NIL
Rachel Roupe pushing Liberty softball to new heights
In today’s age of college athletics with the transfer portal and NIL, it is becoming increasingly unusual for a college athlete to stay their entire career at one school. Factor in one of the top athletes in the country competing at a non-Power Four program and it is virtually unheard of for them to not […]

In today’s age of college athletics with the transfer portal and NIL, it is becoming increasingly unusual for a college athlete to stay their entire career at one school. Factor in one of the top athletes in the country competing at a non-Power Four program and it is virtually unheard of for them to not flirt with the transfer portal and a potential big pay day. The expectation is for the athlete to chase the money and spotlight playing at a name-brand school brings.
Enter Rachel Roupe. The Liberty outfielder was a top recruit from Sharpsburg, Maryland in high school, ranked as a top 100 national prospect by Extra-Innings Softball. She committed to and signed with Liberty and head coach Dot Richardson out of high school. As her career progressed, it would have been easy, even expected, for the all-star to test the transfer portal waters, but she elected to stay with the Flames and continue to push the program to new heights.
Roupe attended some of Liberty’s camps while she was younger, and the Liberty coaching staff immediately saw the talent she had. She had opportunities to play for other schools throughout the recruiting process in high school, but Roupe was focused on Liberty and wanted to play for the Flames.
“There were other schools pursuing me, but I wasn’t pursuing them that much,” Roupe said of her recruitment. “I really wanted to come here.”
Originally recruited as a pitcher, Roupe switched to an outfielder late in her high school career, a spot that has stuck through her college career. She has been a starter in right field since she arrived on campus as a freshman in 2022. She earned D1Softball.com National Freshman of the Week honors late in her first season. She would be named second-team all-conference and named to the ASUN All-Tournament team while helping the Lady Flames to the ASUN Championship and a win over Georgia in Regional play. It was the first of four Regional appearances for Roupe and Liberty.
As a sophomore, she took another step being named first team all-conference and earning National Player of the Week during the season. She finished the year batting .317 with nine doubles, two triples, 15 home runs, 50 RBI, and 41 runs scored. Roupe and the Lady Flames received an at-large bid into Regional play where Liberty would take down No. 2 national seed UCLA. Roupe scored both Liberty runs in the 2-1 victory, including her iconic slide in the 7th to score the winning run.
Last year, Roupe and the Lady Flames won CUSA in their first year in the new league and came just one out from eliminating Georgia and winning the Athens Regional. She batted .362 with 17 doubles and 17 home runs to go along with 42 RBI and 48 runs. A now four-time all-conference outfielder, including three straight first team selections, and 2025 CUSA Player of the Year, Roupe saved her best season for last. She has set Liberty program single season marks in home runs and RBI this season.
This past weekend in the College Station Regional, Roupe refused to let her team be eliminated. She had multiple highlight reel plays from her position in right field. She also hit three home runs in the two games on Sunday in the Regional Final against No. 1 Texas A&M. Her grand slam in the first game Sunday gave the Flames a 6-0 lead and felt like at the time it was the punctuation mark on the way to making history and reaching the Super Regionals. That was before the Aggies made a comeback and forced a winner-take-all Game 7 Sunday night. Roupe hit two home runs in the Liberty win, including a three-run shot in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference maker.
“The legacy was so evident,” Richardson said of Roupe following her performance in College Station this past weekend. “For her to have the two home runs she did set the tone. When you have a talented athlete like Rachel Roupe who is locked in, it is historic. That’s what happened, history was made because she lifts up other players on the team.”
Roupe ranks first or second on nearly every offensive statistical category in the Liberty career annals including home runs, total bases, extra base hits, walks and RBI. She’s been to four NCAA Regionals and now prepares to compete in Liberty’s first ever Super Regional. Roupe and the Lady Flames will take on No. 16 Oregon in the best of three Super Regional series beginning Friday night at 10 p.m. from Eugene, Oregon. Two more wins and Roupe will be able to finish her storied Liberty career in the Women’s College World Series.
“She is a pathfinder. She is a pioneer,” said Coach Richardson of Roupe. “That’s what puts a program on the map. She could be anywhere, and she is making her statement here. Right away I knew she was a player I wanted to coach. She is a great role model. That is why I’m so excited for her, proud of her, because she is going to shape the lives of so many people. Young girls look up to her. She is deserving of it. It’s not just on the field; it is off it. She is a superstar.”
Earlier this week, Roupe was named to the Softball America All-American Team as a second team selection. Roupe was one of only three players selected to the first or second team from a non-Power Four conference team. Just a few hours later she was drafted by the Florida Vibe, a professional softball team based out of Bradenton, Florida. Current Liberty head coach Dot Richardson will serve as the Vibe’s head coach beginning this year while former Liberty players Emily Kirby and Kara Canetto play for the Vibe.
