Though Name, Image, and Likeness is often criticized through the current era of chaos college sports have found themselves in, NIL is very often used for good as well.

That was the case this week in a new deal for Texas A&M Aggies star quarterback Marcel Reed.

Reed became the fourth college athlete to sign an NIL deal with a private jet company after headlines were made by former Texas Longhorns star Quinn Ewers, former Georgia Bulldogs and current Miami Hurricanes gunslinger Carson Beck, and former Ole Miss Rebels signal caller Jaxson Dart.

Reed’s deal with ENG Aviation is different from his predecessors though and has a charitable impact tied to it.

According to Boardroom, the partnership between Reed and ENG has a goal of raising awareness for organ donation.⁠

ENG is a premium private jet service, however they also fly organ transplants to hospitals all over the country in order to give those who are in desperate medical states the best chance possible at survival.

On their website, ENG describes their operation in organ donation to “enable transplant centers to minimize the time the organ is in transit and maximized successful patient outcomes.”

Reed is going to be sharing ways fans can become organ donors as part of the deal and is even going to be visiting a hospital in the city of Houston this summer in order to meet with both organ donors and recipients as well as medical teams who make these modern miracles happen.

The Aggies star is entering what will be his redshirt sophomore season and first full year going into the campaign as the undisputed starting quarterback in College Station.

Last year, he racked up 1,864 passing yards and 15 touchdowns along with 543 rushing yards and another seven scores on the ground.

Hopes are high this season for Reed to take the next step as a quarterback, and clearly he is using his newfound major platform to make a big impact in the world outside of the football field as well.

NIL just went global, and Luke Francis Jr. is leading the charge.

In a move that’s redefining the boundaries of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, 17-year-old defensive force Luke Francis Jr. has become the first international high school athlete to ink a NIL deal. The U.K.-based NFL Academy standout signed with TeaVoila, a premium wellness tea brand, in a landmark cross-border partnership that blends athletic excellence with wellness culture.

Known as “The Trench Titan” for his dominance on the line of scrimmage, Francis is more than just a powerhouse in the trenches — he’s now the face of an emerging global NIL era. His representation, brokered by Next Play Nation (NPN) CEO Jerrit Judie and solidified with support from Coach Tony Charles of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl & National Combine, reflects the growing ambition to elevate young talent across borders.

“This partnership reflects the expanding reach of NIL opportunities and the rising demand for international athlete representation,” Judie stated. “It’s more than a brand deal — it’s a global partnership that empowers young talent and elevates athlete branding across continents.”

Francis joins TeaVoila as an official brand ambassador, aligning with their mission of promoting mindfulness, health, and excellence. CEO Souzan Gerami says the decision was simple. “Luke embodies discipline, positivity, and the pursuit of excellence — values that resonate with our wellness philosophy.”

With NIL legislation still evolving outside the U.S., Francis’s deal sends a powerful message: international athletes can — and will — participate in this rapidly changing sports marketing landscape. His role includes digital campaigns, event appearances, and wellness advocacy aimed at young, health-conscious sports fans across both continents.

Already a standout in the NFL Academy pipeline, Francis is expected to draw interest from major U.S. college programs in the coming recruiting cycles. His NIL deal could become the blueprint for rising global stars hoping to monetize their value and personal brand before even stepping on American soil.

One thing is clear: NIL is no longer confined by geography. Luke Francis Jr. just opened the door — and it’s only the beginning.

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Elliot Cadeau will play his third season of college basketball at Michigan after two years at North Carolina. The former five-star recruit transferred schools during the offseason after a difficult tenure in Chapel Hill.

Although it is not uncommon for players to switch schools at the drop of a dime in the modern era of collegiate athletics, this specific move left a sour taste in the mouths of Tar Heel fans.

