NIL
Speak of the Devils Podcast
(3TV/CBS 5) — The college game has changed dramatically in recent years, and the recent settlement of the House case only brings greater shifts. To get clarity on what’s happened, what’s about to happen, and what may soon happen, NIL agent Peter Boyle of Activate Sports Management joined us in studio for a detailed and […]


(3TV/CBS 5) — The college game has changed dramatically in recent years, and the recent settlement of the House case only brings greater shifts. To get clarity on what’s happened, what’s about to happen, and what may soon happen, NIL agent Peter Boyle of Activate Sports Management joined us in studio for a detailed and thorough breakdown of the landscape post-House.
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RECENT EPISODES
The Maroon and Gold(en Tickets): Analyst Adam Beadle joins us to break down ASU’s new local recruiting strategy.
The ASU football narratives that matter: Ralph Amsden joins us to discuss which national and local narratives surrounding the Sun Devil have merit.
Previewing ASU baseball in the NCAA regional: Can the Devils make a run? We discuss with Jack Loder and talk with new Devils LB Mason Marden and WR Akim Lanieux.
ASU baseball’s postseason push: The regular season ended with a thud. Can the Devils rally? We discuss with Jack Loder
ASU post-spring practice breakdown: Hod Rabino and Jordan Hamm join us for a detailed roundtable discussion of all the developments from spring practice.
ASU spring practices heat up: A look at the latest from spring ball, plus talking to Raleek Brown and A.J. Ia.
Recapping Week 2 of ASU’s spring football practices: A dive into a flurry of football commits and basketball portal activity, and a rundown on the key developments, breakout performers, and questions raised from ASU’s second week of spring practice.
Recapping Week 1 of Spring Practice: We examine what happened in spring’s first week and talk with WR Noble Johnson and CB Nyland Green.
Spring ball starts and a new era for the Sun Devil women’s basketball: A dive into ASU’s hiring of Molly Miller.
ASU spring football preview: An in-depth preview of the key storylines and battles of spring practice, plus conversations with players and OC Marcus Arroyo.
Diamond Devils & hardwood hardships: A dive into baseball’s hot start and a look at the messy state of women’s hoops.
Baseball season preview & Hurley hot seat?: We preview the Diamond Devils and discuss if Bobby Hurley is on the hot seat.
Schedule breakdown & position confidence ratings: We have a schedule! Plus, we rank our confidence in each position group.
2024 ASU season awards: We honor the best of the magical year.
A heroic effort & sustaining success: How can ASU keep this going? ASU athletic director Graham Rossini joins us to discuss.
ASU vs. Texas, the Peach Bowl preview: Mark McClune joins us for an in-depth bowl preview and a great Matthew McConaughey story.
Forks Up, Horns Down, & Meet Some New Devils: We talk trenches with center Leif Fautanu & meet new Devils Jesus Gomez, running back Kanye Udoh, and Isaiah Iosefa.
How ASU built a championship roster: A deep dive into ASU’s remarkable roster overhaul with assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Charlie Ragle.
The Devils are Playoff bound: History has been made. We review the Devils’ historic achievement.
Big 12 championship preview: We preview the biggest game in decades with Chamon Metayer & Jacob Kongaika.
Movin’ On Up & ASU vs. Arizona Preview: We preview the Territorial Cup battle with the great Jordan Simone.
The Devils are ranked and ASU vs. BYU preview: We break down the big road win and look ahead to BYU. Plus, hoops talk with Kyle Dodd.
Finding a way & ASU vs. Kansas State preview: We discuss the gritty Devils and their winning ways & look ahead to a major road test.
Devils are bowling and ASU vs. UCF preview: We break down a milestone win & preview a tough home game with C.J. Fite and Jordyn Tyson.
ASU vs. Oklahoma State preview: Ralph Amsden and Brad Denny look ahead to a big road game that in no way will be impacted by storms.
State of the Devils for the Homestretch: An in-depth roundtable discussion on the season to date with Hod Rabino and Chilly.
A rivalry win and ASU vs. Cincinnati preview: A look back at a wild win & a look ahead to Cincy with LB Jordan Crook and RG Kyle Scott.
ASU vs. Utah preview, Big 12 style: A rivalry renewed. We look back at the Kansas win & preview the Utah game with OL coach Saga Tuitele.
