NIL
College Football Becoming NFL Lite? – Josh Pate Cut
College Football and the NFL are played one day apart but have historically looked much different. On Josh Pate’s College Football Show Ep 632 Josh Pate responded to a viewer question about things like NIL and the Transfer Portal making College Football appear more and more to fans like the NFL. Is that good or bad? Let us know what you think in the comments below and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the channel and CLICK THE BELL for notifications as we bring you multiple live shows per week! #CFB #NFL #JoshPate SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/josh-pates-college-football-show/id1485905502 Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshPateCFB Instagram:…
NIL
IU football picks up commitment from Wisconsin transfer safety Preston Zachman – The Daily Hoosier
Wisconsin transfer safety Preston Zachman is headed to Indiana according to multiple Sunday reports.
The 6-foot-1 and 212-pound Zachman will be entering his seventh and final season of college football in 2026.
He has played in 35 career games (20 starts, nearly 1,500 snaps), all with Wisconsin, and has 130 tackles and seven interceptions.
Zachman will help fill the void to be left by starters Louis Moore and Devan Boykin.
In 2025 Zachman played in three games and had 12 tackles and two interceptions. He missed the final nine games of 2025 due to a leg injury. Both of the takeaways came in the second half of the season opener against Miami (Ohio). Zachman was named Big Ten defensive player of the week.
Zachman is seeking a medical hardship waiver to play the seventh season in 2026. After only playing three games, he should qualify.
In 2024 he started all 12 games at safety for the Badgers and made a career-high 58 tackles (39 solos), two interceptions, three TFLs and four pass breakups.
In 2023 Zachman played in all 13 games, making five starts. He totaled 49 tackles and two interceptions.
In 2022 Zachman played in six games before missing the rest of the season due to injury. He had 11 tackles and 0.5 TFLs, and grabbed his first career interception in the season opener vs. Illinois State.
In the 2020 season that did not count against eligibility, Zachman played one game. He didn’t play at all in 2021 and took a redshirt season.
Out of Southern Columbia H.S. in Elysburg, Pa., Zachman was a three-star high school recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals in the class of 2020.
More transfer portal information:
For complete coverage of IU football recruiting, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
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NIL
Under Armour announces first ‘Click-Clack’ class of NIL deals
Following this weekend’s Under Armour All-America Game, the brand announced its first “Click Clack” NIL class. Under Armour signed six highly rated recruits to NIL deals.
Notre Dame safety signee Joey O’Brien, BYU quarterback signee Ryder Lyons, Maryland EDGE signee Zion Elee and Alabama safety signee Jireh Edwards are all part of the group, Under Armour announced Sunday. Two touted 2027 recruits – Texas wide receiver commit Easton Royal and four-star wide receiver Eric McFarland – are also on board.
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All six players competed in the Under Armour All-America Game on Saturday. O’Brien and Royal were two of Rivals’ top performers in the game, which took place at Spec Martin Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
“I think you hear us coming,” Under Armour wrote in its Instagram post. “Meet the inaugural Click-Clack Class — Under Armour’s first NIL squad.”
Under Armour capitalizing on star power
Ryder Lyons previously announced an NIL deal with Under Armour in September 2025 after committing to BYU. The four-star quarterback signed with BYU, but will embark on a one-year mission and will not enroll at school until the following January. He is the No. 5-ranked quarterback from the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
As a whole, Under Armour’s Click-Clack NIL class features four of the top 50 players in the nation out of the 2026 cycle. With Easton Royal and Eric McFarland, the brand also has two of the top 25 prospects in 2027.
The group includes some of the highest-profile high school football players, as well. Zion Elee’s $687,000 On3 NIL Valuation is the highest of the group and ranks No. 11 in the high school football NIL rankings. Lyons also sits at No. 13 with a $656,000 On3 NIL Valuation.
The On3 NIL Valuation is calculated by combining Roster Value and personal NIL. Roster value is the value an athlete has by being a member of his or her team at his or her school, which factors into the role of NIL collectives. NIL in an athlete’s name, image and likeness and the value it could bring to regional and national brands.
NIL
The NCAA further fails high schoolers with G League Rulings
If the road to college basketball scholarships was not already difficult for high school players, the NCAA’s decision to allow NBA G League athletes to enter or re-enter college basketball has created another obstacle. One of the most impactful rulings of 2025, the policy arrives at a moment when NIL and the transfer portal have already reduced access to scholarships and roster spots. By granting G League players immediate eligibility, the NCAA further dilutes opportunities for first-time college athletes.
G League to College: The Precedent Is Already Set
The first notable example of this shift was Thierry Darlan. Darlan spent two seasons in the G League, appearing in 58 games. He suited up for Ignite during the 2023–2024 season and later joined the Delaware Blue Coats in 2024–2025. He was not on the fringe of the league. Instead, he emerged as a legitimate contributor and started roughly half of his games.
Despite that professional experience, Santa Clara granted Darlan eligibility for the West Coast Conference. Because Santa Clara carries a limited national profile, his return to college basketball drew little attention.
