscape has become a “wild west” with very few meaningful rules.

Aikman made the remark during a discussion about Lane Kiffin’s abrupt departure from Ole Miss and vowed never again to contribute under the current name, image, and likeness rules.

Host Richard Deitsch asked whether Ole Miss should have allowed Kiffin to finish the season even though he was leaving for LSU.

The school blocked Kiffin from doing so.

Aikman answered by turning to the larger problems affecting college football.

He said the chaos surrounding coaching moves, player movement, and money all point to a system without any real structure.

He then shared a story of his own experience with NIL.

Aikman revealed that he personally contributed money to help a UCLA football player. He said he had never met the player and had only donated once.

According to Aikman, the player stayed for only a single season before transferring to another school.

Aikman said he never even received a thank you note after writing what he described as a large check.

Related:

Breaking Report: Hollywood Legend Rob Reiner, Wife Michele Have Been Killed by Their Son Nick

That experience led Aikman to vow never again to contribute his own cash to his alma mater.

Calls for the NCAA to impose stricter guidelines on transfers and payments have grown throughout this season. Many want limits on NIL, a structured transfer system, and clearer rules about when coaches and players can leave a program.

This year’s coaching carousel intensified those concerns.

Kiffin left a playoff-bound Ole Miss squad for LSU.

Players can also transfer as many times as they want, and they can do so while earning unlimited NIL compensation.

The sudden shift has completely upended norms that defined the sport for more than a century.

For decades, players risked punishment for something as minor as accepting the wrong meal from the wrong person.

Now, the system allows widespread payments to entire rosters with almost no restrictions.

Despite the negatives, the new rules have helped historically bad programs become relevant.

Perennial cellar dweller Indiana ended the 2025 regular season ranked number 1.

Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.





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Kalen DeBoer addresses future at Alabama amid Michigan speculation

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6 hours ago

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December 15, 2025

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Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer ended all speculation Sunday afternoon alluding to potential interest in the Michigan vacancy with the Crimson Tide set to Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff next week. DeBoer was considered among the best fits for the Wolverines soon after Sherrone Moore’s firing earlier this week.

DeBoer was scheduled to meet with media on Monday, but released a statement ahead of that appearance.

“My family and I are very happy in Tuscaloosa and remain extremely grateful for the support of President Mohler, Greg Byrne, the board and so many others,” DeBoer said through Yea Alabama, the Crimson Tide’s NIL collective. “We have an incredible opportunity in front of us, so my sole focus is on Alabama football and our preparations to play Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff. I have not spoken and have no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job. I am fully committed to this program and look forward to continuing as the head football coach at the University of Alabama.”

In his second season with the Crimson Tide after taking Washington to the 2023 national championship game, DeBoer is 19-7 at Alabama, which faces Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday night.

“We are proud to have Coach DeBoer leading our football program at The University of Alabama,” Crimson Tide athletic director Greg Byrne said in a statement. “He is an incredible coach and does an excellent job with the development of our student-athletes, both on and off the field. Just as he is committed to this team, we are committed to him, and we look forward to taking the field Friday in the first round of the College Football Playoff.”

DeBoer’s statement came after Ryan Williams and other players mentioned rumors on social media being difficult to avoid.

“Yeah, of course we see it on TV, but I mean, he’s gave his best effort here,” Williams said Friday. “Focused on playing against Oklahoma, we’re not really worried about it. … I mean, at the end of the day, he serves us 100% and that’s our coach, so we’re going to play for him. External noise is external noise, so we just focus on the internal.”

This isn’t the first job opening this cycle where DeBoer’s name immediately emerged. DeBoer denied previous speculation about the Penn State vacancy prior to the Nittany Lions’ hiring of Matt Campbell, but had not addressed the Michigan situation until Sunday.

DeBoer and the Crimson Tide’s chief focus can now be on the Sooners after a previous loss to Oklahoma last month put Alabama in several playoff elimination games down the stretch. The Crimson Tide suffered three giveaways during that 23-21 setback in Tuscaloosa despite doubling Oklahoma in total yardage and largely dominating the contest.

The Alabama-Oklahoma winner plays unbeaten and top-seeded Indiana at the Rose Bowl in the quarterfinals.





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