Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady Inks Another Historic Seven-Figure NIL Deal
Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady Inks Another Historic Seven-Figure NIL Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady has signed her second seven-figure name NIL deal, securing her place in Lubbock for the future. The agreement was confirmed Friday by ESPN via her manager, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management. Advertisement The new NIL […]
Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady Inks Another Historic Seven-Figure NIL Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady has signed her second seven-figure name NIL deal, securing her place in Lubbock for the future. The agreement was confirmed Friday by ESPN via her manager, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management.
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The new NIL arrangement comes through the Matador Club, Texas Tech’s donor-driven collective, and was finalized just hours before Canady was set to take the mound in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series championship series against Texas.
The Red Raiders lost the decisive Game 3 to Texas 10-4 on Friday night.
Canady transferred from Stanford following the 2023 season is coming off her third consecutive WCWS appearance. She previously signed a landmark deal with Texas Tech in 2024 that included $1 million in direct payments and $50K for living expenses. This year’s agreement also surpasses the million-dollar mark, though specific terms have not been disclosed.
“She’s box office,” Shelby told ESPN. “This program has taken care of her. Tonight she’s playing for a national championship and making history.”
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Related: Michigan Running Back’s Groundbreaking NIL Deal Redefines College Football
Canady’s presence on the mound has been key for the Red Raiders. She led the nation with 34 wins and a 0.97 ERA during the regular season, and has thrown every pitch for Texas Tech in the WCWS. In the series, she delivered a gutsy six-inning performance in Game 1’s 2-1 loss and followed it with a complete-game, seven-inning outing in Thursday’s 4-3 Game 2 win.
Related: MLB Executive Brian Seeley Named CEO of College Sports Commission
The Topeka, Kansas, native earned the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award in 2024 and is a multiple-time All-American. A national championship would be a fitting capstone to her storied collegiate career.
With her latest NIL deal, Canady becomes one of the highest-paid athletes in college softball history.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Texas A&M’s Reed, Owens II earn historic NIL deal with SONIC
Texas A&M QB @Marcel10Reed and RB @ii_rueben agreed to NIL deals with Sonic, which will involve them appearing in their commercials this fall and working with actor Terry Crews. Here’s a look at Sonic’s “Terry Crews School of Acting for Athletes.” pic.twitter.com/H54YLbkeWG — Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) August 18, 2025 A pair of Texas A&M stars […]
Texas A&M QB @Marcel10Reed and RB @ii_rueben agreed to NIL deals with Sonic, which will involve them appearing in their commercials this fall and working with actor Terry Crews. Here’s a look at Sonic’s “Terry Crews School of Acting for Athletes.” pic.twitter.com/H54YLbkeWG
A pair of Texas A&M stars began their NIL journey with SONIC, marking the fast-food chain’s first-ever NIL deals, which will feature the Aggie athletes in television commercials.
Alongside actor and former professional athlete Terry Crews, sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed and running back Rueben Owens II were invitees to take part in the groundbreaking commercial series. Reed and Owens II are two of three college football athletes selected, along with representatives from the Texas Longhorns. According to reports from KDAF CW 33 in Austin, Texas, Crews will serve as the on-set acting coach for the young stars.
GigEm247 beat writer Carter Karels posted the hilarious preview snippet of Crews preparing the Aggies and Longhorns on techniques, which included how to hold SONIC’s burgers.
Per reports from KDAF, the first set of commercials featuring the athletes from the respective universities will air on the weekend of August 30. While Reed and Owens II are learning how to properly hold SONIC products for the upcoming NIL deal with the brand, the pair will also be integral pieces to head coach Mike Elko’s offense in 2025.
Reed was thrown into the fire and immediately rose from the ashes like a phoenix against elite competition, as the Nashville, Tenn., native thrived in his first collegiate start in 2024 in a 33-20 victory over the Florida Gators in Gainesville.
Entering his third year at Texas A&M and joining Reed in the Aggies’ offensive backfield is Owens II. The 5-foot-11 back from El Campo, Texas, dons the Jason Vorhees famous hockey mask from Friday the 13th for a reason, as his innate ability to seek contact and zip past defenders makes him a tremendous piece to one of the best running back rooms in the Southeastern Conference, along with Le’Veon Moss.
