NIL

New college basketball rule change gives Mike Young and other coaches more power

As there is with college sports, there is an ever-changing landscape in all sports. College basketball is looking to expand the NCAA Tournament, a bad idea, but they are making some rule changes that will help with the pace of play in the sport. The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved rule changes to help […]

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3 weeks ago

June 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved rule changes to help the flow of college basketball games, and they are giving coaches some power. The biggest eye-opening rule change is a coach’s challenge, which can be used at any point throughout the game so long as the challenging team still has a timeout remaining. In all honesty, this is something that the sport has been needing for a while, and it’s good to see it finally inserted into the game. The rule will be like the rule in the NBA in terms of winning the challenge.

“If the instant replay review challenge is successful, teams will be allowed to have one additional video review challenge for the rest of the game, including overtime.”

“If the first video review challenge is unsuccessful, the team loses the ability to challenge the rest of the game.”

College basketball needed coaches challenges

Coaches can challenge out-of-bounds calls, basket interference, and whether a secondary defender was in the restricted area of the arc, which is always a difficult call in the pace of play. This is something that has been needed in college basketball, and following the NBA script is the way for them to go. It will be interesting to see how teams go about using this challenge, will some use it early, or will they save it for later in the game?

Virginia Tech coach Mike Young will be like other coaches and rely on his assistant coaches to help decide whether or not to challenge a call. This is something that should stick around even after the coaches’ feedback after next season. This is a solid move for the sport.

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NIL

This is who College Football 26 has as the best FSU football player on the roster…

COLLEGE FOOTBALL 26 VIDEO GAME EA Sports dropped the College Football 25 video game last summer after the long hiatus of playing NCAA Football 14 for a long period of time due to the Ed O’Bannon court case. However, now that an NIL structure is in place, EA Sports was able to allow the popular […]

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6 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

COLLEGE FOOTBALL 26 VIDEO GAME

EA Sports dropped the College Football 25 video game last summer after the long hiatus of playing NCAA Football 14 for a long period of time due to the Ed O’Bannon court case. However, now that an NIL structure is in place, EA Sports was able to allow the popular series to return.

Overall, the video game was a success last year. However, it was unbearable for me to play last season due to Florida State’s record on the field. I have been a long-time season ticket holder, and I won’t lie, seeing the Seminoles in Doak Campbell Stadium in 2024 was a humbling experience.

The updated progression of the roster had 76 overall true freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek listed as the starter as we reached the bitter end. However, Kromenhoek transferred to Mississippi State, and the Seminoles have added new coaches as well as new players via the transfer portal and recruiting ranks.

WHO IS THE BEST PLAYER ON THE SEMINOLES’ ROSTER?

I had to think about this for a while. I tried to come up with who will be the best player on the Seminoles’ roster in the video game. This is a team that has so many new pieces. While it was much needed, these players on the current roster have not made much of a difference in the Garnet and Gold.

There have been individuals who have been able to play the Beta version of the video game, so social media has been the source of leaks that have surfaced. Plus, EA Sports dropped a deep dive that featured a Thomas Castellanos interception and highlighting that smaller quarterbacks could have negative consequences in the game.

According to this website that highlights the pre-release ratings of the Florida State Seminoles, it has former Houston cornerback transfer Jeremiah Wilson as the best player on the roster (90 overall). This makes sense, considering that he had 24 tackles (four for loss), four passes defensed, and four interceptions during the 2024 season with the Cougars.

Wilson is going to be coached by defensive back coach Patrick Surtain Sr., who was one of the best cornerbacks in man-to-man coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.

For reference, the best offensive player on the website for the Seminoles was former Ole Miss offensive tackle transfer Micah Pettus (89 overall). This should be a fun Florida State football team to play, considering that they have dual-threat quarterback Thomas Castellanos to use.

