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NIL

How a conference call gave Texas’ new NIL bill a push through the Senate

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MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (KBTX) – Well after sunlight ceased permeating the windows of the Texas Senate chamber Tuesday, Senator Brandon Creighton stood to, again, present a bill he had sponsored for debate.

His message to fellow senators was as complicated as the issue the bill addresses, but there was a simple point distributed throughout — if House Bill 126 doesn’t pass in the final week of this legislative session, college football in the state of Texas would, in essence, die.

Ultimately, a 30-1 vote sent the new name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation legislation through the Senate and to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott to sign into law. To Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, president of the Senate, it was his colleges that performed CPR on college athletics in the state.

“The Senate saved college sports in Texas,” Patrick boasted from the dais before moving on to other business.

However, an 11th-hour conference call between senators, coaches and athletic directors provided the necessary last push to get the important bill over the finish line in the Senate chambers after two evenings of confusion and debate.

“It seems that a lot of the members wanted to vent their frustration with their concerns about college football and where this is going and paying the athletes and the change in the NCAA… A lot of members have concerns about the rich getting richer and the small guy doesn’t have a chance and it’s not going to be competitive,” Rep. Carl Tepper (R-District 84), the bill’s original author, told KBTX. “And so, we’re still not really sure where this is headed, but this is certainly the right direction to keep Texas on par with the rest of the country.”

The current NIL bill on Texas’s books does not allow universities to enter into direct contracts with athletes and prohibits athletes from earning NIL money while participating in team activities. The pending settlement for the House v. NCAA antitrust case opens the door for athletic departments to share revenue up to $20.5 million per year for the use of athletes’ names, images and likenesses during game broadcasts and in promotion of the department. A clause in HB 126 also allows for flexibility in the state law should the NCAA or a court ruling change the landscape or rules regarding NIL compensation in the future. The state needed an update to its law to allow Texas universities to participate in these portions of the settlement.

KBTX News 3 at Ten(Recurring)

Sen. Brandon Creighton, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, first presented HB 126 on Sunday evening. However, the legislation faced immediate pushback from Sen. Royce West (D-District 23) and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-District 18), questioning whether loosening NIL restrictions would allow college programs to offer NIL deals to students as young as middle school.

“Colleges can go and start talking about NIL money to, like, children,” Kolkhorst said on the Senate floor. “What is going to happen is the agents, now, are going to be working through children. I’m not mad at [Creighton] and I’m not mad at Rep. Tepper. I think I’m mad at the United States of America for truly having a collapse of amateur athleticism and we’re going to have agents going and talking to 12 year olds.”

Patrick, noting the late hour, called Creighton forward for a side conversation, the result of which was tabling the bill for a later debate.

In the interim, the concerned senators held a conference call with administrators, coaches and legal council from athletic departments across the state to help clarify the purpose of the new NIL bill. To ease concerns about financially predatory actors preying on talented younger athletes, the Senate drafted an amendment to the legislation that said universities or third-party entities could not enter into an NIL contract with athletes younger than 17.

“I think it allayed some concern, but the bill already doesn’t allow any payment to any student that’s not enrolled at the school,” Tepper said. “So, you can do 100 contracts, but you actually have to show up until the contract is executed and commenced.”

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte, who was part of the conference call, said he understood the senators’ concerns and had no problem with the amendment.

“I think they’re very thoughtful in the state of Texas that publicity rights are a collegiate opportunity,” he said Wednesday at SEC Spring Meetings. “It’s protecting high school, middle school and junior high. They wanted to do that and I understood that.”

Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts was unavailable for comment due to his commitments presenting at SEC Spring Meetings, according to a spokesperson. Requests for comment from many of the senators involved in the debate were not returned.

Two days and a conference call later, Creighton presented the bill once again on the Senate floor to a mostly united chamber. Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-District 9) took the floor in support of the bill.

“I have had constituents with young men and women that, because they live in our state and we have not done this, have contacted my office and said, ‘Hey, y’all need to pass something. My child wants to go to school in the state of Texas, but y’all are going to have to compete with the other people talking to my child,’” Hancock said.

Eventually, with the flick of the gavel, Patrick called for a vote to suspend the three-day rule resulting in an immediate vote on the bill. The count tallied 30 in favor and one “non sports fan,” he announced.

“Here’s to winning in Texas,” Patrick said, putting finality on the issue.

Now, the amended bill must be approved by the House before it finds its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk to sign into law. Coaches across the state desire a two-thirds majority vote in the House that will put the law into effect as soon as it is signed. If it gets less, the bill will become law on Sept. 1, losing valuable months of signing contracts and recruiting, should the House settlement be approved.

Tepper said he is hopeful his colleges will understand the importance of the two-thirds vote.

