NIL

Four Transfers Set to Make Their Way to the Main Line

Published

6 months ago

July 21, 2025

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Women’s soccer head coach Samar Azem announced the addition of four transfers who have inked Letters of Intent to continue their careers with Villanova.

The quartet includes two forwards, a midfielder and a defender. Two of the four are players who have been a part of teams who have made deep runs in the national tournament in the past four seasons.

“We are very excited about this recruiting class of transfers. We have a great blend of strong, core returning players; young, eager and talented freshmen; and a fantastic group of transfers who have the ability to elevate what we do competitively as our program takes a step forward,” Villanova head coach Samar Azem said. “We are extremely selective on the players and people we recruit – and this group of transfers each have an important role they can play in our program re-establishing its competitive identity. We have graduate transfers who bring the experience of national championship matches, final fours, national teams and achieving success at the highest level of soccer and academic prestige. I have no doubt this group of transfers will come in and make their marks on this program very quickly.

“I want to thank our assistant coaches, Ryan and Erin, our support staff, our admissions staff and academic staff, and our players for the time they’ve put into ensuring we bring individuals who not only fit the identity we want to play with and talent profile we are looking for but who also have the ability to enhance our community and tradition of excellence here at Villanova University.”

Hannah Curtin | Graduate | Forward

Winchester, Mass. | Winchester HS | Dartmouth College

Curtin comes to the Main Line after a four-year career at Dartmouth where she was an NEWISA Third Team All-Region and Second Team All-Ivy player, both awards coming in the 2021 campaign. She totaled 35 starts in 42 appearances in her time with the Big Green for 2392 minutes of action. In that time, she tallied 29 points on 10 goals and nine assists. Her final season at Dartmouth came with 13 starts in 16 matches played. She scored three goals and two assists while compiling a three-game point streak along the way in which she tallied two goals and an assist. She had a breakout season in 2021 where she logged both aforementioned accolades after a six-goal, four-assist year, netting two game-winners along the way. Academically, she was honored at the end of the 2024 season as the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team selection.

The Winchester, Mass. native was a four-year letter winner at Winchester High School, captaining the team in her senior year. She also earned two varsity letters as a sprinter on the indoor track team. On the pitch, she helped her team to the 2019 Division II State Championships in 2019 while going on a year later to be a finalist. She was a two-time High School Soccer First Team All-American selection, 2019 DII State Player of the Year, a four-time Middlesex League Champion, a three-time Middlesex League MVP as well as an All-State and All-New England honoree. At the club level, she played with the FC Stars from 2017-2021 where she was a Second Team Northeast ECNL and ODP Region 1 Team member.

Curtin will pursue a Masters in Finance at Villanova. On why she chose Villanova: “During my visit to Villanova, I felt an overwhelming sense of good on campus and amongst the team. The combination of elite athletics, rigorous master’s programs, and strong Augustinian values creates an environment where I believe I would thrive in during my fifth year.”

Azem on Curtin: “Hannah is a fast, athletic, and relentless forward who has the capability to create a lot of problems for defenders. She can score goals, she can create goals for others and she will press relentlessly. She is a prototype of what we are looking for in our attacking players and will bring four years of high-level experience with her. Her drive and her leadership will add a value of winning to our program as we rise through this next step.”

Kate Dobsch | Graduate | Midfielder

Winnetka, Ill. | New Trier HS | Wake Forest University

Dobsch was an ACC Honor Roll member and ACC Top 6 for Service honoree at Wake Forest, also earning a spot on the Dean’s list all four years. In her time with the Demon Deacons, she suited up for three seasons and redshirted her junior campaign, logging 187 minutes on the pitch mostly as a defender. She is coming off a senior campaign that saw her play in four wins for the Deacs.

The Winnetka, Ill. native played a year of high school soccer as an All-State defender but was a part of elite club teams. She led her club team, Eclipse Select, to a No. 1 national ranking during the 2019-20 campaign. Prior to that, she was named the FC United team captain in 2015-16 while playing with ODP Illinois State Team in the same year. She attended the US Soccer Training Center from 2015-17 and was an ECNL Midwest Conference Champion and Finalist at the ECNL National Championship. Her team also ranked third in the ECNL National Conference Playoffs in 2021. In the classroom, she was a member of the Honor Roll all four years of her high school career.

