» Michigan scored four runs in the third and staved off a late Purdue rally to earn a 4-2 win in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

» Lilly Vallimont knocked out a three-run homer, while Lauren Putz drove in the game’s first run on an RBI single up the middle.

» Lauren Derkowski and Erin Hoehn combined for two runs and six hits allowed with five strikeouts; Derkowski secured the win, while Hoehn earned the save.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The University of Michigan softball team put up four runs in the third inning and held off a late rally en route to a 4-2 win over host Purdue in the Big Ten Conference Tournament semifinals on Friday night (May 9) at the Boilermakers’ Bittinger Stadium.

Michigan (37-19) will face No. 2 seed UCLA in the tournament finale on Saturday (May 10). The final is slated for a 4 p.m. start at Bittinger Stadium. The reigning Big Ten Tournament champion, U-M advances to the championship game for the fourth time over the last five tournaments.

The Wolverines scored all four of their runs in the third after putting the inning’s first three batters on base. Freshman designated player Lauren Putz broke through, bouncing a single up the middle to score junior second baseman Indiana Langford from second base for the game’s first run. Then junior/sophomore catcher Lilly Vallimont sent everyone home two batters later with a no-doubt three-run shot to left field — her fifth home run of the season.

The Boilermakers cut the U-M lead in half with a two-run homer of their own in the fourth right after an error at first base gave Purdue just its second runner of the game.

Both teams stranded runners in scoring position in the fifth. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Erin Hoehn entered with two Boilermakers on and no outs in the top half and retired the next three batters with two strikeouts, including a big punchout to end the inning. In the home half, Conway led off with an infield single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error, but was stranded there on a groundout to short.

Purdue put up a bigger threat in the sixth with three singles to load the bases with one out. Michigan paused the game for an extended circle meeting with the entire infield, then ended the inning just three pitches later when junior third baseman Maddie Erickson fielded a chopper, stepped on third and fired across the field to turn the double play at first.

Michigan closed out the game with a drama-free seventh inning, with Purdue going 1-2-3 on a popout, groundout and flyout to left field.

Senior RHP Lauren Derkowski (16-12) earned the win from the circle, allowing two runs — one earned — on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Hoehn picked up her third save of the season after allowing three more hits, no walks and posting two strikeouts over the final three frames.

Rahsul Faison isn’t just fighting for his final year on the field—he’s fighting to shake the foundation of NCAA football. And if he wins, he might change how eligibility and NIL power coexist in college athletics forever.

Once a promising Class of 2019 prospect, Faison’s path has been anything but straightforward. After grayshirting at Marshall, sitting out 2020 and 2021, and grinding through junior college before shining at Utah State, he exploded for over 1,100 rushing yards in 2024. That breakout season earned him a 4-star transfer rating and a spot in South Carolina’s backfield.

Now, he might not be allowed to play at all.

Despite playing just three seasons beyond high school—only one at the JUCO level—Faison’s eligibility for 2025 remains in limbo. The NCAA has yet to rule, drawing sharp criticism from Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer: “We’re frustrated. We’ve seen similar cases get cleared. We’re just asking for fairness.”

It’s certainly been a week for college athletics, with the House settlement looming, President Donald Trump preparing to start a commission with the help of Nick Saban, while schools prepare for upcoming revenue-sharing. Oh, and Bill Belichick is in the news once again, thanks to the nonstop outside noise involving his girlfriend, Jordan Hudson. 

By now, I’d imagine just about anyone who follows college athletics is sick and tired of hearing about the House settlement, and I can honestly say I don’t blame you. We’ve been discussing this topic for quite some time now, and while we are waiting to see whether Judge Claudia Wilken will approve the settlement, the start of a new era in college sports waits too. 

The talk of revenue-sharing, and what type of rules will follow, has been a focal point of conversation around college campuses. There are still plenty of questions left to be answered, and a majority of athletic departments are still awaiting answers on what types of rules will come with this agreement. 

How much are schools going to spend on football, compared to basketball, baseball and other sports? That’s going to be decided by each particular program, but most are going to invest a majority of the money into the football program, given that it’s a money-making machine for an athletic department. 

Going forward, it will be fascinating to see how this plays out across each campus, with some schools having the ability to invest more into basketball, especially if they don’t have a football program to fund. 

