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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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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 had NIL been a thing during their playing days?

Before I get into my top five, I want to make it known that I tried to include some defensive players, but there was just no room. Plus, we all know skill players on offense are the ones who typically make the most money.

Honorable mention: RB Avon Cobourne, WR Stedman Bailey, LB Darryl Talley, CB Aaron Beasley.

Peter G. Aiken-Imagn Images

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

I know what you’re thinking..what?!? Fifth?!? As special as Tavon Austin was, wide receivers just aren’t valued as much as quarterbacks, of course. Don’t get me wrong, he was widely viewed as one of the most electrifying players in college football during his playing days, but his national audience really exploded after his senior year when the “Only One” highlight video went viral. Tavon would have made a lot of money, but probably not as much as his quarterback.

Peter G. Aiken-Imagn Images

Nov 23, 2012; Ames, Iowa, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) drops back to pass against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. West Virginia defeated Iowa State 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-Imagn Images / Peter G. Aiken-Imagn Images

Speaking of the guy who threw it to Tavon, Geno checks in at No. 4. Heck, you could make a case that he should be a spot higher, but I’ll explain my reasoning for that here in a second. Geno was one of the most accurate quarterbacks in college football and wasn’t afraid to take shots downfield. Other schools would have been doing everything they could to pry him out of Morgantown if the NIL era were during his time. Could you imagine the type of money that would have been thrown at him after the Orange Bowl? Holy smokes.

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Dec 1, 2007, Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back (10) Steve Slaton runs in the Mountaineers 13-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers at Mylan Puskar Stadium. Duhart recovered the fumble. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Slaton is the highest-ranked non-QB on this list. I have him just ahead of Geno because he was, after all, an All-American and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2006. You also have to keep in mind how valuable running the football was in the early 2000s. With the numbers he posted in ’06, it would have made it very difficult for WVU to keep others away.

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Dec 27, 2008; Charlotte, NC, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Pat White (5) speaks to the fans while holding the game most valuable player award after his teams win over the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Meineke Car Care Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. West Virginia defeated North Carolina 31-30. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Had Pat White arrived in Morgantown, say, 10 years later, he would have been viewed as a first-round draft pick. When he came out, the NFL hadn’t really opened up to the idea of smaller, mobile quarterbacks, and yet he still went in the second round. White was an unstoppable force during his college days and would have had some massive offers after the Sugar Bowl, let alone after the Fiesta Bowl, when schools could have tried to take advantage of Rich Rodriguez leaving for Michigan.

Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Oct, 1988; Morgantown, WV, USA,FILE PHOTO; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Major Harris (9) on the sideline during the 1988 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images / Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

“The Maj” was truly ahead of his time. He was a unique talent back in the 80s, as dual-threat quarterbacks were more of a rarity. All of the blue bloods would have done everything they could to try to get their hands on the unicorn at the most prized position. This is what puts Major ahead of Pat (on this list) for me. He would have had more value because there was nothing else like him in college football. As far as who the greatest Mountaineer ever is? That’s a different debate, and one I’m not taking a side on. Sorry.

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Q&A with UCF athletics director Terry Mohajir

FRISCO, Texas — It’s been a busy time for UCF athletics director Terry Mohajir, who has been working through the seismic changes associated with the college landscape due to the NCAA v House settlement. The Sentinel caught up with Mohajir at this week’s Big 12 Media Days to discuss several topics. Here is an abbreviated […]

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FRISCO, Texas — It’s been a busy time for UCF athletics director Terry Mohajir, who has been working through the seismic changes associated with the college landscape due to the NCAA v House settlement.

The Sentinel caught up with Mohajir at this week’s Big 12 Media Days to discuss several topics. Here is an abbreviated version of that conversation:

Revenue-sharing kicked off on July 1. What has the process been like so far at UCF?

“We’ve been working on it for almost a year and a half, so we’ve had a lot of different plans and strategies. During this whole process, we still didn’t know all the terms of the House settlement. About a month before the settlement was signed, we had a pretty good idea, but it’s been such a fluid process. We received new guidance almost weekly over the past year and a half about things they were going to do or things they were considering. It was a lot of ups and downs. I think we’re prepared and ready, and feel good about our direction.”

