NIL

If Nick Saban and Cody Campbell help control college sports’ future, how might it look?

— By Chris Vannini, Sam Khan Jr. and Justin Williams Can a presidential commission do anything substantial to change college sports? The recent news that President Donald Trump may get involved in the prolonged effort to bring stability to college sports sparked plenty of debate on that question. But what could such a commission do, […]

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5 days ago

May 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

— By Chris Vannini, Sam Khan Jr. and Justin Williams

Can a presidential commission do anything substantial to change college sports?

The recent news that President Donald Trump may get involved in the prolonged effort to bring stability to college sports sparked plenty of debate on that question. But what could such a commission do, and what would the reported co-chairs, former Alabama coach Nick Saban and Texas Tech board chair and billionaire booster Cody Campbell, aim to accomplish?

Though we don’t yet know the scope of the commission or how deep it will dive into issues like name, image and likeness compensation or the transfer portal, Saban and Campbell’s past public statements provide some clues on what they might seek to address.

NIL

Saban has criticized the money flowing into the NIL market from deep-pocketed donors; Campbell is one of those donors, bankrolling Texas Tech’s recent success in player acquisition. Although NIL freedoms were designed to allow players to pursue marketing or endorsement deals, donors and their collectives quickly took to using them as a proxy for a pay-for-play system.

“To me, the biggest issue we have in college athletics is donor-induced name, image and likeness,” Saban said last fall at a panel in Dallas alongside NCAA president Charlie Baker. “Instead of doing what we’re doing now, we should be having revenue-sharing with the athletes so that their quality of life is better.”

Revenue sharing is indeed on the way, pending approval of the House v. NCAA settlement. But Saban and Campbell have expressed a desire for national NIL rules, rather than a collection of different state laws. The NCAA has long lobbied Congress for federal NIL legislation, to no avail. A bipartisan group of senators, led by Ted Cruz (R-Texas), continues to work on the issue, but nothing appears imminent.

Campbell, who has written several op-eds about college sports for The Federalist, advocated in April for an antitrust exemption that would allow a governing body to enact a single set of rules to supersede the “patchwork of 34 different state laws” that currently exist.

The House settlement, if it’s approved, will establish a revenue-sharing cap of at least $20 million that schools can distribute to athletes, and the Power 4 leaders are planning to create an enforcement organization for traditional NIL, but it’s not yet clear whether that will slow pay-for-play “NIL” as we know it today.

Texas Tech board chair and billionaire Cody Campbell has written several op-eds about college sports for The Federalist. (Mateo Rosiles/ Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Transfer portal

Campbell hasn’t written much about the portal, and Texas Tech has been an active user in recent years. Saban, however, has criticized the transfer rules for their effect on team chemistry and graduation rates.

“I’m all for the players, and I want the players to benefit, and I think we went far too long without the players being able to benefit,” Saban said last year. “But the system that we have right now makes it much more difficult for a coach to really create the culture on this team, because guys can leave whenever they want. So they don’t have to make the same kind of commitment that we all had to make, in terms of, how did you value your college experience?”

Restricting player movement hasn’t come up much in congressional hearings compared to the financial concerns, but the question of whether outgoing players should owe contract buyouts has gained steam as revenue sharing approaches. Arkansas’ NIL collective is currently looking to collect a buyout from quarterback Madden Iamaleava, who signed with Arkansas in December but has since transferred to UCLA.

Non-revenue sports

Despite their shared backgrounds in college football, Saban and Campbell have expressed concern over the impact on Olympic and non-revenue sports as more money shifts toward football and basketball.

“Of 134 FBS schools, 90 or more could lose funding for Olympic sports, women’s teams, and even football itself (not to mention the FCS and Division II),” Campbell wrote in March on The Federalist. “Local towns could crumble. Smaller colleges would fade. College sports would shrink from a national treasure to an elite clique, and countless dreams would be crushed.”

Saban cited Alabama’s softball team, one of the best in the country, as a winning program that doesn’t make money.

“What people don’t understand about college athletics, in my opinion, it’s not a business,” Saban said last September. “It’s revenue-producing. … Nobody takes a profit in college athletics. What do we do with the money? We reinvest it in the players and opportunities for non-revenue sports, so that they have an opportunity to graduate and compete.”

