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NiJaree Canady’s Michael Jordan-like mentality showed against Ole Miss

Why Texas Tech could blow up the 2025 WCWS bracket The Oklahoman’s Jenni Carlson breaks down why Texas Tech and NiJaree Canady will be the team to break the Women’s College World Series bracket this year. Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady led her team to a 1-0 shutout victory over Ole Miss in their Women’s […]

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4 weeks ago

May 30, 2025

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Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady led her team to a 1-0 shutout victory over Ole Miss in their Women’s College World Series debut.
Canady’s dominant performance included 10 strikeouts, including one against Ole Miss’ star pitcher Aliyah Binford.
Canady’s focused demeanor in the circle contrasts sharply with her off-field personality.
Both Texas Tech’s pitching coach and catcher noted Canady’s readiness to dominate before the game.
This win marks the first WCWS victory for Texas Tech and the first shutout debut win since 2005.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sitting in front of microphones and reporters, it would be hard to decipher how NiJaree Canady becomes a completely different person when she’s pitching.

Get Canady in the circle of a softball diamond like she was Thursday night at Devon Park, her demeanor changes. The emotions come out, coupled with screams and elation after strikeouts. Some outbursts are louder than others, usually reserved for special occasions.

Canady saved her biggest “NiJa Stomps”for the seventh inning of Texas Tech softball’s Women’s College World Series game against Ole Miss. The first came for Ole Miss’ two-way star Aliyah Binford, who also pitched a solid game in the 1-0 Texas Tech victory. During Wednesday’s press conferences, Binford took offense to a question about facing Canady, saying she wasn’t intimidated by her.

Binford allowed just four hits and one walk in the circle but struck out for a second time against Canady at the plate to lead off the seventh inning.

The last “NiJa Stomp” came when Canady earned her 10th strikeout to preserve the win. Canady has won plenty in the WCWS, but Thursday marked the first time in her career her team has started the WCWS with a victory. Stanford lost its first games in its two appearances with Canady.

“Lauren (Allred) was just saying it’s my first time too,” Canady said. “It was definitely a goal of mine just to come back and have a day off tomorrow. Definitely huge, so just to be able to give this team a rest is gonna be really good.”

Canady said she and battery mate Victoria Valdez have similar personalities, where the fun comes off the field and it’s business between the lines. Valdez and Tech pitching coach Tara Archibald have spent enough time around Canady to know when she’s locked in.

Each gave head coach Gerry Glasco the same message before first pitch — which came 75 minutes later than scheduled due to a weather delay — that Canady was ready to dominate.

Archibald told Glasco he thought Canady was going to hit 75 miles per hour against the Rebels. Valdez reported that Canady was not someone the head coach needed to worry about, saying “She’s on.”

“When both Tara and Vic give me that report,” Glasco said, “I knew she must have been special in the bullpen.”

Elite players have an innate ability to flip an internal switch when the time is right. ESPN broadcaster Kevin Brown noted the same thing about Canady, how different she is between interviews and pitching against the best teams in the country.

“No matter what sport you just run across people that can turn it up at game time,” Glasco said, “and she’s that player.”

Glasco continued by saying he grew up in Illinois, and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan was known for the same mentality.

“That’s what you see with NiJa,” Glasco said. “It’s amazing her tendencies.”

Players of Jordan’s caliber also have the memory of an elephant. His Airness was famous for even fabricating stories about opponents to give himself a mental edge in the game. Canady’s brain functions similarly.

“She’s remember things, “Glasco said, “and say it out loud and motivate herself. She’s an amazing competitor.”

Those tactics paid off for Texas Tech’s first Women’s College World Series win in program history. It also marked the first time since 2005 that a team making its WCWS won its debut via shutout. That came when Monica Abbot pitched Tennessee to a win in the Vols’ first trip to Oklahoma City.

“NiJa was able to bow her neck,” Glasco said, “and just do what she’s done all year.”

