NIL
NIL frustrations mount as Rick Barnes discusses recruiting setbacks for Tennessee
There have been several big-name transfers and recruits Tennessee basketball has been in on this offseason. The Vols landing Nate Ament continues to be news that’s celebrated across the state. However, there have also been players UT has missed out on. The list includes Rodney Rice, who seemed like he’d be a lock to play […]

There have been several big-name transfers and recruits Tennessee basketball has been in on this offseason. The Vols landing Nate Ament continues to be news that’s celebrated across the state. However, there have also been players UT has missed out on.
The list includes Rodney Rice, who seemed like he’d be a lock to play for Tennessee after his buddy Ja’Kobi Gillespie made that call. Rice picked USC, but he wasn’t the only one who spurned the Vols in order to play for another team.
While Barnes didn’t speak about Rice in particular, he did admit this week that there have been several players who have wanted to play for him, but one main thing prevented that from happening: NIL deals offering more money:
Rick Barnes is never one to hide the truth. The head coach spoke on NIL at the Big Orange Caravan.
“We’ve been involved with guys who truly want to come to the University of Tennessee, but they were looking for more money than we were able to provide.” #Vols pic.twitter.com/oh1rWVvuGn
— Reece Van Haaften (@Reece_VH) April 30, 2025
Rick Barnes opened up on NIL forcing him to miss out on top targets
“We have a limit we’re going to,” Barnes said. “It has happened this year. We’ve been involved with guys that truly wanted to come to the University of Tennessee, but they were looking for more money than we were able to provide because of us trying to build our roster the best we could.”
This makes sense. Sometimes, it doesn’t come down to Barnes and his staff not doing a good enough job recruiting a target and selling him on the kind of impact he can make with the program. Instead, it comes down to a different team putting a bigger bag in front of him. We get it, so does Barnes.
According to multiple reports, Rice ended up signing a $3 million NIL package to sign with the USC Trojans. This was a number that Barnes and Tennessee were never going to come close to. Can you blame Rice for taking that kind of dough? Absolutely not.
Rice and others were offered more money to not suit up in Knoxville and at the end of the day, no one can be upset with them over that. This is the new world we live in with college athletics. Barnes knows this is the direction things are going, but at the same time, he’s still done a strong job landing playmakers this offseason and it’s looking to be another strong campaign for the Vols in 2025-26 after an Elite Eight run this past March Madness.
NIL
How much is too much for a HS OT? CFB sources sound off on Jackson Cantwell’s massive NIL deal with Miami
How much is too much to pay for a high school offensive lineman? That’s a question buzzing throughout college football this week on the heels of five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell committing to Miami. The deal, which 247Sports previously reported could approach $2 million a year, allowed the Hurricanes to overtake Georgia for the No. 10 overall prospect in the Top247 and […]

How much is too much to pay for a high school offensive lineman? That’s a question buzzing throughout college football this week on the heels of five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell committing to Miami.
The deal, which 247Sports previously reported could approach $2 million a year, allowed the Hurricanes to overtake Georgia for the No. 10 overall prospect in the Top247 and No. 1 player for the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
It’s a splashy move that seems in line with Miami’s general strategy during the NIL era, which has seen the Hurricanes basically do whatever it takes to land top targets, including Cam Ward‘s $2 million salary and Carson Beck‘s $4 million.
“If you can pay it, do it,” said one SEC director of player personnel. “Go get that guy.”
But college football will soon no longer be in the unlimited NIL era of the sport. Once the House settlement is approved — a decision that could come anytime over the next few days — all future NIL deals more than $600 will be subject to approval from a clearinghouse that will determine whether they meet the standard of fair market value. Schools, at least on paper, will be far more limited in their spending with revenue sharing (expected to be $14 to $16 million for most Power Four football programs) making up the majority of a pseudo salary cap.
That’s the context in which many are looking at Cantwell’s massive price tag and wondering how an unproven high school tackle could be worth it.
NIL
WNBA star Napheesa Collier cements legacy with Jordan Brand deal
Image Image Credit Ellen Schmidt / Stringer via Getty Images Image Alt Napheesa Collier Image Size landscape-medium Image Position center Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is leveling up women’s basketball, and now, she has the ultimate co-sign to cement her legacy. On Friday (May 16), Jordan Brand announced the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the […]

