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Marcus Freeman calls on NCAA bosses to implement major portal rule change

The NCAA currently operates two transfer portal windows throughout the year but the Fighting Irish head coach has admitted there is an inconvenience to it, citing its effects on postseason preparation Tom Malley 13:40 ET, 31 May 2025Updated 13:41 ET, 31 May 2025 Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has had his say on the […]

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Marcus Freeman calls on NCAA bosses to implement major portal rule change

The NCAA currently operates two transfer portal windows throughout the year but the Fighting Irish head coach has admitted there is an inconvenience to it, citing its effects on postseason preparation

Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has had his say on the current state of the transfer portal

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has called on the NCAA to have just one transfer portal window instead of two in an attempt to lessen the burden on coaches and players.

The 2024 college football season is firmly in the past and preparations for the upcoming campaign are already well underway, with schedules being released just a month after Ohio State was crowned national champions and more than 250 players moving on to the NFL. Recruitment for the 2026 and 2027 classes have also taken center stage, with Notre Dame making offers to more than 90 players in March.

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April also saw the return of the spring transfer portal window, where Notre Dame offensive lineman Pat Coogan confirmed his intent to leave ahead of next season, joining three teammates who also confirmed their decision after losing the national championship game. Defensive tackle Jared Dawson did arrive from Louisville, however.

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The NCAA also has a winter transfer portal window, which was open from December 9, 2024 to December 28, 2024 — right when Notre Dame was starting out its CFP journey.

Coach Freeman, though, is behind a push to have only one portal window. Speaking to local media on Thursday, he made it perfectly clear what he’d prefer to see in the transfer portal and why.

“If you made me vote, I would vote for the spring, but I wouldn’t be upset if it were the winter or the spring, right?” he said, as per 247Sports. “I’m a big proponent of one transfer portal window, but if you made me choose one over the other, I would choose the spring.”

Marcus Freeman
Marcus Freeman has cited his preference for just one transfer portal

When pushed for why he came to his decision, the 39-year-old cited the distractions the winter window poses for post-season play, along with the negative influence it can have on players’ education.

“Probably more than anything, not dealing with that distraction during your postseason play, the ability to get people into school, right?” Freeman said. “You know, after the spring semester is an advantage for us, but I’m not opposed to some of the other times, like the winter.”

He added: “The other side of it is, you know, I’m a proponent for young people. The minute there’s uncertainty, they pack up and go somewhere else, right? And so I think about it, as a lot of coaching changes happen, right?

“It might be best for that young person to stay there. And if there’s no option to get up and leave, when the coaching (staff) changes, maybe they say, ‘Well, I do like this new head coach. I do want to stay here. I do want to get my degree from here,’ instead of getting up and leaving the minute there’s uncertainty with who’s the head coach.

Steve Angeli
Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli entered the transfer portal following the end of the 2024 College Football Playoff(Image: Getty Images)
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“And so, if you put it in the spring, at least, it gives that new coach a chance to convince that player it’s the best thing to do to stay at the university, because I’m a proponent of our young people getting degrees.

“That’s so important. And not just making decisions based on what’s going to be best football-wise, but also, like the longevity of my life, education is so important.”

The recent transfer portal threw up its fair share of stories, but sometimes things can get out of hand. Last month, Tennessee State star Eriq George — the son of former TSU coach and 1995 Heisman Trophy winner, Eddie — was forced to shut down “false” claims over his college football future.

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Texas Tech Lands 5-Star Felix Ojo With $5.1M NIL Deal, Beating Out Texas, Ohio State

Texas Tech secured five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on July 4 with a record-breaking $5.1 million NIL contract that made headlines across college football. The Red Raiders pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in program history by landing the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and top offensive tackle, defeating powerhouse programs including Texas, […]

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Texas Tech secured five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on July 4 with a record-breaking $5.1 million NIL contract that made headlines across college football.

The Red Raiders pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in program history by landing the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and top offensive tackle, defeating powerhouse programs including Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, and Florida.