That changed when the NCAA restored eligibility for London Johnson at a true “blue blood,” the University of Louisville. Johnson’s case sparked national outrage and forced the college basketball world to confront a new reality. Players could now return to NCAA competition after playing in the NBA G League. The trend continued in November when BYU signed Abdullah Ahmed, a former player for the G League’s Westchester Knicks.
James Nnaji Pushes the Boundary Even Further
Baylor’s signing of James Nnaji brought the issue into sharper focus. Nnaji was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and later became part of an NBA trade in 2025. His move back to college basketball showed just how far the boundaries had shifted.
NCAA Responds as Backlash Grows
As concerns mounted, NCAA President Charlie Baker addressed the issue publicly.
“The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract,” Baker said. “As schools increasingly recruit individuals with international league experience, the NCAA is exercising discretion in applying the actual and necessary expenses bylaw. This ensures that prospective student-athletes with experience in American basketball leagues are not at a disadvantage compared to their international counterparts. Rules have long permitted schools to enroll and play individuals with no prior collegiate experience midyear.”
High School Players Were Already Losing Ground
Even before these rulings, opportunities for high school athletes were shrinking. The transfer portal now functions like free agency. As a result, Division I coaches-including those at HBCUs-often prioritize experienced transfers over developing high school talent. A brief review of HBCU Division I rosters highlights the impact.
Transfer Numbers Tell the Story
According to Real GM, a basketball tracking service, 99 MEAC players transferred from other institutions. In the SWAC, that number rises to 161. Together, those 260 roster spots no longer exist for high school athletes. Football numbers paint an even starker picture.
NIL Is the Driving Force
So what draws these players back to college? NIL.
The financial landscape has changed dramatically. In many cases, college athletes now earn more through NIL than NBA G League players earn through salaries. High-profile exceptions exist, such as Bronny James, whose endorsement portfolio-often linked to his father, NBA legend LeBron James-sets him apart.
BYU star AJ Dybantsa reportedly earns $4 million this season. Texas Tech’s JT Toppin is also positioned for a $4 million payday. When combined with what Duke’s Cooper Flagg earned last season, NIL compensation now exceeds typical NBA rookie salaries and far surpasses G League pay.
The Illusion of a Safety Net
NIL rumors have also fueled speculation about college athletics as a financial safety net. One widely circulated but unconfirmed report suggested Ohio State supporters planned to offer wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. more money than he would earn as a first-year NFL player. The goal was to keep him in school.
Harrison ultimately declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2024.
HBCUs Feel the Same Pressure
HBCUs face the same challenges and must “keep up with the Joneses.” The first nationally televised SWAC matchup of the season illustrated that reality. Bethune-Cookman defeated Florida A&M 87–83 in a high-level contest loaded with transfers.
Bethune-Cookman’s Arterio Morris, a transfer from Texas, scored 20 points. Florida A&M’s Jaquan Sanders, a transfer from Hofstra, led all scorers with 22. Most key contributors in the game came from the transfer portal.
Of the 28 total players on both rosters, only eight came directly from high school. That number even includes prep school players, who are not always truly straight out of high school. Florida A&M’s roster consists of roughly one-third high school players. Bethune-Cookman’s roster sits closer to one-quarter.
A Broader Concern Across College Sports
Across all sports, coaches increasingly worry that athletes prioritize NIL opportunities over skill development. Many cite this shift as a factor in the retirement of one of college football’s greatest coaches, Nick Saban.
After a historic run at Alabama, Saban stepped away from the program. During a roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C., led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Saban explained his frustration.
“All the things that I believed in for all these years, 50 years of coaching, no longer exist in college athletics,” Saban said. “It was always about developing players. It was always about helping people be more successful in life.”
What Comes Next?
Baker closed by emphasizing that while the NCAA has lost control in several legal battles, it does not plan to concede this one.
“I will be working with DI leaders in the weeks ahead to protect college basketball from these misguided attempts to destroy this American institution.”
So what’s next? Perhaps LeBron James-who never played college basketball-and Bronny James-who left early and spent time in the G League-will enroll at the University of Arizona to play alongside Bryce.
At this point, what would stop them?
The post The NCAA further fails high schoolers with G League Rulings appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
HBCU Gameday
This story was originally published January 4, 2026 at 12:08 PM.
NIL
Player of the Year Star QB Bolts College Football Playoff Team for Big 12

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The college football transfer portal is heating up with a wave of early moves.
One star quarterback from the College Football Playoff has already found a new home after entering the transfer portal. As the final four teams battle for the national championship, the rest of the country is focused on the college football transfer portal.
Fresh off a career season, former James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett entered the portal and found a new team in a matter of days. Barnett is headed to the Big 12 announcing his decision to join UCF where the dual-threat signal-caller is the early favorite to be the Knights starter. The quarterback is expected to replace Tayven Jackson.
Barnett threw for 2,806 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 58.4% of his passes in 14 appearances for JMU in 2025. The quarterback also added 589 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground as well.