Both stars have earned their reward off the field, but there are still major achievements the duo is aiming for as they enter this year’s campaign in College Station.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
Omaha, North Dakota Basketball Player Deng Mayar Drowns in a Utah Reservoir
Omaha basketball player Deng Mayar drowned Saturday in a Utah reservoir, police said. Herriman police said Mayar died at Blackridge Reservoir after going underwater about 35 yards from shore. Mayar, 22, was a graduate student who joined the Mavericks after playing two seasons for Summit League rival North Dakota. Mayar, from Salt Lake City, started […]
Omaha basketball player Deng Mayar drowned Saturday in a Utah reservoir, police said.
Herriman police said Mayar died at Blackridge Reservoir after going underwater about 35 yards from shore.
Mayar, 22, was a graduate student who joined the Mavericks after playing two seasons for Summit League rival North Dakota. Mayar, from Salt Lake City, started 15 games in two seasons and averaged 6.3 points and 4.0 rebounds as a senior.
Omaha coach Chris Crutchfield said in a statement that Mayar had made “tremendous progress” during the summer.
“Deng was a joy to be around and made our culture better,” Crutchfield said. “We will miss him greatly.”
Herriman police responded to a 911 call reporting two people in distress at the reservoir. Sa Mafutaga, 21, made it to shore and then went back into the water to try to rescue Mayar. Bystanders entered the water to aid Mafutaga, who was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital. The report said Mafutaga is expected to recover.
Mayar’s body was recovered from the reservoir by authorities after several hours of searching.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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GREEN BAY (WLUK) — The retirement of former Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy didn’t last long. Murphy has traded in his green and gold for the UW-Green Bay green and white, joining the athletics staff at UWGB as the college’s first Executive in Residence. “I really missed my days in college athletics […]
“I really missed my days in college athletics and being involved in the campus,” said Murphy during an exclusive interview with FOX 11 Monday at the Kress Events Center on UWGB’s campus.
A former college football player who served as the athletic director at both Colgate University and Northwestern University, Murphy became involved at UWGB shortly after starting with the Packers. He currently sits on the Chancellor’s Council of Trustees.
As he approached the Packers’ mandatory retirement age of 70, discussions began between Murphy and UW-Green Bay administrators about his future plans.
According to Chancellor Michael Alexander, “We started to talk to Mark before he retired about what he was planning to do after he retired, and we’re really excited that we were able to work this out.”
The Green Bay Phoenix created its first Executive in Residence position for Murphy. It’s truly a return to his roots.
“It’s a great university and it serves the community, so to be involved and be helpful is something that’s really exciting to me,” Murphy told FOX 11.
Between the introduction of the transfer portal and the name, image and likeness (NIL) deal that allows college students to profit financially on their athletic ability, Murphy believes it’s an interesting time in college athletics.
In this volunteer position, where he will take no salary, Murphy’s main focus will be to help with fundraising for the Phoenix through partnerships and sponsorships.
“It’s the reality of college athletics now, and you’re going to have to put together a program where student athletes are being compensated. Good thing about Green Bay is you have a lot of people that are supportive of UWGB athletics that want them to be competitive, and I’m looking forward to working with [athletic director Josh Moon] in identifying people that might be helpful in moving the program forward,” said Murphy.
While his office is in the Kress Events Center, Murphy won’t only be focused on athletics. He will also work with Chancellor Alexander on other special university projects, too.
“He doesn’t have to learn the university. He knows the university and can help it immediately,” added Alexander.
Joel Klatt predicts 2025 College Football Playoff field, national champion
Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt predicted the entire College Football Playoff field, results and national champion by season’s end. It promises to be a fascinating season and postseason. The College Football Playoff adjusted its seeing process for the 12-team bracket this year. The five-highest ranked conference champions still make the field, but the top four don’t […]
Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt predicted the entire College Football Playoff field, results and national champion by season’s end. It promises to be a fascinating season and postseason.
The College Football Playoff adjusted its seeing process for the 12-team bracket this year. The five-highest ranked conference champions still make the field, but the top four don’t automatically get the top four seeds. It’ll be strictly by ranking at that point.
