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Reese Atwood, ex-coach deny report connecting them to Texas Tech, NIL

Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American-Statesman  |  Hearst – Austin Transition Texas softball catcher Reese Atwood isn’t going anywhere. An article published Thursday afternoon by Softball on SI reported the rising senior was contacted by Texas Tech’s NIL collective the Matador Club or her former travel softball coach, Nathan Nelson, about transferring to Lubbock.  “Reese never got […]

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Texas softball catcher Reese Atwood isn’t going anywhere.

An article published Thursday afternoon by Softball on SI reported the rising senior was contacted by Texas Tech’s NIL collective the Matador Club or her former travel softball coach, Nathan Nelson, about transferring to Lubbock. 

“Reese never got a phone call,” Nelson, coach of Texas-based Hotshots Fastpitch, told the Austin American-Statesman on Friday afternoon. Atwood, in a text message to the American-Statesman, denied that there was any tampering with her former coach.

Nelson in the article was accused of working with the Matador Club to bring players to Tech. He has alumnae that play for TTU but told the Statesman he denies the allegations raised in SI’s report, which cited an unnamed softball player’s parent who alleged he offered cash earlier this spring for a transfer to Tech.  

“That did not occur,” Nelson said. 

The report alleges that Nelson and the Matador Club have acted as a third parties to help Tech coach Gerry Glasco circumvent rules prohibiting contact with players at other schools. The article was based on conversations with six different softball programs and 10 sources, SI reports. But Nelson said most of the time he and his alumnae — including Atwood, who played four seasons for Nelson — would speak, they were discussing technique or tips, not transfers. 

“How does my swing look? A certain pitch is being thrown at me, (how do I adjust)?” Nelson told the American-Statesman.

Tech has drawn attention of many in softball after reeling in almost a half-dozen talented transfers just days after the softball season ended. He denies any early or inappropriate contact.

“All I can speak for are my alumni,” Nelson said. “There were kids that were already in the portal… so I was involved in those conversations. I did contact them and told the third-party management (trying to recruit them) that I did not want to give out their numbers, that I would handle it myself. I called them (former players) and they have the right to say yes or no. Two of them said ‘no thank you, not interested,'” Nelson  said.

Nelson said he does not know anyone at the Matador Club. A request for comment from the Matador Club about their recruiting practices and SI’s report did not draw a response Friday.

Reese Atwood shoots down report of possible transfer talk

The report listed Atwood among eight star players who had allegedly been reached out to on Tech’s behalf.

“I was never contacted by Nathan Nelson regarding anything related to playing softball at Texas Tech… I won’t be responding to any further comments about a false article,” Atwood said via text. 

Atwood, a Sandia native, has become one of the top catchers in college softball. Her two-out, two-RBI single, in what was supposed to be an intentional walk, gave the Longhorns the lead, and the eventual win in Game 1 of the Women’s College World Series finals. Her work behind the dish also earned Atwood a first-team All-American nod. 

She hit .393 this season with an .504 OBS and a team-high 21 home runs and 89 RBIs.

“They call travel ball coaches, us, people they trust… that’s my conversations and my communication lines with my girls,” Nelson said. 

Third parties, have reached out to Nelson, he said. At least one group has asked for phone numbers for his former players, but he said he does not provide that information freely.

He said he would be a buffer between the players and those groups.

Nelson had 22 former players appear in the Women’s College World Series, including Atwood and members of Texas Tech’s team. According to unnamed sources in Softball on SI’s story, Atwood, Taylor Pannell (who committed Thursday to play for the Red Raiders), Isa Torres, Dakota Kennedy, Kasidi Pickering, Maci Bergeron, Dez Spearman, and Tori Edwards were names that Nelson or Matador, allegedly contacted. 

However, Kennedy, Bergeron, Spearman and Edwards, are not Nelson’s former players. Nelson told the Statesman that any contact information for Pannell came from her parents. 

“For Maci and Tori, there names shouldn’t have been in there (the story) at all. To have to explain to their coaches why their names are in there is completely unfair,” said Nelson. 