Image

Image Credit
Ellen Schmidt / Stringer via Getty Images
Image Alt
Napheesa Collier
Image Size
landscape-medium
Image Position
center
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is leveling up women’s basketball, and now, she has the ultimate co-sign to cement her legacy. On Friday (May 16), Jordan Brand announced the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year as their newest female athlete to secure a shoe deal.
“All-American. National Champ. Rookie of the Year. All-Star. Mother. Gold Medalist. Founder. All Phee’s ever done is everything,” read the caption to an Instagram post welcoming her to the Jumpman family. The four-time league All-Star was drafted 6th overall in 2019. Her prowess on the court earned her an endorsement deal with Nike in 2020. Through that partnership, she released apparel and the Napheesa Collier x KD 15 ‘Community’ and Napheesa Collier x KD 15 ‘Minnesota Lynx’ sneakers.
Michael Jordan’s support for the WNBA and its emerging stars sealed the deal
In an interview with Sportico, she revealed that Michael Jordan won her over when he pitched the idea of joining Jordan Brand in February. At the time, she was mulling over offers with other companies. However, the fact that the NBA legend appeared at an Unrivaled Basketball League game, where Collier was playing, to express his unconditional support for Collier left a lasting impression. “It’s his brand, but he doesn’t need to be on the ground doing these things. So, for him to come to the meeting and do that was really meaningful. It was awesome,” she said, adding, “This is a partnership that I want to have for the rest of my career.”
Jordan Brand has been a major contributor to revolutionizing brand deals for female players. In 2011, he signed Maya Moore, their first-ever endorsement of a WNBA star. In 2021, the GOAT gave the women’s league even more visibility when he appeared in a campaign celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Jordan Brand aligns with Napheesa Collier’s goal of empowering an era of bold and ambitious girls
“This partnership feels especially meaningful because it connects my performance on the court with impact that extends far beyond the game itself,” the University of Connecticut alum said in a released statement. “When young girls see that iconic silhouette, I want it to inspire them to aim higher than they thought possible. It’s an honor to help carry forward a tradition that seamlessly blends athletic greatness with cultural significance.”
The dynamic forward joined forces with New York Liberty player Breanna Stewart as co-founders of the Unrivaled Basketball League. The fast-paced and highly competitive 3-on-3 format of the game launched its inaugural season in January. Some of the WNBA’s most prominent players, such as Angel Reese, Brittney Griner, and Skylar Diggins, flocked to the off-season opportunity to sharpen their skills and earn six-figure salaries that rival their professional paydays. Collier’s moves on the court and in boardrooms are all about giving female athletes more leverage to get everything they deserve.
NIL
Report: Former Oklahoma State, Utah State player Jarred Shaw arrested in Indonesia, could face death penalty
Taking your career overseas can come with its own risks, going to a new place across the world. Jarred Shaw is now the latest story of that, with the situation he finds himself in over in Indonesia. Per USA Today, Shaw was arrested last week in Jakarta, Indonesia, after authorities found Delta 9 THC, in […]

Taking your career overseas can come with its own risks, going to a new place across the world. Jarred Shaw is now the latest story of that, with the situation he finds himself in over in Indonesia.
Per USA Today, Shaw was arrested last week in Jakarta, Indonesia, after authorities found Delta 9 THC, in the form of cannabis candy, in his apartment there after they were shipped to him. It began with customs officials with his charges now being “in connection with the alleged occurrence of criminal acts in terms of acts of offering for sale, selling, buying, acting as an intermediary in buying and selling, exchanging, handing over, or receiving narcotics,” per the report.
This charge could come with at least a six-year sentence, per the report. It also states there is the possibility of a life sentence, or even the death penalty — which hasn’t been done in about a decade now — if convicted due to the country’s strict drug laws, per the report.
“An offense involving candies containing Delta 9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) implicating basketball athlete JDS was handled by the Narcotics Unit of Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police,” Ronald Sipayung, the Soekarno-Hatta Airport police chief, said, per the report.
With his arrest, the Indonesian Basketball Association has also turned on Shaw. The Tangerang Hawks, whom he was most recently playing for, and who reports allege that Shaw was to share the cannabis with, have ended his deal with the team for breach, while the chairman of the league has since banned him for life.
“We do not tolerate drug use in basketball. Whether players, officials, court personnel or anyone involved with narcotics or similar substances,” Chairman Budisatrio Djiwandono said. “PERBASI fully entrusts this matter to law enforcement.”
A Dallas native who attended Carter High School, Shaw was a former four-star prospect as a Top 125 recruit back in the 2009 recruiting cycle. He’d go on to commit to Oklahoma State to start his collegiate career.
Shaw spent five seasons in college and played in four, with two years apiece at Oklahoma State and Utah State. He’d appear in 102 games, 57 being starts, for the Cowboys and Aggies with 8.5 points (50.8% FG) and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Shaw didn’t play much with the ‘Pokes while in Stillwater, but would post 14.2 points (51.1% FG), 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks after transferring to Utah State. There, he earned one honor as a Second Team All-WAC pick.
Since then, Shaw would play a professional career in the G-League and overseas in countries like Turkey, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, and Lebanon. That most recently landed him in Indonesia in the in Cisauk, Tangerang Regency.
Not everywhere else in the world has similar laws to those in the United States. Those severe ones related to drugs in Indonesia now have Shaw in a very severe, if not possibly life-threatening, situation, depending on how he’s found.
NIL
Rinehart Named Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist
Story Links MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University senior outfielder Jace Rinehart has been named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, as announced by the NCBWA on Thursday. He is one of 67 student-athletes to be named a semifinalist and one of just seven Big 12 representatives. Rinehart is currently […]