Without further ado, let’s dive into Klatt’s College Football Playoff predictions. We start with the four teams getting a first round bye.
First round byes
1. Penn State (Big Ten champion) 2. Texas (SEC champion) 3. Clemson (ACC champion) 4. Ohio State
Klatt went with three conference champs as the top seeds and an at-large bid for the defending national champions. Based on these seeds, Penn State gets one over Ohio State in the championship game.
Klatt also has Texas and Clemson winning their respective conferences to get a bye in the College Football Playoff. A lot different than playing in the first round last season.
12. Boise State (5th highest ranked conf. champion) at 5. Georgia – Winner faces Ohio State
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Klatt has Boise State back in the College Football Playoff this coming season, but grabbing the final seed. To be fair, they’ll have a quality season to be the fifth highest ranked conference champion.
Now, here’s the hard part. They have to go to Athens to play the Bulldogs in the first round. Georgia goes into the 2025 season as one of the contenders for the national title. This will be a monumental task.
Michigan will return to the College Football Playoff under Sherrone Moore, despite financial penalties and suspensions from the sign stealing scandal. The Wolverines set up to be better in Year 2, especially at quarterback.
It’ll be a Big Ten matchup against the Ducks, who just won the league last year and were the top seed. Oregon plays host so they’ll certainly have the advantage in this first round game.
Notre Dame gets a home game for the second straight College Football Playoff. But instead of Indiana making a Cinderella run, it’s LSU finally making the dance.
Brian Kelly is certainly under the gun to get the Tigers into the 12-team playoff. He has the team to do so, especially at QB with Garrett Nussmeier. But going to South Bend won’t be easy, especially for Kelly’s return.
Chris Klieman/Kansas State Athletics
Kansas State is the final conference champion on Klatt’s list and they’ll get a home game by virtue of their seeding at No. 8. In Manhattan, Avery Johnson and crew will welcome the Crimson Tide.
You want Bama? Well, you’ll get them in the College Football Playoff. Kalen DeBoer plugged some holes through the transfer portal, the coaching staff and pure development. While they won’t win the SEC, they might even be road favorites in this game.
Georgia and Ohio State, remember that field goal attempt? Sorry Ohio State fans, but your Buckeyes did just win it all last year!
This would be a fascinating matchup on a neutral site. It’s tough to tell this far out, but this game could be a true tossup in the College Football Playoff.
Alabama gets the win over Kansas State on the road and advances to play the top seed. If this isn’t the year James Franklin gets it done for the Nittany Lions, when will it be?
On paper, Penn State should have the advantage over Alabama at most of the key positions. This is a College Football Playoff quarterfinal you won’t want to miss.
The Ducks beat Michigan in the first round to advance to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. It’ll be Dan Lanning’s first CFP victory, but it’ll be his last, at least this season.
Clemson looks loaded this year with a veteran roster. Led by QB Cade Klubnik, this Tigers’ team looks like one that could win it all for the first time in seven years.
The matchup we nearly had in last year’s College Football Playoff national championship. This time, we get it in the quarterfinals. Marcus Freeman is one heck of a coach and he’ll have the Irish in position to make another run.
Texas is too good though. Arch Manning and crew will get to the semifinals for the third straight year, per Klatt. Now, can they actually finish the deal?
How about a third matchup between these teams? Klatt has it happening in this year’s College Football Playoff.
We can assume, if Ohio State is the fourth seed, the two teams split the regular season and Big Ten title games. The rubber match? It goes to the Buckeyes as they advance to their second straight national championship.
Clemson and Texas get their College Football Playoff rematch from last year’s first round. Will Steve Sarkisian get over the hump? Or will Dabo Swinney return to the top of the mountain?
It’s the latter as Klatt predicted Clemson to give Texas their straight CFP semifinal loss. It appears experience rules in this situation.
So now we get to the big game. Not, not “the Big Game.” The College Football Playoff national championship features familiar programs in Ohio State and Clemson.
Ohio State will fall short of the repeat, per Klatt. Clemson will finally get it done for the first time since pre-COVID. Cade Klubnik, Peter Woods and TJ Parker will end their Tiger careers as champions.