Tech has been busy since losing to Texas

Since the championship game eight days ago, the Red Raiders signed five transfer portal prospects: Pannell (Tennessee), infielder Mia Williams (Florida), two-way player Kaitlyn Terry (UCLA), infielder Jackie Lis (Southern Illinois) and catcher/utility Jasmyn Burns (Ohio State). All but Burns, an All-American, made it to Oklahoma City with their respective teams

Glasco, known for an aggressive approach to taking in transfers since his days with Louisiana, could not contact players during the WCWS because NCAA rules prohibit coaches from contacting the player of a rostered opponent unless permission is granted or a player is already in the portal. But the Matador Club can. 

Thursday’s addition of Pannell, a star third baseman who played at Tennessee, seemed to draw a rebuke from Lady Vols coach Karen Weekly.

“I think we can all agree on 2 things: 1) women making money in sports is awesome and long overdue; 2) contacting players (directly or indirectly) before their season ends and signing them to NIL deals before they enter the portal is wrong. Money isn’t the issue – tampering is!” the veteran coach posted Friday on social media.

It’s unclear if the NCAA will investigate any transfer activity.

A non-profit, Matador Collective helped bring pitcher NiJaree Canady from Stanford, where she led the Cardinal to back-to-back trips to OKC, to Lubbock with a $1 million NIL deal in 2024. She signed another seven-figure deal during the WCWS Finals. While Canady boasted the second-lowest ERA in college softball  at 1.11 and hit 11 home runs and 34 RBIs, Tech’s lack of depth in the circle played a role in its demise in Game Three of the title series. 

One thing seems clear: No matter who Tech adds, Atwood is staying put. 

Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.





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Every Ohio State offensive player rating in ‘College Football 26’

It’s almost here. Yes, college football season would fit that description, and by extension, the Ohio State football season, but we’re talking about the release of EA Sports back by popular demand and NIL pondering, “College Football 26.” Leading up to the mass release on July 10, but those who bought the Deluxe edition have […]

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It’s almost here. Yes, college football season would fit that description, and by extension, the Ohio State football season, but we’re talking about the release of EA Sports back by popular demand and NIL pondering, “College Football 26.”

Leading up to the mass release on July 10, but those who bought the Deluxe edition have access as of Monday. So, with it, we have a look at what all of the player ratings are, and that includes each and every Ohio State football player in the game.

We already know, based on previous information released by EA Sports, that Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs are the two highest-rated players in the game, and that Ohio State is the No. 3 ranked squad in the game, but now we get an under-the-hood look at each rating.

Here’s a look at every position group and the Ohio State football player ratings for each on the offensive side of the ball. We’ll bring you the defensive player ratings on Tuesday, so check back.

Quarterbacks

The ratings from highest to lowest

This makes sense here. Though there is a quarterback battle ongoing between Sayin and Kienholz, it would be a pretty major surprise if Kienholz came out of it as the starter with the hype and skills the former 5-star recruit Sayin possesses. If anything, Kineholz should probably be rated a little higher than the freshman St. Clair.

Running Backs

The ratings from highest to lowest

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

No issue with this at all. Peoples and Donaldson will most likely be used as a tandem just like TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins were last year. Carries should be split pretty evenly, but we’ll see how it all plays out when the season gets rolling.

Wide Receivers

The ratings from highest to lowest

  • 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

I am often amazed at how realistic these ratings are from EA Sports. They really do their homework, and I have no issue here with the top six. Maybe Mylan Graham should be a little higher, but the pecking order makes a lot of sense.

Tight Ends

The ratings from highest to lowest

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

Klare is clearly the class of the tight ends and is rated as such. However, I don’t know that the game is giving the next two guys — Kacmarek and Thurman — their due and think they should be rated a wee bit higher than 82. It’s hard to argue too much with where this stands, however.

Left Tackle

The ratings from highest to lowest

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

This actually lines up quite well with what we project with the two-deep offensive depth chart, so no complaints here. It’s really hard to get a massive rating as an offensive lineman in the game, and that’s reflected here.

Left Guard

The ratings from highest to lowest

  • Luke Montgomery | 78
  • Devontae Armstrong | 69
  • Jake Cook | 69

Montgomery makes sense here, but during spring, we didn’t see either of the Armstrong twins really make a move. Don’t be surprised if Devontae is further behind on the depth chart here. The rating makes sense, but not sure someone else won’t be slotted in as backup should they be needed.

