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Felix Ojo’s agent sets the record straight on the biggest rev-share deal in college f

Five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo is the centerpiece of the largest revenue share deal in college athletics after committing to Texas Tech. The Mansfield, Texas, native ranks as the top player at the position and one of the highest-touted recruits in the 2026 class. Multiple major college football programs were in the hunt for Ojo’s […]

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Five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo is the centerpiece of the largest revenue share deal in college athletics after committing to Texas Tech.

The Mansfield, Texas, native ranks as the top player at the position and one of the highest-touted recruits in the 2026 class. Multiple major college football programs were in the hunt for Ojo’s services, but it was the Red Raiders that outbid some of the biggest spenders in NIL for his commitment.

The lucrative deal is worth $5.1 million over three years for the highest-rated commit in Texas Tech history. And this comes in the aftermath of the House settlement, which capped schools at $20.5 million to field rosters this year.

Larger programs like Texas, Michigan, Georgia, Ole Miss and Ohio State, among others, weren’t able to sway Ojo from the Red Raiders, backed by The Matador Fund collective that is driven by billionaire booster Cody Campbell.

Ojo’s agent, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management, confirmed the reported numbers around Ojo’s revenue share deal on Monday before revealing that his other offers decreased “overnight” as the new NIL model was instituted on July 1.

“What a lot of schools are going to do is allow that House settlement cap to lower the numbers,” Shelby said via Front Office Sports. “We’ve seen that with Felix. Some numbers went down overnight, based on the House settlement.”

Schools now face the challenge of maintaining competive football rosters while also backing other sports, including those in the non-revenue space.

“And I understand that,” Shelby continued. “When you have $20.5 million that you can spend, football is probably going to average $16 million, and there is 105 players. So, you really have to have a good GM and a good staff to really be able to manage that money.”

Supporting head coach Joey McGuire, general manager James Blanchard has put a significant stamp on the program’s best recruiting run, featuring the top transfer class in the 2025 cycle over major powers like LSU, Ole Miss, Oregon and Miami.

As Felix’s other NIL packages began to dip in light of the revenue share cap, Blanchard and Co. stuck to the original figure. And that seems to have been a major factor in the decision.

“So a lot of the numbers will go down,” Shelby said. “In Felix’s case, that stayed the same. So, he didn’t lose anything (with Texas Tech) overnight with the House settlement, and that eventually won out with Felix.”



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NIL

Jarrod Loadholt and Ken Robinson

Listen to this story Subscriber Benefit As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now Loading audio file, please wait. Speed1.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25 1.50 1.75 2.00 On July 1, 2025, the NCAA entered a new era of college sports compensation following […]

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On July 1, 2025, the NCAA entered a new era of college sports compensation following a $2.8 billion settlement in House v. NCAA, which provides retroactive and prospective NIL payments to student-athletes, allows direct payments from institutions to players, and establishes a 10-year revenue-sharing model.
The agreement also allows for expanded roster and scholarship limits across several sports and establishes a new enforcement mechanism—“NIL GO”—a Deloitte-managed clearinghouse responsible for reviewing non-school NIL deals over $600 for fair market value.
While the settlement agreement is widely viewed as a win for student athletes, it also highlights murky legal terrain for collectives and schools that may violate immigration law if they compensate international student-athletes.
In the absence of federal guidance, several questions remain:
Can international student athletes legally participate in revenue sharing under current visa restrictions?
What types of NIL activities are currently permissible for F-1 visa holders, and how can schools and collectives ensure compliance with immigration law?
How should schools, collectives, or international student-athletes structure NIL deals that are compliant with F-1 visa restrictions?
The overlap between immigration policies, NIL rules
Currently, more than 25,000 international student-athletes from countries around the world compete in NCAA sports.
These athletes face a unique set of challenges when it comes to navigating the evolving NIL landscape. Moreover, the collectives and schools that serve these students must also work through a system that lacks clear federal guidance and presents significant legal risks.
While recent reforms have expanded NIL opportunities for domestic student-athletes, including direct school payments, revenue-sharing, and broader endorsement rights, the NIL landscape has yet to fully address—nor has immigration policy resolved—the unique challenges facing international student-athletes.
Despite the sweeping changes since our last update in 2023, neither the DHS nor the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) have issued guidance on how and whether international student-athletes can participate in NIL agreements without violating immigration law.

To be clear, student-athletes on F-1 visas must follow immigration rules that strictly limit the types of activities for which they can be paid. To understand what international student-athletes can do, it’s helpful to first look at the various F-1 restrictions and requirements:

No off-campus employment without authorization: F-1 students are generally prohibited from working off-campus unless specifically authorized through programs like Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). See 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f).

Limited on-campus employment: F-1 students are permitted to hold on-campus jobs, but only if it is directly affiliated with the school (e.g., bookstore, cafeteria). NIL-related activities typically do not qualify as on-campus employment. See 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f).

Self-employment prohibited: F-1 students cannot operate a business or engage in self-employment, including NIL ventures run from a dorm room or personal brand monetization without authorization. See Handbook for Employers M-274.