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NIL

Ranking the Top Five WVU Players Who Would Have Broken the Bank in the NIL Era

NIL has changed the game in college athletics in a big way. Not only can athletes earn money from local and national businesses, but they can now be paid directly by the university they attend, thanks to the House Settlement. This got me thinking. Which former West Virginia legends would have made the most money […]

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13 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

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Nov 23, 2012; Ames, Iowa, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Tavon Austin (1) rushes down field against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-Imagn Images / Peter G. Aiken-Imagn Images

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As Jerome Bettis Jr. Starts at Notre Dame, His Father Questions NIL Era

Jerome Bettis lived life as a major college athlete in the early ’90s when he helped form one of the great backfields in the history of Notre Dame football. He then went on to a Hall of Fame NFL career with the Rams and Steelers before retiring and eventually returning to South Bend some 30 […]

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33 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

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Now Bettis is enjoying life on the other side of things, this time as a parent of a Notre Dame football player. Jerome Bettis, Jr. is a freshman wide receiver for the Fighting Irish and is getting set for his freshman year this coming fall.

pic.twitter.com/JcZVgKctla

— Jerome Bettis Jr (@jeromebettisjr) March 17, 2024

The elder Bettis can certainly see differences in college sports now versus when he played for Lou Holtz, and some of them he’s not too fond of.

“One of the first two questions is gonna be money.” Bettis told the Sporting News, “That was never in the equation. What you used to look for is not necessarily the priority as much. That’s the scary part about this new NIL world that these players are living in. The educational side, I think, is now put on the back burner with the understanding that it’s about the NIL and it is about playing time, right? And, I think that’s the way this, it’s kind of been skewed. I’m not a big fan of, kind of how the process is. I understand it,” Bettis told Andrew Hughes.

Don’t get it confused, Bettis isn’t against NIL, but he’s certainly not a fan of the lack of true commitment that comes these days.

“I think the NIL is necessary, but I do believe you’ve gotta find a way to get the players a little bit more commitment, in a sense that, right now, NIL with the transfer portal makes it a free agency fest. I think it really disrupts a young person’s opportunity with the education. Because if I’m transferring year to year, how is the education affected by that? Because ultimately, what I try to make sure of, that the young people understand when I’m talking to them, is that even if you do have an incredible NFL career, you may play eight, 10 years.

Bettis noted that even those with the best NFL careers post-college have a lot of life left following their playing days.

“You’re gonna be 32, 33, 34 years old. That degree is going to be necessary at some point. You have a long life to live. That education with pay dividends and will be a factor. But if you’re not considering it at all, then it can be to your detriment.”

Jerome Bettis runs against Northwestern in 1992

Sep 1992; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Fighting Irish runningback (6) Jerome Bettis in action against Northwestern at Soldier Field. / RVR Photos-Imagn Images

Based on reading the headline on The Sporting News webpage today, I was worried that Bettis was going to come off sounding like an old man yelling at a cloud. I think what he has to say speaks to why Notre Dame is having so much success in recruiting lately, and specifically with sons of former NFL players.

Those guys get what life is like during a pro football career as well as after. At 16 or 17 years old they may think football will last forever, but before you know it, it’s done, and there are decades upon decades left to live and thrive elsewhere.

Having a degree in something other than Underwater Basket Weaving is a key part of the opportunity that is afforded and Bettis probably has experience of former teammates in the pros could have used more of the academic opportunity, and fears those missed chances may only get worse with this generation when they jump from program to program on an annual basis.

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Many college football fans believe NIL is ruining the sport they love. In today’s age, it feels like players have no loyalty and are chasing the biggest paycheck over staying with a program and developing throughout their careers. Despite the criticism of NIL, one of the benefits is that it allows high school athletes to […]

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1 hour ago

June 29, 2025

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Despite the criticism of NIL, one of the benefits is that it allows high school athletes to immediately make money to support their families through things like brand deals. One that has taken advantage of NIL is Adidas, and the company just announced its newest class of football stars to represent the brand.