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NIL

NCAA rule changes extends college basketball regular season

The NCAA Division I Council passed legislation on Wednesday that allows teams to schedule 32 regular-season games, ending a seven-year period where 31 games was the maximum. The current NCAA rules say “teams can schedule 28 games with an additional three-game, multiple-team event, for a maximum of 31 games. Teams can also choose to schedule […]

Published

7 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The NCAA Division I Council passed legislation on Wednesday that allows teams to schedule 32 regular-season games, ending a seven-year period where 31 games was the maximum.

The current NCAA rules say “teams can schedule 28 games with an additional three-game, multiple-team event, for a maximum of 31 games. Teams can also choose to schedule 29 games with a two-game, multiple-team event, again with a 31-game maximum. Or teams can schedule 29 regular-season games without a multiple-team event included.”

Under the new rules, which begin during the 2026-27 season, teams can schedule up to 32 games without the restriction of having a multi-team event involved. There is no penalty for scheduling fewer than 32 games if a team wishes to do so.

The oversight committee said the NCAA is trying to simplify as many rules as possible and allow for greater scheduling flexibility. Conference expansion impacting non-conference scheduling was also a factor.

There is an expectation that larger MTEs, especially those funded by NIL contracts, will move to three- or four-game formats. Extra home games also have financial implications.

“Multiple high-major coaches told CBS Sports in recent months that they are actively pursuing and hoping to play a nonconference game in the midst of the conference season moving forward, finding benefits in advance of postseason play in March,” CBS Sports senior writer Matt Norlander said.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

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NIL

Paige Bueckers Opens Up About Ground-Breaking NIL Journey

Before NIL was more than just a three-letter acronym, Paige Bueckers was already a household name in college hoops. She wasn’t just making headlines for her court vision or clutch buckets, she was setting the stage for what a modern college athlete could become. But when the NIL era officially kicked off on July 1, […]

Published

27 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

“When I tell you I had no idea what this was going to look like, I had literally no idea,” Bueckers told Deja Kelly on NILOSOPHY. “It was a complete blank canvas.”

Despite winning National Player of the Year as a freshman at UConn and drawing millions of views on social media, Bueckers started her NIL journey just like every other college athlete, learning everything from scratch.

“You don’t even think about making money in college because it was never a thing,” she said.

Fast-forward four years: Bueckers leaves UConn as a national champion, a three-time first-team All-American, and the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She also exits the college stage with a staggering $1.5 million On3 NIL Valuation, the second-highest among all women’s basketball players.

But it wasn’t just about money for Bueckers. From day one, she prioritized building her brand around values, values she made sure to set alongside her inner circle.

“I set my values straight with my team. I just want to work with people who have the right intentions, have the right values of giving back and not making everything about me,” she said.

That mindset led her to deals that benefited not just herself, but her teammates too, something rare in the competitive world of NIL. From creative shoots to collaborations with Fortnite, Bueckers made sure to bring others along for the ride.

“The stuff I’ve been able to do with my teammates and for my teammates, that’s been the coolest stuff to me,” she shared.

Even with stylists, cameras, and endorsement deals, Bueckers never lost sight of the bigger picture: using her platform for good.

“Once I started to learn about it … it became, for me, how can I give back and use this platform on social media to do something good with it?”

In an era where athletes are becoming brands, Bueckers is showing that it’s possible to be both marketable and meaningful. Her journey through NIL wasn’t just about capitalizing, it was about creating impact.

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NIL

Cade Klubnik Turns $3.4M NIL Payday Into Community Giveback With Unique Deal

Cade Klubnik Turns $3.4M NIL Payday Into Community Giveback With Unique Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is making headlines off the field as well as on it, thanks to a groundbreaking new NIL deal that includes a highly detailed, lifelike action figure. Advertisement Valued at $3.4 million by On3’s NIL […]

Published

50 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Cade Klubnik Turns $3.4M NIL Payday Into Community Giveback With Unique Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is making headlines off the field as well as on it, thanks to a groundbreaking new NIL deal that includes a highly detailed, lifelike action figure.

Valued at $3.4 million by On3’s NIL rankings, Klubnik has solidified his place not just as a top college quarterback but also as a marketable star attracting unique endorsements.