Rumors started to swirl as soon as Elliot Cadeau entered the college basketball transfer portal about his NIL demands. He supposedly asked for a number that hovered around $2 million. However, his brother later came out and issued a firm denial of the alleged request to say that Cadeau and UNC were simply never the right fit. There was nothing more to it. His mom, Michelle, offered a similar refutation.

Funny how my kid has asked for $2 million when he hasn’t even met or spoken with anyone from [UNC] or staff yet.

— Michelle Cadeau on Facebook

Cadeau averaged 7.3 points, 4.1 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game as a freshman and 9.4 points, 6.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per game as a sophomore. Although those stats are not horrible, he shot less than 20% from beyond the arc in year one and less than 35% from deep in year two. It got to the point that UNC’s opponents would not play any defense past the three-point line.

The former five-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2023 needed a change. Elliot Cadeau transferred to Michigan.

We have loved being at UNC, loved the team, loved the friends we have met, loved all the fans who has cheered him (and me) on. This was his dream and he gave it everything he had for two years. I’m proud of him making a choice he felt he had to do to get to where he wants to be. It was not easy — because we never had in our plans to transfer but he felt this was what was needed. We are now so excited for the summer, the work, and the upcoming season. Michigan, we can’t wait to meet you!!! GO BLUE!!!

— Michelle Cadeau

He’s already back in the gym.

His mother remains supportive of his son’s former teammates. That is especially true when they leave North Carolina to play elsewhere. She shows support to everybody on the Tar Heels’ roster from last season, which is admirable. Except she does not cheer for the players who chose to stay in Chapel Hill so her son’s former fanbase has since turned against her. They were especially furious with Michelle Cadeau’s latest reaction.

Former UNC big man Ven-Allen Lubin received a crystal ball to his former team’s biggest rival. The mother of Elliot Cadeau responded with a pair of fire emojis.

I do not know whether Michelle Cadeau is being intentionally inflammatory with her reaction. I honestly don’t think she thought too much about it. And yet, she is smart enough to know what she is doing and certainly would be able to foresee the optics if she paused for a moment before she hit post. It seems as though she is actively cheering for North Carolina’s biggest rival to land one of its top players. Not great.

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PJ Haggerty may or may not play a fourth season of college basketball. The 21-year-old point guard has yet to decide whether he is going to test the NBA Draft waters and turn pro or if he is going to capitalize on the NIL spending spree at a program yet to be determined.

His recruitment through the transfer portal is already wild and it is just the beginning.

Haggerty, a four-star prospect in the college basketball recruiting Class of 2022, committed to TCU out of high school. He played only six games for the Horned Frogs, took a redshirt, and entered the transfer portal. That led him to Tulsa, where the Texas-native averaged 21.2 points per game. His performance on the mid-major level allowed him to transfer back up to Memphis, where he averaged 21.7 points per game last season.

There is no doubt that PJ Haggerty is one of the most prolific players in college basketball but his future remains up in the air. He chose to declare for the NBA Draft and enter the transfer portal in April.

Should Haggerty projected as a first-round pick after his stellar performance at the NBA Draft Combine, he might choose to pursue a professional career. If not, he will return to college.

The deadline for him to decide is set for May 28 and a bidding war will take place if Haggerty does not go pro. Every single program in the country would love to add him to its roster. Only a small number them can afford his price tag.

PJ Haggerty asked for $4 million in NIL money for just one season. It was a lofty request that likely would not be met but it allowed for him to weigh his options after his suitors presented their highest bids.

Ole Miss was in the mix early. A return to Memphis was not out of the equation. However, both schools pretty quickly decided to move on so North Carolina State emerged as the most interested party with the largest financial offer. Haggerty to Raleigh seemed like done deal.

NOT ANYMORE!!

Kansas State jumped into the mix, which started a bidding war. And then the Wolfpack landed a commitment from Texas Tech forward Darrion Williams so they backed out.

Their lack of interest leaves just the Wildcats for Haggerty. Or does it?!