Roupe did not chase the money. She did not chase the limelight. Instead, she did the opposite. She stayed true to her commitment to Liberty and Dot Richardson. She sought to bring other top talent from around the country to join her and help build the Flames into that household softball name.
“When God gives you something good, you don’t have to go searching for better,” Roupe said. “The grass isn’t always greener. I’ve heard crazy stories from girls that come from those schools that are here now. It’s like why would I leave what I have now? To have the confidence that my coaches have in me as a player, that is a goal that most players want in their life when they get in a program that trusts them and are going to let them work through kinks or things that aren’t working out. I know they have my back. They’re going to keep putting me in the situation until I succeed. They’ve trusted me. They’ve believed in me, that alone was enough for me to stay.”
When she finally hangs the cleats up for the final time during her playing career at Liberty, she will leave a lasting legacy. Roupe will be a no doubt first ballot Hall of Famer for Liberty Athletics. She will forever be known as one of the greatest to ever suit up for Liberty softball. She will always be linked to the first team to ever reach the Super Regionals. Rachel Roupe. An all-time Liberty great.
NIL
Baseball Earns ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The K-State baseball team was honored for its academic success by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), as the Wildcats received the Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2024-25 season. The award, established in 2016, recognizes high school and college teams coached by ABCA members that achieve a cumulative team GPA […]

The award, established in 2016, recognizes high school and college teams coached by ABCA members that achieve a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale during the academic year. This year, 440 college programs and nearly 300 high school programs were recognized for their academic achievement.
The Wildcats posted a 3.24 team GPA for the 2024-25 academic year, while four student-athletes – catcher Bear Madliak, outfielder Keegan O’Connor, and pitchers Ty Ruhl and Lincoln Sheffield – earned perfect 4.0 GPAs during the spring semester.
K-State was one of nine Big 12 schools to earn the award, marking the program’s second time receiving the honor and the first since the 2016-17 season.
The American Baseball Coaches Association has a long tradition of recognizing the achievements of baseball coaches and student-athletes. The ABCA/Rawlings All-America Teams are the nation’s oldest, founded in 1949, and the ABCA’s awards program also includes the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Awards, the ABCA/Diamond Regional & National Coaches of the Year and several other major awards such as the ABCA Hall of Fame and the Ethics in Coaching Award.
Under seventh-year head coach Pete Hughes, the Wildcats concluded the 2025 season with an overall record of 32-26, including a record-breaking 17 conference victories. K-State advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year, marking the program’s first back-to-back appearances since 2010–11.
NIL
USC’s Alijah Arenas Reportedly Tears Meniscus in Blow to Upcoming Season
Nearly three months after his involvement in a frightening car accident, USC guard Alijah Arenas has reportedly suffered another setback. Arenas has torn his meniscus and is expected to be sidelined for at least six to eight months, according to a Wednesday afternoon report from veteran basketball reporter Chris Haynes. The 18-year-old son of former […]

Nearly three months after his involvement in a frightening car accident, USC guard Alijah Arenas has reportedly suffered another setback.
Arenas has torn his meniscus and is expected to be sidelined for at least six to eight months, according to a Wednesday afternoon report from veteran basketball reporter Chris Haynes.
The 18-year-old son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas is a rising freshman who chose the Trojans over a slew of other top basketball programs, including both Kansas and Kentucky. A native of Oakland who played high school basketball in Los Angeles, Arenas represented the West team in this year’s McDonald’s All-American Game.
On April 24, Arenas was placed into a medically induced coma after a Tesla Cybertruck he was driving crashed and caught fire. Two people pulled him to safety, and he did not suffer any major injuries; he was placed in a coma due to smoke he inhaled in the fire.
USC’s 2026 men’s basketball schedule has not been released, but should begin around early November.
More College Basketball on Sports Illustrated
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Eli Manning Invests in XTech Youth Sports Safety Gear
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion, has made a strategic move into the sports equipment sector by investing in XTech, a company specializing in protective gear for athletes. The investment, announced on July 24, 2025, positions Manning as both a financial backer and brand ambassador for XTech, which is […]


Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion, has made a strategic move into the sports equipment sector by investing in XTech, a company specializing in protective gear for athletes. The investment, announced on July 24, 2025, positions Manning as both a financial backer and brand ambassador for XTech, which is aiming to expand its footprint in the burgeoning youth sports market. This deal underscores Manning’s growing portfolio of post-retirement business ventures, blending his celebrity status with targeted investments in consumer-facing brands.
Details of the investment remain undisclosed in terms of exact figures, but sources indicate it’s part of a broader funding round for XTech, a firm known for its innovative padding and protective equipment used in football and other contact sports. Manning’s involvement comes at a time when the company is pushing to differentiate itself through technology-driven products that emphasize safety and performance, particularly for younger players.
