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This is how the game is being destroyed.

Since the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal, we’ve heard and read countless perspectives from coaches, analysts, and media members regarding the changes and ripple effects that college football has found itself dancing with – for better or worse depends on perspective. Meanwhile, the viewpoint of players has been relatively quiet, at least in […]

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Since the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal, we’ve heard and read countless perspectives from coaches, analysts, and media members regarding the changes and ripple effects that college football has found itself dancing with – for better or worse depends on perspective.

Meanwhile, the viewpoint of players has been relatively quiet, at least in comparison. Especially the perspective of the players watching the guys they’ve played alongside who have decided to chase opportunities at a higher level, or NIL opportunities not offered to everyone in the locker room.

That’s about to change significantly with this open letter.

A highly successful college coach shared this open letter exclusively with FootballScoop, written by one of his players, earlier today and it reads equal parts warning and also a love letter to the college football we’ve seemingly left behind.

This is how the game is being destroyed.

This is how young people will fail to learn the gifts that the game was meant to teach them.

Football, you had the ability to take a hundred young individuals, from completely different backgrounds, and unite them to work together as one team. To let them experience the magic of how a common love for you strengthens each one’s ability exponentially when they work together.  You gave them the chance to see how each and every team member is valuable, that no one person is more important or can win a national championship by themselves. You taught them that they need the sacrifice and support of their teammates, and that they need to sacrifice and support as well. You taught them the value of humility and putting the team before themselves. And you taught them the sweetness of victory, made even sweeter because it was shared with every member of the team, the school, and the program. 

Sorry football, the portal and N.I.L. has changed all that. It has taken the focus off of you and the team, and put the focus on individuals and their own personal gain.  Young players who came to the school for the love of the game, the school’s program, and to pursue an education, are being seduced and distracted by the lure of money and fame. These young men are being exploited by big money schools and programs, often just to pad their rosters. Their focus is turned by these sales pitches, away from the team and the program that invested in them and helped develop their skills and character, and placed it on the monetization of their abilities. 

They are being hounded by slick agents who operate with no rules, guardrails, or scruples. These young men have less protection than the adult NFL players. They are being encouraged to jump ship from their teammates to make quick money now, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. 

Football, they are idealistic enough to think that this is the beginning of a football career and not the end of it. There are no statistics suggesting that the portal increases the odds of going on to pro football. There are no studies suggesting that leaving your teammates to join a new team, leads to increased emotional satisfaction, but it is not rocket science to see that a five to six year bond will be stronger than a one or two year bond. And it is fact that education wise, a player could lose a percent of his college credits that do not transfer, which puts earning a degree in jeopardy.

Football, I am worried for our players, that this exploitation is at the cost of their mental health and their future careers, whether in football or, more likely, whatever they pursue in their education, if they are even able to finish. Many players are able to attend college because of football scholarship money. When they transfer and lose credits, their academic years will likely be extended beyond their football eligibility, and they will not be able to afford to finish. The contradiction of the portal is that while it might give the young athletes more options now, is it limiting their options for their future?

Football, I am worried for the future of young athletes, and I’m worried for the smaller programs that are suffering because of the portal. The smaller universities have always given opportunity to players who have been overlooked by the big schools. Players that have proven to have just as much potential and talent as players in the bigger programs, but who benefitted from being mentored, invested in, and taught what it means to be loved in a football family. These are the kids we pour our heart and souls into. These kids pour their heart and souls into the game and into their team. When they enter the portal they lose a little bit of their souls and take a little bit of soul from their teammates and coaches, the program and their university. They unintentionally further hobble the team by devaluing their teammates. Instead of seeing the team as the treasure, it makes the players the commodities, to be bought and sold like property. Their former teammates feeling the sting of being left, are also left with the challenge of rebuilding the team. The coaches and program must deal with recruiting higher numbers than naturally would occur, and without the fat wallet of the bigger schools. This creates an even bigger disparity between the rich and the poor, so to speak. There should be some compensation to the programs, whose players are being harvested, to at least keep them competitive, or they will become just a stepping stone or developmental division. 

Football, the college game should be about developing young athletes to be men of character. Men who know and have experienced the value of hard work, dedication, humility, and the love good coaches and teammates share. Men who value the joy and satisfaction of being part of something bigger than themselves. Football, for years you have been an incredible force in turning boys into men! I pray that you can still do that for future generations, but change must happen for you to succeed.

Powerful words and thoughts from this young man. 

The floor is open, let us hear your feedback in the comments below.