Klubnik recently partnered with Collegiate Legends, a company known for creating collectible action figures of prominent college football players. This deal marks the company’s first collaboration with an ACC athlete and comes as part of their final NIL campaign of the year.

Previous Collegiate Legends clients include standout athletes like South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Alabama’s Jaylen Mbakwe.

Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) passes against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium.© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

“Cade embodies the leadership and character that make him a role model on and off the field,” said Holly Tanory, President of Collegiate Legends. “We are proud to feature him as our first ACC athlete, and we look forward to an exciting season ahead.”

Klubnik has also committed to giving back, pledging a portion of the proceeds from the action figure sales to charity. He will make a special appearance to distribute these toys to children in the local community, while also donating some figures to Clemson Athletics to enhance fan and player engagement programs.

The timing of this NIL deal aligns perfectly with Klubnik’s rising profile. After a breakout 2024 season where he threw for 3,649 yards and 36 touchdowns, the Clemson star quarterback has been generating buzz as a Heisman Trophy candidate and NFL Draft prospect.

Ranked No. 7 on On3’s NIL valuation list and No. 8 on the NIL 100 — a ranking of the top college and high school athletes by NIL value — Klubnik is a major presence in the college football landscape.

Heading into his senior season, Klubnik remains focused on growth and team success. “Quarterback is a developmental position, and building chemistry with my offensive coordinator has been key,” he recently told On3.

Related: Clemson Facing NIL Test as New Threat Emerges for 5-Star LB Tyler Atkinson

Related: Cade Klubnik Takes Shot at Transfer Culture, Praises Arch Manning but Snubs Rival

Related: EA Sports Misses Big With Dabo Swinney Look in College Football 26

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Aztec Link NIL collective hosts female flag football combine for young San Diegans

The game of football is changing, but not because of flag pulling or the absence of tackling. The rise of flag football is bringing opportunities to young women to play a sport that wasn’t always accessible to them. Within the past five to seven years, women’s flag football has seen growth across the country at […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Aztec Link NIL collective hosts female flag football combine for young San Diegans

Within the past five to seven years, women’s flag football has seen growth across the country at the high school level. For college athletics, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced women’s flag football as an official varsity sport in 2021, after partnering with the National Football League (NFL) and Reigning Champs Experiences (RCX).

Not to mention, at least 65 NCAA schools are sponsoring women’s flag football at either a club or varsity level, with more expected in 2026, according to the NCAA.

Despite seeing such progress at a youth level, the ultimate goal for these athletes will take place in Los Angeles, as flag football was officially added to the 2028 Summer Olympics.

With all the recent hype, local girls’ flag football coaches called for a combine where young athletes could showcase their skills and compete against one another. On June 21, girls, ages 13 to 17, arrived at San Diego State’s practice field to show the coaches and SDSU players what they had.

The coaches began with dynamic warmups to get the athletes loose for their first drills. The group was then split into their desired positions, such as quarterback, receiver, and defensive back, where they worked on offensive or defensive drills that were unique to their position.

Participants of the Aztec Link Female Flag Football Combine do group dynamic stretching. (Olivia Vargo)

After spending some time with individual skills training, they moved into one-on-one scrimmages—one receiver trying to get open with a specific route and one defender trying to deny the receiver of catching the ball. Next, they moved into two-on-two, then finished the combine with a full seven-on-seven scrimmage. The coaches had everyone huddle up after and thanked all the athletes for coming and giving their all.

“It was amazing, personally, being from San Diego since 1986,” coach Derek Ferrell said. “Being a part of bringing a new generation of girls’ flag football to San Diego…inspiring the next generation to continue in their skill of playing flag football.”

With high energy and excitement from those involved, the girls were eager to play their hardest and learn from their peers.

“When you give someone energy, they give it back to you,” said Ferrell. “You have to inspire for people to follow.”

As a dad, it isn’t hard for Ferrell to bring the energy and joy. But he can’t make the difference on his own. The assistance from other coaches is one thing, but having some of the SDSU football players to help lead the way meant everything to him.