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Texas Tech Lands Five-Star Recruit with Record NIL Deal

Social media exploded when On3 Sports broke the news on Twitter, announcing that the 6’7″, 285-pound tackle from Mansfield Lake Ridge High School had inked the largest fully guaranteed NIL revenue-share agreement in college football history.

According to his agent, the three-year deal worth $5.1 million features a significant escalator structure. Year one pays $1.2 million, year two reaches $1.6 million, and year three peaks at $2.1 million. This groundbreaking contract came just days after the federal settlement legalizing direct revenue-share payments took effect on July 1.

The timing proves crucial for Texas Tech’s aggressive NIL strategy, which already paid dividends after the program invested over $10 million in transfer portal additions in early 2025. The Matador Club’s willingness to offer seven-figure deals across multiple sports established the Red Raiders as serious players in the new NIL landscape.

Historic Commitment Transforms Red Raiders Recruiting

Ojo’s commitment represented a massive upset as he selected Texas Tech over his final four schools. The Longhorns and Buckeyes were considered co-favorites throughout the process, making his decision even more surprising for college football analysts.

The elite prospect ranks as the No. 5 overall player in the 2026 class according to 247Sports Composite, while ESPN rates him No. 4 in their ESPN 300. His commitment makes him the highest-rated signee in Texas Tech program history, surpassing previous recruiting milestones for the Big 12 program.

Ojo’s addition transforms the Red Raiders’ 2026 recruiting class, with the latest available rankings showing a major jump but not universally to 23rd nationally or 1st in the Big 12. Some sources have Texas Tech ranked as high as 23rd and 1st in the Big 12, while others show a current rank of 29th nationally and 1st in the Big 12. The class average rating improvement reflects the significant talent upgrade that comes with landing a five-star prospect.

Beyond recruiting rankings, the impact extends to on-field performance expectations. Research shows each five-star recruit contributes approximately 0.306 additional wins per season, making Ojo’s presence valuable for Texas Tech’s competitive outlook. His position at left tackle will dramatically improve pass protection and create better opportunities for the running game under Coach Joey McGuire’s offensive system.

The signing establishes Texas Tech’s commitment to competing at the highest level in college football while setting new benchmarks for NIL deals across the sport. College football programs nationwide are watching how this unprecedented contract structure influences future recruiting battles and player compensation models.

Ojo is expected to arrive on campus in the summer of 2026 and immediately compete for a starting role on the offensive line. His presence should provide immediate impact for a program looking to establish itself as a consistent Big 12 contender under McGuire’s leadership.





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Texas Tech Signs 5-Star Felix Ojo in $5M NIL Deal

Share Tweet Share Share Email Felix Ojo, a consensus five-star offensive tackle ranked among the top prospects nationally in the 2026 class, committed to Texas Tech on July 4th over heavyweights like Texas, Ohio State, Florida, and Michigan. The standout from Mansfield, Texas, has reportedly landed a fully guaranteed revenue-sharing contract valued at $5.1 million […]

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STUNNER

Texas Tech secured five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on July 4 with a record-breaking $5.1 million NIL contract that made headlines across college football. The Red Raiders pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in program history by landing the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and top offensive tackle, defeating powerhouse programs including Texas, […]

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STUNNER

Texas Tech secured five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on July 4 with a record-breaking $5.1 million NIL contract that made headlines across college football.

The Red Raiders pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in program history by landing the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and top offensive tackle, defeating powerhouse programs including Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, and Florida.

PFSN College Football Playoff Predictor
Dive into Try out PFSN’s FREE college football playoff predictor, where you can simulate every 2025-26 NFL season game and see who wins the National Championship!

Texas Tech Lands Five-Star Recruit with Record NIL Deal

Social media exploded when On3 Sports broke the news on Twitter, announcing that the 6’7″, 285-pound tackle from Mansfield Lake Ridge High School had inked the largest fully guaranteed NIL revenue-share agreement in college football history.

According to his agent, the three-year deal worth $5.1 million features a significant escalator structure. Year one pays $1.2 million, year two reaches $1.6 million, and year three peaks at $2.1 million. This groundbreaking contract came just days after the federal settlement legalizing direct revenue-share payments took effect on July 1.