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University senior outfielder Jace Rinehart has been named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, as announced by the NCBWA on Thursday.
He is one of 67 student-athletes to be named a semifinalist and one of just seven Big 12 representatives.
Rinehart is currently hitting .347 with eight home runs and a 50 RBI, both of which lead the team. He has also hit 20 doubles this year, the most in the Big 12.
The Mannington, West Virginia native is just the third Mountaineer to be named a semifinalist for the Heisman Trophy of college baseball, joining JJ Wetherholt in 2023 and 2024 as well as Alek Manoah in 2019.
The Dick Howser Trophy, presented by The Game Headwear, is given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987. The trophy is regarded as baseball’s most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage – all qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.
The ’25 news conference with the winner will be held at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, the home of the College World Series, for the 13th year. The winner also will be unveiled on MLB Network in a special national presentation at 9:30 a.m. (CDT) prior to the Friday, June 13, news conference in Omaha at 10 a.m. (CDT) in the Schwab Field Media Room before the first game of the 78th NCAA College World Series.
2024 DICK HOWSER TROPHY SEMIFINALISTS
Pos. Name, School
DH Kuhio Aloy, Arkansas
SS Wehiwa Aloy, Arkansas
SP Kade Anderson, LSU
SP Jamie Arnold, Florida State
SS Aiva Arquette, Oregon State
1B Brady Ballinger, Kansas
SP Tyler Bremer, UC Santa Barbara
SP Harrison Bodendorf, Oklahoma State
RP Kade Brown, Sacramento State
OF Drew Burress, Georgia Tech
OF Robbie Burnett, Georgia
UT Bryce Calloway, New Orleans
SS Roch Cholowsky, UCLA
3B Kerrington Cross, Cincinnati
OF Charles Davalan, Arkansas
2B Ryan Daniels, UConn
SP Liam Doyle, Tennessee
SP Joseph Dzierwa, Michigan State
1B Andrew Fischer, Tennessee
C Ryan Galvan, Texas
SP Trevor Hansen, UC Irvine
3B Ethan Hedges, USC
OF Ike Irish, Auburn
C Grant Jay, DBU
1B Jared Jones, LSU
2B Gavin Kilen, Tennessee
SS Matt King, Arizona State
SP Jake Knapp, North Carolina
SS Justin Lebron, Alabama
3B Kade Lewis, Wake Forest
SP Tommy LaPour, TCU
OF Jace LaViolette, Texas A&M
SS Alex Lodise, Florida State
RP Lucas Mahlstedt, Clemson
SP JB Middleton, Southern Miss
3B Ben Miller, Duke
2B Nick Monistere, Southern Miss
SP Jacob Morrison, Coastal Carolina
OF Mason Neville, Oregon
OF Cameron Nickens, Austin Peay
3B Brady O’Brien, Richmond
RP Ricky Ojeda, UC Irvine
SP Jack Ohman, Yale
DH Jordy Oriach, New Mexico
DH Armani Raygoza, UTRGV
3B Ace Reese, Mississippi State
OF Jace Rinehart, West Virginia
SP Ruger Riojas, Texas
2B Nick Rodriguez, Missouri State
3B Matt Schark, Southern Illinois
C Luke Stevenson, North Carolina
UT Noah Sullivan, Mississippi State
DH Johnny Sweeney, USC Upstate
OF Devin Taylor, Indiana
SP Zane Taylor, UNCW
OF Cardell Thibodeaux, Southern
C Carson Tinney, Notre Dame
2B Cooper Torres, ETSU
OF Gavin Turley, Oregon State
2B Mitch Voit, Michigan
RP Dylan Volantis, Texas
SP Joey Volini, Florida State
2B Kyle Walker, Arizona State
SP Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma
1B Jacob Walsh, Oregon
SS Colin Yeaman, UC Irvine
DH Ryland Zaborowski, Georgia
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
NIL
Analyst Caleb Pressley Rips Tennessee Football’s Nico Iamaleava-NIL Decision, Calls Out Recruiting Failures
Last season, Tennessee achieved its best regular-season record in years and reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in team history. The Volunteers are looking to build upon last season’s successes. However, there are several obstacles to overcome. One of Tennessee’s biggest obstacles is replacing departed talents. The Vols lost some key players, […]

