NIL
Changes in Antitrust Law May Signal Increased Scrutiny for Long-Standing Eligibility Rules in Pro Sports | 05 | 2025 | Publications | Insights & Publications
Key Takeaways: The aftershocks of O’Bannon and Alston are still being felt as college athletes have successfully challenged eligibility rules once considered non-commercial in nature. The presumption that eligibility rules are necessary to run a sporting league may no longer be accepted and such rules may require a procompetitive justification. Professional leagues should review rules […]
- The aftershocks of O’Bannon and Alston are still being felt as college athletes have successfully challenged eligibility rules once considered non-commercial in nature.
- The presumption that eligibility rules are necessary to run a sporting league may no longer be accepted and such rules may require a procompetitive justification.
- Professional leagues should review rules traditionally viewed as “non-commercial” to better anticipate antitrust challenges to those rules amidst an evolving legal landscape.
Eligibility rules have long been the sovereign territory of professional sports leagues. However, recent decisions have called this tradition into question. In this article, we discuss three recent cases involving former Junior College athletes seeking to compete notwithstanding their ineligibility under NCAA (the “National Collegiate Athletic Association”) rules. As antitrust law continues to develop alongside collegiate sports’ rapid evolution in the NIL (“Name, Image, and Likeness”) era, professional and collegiate sports leagues should take note of these new decisions and the impact they might have on league governance rules more broadly. In two of those cases (Pavia and Elad) the courts subjected the NCAA’s eligibility restriction to a rule of reason analysis before granting the requested preliminary injunction enjoining application of the rule. In the third, the court declined to subject the eligibility rule to antitrust scrutiny, finding the rule to be non-commercial in nature and going on to say it would survive antitrust scrutiny even if the rule was commercial in nature.
Pavia v. NCAA and Elad v. NCAA: Successful Challenges to Eligibility Rules Impacting Former Junior College Athletes
Junior College athletes have been increasingly successful in obtaining preliminary injunctions that allow extra years of eligibility at a Division I school, calling into question the enforceability of the NCAA’s long-standing “Five-Year Rule.” The Five-Year Rule permits college athletes to compete in up to four competitive seasons within five years, inclusive of time spent at a Junior College. This “JUCO Rule” means that a recruit transferring to a Division I institution after graduating from a Junior College will have two fewer seasons of eligibility than a recruit enrolling directly at a four-year institution out of high school.
Diego Pavia, a quarterback who transferred to Vanderbilt after two seasons at New Mexico State University, obtained an injunction that will allow him to suit up for Vanderbilt this fall. Pavia sought the injunction because, prior to joining New Mexico State University, he led the New Mexico Military Institute to a Junior College National Championship victory in 2021. Application of the JUCO Rule would have resulted in his 2024 season at Vanderbilt having been his last. Pavia sued to enjoin that rule, and the Court found that the JUCO Rule’s restrictions on eligibility “necessarily have anticompetitive effects” in the NIL era. Judge William Campbell of the Middle District of Tennessee explained that “the NCAA’s assertion that restrictions on the length of eligibility have a net neutral affect ignores the new economic reality in the age of NIL compensation.” The Court further characterized NCAA Eligibility Rules as “restrictions on who can compete (and earn NIL compensation) and for how long.” The NCAA subsequently granted a waiver to permit similarly situated former JUCO players to play a fourth year of Division I sports in fall 2025 or spring 2026. This ruling left student-athletes who weren’t similarly situated to Pavia in an uncertain situation.
Enter Jett Elad. Elad transferred to Rutgers University from the University of Las Vegas after playing at Garden City Community College in Kansas. Although Elad had hoped that the NCAA might grant him the same waiver that benefitted Diego Pavia and other similarly situated athletes, the NCAA denied Elad’s application for such a waiver. Elad then filed for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA in April, arguing that counting his year of Junior College competition against his NCAA eligibility violates Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act by unreasonably restraining trade in the labor market for college athletes.
Judge Zahid N. Quraishi of the District of New Jersey agreed, finding that Division I college football players are part of a “labor market” where compensation takes the form of lucrative NIL deals. Players, Quraishi explained, also use Division I football to prepare for the NFL. Recognizing that an injunction was “potentially Elad’s only opportunity to complete his Division I career and transition into the NFL,” the court found that “the JUCO Rule is commercial in nature” and that “the JUCO Rule limits who is eligible to play and therefore to negotiate a NIL agreement.”
Like the court in Pavia, Judge Quraishi’s decision reflected the new NIL reality. He noted that “Elad’s NIL agreement is a real-life example of a wider phenomenon [in which] older, more experienced players generally receive more NIL compensation than younger, less experienced players at the same position. Selectively limiting JUCO students from that pool necessarily has a commercial effect.” Judge Quraishi further stressed that Elad’s decision to enroll at Rutgers “was based in part on a NIL deal for $550,000 compensation, with an additional $100,000 incentive bonus if he is named to the All-Big Ten First Team.”