According to trusted Memphis basketball analyst Hitmen Hoops, Auburn is now kicking the tires. The Tigers are “expected to pursue” PJ Haggerty if Tahaad Pettiford stays in the NBA Draft. Bruce Pearl and company would be willing to pay him around the same amount as Kansas State, if not more.

To add another wrinkle to this saga, Haggerty almost committed to Auburn out of high school. There is already familiarity there.

This entire process has been exhausting and it has yet to officially begin. Haggerty still has four days to decide if he is going to play another year of college basketball. A chaotic bidding war is imminent. I would imagine that there will be suitors have not been named. The NIL number could get close to the $4 million asking price when it is all said and done. Buckle up!

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Cedric Coward is keeping his name in the 2025 NBA draft and will forgo the opportunity to play at Duke next season, he told ESPN on Saturday.

“This is the best opportunity for me to achieve part of my dream, which is making the NBA,” Coward said. “Everything is pointing in the right direction right now to follow that.”

Coward, a 21-year-old senior, spent the past season at Washington State, but he was forced to redshirt after suffering a partially torn shoulder labrum that sidelined him after six games and required season-ending surgery. He was averaging 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game, shooting 40% from 3 and drawing significant attention in NBA circles due to his unique backstory, measurables and outstanding productivity.

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“NBA teams learned that the injury wasn’t a setback,” Coward said. “I got better and became more profound in all the different details of my game. I improved tremendously in aspects that I needed to work on, which showed in my athletic testing and shooting. I’m stronger mentally, physically and emotionally now.”

Coward entered the NCAA transfer portal and in late April announced he had committed to Duke after taking an official visit, spurning interest from the likes of Alabama, Kansas, Washington and Florida.

“Even though I am staying in the draft, I picked Duke for a reason,” Coward said. “I feel like I’m halfway in the brotherhood. This was a difficult decision at first, but after the combine, it became a lot easier with the path I wanted to take.

“This was always the main goal. Even if I went to Duke, it would have been in order to get to this level. I feel like I am ready. It didn’t hurt that I did pretty well at the combine.”

Coward’s standing with NBA teams has risen amid a strong predraft process that boosted him from fringe prospect to projected first-round pick, resulting in his decision to remain in the draft without ever playing a single game for Duke.

He measured an enormous 7-foot-2¼ wingspan at the NBA draft combine, tested a 38½-inch max vertical leap, ranked as one of the best shooters in drills (making 71% of his aggregate attempts) and conducted a well-attended pro day in Los Angeles on Tuesday organized by Life Sports Agency, where he demonstrated his physical tools, perimeter shooting and conditioning.

Coward improbably started his career at Division III Willamette in 2021, earning Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He transferred after his freshman year to Eastern Washington, where he spent two seasons under coach David Riley, becoming a Big Sky All-First Team member in 2024. When Riley was named the coach at Washington State, Coward followed him to Pullman, Washington, appearing to be en route to an all-conference campaign in the WCC before injuring his shoulder.

A young senior, not turning 22 until Sept. 11, Coward fits a mold every NBA team is seeking with his length, perimeter shooting, defensive potential and late-blooming trajectory.

Coward, projected as the No. 30 pick in ESPN’s latest mock draft, will be cleared for full contact activity on June 14. He said he has visited two NBA teams for private one-on-zero workouts — the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder — and has worked out in Los Angeles in front of another seven teams that came to evaluate him.

“I see myself as a draft pick,” Coward said. “I’m looking for a team that wants to take a chance on me. I’ve gotten really positive feedback. A lot of teams have been coy, not showing exactly how they feel. It doesn’t matter if it’s a guarantee or not, there’s still work ahead of me. There are only 59 picks. If I am fortunate to be one of those 59, it’s all a blessing. If I am 1 or 59, it doesn’t really matter. There’s always work to be done. It doesn’t matter what spot. It’s more about what team will give me the opportunity to show what I can do on the court.”

The NBA draft will be held June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.