The timing proves crucial for Texas Tech’s aggressive NIL strategy, which already paid dividends after the program invested over $10 million in transfer portal additions in early 2025. The Matador Club’s willingness to offer seven-figure deals across multiple sports established the Red Raiders as serious players in the new NIL landscape.

Historic Commitment Transforms Red Raiders Recruiting

Ojo’s commitment represented a massive upset as he selected Texas Tech over his final four schools. The Longhorns and Buckeyes were considered co-favorites throughout the process, making his decision even more surprising for college football analysts.

The elite prospect ranks as the No. 5 overall player in the 2026 class according to 247Sports Composite, while ESPN rates him No. 4 in their ESPN 300. His commitment makes him the highest-rated signee in Texas Tech program history, surpassing previous recruiting milestones for the Big 12 program.

Ojo’s addition transforms the Red Raiders’ 2026 recruiting class, with the latest available rankings showing a major jump but not universally to 23rd nationally or 1st in the Big 12. Some sources have Texas Tech ranked as high as 23rd and 1st in the Big 12, while others show a current rank of 29th nationally and 1st in the Big 12. The class average rating improvement reflects the significant talent upgrade that comes with landing a five-star prospect.

Beyond recruiting rankings, the impact extends to on-field performance expectations. Research shows each five-star recruit contributes approximately 0.306 additional wins per season, making Ojo’s presence valuable for Texas Tech’s competitive outlook. His position at left tackle will dramatically improve pass protection and create better opportunities for the running game under Coach Joey McGuire’s offensive system.

The signing establishes Texas Tech’s commitment to competing at the highest level in college football while setting new benchmarks for NIL deals across the sport. College football programs nationwide are watching how this unprecedented contract structure influences future recruiting battles and player compensation models.

Ojo is expected to arrive on campus in the summer of 2026 and immediately compete for a starting role on the offensive line. His presence should provide immediate impact for a program looking to establish itself as a consistent Big 12 contender under McGuire’s leadership.

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Urban Meyer thinks Florida State Seminoles football may be in serious trouble

The Florida State Seminoles have come under fire recently as the entire college football world ushers in a new NIL era of revenue sharing. As of July 1, schools across the country have adopted a new model that allows them to negotiate and pay players directly, a practice previously handled through third-party collectives and endorsements. […]

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The Florida State Seminoles have come under fire recently as the entire college football world ushers in a new NIL era of revenue sharing. As of July 1, schools across the country have adopted a new model that allows them to negotiate and pay players directly, a practice previously handled through third-party collectives and endorsements.

The problem described by one Big 10 general manager as “not normal” arose from the generally “aggressive” fine print that Florida State has included in its preliminary player contracts. For instance, an athlete can be charged up to $2,500 for losing equipment or face a total contract termination due to injury, according to Chris Hummer of CBS Sports.

While the Seminoles attempt to maneuver in the new NIL landscape, multiple figureheads in the college football world have spoken out. The Triple-Option host Mark Ingram has openly criticized the specific language used in the contracts, saying it could deter Florida State from landing some of the nation’s top talent.

READ MORE: FSU football loses four-star WR target to fellow ACC program

“Players aren’t going to go there because, for one, this contract gives Florida State way too much control over your future and your money. It exposes you to risk, injury, discipline, loss of leverage,” Ingram said. “All that. So, if you’re a top player and you’ve got Florida State as your top university and they give you this, I’m sure there’s another university that is going to give you better conditions and treat you like a partner, not an asset.”

Sportscaster and former head coach Urban Meyer also viewed the contract details with hesitation, stating that the power struggle approaching between universities and student-athletes is unforeseen and will hurt recruiting. He went on to express skepticism about the entire ordeal, saying that Florida State’s “days are numbered” if the contracts are finalized.