Caleb Wilson's Latest NIL Deal Is Fueling His Rising Stardom
In the age of NIL, college athletes have the opportunity to earn thousands — and in some cases, millions — through endorsement deals that use their name, image and likeness. For North Carolina freshman forward Caleb Wilson, he will reap the benefits this season as he landed a lucrative NIL endorsement deal with New Balance. […]
In the age of NIL, college athletes have the opportunity to earn thousands — and in some cases, millions — through endorsement deals that use their name, image and likeness.
For North Carolina freshman forward Caleb Wilson, he will reap the benefits this season as he landed a lucrative NIL endorsement deal with New Balance. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal is expected to be a multiyear, multimillion-dollar shoe deal for the Atlanta, Georgia native. The deal is supposed to last four years and it is similar to the one that former Duke star Cooper Flagg had signed last season.
New Balance has been an aggressive brand in adding new athletes to represent them. At the professional level, that includes superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Coco Gauff and as deals go across multiple sports. In college, they’ve also been active in the NIL space, adding athletes like Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and then-Stanford star Cameron Brink.
Mar 18, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks with against the North Carolina Tar Heels official in the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at UD Arena. / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Wilson was the crown jewel of UNC’s recruiting class as he was the only five-star prospect to sign with the Tar Heels in the 2025 cycle. Wilson was ranked No. 8 nationally, No. 3 at his position, and No. 1 in the state of Georgia.
In his senior season, Wilson recorded 21.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.6 blocks and 2.1 steals per game, leading Holy Innocents Episcopal School (Ga.) to the school’s first state championship title.
Offensively, it is nearly impossible to guard him in the paint as his athleticism, quickness and physicality is hard for anyone to guard no matter the size. On defense, it’s hard to get past Wilson as he has averaged nearly four blocks a game since his sophomore season in high school.
At 6-foot-9, the forward from Atlanta faces heavy pressure as North Carolina looks to reclaim its place among college basketball’s elite after last season’s disappointing first-round NCAA Tournament exit. The Tar Heels finished 23-14, and the loss was compounded by controversy surrounding their selection, with some critics — including Carolina fans — insisting they never should have made the field.
On top of that, his coach, Hubert Davis, is starting to feel the heat despite being a longtime fan favorite since his playing days. Although he led the Tar Heels were the national runner-up in 2022 and won the ACC regular-season championship in 2024, they missed the NCAA Tournament in 2023 after entering the season ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll and suffered a first-round exit last season.
In any other program, those four seasons would be seen as a success for Davis. However, this is UNC basketball we are talking about.
“Well, it’s funny because I always say that the most spoiled fan bases in sports were the Los Angeles Lakers and Carolina basketball,” Bomani Jones said on the Inside Carolina podcast. “Because they were never bad, even if not always the best, they were never bad, right? Like before that run for the Lakers, you know, toward the end of Kobe’s career and then until LeBron showed up, they’ve been in L .A. for like 52 years and missed the playoffs four times, right? Like it just always been there. That’s Carolina basketball.”
“So what is happening right now or has happened in large part at Carolina actually happens to everybody,” Jones added. It happens everywhere else. It just never happened here.
This isn’t the first time a freshman has faced that kind of pressure. Cole Anthony carried the burden during the 2019-20 season, when he averaged 18.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Despite his production, North Carolina stumbled to a 14-19 record — its first losing season under Roy Williams and its first since 2001. The difference this time is that the freshman will have far more help on paper than Anthony did.
NIL: Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed, RB Rueben Owens featured in new Sonic ad
When so many times NIL is something that turns fans off in the college game, every once in a while we’re reminding how great it can actually be. One of those times has arrived, as two Texas A&M athletes: QB Marcel Reed and RB Rueben Owens, are featured in a new Sonic Drive-In ad featuring […]
When so many times NIL is something that turns fans off in the college game, every once in a while we’re reminding how great it can actually be. One of those times has arrived, as two Texas A&M athletes: QB Marcel Reed and RB Rueben Owens, are featured in a new Sonic Drive-In ad featuring Terry Crews and his “School of Acting for Athletes.”
Reed and Owens are joined by Texas Longhorns Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo and Michael Taffe, but try not to focus on that part.