Center

The ratings from highest to lowest

  • Carson Hinzman: 81
  • Joshua Padilla: 73

Hinzman will start, so that makes sense, but the 81 rating is a bit low considering the experience and how he played at the end of last year. I expect an All-Big Ten type of year from him.

Right Guard

The ratings from highest to lowest

  • Tegra Tshabola | 80
  • Gabe VanSickle | 71
  • Julian Goines-Jackson | 67

The depth here is thin, but it is on the roster as well as what many consider the weakest link on the offensive line. No issues from us, but as we stated in our offensive depth chart projection, someone (Ian Moore perhaps) could slide down the line and take Tshabola’s spot if there are issues during the season.

Right Tackle

The ratings from highest to lowest

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

Siereveld’s rating is way too low based on what we’ve heard from the coaching staff, but the order and depth look pretty good. With the praise he’s drawing, Siereveld could be a breakout star on the offensive line, and you definitely feel better about this spot than right guard.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.



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Troubling NIL deal, Kirby Smart message, 5-star woes

It’s been a few days now since Georgia football has earned a commitment, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a lot of important updates on the recruiting trail. This is especially the case with the best players in the country who Georgia is aggressively pursuing. So let’s dive right in and discuss three important […]

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It’s been a few days now since Georgia football has earned a commitment, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a lot of important updates on the recruiting trail. This is especially the case with the best players in the country who Georgia is aggressively pursuing.

So let’s dive right in and discuss three important updates, beginning with the No. 1 linebacker in the country.

Georgia hits potential speed bump in Tyler Atkinson’s recruitment

Georgia’s top remaining target in the 2026 class is five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. A commitment date isn’t none for Atkinson yet, but many experts believe that Georgia is the current team to beat. But a new NIL deal that Atkinson signed could be changing that.

Atkinson is one of six top high school recruits who have just signed an NIL deal with Adidas. The reason this could be a problem for Georgia is because they wear Nike gear, not Adidas.

The good news for Georgia is that every other finalist in Atkinson’s recruitment (Clemson, Oregon, Texas and Ohio State) are all Nike schools as well. There are also examples of current college football players who have an NIL deal with Adidas even though their team wears Nike gear. But this latest NIL deal is a small reason for Georgia fans to be a little worried in Atkinson’s recruitment.

Kirby Smart wants the No. 3 EDGE bad

One of Georgia’s top targets in the 2027 recruiting class was made abundantly clear earlier this week. David Jacobs Jr. is a four-star EDGE and the No. 12 overall player in the country according to On3. Jacobs is also from the Peach State, so it isn’t surprising to find out how badly Kirby Smart wants him in Georgia’s recruiting class. But Jacobs recently was quoted stating the last message Smart shared with him.

“He (Smart) was like, ‘Lock me in, your future head coach.’”

It will be interesting to see how this recruitment plays out over the next year, but Georgia has a great chance to strike gold if Smart is taking this much of an interest in Jacobs’ recruitment.

Texas Tech moving past Georgia for top ranked recruit

The No. 1 recruit in the 2027 recruiting class is LaDamion Guyton who just so happens to be from the state of Georgia as well. Everyone knows this means Georgia will have a great chance to win this recruitment, and that was confirmed when 247Sports originally logged a prediction for UGA to win this recruitment.

Georgia however no longer appears to be trending for Guyton anymore as Rivals insider Sam Spiegelman placed a prediction on Monday for Guyton to commit to Texas Tech instead.

Who knows how accurate this prediction is, but seeing Guyton trend to any school not named Georgia is a little concerning. Thankfully there is still plenty of time in Guyton’s recruitment, so Georgia will have many opportunities to surpass the Red Raiders by the time his recruitment comes to an end.



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College basketball too

The transfer portal has closed, the NBA draft is complete and the pieces are mostly in place for the coming men’s college basketball season.We previously did our too-early Top 25 preseason rankings after Florida finished as national champions in April. Now three months later, we revisit whether the Gators and others have moved up or […]

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College basketball too


The transfer portal has closed, the NBA draft is complete and the pieces are mostly in place for the coming men’s college basketball season.We previously did our too-early Top 25 preseason rankings after Florida finished as national champions in April. Now three months later, we revisit whether the Gators and others have moved up or down in our projections.

