NIL
Kentucky baseball receives two more transfer portal commitments
Nick Mingione is putting in work with the transfer portal once again. Kentucky baseball landed a pair of portal commits on Friday, bringing the number of transfer additions this offseason up to seven. Indiana junior infielder Tyler Cerny was the first to join the Bat Cats, with Grand Canyon sophomore pitcher Connor Mattison announcing his […]

Nick Mingione is putting in work with the transfer portal once again.
Kentucky baseball landed a pair of portal commits on Friday, bringing the number of transfer additions this offseason up to seven. Indiana junior infielder Tyler Cerny was the first to join the Bat Cats, with Grand Canyon sophomore pitcher Connor Mattison announcing his decision to follow suit less than an hour later. Both rank among the top 40 players (Cerney at No. 37, Mattison at No. 11) to enter the portal this offseason, according to 64Analytics.
With the Hoosiers in 2025, Cerny hit for a .281 average with 14 doubles, 10 home runs, and 32 RBI. After amassing 173 games played at IU, he’ll have one year of eligibility remaining with Kentucky. Meanwhile, Mattison posted a 5.40 ERA with 41 strikeouts across 33.1 innings pitched with the Lopes this past season. The righty, who tossed a no-hitter as a freshman in 2024, will have two years of eligibility left upon his arrival in Lexington.
After making the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season in 2025 — the first such streak in program history — Mingione is again doing a terrific job in the portal. Kentucky is losing 12 players to exhausted eligibility and has lost 13 more as outgoing transfers. But the ‘Cats have already brought in seven new faces via the portal (six of them right-handed pitchers), including Friday’s new additions. More are expected to come soon.
Below is Kentucky’s current incoming portal class for 2026. Note that Echeman, Bennett, and Cerny are all eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft.
Mingione is also bringing in a 13-man high school class and returns a key group of core pieces from last season’s roster, headlined by Tyler Bell, a Freshman All-American from the 2025 campaign. The likes of RF Ryan Schwartz, RHP Nate Harris, and LHP Ben Cleaver will also come back to Lexington for next season. Several more Wildcats, such as 2B Luke Lawrence and OF Carson Hansen, are eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft but can return for another college season.
Derek Terry of Bat Cats Central reports that another portal commitment is expected to come on Saturday. Let Mingione cook.
NIL
Georgia JUCO commit Seven Cloud arrested on domestic battery charge
Georgia JUCO commit Seven Cloud is facing charges regarding domestic battery that stem from an April incident in Butler County. The defensive lineman appeared in front of a judge on Monday, July 14, where he was formally charged. According to the Butler County Times Gazette, Judge Chad Crum found probable cause to charge Cloud and […]

Georgia JUCO commit Seven Cloud is facing charges regarding domestic battery that stem from an April incident in Butler County. The defensive lineman appeared in front of a judge on Monday, July 14, where he was formally charged.
According to the Butler County Times Gazette, Judge Chad Crum found probable cause to charge Cloud and ruled him to have no contact with the victim moving forward. It is a Class B misdemeanor and he will be back in court on Sept. 22.
The report states that the incident occurred on April 20. The Butler County Sheriff’s office was called to the scene of an altercation between Cloud and his significant other. He was arrested and subsequently bonded out. Police allege that Cloud “did knowingly cause physical contact with another person, in a rude, angry or insulting manner.”
This is not the first incident where the police have been involved with Cloud and his significant other. On March 27, Cloud was charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly destroying her cell phone. That is also classified as a misdemeanor and both charges came from the BCC Department of Public Safety.
Cloud is an All-American for Butler Community College and is committed to the Bulldogs’ 2026 class. He has had an interesting ride, originally committing to Georgia on January 7, 2021. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound redshirt sophomore went on to commit to the Bulldogs four years later.
So far during his time at Butler, Cloud has posted 48 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He also had three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery to his credit.
However, it’s unclear what the future for Cloud will look like after landing such a charge. He is set to play this upcoming season at Butler before moving on to Georgia in 2026. Butler declined to comment on the matter, per the Gazette’s report. Of course, Cloud is presumed innocent until proven guilty on all charges.
Before college, Cloud was a three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Rankings,
a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was the No. 1,561 overall player in his class, and No. 161 defensive lineman in that cycle.
Georgia will begin its 2025 college football season on Saturday, Aug. 30, against Marshall at home. Looking ahead, they will kick off SEC play against Tennessee during Week 3 on Sept. 13.
NIL
SEC stalwart predicts Texas A&M to make College Football Playoff in 2025
Texas A&M could maybe be one of the most slept-on teams in the entire country next year with the way they’re currently being discounted by many members of the media. This is an Aggie team that is set to take strides forward after being on the brink of an SEC championship berth last year— albeit […]