You’re covering the full $20.5 million revenue pool, correct?

“Yes. We’re covering the full rev-share. We worked hard at that. Next year it goes up 4% so we’ve got to put together a plan for next year.”

Florida’s Board of Governors approved an amendment that would allow public institutions like UCF to dip into auxiliary funds to help cover the cost of the revenue-share pool. Do you plan to take advantage of that rule?

“We were involved in that process. It’s another option for funding, but you have to have the funds to fund it. We’ll work with our university and we’ll be strategic about it. It’s another option to take advantage of it if you have the funds.

“We have no shortage of ideas on how to use the funds, but you have to have funds readily available that aren’t already allocated for something else. Because even in auxiliary funds, the color of money inside an auxiliary fund may be designated for a certain area that you’re not allowed to use.”

Brett Yormark eyes enhanced role for Big 12 in College Football Playoff landscape

Under the House settlement, name, image and likeness (NIL) deals are processed through a new program in NIL Go, which serves as a clearinghouse for these deals. How has that gone so far in the process?

“We’ve already put five deals through there. Four have been approved and one is pending. The range has been $600 to $10,000 and we’ve had a $10,000 deal go through so far.

“It’s working [the process] and it’s doing what it’s supposed to do, that’s why I’ve been so optimistic about this new age of college athletics and this new age of college sports. The College Sports Commission that we have, I think it’s working. So, we’ll see. We’re doing it the right way and hopefully everybody continues to do so and follows the terms of this House settlement.”

What are the latest updates on the ongoing construction projects?

“As far as I know, we’re still on track. I haven’t heard anything different, and I think we’re in good shape.”

Are there other projects that you’re working on as well?

“We’re moving along the promenade from Ken Dixon Way to the stadium. Then, we’re creating another pathway from behind the soccer field and the parking garage, which will run from the Village area to help move fans along. They don’t want to walk in the grass and stuff.

“We hired a company to do a master plan for us for athletics to reimagine the whole athletics village area. That’s everything from baseball to softball, the whole space.”

The school revealed new uniforms for this upcoming football season. What’s been the reaction?

“Contrary to what people think, I do not pick the uniforms each week. I let the coaches and the team’s leadership handle all that. My primary goal is to adhere to the black and gold theme. We have such great colors. I want us to stick with black uniforms as much as possible. … You look at our league, they all want black uniforms. Those who don’t have black in their palette wish to be black. So we’re very fortunate to have that.

“Our design team is working with Nike and they’ve done a great job. We still have some more reveals to go, which I think our fans will like.”

Have there been discussions about doing a Space Game Trophy for the Houston game?

Scott Frost: Low expectations for UCF are chance to embrace underdog role

“We’re open to anything. Whenever you’re looking at that kind of content, you want to monetize it. Do we want to relinquish our university designation to share it with someone else? Because if you have an annual space game, you have to play it annually and that’s not a guarantee. We didn’t play Houston last year, so that would mean we would have to rotate. I mean, as much as we’re open to it, I’m not sure if it’ll really works.”

Commissioner Brett Yormark discussed the possibility of playing more international games. Are you in favor of such a move?

“I have raised my hand like [Arnold] Horshack from ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ every time they talk about international games. Yes, absolutely.

“The biggest thing for us is we don’t want to give up a home game, because we’re so dependent on our football game receipts. Obviously, some of the other schools have different types of funding models at their university, so they might be willing to give up their home game, but I think there’s a real, real opportunity.”

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.



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Mike Gundy points to moment when he realized NIL wouldn’t ‘go away,’ forcing Oklahoma State coach to adapt

Mike Gundy is finally coming around on NIL and revenue-sharing after years of hesitation, but the longtime Oklahoma State football coach didn’t have much choice. Schools are now forced to adapt to the rapidly evolving college football landscape or risk being left behind. Initially, Gundy, like many of his peers, hoped these changes were temporary […]

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Mike Gundy is finally coming around on NIL and revenue-sharing after years of hesitation, but the longtime Oklahoma State football coach didn’t have much choice. Schools are now forced to adapt to the rapidly evolving college football landscape or risk being left behind. Initially, Gundy, like many of his peers, hoped these changes were temporary — a passing trend that wouldn’t fundamentally alter how college football operates. But the momentum kept building and the landscape kept shifting. 