Unsurprisingly, the list is mostly filled with teams from the Big 12, Big Ten and SEC but the top half of the rankings have a balanced spread across the five major conferences, portending a wide-open race for who will be crowned national champion in Indianapolis at the end of the season. For reference, the previous rankings are in parenthesis.

1. Houston (1)The defending national runner-up loses stalwarts L.J. Cryer and J’Wan Roberts but is poised to make another run to the title game behind one of the top recruiting classes in the country, led by five-star forward Chris Cenac Jr. and guard Isiah Harwell. Returning contributors include guards Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp and frontcourt defensive standout Joseph Tugler.Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach are off to the NBA along with Tyrese Proctor, but Jon Scheyer put together another top recruiting class. Next year’s group will be led by wingers Cameron and Cayden Boozer, the twin sons of former Blue Devils star Carlos Boozer. Also arriving are guards Dame Sarr and Sebastian Wilkins. They’ll join several veterans who opted to return, including Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster.3. Connecticut (3)Three in a row wasn’t in the cards, but a third title in four years isn’t out of the question for UConn. Liam McNeeley is gone after just one year in Storrs, but reinforcements are coming for Danny Hurley, whose top-five recruiting class features a pair of McDonald’s All-Americans and an international prospect from Down Under. Post man Eric Reibe and guard Braylon Mullins comprise the domestic talent, and Australian wingman Jacob Furphy will arrive in the States this summer. Georgia transfer Silas Demary will provide even more backcourt depth. In addition, veteran forward Alex Karaban and rising junior Solo Ball return.Connecticut forward Alex Karaban (11) dribbles the ball against Alabama during the national semifinals of the 2024 NCAA men's basketball tournament at State Farm Stadium.4. Purdue (11)The news that rising seniors Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn would be back along with sharpshooter Fletcher Loyer vaulted the Boilermakers into the top spot in the Big Ten projections for 2025-26. The veteran-laden team with league title and Final Four potential also returns C.J. Cox and Gicarri Harris, and big man Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State) arrives via the portal to provide the low-post presence that was lacking in 2024-25.5. Florida (8)All-America guard and Final Four MVP Walter Clayton will be hard to replace. Backcourt mate Elijah Martin and Will Richard are also gone, but the Gators will defend their title with most of their inside players returning. Thomas Haugh, Micah Handlogten, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu are all back. Denzel Aberdeen was a key reserve who should pick up more minutes, and the arrival of transfers Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Princeton) means there should be little to no drop-off in perimeter production.6. Michigan (9)Despite losing its top three players, things could get even better in year two for coach Dusty May in Ann Arbor thanks to a huge haul in the transfer portal. Yaxel Lendeborg (Alabama-Birmingham) elected to forgo the NBA for another year and should thrive in the Wolverines’ system. The newcomers also include point guard Elliott Cadeau (North Carolina) and frontcourt players Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and Aday Mara (UCLA). Michigan also brings in an impact freshman in combo guard Trey McKenney and another top-100 recruit in Winters Grady.7. Brigham Young (5)After making the Sweet 16 for the second time since 1981, BYU is poised for a big year with the arrival of hyped freshman AJ Dybantsa. He’ll join a rotation that lost point guard Egor Demin to the NBA but brings back Dawson Baker and forwards Richie Saunders and Mihailo Boskovic. If Dybantsa is as good as expected, the Cougars could be a serious threat for the Final Four.8. Alabama (6)The Crimson Tide should again be among the SEC favorites. Losing catalyst Mark Sears puts pressure on the backcourt to replicate his scoring production and leadership, but the return of guard Lebaron Philon for a sophomore season will help. Aden Holloway should take up much of that slack as well, along with Miami (Fla.) transfer Jalil Bethea. Inside additions Noah Williamson (Bucknell) and Taylor Bol Bowen (Florida State) should take on big roles.Alabama guard Labaron Philon (0) drives the ball against LSU during the second half at Coleman Coliseum.9. St. John’s (13)Now that Rick Pitino has instilled the work ethic needed to bring the Red Storm program back to prominence, he hopes the shooters he’s brought in via the portal will improve the team’s accuracy. Bryce Hopkins (Providence) should provide an immediate boost in that regard if he can stay healthy, with Joson Sanon (Arizona State) and Ian Jackson (North Carolina) adding back-court depth. Big East player of the year R.J. Luis is gone and Simeon Wilcher transferred out, but Zuby Ejiofor is back to anchor the interior.