Beyond impressive stats, Barnett led James Madison to a Sun Belt championship as JMU crashed the College Football Playoff party. Barnett was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year in 2025.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest college football news.
New UCF QB Alonza Barnett Is Projected to Have a $321,000 NIL Value
NIL deals are not made public, but Barnett’s value is projected at $321,000, per On3. During Scott Frost’s first season in his second stint at UCF, the Knights struggled with volatility at quarterback. After transferring from Indiana, Jackson failed to provide consistent play at the position in 2025.
“Quarterback is no different than other positions,” Frost said on December 10, 2025, per On3’s Brandon Helwig. “In a perfect world, we’re developing them all in-house. We didn’t have the opportunity to do that much last year because I got here after Signing Day. So this is really our first step in trying to recruit some building blocks at several positions, quarterback certainly being one.
“If you were experiencing this every day and seeing the drama and the price tags that go along with transfer quarterbacks, it’d certainly benefit us to have a homegrown one. I love the two guys that we got. We’re going to pour into them and try to build somebody that we can keep for a while.”
Transfer Portal Rumors: Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt & Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby Among the Top QBs Searching for New Teams
Amid star quarterbacks like Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and Cincinnati Brendan Sorsby in the portal generating buzz, Barnett has flown a bit under the radar. Barnett gives UCF a dynamic dual-threat quarterback that Frost covets in addition to having College Football Playoff experience, even if James Madison’s CFP game against Oregon did not go as planned.
The quarterback may not have consistently played elite competition at James Madison, but the signal-caller performed well against the best team’s on JMU’s schedule. Barnett threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon in the College Football Playoff. The dual-threat quarterback also added 45 rushing yards and TD on the ground.
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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NIL
Notre Dame’s Joey O’Brien Joins Under Armour’s First NIL Squad
Notre Dame safety signee Joey O’Brien is one of six members of Under Armour’s first NIL squad, the athletic apparel brand announced on Instagram on Sunday.
O’Brien represents one of four players in the incoming Fighting Irish class who earned five-star status, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound defensive back will arrive in South Bend, Ind., as the No. 31 overall prospect and No. 2 safety in the country.
Last fall, he suited up for La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, Penn., where he dominated on both sides of the ball. He had snagged 86 receptions for 1,247 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns and a 2-point conversion.
On defense, O’Brien had registered 49 tackles (1.0 for a loss), four interceptions, including a 94-yard pick-six, 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Additionally, he blocked a punt on special teams.
“We’ve continued to add size at the defensive back position,” Notre Dame general manager Mike Martin said about the position group. “We talked about some [like] Joey O’Brien’s just long, rangy, unique ability to sort of get his hands on the ball and take the ball away…
“Not to backtrack, but Joey O’Brien [played] receiver and setting records on the offensive side. I think [he] recently broke Marvin Harrison’s receiving record, something crazy like that.”
Notre Dame has had its own partnership with UA since 2014, which will continue at least until the 2030s. The University finalized a 10-year contract extension with the brand in August 2023.
“10 more years of partnering with the Fighting Irish and supporting student-athletes both on AND off the field,” Under Armour wrote on social media at the time.
O’Brien isn’t the only Fighting Irish football player whose had his own apparel deal.
In 2025, Notre Dame Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love signed a deal with New Balance. Recently, Jordan Faison, Kyle Hamilton, Michael Mayer, Audric Estimè, Benjamin Morrison and Riley Leonard have all inked contracts with Rhoback.
UA signed five other players to its first NIL squad:
- Ryder Lyons, BYU QB Signee
- Zion Lee, Maryland EDGE Signee
- Jireh Edwards, Alabama S Signee
- Easton Royal, 2027 Texas Tech WR Commit
- Eric McFarland, 2027 Four-Star WR Prospect
NIL
Nebraska predicted to land defensive player from transfer portal
Former San Diego State linebacker Owen Chambliss visited Nebraska on Saturday and it sounds like that could be the only trip he takes.
I mentioned on Friday that there was a good chance Chambliss would be one and done and could commit to the Huskers shortly after his visit.
I continue to hear that’s the case and went ahead and put in a commit prediction for Nebraska to land the talented linebacker. Texas is one school to watch for but in talking to a source close to his recruitment, a commitment to the Huskers is now imminent.
Chambliss is one of the top linebackers available in the transfer portal. He’s currently rated the No. 130 player overall and the No. 6 linebacker in the transfer portal rating.
Chambliss is coming off a big year for the Aztecs where he totaled 109 tackles, 10 for loss, four sacks, one interception and five passes defended.
He has developed in to the, ‘jack of all trades,’ kind of player we saw in high school where he routinely lined up as an edge rusher, outside linebacker, inside linebacker and safety and was recruited all three positions.
Chambliss has his former defensive coordinator from San Diego State, Rob Aurich, now at Nebraska and thats huge for him.
He has a strong comfort level with Aurich, knows the defense and feels he’s the coach who can continue to develop him and get him to the NFL.
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