Dobsch will pursue an MBA on the Main Line. On why she chose Villanova: “I chose Villanova for my fifth year because it combines high-level athletics with academic excellence. The competitive soccer program led by a respected coaching staff and being given the opportunity to pursue a well-regarded MBA checked all the boxes for me.”

Azem on Dobsch: “Kate is a skilled and sophisticated player on the ball. She has the vision, ability, and range to play well timed advanced passes and orchestrate play in possession. She was an instrumental leader in Wake Forest’s NCAA championship run and brings the experience of winning with her as our program looks to take a leap forward.”

Isabelle Chukwu | Sophomore | Forward

Ottawa, Canada | Bill Crothers Secondary School | Brown University

Chukwu played in 16 of 17 games at Brown in her freshman season. In that time, she logged 266 minutes of action. She has worked her way through the Canadian Women’s National Team system as well, suiting up with the U17 squad in 2023-24 cycle and U15 in 2022. That 2022 campaign was a stacked one for the Ottawa native, being selected for Canada Soccer’s National Development Centre Ontario. At the club level, she played with 2022 OPDL U15 Gary Miller Cup and Shield and ODPL U15 League Champion teams, also winning the Ontario Summer Games that year. That year also saw her be a part of the Ontario Provincial Excel Team. She is not the only collegiate soccer player in her family. Her sister, Annabelle, is a forward at Notre Dame.

The Biology major on why she chose Villanova: “I chose Villanova because of its strong academics, and the faculty’s commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field.”

Azem on Chukwu: “Isabelle is a creative attacking player on the ball. She has experience training and competing with the Canadian youth national team and comes from a year of experience with a dominant Ivy team. Isabelle’s mind and vision for the game are extremely impressive. Coupled with her athletic ability, she will bring a lethal force to our front line.”

Bella Panaccione | Graduate | Defender

Los Altos Hills, Calif. | Saint Francis High School | Santa Clara University

Panaccione wrapped up her undergraduate career this past season at Santa Clara. In her time with the Broncos, the defender amassed five starts in 26 appearances, logging two assists in 910 minutes of action. Her first year with the team saw the Broncos reach the NCAA National Semifinals in 2021.

Before Santa Clara, the Los Altos Hills, Calif. native was a four-year varsity soccer player at Saint Francis High School and played at the club level with MVLA. She was CCS and WCAL Team selection all four years and was awarded the SFHS Outstanding Athlete Award.

Azem on Panaccione: “Bella is a seasoned veteran and competitor. She has the versatility too in the back and mid lines and has a strong understanding of the game. She can impact our ability to possess and move the ball through each phase of play phenomenally well. Bella is a tough competitor and gritty defender and will be a handful for teams to try to break down.”

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NIL

Notre Dame’s Joey O’Brien Joins Under Armour’s First NIL Squad

Published

47 minutes ago

January 5, 2026

Your Sports Nation

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

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NIL

Nebraska predicted to land defensive player from transfer portal

Published

2 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Your Sports Nation

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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NIL

Two Truths and a Lie: LSU and the transfer portal

Published

3 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Your Sports Nation

By Chris Marler

In the chaos of the transfer portal, NIL and coaching carousel drama, it’s becoming clear that some long held truths in college football no longer apply.

Truth No. 1 – Don’t get caught up in rankings and “big” names.

Star rankings and blue chip recruits have been the name of the game for a long time in college football. The highest ranked recruits generate the most buzz, and it’s human nature to love the shiny, expensive things, especially in college football.

Racking up five-star studded class after five-star studded class for your depth chart worked beautifully in the pre-portal era. We are no longer in a time where waves of elite recruits are waiting their turn on the depth chart, though.

While it’s awesome to sign the top prospects available out of high school or the portal, losing out on a player like Sam Leavitt or a former five-star isn’t the end of the world. So, as rumors about the No. 1 overall player in the country potentially going to Kentucky continue to swirl, there is no reason to worry if you’re LSU.

