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Pete Thamel predicts if House Settlement, new NIL system will even the playing field in college sports

ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke down the latest with the NCAA House Settlement following an agreement this week. Most would want to know with a new allotment of money per school, if it would finally level the playing field around college athletics. This is especially questioned in football where it’s the big boys and everyone else. […]

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ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke down the latest with the NCAA House Settlement following an agreement this week. Most would want to know with a new allotment of money per school, if it would finally level the playing field around college athletics.

This is especially questioned in football where it’s the big boys and everyone else. Not necessarily a sport for underdogs, mostly, at the collegiate level.

Now that the House Settlement has passed, to the tune of nearly $3 billion, Thamel explained how this is going to work exactly. But it won’t stop the big boys from being the big boys.

“That’s a fascinating question, and there are so many variables between what’s being structured and what’s going to actually happen that I’m hesitant to predict an ideal situation,” Thamel said on SportsCenter. “I think the reality for a lot of this is the schools, the big box brands, the ones whose logos you recognize, have always had a competitive advantage for those brands, and how the NIL system is going to be set up, meaning schools can give $20.5 million for their athletes. 

“So in theory, that is going to be evenly spread. But where the competitive advantages go, they used to be about grey areas are now going to be how much outside NIL is going to be available to those athletes.”

With this House Settlement, schools can now directly pay athletes. Prior to this, the NCAA never did nor allowed payments directly to athletes over the last century-plus. As you can see, things have drastically changed in the era of NIL and the transfer portal.

Beginning July 1, schools will be able to share $20.5 million with athletes, with football expected to receive 75%, followed by men’s basketball (15%), women’s basketball (5%) and the remainder of sports (5%),’ as On3’s Pete Nakos pointed out. The amount shared in revenue will increase annually due to this House Settlement.

“You’re not supposed to promise it up front, but look, Texas is going to have more outside NIL available than Louisiana-Monroe as it goes,” Thamel said. “So how those deals are accepted through this NIL clearing house, look, they named a CEO of the College Sports Commission last night, like by midnight, there were a flurry of tweets, and it was like, ‘Hi, I’m your new commission, and this is your new commissioner, and we’re going to run college sports now.’ 

“The old NCAA enforcement model as we knew it is primarily dead. NCAA enforcement still exists for academic cases and fairness of the game cases, as the (Connor) Stalions case in Indianapolis this weekend is going on, but there is a whole new sheriff in town. His name is Brian Seeley, and he comes over for Major League Baseball, and he was hired formally within three hours of the settlement coming. His job and the role of his organization is ultimately going to determine your question of whether this evens the playing field or those advantages still exist.”



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Latest update on NIL lawsuit involving former FSU coach Leonard Hamilton

Former Florida State Men’s Basketball coach Leonard Hamilton was sued in December over unpaid NIL money by former players, who all alleged that Coach Hamilton promised them $250,000. It involved six players from the 2023-24 team: Primo Spear, Jalen Warley, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Darin Green Jr., Josh Nickelberry, and De’Ante Green, but Fletcher has since dropped […]

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Former Florida State Men’s Basketball coach Leonard Hamilton was sued in December over unpaid NIL money by former players, who all alleged that Coach Hamilton promised them $250,000. It involved six players from the 2023-24 team: Primo Spear, Jalen Warley, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Darin Green Jr., Josh Nickelberry, and De’Ante Green, but Fletcher has since dropped out of the lawsuit.

It’s an interesting case, as there was nothing signed pertaining to the “promised” NIL money, with it supposedly coming from some of Coach Hamilton’s “business partners,” not a fund like Rising Spear. When those funds that were guaranteed weren’t delivered on, all of those players left the program.

READ MORE: Pistons, Ex-FSU Basketball star under investigation for gambling

Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton

Mar 11, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton signals to his team during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The lawsuit received an update on Monday, according to Matt Baker of The Athletic, as a Leon County judge denied Coach Hamilton’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The hearing now has a tentative date of August 2026, more than a year from now, as they try to work to find more facts related to the case.

According to Baker’s initial report, “The players are suing Hamilton for breach of contract, promissory estoppel, fraudulent misrepresentation and fraudulent inducement, and negligent misrepresentations. They asked for a trial by jury, $250,000 in compensatory damages for each plaintiff and ‘punitive and exemplary damages to assist in deterring and preventing similar conduct in the future.’”

Hamilton announced his intention to step down as Florida State’s coach in February, and officially stepped down after the season, ending a run in Tallahassee that lasted more than 20 years. One of his former players, Luke Loucks, was named as his successor, who hopes to reignite the program that found a lot of success under Hamilton in the late 2010s, especially.