ASU vs. Kansas preview: We get you ready for the battle with Kansas with S Xavion Alford, S Myles “Ghost” Rowser, and WR Xavier Guillory
What have we learned so far?: Ralph Amsden joins us to discuss the season’s first four games. Plus, we talk with new QB commit Jake Fette.
A gritty rally and ASU vs. Texas Tech preview: We review a resilient road win & preview the Big 12 opener with Shamari Simmons, Clayton Smith, and Keyshaun Elliott.
SEC gets SkatteBOOMED & ASU vs. Texas State preview: We review the win over Mississippi State, preview Texas State, and talk with CB Keith Abney and WR Melquan Stovall.
Wyoming whipped and ASU vs. Mississippi State preview: We recap the big win & look ahead to an SEC battle with RB Cam Skattebo and S Xavion Alford.
ASU vs. Wyoming preview: Ralph Amden helps us preview the Wyoming game, and we talk with three Sun Devil players.
2024 Season Preview & Predictions: Joined in studio by DevilsDigest.com publisher Hod Rabino and Sports360AZ’s Jordan Hamm, we dive deep into the season ahead and end with our full slate of season predictions.
Fall camp heats up: We look at the latest camp battles and talk with QB Sam Leavitt, WR Malik McClain, and DL Justin Wodtly.
Fall camp update: A look at the latest camp battle, plus talking with running backs Alton McCaskill and Jason Brown.
2024 fall camp preview: We preview the key battles of fall camp and talk with offensive lineman Ben Coleman.
10 most important (non-QB) Sun Devils for 2024: We’re counting down our picks for the 10 most important (non-quarterback) Sun Devil players for 2024. Plus, we talk to new 2025 defensive line commit Daeshon Morgan.
2024 Big 12 and national preview: We preview the Big 12 and national races and talk with new RB commit Demarius Robinson.
The Sun Devils at Big 12 Media Day: I discuss the major talking points of Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark’s address with DevilsDigest.com’s Hod Rabino. Plus, hear what head coach Kenny Dillingham had to say on stage, and ASU safety Xavion Alford discusses the long and winding year that led to him representing the Devils in Vegas.
Positional confidence rankings: With camp nearing, we rank our current confidence level in each of the position groups. Plus, we talk with new 2025 wide receiver commit Uriah Neloms.
Putting in the work: We are joined in studio by ASU OL Ben Coleman for an exciting announcement and an inside look at a player’s offseason work. Peter Boyle gives us insight into new ASU AD Graham Rossini, and we talk with new WR commit Michael Scott.
Recruiting heats up: We break down the run of 2025 commits and talk to new pledges WR Cameron Dyer, OL Desean Bryant Jr., and LB Lee “Puka” Fuimaono.
ASU names Graham Rossini as new athletic director: Brad and Ralph Amsden discuss the new AD hire and bring you an exclusive 1-on-1 interview with Graham Rossini.
New faces, new hope, and a new leader?: We discuss some key portal additions, a possible AD hire, Scott Sandulli breaks down a baseball surge, and we talk with 2025 commit Dajon Hinton.
What we learned from spring practice: Hod Rabino and Caleb Campero join us in studio for an in-depth dive into the key developments from spring ball and the questions that remain.
NCAA penalties announced: After nearly three years of the NCAA investigation, the penalties for ASU have been announced. Well, some of them. With guest Ralph Amsden, we break down the penalties so far, their impact now and moving forward, who’s to blame, and what’s next.
Spring Practice Update: We update the latest from spring ball, and talk with new ASU wide receivers coach Hines Ward, WR Coben Bourguet, cornerback Laterrance Welch, defensive end Ramar Williams, and 2025 commit Xavier Skowron.
Recapping Week 2 of spring practice: We examine the big developments in spring and talk to QB Sam Leavitt, WR Melquan Stovall, DT Jeff Clark, and DB Cole Martin.
Recapping Week 1 of spring practice: A look at the early spring developments, plus talking with DE Elijah O’Neal, TE Markeston Douglas, and DT Jacob Kongaika.
Spring practice preview: A look at the key things to track during spring and interviews with RB coach Shaun Aguano & CB coach Bryan Carrington.
Wrestling heads to the NCAA Championships: We preview the NCAA Wrestling Championships with head coach Zeke Jones.