XTech’s Market Push and Manning’s Role
According to a report from CNBC, XTech is leveraging Manning’s endorsement to penetrate the youth segment, where participation in organized sports has seen steady growth despite economic pressures. The company, founded in 2010, produces items like shoulder pads and helmets incorporating advanced materials for better impact absorption, and Manning’s star power is expected to boost visibility among parents and coaches concerned about concussion risks.
Manning, who retired from the NFL in 2020 after a 16-year career, expressed enthusiasm for XTech’s focus on innovation. “I’ve always been passionate about player safety, and XTech is at the forefront of that,” he told CNBC in an interview. This aligns with his personal brand, built on durability and leadership during his Giants tenure.
Broadening Investment Portfolio
This isn’t Manning’s first foray into business. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) from earlier in 2025 highlight his involvement in other ventures, such as joining Brand Velocity Partners in 2022 to advise on brand development, and his role in Omaha Productions, a media company co-founded with brother Peyton that recently reached an $800 million valuation following a venture capital round, as reported by Axios. These moves show Manning diversifying beyond sports commentary into equity stakes.
Additionally, a Bloomberg report from April 2025 noted Manning assembling an investment group to bid for a stake in the New York Giants, though that effort appears separate from his XTech deal. Such activities reflect a trend among retired athletes turning to private equity and startups to maintain influence and generate returns.
Youth Sports Boom and Competitive Edge
The youth sports market, valued at around $19 billion in the U.S. alone, is projected to grow amid increasing parental investment in children’s activities, per data from industry analyses. XTech aims to capture a slice by emphasizing customizable, high-tech gear that meets evolving safety standards from organizations like the NFL and NCAA.
Competitors like Riddell and Schutt dominate the space, but XTech’s niche in premium, performance-oriented products could gain traction with Manning’s backing. As noted in NBC New York coverage echoing the CNBC story, this investment mirrors strategies by athletes like Serena Williams and Kevin Durant, who have funneled capital into wellness and tech brands.
Strategic Implications for XTech
For XTech, Manning’s participation extends beyond capital; his network could open doors to endorsements from current NFL players and partnerships with leagues. Industry insiders suggest this could accelerate XTech’s expansion into international markets, where youth football is gaining popularity in Europe and Asia.
However, challenges remain, including supply chain issues and regulatory hurdles on equipment standards. Still, Manning’s track record—evident in the success of BBQGuys, another Brand Velocity-backed venture he supported—bodes well for XTech’s trajectory.
Long-Term Outlook and Athlete Investments
Looking ahead, this deal highlights the evolving role of celebrity athletes in consumer goods. A report from The Athletic on July 23, 2025, drew parallels between Manning’s career and emerging talents, underscoring his enduring appeal. If XTech scales successfully, it could yield significant returns for Manning while advancing sports safety.
Ultimately, as posts on X from outlets like Front Office Sports illustrate, Manning’s business acumen is reshaping how retired stars engage with industry, potentially inspiring more such partnerships in the years to come. With the sports equipment sector poised for innovation, this investment marks a calculated step in Manning’s post-NFL chapter.
NIL
Carolina Football Sells Out All Tickets Ahead Of 2025 Season
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NIL promises made to recruits, now coaches wait for key decision to learn whether they can keep them – WFTV
LAS VEGAS — (AP) — Next week, college football coaches can put the recruiting promises they have made to high school seniors on paper. Then the question becomes whether they can keep them. Uncertainty over a key element of the $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement that is reshaping college sports has placed recruiters on a […]

LAS VEGAS — (AP) — Next week, college football coaches can put the recruiting promises they have made to high school seniors on paper.
Then the question becomes whether they can keep them.
Uncertainty over a key element of the $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement that is reshaping college sports has placed recruiters on a tightrope.
They need clarity about whether the third-party collectives that were closely affiliated with their schools and that ruled name, image, likeness payments over the first four years of the NIL era can be used to exceed the $20.5 million annual cap on what each school can now pay players directly. Or, whether those collectives will simply become a cog in the new system.
Only until that issue is resolved will many coaches know if the offers they’ve made, and that can become official on Aug. 1, will conform to the new rules governing college sports.
“You don’t want to put agreements on the table about things that we might have to claw back,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day explained at this week’s Big Ten media days. “Because that’s not a great look.”
No coach, of course, is going to fess up to making an offer he can’t back up.
“All we can do is be open and honest about what we do know, and be great communicators from that standpoint,” Oregon’s Dan Lanning said.
Aug. 1 is key because it marks the day football programs can start sending written offers for scholarships to high school prospects starting their senior year.
This process essentially replaces what used to be the signing of a national letter of intent. It symbolizes the changes taking hold in a new era in which players aren’t just signing for a scholarship, but for a paycheck, too.