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Venmo announces NIL deal with Texas Tech softball’s NiJaree Canady

NiJaree Canady on Texas Tech softball’s series win over Oklahoma State NiJaree Canady on Texas Tech softball’s series win over Oklahoma State NiJaree Canady continues to expand her business portfolio after a successful year with the Texas Tech softball team. Venmo announced Tuesday that Canady is one of three athletes from the Big 12 Conference […]

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NiJaree Canady continues to expand her business portfolio after a successful year with the Texas Tech softball team.

Venmo announced Tuesday that Canady is one of three athletes from the Big 12 Conference who have landed name, image, and likeness deals with the money app. She’s joined by TCU women’s basketball player Oliva Miles and Arizona State football quarterback Sam Leavitt as players who will serve as brand ambassadors for Venmo’s Big 12 and school-branded debit cards.

According to the news release, Canady, Miles and Leavitt will receive a portion of their NIL payments into their personal Venmo accounts and show off how the cards work.

“I take pride in helping pave the way for the next generation of female athletes,” Canady said in the news release. “This partnership with Venmo will help create real financial empowerment for athletes, and I’m excited to help them break new ground as part of it.

“I already use Venmo all the time, and now with the Texas Tech Venom Debit Card, it will be easier than ever to put my NIL earnings to work in ways that matter to me and support Red Raider Nation at the same time.”

In addition to her NIL deals with the Matador Club, Canady had also previously landed deals with equipment companies Easton and Rawlings as well as being part of Team Mahomes, the Patrick Mahomes-led NIL group through adidas.

Canady helped the Red Raiders make a long list of historic achievements in her first season in Lubbock. She personally earned pitcher of the year awards from the Big 12 (conference) and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (national) and the Honda Award for softball. Canady wound up being a Top 3 finalist for the overall Honda Award, given each year to the top female athlete in the country.

As a team, Texas Tech earned Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles, hosted a regional, won a Super Regional series and advanced to the championship series of the Women’s College World Series before falling to Texas in Game 3.



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3 Kentucky Football Rankings to Get You Fired Up For Talking SZN

One week from today, hundreds of overweight Diet Coke addicts will step out of the Atlanta heat and into a frosty 62-degree College Football Hall of Fame to share what they think about SEC football ahead of the 2025 season. If that doesn’t romanticize the event enough to get you ready to run through a […]

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One week from today, hundreds of overweight Diet Coke addicts will step out of the Atlanta heat and into a frosty 62-degree College Football Hall of Fame to share what they think about SEC football ahead of the 2025 season.

If that doesn’t romanticize the event enough to get you ready to run through a brick wall, KSR has scoured the internet to find some takes that could raise your blood pressure. Some Kentucky football fans love to play the disrespect card. If you’re like Benny Snell and eagerly awaiting the opportunity to light some preseason rankings on fire, it’s time to find a match.

Where Kentucky Ranks in the FBS

College football power rankings are imperfect. That’s at least what I think about FPI. Personally, I’m more of an SP+ guy. Kentucky ranks No. 34 and 43 in each respective preseason power ranking.

Phil Steele doesn’t need a power ranking. All he needs is a mustache filled with decades of football knowledge. In his college football preview magazine, Steele ranked every FBS team from 1-136. The Wildcats are No. 50. Ouch.

There’s only one other SEC team ranked outside of the Top 40. Mississippi State is No. 55.

SEC Quarterback Rankings

Steele’s system is not one that produces a lot of fodder during Talking SZN. Nothing hits quite like a debate over SEC quarterbacks.

Hope springs eternal for college football fans during Talking SZN. Much of that belief is put on the shoulders of a signal-caller. Do you value returning experience, or is new guy going to solve all of the program’s problems?

This year, there are seven returning starting quarterbacks in the SEC. Four players were high school recruits who bought time as backups at their school. Five projected starters are transfers, but in the case of John Mateer, he’s a starter who will have the same play-caller.

Friend of the program, SEC Mike, shared his quarterback rankings over the weekend. While you will probably quickly scroll to the bottom to find Zach Calzada at No. 16, a spot he will frequent in many of these rankings, I’m more interested in what the ranker values. It’s clear returning starters are at the top of his pecking order, while transfers are in the cellar. That’s not always how things shake out.

@MichaelWBratton

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board.

Best SEC Stadiums

There’s an old well you can always go back to during Talking SZN. “What’s the toughest place to play?” The SEC is home to some of the best venues in college football. Kroger Field can get rocking in the right setting, but you will never see it near the top of one of these lists. Even though Chris Phillips is from the Palmetto State, he is 100% correct one one very specific take: Williams-Brice Stadium doesn’t get enough credit for being one of the most difficult places to play in the league.