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!

Adidas Unveils Stacked 2025 NIL Class Featuring Top Football Recruits

Adidas recently announced its 2025 NIL class, featuring six top recruits in the 2026 cycle. Each of these athletes will be featured in brand campaigns for the company throughout their final year of high school.

The class is headlined by five-star Tyler Atkison, the No. 1 linebacker in the 2026 class, and five-star LSU commit Tristen Keys, the No.1 wide receiver in the 2026 class.

I’m blessed to continue #AtkNup with #Adidas.@adidasfootball @adidas @adidasUS @grayson_fb @MilesGarrettTV @On3NIL @On3Recruits @ChadSimmons_ @samspiegs @TomLoy247 @GDPsports @Mhoward38 @MensHealthMag @RecruitGeorgia @jeffsentell @Zack_Poff_MP https://t.co/jNrzB87XRi

— Tyler Atkinson (@Tyler16Atkinson) June 27, 2025

Along with Atkinson and Keys, Adidas class also features four additional top receiver recruits: five-star Ohio State commit Chris Henry Jr, five-star Calvin Russell, four-star Ohio State commit Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, and four-star Texas A&M commit Madden Williams.

It’s a star-studded high school class for Adidas and represents the ever-changing landscape of college athletics in the age of NIL.

While there are obviously downsides to the current NIL system, the fact that these young athletes can sign with a company like Adidas and earn money before they even get to college highlights how NIL can be so special and make massive impacts on these players’ lives.

Every athlete that Adidas signed to this campaign has proven themselves at a high level and are all regarded as some of the best high school football players in the country. They’ve earned the right to be able to make money off of their name, image, and likeness, and Adidas is giving them the platform to do so.

Time will tell if their college careers pan out. Still, they have at least had the opportunity to make life-changing money by signing with Adidas for their senior years and will attempt to solidify their place in college football during the 2026 season.

NIL

Clemson football has 5th-best offense in EA Sports College Football 26

Clemson football fans are gearing up for a huge season but they’ll also be preparing for that kickoff against LSU in two months with some EA Sports College Football 26. Tiger fans will be firing up the game in less than two weeks when it’s released and you know everyone will be choosing Clemson when […]

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1 hour ago

June 29, 2025

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Clemson football fans are gearing up for a huge season but they’ll also be preparing for that kickoff against LSU in two months with some EA Sports College Football 26.

Tiger fans will be firing up the game in less than two weeks when it’s released and you know everyone will be choosing Clemson when they start their dynasties or Road to Glory modes.

If you do pick Clemson, you’ll have the seventh-best overall team in the game (also tied for the second-highest-rated) which features one of the best offenses. Yes, Clemson will have one of the top offenses in the game when it’s usually known for defense.

Clemson will have the No. 5 offense in the game when it’s released with a 89 overall rating, according to a new ratings reveal on Friday.

The most explosive offenses in College Football 26 are here! #CFB26 | @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/EC8BWh8f2X

— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) June 27, 2025

Clemson’s offense is behind only Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, and Arizona State. You could make legitimate arguments that they could be ahead of everyone not named Texas because of the returning production and the fact that the Tigers have the best quarterback in the country but this is a pretty good spot.

Plus, it has LSU at No. 6 which is only going to set up an epic showdown in Death Valley to begin the season as two of the most explosive offenses square off under the lights.

Clemson is surprisingly not the only ACC team to crack the top 10 as Miami also has an 89 rating at No. 10, but the Tigers have more pieces and proven experience.

Raise your hand if you can’t wait until this game comes out.