The changes in NIL within the market for college football and the broader recognition that the NCAA is engaged in a commercial enterprise was critical for Pavia and Elad’s determination that the NCAA’s long-standing eligibility restrictions were commercial in nature and should be enjoined. As such, both cases show the judiciary’s increased willingness to review sports league eligibility rules under antitrust law.
Goldstein v. NCAA: Tempered Expectations for Wholesale Elimination of the Five-Year Rule
Not all student-athletes’ Antitrust challenges of NCAA eligibility rules have prevailed. In Goldstein v. NCAA, a student-athlete’s petition for injunctive relief to increase his eligibility was denied by Judge Tillman “Tripp” Self of the Middle District of Georgia. Judge Self ruled that the NCAA eligibility bylaws are “non-commercial” and, therefore, are not subject to antitrust law. Unlike Elad who was offered over half a million dollars in NIL funds, Goldstein “did not have a single dollar amount on . . . [his] current or potential NIL compensation.” In addition, while Pavia and Elad both concerned college football eligibility, Goldstein and other similar rulings in favor of the NCAA concerned college baseball players who were not economically similarly situated. While the determination that the eligibility rule is not commercial in nature is hard to square with the contrary opinions in Pavia and Elad, it appears that the outsized revenue and NIL funds in college football drove the differing outcomes.
Broader Implications on Professional Sports
For years, the NCAA largely prevailed against antitrust challenges. That changed in a dramatic way following plaintiffs’ victories in O’Bannon v. NCAA and then in Alston v. NCAA. But those cases addressed restrictions on athletes’ ability to receive compensation. Pavia and Elad signal that the antitrust scrutiny of NCAA rules is unlikely to end with Alston and that rules previously considered to be non-commercial and aimed at preserving parity in sports are also in plaintiffs’ sights.
These challenges to NCAA league rules should not be viewed as siloed and limited to college sports. In the past year there have been several high-profile antitrust challenges in the sports world targeting league rules, as we have previously discussed in our updates on NASCAR and US Soccer.
It may be that we are seeing a shift in how the courts view sports leagues, with judges less reticent than they have been in the past to interfere with a tradition viewed as deeply rooted in our nation’s collective consciousness, and therefore less willing to defer to league rules even where the leagues assert that they are best suited to decide the rules required for competition. As the case law continues to develop, professional sports leagues should anticipate the possibility that their traditional governance models may suddenly be subjected to antitrust scrutiny.
This publication is for general information purposes only. It is not intended to provide, nor is it to be used as, a substitute for legal advice. In some jurisdictions it may be considered attorney advertising.
NIL
Top 100 Players in College Football for the 2025 Season
College football season is getting closer, and there are officially 100 days left until the 2025 campaign gets underway. To celebrate, On3’s Clark Brooks broke down the Top 100 Players in College Football for the 2025 season. He began by providing an overview of what you can expect to see by position in terms of […]
College football season is getting closer, and there are officially 100 days left until the 2025 campaign gets underway. To celebrate, On3’s Clark Brooks broke down the Top 100 Players in College Football for the 2025 season.
He began by providing an overview of what you can expect to see by position in terms of the breakdown. It’s quite useful stuff.
“One of the first things that jump out for this crop is the number of talented QBs,” Brooks said. “This time last year, only 3 signal callers earned the honor of making our top25. Flash forward to today, and you’ll see 7. Concisely, there are less Offensive Executives and more dudes with bankable next-level traits, which is great for college football. All in all, a dozen passers crack the top100 – the third most of any position.
“We are big believers in last year’s historic freshmen class. Of our top7 most impact players, 5 are rising sophomores, and a handful of others made the cut. At this stage, we feel very comfortable in their collective ability to dominate their positions and brighten their stars not only this year but next as well.
“For lovers of quality line play, our list should generate plenty of smiles. Scores of known (and successful) commodities exist upfront on both sides of the ball as linemen compose 45% of today’s top100 ranker. Of course, some of that is due to other positions being riddled with uncertainty. That said, this year’s collection of talented big boys is too much to ignore. Offensive Tackle is particularly deep and well-represented with 16 slots, the most of any position.”
With 100 days left until kickoff, here’s the full breakdown of the Top 100 players in college football this coming year.
Clark Brooks: “No need to overthink this one. Smith was spectacular as a freshman and has all the makings of a future star. He has the size (6’3, 215), the speed (former Florida state champion in the 110 and 400 meter hurdles), and skill (did you not watch any college football last year?) to be the next phenom at the position and rule the sport for the next two years.
“While his counting stats speak for themselves, he also kicked ass in a very efficient manner. Half of his targets last year either moved the chains or resulted in points. Plus, no returning P4 receiver boasts a higher yards/route run (3.13).”
Brooks: “An impact player in every sense of the word, Stewart has a knack for causing chaos and demoralizing opposing offensive linemen. At 6’6, 250 – he’s the only returning defensive lineman to sit inside the top4 in both havoc plays (62) and PFF pass rush grade (91.4).