What once seemed like a distant possibility became an urgent necessity: embracing NIL, aggressively managing transfers and investing in new strategies to keep programs competitive. The recent House v. NCAA settlement — which ushers in an era of direct revenue-sharing with athletes — only reinforced the reality that college football is now a business, and coaches like Gundy can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines.

“I almost just thought, ‘This will go away. Surely this can’t last,'” Gundy told On3 this week at Big 12 Media Days. “And then it just kept building momentum. And then after a point, about 18 months ago, I said, ‘This is not going away. We’re going to have to make some real adjustments here.'”

Oklahoma State welcomed 41 incoming transfers as part of its 2025 class. That tied for the third-largest haul of any Power Four program this cycle. And it’s more than the total number of incoming transfers Oklahoma State had across the previous six cycles since the NCAA transfer portal debuted in October 2018.

‘I get it’: Mike Gundy unfazed by pressure as grizzled Oklahoma State coach stares down make-or-break season

Shehan Jeyarajah

'I get it': Mike Gundy unfazed by pressure as grizzled Oklahoma State coach stares down make-or-break season

What finally pushed Gundy to shift his philosophy?

“So, the truth be known, this portal class from January is the first class that we ever bought,” Gundy said. “We’d not bought portal kids. That hurt us the last year or so from a depth standpoint.”

That hard lesson came during Oklahoma State’s disastrous 2024 season, when the Cowboys stumbled to a 3-9 record and missed a bowl game for the first time in nearly two decades. It was an obvious low point for a program known for winning in the Gundy era.

“And that was nobody’s fault,” Gundy admitted, acknowledging that his refusal to spend on portal players had backfired. “That’s not the administration’s fault, not the donors’. That was really kind of my fault because what I had done was taken money that had been raised through donations and spread it amongst the troops somewhat evenly to the current players. We didn’t go out and solicit players and pay them to come to our team. We did that starting in December, which, I think we all would agree, if you don’t do that, you’re not going to survive.”

Despite the large volume of incoming transfers, Oklahoma State ranks No. 32 nationally in the portal team rankings for the 2025 class and fifth in the Big 12.





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Polarizing CFB Head Coach Calls for Salary Cap

The landscape of college sports appears to be changing daily and one of the most polarizing head coaches in college football is calling for more changes to help deal with revenue sharing and NIL payments. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is advocating for a salary cap to provide an even playing field in a sport […]

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The landscape of college sports appears to be changing daily and one of the most polarizing head coaches in college football is calling for more changes to help deal with revenue sharing and NIL payments.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is advocating for a salary cap to provide an even playing field in a sport that is new to paying athletes.

“I wish there was a cap,” Sanders said during the Big 12 media days this week. “Like, the top-of-the-line player makes this, and if you’re not that type of guy, you know you’re not going to make that. That’s what the NFL does.

“So the problem is, you got a guy that’s not that darn good, but he could go to another school and they give him a half million dollars. You can’t compete with that. And it don’t make sense.”

Sanders, who is now in his third year with the Buffaloes, is looking for a system that resembles the NFL.

“I wish it was truly equality,” he said. “Now they go back to doing stuff under the table. They go back to the agents. Now you’ve got parents trying to be agents, you’ve got the homeboys trying to be agents, you’ve got the friends trying to be agents. You got a lot of bull junk going on. And quite frankly, we’re sick of it. I’ll say it for everybody: We’re sick of it.”

Starting on July 1, 2025, universities were allowed to start sharing revenue with student-athletes for the 2025-26 school year, per the House Settlement. Schools can share up to $20.5 million with a majority of athletic department expected to allocated 75 percent of that with the football program, including at Pitt.

