The college athletics landscape has fractured from multiple seismic shifts in policy – and payment – for student-athletes, including former, current, and future athletes.  

As if the complexities of the house settlement and new NIL provisions, designed to actually mold NIL as it was originally billed, aren’t enough, Sun Belt Conference members are now discussing new membership with Texas State headed to the PAC-12 (or whatever we’re calling it now).

Appalachian State opted into the house settlement revenue-sharing agreement, with direct, immediate, and significant financial implications.  NIL opportunity remains a headline requirement and its now being managed directly within athletic departments.  And App State has a prominent voice within the Sun Belt leadership circle.

Shortly after Beau Pribula committed to Missouri out of the transfer portal, he landed a seven-figure NIL package. Sources told On3’s Pete Nakos it will pay out $1.5 million in 2025, which is similar to other quarterbacks in the SEC.

Before Pribula transferred from Penn State, he didn’t think much about what he would do with his NIL dollars. But once he committed to Mizzou and landed his deal, he decided he was going to “be smart” with his money.

Pribula saw how players across college football used their earnings, whether it be on cars, jewelry, or anything of the like. He chose to take another path and invested, especially taking an interest in real estate. He chose to trust his advisers, and his focus is on setting himself up for success post-college.

“I think it’s kind of a problem in college football, too. Guys buy sports cars, jewelry, clothing – blowing all this well-deserved money they’re getting,” Pribula said on Next Up with Adam Breneman. “I’ve had teammates where it’s like, ‘I got this sports car and all these clothes and jewelry.’ And it’s April, and it’s like, ‘I have to pay 30% to 40% of what I earned all year in taxes? I don’t have it.’ Or, they leave college and they have nothing. That’s really disappointing to see, and that is the No. 1 thing that I wanted to stay away from.

“The first thing I [said] when I signed the contract, I was like, I’m going to be smart with this money. I’m not going to spend a dime. I’m going to invest all of it. Thankfully, I’m around smart businessmen every day. My brother is one. … Right away, I was like, I don’t know much about it right now. I’m new to this thing. But I’m going to trust the people that do and I’m going to let them help me. So I’ve invested in real estate already, a good chunk of it. Just really listening to everything that they have to say because they have a lot of experience with it. Other than that, I’m using my stipend to pay for food.”

Beau Pribula: ‘I’ve seen guys spoil it away’

Beau Pribula recalled a recent run to Chipotle that summed up his philosophy with money. He thought there would be more chicken on his burrito, and his brother told him to get double instead. The quarterback didn’t want to, though. Double chicken costs more.

“I was in Chipotle a couple weeks ago and I was like, ‘They didn’t put enough chicken on my burrito.’ My brother’s like, ‘Get double chicken,’” Pribula said. “I was like, ‘It costs more money.’ … I’m a little stingy, but seriously, I want to be smart with it because I’ve seen guys spoil it away and it’s sad.”

That mindset helped Pribula adjust once he started earning more NIL money. It’s a change of pace from when he was at Penn State, where his focus was simply on football as he backed up Drew Allar.

Now, he’s learning more about the financial world as he invests his dollars. Pribula called that one of the positives of the NIL era, as athletes get educated on the need to spend wisely.

“I had zero interest in January,” Pribula said of real estate investment. “I didn’t care about anything but football. And I still, really, just only care about football, to be honest. But earning this money has kind of forced me to be interested in it and learn all about it and everything like that.

“One thing that is good for college athletes earning money, I think it kind of forces you to mature quickly and think strategically with your money. So yeah, I’ve become more interested in real estate and investing and all that stuff because you kind of have to.”

The college football world, specifically the Big Ten, was taken for a ride during the 2023 season amid revelations that Michigan gained impermissible access to opposing teams’ on-field signals — an effort spearheaded by former Wolverines defensive analyst Connor Stalions.

Earlier this week at Big 12 Media Days, TCU head coach Sonny Dykes stated that the Horned Frogs had to use “dummy signals” against the Wolverines in their 2022-2023 College Football Playoff semifinal round matchup.

Stalions vehemently denied what he referred to as “the same recycled story” from Dykes.

He went on to provide some details on social media in response, saying that Michigan lost because of turnovers and poor defensive play, not because TCU “fooled” the Wolverines with changed signals. 