“Employment” is defined broadly: In the immigration context, “employment” is defined as “any service or labor performed by an employee for an employer within the United States,” regardless of compensation. See 8 C.F.R. § 274a.1(h). Even unpaid NIL activities may be considered unauthorized employment if they benefit a third party.

In Tenn. Coal, Iron & R.R. Co. v. Muscoda Local No. 123, the United States Supreme Court defined employment as the “physical or mental exertion (whether burdensome or not) controlled or required by the employer and pursued necessarily and primarily for the benefit of the employer and his business.” 321 U.S. 590, 598 (1944). This definition is used to assess whether an activity qualifies as employment under immigration regulations.

NIL activity must be evaluated by location and nature: What is permissible? Passive income (e.g., royalties, copyright licenses, passive compensation) or NIL activities performed entirely outside the United States.

What is impermissible? Active NIL engagements (e.g., appearances, autograph signings, content creation) performed within the United States, even without compensation.

Maintaining F-1 status: Students must remain enrolled full-time and avoid any activity that could be interpreted as unauthorized employment, which could jeopardize their visa status and future immigration benefits.

Legal consequences: For schools/collectives, there are civil and criminal penalties for knowingly employing unauthorized workers. Students face the loss of immigration status, ineligibility for future benefits and potential removal proceedings.•

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Jarrod F. Loadholt and Ken Robinson are partners at Ice Miller. Summer associate Gerry Regep contributed to this article. Opinion expressed are those of the authors.

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One conference has reaffirmed that preseason polls should be done away with

While trying to push the most unpopular playoff expansion format possible, Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti and the league’s coaches did add their respective voices to something that should resonate with many college football fans – dumping the top 25 preseason polls.  You aren’t going to find too many arguments from here about why the […]

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While trying to push the most unpopular playoff expansion format possible, Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti and the league’s coaches did add their respective voices to something that should resonate with many college football fans – dumping the top 25 preseason polls. 

You aren’t going to find too many arguments from here about why the preseason polls are necessary, and it’s good that one of the top superpower conferences is saying what most of us feel – let’s play some games first. 

The conference had already done away with the league media preseason poll, which inspired the Big XII to follow suit. I would expect the ACC to also jump behind the efforts to eliminate preseason polls, although they didn’t speak much about it publicly or otherwise during Media Days last week. 

Fact is, in this new college football world of NIL deals and the transfer portal, it’s much harder to predict which teams are going to be good because many of them are so different from one year to the next. At a certain point, the pollsters can’t make an educated guess, so they simply start voting for logos.

Kansas State coach Chris Kleiman told Brandon Marcello of CBSSports,com that the AP and Coaches’ top 25 polls shouldn’t be released until the time that the College Football Playoff committee releases their first poll. 

“When the CFP comes out, that’s when the first AP and USA Today poll should come out,” Kleiman said. “The narrative tells you everything, and unfortunately, that’s not great for the Big 12. It’s probably not great for the ACC. You know, it’s just not.”

It seems unrealistic to wait so long for the first top 25 polls to be released. In a perfect world, the final Sunday in September would be an ideal time. By then, many teams will have started conference play.

This isn’t to say preseason polls will go away even if the AP and coaches decide to do away with then. The magazines will continue to have polls and don’t be surprised if the TV networks use the opportunity to create more discussion around where ‘Team X’ might appear in the first poll. The lack of a poll before the end of September should only serve to feed the debate television. 

There is still no perfect system to “get it right” in college football, but there should be greater efforts to get it less wrong. 





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Bain Selected to Nagurski Trophy Watch List – University of Miami Athletics

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami Hurricanes junior defensive lineman Rueben Bain, Jr. has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club to the top defensive player in college football. Coming off a sophomore season in which he […]

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CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami Hurricanes junior defensive lineman Rueben Bain, Jr. has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club to the top defensive player in college football.

Coming off a sophomore season in which he recorded 23 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks despite missing nearly four full games due to injury, Bain, Jr., earned All‑ACC honorable mention honors.

During an impressive 2023 freshman campaign, the Miami native posted 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks over 13 games, earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, third-team All‑ACC distinction and multiple Freshman All‑America team selections.

Miami has produced two past winners of the Nagurski Trophy: Warren Sapp in 1994 and Dan Morgan in 2000.

Bain, Jr., becomes the second Hurricane to be recognized to a major preseason watch list; Carson Beck was named to the Maxwell Award watch list earlier in the week.

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy in mid-to-late November, and the winner will be revealed at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, N.C.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game.





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NY Racing, Syracuse football team up for NASCAR at Watkins Glen

NY Racing announced a landmark partnership with SU Football NIL and the Syracuse University football team ahead of the Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, August 10. The Orange will take center stage as a primary sponsor on the No. 44 Chevrolet, driven by veteran racer J.J. Yeley. The collaboration […]

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NY Racing announced a landmark partnership with SU Football NIL and the Syracuse University football team ahead of the Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, August 10. The Orange will take center stage as a primary sponsor on the No. 44 Chevrolet, driven by veteran racer J.J. Yeley.