Paying them is not a straightforward business. Among the gray areas comes from guidance issued earlier this month by the newly formed College Sports Commission in charge of enforcing rules involved with paying players, both through the $20.5 million revenue share with schools and through third-party collectives.
The CSC is in charge of clearing all third-party deals worth $600 or more.
It created uncertainty earlier this month when it announced, in essence, that the collectives did not have a “valid business purpose.” if their only reason to exist was ultimately to pay players. Lawyers for the players barked back and said that is what a collective was always met to be, and if it sells a product for a profit, it qualifies as legit.
The parties are working on a compromise, but if they don’t reach one they will take this in front of a judge to decide.
With Aug. 1 coming up fast, oaches are eager to lock in commitments they’ve spent months, sometimes years, locking down from high school recruits.
“Recruiting never shuts off, so we do need clarity as soon as we can,” Buckeyes athletic director Ross Bjork said. “The sooner we can have clarity, the better. I think the term ‘collective’ has obviously taken on a life of its own. But it’s really not what it’s called, it’s what they do.”
In anticipating the future, some schools have disbanded their collectives while others, such as Ohio State, have brought them in-house. It is all a bit of a gamble. If the agreement that comes out of these negotiations doesn’t restrict collectives, they could be viewed as an easy way to get around the salary cap. Either way, schools eyeing ways for players to earn money outside the cap amid reports that big programs have football rosters worth more than $30 million in terms of overall player payments.
“It’s a lot to catch up, and there’s a lot for coaches and administrators to deal with,” Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti said, noting the terms only went into play on July 1. “But I don’t think it’s unusual when you have something this different that there’s going to be some bumps in the road to get to the right place. I think everybody is committed to get there.”
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, whose program tapped into the transfer portal and NIL to make the most remarkable turnaround in college football last season, acknowledged “the landscape is still changing, changing as we speak today.”
“You’ve got to be light on your feet and nimble,” he said. “At some point, hopefully down the road, this thing will settle down and we’ll have clear rules and regulations on how we operate.”
At stake at Oregon is what is widely regarded as a top-10 recruiting class for a team that finished first in the Big Ten and made the College Football Playoff last year along with three other teams from the league.
“It’s an interpretation that has to be figured out, and anytime there’s a new rule, it’s how does that rule adjust, how does it adapt, how does it change what we have to do here,” Lanning said. “But one thing we’ve been able to do here is — what we say we’ll do, we do.”
___
AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
NIL
Georgia Bulldogs News
Georgia football finally had a good day on the recruiting trail on Wednesday after Rivals updated their recruiting rankings. On top of that, a former Bulldog fan favorite had a lot of positive things to say about his time at Georgia even after transferring away from the program. But the biggest story to drop on […]


Georgia football finally had a good day on the recruiting trail on Wednesday after Rivals updated their recruiting rankings. On top of that, a former Bulldog fan favorite had a lot of positive things to say about his time at Georgia even after transferring away from the program.
But the biggest story to drop on Wednesday came in the form Georgia’s future quarterback having his future NIL deal leaked.
Jared Curtis is coming to Georgia on a cheap NIL deal
Most would assume that five-star QB Jared Curtis would be receiving a pretty hefty NIL deal to come to Georgia. While that is the case, it is nowhere near as large as some other top QBs are receiving.
According to On3, Curtis will make $750,000 during his first season at Georgia in 2026. Now compare that to the roughly $2.6 million Bryce Underwood, who was the No. 1 QB in the 2025 recruiting class, will make on average per year at Michigan and it’s easy to see how great of a deal this is for Georgia.
Curtis will likely make more money as his career at Georgia takes off, but either way the Bulldogs are getting Curtis in Athens on a very team friendly deal.
Georgia still sits atop SEC team recruiting rankings
Alabama and Texas have been the hottest teams in the SEC on the recruiting trail over the last couple weeks. Meanwhile Georgia has only been able to earn a couple commitments. Even though that is the case, UGA still has the No. 1 recruiting class in the SEC after an update to Rivals 2026 recruiting rankings.
The Bulldogs still trail USC for the No. 1 class in the country, but Georgia needs just one more commitment to surpass the Trojans.
Carson Beck finally speaks fondly of Georgia
The relationship between Georgia and Carson Beck has been iffy at best since Beck decided to transfer from Georgia to Miami. However, it appears that Beck has no negative feelings about his time at UGA based on the below statement he made at ACC Media Days this week.
”I wouldn’t be the person or player I am today without Georgia, and I’ll always be a Bulldog, I am very appreciative of my time there.”
Sure Georgia fans may still have some negative feelings towards Beck for the way he left the program, but if he is ready to move on then it is probably best for Georgia fans to as well. Beck did a lot of good things at Georgia, so he should be celebrated for those moments even though his time in Athens didn’t end how anyone expected.
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