“TCU kept everything from the coordinator to QB the same, but had dummy signals & some new signals from the QB to Receivers,” Stalions wrote. “But that didn’t matter because I’m watching the coach and seeing what they changed in real time. Similar to Ohio State “changing their signals.” They changed their route concepts & some run concepts — not their formations & pass protection signals, which is all I cared about.”

Stalions doubled down, saying that if TCU had changed its signals, it “would have confused the 18-year-olds on the field more than it would confuse me.”

“If you don’t want teams to steal your signals, then don’t signal,” Stallions wrote. “Any team that signals on offense is trying to force the defense to signal so they can steal it. There’s really no other advantage. … The continuous attempt to correlate signals to any wins & losses at Michigan is funny. There were 7 games in my time at Michigan where I knew almost every signal the whole game. … We lost 3 of those games because we didn’t tackle well, and Georgia was historically good. We won the four other games because we dominated the line of scrimmage & tackled well.

“Blocking, ball security, tackling, run fits & coverage tools. That’s football. This is not rocket science.”

[MORE: Greed. Selfishness. Lack of Integrity. Big 12 Coaches Propose Change in NIL Era]

Stalions resigned from his position in November 2023 in the wake of the scandal and amid the NCAA’s investigation. Michigan later fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge for purportedly covering up details about the scandal. Then-head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten for the team’s final three games of the regular season.

Harbaugh returned for the CFP, and Michigan went on to win the national championship for the first time in 26 years. That offseason, Harbaugh departed Michigan to become the new head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.

Following its tumultuous yet successful 2023 season, Michigan finished 8-5 in 2024. As for Stalions, he became the defensive coordinator at Detroit Mumford High School and then the offensive coordinator at Belleville High School, where star quarterback Bryce Underwood played, in 2024. Underwood committed to Michigan in November 2024, flipping his commitment from LSU.

Stalions joined Michigan as a volunteer assistant in 2018 and was then promoted to defensive analyst in 2022.

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MOUNT SAVAGE — Mount Savage native and Mountain Ridge rising senior Jesseca Kline is garnering interest from numerous college soccer programs after spending the last decade playing high-level travel and club soccer.

Kline has a chance to become the first Division I women’s soccer recruit from Mountain Ridge since 2016.

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Kline does not hold any offers but has received interest from 15 Division I and 11 Division II programs, also holding interest from 31 Division III and several Juco and NAIA schools.

“It is an honor to represent the area at any division, especially D1,” Kline said. “I love playing soccer very much, but my academics are very important to me. I’m looking for the right fit for myself to balance both academics, athletics, and costs, which might be a D2 instead.”

Niven Hegeman was the Miners’ last Division 1 recruit, signing with the University of Maryland.

The stout defender was the Area Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015 and went 29-1 in the Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference (AMAC) in her career, losing her first high school game to Hampshire.

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Hegeman spent the next four seasons at Maryland and played 35 games for the Terrapins with 26 starts.

Kline played five of her six years of club soccer in sanctioned leagues, earning two State Cup championships and three finalists.

In 2022 with BVBIA (BVB International Academy) of Morgantown, Kline’s team finished first in West Virginia.

The BVB Academy is the international academy for Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund with locations across the United States.

Kline’s team became one of two girl’s teams in BVBIA club history to reach the USYS (United States Youth Soccer) National League, competing in the Great Lakes Conference against teams from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

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“I think Jesseca’s got a great personality, she’s a hard worker,” BVBIA head coach Kernell Borneo said. “Definitely understands the game as well as a level of commitment, being able to drive over an hour to practice in Morgantown.”

After Kline’s freshman year, she was offered to compete in the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) midwest division as part of the Super Y.

The ECNL is considered the top level of youth soccer while the Super Y is one of the top tier summer leagues.

In Super Y play, Kline scored one goal and added a pair of assists, leading her team to a third-place finish and a berth in the national championship.

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Due to a lack of available players, her team was unable to compete at nationals.

In Kline’s sophomore year, she competed in the Olympic Development Program and reached the East Region ID event, one level shy of the interregional event that provides the selection pool for the national team.

As BVBIA was changing leagues, Kline joined the top ranked team in PA West, FC 814 Energy in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

“From a skill standpoint, I would say decision making,” Travis Delio, Kline’s trainer, said of where she’s improved the most in the two years he’s worked with her. “She’s always had a nice foundation of skill. Her decision making has improved, and her willingness to be more involved in the game because of her confidence in her skill level.”