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After NCAA denied his eligibility request, Louisville’s Aly Khalifa can now play in 2025-26

Aly Khalifa, who was a member of Mark Pope‘s BYU team during the 2023-24 season, will take on his former head coach later this season. On Friday, the Louisville men’s basketball program announced that Khalifa has been ruled eligible for the upcoming 2025-26 season after his original waiver request was denied by the NCAA in […]

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2 hours ago

June 29, 2025

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Aly Khalifa, who was a member of Mark Pope‘s BYU team during the 2023-24 season, will take on his former head coach later this season.

On Friday, the Louisville men’s basketball program announced that Khalifa has been ruled eligible for the upcoming 2025-26 season after his original waiver request was denied by the NCAA in May. Khalifa, a 6-foot-11, 275-pound pass-first center, redshirted the 2024-25 season at Louisville while recovering from knee surgery.

After missing out on the opportunity to face Pope and Kentucky last season (a 93-85 home win for UK), Khalifa will finally have that chance on November 11 when the Cardinals host the Wildcats at the KFC Yum! Center. Admittedly, the video of Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey announcing to the team that Khalifa can play next season is pretty cool.

Khalifa, who hails from Egypt, began his college career at Charlotte for two seasons, where he was named the Conference USA Rookie of the Year in 2021-22. As a sophomore in 2022-23, he had his best statistical season thus far: 11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 28.6 minutes per outing. Not known as the fastest or most athletic player on the floor, Khalifa carved out a role as a playmaker and floor-spreader.

So naturally, once he dipped into the transfer portal in 2023, Pope came calling with plenty of interest. Khalifa signed with BYU and started 26 of 29 games with the Cougars in 2023-24. He was Amari Williams before Pope had Amari Williams — someone who initiated the offense from the high post and helped direct traffic. Khalifa averaged 5.7 points, four assists, and 3.7 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game for BYU.

Khalifa considered following Pope to Kentucky last offseason (a return to BYU was also on the table), but he elected to join Kelsey at the school up the road. Khalifa told KSR during the NCAA Tournament that there we no hard feelings between him and Pope.

“He’s a great coach, that’s what he deserves, that’s what they expect as well from the head coach at Kentucky. It’s his dream job,” Khalifa said in March. “We had a great year last year and this year he’s having a great year. Hopefully it goes on. But I’m not surprised at all. I knew he was gonna be good. He has a lot of great pieces from the portal he got. I wish the best for him.”

The Big Blue Nation should be excited that Khalifa was ruled eligible — there won’t be any room for excuses from Louisville fans when Kentucky wins again this fall.

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‘Wildcard’ USC team is poised to catch college football fans by surprise

Published

2 hours ago

June 28, 2025

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As things stand now for USC, the Trojans are a complete unknown in terms of the national consensus. In a way it’s an advantageous position to be in for the Trojan football program. Those who have been following the team this offseason know the work that the staff and players are putting in. This is a smoother run operation, and coach Lincoln Riley has done a good job of improving on some of the past areas of weakness that prevented his prior teams from achieving their full potential.

Even so, there is not too much that is ever guaranteed in this sport. Everything can be going right, and quite literally anything can quickly derail an entire season. That being said, it has been a while now since USC was able to string wins together at the expected rate. Particularly after the first season of coach Riley, many Trojan fans will be expecting to see a better win-loss record for 2025.

Because of how the more recent seasons went, however, and with all of the outside attention on the 2026 and 2027 classes, there is a great opportunity for the Trojans to catch the college football world off guard this year.

Plenty of USC talent on both sides of the ball

Particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, the Trojan staff has been doing what’s needed to be a more well-rounded opponent this year. Yes, there were many departures from last year. That is true and is the case for all teams nowadays.

The additions of Jahkeem Stewart and J’Onre Reed are examples of moves that are being somewhat overlooked by fans of other teams that will end up paying huge dividends for the Trojans in 2025. Factor in the inclusion of someone like Waymond Jordan and the wide receiving corps of Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, and there is a lot more to be optimistic about how this USC team will compete than what many are letting on.

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