Champs again & doubts on the diamond?: We discuss the back-to-back Pac-12 titles from wrestling and men’s swimming before a baseball update with DevilsDigest.com reporter Scott Sandulli.
2024 ASU baseball preview: We preview the season with ASU baseball head coach Willie Bloomquist and DevilsDigest.com reporter Scott Sandulli.
ASU’s 2024 schedule breakdown: Guest host Ralph Amsden helps us break down the new schedule, plus we talk with former ASU QB and new assistant coach Brady White.
How NIL works and a rival’s pain: We take a deep dive into how NIL actually works with Peter Boyle, founder of Activate Sports Management and a registered NIL agent. Then we talk with new DB Cole Martin and get a report on the changes in Tucson from Adam Green.
Leveling up through the portal: We recap a wild flurry of portal additions and talk with a trio of new Devils: Josh Atkins, Navi Bruzon, and Shancco “Ise” Matautia.
Sun Devil Resolutions for 2024: We make New Year’s Resolutions for the Sun Devils and talk to new linebackers Zyrus Faseu and Jordan Crook.
2023 National Signing Day Review: We break down the newest crop of Sun Devils with Hod Rabino and talk with newcomers Raleek Brown, Kamari Wilson, Champ Westbrooks, and Tony-Louis Nkuba.
2023 season review and portal moves: We review the season’s key lessons with Hod Rabino and Caleb Campero, and then talk with new Devils Justin Wodtly, Sam Leavitt, and Javan Robinson.
Season awards, new coaches, portal updates: We recap a busy start to the offseason and hand out our season awards.
Territorial Cup preview: The Duel in the Desert is here. We preview the rivalry game with Jalin Conyers.
Ray’s out, Simone’s back, & ASU vs. Oregon preview: A great chat with Jordan Simone, a review of the Rose Bowl win, and a look ahead to Oregon.
Ray Anderson resigns as ASU Athletic Director: Hod Rabino of DevilsDigest joins us to break down the bombshell news.
YIKES & ASU vs. UCLA Preview: We review the Utah beatdown and preview the UCLA matchup with RB Kyson Brown and WR Jordyn Tyson.
Victory and ASU vs. Utah preview: With co-host Ralph Amsden, we break down the Devils’ big win, talk with TE Ryan Morgan, preview hoops with Kyle Dodd, and look ahead to Utah.
Defensive dominance & ASU vs. Washington State preview: A look at a defensive masterpiece and a preview of the Wazzu game with Isaia Glass and Gio Sanders.
ASU vs. Washington Preview: We preview the Battle in Seattle with Cam Skattebo and Kaleb Black.
Midseason grades: With the legendary Chilly and Hod Rabino of DevilsDigest.com in studio, we recap the Sun Devils’ first six games, hand out midterm grades, and look ahead to the home stretch.
Frustration by the Bay & ASU vs. Colorado Preview: Another “almost” by the Devils and a look ahead to a prime battle against Colorado.
Signs of life & ASU vs. Cal preview: We examine the promising developments shown against USC, talk with TE coach Jason Mohns, and preview the road trip to Cal.
An offensive display & USC preview: Diving into the Fresno State debacle, previewing USC, and talking with TE Bryce Pierre and RB Kyson Brown.
Testing the depth & ASU vs. Fresno State preview: A dive into the Oklahoma State loss, a look to Fresno State, and conversations with Steven Miller and Tevin White.
A wild week 1 & ASU vs. Oklahoma State preview: We breakdown the soggy opener, talk QB play with Gus Farwell, and preview Oklahoma State.
ASU vs. Southern Utah preview: A preview of the season opener, plus DB Jordan Clark.
2023 season preview and predictions: Hod Rabino and Caleb Campero join us in studio to take a detailed look at the 2023 Sun Devils & make season predictions.
Jaden Rashada named starting QB: We discuss the decision to name true freshman Jaden Rashada the Sun Devils’ starter.
QB battle and fall camp update: We discuss the latest camp updates and talk with WR Andre Johnson and RB George Hart III.
A Big (12) Move and Camp Update: We break down ASU’s Big 12 move and talk with Ra’Shaad Samples, Chris Johnson II, and the great Ralph Amsden.
LIVE from Graduate Hotel!: Our first live show features guests D.J. Foster, Bo Moos, Tim Healey, and Hod Rabino.