“Freakish vibes. And, the rising sophomore is just getting started.”
Brooks: “Safety ordinarily isn’t considered the most impactful position. So seeing one inside the top3 in this list should scream how talented Downs is. He lines up all over – at centerfield, in the box, on the flank or nickel – wherever his team needs him.
“Fittingly, Downs can lock receivers down one-on-one, plug run lanes, and be a general nuisance to offensive play callers on any given snap. Moreover, each of the last two years – playing for two of college football’s biggest brands – he finished among PFF’s top10 highest-graded safeties.”
Brooks: “Like fellow sensational sophomore Dylan Stewart, Simmons is tenacious, active, and quite good at disrupting offenses. If logging 9 sacks wasn’t enough, his 17.6% Impact Rate – or percentage of snaps that result in a havoc play or defensive stop) is the best figure of any returning P4 defender.
“To do that as a first-year in the Land Where It Just Means More is special stuff.”
Brooks: “We at On3 are higher on him than the consensus, but he just delivers value all over. In my annual QB study, Leavitt was my favorite player to chart. He is a potent passer with lethal precision, minimizes mistakes masterfully, and displays nice feats of athleticism.
“Charles Powers comp’d him “Bo Nix-plus” recently (which might sound like a slight but Nix did end up figuring it out and becoming a first rounder) but I think he might have the potential to reach another echelon with his arm talent. Speaking of, his 59.7% Depth Adjusted Accuracy would have only trailed Cam Ward’s clip in last year’s QB Study.”
Brooks: “Williams is one of the most electric pass catchers around and should be the primary engine for Alabama’s offense. As a 17-year-old, he was the only SECer with at least 28 receptions to post a +10.0 yards/target and +9.0 yards after catch average.
“Even with the extra attention he’s bound to get from opponents, there’s a strong expectation that he will continue to amaze and provide game-altering splash plays for the Crimson Tide.”
Brooks: “Moore is a stud. He didn’t back down from any challenges last year and emerged as one of the position’s best players despite being a freshman – a noticeable trend on this list.
“Playing a high percentage of man coverage (61%), he was 1/23 high volume corners last year to allow a sub-5.2 yards/target and 0.75 yards/coverage snap. Plus, the stingy 6’2 Golden Domer sports the 3rd-best PFF coverage grade (86.5) among returners ahead of this fall.”
Brooks: “Sellers puts the spec.. Umm rec spec .. into spectacular. Few QBs are blessed with physical tools like his. And unlike some of these other aliens of that ilk, he has to date shown to be a prudent, accurate passer that avoids biffs and tossing the ball into harm’s way.
“To that point, he was the only SEC high volume starter last fall to finish inside the conference’s top2 in both Depth Adjusted Accuracy and Interceptable%. He is capable of scoring on any play with his arm or his legs – both in and out of structure. Fumbles are something to monitor, but his upside is premium.”
Brooks: “Hill is a brawny, aggressive force in the middle of the Longhorns’ defense. His meaty 6’3, 235 lb frame packs a pretty punch; and he’s a handful when he generates positive inertia.
“His steady presence has netted 77 stops, 10 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles the last couple of seasons.”
Brooks: “You might have heard about this kid. Well like many, we at On3 expect big things out of Manning 3.0. In previous years, labeling a Sarkisian QB as a Checkdown Charlie or Offensive Executive would be a given. But in this case, it would be downright reprehensible.
“Like his uncles, he has premier passing abilities. He can layer throws, hit targets all over the yard, and stay in attack mode from the pocket with excellent balance, timing, and anticipation. Like his grandpa, he has noticeable twitch and burst that do him well outside of structure and as a designed rusher. Yes, Manning ought to benefit from his environment. But he’s also talented enough to elevate Texas to planes it hasn’t been in a generation.”
Brooks: “Love is a big play waiting to happen. He ripped off a breakaway in half of Notre Dame’s games. His 7.1 yards/touch was top30-worthy and only 7 backs donned a better EPA/attempt.
“But while those highlights are fun, I am enamored with his hardnosed rushing style. Last year, Love was 1/5 RBs to rock a +4.3 YAC average and +38% Missed Tackle Forced Rate according to PFF.”
Brooks: “Lagway oozes juice. He was the only P4 QB to sport a double-digit PFF Big Time Throw%. He led the SEC in Splash Pass% (+35). And he finished with college football’s 2nd-best yards/dropback clip…as a freshman.
“Granted, the Samford game considerably boosted his bottom line. But even with that matchup omitted from his profile, both his 8.7 Y/A and 15.6% Explosive Pass% (+20) were top of the crop in my off-season QB study. Florida might be set up to fail due to another brutal schedule. But Lagway’s haymakers ought to give the Gators a fighter’s chance any given Saturday.”
Brooks: “Woods is an excellent matchup dictator for Clemson’s formidable defensive front. He has experience lining up everywhere from a nose-shade to flanking a TE, with standout returns.