The collaboration marks a unique crossover between college football and motorsports, bringing the identity and legacy of Syracuse University into the NASCAR spotlight.

“I’m excited to be a part of this NASCAR race,” said Syracuse football head coach Fran Brown. “I can’t wait to see the NY Racing Team compete while repping the Orange No. 44 DART.”

The Orange football program is riding momentum from a breakout 2024 campaign, which saw the team finish inside the top 20 of the national polls under Brown’s leadership in his first year at the helm. Syracuse competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The partnership carries deep symbolic significance. At Syracuse, the No. 44 is more than a jersey — it’s a revered part of the university’s athletic history. Legendary running backs Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, and Floyd Little all wore the number, embedding it into the school’s identity. Even the university’s zip code, 13244, reflects the importance of 44 to the Orange.

This tribute comes full circle for NY Racing Team owner John Cohen, who selected the No. 44 for his NASCAR team in honor of Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy and a Syracuse icon.

The race at Watkins Glen International promises to be more than just another entry in the NASCAR Cup Series — it’s a celebration of sports legacy, pride, and a partnership that connects the track to the turf.





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EA Sports CEO addresses ‘opportunity’ for college basketball video game, goal to include every team

Last month, EA Sports announced its long-awaited return to the college basketball video game space now that players can be in the game thanks to NIL rule changes. The new installment is set to come out in 2028, according to the company. During a quarterly earnings call Tuesday, EA CEO Andrew Wilson received a question […]

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Last month, EA Sports announced its long-awaited return to the college basketball video game space now that players can be in the game thanks to NIL rule changes. The new installment is set to come out in 2028, according to the company.

During a quarterly earnings call Tuesday, EA CEO Andrew Wilson received a question about the game’s return. While he didn’t provide too many details, he confirmed the goal is to include every men’s and women’s team.

Wilson also pointed out the “opportunity” presented to EA Sports, especially after the success of College Football 25. It became one of the biggest sports video games ever, and Wilson said basketball could get a boost as a result. In fact, he sees “momentum” in the college hoops space.

“We can’t say too much about it yet, but if I think about the opportunity, going back to where we are on College Football, college sport has one of the most vibrant fanbase in the world,” Wilson said, via Insider-Gaming’s Mike Straw. “And that trickles over to basketball certainly.

“We’re seeing momentum of fandom in college basketball also continue to grow. Fans, athletes, universities pour their passion into these sports. And it is that passion that makes it special, that makes the games different.”

EA Sports saw its return to the college football video game pay off in a big way last year as College Football 25 became one of the top-selling games of the year. Quick math shows EA brought in more than $400 million in sales from the game.

And while 2K Sports is also reportedly planning to challenge EA with a college basketball video game of its own, Wilson made it clear his company would maintain a commitment similar to what it did with football. That includes “capturing the action on the field or the court, representing the energy, pageantry, the traditions and celebrating the unique sights and sounds and stories of every school and rivalry,” he said.

“We feel like we deliver that incredibly well with College Football,” Wilson said. “We’d love to do the same for basketball. All 350 programs, men’s and women’s teams, the iconic traditions and rivalries, and of course, March Madness.

“So for us, college sports broadly is an exciting opportunity. We feel like we’ve done a really strong job, and remain committed to doing that in the context of college football. We believe that with what we’ve done with the teams, the technology, and our commitment around College Football, we’d have a great ability to do the same for college basketball, and as we look to try and activate against that opportunity, we’ll be able to share more.”

News of EA’s pending return to the college basketball space came in late June when Extra Points’ Matt Brown reported details of what could be coming. He said three companies filed formal bids to create a game, and the College Licensing Company recommended EA’s.



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Sullivan Park playground in Colona severely damaged by fireworks

Colona police are investigating criminal damage to Sullivan Park equipment after fireworks reportedly caused major damage early Tuesday morning. COLONA, Ill. — Colona Police are investigating criminal damage to playground equipment at Sullivan Park after fireworks reportedly caused major damage early Tuesday morning. The Colona Public Works Director reported the damage Tuesday morning. The play […]

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Sullivan Park playground in Colona severely damaged by fireworks

Colona police are investigating criminal damage to Sullivan Park equipment after fireworks reportedly caused major damage early Tuesday morning.

COLONA, Ill. — Colona Police are investigating criminal damage to playground equipment at Sullivan Park after fireworks reportedly caused major damage early Tuesday morning.

The Colona Public Works Director reported the damage Tuesday morning. The play equipment, located in Level Acres at Sullivan Park, appeared to be severely damaged by fireworks.

Officials believe the incident happened between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on July 29.

Police are asking residents in the area to check any doorbell or surveillance footage that may have captured suspicious activity during that timeframe.

Anyone with video footage is asked to send it to: Public@colonapolice.illinois.gov.

“We take the preservation and care of our public parks serious, as well as the safety of our residents, especially children playing at our parks,” the department stated. “Our department will be investigating this incident.”

No arrests have been reported.

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