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Pennsylvania Rep. Stambaugh plans NIL legislation

State Representative Perry Stambaugh plans to cosponsor legislation addressing student-athlete NIL earnings. PENNSYLVANIA, USA — On Tuesday June 3, State Representative Perry Stambaugh (R – Perry & Juniata Counties) announced his plans to cosponsor new legislation amid the current NIL landscape.  “It’s a wild, wild west in college sports,” said Stambaugh on the current state […]

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State Representative Perry Stambaugh plans to cosponsor legislation addressing student-athlete NIL earnings.

PENNSYLVANIA, USA — On Tuesday June 3, State Representative Perry Stambaugh (R – Perry & Juniata Counties) announced his plans to cosponsor new legislation amid the current NIL landscape. 

“It’s a wild, wild west in college sports,” said Stambaugh on the current state of college athletics. “It’s probably the biggest change in college sports since the NCAA was created 120 years ago.” 

The change was the introduction of NIL, allowing student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness. 

As for if Stambaugh backs NIL, “if you’re good at something and somebody wants to compensate you for that, whatever your age is, you should be able to earn whatever money you can make at any point in life.” 

A Penn State alum and big Nittany Lions football fan, Stambaugh supports the idea of NIL, but he also acknowledged that legislation needs to be put in place to protect student-athletes sooner than later. 

“This is something Pennsylvania needs to address, and we need to address it right now,” said Stambaugh. 

The urgency comes as a result of an ongoing federal court case that will set the standard for player compensation within NCAA athletics. 

Stambaugh sees this as a starting point, understanding that this is just the beginning for NIL legislation. 

“Eventually, we’re going to have to bridge this approach and look at other ways to make sure our colleges and universities and our high schools can stay competitive as the NIL and revenue-sharing landscape unfolds,” said Stambaugh. “Pennsylvania’s going to have to put itself in a competitive position so our colleges and universities can stay athletically competitive.”

The legislation Stambaugh and Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper are currently working on focuses on money management. 

In the proposed legislation, colleges would have to offer student-athletes the opportunity to put a portion of their earnings into trusts that would then be accessible upon their graduation or if they left their respective institutions. It would also mandate financial literacy classes for student-athletes. 

“This might be the most significant money they earn in a lifetime, so being able to have that money professionally managed [and] being able to learn the tools on how to live off those earnings just makes sense,” said Stambaugh. 

The bill has yet to be formally introduced, but it is expected to come in the near future, with the bill’s sponsors ensuring athletes are being kept at the forefront. 

Stambaugh is looking to set the standard, saying, “I think it’s a good first step, and every state should actually be adopting this.” 



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College Basketball Rankings: ESPN releases updated Top 25 after NBA Draft withdrawals

With the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline passed, rosters in college basketball are nearly set. Teams out there are looking for one or two more pieces, whether through the NCAA transfer portal or looking at international prospects. But for the most part, we have a good idea of how teams will look in 2025-2026. To celebrate, […]

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June 5, 2025

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With the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline passed, rosters in college basketball are nearly set. Teams out there are looking for one or two more pieces, whether through the NCAA transfer portal or looking at international prospects. But for the most part, we have a good idea of how teams will look in 2025-2026.

To celebrate, ESPN has put together its latest top 25. There is a ton of movement throughout the rankings, specifically inside the top 10.

Five different conferences are represented inside the top 10, showing the potential parity we might have in the sport next season. That being said, let’s check out how ESPN ranks college basketball’s best in early June.

Multiple teams are candidates to take the No. 1 overall spot. ESPN has gone with Purdue due to Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn. Nobody else in the country will have guys like those two returning like the Boilermakers do.

ESPN: “There’s a chance Purdue has the preseason Wooden Award favorite and two All-Americans on its roster next season.”

Florida was the biggest riser from ESPN, getting news back on Alex Condon. He will return for Gainesville for another season, hoping to win a second national championship. Combined with the commitment of Boogie Fland, the Gators should be one of college basketball’s best.

ESPN: “There could be growing pains as Todd Golden figures out how all his players fit, but the Gators are certainly in the discussion to go back-to-back.”

ESPN highlighted the mixed bag of news for Houston. Milos Uzan returning is a positive but Pop Issacs decommitting in favor of Texas A&M was a blow. Even so, no program has been as consistent in recent years as Kelvin Sampson‘s.

ESPN: “It was an eventful NBA draft withdrawal deadline for Houston with all eyes on Milos Uzan’s decision. Hours before Uzan announced his return — which puts the Cougars in the conversation for preseason No. 1.”

UConn never came close to achieving a three-peat, having a down year by their standards. Everyone expects them to be back near the top this winter, getting back guys such as Alex Karaban and Solo Ball.

ESPN: “UConn’s national championship streak ended at two, but Dan Hurley and the Huskies have reloaded to make another run.”

St. John’s put itself back on the national map before a disappointing NCAA Tournament run. Rick Pitino has made sure the Red Storm are not a one-season wonder, adding through the portal while getting Zuby Ejiofor back in the program.