“I think what’s happening is the pendulum swung so far that the players could leave anytime, unlimited transfers, NIL, no limitations, no guardrails, and now it’s swinging backa nd some people that shouldn’t be involved are getting too involved and they’re putting this power struggle that I’ve never seen anything like that,” Meyer said. “Recruiting, it’s over. You can’t recruit, and in case you haven’t noticed, college football is about recruiting.”

“I’ll make this statement,” Urban Meyer said. “If this is legit, if this goes through, which I’m so skeptical, then the days of Florida State are numbered. It won’t happen. It can’t happen. No chance.”

Florida State released a statement defending its new contract proposals and emphasized its commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships. They acknowledged the uniqueness of each situation’s circumstances.

“As we enter into a new age of collegiate athletics, Florida State has put together an agreement that provides deliverables and expectations for all parties,” the statement read. “Each individual situation will be unique, and the hypotheticals are impossible to predict. However, we are committed to continuing to provide an elite experience for our student-athletes in all aspects of their collegiate career. Florida State is looking forward to the mutually beneficial partnerships with our student-athletes in this new era.”

Still, as the NIL era evolves, Florida State finds itself at yet another crossroads. While the university defends its approach moving forward, critics argue that the language being used may alienate the athletes that it is trying to attract. Whether the ‘Noles will be trailblazing into the new NIL era remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: clarity and trust are starting to become just as valuable as compensation.

READ MORE: Cornerback prospect shuts down recruitment, sticks with Florida State

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason

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Felix Ojo commits to Texas Tech: Red Raiders pull off recruiting stunner landing No. 5 prospect in 2026 class

The fireworks came with a twist in Texas on Friday as five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo — the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2026 class — surprised by committing to Texas Tech on the Fourth of July. The Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge standout had been heavily pursued by Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas, […]

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The fireworks came with a twist in Texas on Friday as five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo — the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2026 class — surprised by committing to Texas Tech on the Fourth of July. The Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge standout had been heavily pursued by Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas, but he ultimately chose the Red Raiders in a stunning late turn of events.

Derrick Shelby, Ojo’s agent, revealed to ESPN that his client received a three-year, $5.1 million revenue-sharing deal to join the Red Raiders. 

Ojo ranks as the No. 5 overall prospect in the class by 247Sports, giving Texas Tech a major boost in recruiting while reinforcing its status as one of the top NIL spenders in college football. That investment has already paid off, helping the Red Raiders land blue-chip talent like Ojo and assemble one of the most expensive transfer classes in the country this past cycle. The program’s aggressive NIL strategy underscores its intent to turn Lubbock into a legitimate football powerhouse – a vision strongly pushed by coach Joey McGuire, whose recruiting efforts have reshaped the program’s national profile.

West Texas boom: Inside Texas Tech’s bold all-in bet on NIL and the billionaire landman responsible

Shehan Jeyarajah

West Texas boom: Inside Texas Tech's bold all-in bet on NIL and the billionaire landman responsible

Not only is Ojo the first blue-chip commitment in Texas Tech’s 2026 class, he now ranks as the highest-rated pledge in program history. He surpasses former five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson, who rejoined the Red Raiders in April after a short stint at Texas A&M. If Ojo ultimately signs and enrolls, the pair would stand as the only 247Sports Composite five-star prospects to ever join Texas Tech directly out of high school.

Ojo becomes the eighth commitment in the 2026 class for Texas Tech since the beginning of June and 18th overall. Prior to his pledge, the Red Raiders sat at No. 36 in the team recruiting rankings, but they vault to No. 23 following the splash pickup. Texas Tech has finished among the top 25 of the 247Sports Composite team rankings just twice (2024, 2011) during the modern recruiting era.

Ojo holds more than 50 known offers, with the majority coming from top Power Five programs. Notably, Texas Tech was among the first to extend an offer back in January 2024 — well before his recruitment exploded on the national stage.

MORE: Behind the scenes of Felix Ojo’s stunning Texas Tech commitment

Despite being young for his class, Ojo has plug-and-play potential at offensive tackle if he can expand his 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame. He brings a rare blend of length, athleticism and upside to the position, showing “excellent physical tools and relative youth,” according to 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks, who noted Ojo’s lean frame, movement ability and high ceiling as a future high-major, multi-year starter with pro potential.