“Among high-volume DTs, he’s the only returner ahead of this fall inside the top15 in Impact, Havoc, and Stop Rates. And for good measure, the versatile Woods has the 6th-best Pass Rush Win Rate against true sets per PFF.”
Brooks: “I really like what Nuss brings to the table. Of course he had a shot to be a first-rounder in this year’s draft, but he should squarely be in the QB1 discussion moving forward. His heat-seeking arm is often what makes folks rubberneck his way. But in my opinion, his best trait is his feet.
“Nuss consistently is able to quick step and reset vs pressure and dance all thru the pocket avoiding takedowns – a necessity in this day and day no matter what style of quarterback you are. And from where I sit, it didn’t hurt his case that he also finished above the group average in my off-season QB study in Explosive Pass%, Interceptable%, and Accuracy% beyond 10 yards downfield.”
Brooks: “Coming off a breakout season, Overton is starting to live up to his 5-star pedigree. Beefy and strong, he’s well-suited to blow up run concepts and control his gap.
“But he’s much more than a space eater. Overton snatched 66 impact plays and has a top20 True Pass Set Win Rate among returning edges.”
Brooks: “The OT1 debate in college football is wide open. There’s even an opinion Fano isn’t even the best tackle on his own team. But for right now, this hoss is our guy to headline the group.
“Fano is a certified bulldozer in the trenches and an undeniably visibly-pleasing run blocker. Plus, the rising junior is now an asset when Utah drops back. He disallowed pressure on 96.9% of his pass sets last year – a mark only bested by 6 returning P4 tackles.”
Brooks: “McCoy blossomed during his sophomore season. He’s fluid and fast with pretty good results shielding targets.
“His 11 overall forced incompletions are the most of any returning SEC DB. Specializing as a zone cover corner, only two returning CBs top his 87.5 PFF grade spot dropping.”
Brooks: “It wouldn’t shock me in the slightest if Parker is a top10 pick next April. Simply, he just produces.
“Including his gaudy 12 sacks, 7 TFLs and 5 forced fumbles, his 93 impact plays were the 8th-most among defenders last year. And among edges, he’s the only returner to rank top5 in both stops and havoc plays by volume.”
Brooks: “Tyson is a bonafide playmaker. In the five games before his injury, he averaged roughly 9 catches for 124 per contest while totaling 6 tuddies. But, he wasn’t just a target vacuum compiling stats.
“Tyson was resoundingly economical with his opportunities. Only Jeremiah Smith tops his 3.04 yards/route run amongst returning P4 pass catchers. Assuming he picks up where he left off, Leavitt’s favorite target should be one of the most prolific receivers in college football this fall.”
Brooks: “When healthy, Bain is a relentless ball of energy with a red-hot motor. Injury prevented him from leveling up during his sophomore campaign. But despite that momentary setback, his upside remains high.
“Even with last year’s “dip”, Bain topped positional averages across the board regarding Impact, Havoc, and Stop Rates. And over the last two years, he’s won a quarter of his pass rushes versus true pass sets.”
Brooks: “Terrell has a good argument to be considered college football’s most well-rounded cornerback. Solid in both zone and man, he was consistently reliable preventing yardage.
“After all, he was one of the more active ball hawks last fall tallying 12 defended passes. And behind 19 stops, no returner at the position logged more total impact plays than his 39.”
Brooks: “He’s yet to put it all together and be a consistent downfield thrower, but Allar has the ingredients to be a very impactful QB this season; especially after how Penn State invested in upgrading its pass catchers. He is a big passer with a sturdy, durable frame built to do damage from the pocket.
“With a compact release, his downfield offerings hardly require any strain and he can deliver fastballs even without a firm foundation. Plus, he’s shown to be a trusty decision maker that avoids football boo boos. He has a very deliberate style of moving and doesn’t win many footraces. That said, defenders can bounce right off of him; and when he can build up momentum, the ante gets upped.”
Brooks: “Most nosetackles strive to occupy space and be glorified Frisian horses in the middle of the line. But “The Godfather’s” approach to the game aims to provide value in other ways; namely as a twitchy pass rusher and reliable run game stopper.
“Over the last three seasons he’s accumulated over 60 pressures and defensive stops. Though a health scare affected his off-season last summer, many are expecting him to once again appear on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List due to his weight room prowess.”
Brooks: “The former consensus top100 recruit and top10 cornerback of the 2023 class is one of the better shadow DBs ahead of this fall. He might not always strive to goad passers into risky throws or yearn to get his jersey dirty.
“But Harris doesn’t mind if his name gets called much – as long as he’s erasing his assignment. And it certainly helps his case knowing he is 1/4 returning corners with a +75.0 PFF coverage grade in both man and zone.”
Brooks: “This time last year, Beck was the consensus QB1 with hardly any blemishes on his passing profile. Obviously, things changed and Beck’s 2024 football season didn’t go as planned. His general accuracy soured, he logged more interceptables, he continued to stink when forced to pass off his mark, and suffered a surgery-requiring injury on his throwing arm. Yet, I remain optimistic he can regain his old form as one of the game’s soundest distributors within structure.