Last season, Tennessee achieved its best regular-season record in years and reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in team history. The Volunteers are looking to build upon last season’s successes. However, there are several obstacles to overcome.
One of Tennessee’s biggest obstacles is replacing departed talents. The Vols lost some key players, including defensive end James Pearce and running back Dylan Sampson. The biggest exit was quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA this spring following a dispute with the team over NIL compensation.

Podcaster and Former QB Caleb Pressley Gives Blunt Take on NIL Drama
Nico Iamaleava’s exit sparked many debates about the impact of NIL on college sports, and former quarterback Caleb Pressley has shared his take on the issue.
“Tennessee is who I grew up on, and they didn’t pay Nico, or that’s a story, they didn’t pay their quarterback.” He said.
“He wanted like $4 million is the story, and they’re giving him two million. And so they said, ‘Get out of here.’ I think it’s crazy. I think pay him. Everyone was on Tennessee’s side, right? Everyone thought Nico’s an idiot, and maybe that’s true, but to me, I would have liked to see Tennessee just pay up,” Pressley explained.
“As a freshman… he beat Clemson in the first time he ever played in the Orange Bowl… he took Tennessee to the playoffs. In my opinion, He’s going to be the overall number one pick, and they’re talking about two million bucks.”
The Vols will begin their 2025 season in Atlanta when they face the Syracuse Orange. This will be the fourth overall meeting between these two sides in a series that Tennessee edges 3-0. It will be the teams’ first matchup since 2001.
Tennessee will enter next season with Joey Aguilar, the former App State transfer that Iamaleava beat out at UCLA as the signal-caller. Aguilar isn’t quite on the same level as Iamaleava, and it remains to be seen if Tennessee made the right decision by not giving the now-UCLA quarterback his demands.
RELATED: Analyst Calls Offseason ‘Strangest in Years’ Following Nico Iamaleava’s Tennessee NIL Dispute, UCLA Transfer
Meanwhile, across the country, new Bruins quarterback Iamaleava will lead UCLA through a schedule that includes Utah, Penn State, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State, Washington, and USC.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
NIL
Kirby Smart Sounds Off on NIL
NIL is affecting every athletic department in the country. Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban is the co-chair of President Trump’s commission studying college sports, with the hope that the committee can find a solution to the growing problem of NIL in college athletics. However, NIL continues to rage on, with the price for five-star […]

NIL is affecting every athletic department in the country. Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban is the co-chair of President Trump’s commission studying college sports, with the hope that the committee can find a solution to the growing problem of NIL in college athletics.

However, NIL continues to rage on, with the price for five-star freshmen going up, and players re-upping contracts every offseason to stay with their current team.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is the latest to warn the college football world about NIL. In a recent interview with Paul Finebaum, Smart sounded off on the current state of college athletics.
“I just want to be able to have freshmen come in and not make more than a senior,” Smart said, “and I’d like for other sports to be able to still survive.”
Smart’s comments come on the heels of five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell choosing the Miami Hurricanes over Georgia. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Cantwell is expected to draw $2.5 million in his first season in Coral Gables.
Smart is cautious about President Trump finding an answer, even with his new committee.
“People have talked about Congress. That’s not easy. Not a lot gets done quickly there.”
Smart also issued a warning about Olympic sports on college campuses.
“You know, we’re probably one to two years away from a lot of schools cutting sports.”
Olympic sports are not typically revenue-driving sports, with several losing money on operations. Football and men’s basketball can keep them afloat, but with the growing costs in the two sports, Olympic sports may begin to get cut for schools to remain competitive in the revenue sports.
Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men’s basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.
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