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Ratings for Every Ohio State Player in EA Sports College Football 26

Early access for EA Sports College Football 26 has officially begun, and Ohio State’s roster is full of highly rated players. Headlined by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (98) and safety Caleb Downs (96), the two highest-rated players in the entire game, Ohio State has six players with ratings of 90 or better. Wide receiver Carnell Tate […]

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Early access for EA Sports College Football 26 has officially begun, and Ohio State’s roster is full of highly rated players.

Headlined by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (98) and safety Caleb Downs (96), the two highest-rated players in the entire game, Ohio State has six players with ratings of 90 or better. Wide receiver Carnell Tate and tight end Max Klare both have 91 overall ratings while linebacker Sonny Styles and cornerback Davison Igbinosun each have ratings of 90.

The Buckeyes are tied with Clemson for the fourth-most players in the video game with ratings of 90 or better. Penn State leads all schools with nine players in the 90+ club while Alabama and Texas each have eight.

Fourteen members of Ohio State’s 2025 roster have ratings of 85 or better on the launch rosters for EA Sports College Football 26, also including cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (88), running backs James Peoples (87) and CJ Donaldson (86), quarterback Julian Sayin (85), left tackle Ethan Onianwa (85), defensive end Beau Atkinson (85), defensive tackle Eddrick Houston (85) and middle linebacker Arvell Reese (85).

The full list of ratings for Ohio State players in EA Sports College Football 26, sorted by position, can be found below. Fake players who were added to the game by EA Sports and do not exist in real life are listed in italics.

Quarterback

  • Julian Sayin: 85
  • Lincoln Kienholz: 80
  • Tavien St. Clair: 80

Halfback

  • James Peoples: 87
  • Jayson Ball: 87
  • CJ Donaldson Jr.: 86
  • Bo Jackson: 80
  • Sam Williams-Dixon: 76

Fullback

Wide Receiver

  • Jeremiah Smith: 98
  • Carnell Tate: 91
  • Brandon Inniss: 80
  • Mylan Graham: 78
  • Quincy Porter: 78
  • Bryson Rodgers: 76
  • De’Zie Jones: 72
  • Bodpegn Miller: 71

Tight End

  • Max Klare: 91
  • Will Kacmarek: 82
  • Jelani Thurman: 82
  • Bennett Christian: 79
  • Nate Roberts: 75
  • Max LeBlanc: 71
  • John Ferlmann (LS): 56

Left Tackle

  • Ethan Onianwa: 85
  • Ian Moore: 75
  • Carter Lowe: 74

Left Guard

  • Luke Montgomery: 78
  • Eric Neaves: 76
  • Devontae Armstrong: 69
  • Jake Cook: 69

Center

  • Carson Hinzman: 81
  • Joshua Padilla: 73

Right Guard

  • Tegra Tshabola: 80
  • Christopher McLaughlin: 73
  • Gabe VanSickle: 71
  • Julian Goines-Jackson: 67

Right Tackle

  • Austin Siereveld: 78
  • Phillip Daniels: 76
  • Deontae Armstrong: 73

Left Defensive End

  • Kenyatta Jackson Jr.: 84
  • Caden Curry: 81
  • Zion Grady: 74
  • Eric Mensah: 74

Right Defensive End

  • Beau Atkinson: 85
  • C.J. Hicks: 83
  • Logan George: 77
  • Joshua Mickens: 77
  • Dominic Kirks: 74

Defensive Tackle

  • Eddrick Houston: 85
  • Kayden McDonald: 80
  • Tywone Malone Jr.: 80
  • Jason Moore: 77
  • Jarquez Carter: 73
  • Trajen Odom: 72

Left Outside Linebacker

Middle Linebacker

  • Arvell Reese: 85
  • Blake Carney: 79
  • Payton Pierce: 74

Right Outside Linebacker

  • Sonny Styles: 90
  • Garrett Stover: 74
  • Riley Pettijohn: 73
  • Tarvos Alford: 72

Cornerback

  • Davison Igbinosun: 90
  • Jermaine Mathews Jr.: 88
  • Lorenzo Styles Jr.: 79
  • Aaron Scott Jr.: 78
  • Trayvon Fuller: 77
  • Justin Grimes III: 76
  • Bryce West: 76
  • Miles Lockhart: 71

Free Safety

  • Caleb Downs: 96
  • Kaleb Gaffney: 80
  • DeShawn Stewart: 71
  • Leroy Roker III: 66