“Not only did he remain a standout midrange passer – one of his better selling points ahead of last season – but he logged my QB study’s lowest Uncatchable Pass Rate. Plus, he probably won’t suffer from the same level of backbreaking butterfingers for the 2nd-straight year. Not only were Beck’s 665 “drop yards” the most in the SEC by 130, it was the highest total I have charted within the conference since 2018. Practically a sixth of his throws +10 yards past the line of scrimmage were dropped.”
- EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
- OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
- iOL Jake Slaughter, Florida
- OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
- OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
- QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
- RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
- CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
- WR Cam Coleman, Auburn
- LB Whit Weeks, LSU
- EDGE Mikail Kamara, Indiana
- S Rod Moore, Michigan
- LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama
- iOL Parker Brailsford, Alabama
- WR Makai Lemon, USC
- CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
- RB Isaac Brown, Louisville
- WR Ryan Wingo, Texas
- LB Austin Romaine, Kansas State
- WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
- WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
- EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
- EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan
- iOL Ar’Maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
- INT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
- INT Caleb Banks, Florida
- OT Brian Parker II, Duke
- OT Carter Smith, Indiana
- S Kamari Ramsey, USC
- iOL Logan Jones, Iowa
- OT Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
- RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
- iOL Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
- OT Blake Miller, Clemson
- EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
- S Terry Moore, Duke
- TE Justin Joly, NC State
- QB John Mateer, Oklahoma
- RB Makhi Hughes, Oregon
- OT Gennings Dunker, Iowa
- CB Xavier Scott, Illinois
- OT Austin Barber, Florida
- OT Isaiah World, Oregon
- S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
- S Koi Perich, Minnesota
- WR Evan Stewart, Oregon
- EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
- EDGE Tyreak Sapp, Florida
- CB Jontez Williams, Iowa State
- WR Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn
- LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
- LB Rasheem Biles, Pittsburgh
- INT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
- WR Eugene Wilson III, Florida
- INT Aaron Graves, Iowa
- QB Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
- iOL Drew Evans, Indiana
- INT Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
- OT Kage Casey, Boise State
- EDGE Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
- QB Josh Hoover, TCU
- QB Taylen Green, Arkansas
- OT Trevor Goosby, Texas
- LB CJ Allen, Georgia
- iOL Cayden Green, Missouri
- S Michael Taaffe, Texas
- OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
- OT Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
- INT Christen Miller, Georgia
- OT Jordan Seaton, Colorado
- RB Darius Taylor, Minnesota
- RB Jahiem White, West Virginia
- RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State
NIL
Nate Oats, Alabama hosting top Transfer Portal target on visit this weekend
Nate Oats and Alabama basketball are looking to fill the remaining two open roster spots for the 2025-26 season. The team officially received clarity on Labaron Philon this week, with the star guard opting to remain in the NBA Draft instead of returning for his sophomore season in Tuscaloosa. With several quality options remaining in […]
Nate Oats and Alabama basketball are looking to fill the remaining two open roster spots for the 2025-26 season. The team officially received clarity on Labaron Philon this week, with the star guard opting to remain in the NBA Draft instead of returning for his sophomore season in Tuscaloosa.
With several quality options remaining in the Transfer Portal, Oats and the Crimson Tide have zeroed in on one of the best players remaining. USC transfer guard Desmond Claude is expected to be in Tuscaloosa on Sunday to visit Alabama, per On3’s Joe Tipton.
According to Busting Brackets, Claude is the No. 5 overall player remaining in the Transfer Portal.
Claude is a 6-foot-6 combo guard who is capable of playing on or off the ball. He would be another big body at guard, something that has been an obvious priority for the Crimson Tide this offseason.
Claude has played three seasons of college basketball and will be entering his final year of eligibility. He spent his first two seasons at Xavier before transferring to USC last season. For the Trojans, Claude averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Claude was Top 15 in both points and assists in the Big Ten.
Claude is a career 27.1% shooter from three, which could make him a bit of an odd fit in Oats’ system. However, Claude shot a career-high 30.7% for the Trojans last year.
Oats recently commented that this could be the best shooting team he has put together at Alabama. With three-point shooters everywhere else, taking a swing on a playmaking guard who can get to the rim and distribute the ball is a worthwhile gamble.
Claude converted 55.7% of his attempts at the rim and hit 47.7% from mid-range.
Desmond Claude’s game is similar to a former Alabama guard
Claude’s all-around game is similar to former Alabama guard Aaron Estrada. Estrada wasn’t a great shooter – he hit 31.3% of his threes with the Crimson Tide – but he was still a productive player on both ends of the court and a major piece of a Final Four team.
The big difference between the two is that Claude is listed as three inches taller than Estrada.
The one area of concern with Claude will be on the defensive end of the floor. He graded out poorly on the defensive end last year at USC and had a negative Defensive BPM (box plus-minus). USC ranked 88th in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metric last season.