10. UCLA (4)Mick Cronin has put together a transfer class that should make the Bruins one of the best teams in the Big Ten. The biggest addition is point guard Donovan Dent from New Mexico, who led the Mountain West with 20.4 points per game this season and may have been the best overall player in the portal. Another three incoming transfers join a roster headlined by returning starters forwards Eric Dailey Jr. and Tyler Bilodeau.11. Louisville (10)While several key pieces behind last year’s rebound under coach Pat Kelsey have been lost to graduation, Louisville was a sought-after destination for a strong transfer class. The impact newcomers include Isaac McKneely from Virginia, Ryan Conwell from Xavier and Adrian Wooley from Kennesaw State. The Cardinals will add another perimeter threat in freshman Mikel Brown and will get a boost from the return of big man Aly Khalifa, who redshirted last season after knee surgery.12. Texas Tech (7)Texas Tech’s roster has taken shape after reigning Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin and guard Christian Anderson opted to return to Lubbock. This pair will set the pace for another run at the Final Four after coming up one win shy this March. The Red Raiders’ transfer haul includes sharpshooting guards Donovan Atwell (UNC Greensboro) and Tyeree Bryan (Santa Clara) along with forward LeJuan Watts (Washington State) and center Luke Bamgboye (Virginia Commonwealth).13. Iowa State (14)A very deep roster took a hit with Eastern Washington transfer Mason Williams needing hip surgery that is likely keeps him out for the season.. But Iowa State has the bodies to replace that projected production and make a March Madness run. Newcomers such as forwards Blake Buchanan (Virginia) and forward Eric Mulder (Purdue-Fort Wayne) and a highly rated recruiting class will join holdovers in Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic to make the Cyclones a national player.14. Kentucky (16)Getting leading scorer Otega Oweh back in the fold for another year will keep the Wildcats in the mix for the SEC crown under second-year coach Mark Pope. One huge factor that could determine where Kentucky lands is the health of sophomore transfer Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State), one of the top prospects in the nation and a potential difference-maker on the defensive end. Quaintance injured his knee last season but is expected to be ready in the fall. Kentucky also upgraded its backcourt by adding Jaland Lowe (Pittsburgh) and Denzel Aberdeen (Florida).Kentucky guard Otega Oweh (00) drives to the basket against Troy forward Jackson Fields (15) during their first-round game of the 2025 NCAA men's tournament at Fiserv Forum.15. Tennessee (19)Tennessee is looking at a roster overhaul with just one returning starter in center Felix Okpara. The Volunteers need to land production in increased action from forwards Cade Phillips and J.D. Estrella while blending in point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Maryland), guard Amaree Abram (Louisiana Tech) and forward Jaylen Carey (Vanderbilt). Tennessee will also lean on a really strong traditional recruiting class starring five-star forward Nate Ament.16. Wisconsin (19)Wisconsin will build around guard John Blackwell, who took his name out of the draft in favor of another year in Madison. He’ll team with former Florida Atlantic and San Diego State guard Nick Boyd will form one of the top backcourts in the Big Ten. The Badgers also brought in a deep threat in wing Andrew Rohde (Virginia) and a very promising young big man in sophomore Austin Rapp (Portland), the reigning West Coast Conference rookie of the year.17. Arizona (23)Guard Jaden Bradley will be one of the best players in the Big 12. Returning role players in forward Tobe Awaka and guard Anthony Dell’Orso add experience and production after last year’s Sweet 16 berth. But the Wildcats are going to be young, with six freshmen among the seven new additions to the roster. Included in this group are prized recruits Dwayne Aristode and Koa Peat.18. Gonzaga (20)Even though Mark Few is losing his strong backcourt of Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman and Khalif Battle, the frontcourt is made up of a group of stars. Graham Ike is back and is a conference player of the year contender. He’ll be paired with Braden Huff, but the real key is the addition of Grand Canyon transfer Tyon Grant-Foster, a 25-year-old perennial scorer that could be the playmaker for the Zags. Former Big Sky player of the year Steele Venters will finally suit up after missing back-to-back seasons with injuries, putting the Bulldogs in great position for their final year in the West Coast Conference.19. Arkansas (12)The momentum from the Sweet 16 run should continue for John Calipari as he was able to bring back some last year’s core. D.J. Wagner and Karter Knox stayed but the Razorbacks took a hit when Adou Thiero decided to go to the NBA. Still, Calipari brings in another talented recruiting class, headlined by guard Darius Acuff Jr., who has SEC freshman of the year potential. Other incoming freshman Meleek Thomas could provide solid production off the bench.20. Creighton (21)Greg McDermott knew replacing Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth was the top priority, and he brought in transfers that should keep the Bluejays among Big East contenders. Iowa transfers Josh Dix and Owen Freeman will assume the leadership, while guard Nik Graves (Charlotte) and forward Blake Harper (Howard) will be X-factors after they each led their previous schools in scoring last season. Plus, you can’t forget the potential from Serbian 7-foot freshman Aleksa Dimitrijevic.