Strong Safety

  • Malik Hartford: 79
  • Jaylen McClain: 77
  • Keenan Nelson Jr.: 76
  • Cody Haddad: 71

Kicker

  • Jayden Fielding: 74
  • Jackson Courville: 73
  • Casey Magyar: 67

Punter

  • Joe McGuire: 76
  • Anthony Venneri: 74 (Note: Venneri is included on Ohio State’s game roster despite transferring to UCF.)
  • Nick McLarty: 71

Eleven members of Ohio State’s freshman class, including five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez, are currently missing from Ohio State’s roster in EA Sports College Football 26. Other scholarship players absent from the launch roster are quarterback Eli Brickhandler, wide receivers Dave Adolph and Damarion Witten, offensive lineman Justin Terry, defensive tackle Will Smith Jr. and linebacker Ty Howard. Players could still be added to the game, however, as EA Sports will update the game’s rosters throughout the year.

As a team, Ohio State is one of seven teams with an overall rating of 88 along with Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Clemson and Texas A&M. Alabama (89) is the only team with a higher overall rating.

Ohio State is tied with Texas, Penn State and Arizona State for the highest offensive rating (91) in the game. The Buckeyes’ defensive rating of 92 ranks them behind Alabama, Texas and Penn State and is tied with five other teams – Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, LSU and Texas Tech – for fourth-best in the game.

Early access to EA Sports College Football 26 is now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S to those who purchased the Deluxe Edition of the game. The standard edition of the game will be released Thursday.



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Texas Tech softball's NiJaree Canady lands NIL deal for Venmo's Big 12

NiJaree Canady continues to expand her business portfolio after a successful year with the Texas Tech softball team. Venmo announced Tuesday that Canady is one of three athletes from the Big 12 Conference who have landed name, image, and likeness deals with the money app. She’s joined by TCU women’s basketball player Oliva Miles and […]

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Texas Tech softball's NiJaree Canady lands NIL deal for Venmo's Big 12


NiJaree Canady continues to expand her business portfolio after a successful year with the Texas Tech softball team.

Venmo announced Tuesday that Canady is one of three athletes from the Big 12 Conference who have landed name, image, and likeness deals with the money app. She’s joined by TCU women’s basketball player Oliva Miles and Arizona State football quarterback Sam Leavitt as players who will serve as brand ambassadors for Venmo’s Big 12 and school-branded debit cards.

According to the news release, Canady, Miles and Leavitt will receive a portion of their NIL payments into their personal Venmo accounts and show off how the cards work.

“I take pride in helping pave the way for the next generation of female athletes,” Canady said in the news release. “This partnership with Venmo will help create real financial empowerment for athletes, and I’m excited to help them break new ground as part of it.Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady watches the NCAA softball tournament selection show, Sunday, May 11, 2025, in the south end zone building of Jones AT&T Stadium.“I already use Venmo all the time, and now with the Texas Tech Venom Debit Card, it will be easier than ever to put my NIL earnings to work in ways that matter to me and support Red Raider Nation at the same time.”Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

In addition to her NIL deals with the Matador Club, Canady had also previously landed deals with equipment companies Easton and Rawlings as well as being part of Team Mahomes, the Patrick Mahomes-led NIL group through adidas.

Canady helped the Red Raiders make a long list of historic achievements in her first season in Lubbock. She personally earned pitcher of the year awards from the Big 12 (conference) and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (national) and the Honda Award for softball. Canady wound up being a Top 3 finalist for the overall Honda Award, given each year to the top female athlete in the country.

As a team, Texas Tech earned Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles, hosted a regional, won a Super Regional series and advanced to the championship series of the Women’s College World Series before falling to Texas in Game 3.

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Athletes Who Competed in Two Sports at Kentucky

Matt Ponatoski could join an exclusive club not just at Kentucky, but in all of college athletics. On Sunday, he became the highest-ranked player to commit to Nick Mingione’s baseball program, and also gave Mark Stoops a Top 10 quarterback in the 2026 recruiting class. The talented athlete from Cincinnati Moeller intends to play both […]

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Matt Ponatoski could join an exclusive club not just at Kentucky, but in all of college athletics. On Sunday, he became the highest-ranked player to commit to Nick Mingione’s baseball program, and also gave Mark Stoops a Top 10 quarterback in the 2026 recruiting class. The talented athlete from Cincinnati Moeller intends to play both sports at Kentucky.

“I’m going to try and do both for as long as possible,” he said. “The goal for me is to be drafted in both [sports]. It sounds crazy, but Kyler Murray did it not too long ago.”