A large part of that cost also includes growing salaries for coaches, but Saban and Campbell both seem interested in finding ways for football — and, to a lesser extent, basketball — to continue funding non-revenue college sports under a reformed system.

Conference media rights/super leagues

Though Campbell called for antitrust protections, he doesn’t want to give those protections solely to the Power 4 leagues, even with his ties to Texas Tech and the Big 12, and said that any solutions must be “maximally inclusive” of the 130-plus Football Bowl Subdivision schools.

“Give the Autonomy Four (especially the Big 10 and SEC) a free antitrust hall pass, and they’ll build a super conference, a gilded monopoly that starves everyone else of the revenue needed to provide opportunity to more than 500,000 student athletes per year,” he wrote in March.

Saban, meanwhile, has said in the past that he’d like power conference schools to only schedule each other.

Campbell has written that the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 should be opened up to allow a broadcasting antitrust exemption for college sports as it does for pro sports, which could allow the entire FBS to pool and negotiate its broadcast rights collectively. Last week, Cruz remarked in a Senate committee hearing on streaming that the concept was something worth looking into, while also sharing concern about the NFL bumping up against protected late-season college football windows.

The SBA is one of the first major hurdles faced by recent Super League proposals from private equity groups that would include all of FBS or only the Power 4. The Big Ten and SEC have shown no interest in concepts that would lessen their financial advantage, but Campbell shares similar views with those promoting the Super League ideas: An antitrust exemption would lead to more money for everyone.

“The big and storied programs will continue to retain an advantage because of their massive ticket sales, donor support, and ability to monetize licensing and merchandise,” Campbell wrote, “but the smaller schools will at least be able to maintain solvent athletic departments and support non-revenue sports.”

Campbell has also advocated for “geographic sense” for conference alignment, expressing concern about travel time and the loss of rivalries. Finding a way to unwind conference realignment seems difficult, but it’s a topic any casual fan of college sports, including members of Congress, would understand.

Student-athlete employment status

The issue of employee or collective bargaining status for college athletes is not directly addressed in the House settlement, but it is expected to be one of the next high-profile legal battles in the industry.

Saban and Campbell have expressed desires for college athletes to remain students and for college sports to maintain some semblance of an academic model.

“Establishing this non-employee status will help to limit the cost burden of sponsoring an intercollegiate sport, and ensure that benefits like a scholarship are not taxable as income,” Campbell wrote in April.

Campbell also noted the Title IX implications of this debate: “(T)he proper application of Title IX with respect to the payment of student athletes must be made clear in order to prevent another wave of disruptive litigation.”

It’s yet to be seen who else will be on this presidential commission, what it will focus on and whether it will actually influence anything. But its existence would put more focus on doing something.

“My only hope is that leadership can emerge and consensus can be found in Washington before it’s too late,” Campbell wrote in April. “There are solutions, and the problems can be solved in a bipartisan manner. It is only a matter of will, engagement, and attention from well-intentioned individuals who wish to perpetuate the legacy and impact of the great American institution of Intercollegiate Athletics for all of its participants — not just for a privileged few.”

Saban for years has worked as a de facto voice of the sport, especially in his role at ESPN, and Campbell laid the political groundwork with his writing. The pair may soon have the ability to drive even more of the conversation for actual change.

“If we can just get it together and put it together, we’d have a great system,” Saban said. “I think the future of college football is great. I really do. I’m not down on the game. I’m just down on the system of how we get money to players. That’s got to be fixed.”

(Top photo of Nick Saban and Donald Trump: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Three Missouri softball players enter transfer portal, including star pitcher

The college softball transfer portal opened Sunday, and three Missouri softball players have entered their names into the database on the first day of the window. Star closing pitcher Taylor Pannell and infielder Madison Walker have both entered the transfer portal, a team spokesperson confirmed to the Columbia Daily Tribune on Sunday. Freshman outfielder Jordyn […]

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1 hour ago

May 18, 2025

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Three Missouri softball players enter transfer portal, including star pitcher

The college softball transfer portal opened Sunday, and three Missouri softball players have entered their names into the database on the first day of the window.

Star closing pitcher Taylor Pannell and infielder Madison Walker have both entered the transfer portal, a team spokesperson confirmed to the Columbia Daily Tribune on Sunday. Freshman outfielder Jordyn Thurman also announced Sunday via her X account that she has entered the portal.

Justin McLeod of D1Softball first reported that Pannell entered the portal, and Brady Vernon of On3 broke the news that Walker is transferring.

Pannell, a lefty out of Lee’s Summit, tied the NCAA Division-I saves record in the 2024 season, recording 15 saves in 30 appearances. She finished her record-tying campaign with a 1.21 ERA.

Her role slightly shifted in the 2025 campaign, as she made seven starts in the circle as part of 33 total appearances. She recorded a team-best 3.33 ERA among Mizzou’s core pitching staff and had a 5-9 record. Pannell is likely to have one remaining year of eligibility.

Missouri softball pitcher Taylor Pannell reacts after a play during an NCAA Columbia Super Regional game against Duke on Saturday, May 25, in Columbia, Missouri. Pannell tied the NCAA single-season saves record as MU won 3-1.

Walker, who hails from Olathe, Kansas and just completed her sophomore campaign, emerged as a starter in 2025 after playing an important pinch-hitting role in Mizzou’s NCAA Regional campaign last season.

She started all 56 games, playing mostly at first base, and led the Tigers with 18 home runs this season. Walker, the 2022-23 Kansas Gatorade Softball Player of the Year, hit .244 and had a team-high 48 RBIs.

Thurman, a Mexico, Missouri, product, appeared in seven games in her rookie year, and hit a double in her only plate appearance of the season.

Missouri went 25-31 overall with a 6-18 mark in SEC play this season. The Tigers missed an NCAA Regional for the first time of head coach Larissa Anderson’s Mizzou tenure. Mizzou was the only team from the SEC not to make a regional this season.

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Field of 64 Projections: NCAA Tournament picture shaken up entering conference tournament week

The regular season has come to an end in this college baseball season. Now, attention shifts to the postseason. Ahead of conference tournament week, we’ve updated our Field of 64 projections with changes throughout. On the hosting front, things look different. We have two new hosts in this week’s projections. Overall, the SEC still leads […]

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2 hours ago

May 18, 2025

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On the hosting front, things look different. We have two new hosts in this week’s projections. Overall, the SEC still leads the way with eight of the top 16 seeds in our NCAA Tournament field and six of the top eight. The ACC follows with four hosts, and the top 16 is rounded out by the Big Ten (2), Sun Belt (1), and Oregon State as an independent.

As for total bids, the SEC unsurprisingly leads the charge with 13 teams getting in. The ACC also has double digits with 10. Other leagues with multiple bids are the Big 12 (8), Big East (3), Big Ten (3) and Sun Belt (3).

The NCAA Tournament selection show is Monday, May 26. Most conferences will begin their conference tournaments early this week, though some are already underway.

*denotes automatic qualifier as conference champion

Field of 64 Projections: Bubble Watch

Last Four In: Arizona State, UConn, Oklahoma State, Xavier
First Four Out: UTRGV, Virginia, Western Kentucky, Cal Poly
Next Four Out: Charlotte, Iowa, Kennesaw State, Michigan

The bubble is in interesting shape entering conference tournaments. Oklahoma State’s sweep over Arizona State has the Cowboys in the field for the first time this season, while the Sun Devils are trending in the wrong direction. They are back-to-back in RPI (Oklahoma State 45, Arizona State 46), and the series to end the regular season could play a factor if they’re battling each other for a final spot.

UTRGV’s early exit from the Southland Tournament has them in danger. Their fate now lies in the committee’s hand, and just two Q1 wins and nine combined wins in Q1 and Q2 could spell danger. Cal Poly (RPI 43, two Q1 wins) and Western Kentucky (RPI 48, 3 Q1 wins) are in similar boats, and need to go on a run in their conference tournaments to boost their cases.

Iowa was running away with the Big Ten regular season just a few weeks ago. Now, the Hawkeyes have lost their last two Big Ten series, their last three series overall, and are 1-7-1 in their last nine games with RPI all the way down to 74. They’ll need a big run this week to get back in.

Austin Regional

1. Texas (1)*
2. Louisville
3. Xavier
4. Bethune-Cookman*

Texas ended the regular season as SEC champions, finishing 42-11 overall, 22-8 in league play and No. 4 in RPI. The Longhorns feel safe as the top-seed, though if one of the other top rated hosts go deeper than them in the SEC Tournament, that could change. Still, their NCAA-leading 17 Q1 wins have them feeling extremely comfortable as one of the top overall seeds.

Los Angeles Regional

1. UCLA (16)
2. Tennessee
3. Notre Dame
4. Houston Christian*

UCLA holds onto a hosting bid for now, sitting 39-15 overall, 22-8 in Big Ten play and finishing with a share of the regular season Big Ten title. The Bruins are No. 15 in RPI, and their 3-7 Q1 record could limit them. Tennessee is 41-15 overall, 16-14 in the SEC, 12-10 in Q1 games and No. 16 in RPI, which feels host-worthy. But the Vols have lost five SEC series in a row and six of their last seven series. That puts them on the hosting bubble entering Hoover this week.

Nashville Regional

1. Vanderbilt (2)
2. Duke
3. East Tennessee State*
4. SIU Edwardsville*

Vanderbilt finishes the regular season 39-16 overall, 19-11 in SEC play and No. 3 in RPI. They come in as the No. 2 overall seed in this week’s Field of 64, and they are a lock for a national seed. The Commodores are 15-14 in Q1 games, one of four teams in the country with at least 15 Q1 games. Even if they have a quick exit in Hoover, Vanderbilt will have the chance to host a super regional.

Oxford Regional

1. Ole Miss (15)
2. TCU
3. USC
4. Columbia*

Ole Miss has quietly been hanging around the hosting conversation for a while, and their series win over Auburn to end the regular season pushes them into the top 16. The Rebels are 37-18 overall, 16-14 in SEC play and No. 18 in RPI, with a 16-14 Q1 record. That’s hosting caliber. TCU could sneak into the mix as well this week, sitting No. 17 in RPI at 37-17 overall and 19-11 in the Big 12.

Chapel Hill Regional

North Carolina Tar Heels star Luke Stevenson — © Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

1. North Carolina (3)
2. Arizona
3. UConn
4. Long Island*

North Carolina finished the regular season with a massive series win over Florida State, likely locking them into the top eight. They come in at No. 3 in this week’s projections, finishing 39-12 overall, 18-11 in ACC play and No. 7 in RPI. With a No. 2 non-conference RPI to go along with an 11-5 Q1 record, the Tar Heels are all but locked into the top eight.

Tallahassee Regional

1. Florida State (14)
2. Southern Miss
3. Arizona State
4. Kent State*

Florida State is an interesting case in the hosting discussion. They’re 37-13 overall and 17-10 in the ACC, sitting at No. 14 in RPI with a 13-11 Q1 record. They feel pretty safe as a top 16 host, and a run in the ACC Tournament would get them in play for the top eight. Southern Miss is all of a sudden right in the thick of the hosting mix, too, at 41-13 overall, 24-6 in the Sun Belt and No. 21 in RPI. Right now, Southern Miss would be our next team to step into the top 16 if one was to fall out.

Fayetteville Regional

1. Arkansas (4)
2. Kansas*
3. Creighton*
4. Abilene Christian*

Arkansas finished strong, ending the regular season 43-12 overall, 20-10 in SEC play and No. 5 in RPI. The Razorbacks are 14-9 in Q1 games, and are all but locked into a top eight national seed. Kansas is a sneaky contender to play into the hosting mix too, but they come in as a 2-seed in this week’s Field of 64. The Jayhawks, should they win the Big 12 Tournament, would certainly have a case, though they’re a bit off of the top 16 right now.

Atlanta Regional

1. Georgia Tech (13)*
2. Florida
3. Northeastern*
4. Murray State*

Georgia Tech has been right in the mix atop the ACC all season, and they won the regular season title after finishing 39-16 overall and 19-11 in league play. The Yellow Jackets are No. 20 in RPI and 12-10 in Q1 games, and as things currently stand, they feel solid as a host. A quick exit in the ACC Tournament would put them on the hosting bubble. Florida, on the other hand, fought its way back to .500 in SEC play. The Gators, No. 13 in RPI, could certainly play their way into the hosting mix with a strong showing in the SEC Tournament.

Athens Regional

Georgia infielder Slate Alford (44) during Georgia’s game against Arkansas at Foley Field in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)

1. Georgia (5)
2. NC State
3. Rhode Island*
4. Bryant*

At this point, it would be surprising if Georgia didn’t finish as a top eight seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs are 42-14 overall, 18-12 in SEC play and finished the regular season No. 1 in RPI. They are 11-10 in Q1 games, which is a little behind some of the other top seeds, but they likely won’t fall out of the top eight.

Tuscaloosa Regional

1. Alabama (12)
2. Dallas Baptist*
3. Oklahoma State
4. Oral Roberts*

Alabama finished the regular season 40-15 overall, 16-14 in SEC play, 14-11 in Q1 games and No. 9 in RPI. They are a lock to host a regional, and could factor into the top eight discussion with a strong showing in Hoover. Dallas Baptist is another potential host, finishing 38-14 overall and 21-6 in Conference USA, also No. 19 in RPI. Their 4-4 Q1 record could limit them, but if enough chaos comes, they’ll be right in the mix.

Baton Rouge Regional

1. LSU (6)
2. West Virginia
3. Austin Peay*
4. Rider*

Another team feeling safe as a top eight seed is LSU, who finished 42-13 overall, 19-11 in SEC play and No. 8 in RPI with a 13-10 Q1 record. The Tigers are locked into hosting, and barring something unexpected, are all but locked in as a top eight seed. West Virginia has fallen quickly, once feeling safe as a host in Field of 64s just weeks ago. Now, though, they are likely too far behind.

Conway Regional

1. Coastal Carolina (11)*
2. Wake Forest
3. Kansas State
4. Wright State*

Coastal Carolina locked up the Sun Belt regular season over the weekend, finishing 44-11 overall and 26-4 in league play. The Chanticleers are just 4-6 in Q1 games, but their Sun Belt dominance paired with a No. 5 non-conference RPI and a No. 14 non-conference strength of schedule has them feeling safe as a host. Wake Forest, believe it or not, can’t be completely ruled out as a host either. The Demon Deacons would need some help, but they are No. 25 in RPI and within striking distance.

Eugene Regional

Jacob Walsh — © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. Oregon (7)*
2. Mississippi State
3. Cincinnati
4. Nevada*

Oregon claimed a share of the Big Ten regular season and the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament, and now they’re into the top eight in this week’s Field of 64. The Ducks are 41-13 overall, 22-8 in Big Ten play and No. 12 in RPI wtith a 9-1 Q1 record. Barring an early exit in the Big Ten Tournament, Oregon feels somewhat solid as a top eight. They are locked in as a host.

Clemson Regional

1. Clemson (10)
2. Oklahoma
3. Troy
4. USC Upstate*

Clemson has struggled at times down the stretch, but finished 41-15 overall, 18-12 in ACC play and sit No. 10 in RPI with a 10-10 Q1 record. They feel pretty safe as a host, and could play back into the top eight discussion if things go well, though they’d likely need some help from the teams around them losing early.

Auburn Regional

1. Auburn (8)
2. UTSA*
3. Miami
4. Holy Cross*

Auburn has great underlying numbers, finishing the regular season 38-17, 17-13 in SEC play, No. 2 in RPI and 15-12 in Q1 games. The Tigers are undoubtedly locked into hosting, and as things currently stand, are in good position to host as a top eight seed as they do in our latest Field of 64. UTSA can’t be ruled out, either, running away with the AAC regular season and sitting at No. 22 in RPI entering conference tournament week.

Corvallis Regional

1. Oregon State (9)
2. UC Irvine*
3. Kentucky
4. San Diego*

Oregon State fared well in their year as an independent. The Beavers are 41-12-1 overall, No. 6 in RPI and 10-9 in Q1 games, and are very safe as a host right now. Still, their biggest issue is that they don’t have the opportunity to boost their resume in a conference tournament. That could limit them in the top eight discussion, but still, they won’t fall too far.

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Bishop, Butler Lift Wildcats to Record

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Behind five scoreless innings from Tazwell Butler and five runs batted in by David Bishop, K-State set a school record for most conference wins in a season en route to a 9-5 victory against Cincinnati Saturday afternoon at UC Baseball Stadium. With the win, the Wildcats (31-23) finish the regular season with a […]

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2 hours ago

May 18, 2025

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CINCINNATI, Ohio – Behind five scoreless innings from Tazwell Butler and five runs batted in by David Bishop, K-State set a school record for most conference wins in a season en route to a 9-5 victory against Cincinnati Saturday afternoon at UC Baseball Stadium.

With the win, the Wildcats (31-23) finish the regular season with a winning record for the sixth consecutive year, that includes a 17-13 mark in Big 12 play. The Cats’ 17 conference wins are the most in school history, breaking the previous record held by the 2013 team.

“Guys played well in a pressure situation, you always love to see that,” seventh-year head coach Pete Hughes commented. “They set the tone early. They didn’t let the first two games in the series beat them today, and we took the momentum right from the beginning of the game and kept it in large part by great offensive efforts, by Seth Dardar and David Bishop.”

Bishop, a native of Marietta, Georgia, achieved his career day with a three-run blast in the second – his fourth homer of the year. The senior first baseman ended the day going 2-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored.

In addition to Bishop, seven other players contributed to the Wildcats’ 12 hits. Dardar posted a three-hit day (3-for-4) to pace the offense, that included his 12^th homer, while Maximus Martin was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. The 1 through 4 spots in the lineup combined to hit .412 (7-for-17) with four RBI.

“Tazwell Butler was our MVP today. He settled in with a lead, let people make plays behind him, and got some strikeouts. He was our MVP today,” added Hughes.

Butler (1-1) was awarded his first victory at K-State, after firing five scoreless innings in relief of starter Lincoln Sheffield. The Sandy Springs, Georgia product limited the Bearcats (31-23, 16-14 Big 12) to just two hits in his 15^th outing of the season.

K-State now turns its efforts towards the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, starting Wednesday, May 21. The single-elimination championship field of 12 will be announced at the conclusion of the conference’s final game on Saturday.

HOW IT HAPPENED
K-State jumped on the board in the first, as Keegan O’Connor drilled a two-out double off the wall in right field to drive in Martin from second.

The Wildcats continued to put pressure on early, exploding for five runs in the second.

Dee Kennedy was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, followed by catcher Bear Madliak’s bunt for a single, before the duo each advanced 90-feet on a wild pitch. With runners in scoring position, Bishop doubled into right center to extend the lead, 3-0.

A sacrifice bunt moved Bishop to third, until Shintaro Inoue lifted a ball deep into left field, allowing Bishop to score.

Maximus Martin singled up the middle and came around the bases in the next at bat, as Dardar hit a towering shot off the basketball arena in right field to hand the Wildcats a 6-0 lead.

In the third, AJ Evasco and Dee Kennedy each walked and moved into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt from Madliak. With one out, Bishop belted his fourth homer of the year out to left center, making it a 9-2 ball game.

The Bearcats chipped away at the Cats’ lead, tallying a run in four of the first five innings to pull the score within four, 9-5.

Butler relieved Sheffield in the fifth and inherited a runner on first with no outs. The right-hander retired 11 consecutive batters to preserve the four-run lead.

INSIDE THE BOX

K-State scored nine runs on 12 hits, committed no errors, and left eight runners on base.
UC scored five runs on 11 hits with one error committed and six men left stranded.
Eight players contributed a hit with three recording multiple.
Dardar went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, followed by Bishop and Martin each with two hits.
Bishop drove in a career-high five RBI, highlighted by a three-run homer in the second.
Dardar and Bishop each homered, marking K-State’s 28^th game hitting two or more.
Sheffield was tagged for five earned runs on nine hits in his four innings.
Butler fired five scoreless innings in relief, allowing just two hits and striking out five to earn the win (1-1).
K-State scored all nine runs in the first three innings.
Schultz (0-2) took the loss, surrendering five earned runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Niehaus led UC’s offense, going 3-for-4, while Sefcik drove in a team-high two RBI.

TEAM NOTES

The Cats’ 17^th Big 12 victory marks the most conference wins in a season in school history.
With the win, K-State tied the all-time series 3-3, while it was the Cats’ first win in Cincinnati.
K-State has homered in 39 of 54 games this season, hitting multiple in 28 of those (25-3).
The win marked the first regular season finale victory since 2017.

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Bret Bielema says unnamed college football programs are spending ‘insanity’ NIL money to win championships

By Zain Bando via @sportingnews, 23h ago With a huge leap this past season that saw Illinois clinch its first 10-win year since 2001, coach Bret Bielema has begun recognizing how eye-opening the NIL space has become. In an exclusive interview with Big Ten Radio on SiriusXM, Bielema peeled back the curtain on the hurdles […]

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2 hours ago

May 18, 2025

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By Zain Bando via @sportingnews, 23h ago

With a huge leap this past season that saw Illinois clinch its first 10-win year since 2001, coach Bret Bielema has begun recognizing how eye-opening the NIL space has become. In an exclusive interview with Big Ten Radio on SiriusXM, Bielema peeled back the curtain on the hurdles Illinois has had to deal with regarding player retention, much less utilizing the transfer portal to remain productive this offseason. Both goals paid off considerably. Bielema kept his quarterback, Luke Altmyer, and was able to find replacements for wide receiver Pat Bryant, alongside rebuilding a defense in his image by returning to…

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May 18, 2025

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Mizzou Softball's Taylor Pannell Enters Transfer Portal

As the only SEC team not in the NCAA Tournament, Mizzou softball wasn’t exactly having a joyous week. Then, the week got a little worse. Per D1 Softball’s Justin McLeod on X, Taylor Pannell has entered the transfer portal. The Lee’s Summit, MO native will have one year of eligibility remaining. In her three seasons […]

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3 hours ago

May 18, 2025

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Mizzou Softball's Taylor Pannell Enters Transfer Portal

As the only SEC team not in the NCAA Tournament, Mizzou softball wasn’t exactly having a joyous week.

Then, the week got a little worse. Per D1 Softball’s Justin McLeod on X, Taylor Pannell has entered the transfer portal. The Lee’s Summit, MO native will have one year of eligibility remaining.

In her three seasons with the Tigers, she established herself as one of the top closers in the nation. Following a promising freshman campaign in which she recorded six saves, Pannell took her game to another level in 2024. By season’s end, she’d tied the NCAA record for saves in a single season with 15. That included a clutch performance in Super Regional, where she sealed a 3-1 win over Duke to force a decisive Game 3, although Mizzou would fall 4-3.

This past season, Pannell more than doubled the amount of innings she pitched. However, she took a statistical step back: her ERA jumped from 1.21 in 2024 to 3.33 this season. Like Cierra Harrison and Marissa McCann, Pannell also struggled keeping the ball in the yard, allowing nine home runs after giving up just one in 2024. While allowing home runs becomes more likely the more a pitcher plays, Pannell’s home runs per batters faced increased (.027 compared to .007).

Even so, Pannell was a reliable arm for MU in her first three collegiate seasons, one that the Tigers will sorely miss. She shined at the end of the regular season, clinching a pair of wins against Georgia with dominant late-game performances. Not only did she retire the Bulldogs in order both times, she struck out four of the six batters she faced.

Elsewhere on the pitching staff, Harrison has one year of eligibility left, while McCann has two. Natalie Touchet will also be a junior; she’s the only player besides Pannell who recorded a save last season (she had two). With Jayci Kruse exhausting her eligibility, Courtney Donahue is the only other player from last season’s team who could return for the 2026 season. The transfer from Des Moines Area Community College pitched sparingly in the spring, making just six appearances.