21. Kansas (17)

There were plenty of swings and misses by Bill Self in the transfer portal as he was unable to add a big-time playmaker. He was able to salvage it by bringing Tre White from Illinois and Jayden Dawson of Loyola-Chicago. Still, the Jayhawks await the arrival of top recruit Darryn Peterson. He has top NBA draft pick potential and he will join sophomore forward Flory Bidunga, who saved the offseason by choosing to stay in Kansas. The Jayhawks still feel like a bit of a mystery of whether it’ll be a boom or bust season.

22. Michigan State (15)

The Spartans will have to replace their top production as Jase Richardson’s jump to the NBA means last season’s top three scorers are gone. Michigan State played a deep rotation, so experience isn’t a big issue. Jeremy Fears Jr. will have to assume a bigger role and Carson Cooper will have to be a force down low. They’ll get help in Coen Carr and Jaxon Kohler. The transfer and recruiting haul is promising, but perimeter shooting still appears to be an issue.

23. Illinois (NR)

Illinois jumps into the rankings thanks to the international flair coming to Champaign; Mihailo Petrovic leads the Balkan squad now playing for Brad Underwood. Petrovic is a 22-years-old guard among the best players in the European ABA League. Also joining is Andrej Stojakovic, who had a great freshman season at California, and former Arkansas big man Zvonimir Ivišić, who joins brother Tomislav Ivišić to form a terrifying 7-foot duo. Also in the mix is guard Kylan Boswell after he showed maturity in the move to Illinois after leaving Arizona.

24. Oregon (NR)

Another new addition to the rankings, Oregon is looking to maintain success after an up-and-down season. Back are the top two scorers in Nate Bittle and Jackson Shelstad, who are consistent scorer. But they can’t be the only ones producing, and the Ducks have to replace TJ Bamba. That appears to be answered in the transfer portal. TK Simpkins led Elon in scoring last season and improved his 3-point shooting. Sean Stewart (Ohio State) also could be a breakout player as he finds a more elevated role.

25. Auburn (24)

Experienced stars led Auburn last season, but the entire starting unit is gone following the tough loss of Chad Baker-Mazara to Southern California. Bruce Pearl knew he had to replenish the roster, and he did so with significant recruiting and transfer classes. Keyshawn Hall (Central Florida) and Kevin Overton (Texas Tech) arrive after strong season, and there’s intrigue with the Tigers brining in the top junior college transfer, Abdul Bashir. A new crop of players will join Tahaad Pettiford, the one key returnee that had a big role in the Final Four squad.

Dropped out: Baylor, North Carolina.

Just missed: Texas, North Carolina State and Oklahoma.

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Keely Hodgkinson stuns in bikini as fellow athletes brand Team GB Olympic hero 'sexy'

EVEN Keely Hodgkinson’s fellow athletes flooded her with compliments after she stripped down to a bikini for a bath. The Team GB Olympic hero put on a bold display as she dunked herself in a tub of water. 12 Keely Hodgkinson was branded ‘sexy’ by fellow athletesCredit: Instagram 12 She wore a black bikini as […]

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Keely Hodgkinson stuns in bikini as fellow athletes brand Team GB Olympic hero 'sexy'

EVEN Keely Hodgkinson’s fellow athletes flooded her with compliments after she stripped down to a bikini for a bath.