Oats stresses defense and it’ll be that end of the court that would determine how big of a role Claude would play in Tuscaloosa if he chooses to join the Crimson Tide.
NIL
Mountaineers Win Big 12 Regular Season Title
Story Links Next Game: Kansas 5/16/2025 | 5 p.m. May. 16 (Fri) / 5 p.m. Kansas MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – For the second time in three seasons, the West Virginia University baseball team has won the Big 12 regular season title. Despite a 3-0 […]
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – For the second time in three seasons, the West Virginia University baseball team has won the Big 12 regular season title. Despite a 3-0 loss to Kansas, Thursday night at Kendrick Family Ballpark, the Mountaineers clinched the outright title with Arizona State’s loss to Oklahoma State.
The Mountaineers are now 40-11 on the season and 19-7 in the Big 12 while the Jayhawks improve to 40-14 overall and 18-10 in conference play.
It is the 16th regular season title in program history for West Virginia and the second Big 12 championship, having shared the title in 2023.
In Thursday’s game, redshirt senior Griffin Kirn threw 8.0 innings while allowing two runs and striking out 10. At the plate, senior Kyle West and freshman Gavin Kelly each had two hits.
Kansas took the lead in the first with a run-scoring fielder’s choice before tacking on with solo home runs in the eighth and ninth innings.
Jayhawk pitcher Dominic Voegele, the Big 12 Preseason Pitcher of the Year, tossed 7.0 shutout innings with six strikeouts to earn the victory.
The Mountaineers will look to even the series on Friday. With expected inclement weather, first pitch is now 5 p.m.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
NIL
ESPN ranks Top 10 freshmen to watch in 2025 college football season
Not many storylines in college football are better than a freshman finding success. Youngsters can capture the attention of fans if their impact comes right away. The 2025 season is expected to be no different, having some stars entering the sport. ESPN has released a list of 10 first-year players to watch this year. All […]
Not many storylines in college football are better than a freshman finding success. Youngsters can capture the attention of fans if their impact comes right away. The 2025 season is expected to be no different, having some stars entering the sport.
ESPN has released a list of 10 first-year players to watch this year. All of them come from massive programs, many of which have the expectation of competing in the College Football Playoff.
Surprisingly, three of them are quarterbacks — a position extremely tough to produce as a true freshman. That being said, let’s check out the full top 10 from the Worldwide Leader.
The biggest recruiting win of the cycle went to the Michigan Wolverines. Pulling Underwood away from LSU gave Sherrone Moore his quarterback of the future.
But now, Underwood might be the present as well. Michigan opens the season on Aug. 30 against New Mexico and Underwood is expected to be the starter. A massive season ahead for a program looking to get back to winning ways.
There is going to be a hill for Russell to climb if he sees the field early on. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer recently stated the Crimson Tide would roll with Ty Simpson if there were a game to play in the immediate future.
Even so, ESPN is going to be keeping an eye on Russell during his true freshman campaign. After all, he finished as a Five-Star Plus+ prospect and No. 2 overall per the On3 Industry Ranking.
Dan Lanning and Will Stein were able to go into the Lone Star State and pull one of the best players. Moore was previously committed to LSU and Texas was heavily involved. He still chose to play in the Pacific Northwest at Oregon.
Wide receivers are able to produce in the Ducks’ scheme at a high level. And when you have to talent of Moore, numbers are expected to pile up in a big way.
Uncharacteristically, Oklahoma found itself in desperate need of offensive line help. Fasusi was not the only big-time recruit in the OU class but certainly projects as someone would could make a quick impact.
Left or right side, Bill Bedenbaugh could work Fasusi at multiple spots. Snaps will be there throughout the season, and if he can develop, maybe earn a starting place as the season progresses.
Texas is going to rely on outside faces at defensive tackle this season. Steve Sarkisian hit the NCAA transfer portal hard, bringing in four guys. However, Terry might be too talented to be kept off the field over other experienced players.
In-state Georgia finished runner-up for Terry, shocking some of the recruiting world. Texas now has quite a player to work with heading into the 2025 season.
Deion Sanders has only really known one quarterback during his two seasons at Colorado: his son. So, with Shedeur leaving for the NFL, a new face of the program was needed.
Lewis reclassified to 2025 and heads out West from Carrollton (GA). A quarterback battle is taking place with Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, possibly moving Lewis down ESPN’s list a tad.
Ohio State was home to the freshman who made the biggest impact last year. ESPN has Sanchez slated at No. 7 but the Buckeyes have hope that Sanchez’s level is similar to Jeremiah Smith.
A young, talented defensive back calling Columbus home is nothing new. Not many have this much buzz coming out of spring practice, though. Sanchez appears to have a bright future ahead.
Speaking of talented defensive backs, LSU needed to add one to its roster. The secondary has been a massive hole under Brian Kelly during his time in Baton Rouge. Pickett was about as must-get as you can have.
LSU hopes the perceived talent translates on the field if given early playing time. Corey Raymond is known to produce star players and needs to hit quickly with Pickett.