It’s a tall task, but he might be cut out for the job. Here are the few that have dabbled on both during their time in Lexington.

Kentucky’s Original Multi-Sport Star

You will not find a more accomplished athlete to ever suit up for the University of Kentucky than Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones. The Harlan native scored 1,151 points while winning two National Championships and an Olympic Gold Medal for Adolph Rupp. He also starred for Bear Bryant’s Wildcats and was an All-American in both sports. During his free time, he was a pitcher and first baseman for the baseball team. He is the only player with his Kentucky jersey retired in both football and basketball.

Close, but No Cigar

There were a number of players who planned on playing two sports, and for a myriad of reasons never suited up for two teams.

Dennis Johnson and Tim Couch were Hal Mumme’s two stars in the late 90s. Bill Keightley had a jersey ready for them, but Mumme did not want his stars to get injured while pressing in Rick Pitino’s practices.

Around that same time, Jared Lorenzen’s Highlands teammate Derek Smith was the Wildcats’ star tight end who succeeded All-American James Whalen. He caught 89 passes for 1,224 yards and nine touchdowns over three years. Once his football career ended, he played college hoops for NKU, who was Division II at the time.

Lonnell Dewalt claims the honor for the most ferocious dunk in KHSAA Sweet 16 history. He started his career on the football field and set an unbreakable record by blocking seven kicks in 11 games. Unfortunately, it was a short-lived career. He was academically ineligible and only lasted in Lexington for one season.

Ravi Moss was a walk-on for Tubby Smith who came off the bench and regularly knocked down big shots. Once his football eligibility expired, he planned on joining Rich Brooks’ football team. After two spring practices, he had a change of heart and joined a barnstorming and autograph tour with other former Kentucky basketball players. Over the summer, he changed his mind again. Since he accepted money on that autograph tour, the NCAA handed him a 6-game suspension, effectively ending his football career before it started.

Kentucky Stars in the 70s

Darryl Bishop was the first African-American to play for the Kentucky freshman basketball team. The Louisville Seneca product appeared in five varsity games before focusing on football. It was a wise career choice. He still holds the Kentucky career interceptions record (14) and has the most tackles ever by a Kentucky defensive back (348).

Similar to Bishop, Derrick Ramsey appeared in just two Kentucky basketball games before turning his attention to football. He served as the starting quarterback for two of the most successful seasons in Kentucky football history, guiding the Wildcats to an 8-4 record and a Peach Bowl victory in 176, followed by 10-1 campaign in 1977.

The fall and spring schedules make baseball and football the best tandem for two-sport players. There have been a few exceptional talents in recent memory.

Steve Phillips caught a touchdown pass from Freddie Maggard in 1989. He spent four years on the gridiron, then joined the baseball team for one season before getting drafted by the New York Yankees. Vince Harrison was a wide receiver who caught five passes and two touchdowns in 1998-99 while playing in the infield for Keith Madison. Brian Adams was a pass-catcher who had eight receptions for 69 yards from 2010-11, while playing in the infield at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

There were two Kentucky starting quarterbacks who spent a few years dabbling on the diamond. Pookie Jones ran the triple option for Bill Curry in the early 90s. Over three years, he threw for 3,459 yards and rushed for 854 yards with 29 total touchdowns. He was selected in the 14th round of the 1994 MLB Draft and spent three years grinding in the Minor Leagues. Jones picked up the football one more time and played for the Louisville Fire in the Arena Football League.

Shane Boyd did quite a bit of juggling during his time at Kentucky. He played a little wide receiver, but also shared quarterback duties with Jared Lorenzen and Andre Woodson between 2001-04. He had 13 career passing touchdowns, 13 rushing touchdowns, and one receiving touchdown. Boyd had a strong arm that Coach Madison used as a reliever during his time on the diamond.

The Most Recent Two-Sport Athletes at Kentucky

Ben Jordan spent a couple of seasons pitching for the Kentucky Wildcats. The 6-foot-9 athlete walked onto the basketball team for the 2019-20 season. As the world began to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, he died unexpectedly in January of 2021.

Jordan Anthony was one of the nation’s top sprinters when he committed to Kentucky. The wide receiver appeared in a few games during his freshman season, but did not record any statistics. He was much more successful in track, setting the Kentucky freshman record in the 60 meters while earning All-American honors.

His focus was more on track than football, which ultimately led him to the transfer portal. He caught 11 passes over two seasons at Texas A&M and Arkansas, including a touchdown last fall for the Hogs. Earlier this month, he won an NCAA Championship in the 100 meters (10.07). One day later, Anthony signed with Adidas to pursue a professional track career.



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