“I hate to predict things, because you just own’t want to muck it up somehow, but I’m confident that my colleges see the importance of this. I’m confident that they realize this has been hashed out as much as it can be hashed out as much as it can be hashed out. The situation is the situation and also, this is an opportunity for these high school and college athletes. I”m hoping and pleading and praying that they concur.”

But, Tepper sees the light at the end of a long tunnel that provided new life to college athletics in Texas.

“It’s more like satisfying that you know that you might have had a small hand in saving college football in Texas,” he said.



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Oregon Loses Two More Players to Transfer Portal Amid College Football Playoff Run

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The Oregon Ducks are coming off of a 51-34 win over the James Madison Duke at Autzen Stadium on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

The Ducks now advance to face the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the CFP Quarterfinals at the Orange Bowl in Miami, FL. on Jan. 1, but two more members of the Oregon secondary won’t be in attendance.

Oregon defensive back Sione Laulea

Oregon defensive back Sione Laulea runs during practice with the Oregon Ducks Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Per reports from On3’s Hayes Fawcett, Oregon cornerback Sione Laulea is entering the portal and won’t be with the team for the rest of the CFP. Joining him in the portal will be Oregon safety Kingston Lopa, who will have three years of eligibility left. He also won’t be with the Ducks during what hopes to be a run to the National Championship.

Laulea, who arrived to Eugene before the 2024 season, was the top JUCO cornerback prospect out of San Mateo College headed into his first year at Oregon.

Sione Laulea Chose Oregon for Development

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks off the field after a timeout as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

He told the media before this season that he chose the Ducks because he thought it was the best fit for him from a developmental standpoint.

“I transferred from junior college, and the biggest fit for me was just development, because I feel like I used two years, so with two years left in eligibility, I feel like I had to make the most out of my two years,” he said. “So the place that was going to develop me the most and where I fit most in the scheme, and I felt like this was a place, especially with the coaching staff, with Tosh (Lupoi) being such an aggressive caller, and (Chris Hampton) as a secondary coach.”

“I feel like it’s been great,” he continued. “As you guys know, there’s not a lot of experience in our back end, specifically the corner room, but there’s some dogs either way, whether we touch the field or not. You can see it clearly in practice that everyone’s making plays on the ball, and it’s pretty much neck and neck.”

MORE: Three Biggest Takeaways From Oregon’s Playoff Win Over James Madison

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However, things never quite worked out for Laulea. He appeared in 10 games with Oregon while posting just 10 total tackles (five solo), three pass breakups and one pick. His only interception as a Duck came in the 38-9 win over No. 20 Illinois last season.

As for Lopa, he arrived to Oregon as a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class out of Grant Union in Sacramento, CA.

Oregon ducks transfer portal kingstopa lopa sione laulea dan lanning james madison dukes college football playoff

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes head coach Bob Chesney and Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning greet one another after the game at Autzen Stadium. | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

He received some notable praise from Oregon head coach Dan Lanning during the spring.

“It’s just what he does every day in practice. You know, the part that we get to see, and Kingston to be an unbelievable player for us. You know, he’s had a really good spring so far. But you know, he earned those moments by what he did in practice,” Lanning said.

Lopa appeared in 13 games this season while posting 12 total tackles and one pass breakup.



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Florida wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

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Florida wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery is planning to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3 has learned. He caught three passes for 26 yards in 2025.

Montgomery played high school football at Miami Central (West Palm Beach, FL), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 262 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted algorithm that complies all major recruiting media services.

He had a bunch of different premier programs interested in his services as a recruit. We’ll see who comes calling this time around for the wide receiver.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

More on Naeshaun Montgomery, NCAA Transfer Portal

Meanwhile, the NCAA Division I Administrative Committee passed dates for the one-time-only college football transfer portal back earlier in October. As it stands, the 2025-26 college football transfer portal will last 15 days. It’ll span Jan. 2 to Jan. 16, the NCAA announced.

Moving forward, the entire Division I football notification of transfer windows is slated for Jan 2-16. As has been the previous standard, athletes on College Football Playoff teams still playing would have 5 days beginning the day after their team’s final game to enter the transfer portal.

Additionally, players have 15 days to enter the portal, but they’re not under a deadline to commit when they enter. Traditionally, the deadline for committing is how late a school can enroll a player through admissions.

One caveat is that if a head coach is fired, the transfer portal will not open for players immediately. The NCAA revealed that moving forward, players will only have 15 days to enter the portal after a coaching change, instead of the former allocation of 30 days. Players will also have to wait five days after a new coach is hired or announced. 