However, programs will still work with third-party NIL collectives to bring in bigger deals for student-athletes that can surpass the revenue-sharing money. ‘NIL Go’ was created by the College Sports Commission and Deloitte to help ensure fair market value for deals.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker





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Deion Sanders Advocates For Salary Cap In College Football | News

To keep college football competitive, Deion Sanders is advocating for a salary cap for the sport. During the Big 12’s Media Day on Wednesday (July 9), Coach Prime expressed his concern about the financial landscape of college football and the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) on competition. “I wish there was a cap. […]

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To keep college football competitive, Deion Sanders is advocating for a salary cap for the sport.

During the Big 12’s Media Day on Wednesday (July 9), Coach Prime expressed his concern about the financial landscape of college football and the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) on competition.

“I wish there was a cap. The top-of-the-line player makes this, and if you’re not that type of guy, you know you’re not going to make that. That’s what the NFL does,” Sanders explained. “So the problem is, you got a guy that’s not that darn good, but he could go to another school and they give him a half million dollars, and you can’t compete with that. And it don’t make sense.”

“All you have to do is look at the playoffs and what those teams spend, and you understand darn near why they’re in the playoffs,” he continued. “It’s kind of hard to compete with somebody who’s giving $25 to $30 million to a freshman class. It’s crazy.”

Coach Prime also spoke about tampering with rosters and backroom deals, which he claims are ruining the sport.

“I would see a player and see he got an offer from another school, and I’m trying to figure out how is that possible when the guy isn’t in the portal? How is that?” Sanders said. “Now, if that was one of my players, y’all would be all over it. I’m trying to figure out how can somebody say, ‘You’ve got a $5 million offer.’ How? And the kid isn’t in the portal. We need to be upright and upstanding.”

“I wish it was truly equality. Now they go back to doing stuff under the table. They go back to the agents. Now you’ve got parents trying to be agents, you’ve got the homeboys trying to be agents, you’ve got the friends trying to be agents,” Sanders continued. “You got a lot of bull junk going on. And quite frankly, we’re sick of it. I’ll say it for everybody: We’re sick of it.”

Many took issue with Sander’s stance on a college football salary, arguing that his views are filled with hypocrisy. Noted journalist Rob Parker said Sanders was “ludicrous” for his salary cap remarks.

“Shame on you for being a hypocrite,” Parker said on his podcast ‘The Odd Couple with Rob Parker and Kelvin Washington’. “Did you call for a cap when the coaches were making $20 million, $18 million? Where was the coach’s cap? Is it fair that Nick Saban was making a gazillion dollars off the kids’ backs?”

“Where was that cap, Deion? How come you didn’t call for this when your boys, your kids, were in college? Shedeur, why didn’t Shedeur give the money back and say, ‘You know what, I’m just playing for the hell of it? My dad’s a former NFL player, we got loot, I don’t need money,” Parker continued. “‘I’m here to play football.’ Did Shedeur take the money? This is ludicrous.” 



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BBC retains rights to major UK athletics events in five

The BBC UK public-service broadcaster will continue to air the country’s biggest athletics events after securing a new five-year rights deal with Athletic Ventures, UK Athletics’ (UKA) commercial joint venture alongside London Marathon Events (LME) and Great Run Company (GRC). The deal, running until 2029, covers live and highlights rights and will see the broadcaster air […]

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BBC retains rights to major UK athletics events in five

The BBC UK public-service broadcaster will continue to air the country’s biggest athletics events after securing a new five-year rights deal with Athletic Ventures, UK Athletics’ (UKA) commercial joint venture alongside London Marathon Events (LME) and Great Run Company (GRC).

The deal, running until 2029, covers live and highlights rights and will see the broadcaster air competitions including the Diamond League’s London Athletics Meet, the UK Athletics Championships, and the UK Athletics Indoor Championships on its linear channels, iPlayer streaming service, and BBC Sport website.

UKA chief executive Jack Buckner said: “This five-year deal is testament to our long-term vision and the proven appetite for athletics in this country. In an increasingly competitive sports market where broadcast opportunities can be short-term or uncertain, this extended partnership with BBC Sport provides exciting continuity for the sport, our athletes, and our fans.

“The BBC remains the gold standard in reach and coverage, and this agreement ensures British athletics will continue to have a strong, consistent platform to engage millions of viewers across the UK.”