2023 fall camp preview: We preview camp & talk with QB Drew Pyne, RB Cam Skattebo, WR Xavier Guillory, LB JuJu Mitchell, and LB James Djonkam.
2023 Pac-12 Media Day Recap: On the drive back from covering Pac-12 Media Day in Las Vegas, Brad recaps the biggest storylines and developments (or lack of some key developments) from the event, breaks down Kenny Dillingham’s comments, brings you Jalin Conyers’ harrowing near-death roller coaster experience, and more.
Pac-12 and national preview: ESPN’s Matt Barrie joins us to preview the Devils, the Pac-12, and the national landscape.
10 most important Devils for 2023: We count down the 10 most important players for 2023 and talk with two ASU commits: 2025 4-star QB Michael “Butter” Tollefson and 3-star athlete Plas Johnson.
The Rashada Sun Devil legacy: In this special episode, we take an in-depth look at the past, present, and future of the Rashada family’s Sun Devil legacy with conversations with Jaden, Roman, and Harlen.
Hall of Famers, blue chips, & baseball review: We talk with new Sun Devil Hall of Famers Jason Kipnis and Shaun McDonald, local commits Dylan Tapley and Kanyon Floyd, and break down the baseball season with Jack Loder.
Key additions & baseball on the brink: We discuss new portal additions, talk with DT Dashaun Mallory and CB Dee Ford, and dive into baseball’s problems with Jack Loder.
NFL Draft analysis & portal additions: We dive into a review of the latest football and basketball additions and departures, discuss what’s left on the shopping list, and get a Draft recap and 2024 preview from Cole Topham.
Portal windows & comeback wins: We discuss the flurry or portal moves & baseball’s wild week with Jack Loder.
Spring Practice Review: ASU’s 2023 spring practice slate is in the books. With Hod Rabino and Cole Topham of DevilsDigest.com joining us in studio, we break down the quarterback competition, major developments, key position battles, questions both raised and answered, and the Sun Devils’ updated offseason to-do list.
Spring football heats up & baseball midseason review: Spring is in full swing for the Sun Devils. After a recap of a physical third week of spring football practice, we’re joined by Jack Loder of DevilsDigest.com for an in-depth midseason review of Arizona State baseball.
Spring Update & ASU Pro Day: We review spring and the Pro Day performances of ASU’s NFL Draft hopefuls with Cole Topham of DevilsDigest.com & catch up with DT Nesta Jade Silvera, LB Kyle Soelle, RB X Valladay, and LB Merlin Robertson.
Early spring impressions & hoops heartbreak: Week 1 of ASU’s spring football practice is in the books…and the latest chapter of Sun Devil hoops heartbreak has been written. We break down the notable early developments on the gridiron and the fallout of the NCAA Tournament loss with Hod Rabino of DevilsDigest.com (53:15). Then hear the first public comments from ASU QB Jaden Rashada he gave after Saturday’s practice.
2023 spring practice preview: Hod Rabino of DevilsDigest.com joins us in studio to discuss the quarterback competition, the key position battles, players to watch, questions that need answers, and so much more.
“He made it! He made it!”: Tim Healey joins us to discuss the McKale Mary and what it means for the Devils.
Hoops in the homestretch: Kyle Dodd joins us to break down a critical stretch for Sun Devil basketball.
2023 ASU Baseball preview: Head coach Willie Bloomquist and DevilsDigest.com’s Jack Loder joins us to preview the season ahead for the Devils.
2023 Signing Day Recap: We recap the signing class, talk to OL coach Saga Tuitele, and get analysis on Jaden Rashada from Cole Topham.
ASU lands elite QB Jaden Rashada: National Signing Day brought MASSIVE news for ASU: Jaden Rashada, one of the nation’s elite QB recruits and a Sun Devil legacy, committed to Arizona State. In this emergency episode, we discuss the impact of the move with Hod Rabino of DevilsDigest.com.
Portal recap and 2023 schedule breakdown: We recap the portal action, analyze the new schedule, and talk with local QB recruit Luke Moga.
New Year, New Goals :The calendar has turned to 2023 and a new era of Sun Devil football is upon us. After a talk with new running back Cam Skattebo and a look at the latest transfer portal activity, we dive into our New Year’s resolutions for ASU football and Sun Devil sports.