What’s next for Texas after losing out on key commit

While this is a massive win for Texas Tech, it’s just as much of a loss for Texas, which hasn’t signed a five-star offensive lineman since landing Kelvin Banks Jr. and DJ Campbell in the 2022 class. Banks became a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, while Campbell is expected to depart after this upcoming season.

“The Longhorns went into this cycle saying, ‘Ojo is our guy. He is our No. 1 guy. We cannot miss on him,'” 247Sports national recruiting analyst Mike Roach said earlier this week on The 105 with Andrew Ivins & Cooper Petagna. “The Longhorns missed on a historic tackle class in Texas last year with Lamont Rogers, Ty Haywood and Michael Fasusi going elsewhere.

“Texas built the offensive line that took them to the last two College Football Playoffs in the 2022 cycle. That was an incredible class, but they have not recruited near that level since. They need to re-energize that room.”

Texas still has until the early signing period in December to try to sway Ojo, but their options are limited if it is unable to. The Longhorns currently have just two offensive line prospects — both rated three-stars — and with Ojo’s commitment, only three offensive linemen in the current Top247 remain uncommitted.





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Horns247’s July 4th Decision Day primer

It’s decision day for three in-state Texas targets: Aledo Top247 WR Kaydon Finley, Mansfield Lake Ridge five-star OT Felix Ojo, and North Crowley Top247 IOL John Turntine III. Here’s what you need to know heading into each announcement. Kaydon Finley, 4-star WR, Aledo  Height/Weight: 6-foot, 2o0 pounds  Rating: No. 110 overall prospect, No. 14 wide receiver, and […]

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It’s decision day for three in-state Texas targets: Aledo Top247 WR Kaydon Finley, Mansfield Lake Ridge five-star OT Felix Ojo, and North Crowley Top247 IOL John Turntine III.

Here’s what you need to know heading into each announcement.

Kaydon Finley, 4-star WR, Aledo 

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 2o0 pounds 

Rating: No. 110 overall prospect, No. 14 wide receiver, and No. 15 overall prospect in the state of Texas per the 247Sports Composite rankings. 

Scouting report: 

“Massively productive receiver with a solid, sturdy build in the 6-foot, 200-pound range and gifted with big hands. Strong football pedigree as the son of a former standout pass-catching tight end at the high-major college and NFL level (Jermichael Finley). Know-how shows in route-running acumen, in-the-air ability, and run-after-catch toughness. Three-sport experience that includes basketball and track and field. Explosive testing numbers in broad jump and vertical categories. Physical pass catcher who transfers that play style to RAC situations. Still developing more juice at the top end, but initial juice consistently eats up cushion to get on top of DBs. Capable of playing outside or in the slot. Could potentially excel as a short-to-intermediate chain mover who can break chunk plays with that aforementioned RAC ability. Build and run strength suggest possible wildcat option if desired. Projects as a valuable asset in a high-major receiver room who could follow family footsteps to the pro level.”

Schools in contention: Arizona State, Notre Dame, Texas, Texas A&M

Crystal Ball: 100 percent Notre Dame 

Announcement time: 6:30 p.m. CT 

Announcement method: Social media — X: @KaydonFinley… Instagram: @kaydon.finley18

What Horns247 makes of his recruitment: 

The Texas legacy was one of the first prospects in the 2026 cycle to pick up an offer from the Longhorns. The burnt orange were in great standing for most of the time since, but eventually Notre Dame weaseled into the recruitment and went from dark horse to legitimate contender after hosting Finley for several unofficial visits earlier this spring. The Fighting Irish made a savvy move by getting Finley to campus for an unofficial visit in early June about a week and half before his Notre Dame official visit, and the Fighting Irish have been trending since and have weathered the storm that was Finley’s June 20-22 official visit to Texas. Horns247 likes Notre Dame ahead of the evening decision. 



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