The Team GB Olympic hero put on a bold display as she dunked herself in a tub of water.

Woman in a black bikini sitting in a black inflatable hot tub.

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Keely Hodgkinson was branded ‘sexy’ by fellow athletesCredit: Instagram
Woman in black bikini entering a hot tub.

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She wore a black bikini as she took a dipCredit: Instagram
Keely Hodgkinson wearing sunglasses and a graphic t-shirt.

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Hodgkinson also showed off her chic sideCredit: Instagram
Two women hugging at a concert.

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She lived her best life on stage at a festivalCredit: Instagram

Hodgkinson, 23, wore a sleek black bikini as she posed for snaps while clutching the sides.

But she made sure to keep her blonde locks away from the splash zone with a blue headband.

In another picture, Hodgkinson showed off her chic side as she donned some fashionable clothes and sunglasses.

While in another snap, the ace posed with a friend behind a DJ booth at a music festival.

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Hodgkinson captioned her set of photos: “Balance.”

And they saw fans go crazy in the comments.

But it was other athletes who led the way.

Ireland’s Lauren Cadden was thrilled with the pictures and commented: “Sexxiiii.”

While fellow Team GB pal Jemma Reekie showed her support with a fire emoji.

Meanwhile, a fan said: “Oh my goodness.”

Olympic winner Keely Hodgkinson soaks up the atmosphere with Man Utd fans at Old Trafford
Keely Hodgkinson on a staircase in a black dress.

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Hodgkinson has been loving life in the past 12 monthsCredit: Instagram / @keely.hodgkinson
Woman in a black swimsuit relaxing on a wooden daybed.

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She regularly sizzles with saucy snapsCredit: instagram @keely.hodgkinson
Woman in a bucket hat and red bikini top sunbathing.

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She’s been loving fun in the sunCredit: Instagram/keely.hodgkinson
Woman holding up a red soccer jersey with "Hodgkinson 1" on the back.

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She’s also been enjoying favourite team Manchester UnitedCredit: Instagram @keely.hodgkinson

One declared: “Superb photos.”

Another noted: “Stupendous.”

One added: “Balance never looked so good.”

Hodgkinson’s summer of fun comes a year after she set the Paris Olympics alight with a barnstorming performance.

The Manchester native saw off world champion Mary Moraa to clinch gold in the Women’s 800m, having won silver at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

And Hodgkinson’s efforts were recognised back home when she won the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.

Keely Hodgkinson winning a race.

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Hodgkinson became a Team GB hero at the Paris OlympicsCredit: PA
Keely Hodgkinson, holding a British flag and a crown, nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

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She won gold in the women’s 800mCredit: PA
Keely Hodgkinson, a gold medalist from Great Britain, smiles and holds her medal.

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She saw off the world champ to clinch gloryCredit: Getty
Keely Hodgkinson holding the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

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Hodgkinson was later named Sports Personality of the YearCredit: PA
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Tommy Castellanos files appeal against House-NCAA settlement

According to Steve Berkowitz of the USA TODAY, another notice of appeal has been filed when it comes to the House-NCAA settlement. This one is by Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos, citing the College Football Playoff‘s role in the settlement. “A sixth notice of appeal regarding House-NCAA settlement has been filed,” Berkowitz said via X. […]

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According to Steve Berkowitz of the USA TODAY, another notice of appeal has been filed when it comes to the House-NCAA settlement. This one is by Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos, citing the College Football Playoff‘s role in the settlement.

“A sixth notice of appeal regarding House-NCAA settlement has been filed,” Berkowitz said via X. “This one is on behalf of Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos, whose objections included the College Football Playoff’s role in, and legal coverage from, the settlement.”

Castellanos is entering his first season at Florida State after transferring in from Boston College. Expectations are going to be high for the quarterback, hoping to help the Seminoles have a more successful 2025 season. Pairing him up with offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn could turn into a lethal combo inside the ACC.