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Kline played her second consecutive season in the USYS National League Great Lakes Conference, leading FC 814 to it’s highest national ranking in North America (12th).

FC 814 earned a spot in the 2023 USYS National Championship Playoffs, considered one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious youth soccer tournaments.

Kline earned the game-winning assist in the first game and went the length of the field for a goal denying tackle in the 75th minute, securing a 2-1 win and earning the top seed in the semifinals.

After dropping the first semifinal game in penalties, and the second 1-0, Kline’s play at defender prevented any scoring opportunities and allowed her team to complete a 3-2 comeback victory.

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“My biggest benefit from playing club soccer would be that it makes me a better all-around player,” Kline said. “They focus more on the smaller stuff and controlling the ball at your feet. They are also really big on confidence and believing that you can beat someone one-on-one with confidence and always hyping you up. The girls are fantastic and always supportive.”

Her father Dave Kline has been involved in travel soccer for 15 years and does not believe anyone else from the area has played in two national championships.

In Kline’s first season on varsity at Mountain Ridge last fall, she led the Miners in shots on goal (63%), goals per SOG (50%), tackles (74%), one-on-one duels/challenges (73%) with beating up to three defenders, pass completion (67%), and forward passes completed in the attacking third (66%).

Dave Kline said he acquired the stats from iSportsAnalysis in England, which calculates the stats based on minutes played.

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Kline was on all but one of the area statistical leaderboards for points and finished second on the Miners and 22nd locally with 14.

Notably, Kline did not start a game last season.

“I think the biggest difference is the level of play, and all the teams play possession soccer,” Jesseca Kline said of comparing club soccer to high school. “In the National League, everyone trains and practices year-round. Final decision making and passing are critical because the speed of play is fast.”

Kline spent the following winter playing in the YMCA U19 boy’s winter indoor league, scoring nine goals over eight games.

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Several Mountain Ridge boys players were on the team including Owen Cooper, Trey Idol and Austin Simpson.

Kline then rejoined her BVBIA team which won three games over college teams including Division II West Virginia Wesleyan and Hagerstown Community College, which was a quarterfinalist in Region 20.

“We really push our girls playing at our level to understand the level of competition, and what it takes to play at the college level,” Borneo said.

They also defeated Christendom College of the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) who reached the national championship in 2024.

Kline’s team tied Division II Fairmont State which is also coached by Borneo.

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Kline competed at the Eastern Regional Championships last weekend in Aldie, Virginia, where her team defeated the third-ranked team in the country before falling to the fourth-ranked squad.

“One is speed, something she certainly has,” Delio said of what separates college prospects from high school players. “Some people can train it, some people have it naturally. I think she has a little bit of both, naturally fast but also improving in speed. It’s a major element, especially in women’s soccer. If you’re fast, a coach will find you.”

The landscape of college football is shifting faster than TreVeyon Henderson on a screen pass through the Texas defense!

Recent developments like the House settlement, the proposed SCORE Act, and the push for collective bargaining are reshaping the sport, and the Buckeyes are ready to capitalize. With Athletic Director Ross Bjork both steering the ship for Ohio State and deeply involved with the recent changes to College Football, Ohio State’s strategic moves and massive fan base make it a powerhouse in this new era of revenue sharing and regulated Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.

The House settlement, a multi-billion-dollar agreement finalized in 2025, is a game-changer. It allows schools to share revenue directly with athletes, capped at $20 million annually, while cracking down on shady NIL deals orchestrated by booster-backed collectives.

The College Sports Commission (CSC), the settlement’s enforcement arm, is already rejecting deals that don’t meet a “valid business purpose,” particularly those from collectives trying to skirt the cap with pay-for-play schemes disguised as NIL.

Ohio State, under Bjork’s leadership, has been well out in front and prepared for this new reality. By bringing NIL operations in-house and partnering with firms like Learfield, the Buckeyes are playing by the rules and avoiding the pitfalls of third-party collectives.

Some programs have seemingly given in to temptation to try and game the system, as they have thrived in the wild west era of college athletics, where money has been flaunted and seemingly purchased players. Ohio State’s compliance-focused approach ensures it won’t face the CSC’s wrath of penalties that could range from fines to roster restrictions, depending on the violation’s severity.