2022 Sun Devil season awards: We honor the best—worst—of Arizona State’s 2022 football season.
Meet the New ASU Coaching Staff: Sit down with EVERY member of ASU’s new coaching staff: head coach Kenny Dillingham, offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin , defensive coordinator Brian Ward, assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Charlie Ragle, offensive line coach Saga Tuitele, cornerbacks coach Bryan Carrington, tight ends coach Jason Mohns, defensive line coach Vince Amey, wide receivers coach Ra’Shaad Samples, linebackers coach AJ Cooper, and running backs coach Shaun Aguano.
Signing Day, the Portal, and Festivus: We recap a whirlwind Signing Day & then celebrate a Sun Devil Festivus by airing grievances and celebrating ASU’s feats of strength from 2022.
Tracking the portal homecomings with Chilly: We discuss the latest portal moves and the coming home surge with Chilly. Plus, we talk with new ASU RB DeCarlos Brooks.
New coaches, portal moves, scheme talk, and Simone: We break down Dillingham’s scheme with Cole Topham, discuss the new coaching hires, and talk with Jordan Simone.
Kenny Dillingham hired as ASU’s new head coach: The new era of Arizona State football is here, as Kenny Dillingham returns home to take the reins of the Sun Devil program.
Copyright 2025 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.
NIL
Legal warning issued to NCAA, power conferences amid NIL standoff
Another cog in the Name, Image and Likeness wheel, college football programs are facing significant difficulties with the NIL approval process, and House attorneys have answered by threatening legal action The $2.8 billion settlement by the NCAA ushered in a new era, in part, for third-party NIL deals. Those agreements now must be vetted by […]

Another cog in the Name, Image and Likeness wheel, college football programs are facing significant difficulties with the NIL approval process, and House attorneys have answered by threatening legal action
The $2.8 billion settlement by the NCAA ushered in a new era, in part, for third-party NIL deals. Those agreements now must be vetted by the NIL Go clearinghouse – established by the College Sports Commission and run by Deloitte.
Unfortunately for athletes and programs alike, the new process is facing significant backlash, as deals are being denied for failing to meet the “valid business purpose” criteria.
Despite these pending deals including deliverables like public appearances, the College Sports Commission doesn’t view that as enough to meet the new standards. And in conjunction with the NCAA and power conferences, doubled-down on their reasoning on Thursday.
House attorneys issued a notable response on Friday to the NCAA and power conferences, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports.
“Jeffrey Kessler, a co-lead House plaintiff attorney along with Steve Berman, requested that the NCAA and conferences ‘retract’ a statement of guidance released Thursday from the College Sports Commission and, presumably, reinstate name, image and likeness deals that the CSC has denied — many of them from booster-backed NIL collectives,” Dellenger wrote.
Dellenger previously reported that out of over 1,200 NIL deals submitted after July 1, 80 of them have been denied with even more currently stuck in limbo.
There appears to be a sticking point between the House attorneys, programs and the NCAA/College Sports Commission on what constitutes a valid business purpose within NIL deals.
“There is nothing in the Settlement Agreement to permit (NCAA and conference) or the CSC, acting on their behalf, to decide that it would not be a valid business purpose for a school’s collective to engage in for-profit promotions of goods or services using paid-for student-athlete NIL,” the letter reads via Yahoo Sports. “To the extent the NIL payment is for the promotion of a valid business purpose, it is irrelevant whether that payment comes from a NIL collective or any other third party.”
House council plans to bring the issue before Judge Nathanael Cousins, the appointed magistrate in the settlement, if no action is taken by the College Sports Commission, according to the report.
NIL
Paul Finebaum casts doubt on Gunner Stockton’s ability to carry Georgia
Based on the standards in Athens, Georgia had a down year in 2024. Paul Finebaum now thinks the Bulldogs could have a hard time correcting that in 2025 with Gunner Stockton being the Bulldogs’ QB1. Finebaum, in an appearance on Friday morning on ‘First Take,’ named how Georgia and Alabama each follow up last season […]

Based on the standards in Athens, Georgia had a down year in 2024. Paul Finebaum now thinks the Bulldogs could have a hard time correcting that in 2025 with Gunner Stockton being the Bulldogs’ QB1.
Finebaum, in an appearance on Friday morning on ‘First Take,’ named how Georgia and Alabama each follow up last season in this upcoming season as one of his top storylines going into kickoff this fall. However, that came with his doubts about the ‘Dawgs with Stockton set to be their starting quarterback.