The new deal builds on UK Athletics’ previous deals with the broadcaster, including a six-year agreement that ended in 2020, worth around £3 million ($3.8 million) per year.

Since then, the BBC has signed short-term rights deals with UK Athletics to cover its events in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The new deal also adds to the BBC’s portfolio of athletics rights, including the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships, European Athletics Championships, Diamond League, and London Marathon.

The first event under the new contract will be the Diamond League’s Novuna London meet on July 19 at the London Stadium.

Athletic Ventures was formed last year to support the continued promotion of athletics in the UK.

Specifically, it functions as the organizer of London’s annual Diamond League athletics meetings and next year’s European Athletics Championships, which will be held in Birmingham, England. It is also responsible for the UK’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

As a commercial joint venture, it mainly works to secure brand partners for all three bodies, allowing potential investors to sponsor events from the grassroots level up to the elite tier.

Meanwhile, the bidding process for the 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships opened last month, with the pre-qualification form submission deadline for both events earmarked for October 1.

UK Athletics announced its intention to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships in March, alongside the UK Sport national body.


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Breaking Down the Best Ways to Use NIL and the Transfer Portal to Build a Powerhouse in …

EA Sports College Football 26 just changed everything. The NIL deals hit different, the transfer portal actually works, and building a dynasty feels real again. This isn’t just “CF25” with a fresh coat of paint. This is where you can finally turn recruiting into an art form and watch your program transform overnight. Want to […]

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Breaking Down the Best Ways to Use NIL and the Transfer Portal to Build a Powerhouse in ...

EA Sports College Football 26 just changed everything. The NIL deals hit different, the transfer portal actually works, and building a dynasty feels real again. This isn’t just “CF25” with a fresh coat of paint. This is where you can finally turn recruiting into an art form and watch your program transform overnight.

Want to dominate? You need to master these tools. Whether you’re chasing five-star recruits or finding hidden gems in the portal, “CF26” gives you the power to build something special.

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How Does EA Sports College Football 26’s New Dynasty Mode Change Everything?

The dynasty mode in EA College Football 26 isn’t just polished. It’s completely reinvented. What used to feel routine now feels alive and unpredictable. EA finally fixed two of the biggest issues that held CFB25 back: the broken trophy system and a dull transfer portal.

The biggest upgrade is how the transfer portal works. YouTuber C4 did a breakdown, showing how much it can shake up your team.

In College Football 26, you’re not just recruiting. You’re managing a constantly changing roster. Players leave for better opportunities, and others suddenly become available. Depending on your coaching strategy, the portal can improve your team overnight or leave you scrambling to fill gaps.

Why Is the Transfer Portal So Much Better Than CF25?

In last year’s edition, building a powerhouse at a small school was easy. Now it takes real effort to keep your best players from jumping ship. The good news? You now get real stats, not just overall ratings.

That quarterback from a Sun Belt team who threw for 4,000 yards? You can see his numbers, scout him properly, and drop him straight into your starting lineup.

Visits now depend on where players are from, and you can approach them differently. You can go all-in on high school scouting, work the portal like a pro, or find the right balance between the two. That balance is where real dynasties are built.

RELATED: Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy Gets Makeover in EA Sports College Football 26 After Pushback Against Original Depiction

In CFB26, it’s not about chasing stars. It’s about making smart, timely moves and understanding how to pitch your program. The portal becomes a chess match where timing matters as much as talent evaluation.

What Makes Coaching Personalities and NIL So Game-Changing?

Coaches have personalities now, and it shows in how teams play. Some coaches go for it on fourth down, some love to chew the clock, and others bring fast-paced offenses. With the coaching carousel in full swing, big-name coaches can leave or arrive at any time, changing a program’s style overnight.

Your coach build matters if you want to create something special in CFB26. A recruiting-heavy coach gives you an edge, from winning NIL battles to pulling stars from the portal and locking down elite classes. This approach lets you compete with the big programs for top talent.

EA Sports College Football 26 doesn’t just bring dynasty mode back. It takes it to a new level. Every season feels different, and every decision counts. For the first time in a long time, you’ll feel like you’re truly building a college football legacy.

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