In fact, there is no better example of why that isn’t the end of the world than LSU. Look no further than Lane Kiffin’s success with a DII quarterback, and LSU going 7-6 with an $18 million roster.

Truth No. 2 – The drama isn’t over yet.

The day that college football season ends is usually the most depressing day of the year, besides that first Sunday where it gets dark at like 4:30 p.m.. I dread the end of the season every year, but I cannot wait for this drama with the LSU-Ole Miss coaching staffs to end.

What is happening now isn’t sustainable. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. has traveled to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, back to Baton Rouge for recruiting and meetings and back to Oxford for Fiesta Bowl prep. That’s all in a 72 hour window.

As noted Saturday, Charlie Weis Jr. went from New Orleans after the Sugar Bowl, to Baton Rouge for LSU meetings, to Oxford for Ole Miss Fiesta Bowl prep, back to Baton Rouge for LSU recruiting and is expected back in Oxford for more game prep.https://t.co/KvaJhxRoz6

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 4, 2026

At this point, I can only imagine they’re just meeting every other Tuesday in a McDonald’s parking lot like my parents did. Nothing says resentment and contentious agreement like a Happy Meal and McFlurry, coach!

The Lie – Lane Kiffin is just hoping for the best for everyone.

Can we just stop with this charade that Lane Kiffin is actively hoping for the best for everyone. This whole “I just hope both sides have fun” schtick is ridiculous. I am not blaming Kiffin, and I genuinely don’t even disagree with most of the decisions he’s made throughout this process, regardless of the theatrics involved.

Divorce is messy, and this is no different.

I firmly believe that Lane Kiffin wanted Ole Miss to win against Tulane and Georgia. I also believed he wanted them to win up until the point that he realized they may actually do it. It’s really simple to pretend you have genuine goodwill towards something, someone or some team (you used to coach), when deep down you never thought they’d succeed without you in the first place.

Maybe that’s just me overreacting and reading too much into it. I’m not inside Kiffin’s head and maybe my assessment of the situation is completely off base. If it is, fine. Either way, I think the general feeling from everyone at this point is wishing that both sides would completely part ways and stop making this somehow even messier at every turn.

I’m not sure what the exact therapy buzzword is for that level of disingenuous gaslighting, but I’ll let you know when I meet with Dr. Frankie on Tuesday.

Happy as can be. “Let them and Love them all” https://t.co/J3jI4bdKm8

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) January 3, 2026

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NIL

College football quarterback with 6,600 career passing yards enters transfer portal

Published

3 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Your Sports Nation

A quarterback with nearly 7,000 career passing yards has elected to enter the college football transfer portal in search of what will be his fifth school heading into the 2026 season.

North Texas quarterback Reese Poffenbarger has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal looking for a new school next year, according to CBS Sports.

Over the last four seasons, the quarterback has been on three different rosters after redshirting his first year at Old Dominion in 2021.

His best performance to date

Poffenbarger had his two best overall outings in the 2022 and 2023 seasons when suited up for Albany, where he transferred to the FCS ranks.

He was named the starter at Albany after competing with two other candidates for the position and established a school record with 412 passing yards in a game against Fordham.

That year, Poffenbarger finished with one yard shy of 3,000 yards with 24 touchdowns and was named the Colonial Athletic Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year.

He led Albany to the FCS playoff semifinal round the following season, and elected to transfer away after leading the FCS with 36 passing touchdowns and 3,603 passing yards.

The quarterback finished as the school’s touchdown passing record-holder in his time with the program.

Where he’s been lately

Poffenbarger transferred to Miami ahead of the 2024 season, ultimately serving as the backup to Cam Ward, himself a transfer to the school who went on to lead college football’s top-ranked passing attack that year.

From there, Poffenbarger transferred to the Group of Five ranks, landing at North Texas, where he competed for and ultimately lost the starting quarterback job to eventual NCAA passing leader Drew Mestemaker.

What he’s done on the field

In his career, Poffenbarger boasts a 14-12 overall record in 26 starts across 32 total games, passing for 6,669 yards with 60 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

He rushed for an additional 342 yards and eight more touchdowns.