Oh, and we had a Colorado fan decide to sue the NFL for ‘emotional distress’ and ‘trauma’ because of the slide Shedeur Sanders took in the NFL Draft. Yes, I’m being completely serious. 

Bill Belichick And North Carolina Need To Figure Out A Compromise 

If you haven’t been paying attention to the drama surrounding Bill Belichick at North Carolina, I’m actually happy for you. But, you’ve missed a lot. The latest example of UNC’s public relations nightmare came on Friday, when Pablo Torre reported that Belichick’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, had been banned from the Tar Heels football complex. 

All of this comes on the heels of an interesting interview Belichick did with CBS Sunday Morning, where Jordon Hudson became the talking point, thanks to her interjecting to questions surrounding how the pair actually met. Then, the school decided to release a statement saying that CBS had lied about the questioning before the interview, leading Belichick to release a statement defending Jordon Hudson. 

Are we done yet? Not even close. 

Then, as previously mentioned, a podcast episode with Pablo Torre dropped, which claimed that Hudson has been banned from the football building. Honestly, you couldn’t write a crazier offseason script if you tried. The school then released a statement saying that the reports were false, and that Jordon Hudson was allowed in the building, and that she was handling all of Bill Belichick’s outside public relations, along with managerial duties. 

The fact that we are discussing Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, and not the actual football team, is getting to a point of no return now. This has turned into a nightmare for the folks inside the athletic department, especially when they had to release ANOTHER statement about Belichick’s girlfriend. 

Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, this story is not going away, and football season can’t get here quick enough for those at North Carolina. There will be more layers to this story coming. But my goodness, I’m sick of writing about Belichick’s girlfriend. 

Nick Saban Expected To Be Part Of Donald Trump’s Commission

According to numerous sources, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban will be a co-chair for the commission study, alongside Texas billionaire Cody Campbell, who also happens to be the co-founder of the Texas Tech NIL collective. 

Now, the most interesting aspect of President Trump putting together a commission will be who else joins the party. In my opinion, they will need to have an athlete’s presence. Someone who can be a voice for the players, no matter which sport they participate in. 

I would imagine there will be a number of influential people in college athletics on this ‘commission’, but I’m curious to see what kind of impact they can make. Are we going to see Nick Saban help congressional leaders put some type of bill together, in hopes of being passed to help control college athletics? I’d think that’s exactly where we are headed, given how important Donald Trump is making this matter. 

We now wait to see who joins this commission, and when they actually announce it. 

SEC Preparing For 9-Game Conference Schedule, If CFP And Money Add Up

A future college football playoff format is not the only thing on the mind of leaders from the SEC, headlined by Commissioner Greg Sankey. Right now, ESPN continues to float financial figures that would be tied to the SEC moving to a nine-game conference schedule in the future. 

We are ultimately headed towards more conference games, with ESPN ready to pay. According to multiple sources, it would be financially beneficial for the SEC to plan an additional conference game per season, finally moving away from eight games. There are ongoing talks regarding how much this will be worth for the SEC, given that this could lead to a number of top-tier matchups, with ESPN willing to go from anywhere between $55 to $80 million for the additional game. 

Obviously, this would be financially smart for the conference, but a lot of this hinges on what happens with the college football playoff. Now that the SEC and Big Ten have control over the future format, there has been a push for a sixteen-team postseason, which we have previously reported. If both conferences agree to push forward, after meeting on Thursday in New York to discuss the matter, then the SEC and Big Ten would receive four automatic-bids to the playoff. 

Also, this could lead to ‘play-in’ games taking the place during championship weekend within the conference. The third place team would play the 6th placed team, while it would be 4th versus 5th. These matchups would determine the other automatic bids. 

All of this will be further discussed at SEC Spring Meetings, which will take place later this month. We will continue to keep you updated, and have you covered in Destin for this year’s meetings. 

Sherrone Moore Suspended Two Games For Deleting Messages From Connor Stalions

Yes, we are still talking about the ramifications of the Connor Stalions ‘sign-gate’ ordeal at Michigan, as Sherrone Moore is preparing to receive a two-game suspension for deleting text messages from the now former staffer. 

