NIL
Greg Sankey shuts down potential reseeding in College Football Playoff
The future of the College Football Playoff has been widely discussed throughout the offseason. This comes as expansion appears to be on the horizon, while there are also questions about the current 12-team model in the short term. One of the public-facing figures of this move to expand the Playoff has been SEC Commissioner Greg […]

The future of the College Football Playoff has been widely discussed throughout the offseason. This comes as expansion appears to be on the horizon, while there are also questions about the current 12-team model in the short term.
One of the public-facing figures of this move to expand the Playoff has been SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. He recently appeared on The Dan Patrick Show. There, he addressed and shut down one idea that many have pushed, which is to reseed teams after the first round.
“Not really, reseeding,” Sankey said. “Because almost, what, a week and a half ago, for the ’25 season, the College Football Playoff management committee, which is the commissioners and the Notre Dame athletic director, agreed to just go to straight seeding by ranking. So, the movement of teams outside of the top four, into the top four, that won’t happen anymore in 2025. You’re going to get what you earn. Same for home games.”
In essence, reseeding a Playoff would take the teams who are still in the field after the opening round and re-rank them. That would be to create better matchups down the line and prevent certain teams from being rewarded for an easier path.
Last season, the Playoff model gave byes to the top four seeds. Those top four seeds were taken as the top four ranked conference champions, which gave lower-ranked teams byes. That had been a major reason for the reseeding push to begin with.
“We’ve not gone back into the reseeding question. If you go back to June of ’21, which was like ancient history in college sports when the 12-team model was introduced, and we went back through this about a month ago with everybody involved on that management committee. One of the questions was, ‘Should we be reseeding?’ We never really got back to that because, you remember, the SEC had this little expansion to 16 [teams]. Great disruption in the force. Then we had ’22 and expansion of the Big Ten. So, we waited around for a year,” Sankey said.
“Now, we’ve been in hurry-up mode ever since. We haven’t talked so much about reseeding as we did about honoring the rankings in the bracket.”
As Sankey pointed out, the College Football Playoff is now going through some rapid changes. Depending on how those changes and potential expansion work out, it’s possible that reseeding becomes a topic again soon. For now, though, there’s not likely going to be more discussion in the short term.
NIL
Peter Burns, Chris Doering give SEC, 2025 college football season predictions
SEC Network’s Peter Burns and Chris Doering gave their 2025 SEC and college football predictions ahead of the season. It was during SEC Media Days on location in Atlanta. The two hosts went through five categories featuring coaches, teams and individuals. It was pretty carpeted to the conference, except for one pick. However, there are […]

SEC Network’s Peter Burns and Chris Doering gave their 2025 SEC and college football predictions ahead of the season. It was during SEC Media Days on location in Atlanta.
The two hosts went through five categories featuring coaches, teams and individuals. It was pretty carpeted to the conference, except for one pick.
However, there are some surprises from the pair as well. Let’s dive in, starting with the SEC Coach of the Year.
SEC Coach of the Year
Peter Burns: Brian Kelly, LSU
Chris Doering: Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Burns opted for Kelly to finally put it all together for the Tigers this season. Going into Year 4, a lot of LSU fans are uneasy and want to see at least a College Football Playoff berth.
Venables is a bit under the gun, so he needs to succeed in the SEC this year. But this 2025 Oklahoma team might have the most firepower of previous Venables’ teams.
SEC Offensive Player of the Year

Peter Burns: Arch Manning, QB – Texas
Chris Doering: John Mateer, QB – Oklahoma
Burns went with Manning to break out in his first year as a starter. He’s got the weapons, the talent and the coaching, so Manning has a chance to be the SEC’s best quarterback.
For Doering, he likes Washington State transfer John Mateer. That won’t be the last time you read the dual threat QB’s name on this list.
SEC Champion
Peter Burns: Georgia
Chris Doering: LSU
Georgia will return to the mountaintop of the SEC for the second straight year, per Burns. After beating Texas last year, the Bulldogs will repeat as champs and be one of the top seeds in the CFP.
Doering is high on LSU this year, despite not picking individual awards for the Tigers in the previous categories. It appears this’ll be Kelly’s best year as head coach.
Heisman Trophy Winner
Peter Burns: Cade Klubnik, QB – Clemson
Chris Doering: John Mateer, QB – Oklahoma
Burns picked the only non-SEC player or team on this list by going with Klubnik out of the ACC. The Clemson QB is slated to have the best year of his career and could be the No. 1 overall pick in 2026.
Doering already picked Mateer to win the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, so naturally, he has a chance to win the Heisman. If he improves upon last year’s stat line, it’ll be hard to deny the new Sooners’ quarterback.
National Champion

Peter Burns: N/A
Chris Doering: LSU
Here’s where TV gets fun. Burns didn’t pick an SEC team. In fact, he didn’t even pick a team at all for preseason predictions! What are we doing?!
Doering opted for LSU and Brian Kelly gets his first national championship, a long awaited goal. He’s been to the game before, but has fallen short. It seems like LSU is all in for 2025.
NIL
Paul Finebaum hints that new NIL landscape could derail college football powerhouse
Longtime ESPN analyst and SEC pundit Paul Finebaum predicts one of the game’s top powers to falter in this season due to challenges stemming from the Name, Image and Likeness world of college football. Schools have been forced to adapt to a new NIL era in the aftermath of the House settlement. The revenue-share model, […]

Longtime ESPN analyst and SEC pundit Paul Finebaum predicts one of the game’s top powers to falter in this season due to challenges stemming from the Name, Image and Likeness world of college football.
Schools have been forced to adapt to a new NIL era in the aftermath of the House settlement. The revenue-share model, allowing schools to allocate up to $20.5 million to athletes this year, is the new status quo.
Despite the settlement’s proposed intention to reign-in the unsustainable NIL spending, those lofty deals, sometimes undeserved in terms of on-field performance, continues to a sticking point.
In an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” Finebaum revealed his questions of Georgia and two-time national champion head coach Kirby Smart after an uncharacteristic 2024 campaign.
After not losing a regular season game for the better part of three seasons, the Bulldogs suffered regular season losses to both Alabama and Ole Miss. Smart and Co. responded with their third SEC championship before falling to Notre Dame, 28-10, in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Georgia enters the 2025 season with questions at quarterback after Carson Beck’s transfer to Miami on a reported NIL package worth $4.5 million.
Gunner Stockton is the favorite after replacing an injured beck in the SEC title game and playoff appearance. And his first season as the full-time starter features matchups against playoff contenders like Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas.
Those matchups will come at home, but Finebaum isn’t high on Stockton, or Georgia as a program in the current NIL landscape.
“This year they have those games at home, so they have a chance,” Finebaum said during SEC Media Days. “But I don’t think Georgia has a quarterback, which is what is going to be their undoing. Gunner Stockton did not show me anything in the just epic loss and loss of not only the game, but loss of composure and maybe loss of traction.”
“So I think Kirby Smart has a lot to answer for when he gets here this week,” Finebaum said. “But, NIL is the reason just to double up on what everybody else has said, there’s just so much going on you, you can’t hold on to your rosters, so you’re going to lose critical backup people or starters that may be the difference between an undefeated season and losing two or three games.”
Georgia’s decision to move on from Beck, stick with Stockton and not sign a transfer quarterback will be a talking point all season.
What Smart and his staff do have, as Stockton progresses, is the nation’s No. 2 roster. Only Texas ranks higher than the Bulldogs in blue-chip ratio this year.
That’s due, in part, to dominant recruiting. While talking heads wonder if Georgia can keep up with the NIL surge, the Bulldogs have yet to finish outside of the top five in recruiting in the last nine years and are coming off the No. 2 class in the 2025 cycle.
The talent will be there for Stockton to be successful, and it’s up to the redshirt junior and the Bulldogs to silence the doubters.
That journey will begin in the season opener against Marshall on Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m ET (ESPN).
NIL
Georgia’s Smart Says Money Is Making Players Too Comfortable
Georgia’s Smart Says Money Is Making Players Too Comfortable Privacy Manager Link 0

NIL
Michigan now among college football’s biggest NIL spenders
It wasn’t all that long ago that Michigan was widely viewed as an underachiever in the world of NIL. Despite having no shortage of wealthy donors and institutional resources, many believed Michigan was a sleeping giant — held back only by the decision-makers in Ann Arbor. But those days are now firmly in the past. […]

It wasn’t all that long ago that Michigan was widely viewed as an underachiever in the world of NIL. Despite having no shortage of wealthy donors and institutional resources, many believed Michigan was a sleeping giant — held back only by the decision-makers in Ann Arbor. But those days are now firmly in the past.
RELATED: Michigan Football: Sherrone Moore says incoming transfer could be Big Ten’s best
Today, Michigan has emerged as one of the major players in the NIL landscape, offering resources that few programs in the country can compete with. This shift in mindset and a more aggressive approach to NIL have resulted in back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes for head coach Sherrone Moore. The most high-profile victory came when Michigan flipped five-star QB Bryce Underwood from LSU, reportedly offering an NIL package worth over $10 million to secure his commitment.
While Underwood’s deal grabbed headlines, Michigan is also closing significant NIL deals with other elite prospects as well.
On Tuesday, On3 released its rankings of the top NIL spenders in college football — and Michigan landed firmly in the Top 10.
NEW: Top 10 Biggest Spenders in College Football this season
(Survey via @PeteNakos_) https://t.co/KSq2X85KFe pic.twitter.com/B6YylQ1djM
— On3 (@On3sports) July 15, 2025
Here’s what On3 had to say about Michigan’s place on the list:
Michigan’s highest-paid player on this year’s roster is well documented. The Wolverines flipped On3’s No. 1 overall recruit from LSU in November. The quarterback inked a multi-year deal that is expected to pay out over $12 million in his career at Michigan. The Wolverines are another program that is expected to cross the $20 million threshold in 2025.
– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –
More Michigan News:
Michigan Football: Sherrone Moore says incoming transfer could be Big Ten’s best
‘Tipped Off’: Connor Stalions issues forceful response to Sonny Dykes’ 2022 CFP claim
Aaron Rodgers links up with Michigan’s 2026 QB commit for workout session
Michigan’s 7-footer looks like a problem in newly released video
ESPN: Michigan running back has one of the most unbreakable college football records
Michigan Football announces ‘Maize Out’ game for 2025 season
NIL
Pannell, Lis help lead TC Colorado to 2025 Canda Cup International Softball Championship
LUBBOCK, Texas – Triple Crown Colorado wrapped up its summer ball season with a big win over the Canadian National Team at the 2025 Canada Cup International Softball Championship. TC Colorado featured 11 All-Americans from D1 programs around the country and included two new Red Raiders in Jackie Lis and Taylor Pannell. Colorado went 5-1 in […]

Colorado went 5-1 in pool play to advance to the Women’s International Championship bracket. Their 5-1 run included three shutout wins and a 26-0 win over the Greece National Team.
They would drop the first game of the championship bracket to Team Canada but quickly bounced back, winning four games in two days including wins over the British Columbia, Czechia and Netherlands national teams before getting their revenge on Team Canada with a 7-5 win.
Lis hit .440 in both pool and championship play but hit .462 with a 1.358 OPS, four home runs and nine RBI over the whole summer. The incoming senior hit three home runs and drove in six RBI over the championship tournament and posted a 1.080 slugging percentage while also being a perfect 9-for-9 in the field and was named the Most Outstanding Hitter. Lis’s best performance came in game two of the championship tournament against British Columbia. She went 3-for-3 out of the two hole, scoring three runs and launching a solo home run. Lis picked up six total bases to lead the team as they went on to take a commanding 12-0 victory.
Pannell hit .321 over the whole summer including a 3-for-4 performance that featured a grand slam and eight RBI in the opening game of the summer event. On defense, she played a perfect third base during the championship, going 13-for-13 with five assists. Her home run in the top of the fifth gave her team a 6-0 lead and her defense in the bottom of the sixth helped them maintain their 6-5 lead. With one out and runners on the corners, Pannell took a ground ball that was hit to her and got the lead runner out at home and then her teammates were able to get the runner advancing to third. This was a pivotal moment in the game that allowed Colorado to hang on to its slim lead and take the momentum back into their dugout going into the final frame.
Quotes:
“I was really excited for the opportunity to compete against some of the top international teams,” Lis said. “It was such a high level of competition and to come out on top and finally win it all made it even more special. I’m proud of how the team and I performed, and I can’t wait to keep building on that momentum heading into this season at Tech.”
“For me it was cool to play with and meet new girls that play at different schools,” Pannell said. “Also playing national teams in a different country was a once in a lifetime experience.”
“Taylor (Pannell) played outstanding third base all tournament long,” said coach and Triple Crown Founder Dave King. “She snagged a ball that would’ve tied the game but was able to make it a double play which was huge. The Canadian National Team just kept coming back, but Jackie (Lis) was a difference maker. The whole tournament she was hitting for power and line drives and also played a stellar second base.”
NIL
Johnny Football says NIL would’ve made ‘Money Manziel’ richer than the NFL could’ve
Few players have been as polarizing and have taken over College Football quite like Johnny Manziel did during his time at Texas A&M. As a Redshirt Freshman, Johnny Manziel went from a relative unknown to a household name with electrifying plays that had everyone dying to watch his next game. During his time in College […]

Few players have been as polarizing and have taken over College Football quite like Johnny Manziel did during his time at Texas A&M. As a Redshirt Freshman, Johnny Manziel went from a relative unknown to a household name with electrifying plays that had everyone dying to watch his next game. During his time in College Station, Johnny Manziel made Texas A&M the best show in the sport bringing never before seen attention to Texas A&M.
If Johnny Manziel played in the NIL and Revenue Sharing era, there may not have been a bigger star as “Money Manziel” was a walking highlight reel constantly finding himself at the top of ESPN shows and all over social media.
This week, Johnny Manziel appeared on Always College Football with Greg McElroy talking about his takeover of College Football. During the interview, Johnny Manziel talked about the current era of College Football and how he feels he would’ve been taking a pay cut to leave for the NFL.
“I tell people this all the time, and they asked me this, I really feel like I would have taken a pay cut had I gone to the NFL, I mean, that’s really what it would have been. I mean, it is crazy times that we’re living, and I think, you know, in a lot of areas, still figuring out exactly how to make it work the right way, where it’s not just the biggest boosters and the richest schools. If you look at A&M, you know, I feel like we’ve put a ton of money in it to our NIL, and it hasn’t necessarily translated onto the field. “
Johnny Manziel
At a program like Texas A&M, there’s no doubt that Johnny Manziel could’ve made ridiculous amounts of money especially when you see some of the current NIL deals made for unproven players. The Aggies have famously been one of the biggest spenders when it comes to NIL as Jimbo Fisher and his staff landed one of the most loaded recruiting classes of All-Time.
Johnny Manziel was the Golden Goose for Texas A&M and his play on the field was thanked specifically for helping raise the money to pay for Texas A&M’s renovation of Kyle Field.
“The stars came together. We talked about this project for a long, long time. But none of us were sure how quick we could pay for this project. And because of a young man by the name of Johnny Manziel, we were able to raise all the money in two months. My vision is someday, I hope, the Aggie Nation will come together and decide that we can revise the name of Kyle Field to Kyle Field, the House That Johnny Built.”
Jim Schwertner
While Texas A&M was able to raise enough money to undergo a $450 Million renovation, Johnny Manziel wasn’t able to be paid according to the NCAA’s rules at the time. If Manziel was able to earn NIL money at that time rather than going into the NFL Draft he could’ve earned a jaw-dropping figure to stick in College Station one more year.
Unfortunately for Johnny Manziel, he was ahead of his time but, in this new era of College Football, the next star to transform a program will be able to get his piece of the pie.
More Texas A&M Aggies News:
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Pet fitness and wellness trends for a healthier and happier dog
-
College Sports3 weeks ago
WAC to Rebrand to UAC, Add Five New Members in 2026
-
College Sports3 weeks ago
A new era of Dickinson hockey begins behind the bench – The Dickinson Press
-
Motorsports2 weeks ago
Why Cosmetics are Making Up for Lost Time in Women’s Sports
-
Health3 weeks ago
Florida assault survivor shares hope for change with new mental health law
-
Motorsports2 weeks ago
Team Penske names new leadership
-
Motorsports3 weeks ago
NASCAR This Week – Patriot Publishing LLC
-
Sports7 days ago
New 'Bosch' spin
-
Youtube2 weeks ago
BREAKING: NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs the RICHEST annual salary in league history
-
Sports1 week ago
E.l.f Cosmetics Builds Sports Marketing Game Plan Toward Bigger Goals