Finally, graduate transfers also cannot enter the transfer portal until Jan. 2 with the new one-time-only portal window. All these new guidelines are bound to shake things up, but the transfer portal will still remain as interesting and entertaining as ever.





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6 Tennessee players who increased their NIL value, including DeSean Bishop

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Dec. 22, 2025, 5:00 a.m. ET





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Miami WR Malachi Toney Announces Career News Amid College Football Season

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The No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes defeated the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies 10-3 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. It was a defensive battle, ultimately decided by a late fourth-quarter score and red-zone interception by Miami.

With the score tied at 3 and 1 minute, 44 seconds left in the game, Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Carson Beck.

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Up next for the Hurricanes is a Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic matchup against the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes. It’s an uphill battle, as ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Hurricanes a 29.5% chance of winning.

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10).© Robert Myers-Imagn Images

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10).© Robert Myers-Imagn Images

Before his heroic performance, though, the wide receiver revealed an exciting Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) update. In a joint Instagram post, Toney revealed a new NIL partnership with Hellstar, a popular clothing brand that has a sports training component.

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“We are so proud to announce our first Hellstar Sports College Athlete NIL signing – Malachi Toney🌟.,” the post caption read. “We had the privilege to coach @malitoney10 while he was apart of our high school 7 on 7 program, so now seeing him shine on the collegiate level we couldn’t be more proud.”



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What Colorado’s Athletic Department Valuation Says About Buffaloes’ Growth

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In the growing landscape of college athletics, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals play a vital role in sports. Some programs are set up better than others based on a program’s valuation. Programs with higher valuations can help some of the top-performing teams stay successful.

CNBC released its valuation rankings for the country’s athletic departments, showing their growth from the 2024 fiscal year. The Colorado Buffaloes are ranked No. 47 in the nation, a rise from No. 55 in 2024.

Colorado Buffaloes valuation NIL transfer portal Deion Sanders Coach Prime Big 12 College Football Basketball Folsom Field

Nov 25, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders on the field against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

Breaking Down Colorado Buffaloes’ Valuation Ranking

Colorado’s 2025 valuation is $574 million, with a year-over-year value change of 22 percent. The program’s 2024 revenue is set at $147 million, with a 16 percent year-over-year revenue change.

A program’s valuation determines its monetary worth, and it is important to look at the growth, which shows that Colorado is trending in the right direction. It is also important to note that the valuation rankings are based on all of the athletics, not just the football program.

Where Colorado Ranks In The Big 12

Colorado Buffaloes valuation NIL transfer portal Deion Sanders Coach Prime Big 12 College Football Basketball Folsom Field

Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

When focusing on the Big 12 conference, several of the programs are in the same vicinity with their valuation ranking.

  • No. 39 Kansas: $620M
  • No. 41 Oklahoma State: $600M
  • No. 42 Baylor: $585M
  • No. 46 Iowa State: $575M
  • No. 47 Colorado: $574M
  • No. 49 Texas Tech: $570M
  • No. 50 TCU: $568M
  • No. 55 Arizona: $529M
  • No. 57 BYU: $500M
  • No. 58 West Virginia: $481M
  • No. 60 Utah: $451M
  • No. 62 Kansas State: $435M
  • No. 63 Arizona State: $430M
  • No. 68 Cincinnati: $280M
  • No. 70 UCF: $262M
  • No. 73 Houston: $222M

MORE: Colorado Gets Hit With Biggest Transfer Portal Loss Yet

MORE: Michael Irvin Gets Real On Blame Surrounding Shedeur Sanders

MORE: Deion Sanders Faces Recruiting Problem After Omarion Miller Transfer News 

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While from the top valuation of Kansas to the bottom, which is Houston is a significant difference in the Big 12, the conference teams are still in a similar vicinity overall. With it having to do with all athletics, the programs that have consistently strong teams, such as Kansas’ basketball team, make sense to have a higher valuation.

Colorado Buffaloes valuation NIL transfer portal Deion Sanders Coach Prime Big 12 College Football Basketball Folsom Field

Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warmup prior to the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images | Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Looking at the Big 12 as a whole shows that the Colorado Buffaloes are in the top five for their valuation and trending upward. 

Calling Back To Deion Sanders’ Comments On Fairness

While valuation is not the same as revenue, seeing the difference in the conferences does call back to Colorado coach Deion Sanders’ comments on the fairness between programs. The schools in the top five for their valuation are either in the Big Ten or the SEC, and all are in the billions. 

“You talk about equality,” Sanders said during the Big 12 media day. “All you have to do is look at the playoffs and see what those teams spent, and you understand darn near why they’re in the playoffs. It’s kind of hard to compete with somebody who’s giving $25, $30 million to a darn freshman class.”

