College Sports

Kirby Smart gives honest thoughts on the current NIL landscape after losing Jackson Cantwell to Miami

The recruiting world comes with its ebbs and flows, and Georgia suffered a big blow on Tuesday. It lost talented five-star-plus prospect Jackson Cantwell to Miami after many had penciled him in as a Georgia pickup. Playing at a golf tournament in Hoover, Ala., on Wednesday, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart gave a short response when […]

Published

4 weeks ago

May 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The recruiting world comes with its ebbs and flows, and Georgia suffered a big blow on Tuesday. It lost talented five-star-plus prospect Jackson Cantwell to Miami after many had penciled him in as a Georgia pickup.

Playing at a golf tournament in Hoover, Ala., on Wednesday, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart gave a short response when asked generally about the state of recruiting these days. It’s clear he’s not a fan of all aspects of the current system.

“A lot of misleading information out there,” Smart said, according to a report from CBS Sports. “Nobody really knows what’s accurate. A lot of schools are approaching it in different ways. We hear something different from every school. So I don’t think anybody really knows.”

The NIL landscape has certainly made things more challenging for coaches. Without a well-regulated system, it’s often word of mouth in trying to determine who has what legitimate offers from whom.

And that can often be the difference between landing a recruit or not. Schools have to budget their resources appropriately — working with NIL collectives and the like — to make sure every mouth gets fed.

Don’t offer enough, and recruits have their options elsewhere. Offer too much and you might run into problems in-house.

But one thing is clear: Jackson Cantwell was a big miss for the Georgia program. He’s currently rated as the No. 1 overall player in the country in the On3 Industry Rankings, a five-star prospect with obvious potential NFL upside.

What is Miami getting in Jackson Cantwell?

“Jackson Cantwell has been one of the top physical talents in the 2026 cycle from the outset. At over 6-foot-7 and around 315 pounds, Cantwell has a large frame and holds his weight exceptionally well,” On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power writes. “The frame is well-proportioned with a lean lower body, solid weight distribution, and big hands. He is a highly explosive, powerful athlete with outstanding functional movement skills on the football field.”

“The elite strength and explosion also show up in track and field, where he doubles as a national standout thrower in the shot put and discus. The son of two Olympian throwers, Cantwell broke the sophomore national record in the shot put last spring with a preposterous 74-9.75 foot throw.”

“While there are signs of untapped upside, Jackson Cantwell is one of the cleanest, safest prospects in the 2026 cycle. If things go to plan, he should be on track to follow Sewell and Mauigoa as a three-and-out impact offensive tackle.”

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College Sports

Big Ten Releases U-M’s Conference Opponents for 2026

ROSEMONT, Ill. — In conjunction with the Big Ten Conference, the University of Michigan women’s gymnastics team announced Wednesday (June 11) the home and away designations for the upcoming 2026 conference season. The Wolverines will take on all but two members of the Big Ten Conference with three B1G home meets, three conference away meets […]

Published

2 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

ROSEMONT, Ill. — In conjunction with the Big Ten Conference, the University of Michigan women’s gymnastics team announced Wednesday (June 11) the home and away designations for the upcoming 2026 conference season.

The Wolverines will take on all but two members of the Big Ten Conference with three B1G home meets, three conference away meets and the Big Four Meet, which will be held at Penn State.

Michigan will host Iowa, Michigan State and Rutgers, while it will travel to Minnesota, Ohio State and UCLA. U-M will travel to Penn State for its Big Four Meet and compete against the Nittany Lions along with Nebraska and Washington.

The Wolverines will celebrate their 50th season as a program in 2026 and will return 15 letterwinners from 2025.

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2026 season for $35 each. Purchase your season tickets and do not miss a moment of the action of Team 50. For information on single meet or group tickets, please fill out our ticket interest form.