The introduction of the SCORE Act in Congress is just one more piece of reassurance that Ohio State and Ross Bjork have been prepared. This bipartisan bill, moving at lightning speed, aims to codify the settlement’s rules into federal law, preempting state laws like those in Tennessee or Michigan that tried to dodge oversight. It also protects athletes from predatory agents by capping fees at 5%.

While other programs like those up north have banked on legal loopholes, Ohio State’s legal team—backed by the university’s formidable resources—knew Congress was likely to step in. The SCORE Act’s swift progress means the Buckeyes’ above-board approach will pay dividends, potentially limiting recruiting disruptions to just one cycle.

Ohio State’s edge doesn’t stop at compliance. The Buckeyes’ massive fan base and deep-pocketed alumni network are tailor-made for the new NIL landscape. With millions of supporters and Ohio State’s national brand, businesses across America are lining up to ink legitimate NIL deals with Buckeye players.

Jeremiah Smith’s recent deal with Adidas is a prime example. Ohio State is giving players real deals that pass the CSC’s scrutiny, not collectives funneling booster cash. Ohio State’s in-house Buckeye Sports Group can broker these deals, acting as a middleman to connect players with companies while staying within the rules. This setup maximizes opportunities for athletes to earn without risking penalties, and bolsters their names before they ever get to the NFL.

As the sport inches toward a model where athletes are treated more like employees, the Buckeyes’ infrastructure—legal expertise, financial resources, and brand power—positions them to negotiate favorable terms. Unlike smaller programs or those reliant on single billionaires, Ohio State’s broad support base and institutional stability make it a leader in shaping this future.

The Juck on Bucks podcast nailed it: the days of collectives are numbered, and Ohio State’s decision to internalize operations was a masterstroke. While collectives scramble to justify their existence, Ohio State is building a sustainable model that empowers athletes and engages fans without the chaos of “lawlessness.”

In this new era, Ohio State isn’t just keeping up—they’re setting the pace. The House settlement ensures fair compensation, the SCORE Act locks in a level playing field, and collective bargaining looms as a chance to cement their advantage.

With Bjork’s foresight, a compliance-first mindset, the national brand of Ohio State, and a fan base that bleeds scarlet and gray, the Buckeyes are poised to dominate recruiting, revenue, and, yes, the national championship race. As the CSC shuts down shady deals and Congress steps in, Ohio State’s rivals might be sweating, but Buckeye Nation can sit back and enjoy the view from the top.

For the first time this year, the Chicago Sky defeated a team over .500. They did so by taking down the best team in the WNBA with an 87-81 victory over the Minnesota Lynx at Wintrust Arena.

Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso helped lead the charge, each recording a double-double. In fact, Reese saw Saturday’s performance as a statement.

The former LSU star declared the sky the WNBA’s “best young core,” likely alluding to an ESPN article released last month on that topic. The Sky came in as the No. 7-ranked core in the league, though the trio of Reese, Cardoso and Hailey Van Lith were listed as players to build around. To Reese, though, Chicago proved it should be at the top.

“Somebody said we wasn’t the best young core in the league. I think we’re the best young core in the league, for sure. Hands down,” Reese told Angel Gray on the ABC broadcast. “The Skyscrapers, we’re doing it every single night. I’m really proud of everybody, including [Elizabeth Williams]. E-Will comes in and does what she does. I’m just super happy for the team.”

Reese recorded her eighth straight double-double with Saturday’s victory as she totaled 19 points and 11 rebounds. Cardoso – in her second straight game back in Chicago following her stint with the Brazilian National Team – had 17 points and a game-high 15 boards.

But Ariel Atkins was the top scorer in the victory, dropping 27 points. She hit some big shots down the stretch, and Reese sees a player finding her stride with her new team. Of course, that includes on the defensive end of the floor.

“She’s tough,” Reese said. “And people slept on her, people kept saying she was washed. She shows up every single night and put on. Every bucket was tough. … I’m just really happy for her. She’s getting her groove. That’s just not offensively – that’s defensively, too.

“You’ve got to know, this is a two-way player. She’s been on defensive teams. I’m super happy to have her. Dubs in the chat.”

With the victory, the Sky improve to 7-13 overall this season while also handing the Lynx their fourth loss. The two teams will square off again on Monday, staying in Chicago at Wintrust Arena. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET.