In the latest iteration of college athletes suing to play beyond exhaustion of their NCAA eligibility, four former JUCO football players who want to play for Vanderbilt and other FBS programs have asked a federal judge in Tennessee to enjoin the NCAA from enforcing eligibility rules.

Chris Bellamy, Demarcus Griffin, TJ Smith and Targhee Lambson filed a complaint for injunctive relief on July 3. They’re represented by attorneys Ryan Downton and Salvador M. Hernandez, a duo who have litigated on behalf of Vanderbilt quarterback and former JUCO transfer Diego Pavia’s thus far successful case to play a sixth season this fall. 

The four plaintiffs seek to play past the NCAA’s basic Division I eligibility framework. This framework limits college athletes to four seasons of intercollegiate competition—including JUCO and D-II competition—within a five-year period and, the complaint stresses, stipulates that a JUCO student who transfers to a D-I program has three years of D-I eligibility even if they didn’t play a sport at their JUCO school. 

The players contend this framework violates antitrust law by constraining the market for athletic services offered by D-I football to former JUCO football players. Lost NIL opportunities are emphasized as an economic harm to the players, who also lose out on potential revenue-sharing opportunities resulting from the House settlement. The four hope that Pavia’s win in the same federal district in Tennessee—the Vandy quarterback’s case is currently on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit—provides helpful precedent. 

Bellamy is a wide receiver who played at two junior colleges and a couple of seasons at New Mexico State. According to the complaint, Bellamy has been admitted into Vanderbilt and promised a spot on the football team. Griffin is a defensive back at Louisiana Tech University and earlier played for a junior college and the University of Houston. Griffin’s roster spot “and NIL money” are waiting for him at Louisiana Tech should he regain eligibility, the complaint asserts. Smith is a quarterback who has played at a junior college, D-II college and Florida Atlantic University. The complaint says several D-I colleges are interested in Smith if he’s deemed eligible to play. Meanwhile, Lambson is a running back who played for Snow Community College and then Southern Utah University. Vanderbilt, the complaint states, is interested in Lambson joining the Commodores for 2025.

The complaint tracks familiar arguments raised in Pavia and the growing list of eligibility cases that have followed. Bellamy, Griffin, Smith and Lambson maintain that junior shouldn’t count against the D-I eligibility clock. Most junior colleges are governed by the National Junior College Athletic Association, which has no affiliation with the NCAA. The four players argue that JUCO football is nothing like D-I football, including because D-I football generates “billions of dollars in revenue” and its games are regularly televised and streamed. 

“To be clear,” the complaint argues, “while the NJCAA streams a total of 13 games over its entire season, the NCAA televised 40 games just last Saturday alone, and televises a similar number every single week of the season (not to mention several games on other nights of the week).”

Differences in NIL opportunities are also cited as a key distinction between JUCO and D-I football. The complaint cites data showing that while 2024 NIL market for college football was estimated at $1.1 billion, “only $6.5 million—less than six-tenths of 1%—went to non-NCAA Division I football players.” Further, the complaint references how D-I football, especially at a power conference school, provides essential training and exposure for the NFL Draft.

The complaint also asserts NCAA eligibility rules unfairly punish JUCO players compared to similarly situated groups. Consider the NCAA eligibility clock of a football player who graduates from high school and then plays another season in a post-grad year. His eligibility doesn’t run during that post-grad year, even if it occurs after he graduated from high school. Likewise, a football player who graduates from high school and then becomes a pro athlete in another sport still has five years to play four seasons of football. 

To illustrate, the complaint references Chris Weinke, who became a football player at Florida State in 1997 as a 25-year-old after a six-year pro baseball career. Athletes who serve in the military are also mentioned as not facing the same NCAA restrictions experienced by JUCO players. The complaint argues that if the NCAA and its member institutions were genuinely concerned that former JUCO players might upset competitive balance in D-I football because they’re (relatively) older and more seasoned, the NCAA “would preclude other older athletes from competing” in D-I.

Consumers, the complaint maintains, are also harmed by eligibility rules that exclude former JUCO players because of seasons played and years past. There are “negative downstream effects on nationwide consumers who attend college football games and watch college football on television,” the complaint charges. 

Along those lines, D-I football rosters lose out on potential players who could enhance the quality of play. 

“Teams,” Bellamy, Griffin, Smith and Lambson argue, “may be less competitive without the ability to retain skilled transfer players for an additional season, fans lose the opportunity to see those college athletes compete for their favorite teams on gameday and the product of NCAA athletics is less compelling for consumers.”

The NCAA will answer the complaint and defend its eligibility rules, which have withstood some of the recent legal challenges. 

In a statement shared with Sportico, an NCAA spokesperson said, “the NCAA stands by its eligibility rules, including the five-year rule, which enable student-athletes and schools to have fair competition and ensure broad access to the unique and life-changing opportunity to be a student-athlete. The NCAA is making changes to modernize college sports but attempts to alter the enforcement of foundational eligibility rules—approved and supported by membership leaders—makes a shifting environment even more unsettled. As legal outcomes continue to differ from case to case, the NCAA believes partnering with Congress is essential to provide clarity and stability for current and future student-athletes.”

The case is before U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger. 

Going into the 2025 season for the Virginia Tech football team, expect the unexpected. Yes, that’s right, just like Big Brother, anything is possible. In the overall picture, that is not a bad thing, if we’re being honest after the struggles of 2024.

There has been a lot of roster turnover and turnover on the coaching staff. Brent Pry is 16-21 in his first three years in Blacksburg. He is excited about the potential this roster has if everyone stays healthy. As we know, that’s a big “if.” Regardless, one college football writer had an eye-opening take on the Hokies this season in previewing the ACC.

A college football analyst has an eye-opening take on Virginia Tech football for 2025

Bill Connolly of ESPN had a column, “2025 ACC college football projections, preview” that broke down each team in the conference, and when it came to Virginia Tech, he had one eye-opening take about the upcoming season and Virginia Tech’s roster,

“With how close Pry has come to success, it’s not optimal to deal with this much change at once, but this roster might have more upside than any Pry has led in Blacksburg.”

What caught my eye was the last part about the roster having more upside than any Pry had led in Blacksburg. That is certainly a rather stunning take after the roster he had last season with the NFL talent on it and the players lost in the transfer portal, but it’s a promising take for sure. Pry and his staff added some very nice pieces, potentially, through the portal and some underrated ones on both sides of the ball.

Like everyone else, health will be a major factor in any success Virginia Tech has this season, as well as Pry getting over the hump and winning one-score games. We have highlighted some of the players who have come in and could be impact players, but sometimes when a team enters the season coming off a season of disappointment, they can surprise a lot of people and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Hokies do that this fall. It’s a big year, but one that could be better than some think.

Wolverines head coach Dusty May is officially on the board in the 2026 class.

Marcus Möller, a 7-foot-3 center from Denmark, has committed to Michigan. The 18-year-old big man played for Unicaja Baloncesto in the Spanish Tercera FEB during the 2024-25 season. It’s a professional basketball club based in Spain.

Möller participated with Denmark in the FIBA U18 EuroBasket in 2024, where he averaged 13.1 points and 7.4 rebounds.

Möller will need time to develop and get stronger, but he possesses tremendous size and length, moves well, and has strong shooting mechanics. His skill set is very intriguing. Highlights can be found at the bottom of the story.

Möller on his commitment to Michigan

Marcus Möller discussed his decision to choose Michigan with Rivals.

“I really felt a special connection with Michigan. The staff, the players, and people around the team fit my values and carry a good vibe. I will be surrounded by athletes and people who play to win and develop.”

What led to his trust in Dusty May?

“We share visions of my future, and he will put me in a situation where I will develop. He will push me to make me the best version of myself as a basketball player as well as a person. His focus on the person and not just the basketball player builds a healthy environment for growth.”

In his own words, what type of player is Michigan getting in Marcus Möller?

“I’m a 7’2 versatile big. I can stretch the court and knock down shots, but also create mismatches and advantages for the team. I show a big presence in the defense with my length and timing. I am mobile and play with a high basketball IQ. I’m ready to compete and bring my values to the team every day.”

He has a message for Michigan fans.

“I can’t wait to be a part of Michigan and represent this program with pride. I’m ready to work, compete, and give everything I’ve got for the maize and blue. Big things are coming, and this is special. Go Blue! Go Michigan!”

As Power Four media days begin this week with the Big 12’s annual preseason event in Frisco, Texas, the 2025 college football season is just around the corner. In fact, the 2025 regular season officially kicks off seven weeks from Saturday with the first full slate of games set for a week later on Aug. 30.

In the meantime, Ranking SZN remains in full swing and no ranking season is complete without an updated list of college football’s best head coaches. And now, a full year and a half removed from Nick Saban‘s surprise retirement following the end of the 2023 season, Pro Football Focus unveiled its definitive list of the Top 10 head coaches in college football ahead of the 2025 regular season.

While there might be little debate at the top, the rest of PFF’s Top 10 list is sure to create controversy among multiple college football fan bases. How do you think PFF did with its Top 10 ranking?

Pro Football Focus’ list of college football’s Top 10 head coaches entering 2025 season:

Ever since the retirement of his coaching mentor (Saban), Smart has ascended to the top of nearly every coaching list, especially having won two of the last four College Football Playoff national championships. Smart is an incredible 105-19 over nine seasons at his alma mater, including 62-11 in SEC league play, and has made four CFP appearances since 2017.

Of course, after last season’s disappointing one-and-done Playoff appearance amid an 11-3 campaign, Smart’s place atop to this list could face its first serious challenge if the Bulldogs don’t show improvement in 2025. After back-to-back national titles in 2021-22, Georgia fans expect to be back in the thick of the national championship hunt well into January. Anything less could see Smart’s pedestal take a hit.

Day climbs to No. 2 after guiding the Buckeyes to the program’s first CFP national championship in a decade last season, rolling through the first-ever 12-team field with relative ease. Despite his continued struggles against bitter rival Michigan — OSU has lost four-straight in The Game — Day is nevertheless one of college football’s winnest coaches with a 70-10 overall record in six years in Columbus.

That said, Day’s status on this list could go multiple ways depending on how things fare in 2025. If the Buckeyes can somehow go back-to-back, he could leapfrog Smart at No. 1. Of course, if Ohio State falls off and either misses out on the CFP completely and/or loses a fifth-straight to the Wolverines, Day could plummet down this list along with reemerging hot seat talk.

As the only other current collegiate head coach with a national championship on his resume, Swinney cracks the Top 3 having led the Tigers to CFP national titles in 2016 and 2018. PFF also points out Swinney’s domination of the ACC, including winning his ninth ACC championship last season to secure Clemon’s sixth CFP appearance — which is two more than Smart.

The Tigers enter the 2025 season with renewed national championship hype thanks in large part to a mostly intact roster that won the ACC a year ago, including star QB Cade Klubnik. If Swinney can lead Clemson back to the CFP promised land, it could certainly propel him even further up this list. Of course, any struggles with what is expected to be a championship-caliber roster could heat things up for Swinney.

PFF rounds out its Top 5 with two of the youngest head coaches on this list, giving the nod at No. 4 to the 39-year-old Lanning, who is an impressive 35-6 across three seasons in Eugene. Lanning’s success rate sits just behind Day among current head coaches, and includes a Big Ten championship after the Ducks rolled through conference play undefeated in its first season in the league.

Should Lanning continue Oregon’s upward trajectory in 2025, especially if the Ducks can make the program’s third-ever national championship game, it’s not hard to imagine his further climb up this list. But in the meantime, Lanning sits pretty at No. 4 with no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

Much like Lanning, the 39-year-old Freeman rounds out PFF’s Top 5 head coaches after Notre Dame responded from an early-season loss to Northern Illinois to finish as national runner-ups in 2024. Freeman’s 2024 run through the CFP saw him achieve victories over three other coaches on this list, including a quarterfinal upset of Kirby Smart’s Georgia.

Despite breaking in a new starting QB this season, Freeman’s Fighting Irish are projected to once again make the CFP and potentially challenge for a national championship. And if Freeman is able to achieve Notre Dame’s first national title since 1988, you can expect his continued climb up this list.

PFF begins the back-half of its Top 10 with the man the officially brought Texas “back” to national prominence after back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances. Before the ‘Horns reached 12 wins in 2023, Texas had just one double-digit win season (2018) since 2010. But that’s no more as Sarkisian’s Longhorns enter 2025 with serious national championship aspirations.

Sarkisian is 38-17 in four seasons at Texas, including 25-5 overall and 15-2 in the SEC over the past two seasons, and has the ‘Horns primed for even more behind former No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning at quarterback. If Sark and the next Manning scion can win it all in 2025, expect to see him continue to climb this list in the years to come.

Saban’s replacement at Alabama didn’t quite live up to the lofty standards set by his predecessor over the prior 17 seasons in 2024, but that disappointment has only translated into a renewed recruiting effort that has confidence riding high in Tuscaloosa. Despite the Tide’s first sub-10 win season since Saban’s initial campaign in 2007, DeBoer gets the nod thanks to his exquisite coaching resume.

Prior to arriving at Alabama, DeBoer was 25-3 overall in two seasons at Washington, including making the 2023 CFP national championship game, and is still an eye-popping 113-16 across 10 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Given the Tide’s returning talent, especially on defense, Alabama once again enters a season with national title aspirations.

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, Franklin finally appears primed for a truly special season in 2025, with the Nittany Lions potentially entering the season as the nation’s No. 1 team. Franklin led Penn State to a runner-up finish in the Big Ten last season and the program’s first CFP appearance, where it lost a back-and-forth game to Notre Dame in the national semifinal.

Frankin, 53, is 101-42 in 11 seasons in University Park, including topping double-digit wins the past three seasons. And given the wealth of returning talent, including senior QB Drew Allar and backfield RB tandem Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, the sky is the limit for Franklin and Penn State this season.

Kelly left Notre Dame to come to LSU in late 2021 to compete for national championships, but since arriving in Baton Rouge, championships have been hard to come by. Even in the SEC. Kelly has a career 292-107-2 head coaching record, including 29-11 overall and 17-7 in SEC play in three seasons at LSU.

But as Tigers fans begin to grumble, Kelly’s seat gets warmer by the day. Still, LSU enters the 2025 season with a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite in QB Garrett Nussmeier. And if Kelly can finally put it all together and return to the CFP for the first time since winning it all in 2019, Kelly could climb up this list.

PFF caps its Top 10 list with the second-year Hoosiers head coach following a historic 2024 season in which Indiana won a program-record 10 straight games to open Cignetti’s first season in Bloomington. The Hoosiers would go onto finish 11-2 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten play to make the program’s first College Football Playoff.

2024 was actually Cignetti’s second-consecutive double-digit win season after going 11-1 in 2023 at James Madison. If Cignetti can keep pilling up 10-win seasons, especially in Year 2 at Indiana, expect the veteran 64-year-old coach to continue to climb up PFF’s head coaching ranking next year.

FRISCO, Texas — Behren Morton has been at Texas Tech since 2021, practically a lifetime for quarterbacks these days. A lot has happened in Lubbock since he arrived as a teenager from Eastland. He goes back so far, he can even remember when the Red Raiders weren’t sitting on the front row of college athletics’ bold new era.

Which beats the back row, by the way.

“Being at Tech for such a long time,” Morton said, “I’ve seen the really bad of Texas Tech, and now I’m starting to see the good of Texas Tech.”

Here’s what it looks like from here: Red Raider athletes will make a reported $55 million in name, image and likeness deals this school year, apparently an NCAA record. And that doesn’t count the $5.1 million Tech just guaranteed a Mansfield Lake Ridge offensive tackle over three years. Once he actually graduates from high school, that is.

And let’s not forget the former Red Raider offensive tackle turned billionaire out to spend whatever it takes to make his alma mater a national contender while simultaneously making a case to save college football from itself.

If it sounds like a lot for a school that hadn’t made any waves since the Pirate sailed the West Texas plains, it is.

Consider the case of Cody Campbell, a 43-year-old billionaire who went from slugging it out in the offensive line under Mike Leach to hitting it big in oil and gas. Campbell is the face of the Texas Tech Matador Club, the collective financing most of those NIL contracts, including the million-plus that persuaded NiJaree Canady to leave Stanford and lead Tech to within one game of a national softball title.

Tech’s NIL profile is the reason the Red Raiders came in second behind only LSU in the latest transfer portal rankings after finishing no better than 25th in the previous three.

Case in point: Micah Hudson, a five-star receiver out of Lake Belton, who boomeranged from Tech to Texas A&M and back again.

“I think it’s going to be a great story,” Joey McGuire said.

Before getting to the story on the field, how about the one Tech made Tuesday in USA Today? Under the headline, “Meet Cody Campbell, the billionaire Texas Tech booster with plan to save college football,” the subject proposed a cure for college athletics. His solution would require the Big Ten and SEC to pool their media rights with the Big 12 and ACC. Why would the big boys do that when their payouts far outpace those of the Big 12 and ACC? Because, as a “high-placed” industry official told USA Today, the four conferences could double their current combined take of $3 billion in a single-payee model.

Campbell thinks he can make it work because of his relationship with the White House’s current occupant, a noted sports fan. Campbell apparently won’t need a commission like the one headed by a former MLB executive to vet NIL deals and police the market.

Per USA Today: “Campbell, for lack of a better explanation, will be the deal-maker — with the power of the presidency, the threat of antitrust law and a growing disdain for the evolving state of college sports behind him.”

The irony in all this is that a lot of folks who work in college athletics think Campbell is one of the problems, not the answer.

He’s aware of the irony, if you were wondering.

“The best thing that could happen to Texas Tech is the same system persists,” he told USA Today. “We are gaining ground on blue blood programs because we have donor money, and people willing to put it to work. Why would I do anything to fix things long-term? I have no reason to do it other than the system, and the opportunity to change the trajectory of student-athletes’ lives and preserve the system long-term for more than 500,000 student athletes.

“This isn’t a hobby, this has become my calling.”

If it all seems more than little incongruous, Dallas’ Jim Sowell, a former chair of Tech’s Board of Regents, is a believer.

“The SEC and Big Ten dismiss him at their peril,” he told me.

First, of course, the Red Raiders need to demonstrate all the money boosters are throwing at them actually pays off in something more than the usual. Over the last four seasons, Tech has alternated seasons of 8-5 and 7-6, no better than what it’s averaged over the last 40 years. The Red Raiders will need to do better than that if they want to become one of the two or three top programs Brett Yormark says the Big 12 needs to make inroads in a national conversation.

Can the Red Raiders make such a statement? They’ve got the bank statement, as well as a veteran quarterback who’s finally healthy; a promising new offensive coordinator in Mack Leftwich; an embarrassment of riches at receiver and three members of the Big 12’s preseason All-Conference team, including linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, the projected Defensive Player of the Year. It’s more than what we’re used to from Lubbock, all right. Spike Dykes would hardly know the place.

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