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College Sports

NCDC Commitment Profiles: Boston Jr. Rangers’ Tang Excited For Future With Skidmore • USPHL

By Alexis Demopoulos Boston Jr. Rangers forward Bryan Tang is excited to announce his NCAA Division III commitment to Skidmore College for the 2025-26 season. Tang, who hails all the way from Hong Kong, started the 2024-25 season with the Jersey Hitmen before getting traded to the Jr. Rangers in November. In 25 games played […]

Published

3 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By Alexis Demopoulos

Boston Jr. Rangers forward Bryan Tang is excited to announce his NCAA Division III commitment to Skidmore College for the 2025-26 season. Tang, who hails all the way from Hong Kong, started the 2024-25 season with the Jersey Hitmen before getting traded to the Jr. Rangers in November.

In 25 games played with the Jr. Rangers, Tang had 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) and always made his presence known on the ice.

“When I arrived to the Jr. Rangers in November, I was excited at the opportunity to play in situations in which I didn’t previously get to play,” said Tang. “Head Coach Rich DiCaprio pushed us on and off the ice with workouts twice a week and skill skates before and after practices. Also, Coach would occasionally hold individual film sessions and talk to us about colleges to continue to help us develop our games and advance us to the next level.”

In addition to playing with the Hitmen and Jr. Rangers this year, he also suited up for the Hong Kong Men’s National Team at the World Championship Division 3 Group B tournament, where he placed third in scoring and helped Hong Kong earn a Bronze Medal.

Tang started speaking with Skidmore head coach Rob Hutchinson towards the end of December and the school instantly peaked his interest.

“Skidmore immediately jumped out to me as it provides a prestigious hockey program and an academically rigorous school,” said Tang. “Coach Hutchinson liked the speed I brought to the game and the skill I had to make plays.”

Tang felt Skidmore would be the best fit for him academically and the hockey program would challenge him in new ways. He also felt very welcomed when he visited campus.

“Skidmore provides a lot of alumni that can help me find a job at the end of my college career,” said Tang. “The hockey program is always competitive and I wanted to be a part of a winning culture. The tight-knit community drew me into Skidmore. When I got to campus, everyone was friendly and welcoming. The students at Skidmore are willing to help with anything you need and that is something I enjoyed.”

Tang knows the level of competition will be much more difficult next season so he will be working hard this off-season to get stronger.

“I will have to continue to get stronger over the summer and be ready to compete with bigger and stronger opponents,” said Tang. “Over the summer I will look to improve this aspect of my game to help Skidmore hockey to the best of my abilities.”

The NCDC congratulates Bryan Tang, his family, the Boston Jr. Rangers and Skidmore College for his commitment.

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College Sports

Longshore and McKnight: U.S. Open at Oakmont preview, college football preseason rankings, declining fan engagement, NBA Finals, and more…

In today’s episode of Longshore and McKnight, John Longshore and Barry McKnight previewed the upcoming U.S. Open at Oakmont, highlighting course conditions, Scotty Scheffler’s dominance, and Bryson DeChambeau’s rising fan appeal. They questioned the relevance of the LIV Tour and shared trivia about the Stimpmeter and Oakmont’s unique design. Music nostalgia also crept in, with […]

Published

20 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

In today’s episode of Longshore and McKnight, John Longshore and Barry McKnight previewed the upcoming U.S. Open at Oakmont, highlighting course conditions, Scotty Scheffler’s dominance, and Bryson DeChambeau’s rising fan appeal. They questioned the relevance of the LIV Tour and shared trivia about the Stimpmeter and Oakmont’s unique design. Music nostalgia also crept in, with conversations about Glenn Frey’s solo career and the Bond soundtrack legacy, while guest Brian Reynolds of the RTJ Trail and CJ Duncan of Yellowhammer News offered insights into both golf and NCAA policy developments.

Catch live episodes of Longshore and McKnight daily on YouTube, Spotify, and on Yellowhammer News

College football remained central, with Lindy’s preseason SEC rankings placing Auburn ninth and sparking debate. The hosts discussed the evolving NIL landscape, referencing comments from Alabama AD Greg Byrne and NCAA President Charlie Baker. The episode also addressed declining fan engagement, the shift from traditional “Radio Row” to podcast-driven coverage, and how modern college athletics sell “experiences” over games.