The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions will hold a hearing with Michigan in June, where all sides will lay out their cases before a final penalty is levied against the Wolverines. There will be no type of postseason ban, and Michigan has already imposed a suspension for Sherrone Moore, where he will miss weeks three and four of the 2025 season. 

Some interesting timing with that one, given that the Wolverines will play Oklahoma, where Moore attended college. Clearly, Michigan did its head coach a favor by allowing him to coach against the Sooners, but having him sit out the Nebraska game. 

Time till tell where this one ends up, but next month we should start hearing about a final resolution to the Connor Stalions drama. 

Charles Barkley Tees Off On NIL, Why He Doesn’t Give To Auburn

Former Auburn Tiger, Charles Barkley, was a guest on the Dan Dakich show this week, where he was asked about the current state of college athletics. 

One of the main topics of discussion centered around how much money college athletes are making right now in basketball and football. As for Charles Barkley, you could tell that he’s not the type of alumni that’s willing to fork over a few million dollars to help the Tigers NIL fund. 

“Hey, I love Auburn, I do. I’d do anything for Auburn, within reason,” Barkley said. “But I’m not gonna give Auburn millions of dollars so we can be good in football or basketball. That doesn’t help my life in any capacity. And let me tell you something, black and broke in any states. Guam, District of Columbia, all fifty states. I never meant to be poor and black. That does not work.”

Yea, I can’t say I disagree with the former Auburn Tiger. 

We continue to tread in unchartered waters when it comes to NIL, and pay-for-play, because that’s exactly what NIL has turned into. If you are working in the fundraising department at Auburn, I wouldn’t expect Sir Charles to pick up the phone when you’re calling about a donation to the five-star football or basketball player. 

No matter how you slice it, there is no offseason in college athletics. 

Three years ago, college athletes had zero financial leverage regarding sponsorship deals. Fast-forward to 2025, and players like Arch Manning are securing NIL contracts worth $6.5 million—a staggering figure, especially compared to the NFL’s minimum rookie salary of $795,000.

With brands like Nike, Gatorade, and Beats by Dre pouring millions into partnerships, NIL deals have become one of college athletes’ most lucrative financial opportunities. Some players even choose to stay in school longer rather than declare themselves for the NFL Draft, knowing their NIL earnings can exceed pro contracts.

But which brands dominate the NIL landscape? Here are the major brands that are actively contributing to the NIL revolution.

NIL Giants Revealed: Which Brands Offer the Most Lucrative Deals For College Football’s Athletes?

Nike

Nike has always been a leader in athlete endorsements, and its NIL strategy only strengthens that reputation. The brand has landed major deals with stars like Bronny James, Caitlin Clark, Travis Hunter, and Shedeur Sanders. These partnerships span basketball, football, and track and field, ensuring Nike’s presence in multiple sports.

Nike’s focus on generational talent is clear, especially with Shedeur’s recent partnership. It continues his father, Deion Sanders’ historic Nike connection from the 1990s. As Shedeur noted, he hopes his NIL deal will help revive and modernize his father’s Nike Air DT Trainer line, showcasing how NIL partnerships can carry historical significance while shaping the future of athlete branding.

Adidas

Adidas has made a big move in the world of NIL deals. They launched a program that includes 109 Division I schools, giving thousands of athletes the chance to earn money as brand ambassadors. This initiative has positioned Adidas as a major player in collegiate sports sponsorships, particularly benefiting athletes at Kansas, Miami, and Arizona State.

Instead of focusing on individual athletes, they have formed strong partnerships with entire schools. As a result, numerous sports programs effectively represent their brand.

Gatorade

Gatorade has smartly made itself a top player in NIL deals. The brand targets athletes with high performance and endurance in sports like basketball, football, soccer, and track & field. 

They’ve already teamed up with stars like Paige Bueckers, Shedeur Sanders, DJ Lagway, and Dia Bell, a five-star quarterback from Texas. By partnering with top talent early, Gatorade is solidifying its substantial presence in college and pro sports, making it one of the leading brands in the NIL world.

Beats by Dre

The audio software company is turning up the volume on its NIL game. The audio giant recently launched its new “Beats Elite” campaign, featuring 11 exceptional college football stars. Big names like Jalen Milroe, Carson Beck, and Shedeur Sanders lead the charge.