During his time with Boston College, Castellanos threw for 3,614 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions over two seasons. Over 1,300 yards on the ground is a huge part of his game too, getting into the endzone on 14 occasions. The dual-threat ability is why Florida State got him out of the NCAA transfer portal but still want the stats look even better for him moving forward.

We will find out pretty quickly how Castellanos will fare at Florida State. The Seminoles will open the year at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide for one of college football’s top nonconference matchups of the season. Some trash-talking has already taken place from Castellanos, appearing quite confident in how FSU will fare in the game.

Tommy Castellanos calls out Alabama ahead of season opener

Kalen DeBoer enters his second season in charge at Alabama. Times have changed in Tuscaloosa, being now over a year removed from Nick Saban announcing his retirement. Three teams were able to get the Crimson Tide in 2024, causing them to miss the College Football Playoff.

Castellanos believes Florida State will be next. He does not see a world where Alabama is able to contain him, especially without their secret weapon on the sidelines.

“I’m excited, man,” Castellanos told On3’s Pete Nakos in an exclusive interview. “People, I don’t know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.”



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Hawai‘i football featured but overlooked in new EA Sports release

EA Sports College Football 26 was released on Monday, marking the second straight year a college football video game was released for next-gen consoles. EA Sports College Football 25 was released in July 2024, marking the first college football video game in 11 years following new rules that allowed players to be compensated for their […]

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EA Sports College Football 26 was released on Monday, marking the second straight year a college football video game was released for next-gen consoles. EA Sports College Football 25 was released in July 2024, marking the first college football video game in 11 years following new rules that allowed players to be compensated for their name, image and likeness (NIL).

As one of 136 FBS programs in 2025, the University of Hawai‘i football team was again featured in the video game. The Rainbow Warriors were given a 74 overall rating as a ream. The UH defense was given a rating of 78, while the offense was given a rating of 69.

Although Hawai‘i began its new Nike deal on July 1, no uniforms for any UH teams have been publicly revealed. However, the game already features Nike uniforms for the Rainbow Warriors.

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Although not unveiled publicly, the University of Hawai‘i football team is already in new Nike uniforms in EA Sports College Football 26. (EA Sports)

A notable absence for UH in EA Sports College Football 25 was its home field at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, with a generic stadium taking its place. In EA Sports College Football 26, the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex and its specifications are squarely in the game.

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The University of Hawai‘i’s Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex is in EA Sports College Football 26 after not making the previous edition. (EA Sports)

Hawai‘i’s highest-rated player in the game is senior safety Peter Manuma, who holds a rating of 85. Meanwhile, wide receiver Nick Cenacle is the offense’s highest-rated player at 84.

UCLA transfer Dermaricus Davis is the team’s highest-rated quarterback (79), ahead of presumed starter Micah Alejado, who holds a rating of 74.

Multiple players who have exhausted their UH eligibility are in the game, such as defensive tackle Anthony Sagapolutele and punter Lucas Borrow. Borrow’s appeal for an additional year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA following spring practice. Kicker Caleb Sempebwa, who left the team in the spring, is also on the video game roster.

UH received $9987.52 in NIL money from EA Sports to distribute among its players in 2024. In 2025, players are set to receive $1500 each to have their name, image and likeness appear in the game.

A notable absence in Hawai‘i’s roster in the video game is its Class of 2025 freshman signing class. No incoming true freshman are currently on the team’s EA sports roster.

Other true freshman across the country are featured in the game, such as Campbell alum and current Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who has an overall rating of 78.

The highest-rated player with Hawai‘i ties in EA Sports College Football 26 is Oregon center Iapani Laloulu. The Farrington alumnus was given an overall rating of 90.

As was the case in 2024, not every team had all its real life players in the game, leading to aliases. Repeat UH aliases such as receiver Damon Brazill and free safety Matthew Sherels are on the Rainbow Warrior roster in EA Sports College Football 26. As was the case last year, the roster will be updated throughout the season, with more current players set to be featured in the game.

For the first time, coaches and coordinators are also featured in the game. UH head coach Timmy Chang and offensive coordinator Anthony Arceneaux are in the game, while defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman is under the alias Jacob Johnson.

Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.



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