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College Sports

Maryland Gymnastics Announces 2026 Big Ten Opponents

Story Links COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday afternoon the 2026 conference opponents for all member schools. The Terps will compete at home against Washington, Nebraska, and Rutgers. On the road, Maryland will travel to face Illinois, Michigan State, and Penn State. Maryland will also compete in the Big […]

Published

20 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday afternoon the 2026 conference opponents for all member schools.

The Terps will compete at home against Washington, Nebraska, and Rutgers. On the road, Maryland will travel to face Illinois, Michigan State, and Penn State. Maryland will also compete in the Big Four Meet, hosted by UCLA, where they will face UCLA, Ohio State, and Iowa.

The full 2026 Big Ten Conference schedule, including dates and meet times, will be released later this fall.

For updates and more information, visit umterps.com or follow @TerpsGymnastics on social media.

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College Sports

UW-Whitewater’s Billson Named To Academic All-America® Men’s Tennis Third Team

Story Links AUSTIN, Texas–University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Theo Billson has been named to the 2024-25 NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Academic All-America® Third Team, selected by the College Sports Communicators. Billson owns a 3.98 grade point average and is majoring in mathematics. He received All-America honors from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association after […]

Published

22 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

AUSTIN, Texas–University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Theo Billson has been named to the 2024-25 NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Academic All-America® Third Team, selected by the College Sports Communicators.

Billson owns a 3.98 grade point average and is majoring in mathematics. He received All-America honors from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association after winning the ITA Regional doubles bracket. Billson was named the 2025 WIAC Kwik Trip Player of the Year and finished with a 10-7 dual record in singles competition and 12-5 mark in doubles action.

Billson is the fifth Warhawk men’s tennis player to earn the Academic All-America honor, joining Scott Dreier (1990), Alex Lowe (2009), Zane Navratil (2018) and Cole Lindwall (2023).

To be eligible for the Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® award, a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, must be in the lineup for 70 percent of the total matches played by the team that includes team scores, and is at least a sophomore academically and athletically.

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College Sports

Female athletes appeal NCAA settlement arguing it violates Title IX

An attorney representing the athletes said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education. Eight female athletes filed an appeal Wednesday of a landmark NCAA antitrust settlement, arguing that women would not receive their fair share of $2.7 billion in back pay for athletes who […]

Published

40 minutes ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Female athletes appeal NCAA settlement arguing it violates Title IX

An attorney representing the athletes said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education.

Eight female athletes filed an appeal Wednesday of a landmark NCAA antitrust settlement, arguing that women would not receive their fair share of $2.7 billion in back pay for athletes who were barred from making money off their name, image and likeness.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken approved the settlement last week, clearing the way for direct payments from universities to athletes and the end of the NCAA’s amateurism model.

The athletes who appealed the settlement competed in soccer, volleyball and track. They are: Kacie Breeding of Vanderbilt; Lexi Drumm, Emma Appleman, Emmie Wannemacher, Riley Hass, Savannah Baron and Elizabeth Arnold of the College of Charleston; and Kate Johnson of Virginia. They have standing to appeal because they previously filed objections to the proposed settlement.

Ashlyn Hare, one of the attorneys representing the athletes, said in a statement that the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education.

“We support a settlement of the case, but not an inaccurate one that violates federal law. The calculation of past damages is based on an error that ignores Title IX and deprives female athletes of $1.1 billion,” Hare said. “Paying out the money as proposed would be a massive error that would cause irreparable harm to women’s sports.”

The House settlement figures to financially benefit football and basketball stars at the biggest schools, who are likely to receive a big chunk of the $20.5 million per year that colleges are permitted to share with athletes over the next year. Some athletes in other sports that don’t make money for their schools could lose their partial scholarships or see their roster spots cut.

“This is a football and basketball damages settlement with no real benefit to female athletes,” Hare said. “Congress has expressly rejected efforts to exempt revenue-generating sports like football and basketball from Title IX’s antidiscrimination mandate. The NCAA agreed with us. Our argument on appeal is the exact same argument the conferences and NCAA made prior to settling the case.”

The appeal was filed by the law firm Hutchinson Black and Cook of Boulder, Colorado, and was first reported by Front Office Sports. It would be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.