Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady has signed her second seven-figure name NIL deal, securing her place in Lubbock for the future. The agreement was confirmed Friday by ESPN via her manager, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management.

The new NIL arrangement comes through the Matador Club, Texas Tech’s donor-driven collective, and was finalized just hours before Canady was set to take the mound in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series championship series against Texas.

The Red Raiders lost the decisive Game 3 to Texas 10-4 on Friday night.

Canady transferred from Stanford following the 2023 season is coming off her third consecutive WCWS appearance. She previously signed a landmark deal with Texas Tech in 2024 that included $1 million in direct payments and $50K for living expenses. This year’s agreement also surpasses the million-dollar mark, though specific terms have not been disclosed.

“She’s box office,” Shelby told ESPN. “This program has taken care of her. Tonight she’s playing for a national championship and making history.”

Canady’s presence on the mound has been key for the Red Raiders. She led the nation with 34 wins and a 0.97 ERA during the regular season, and has thrown every pitch for Texas Tech in the WCWS. In the series, she delivered a gutsy six-inning performance in Game 1’s 2-1 loss and followed it with a complete-game, seven-inning outing in Thursday’s 4-3 Game 2 win.

The Topeka, Kansas, native earned the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award in 2024 and is a multiple-time All-American. A national championship would be a fitting capstone to her storied collegiate career.

With her latest NIL deal, Canady becomes one of the highest-paid athletes in college softball history. 

Tom Izzo has been outspoken on his feelings toward the transfer portal and NIL in the past. His comments has seemingly earned the longtime Michigan State head coach a reputation that he may be against the way college athletics is headed.

Izzo has pushed back on this notion in the past. On-hand for new Spartans athletic director J Batt’s introductory press conference, Izzo cleared the air on his perspective about the current state of college athletics. If anything, it appears he’s more worried about what happens to his players after they leave his program.

“People act like I don’t accept it, or I’m old school, and that’s a crock,” Izzo said. “I understand where we are, but I also understand what I think is best for a student athlete. We have not yet seen these guys that are making money and all of a sudden go back to $50,000 jobs. What it’s going to do? … I get sick of people acting like I don’t want to embrace it. But I want to do what’s right for the student athlete.

“I’m all for it, but it’s also going to be right for the program. It’s going to be right for the university, and it’s got to be right for the future.”

Michigan State did dip its feet into the transfer portal this offseason. Trey Fort committed to Michigan State from Samford following Bucky McMillan’s departure for the Texas A&M job. And then Kaleb Glenn will play for the Spartans next year after previously being in Boca Raton at FAU. Divine Ugochukwu transferred in from Miami as well.

This may be out of necessity given the Spartans lost multiple players to the transfer portal this offseason. However, that’s the nature of college athletics in its current landscape. Izzo concluded with a parting message to his critics on the subject.

“And all the people that are saying that I don’t want to embrace it, they’re not relationship based,” Izzo continued. “I wouldn’t give up the relationships I have, from Magic Johnson to Charlie [Bell], you know, I’ve hired like, six of my former players.

“Is that going to happen if guys come for a year and then leave, it’s not good. So watch what we wish for. Let’s figure it out. Everything moves so fast. I want to embrace what’s right for everybody to be successful, not for one year or two years, but for a lifetime.”