“It was a disappointing year and, as I say that, I’m like checking myself. Georgia won the SEC Championship but it still fell flat because they looked so bad against Notre Dame, completely blowing up in the final seconds of the first half and the opening stanza of the second half,” Finebaum said. “Kirby Smart needs to bounce back but I’m not sure it’s going to be easy because Gunner Stockton is not an elite quarterback. He’s serviceable and that is about it.”
Stockton, having made seven appearances in his collegiate career to that point, was forced into action due to the elbow injury to Carson Beck in the biggest games of the season in the second half against Texas in the SEC Championship and versus Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl as their quarterfinal in the College Football Playoff. In that game and a half, Stockton was 32-48 (66.7%) for 305 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while showing some mobility as well.
Considering all things about the spot he found himself in, that’s fine play from Stockton, especially leading an offense that struggled throughout last season at times, regardless of who was taking snaps at quarterback. Still, taking the place of your injured starter as the backup isn’t the same as being the full-time starting quarterback.
That said, even if no one else is confident in what Stockton can do, Georgia at least seems to be. The Bulldogs eventually didn’t add anyone from the transfer portal this offseason to compete with him, while all indications are that Stockton will be the starter over the other two options on the roster in Ryan Puglisi or Ryan Montgomery. They’ll need that belief in him now if they’re going to make up for — despite winning the conference and being the second overall seed in the playoff — what was technically their worst season in six years.
Stockton is as big of a question mark at quarterback as Georgia has had in its tenure under Smart. It’s now on him to have the answers, starting next week at SEC Media Days and come kickoff to the season in seven weeks’ time on August 30th.
NIL
Baker discusses NIL in new revenue sharing world
The House Settlement is set to change a lot of things in the world of college athletics. With that will come the rise of revenue sharing allowing college programs to distribute money to student athletes, but the world of NIL isn’t necessarily going away either. But with the settlement will come some guardrails and will […]

The House Settlement is set to change a lot of things in the world of college athletics.
With that will come the rise of revenue sharing allowing college programs to distribute money to student athletes, but the world of NIL isn’t necessarily going away either.
But with the settlement will come some guardrails and will allow for a certain amount of matchmaking for those real NIL opportunities.
“You know, the old system of donors just throwing money into one big collective bundle, thus the name collectives. And then making up some reason to pay for play is very much the target of the settlement implementation. They want to eliminate that,” Athletic Director Wren Baker told 3 Guys Before the Game.
But would be permitted are any kind of forward-facing business that has goods and services for sale that want to do deals with student-athletes according to Baker.
Those deals have to pass the Deloitte Clearinghouse if they’re greater than $600 according to Baker.
“You just put the deal in and it’ll kick you out a range of compensation,” Baker said. “So you have really three options. If you kick in a deal and the range of compensation is $100,000 and you had signed this deal for $200,000 you can either go back and make the deal $100,000. You could change the amount of activity that you were going to do for the $100,000 potentially to make more value creation there. Or you could shift some of that deal.”
NIL
NCAA, college athletic departments need to fully embrace athletes as employees
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NIL
Hugh Freeze blasts Paul Finebaum for not understanding Auburn football’s recruiting
Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze doesn’t think Paul Finebaum, and similar talking heads, understand the nuances of NIL in the modern recruiting landscape. Freeze called out Finebaum by name for criticizing him for not signing every in-state receiver, given that he has already committed to time and salary for players already on the program’s […]

Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze doesn’t think Paul Finebaum, and similar talking heads, understand the nuances of NIL in the modern recruiting landscape.
Freeze called out Finebaum by name for criticizing him for not signing every in-state receiver, given that he has already committed to time and salary for players already on the program’s payroll. He also took issue with criticism of his golfing habits.
To Freeze, Finebaum and his ilk are assuming things are still like the old days, when in reality, college football functions more like pro sports. Freeze hammered home the point by using Jackson Arnold and Deuce Knight as an example of why he wouldn’t get another quarterback.
“The other thing that nobody talks about–and y’all may, I don’t listen to much–I’m not on social media, my daughter does it… ‘Well, Freeze is not getting this receiver in-state.’ Do y’all realize, on paper, I am not losing a single receiver? This is not like the old days where you sign 25 guys and then figure out who the 85 are. This is actually a salary cap world and I like our receiver room. How do I go and make offers to receivers at numbers that these other schools are when, come January, I kind of want to keep the one I have. I don’t think the Finebaum’s of the world or any of them think about all of that. They just say he’s playing golf and not recruiting,” Freeze told David Pollack on the “See Ball Get Ball” podcast, per On3.