Texas A&M could maybe be one of the most slept-on teams in the entire country next year with the way they’re currently being discounted by many members of the media. This is an Aggie team that is set to take strides forward after being on the brink of an SEC championship berth last year— albeit with an easier schedule than they’ll have in 2025, but the point stands.
With so many factors favoring a big season for the Aggies, it’s puzzling that there’s not more public momentum around them being a dark horse candidate to make some postseason noise. They certainly cut the profile of a team that could do so, but you wouldn’t know it by surveying the headlines.
One veteran of the league, though, has his eye on the Aggies to do more than make a little noise— he sees them getting to the playoff. Rusty Mansell, a longtime insider for the Georgia Bulldogs, has made the call that the Aggies will be a part of the College Football Playoff in 2025.
Rusty Mansell predicts Texas A&M football to make College Football Playoff in 2025
One of the most trusted voices covering the Georgia Bulldogs for years, Mansell has been around this conference for quite some time. Diving into the Aggies apparently gave him some maroon and white optimism, as he told Michael Bratton while at SEC Media Days.
Mansell was impressed by what the Aggies have going into next year and when asked for a bold take by Bratton on the “That SEC Podcast,” he ventured that A&M would be part of the 12-team group. “They’ve got enough,” he said, calling Marcel Reed a “problem” for opponents.
He and Bratton agreed that Reed was overlooked and underrated, with Bratton comparing Reed to a media darling in DJ Lagway. Mansell mentioned Reed’s accuracy as a plus— something that Aggie fans know he showcased well down the stretch after it being a question mark earlier on.
Hopefully time will prove Mansell right. He has a good outlook here and I think he’s diagnosed things correctly for the Aggies. Don’t be surprised if, come November, these discussions are far louder than they are right now.
NIL
Roethlisberger Concerned College NIL Is ‘Taking The Love Of The Game Away’
Ben Roethlisberger expresses concern about the impact of college NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals on the love of the game, suggesting that financial incentives may diminish genuine passion among players. While he acknowledges the benefits, such as improved financial literacy and the ability for players to support their families, he worries that the emphasis on […]

Ben Roethlisberger expresses concern about the impact of college NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals on the love of the game, suggesting that financial incentives may diminish genuine passion among players. While he acknowledges the benefits, such as improved financial literacy and the ability for players to support their families, he worries that the emphasis on money could lead teams to prefer less talented but more motivated players. He reflects on historical sentiments about amateurism in college sports and suggests the need for guardrails in the evolving NIL landscape to protect players and maintain the essence of competition.
By the Numbers
- Highly touted OT recruit Felix Ojo secured a three-year deal worth $5.1 million with Texas Tech.
- The NIL model is generating significant earnings for college athletes that were previously kept under the table.
State of Play
- NIL deals have blurred the lines between amateur and professional sports, changing recruitment dynamics.
- Players are entering the NFL with previous financial experience from NIL, altering team drafting strategies.
What’s Next
Moving forward, the college football landscape may see increased regulations to manage NIL deals and protect both players and institutions. As this situation evolves, it will be critical to maintain a balance between financial opportunities and preserving the competitive integrity of the sport.
Bottom Line
Roethlisberger’s insights highlight a crucial tension in modern college athletics: the need for compensation versus the preservation of passion for the sport. Stakeholders must consider how to navigate these changes without compromising the essence of college football.
NIL
Georgia offensive lineman Jahzare Jackson arrested on drug-related charges
A Georgia football player is facing charges after he was arrested on Wednesday. Sophomore offensive lineman Jahzare Jackson was charged with felony possession of marijuana of more than one ounce, according to a report from the Athens Banner-Herald. Marc Weiszer of the Banner-Herald reports that Jahzare Jackson now faces an additional three drug-related charges. In […]

A Georgia football player is facing charges after he was arrested on Wednesday. Sophomore offensive lineman Jahzare Jackson was charged with felony possession of marijuana of more than one ounce, according to a report from the Athens Banner-Herald.
Marc Weiszer of the Banner-Herald reports that Jahzare Jackson now faces an additional three drug-related charges. In addition to the charge above, he also faces possession and use of drug-related objects, possession of marijuana less than an ounce and holding or supporting a wireless device with any part of his body. All three of those charges are misdemeanors.
Jackson was booked into the Clarke County Jail on Wednesday evening just before midnight and spent roughly four and a half hours there. He was released on bonds totaling $5,030, per the Banner-Herald.
Jahzare Jackson is not the first Georgia player to run afoul of the law this offseason. In March, receiver Nitro Tuggle and offensive lineman Marques Easley were suspended following traffic-related infractions.
Meanwhile, a current Georgia commitment is facing charges related to an alleged domestic battery. That news broke on Saturday.
Seven Cloud arrested on domestic battery charge
Jahzare Jackson was the second player or commitment in as many days to make headlines for a recent legal issue. Georgia JUCO commit Seven Cloud is facing charges regarding domestic battery that stem from an April incident in Butler County. The defensive lineman appeared in front of a judge on Monday, July 14, where he was formally charged.
According to the Butler County Times Gazette, Judge Chad Crum found probable cause to charge Cloud and ruled him to have no contact with the victim moving forward. It is a Class B misdemeanor and he will be back in court on Sept. 22.
The report states that the incident occurred on April 20. The Butler County Sheriff’s office was called to the scene of an altercation between Cloud and his significant other. He was arrested and subsequently bonded out. Police allege that Cloud “did knowingly cause physical contact with another person, in a rude, angry or insulting manner.”
This is not the first incident where the police have been involved with Cloud and his significant other. On March 27, Cloud was charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly destroying her cell phone. That is also classified as a misdemeanor and both charges came from the BCC Department of Public Safety.
While Cloud has not yet joined the Georgia program, Jahzare Jackson played in every game last season. He was expected to compete for a backup job on the offensive line this fall.
On3’s Barkley Truax also contributed to this report.
NIL
Letters
The impressive financial gymnastics Taylor Jacobs, who oversees name, image and likeness, and her team executed to enable LSU to be financially competitive in paying their athletes to play gives a literal definition to winning at all costs. There are liabilities associated with pay to play that should be considered. Amateurism in college and high […]