In a list filled with skill position players, never would you expect USC to be one with a defensive lineman. But Lincoln Riley splashed with Stewart out of the Boot to bring a talented pass rusher to Los Angeles.
Position versatility is certainly there for Stewart as he settles in. Another reclassification, the former four-star, should still be playing high school football. Instead, he projects as a potential impact player for the Trojans.
Running back is a popular position for freshmen to make an impact. Clemson certainly needs an impact runner and Davidson provides a ton of potential.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik is Clemson’s returning leading rusher. Dabo Swinney might have no problem handing the ball off to a first-year player in order to fix the issue.
NIL
Recruit at center of NIL arguments
Jackson Cantwell Commitment: Miami Hurricanes football lands top recruit Nixa High School’s Jackson Cantwell picked Miami (Florida) as his college destination during a ceremony on Tuesday afternoon in Nixa. Since committing to the Miami Hurricanes football program, Nixa offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell has been the source of much online argument because of national reports of […]
Jackson Cantwell Commitment: Miami Hurricanes football lands top recruit
Nixa High School’s Jackson Cantwell picked Miami (Florida) as his college destination during a ceremony on Tuesday afternoon in Nixa.
Since committing to the Miami Hurricanes football program, Nixa offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell has been the source of much online argument because of national reports of what he’ll receive in Name, Image and Likeness compensation.
Some reporters covering the Hurricanes’ football program believe such reports of his compensation resulted from intentional leaks by the other programs pursuing the top-ranked recruit. Cantwell’s family has downplayed the extent of the compensation and its impact on his decision to commit to the Hurricanes.
“It’s just a blessing to get paid to play the game I love,” Cantwell said Tuesday when asked directly about NIL, while also praising the work done by his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. “There are so many people who dream about getting to do that. The NFL is usually the end-goal, and it is for me as well.”
Jackson Cantwell calls out national college football reporter
National college football reporter Pete Nakos of On3 Sports reported a week before Cantwell’s decision that Miami had offered him a $2 million NIL deal, which was said to be the most of any school.
While Cantwell talked up his relationship with the Miami coaching staff and its ability to develop offensive linemen into NFL prospects, the report still led many to believe the only reason Cantwell picked Miami over schools like Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State was because of money.
In a one-on-one interview with DawgNation, a Georgia website that attended Cantwell’s commitment, Cantwell called out Nakos for the report.
“It’s not the same narrative that people like Pete Nakos are pushing right now,” Cantwell said. “The false narrative that that’s why I’m choosing… I think relationships won out with Miami.”
Miami Hurricanes football reporters call out report
Miami insiders were also quick to call out the reports.
“When you see a story like this, you ask yourself where it came from,” a report by CanesInSight said. “The agenda here is crystal clear, and Georgia knows how to play this game. It’s ‘let’s make this seem like that if he goes to Miami, it’s only because of money.’ Then, if he chooses Miami, then it’s that he’s following the bag, and it’s a stigma on the kid. It’s a strategic leak by people who want him in Georgia.”
Mike Ryan, an executive producer on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz and owner of CanesInSight, doubled down against the report after Cantwell committed.
“A lot of bad leaks started sprouting out last week about Miami having the most aggressive NIL offer,” Ryan said on X. “Always a pretty solid indicator other schools feel like they’re losing a battle. It’s weird when Miami loses a recruiting battle to Oregon or UGA, it’s never about NIL somehow.”
Jackson Cantwell said relationships led him to Miami Hurricanes football
Throughout his recruitment, Cantwell, a 6-foot-8, 320-pounder, spoke at length about his relationship with and appreciation for Miami coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, calling them the best developers of offensive linemen in the nation. He often pointed to their track record, specifically the rise of offensive tackle Penei Sewell, now one of the better linemen in the NFL.
Miami should have multiple offensive linemen drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, including Francis Mauigoa, who is being touted as a first-rounder.
“Whenever you have Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal, you know you’re gonna be in a good spot and you’re going to be developed by some of the best out there,” Cantwell said. “They’re producing guys, and they’re really successful. The guys up front have turned their program into a winner. I’m just excited to be a part of that.”
Still, the unknown amount of money the 16-year-old will make has been the source of argument, ignoring that Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State also likely had large sums on the table.
Jackson Cantwell recruiting coverage
NIL
Reece Potter knew he would commit the second Kentucky called: “It’s a dream come true.”
Miami (OH) transfer Reece Potter didn’t know what to expect when he entered the portal in late March — but he certainly didn’t expect things to unfold the way they did in April, then early May. His phone wouldn’t stop ringing, hearing from programs and coaches he never would have imagined would be prioritizing him […]
Miami (OH) transfer Reece Potter didn’t know what to expect when he entered the portal in late March — but he certainly didn’t expect things to unfold the way they did in April, then early May. His phone wouldn’t stop ringing, hearing from programs and coaches he never would have imagined would be prioritizing him after two seasons in the MAC.