“There are just a lot of dynamics into it right now. I’m confident that our staff–we have not changed a single approach with our recruiting, people love it when they come to Auburn. But, there are just a lot of dynamics that go into their decisions currently. Come August 1, everybody has to put this in writing now and we will see where everything shakes out after that. How in the world are you going to convince a third 5-star quarterback to come to you when you have Jackson Arnold and Deuce Knight? If we’re really operating under a true salary cap where we have no idea what an NIL value is until they decide that, which is our interpretation of the new rules, how do you do that?”
Freeze’s recruiting may be over-scrutinized right now, but given the number of high-level recruits he brought on that ended up elsewhere in short order, perhaps he was being overrated before.
His results on the field don’t speak for themselves. Not in a good way, anyway.
He doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt from people like Finebaum. That’s earned by not making him look like a fool for having faith in the Tigers the last two years.
NIL
Martin Newton, son of late C.M. Newton, named chair of DI Men’s Basketball Committee in 2026-27
A familiar name and face in the Bluegrass is set to hold a massive role in college basketball this season at the national level. Samford Director of Athletics Martin Newton, the son of the late C.M. Newton and a former Kentucky men’s basketball staff member, has been named chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s […]

A familiar name and face in the Bluegrass is set to hold a massive role in college basketball this season at the national level. Samford Director of Athletics Martin Newton, the son of the late C.M. Newton and a former Kentucky men’s basketball staff member, has been named chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee for the 2026-27 season.
He will serve as vice chair this season alongside Sun Belt Conference commissioner and 2025-26 chair, Keith Gill.
Newton has been at Samford since 2011, leading the Bulldogs to 87 regular-season and postseason Southern Conference championships over the past 14 years. As a student-athlete, he was an honorable mention All-Southern Conference basketball player and earned a degree from Samford in 1983. After his playing days, he spent over a quarter century in marketing with major shoe companies before joining John Calipari at Kentucky as his director of operations for men’s basketball.
In two years in Lexington, Newton managed budget, fundraising, compliance, scheduling, marketing and academic support for the men’s basketball program under Coach Cal. From there, he was hired as AD at Samford and has become one of the best in the country at his job.
”Samford University is not only bringing home one of their own, but they are getting one of the brightest and most progressive athletic administrators I have ever been around,” Calipari said of Martin’s departure at the time. “(He) has been a huge asset for the University of Kentucky basketball program over these past two years and on a personal level he has become a dear friend and trusted confidant. …
”This is the greatest part of occupying the seat I have at UK — seeing our staff members reach their dreams and further their own careers. Everyone at UK wishes Martin all the best and we thank him for all his hard work and dedication.”
His father, C.M. Newton, was a legendary college basketball player, coach and administrator, who served on the DI Men’s Basketball Committee from 1992-99 and chaired it his final two years as AD at Kentucky. He played from 1948-51 under Adolph Rupp and won the ’51 championship as a Wildcat, then served as AD from 1989-2000 where he added three sports — men’s and women’s soccer and softball — and expanded facilities and grew revenues in response to the increasing financial pressures of college athletics. Kroger Field’s playing surface is named C.M. Newton Grounds in his honor after he helped expand the stadium, along with the baseball stadium, while also acquiring a golf course, building softball and soccer complexes, a new tennis stadium and the Nutter Field House.
He was also known for hiring Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith — the latter, along with Bernadette Mattox — marked the first two African-American head coaches for UK men’s and women’s basketball, respectively.
C.M. Newton, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee in 2000, passed away in 2018. Now, his son is continuing to follow in his footsteps well.
“It is a tremendous honor to be elected to this prestigious position by my colleagues on the committee,” Martin Newton said. “When I was appointed to the committee in 2022, I considered it one of the highlights of my professional career, not only for the opportunity it presents but because I got to follow in my father’s footsteps. To further follow those steps by taking a leadership position within this group is a bit surreal. My family and I feel an extraordinary sense of pride to have this opportunity.”
Certainly making his father and the University of Kentucky proud.
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