The impressive financial gymnastics Taylor Jacobs, who oversees name, image and likeness, and her team executed to enable LSU to be financially competitive in paying their athletes to play gives a literal definition to winning at all costs.
There are liabilities associated with pay to play that should be considered. Amateurism in college and high school sports no longer exists. Excelling at sports used to be about fulling a dream to be the best through hard work and sacrifice and to experience the sheer joy of accomplishment. Now, competing is complicated by a paycheck.
Have college athletes become mercenaries playing for the highest bidder? The money has become preeminent in discussions with players and has irrevocably changed players’ relationships with coaches and their teams. Forget about mentorship and team loyalty, just show me the money.
LSU athletes are professionals by definition. They are contract workers but could become employees if they are allowed to collectively bargain. How will that work?
Wining is a good thing except when the costs are too high.
JIM ROBERTS
St. George
NIL
SEC football teams with the most cupcake routes to the College Football Playoff
Did SEC football programs learn how to schedule from last season’s CFB Playoff Selection Committee? Though few games are added less than a year out, appearances are that some SEC teams believe scheduling as many cupcakes as possible is the way to go. Recently, On3’s Pete Nakos picked 11 teams with the weakest out-of-conference (OOC) […]

Did SEC football programs learn how to schedule from last season’s CFB Playoff Selection Committee? Though few games are added less than a year out, appearances are that some SEC teams believe scheduling as many cupcakes as possible is the way to go.
Recently, On3’s Pete Nakos picked 11 teams with the weakest out-of-conference (OOC) schedules in the 2025 season. Six of the 11 are SEC football teams. One of the six, Vanderbilt, gets a pass. Thanks to the Commodores’ SEC schedule, ESPN Analytics ranks Vanderbilt as having the nation’s second-toughest 12-game schedule. Another SEC team, Georgia, is rated as the 8th-toughest FBS schedule, with Alabama and Texas playing in Athens. Nakos included Auburn in the weakest OOC schedules, but with the Tigers not being a legit playoff contender, the weakness is not material.
Three of the other SEC teams are playoff contenders. For each of the three a big reason why is their out-of-conference schedule.
The three SEC football teams hoping to cakewalk to a Playoff at-large bid are Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Missouri. The three fanbases will loudly contend their teams are SEC championship contenders. But ESPN gives the Vols a 4.2% probability of winning the SEC. Ole Miss is at 2.8% and Missouri is at 0.6%. The realistic playoff goal for each team is a 10-2 or 9-3 season. None of them can afford to lose an out-of-conference game.
Using an Athlon ranking of the 136 FBS teams, Missouri has a greater risk than the Vols or the Rebels to lose an out-of-conference game. In Week 2, Missouri hosts a home game against No. 35-ranked Kansas. The Tigers open with FCS, Central Arkansas, and have two more catwalk games against No. 92 Louisiana and No. 135 UMass.
Tennessee opens with No. 57 Syracuse, in Atlanta, in what is almost a home game for the Vols. In addition, Tennessee plays FCS, East Tennessee State, No. 125 UAB, and No. 132 New Mexico State.
Four games into the Ole Miss season, Tulane (No. 48) plays the Rebels in Oxford. Ole Miss also plays FCS, The Citadel, No. 97 Washington State, and No. 112 Georgia State.
Ole Miss and Missouri have no road, out-of-conference games. Tennessee can’t claim one either.
SEC Football requires at least one non-SEC Power Opponent
For the record, Alabama Football also has two cupcakes: FCS Eastern Illinois and No. 116 ULM. But, the Crimson Tide plays two non-SEC Power teams in FSU (No. 42) and Wisconsin (No. 45), with the FSU game in Tallahassee.
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