Poffenbarger’s best outing came with Albany in the 2023 season, going 11-4 overall with 3,614 yards with 36 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, rushing for 6 touchdowns.

How the college football transfer portal works

The new 15-day transfer portal window from Jan. 2-16 and the elimination of the spring transfer period has condensed the timeline for players and programs to make their moves.

The NCAA Transfer Portal is a private database that includes the names of student-athletes in every sport at the Division I, II, and III levels. The full list of names is not available to the public.

(CBS)

No. 8 transfer WR sets official visits with two major college football programs

Published

4 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Your Sports Nation

One of the top offensive weapons on a Big Ten team and one of the highest-ranked players at his position in the college football transfer portal is in play and two notable programs are already making overtures as the 2026 cycle heats up.

Former Rutgers wide receiver Ian Strong is in the NCAA transfer portal coming off a very productive season, and has already set two official visits as he scouts a new school, according to On3 Sports.

Who is interested in the wideout?

Notre Dame is at the front of the line for the wide receiver, and is scheduled to meet him on campus for an official visit some time this week, according to the report.

The wide receiver position is an area of some need for the Fighting Irish looking ahead to the 2026 season with one notable player on the way out.

Malachi Fields, himself a transfer from Virginia last offseason, led Notre Dame in total receiving production in 2025, but is set to exit the program and enter the NFL Draft.

And while there are other notable receiving targets currently on the roster for quarterback CJ Carr, most notably Jordan Faison, the Fighting Irish are said to be in the market for another go-to wide receiver talent for their offense next season.

Where has Strong been?

A notable ACC hopeful undergoing a notable coaching change and returning a potentially-elite quarterback in 2026 is in the market for the wide receiver.

California recently hosted Strong on an official visit, which took place on Sunday, according to the most recent reporting.

Head coach Tosh Lupoi earned a major re-commitment in December when star quarterback and former five-star prospect Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele confirmed his decision to return as QB1 for the Golden Bears in 2026.

Now he needs a go-to target, and Strong is a player who would theoretically fit the bill, and would potentially give the Cal offense an instant upgrade.

What Strong has done on the field

Rutgers played one of the most productive passing offenses in the Big Ten this past season, and Strong’s performance at wide receiver was one of the reasons why.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound wideout, the former top prospect from the state of New York, had 111 receptions for 1,668 yards and 12 touchdowns over the last three seasons.

This past season saw Strong’s best effort as he finished with 52 grabs for 762 yards and five touchdowns, all career-highs in a Rutgers offense that was top 25 nationally in passing output.

Strong is listed as the No. 8 transfer wide receiver in the 2026 college football transfer portal cycle, according to the On3 Sports national player rankings.

IU football adds TCU QB Josh Hoover out of the transfer portal – The Daily Hoosier

Published

5 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Indiana has an experienced veteran in the stable at quarterback for 2026.

Texas Christian transfer Josh Hoover is headed to Bloomington based on multiple Sunday reports.

For his career the Heath, Texas product projects to have the most passing yards (9,629) and touchdown passes (71) of any player returning to college football next season.

The 6-foot-2 and 200-pound Hoover has been with TCU each of the last four seasons, taking a redshirt year in 2022. Since he took over as the starter in October 2023, the team went 19-12, including 17-8 in the last two years. He led the Horned Frogs to nine wins in 2024 and eight this season.

He was originally committed to Tom Allen and the Hoosiers out of high school before flipping his decision late in the cycle following the 2021 season.

Hoover has one year of eligibility remaining.

As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Hoover started the final six games of the season. He completed 62.1% of his throws for 2,206 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

In 2024 Hoover completed 66.5% of his passes for 3,949 yards with 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

This season he completed 65.9% of his throws for 3,472 yards with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Hoover was sacked 18 times in 2025 and 16 times in 2024.

Like Indiana, TCU ran a lot of RPO offense with Hoover as the starter under offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who has left for South Carolina. In that system Hoover showed he is a capable runner too. Over the last three years he has rushed for 267 yards (before sack adjustment) with eight touchdowns.