Among them? North Carolina, Washington, Louisville and UConn.
“It was really crazy. The phone was always ringing with different people talking to you, trying to give their pitch on why you should go to their school,” he told KSR. “It was crazy. It was really cool hearing from all these schools, the Hubert Davises and Dan Hurleys — I mean, it’s just wild. There were some people that I grew up watching and you watch on TV every day. It’s wild for those people — you get that call and it says ‘Maybe: Hubert Davis’ or however it was marked. It’s wild for sure, it was fun.”
Then the text messages and phone calls came in. At that point, it was over.
“Once Kentucky called me, it was like, ‘It’s time, I’m done talking to these people. Let’s get to the business,’” Potter said.
As a Lexington, the opportunity to return home and play for the winningest tradition in college basketball history was too much to pass up. Sure, other schools offered more playing time (and maybe more cash), but Kentucky was selling something money can’t buy.
The process wasn’t immediate, though. He knew immediately he wanted to wear the blue and white, but his parents wanted him to take a deep breath and think through the decision, not committing out of emotion.
“When Kentucky called me, it was a dream come true, but I still had to make the best decision for myself,” he told KSR. “Always in the back of my mind it was like, ‘You’ve got to go there. You have to go there.’ But my parents were very supportive, they were like, ‘Just take your time, just kind of see what’s all out there.’
“Once they contacted me, I took a week to settle down a little bit. Right away, I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m going there. I’m going there.’ My dad was like, ‘Relax, relax. I know that’s your dream school, but just take a week for yourself. Really understand what that would mean for you, if that’s the decision you want.’”
Then a week went by and he was just as excited then as he was when the process started, confirming what he knew from day one: Kentucky was home.
“So after that week, I kind of got down to contacting the other schools, like, ‘What’s the deal here?’ I always knew I was going here, so it was easy after that,” Potter said. “I called my parents, I was like, ‘I’m going there.’ They were like, ‘Yeah, we always knew you were gonna do that, but we just wanted you to make the best decision for yourself.’ So I’m glad it’s over, and I’m glad to be able to be a part of this.”
How is he feeling a little over a week following his commitment, the dust now settled ahead of move-in to open June?
“The decision was a dream come true, for sure. All of the hecticness is out of the way, so now, I’m able to relax and kind of just enjoy this decision I was able to make,” he continued. “It’s setting in, for sure. It’s still a dream come true. I
“‘m just waiting to put on the jersey for the first time and be able to walk out to Rupp Arena. That’s going to be the biggest thing.”
Once a kid watching Kentucky as a fan, he now gets to represent his hometown as a Wildcat himself. Quite the dream come true.
Women’s Track and Field Sets Tone for NCAA’s With Fantastic Day at MIT Final Qualifier
Lafayette Jeff, Zionsville battle in IHSAA boys volleyball sectionals
Dartmouth Wins Multiple Events in Final Split-Squad Meets
Aaron Gordon steal Braun slam!
6A, 5A state track and field: Records fall on opening day
Hwang earns All-Liberty League Second Team honors
ATH legends Jemele Hill and Kate Fagan say goodbye to Around The Horn
The Yankees CRUSH 4 home runs in the first inning! 
(Including back-to-back-to-back homers!)
Top 100 Players in College Football for the 2025 Season
#1 CELTICS at #3 KNICKS | FULL GAME 4 HIGHLIGHTS | May 12, 2025
HPA seniors sign letters of intent
Lady Pirate Youth Basketball Camp is taking registrations
Enterprise Parks and Recreation is offering a youth soccer program
Front Row Motorsports: North Wilkesboro Speedway Competition Notes – Noah Gragson
#6 TIMBERWOLVES at #7 WARRIORS | FULL GAME 4 HIGHLIGHTS | May 12, 2025
Deputies investigating incident that caused panic at Pace youth sports complex
Former South Carolina center Nick Pringle commits to Arkansas basketball, John Calipari
Appling County football to forfeit all 10 wins from 2024
has always dreamed in Mercurial. Now his initials are on the boots.
The new Kyl…
This is poetry in motion.
-
College Sports2 weeks agoDuke basketball's Isaiah Evans on 2025 NBA Draft early entry list
-
Fashion2 weeks agoHow to watch Avalanche vs. Stars Game 7 FREE stream today
-
High School Sports1 week agoWeb exclusive
-
Sports7 days agoPrinceton University
-
Sports6 days ago2025 NCAA softball bracket: Women’s College World Series scores, schedule
-
Motorsports1 week agoBowman Gray is the site of NASCAR’S “Advance Auto Parts Night at the Races” this Saturday
-
NIL1 week ago2025 Big Ten Softball Tournament Bracket: Updated matchups, scores, schedule
-
NIL3 weeks agoHow much money will Quinn Ewers make in NFL? Salary, contract details
-
Motorsports1 week agoMOTORSPORTS: Three local track set to open this week | Sports
-
Sports3 weeks agoItalian woman, 91, breaks running record — what makes her body different, according to doctors