“It’s very great to have them out here because all of us being in San Diego, it’s Aztecs,” Ferrell said. “That’s our football team and that’s our leadership.”

With the guidance of collegiate athletes, the young competitors have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons that can impact their athletic journey.

Participants lineup in a two-on-two scrimmage, lead by coach Derek Ferrell. (Isabella Hodges)

“They’re really athletic for their age,” SDSU football redshirt freshman safety Prince Williams said. “These people are going to be more developed. They’re going to be faster, they’re going to be stronger, and with them being mentally introduced to the game, they’re going to be able to adapt.”

With some of the kids already playing the game at an elite level, the coaching from SDSU’s players can take their game to the next level.

“There are some kids that definitely stand out…doing the drills pretty fast, and it looks like they know what they’re doing already,” freshman linebacker Jeremiah Tuiileila said. “It wouldn’t be surprising if we see some of these kids in the Olympics in the future.”

The kids were also lucky enough to learn from someone who finished in second place in the 2025 NAIA National Championship. Keisier sophomore wide receiver Hanna Lencioni finished her freshman season just short of a national title. The Seahawks finished their season 20-2, marking their best year since women’s flag football officially became a varsity sport in 2021.

“It’s awesome to see all the girls playing and everything,” Lencioni said. “I just want to put my cleats on and work with them, but it’s great to be on the other side and see what the coaches see.”

Having a similar dream of her own, she can display her work ethic and passion that will potentially lead her to a spot on an Olympic roster. With such a strong athletic ability, she’s able to pass her knowledge down to the younger generation.

“I never thought that I was going to be here, honestly,” Lencioni said. “I just want to inspire them and give them all the tips and tricks they can do so they can be better.”

After three hours of drills, conditioning, and scrimmages, the girls left everything on the field and proved to be passionate about flag football. But none of this would be possible without the help of the community.

The participants of the Aztec Link Female Flag Football Combine huddle up on the San Diego State practice field on Saturday June 21, 2025. (Olivia Vargo)

“San Diego is really starting to represent,” Ferrell said. “We’re getting a lot of support and backing from the community, which is helping to back our families and parents to go to these opportunities for USA football.”

The girls had a lot of knowledge to take away from the event, but this is just the beginning. What they learned at the combine will potentially help them on their journey to a destination that nobody has reached—playing flag football in the Olympics.

“Trust the process,” Williams said. “During the process, you’re going to work, you’re going to keep on getting better. And if you really love it…you’re going to inspire yourself even more every day.”

NIL

Antonio Williams uses his NIL money in the best way possible

While some people hate the NIL era because of what it has done to recruiting and the pureness of that process, you can’t deny that college athletes deserve to make money off their image and likeness and it just needs more regulation. But when players use part of their NIL earnings the way Antonio Williams […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

But when players use part of their NIL earnings the way Antonio Williams did over the weekend.

Williams donated $10,000 to his alma mater over the weekend after hosting his free youth football camp. This is exactly why NIL is necessary because while it benefits players, it also benefits their communities that they give back to.

Clemson receiver Antonio Williams with a $10,000 donation to his H.S. alma mater’s booster club. https://t.co/PGZBCghoxg

— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) June 28, 2025

According to the camp’s website, the Antonio Williams Camp was free and limited to just 200 participants so it was a popular sign-up. His camp focused on football skills, leadership, and motivation and took place on Saturday, June 28.

How can you still have a negative thought about NIL after seeing something cool like this?

Williams may be four years removed from high school, but he didn’t forget where he came from and donated a big check to his alma mater’s booster club. This type of money goes a long way at the high school level and he did this after hosting a free youth camp. This is what a leader looks like.

The talented wide receiver deserves all the good karma and juju heading into the 2025 season and he’s one 1,000-yard season away from being a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The projected first-team All-ACC wideout is also considered one of the top-five receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. When he gets drafted next year, there’s no doubt that him giving back to his community will continue.

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