These athletes will be the face of Beats in new marketing campaigns. They’ll also receive custom headphones made just for them. Some players, like Milroe, even share Beats gear with their whole team. Moves like that help Beats build strong roots in college football and boost their presence across programs nationwide.

Red Bull

The popular Aussie energy drink brand, Red Bull, has made a big move in the NIL space by signing Texas quarterback Arch Manning to a historic multi-year deal. This deal makes Manning one of the highest earners in college football, with his NIL valuation reaching $6.6 million.

It shows their commitment to supporting top talent in the NIL world. Manning’s deal is just one example of how Red Bull uses these partnerships to boost its exposure. The brand loves working with elite athletes, especially those who fit their high-energy image.

Celsius Holdings

Celsius Holdings may not sign direct NIL deals, but the brand knows how to stay in the game. Instead of traditional sponsorships, it uses clever marketing to boost visibility and connect with athletes who promote healthy, active lifestyles. Their “Essential Six” campaign has helped the brand become a major player in athlete sponsorships.

RELATED: Michigan’s NIL-Era Transformation Explained—From Complacency To Top-10 Status In New College Football Job Rankings

Partnerships with athletes like Jayden Daniels and Juan Soto strengthen their presence in sports and performance-focused markets, even without official NIL deals. They have also partnered with Donovan Edwards, Dillon Gabriel, Jalen Milroe, DJ Uiagalelei, and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter to expand their NIL presence rapidly.

Nautica

Nautica is growing its presence in the NIL world, featuring LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne and Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III in its Fall 2024 “New Legends” campaign. Dunne, one of the highest-paid female college athletes, has an impressive NIL valuation of $3.4 million.

Meanwhile, Luther, a first-team All-SEC star, has seen his NIL value grow from $769K last year after partnering with the American apparel brand. Nautica’s focus on college sports sponsorships is part of a larger trend, as NIL earnings reached over $1.6 billion in 2025. This shows the brand’s dedication to partnering with top young talent.

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WACO, Texas – Oklahoma State extended its winning streak to a season-high five games with a 7-2 victory over Baylor Friday night at Baylor Ballpark.
 
With the win, the Cowboys improved to 23-21 overall and 11-11 in Big 12 play, while BU fell to 30-19 and 10-5 in the league.
 
Harrison Bodendorf continued to make his case as the conference’s top pitcher as he improved to 9-1. The southpaw worked six innings and allowed just one run on five hits while striking out seven.
 
Hunter Watkins came out of the bullpen and kept the Bears off the scoreboard for 1 2/3 innings, and Gabe Davis worked a scoreless ninth with a pair of strikeouts to seal the win.
 
Offensively, Colin Brueggemann was 3-for-5 with two doubles, and Kollin Ritchie had a pair of RBI doubles. Brayden Smith also homered and drove in two runs.
 
After three scoreless frames, OSU struck first in the fourth. Nolan Schubart drew a leadoff walk, and Brueggemann followed by lining a single off the glove of the BU second baseman. Up next, Jayson Jones brought home the game’s initial run with an RBI groundout.
 
The Cowboys weren’t done as Ritchie followed by lacing an RBI double just inside the left-field line to push the OSU advantage to 2-0 before Thompson brought home the Pokes’ third run of the inning with a single.
 
BU ended Bodendorf’s shutout in the bottom of the inning, striking for a run on an RBI groundout off the bat of Will Pendergrass.
 
But the Pokes would get the run back in their next at bat as Smith smashed a solo home run to right field for his eighth homer of the season and a 4-1 OSU lead in the fifth.
 
With Bodendorf cruising, the Cowboys tacked on another run in the seventh when Smith delivered a sacrifice fly to plate Alex Conover, who had doubled.
 
The Bears got to the OSU bullpen in the bottom of the inning, putting runners on the corners with one out after a pair of hits off Brennan Phillips. BU would then get a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-2 before Watkins got out of the inning without any further damage.
 
OSU added insurance runs in the eighth Ritchie’s second RBI double of the contest and in the ninth on Schubart’s team-leading 13^th homer of the season, a solo shot over the wall in left field.
 
The two teams return to action Saturday at 2 p.m.