Colorado Buffaloes valuation NIL transfer portal Deion Sanders Coach Prime Big 12 College Football Basketball Folsom Field

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders looks on against Texas Tech in a Big 12 football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Jones AT&T Stadium. | Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Although the valuation is on the programs’ overall athletics, Sanders has been outspoken about money when it comes to building the football program. With the Buffaloes facing a mass exodus through the transfer portal, Sanders has highlighted that several players are leaving because of money.

The positive side is that the Buffaloes’ valuation is growing with a 22 percent increase. This shows that the school’s athletics overall are being valued higher, and will help lead to more money poured into the program. With more money, the Buffaloes can put more of an emphasis on NIL as they look to build their roster and compete in the Big 12.

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Insider Reveals Biggest Reason Behind Colorado’s Transfer Portal Mass Exodus

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From a player retention standpoint, the first few weeks of the offseason haven’t been kind to the Colorado Buffaloes.

Several key Buffs have announced their intentions to enter the college football transfer portal when it opens next month, including wide receiver Omarion Miller, safety Tawfiq Byard and freshman defensive end Alexander McPherson. While every situation is unique, one Colorado insider believes money has been a common denominator among players’ reasons for leaving Boulder.

Insider Reasons Colorado Transfer Portal Exodus Buffaloes NIL Deion Sanders Alexander McPherson Tawfiq Byard Omarion Miller

Oct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) is tackled by Utah Utes defensive back JC Hart (14) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

“The super majority of those people, I’m talking 95 percent, are going to be leaving for a bigger bag,” Thee Pregame Show’s Uncle Neely said on his YouTube channel. “This ain’t transferring in 1990. This ain’t transferring in the year 2000. This is 2025. This is business now. This isn’t, ‘Oh, I don’t like the coach. Oh, I don’t want to be treated the way they treat me.’

“This doesn’t mean something is wrong. These are business decisions now. But what we like to do is run with the narrative that woe is me, something must be wrong, something must be going on. How are all these people leaving?”

Insider Reasons Colorado Transfer Portal Exodus Buffaloes NIL Deion Sanders Alexander McPherson Tawfiq Byard Omarion Miller

Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The NIL (name, image and likeness) era has rocked college football, and the depressing truth is that schools with more money will ultimately land the best players. In the Big 12, no school better exemplifies that trend than new conference champion Texas Tech.

Who’s Leaving Colorado?

Insider Reasons Colorado Transfer Portal Exodus Buffaloes NIL Deion Sanders Alexander McPherson Tawfiq Byard Omarion Miller

Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Tawfiq Byard (7) reacts in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

As of Sunday, 16 Colorado players will enter the transfer portal next month. That group includes 12 defensive players, six members of the Buffs’ 2025 high school signing class and a few other Buffs who spent only one season in Boulder.

Below is an updated list of Colorado players who plan on entering the transfer portal:

  • Safety TJ Branch
  • Defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis
  • Cornerback Noah King
  • Cornerback Teon Parks
  • Linebacker Mantrez Walker
  • Safety Terrance Love
  • Safety Tawfiq Byard
  • Wide receiver Omarion Miller
  • Defensive tackle Brandon Davis-Swain
  • Offensive lineman Carde Smith
  • Defensive end Alexander McPherson
  • Offensive lineman Tyler Brown
  • Defensive tackle Gavriel Lightfoot
  • Defensive tackle Christian Hudson
  • Defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas
  • Wide receiver Dre’lon Miller

Insider Reasons Colorado Transfer Portal Exodus Buffaloes NIL Deion Sanders Alexander McPherson Tawfiq Byard Omarion Miller

Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Dre’Lon Miller (6) runs the ball during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Uncle Neely shared his take that Colorado’s losses should be replaceable via the transfer portal.

“Have you ever stopped to say, what am I actually losing by those people leaving?” Uncle Neely said. “Have you ever looked at the numbers production-wise of who has announced that they’re getting up out of here and what you’re actually losing by them leaving?… Is it replaceable via the portal? And in this business in college football, is it replaceable cheaper? I would wager to say the answer is yes in all regards.”

MORE: Colorado Gets Hit With Biggest Transfer Portal Loss Yet

MORE: Michael Irvin Gets Real On Blame Surrounding Shedeur Sanders

MORE: Deion Sanders Faces Recruiting Problem After Omarion Miller Transfer News 

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Insider Reasons Colorado Transfer Portal Exodus Buffaloes NIL Deion Sanders Alexander McPherson Tawfiq Byard Omarion Miller

Oct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes tight end JJ Buchanan (81) catches a pass against Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Teon Parks (3) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The college football transfer portal will open on Jan. 2 and close Jan. 16. Colorado coach Deion Sanders and his staff can begin adding players from the portal at the start of that period.



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