ESPN: “The Red Storm’s NCAA tournament run ended earlier than expected, but Rick Pitino guided them to the Big East regular-season and tournament titles and has them back in the national discussion.”

Having the No. 1 overall recruit on your roster is enough to raise eyebrows. Doing so at BYU only adds to the intrigue, needing to build a quality roster around him. BYU is hoping they have done so, looking to go a step further than 2025’s Sweet Sixteen appearance.

ESPN: “All eyes will be on Provo, Utah, next season, as No. 1 recruit A.J. Dybantsa arrives in college to suit up for the Cougars.”

Pat Kelsey hit the ground running in Year One, producing results not many thought were possible. Expectations have now been raised for Kelsey in the ACC. Outside support has followed, constructing a top roster, on paper, for the ’25-26 season.

ESPN: “Pat Kelsey had as strong an offseason as any coach in the country so far, landing impact transfers Ryan Conwell (Xavier), Isaac McKneely (Virginia) and Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State) to go with top-10 recruit Mikel Brown Jr. in the backcourt.”

Michigan’s preseason expectations seemingly relied on the decision of Yaxel Lendeborg. Honest throughout the full process, Lendeborg chose for one more year of college basketball. ESPN kept them in the top 10 because of that.

ESPN: “Michigan solidified its preseason standing at the withdrawal deadline, when potential first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg pulled his name out of the draft and headed to Ann Arbor.”

Similar to his in-state rival, Mark Pope has completely won over a fan base. Kentucky fans are all in, hoping Pope can bring back another national championship. His style of play brings excitement, especially given the talent acquisition from this offseason.

ESPN: “Kentucky is absolutely loaded on the perimeter next season… Mark Pope also revamped the frontcourt with defense in mind.”

Last time ESPN posted a top 25, Texas Tech was inside the top three. Things have changed in Lubbock, even with some quality portal additions. Mainly Darrion Williams leaving in favor of Will Wade in Raleigh.

ESPN: The biggest move was the return of JT Toppin, a preseason All-American who dominated the second half of the season. And LeJuan Watts, a versatile and skilled wing forward, would be a seamless replacement for Darrion Williams.

ESPN college basketball top 25 following NBA draft withdrawal deadline: Nos. 11-25

11. Arkansas Razorbacks
12. Duke Blue Devils
13. Arizona Wildcats
14. Auburn Tigers
15. UCLA Bruins
16. Illinois Fighting Illini
17. Alabama Crimson Tide
18. Iowa State Cyclones
19. Gonzaga Bulldogs
20. Wisconsin Badgers
21. Kansas Jayhawks
22. Creighton Bluejays
23. Tennessee Volunteers
24. NC State Wolfpack
25. North Carolina Tar Heels



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SGA in NBA Finals 2025 shows one-and-done impact

The rest of the country is just now catching up to what Kentucky basketball figured out during John Calipari’s tenure. One year on campus doesn’t allow for much of a connection. I’m reminded of that watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the first former Wildcat player to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award, lead the Oklahoma City […]

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The rest of the country is just now catching up to what Kentucky basketball figured out during John Calipari’s tenure. One year on campus doesn’t allow for much of a connection.

I’m reminded of that watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the first former Wildcat player to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award, lead the Oklahoma City Thunder into the NBA Finals as the overwhelming favorite over the Indiana Pacers.

An accomplishment like that in the past would have been trumpeted and Gilgeous-Alexander revered as one of the best to ever play for the Cats. Instead, the reaction has largely been, meh.

Sure, there’s some pride knowing he briefly wore Kentucky blue. But the attachment? Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t feel that much more tethered to UK than a seldom-used walk-on whose success came outside of basketball.

This isn’t to pick on UK or even to lament on days past — it’s only going to get worse as the new reality of college basketball ushers into the transfer if you wanna, pay-for-play, name, image and likeness era.

Players don’t have to turn pro to move like In and Out Burger through a program. And the ties that bind a former player to a particular program last about as long as fast food.

Travis Perry’s celebrated arrival after winning Mr. Basketball in 2024 and becoming the all-time leading scorer in Kentucky high school history turned into an unceremonious departure when he opted to transfer in April to Mississippi. Although Perry wasn’t viewed as a game-changing player, as a native of the commonwealth fulfilling a dream to play at UK, he had a feel-good story that doesn’t feel so good anymore.

Player movement isn’t ruining college basketball, but it has created a different culture. Programs have become like franchises and it is certainly all about business.

Calipari was ahead of the game during the one-and-done era with the large scale, annual flipping of his roster. Just the sheer volume of players who were gone after a single season got everyone used to the assembly line movement of players.

Gilgeous-Alexander played during such a nondescript season, it’s really hard to recall his year at UK. I’d gather many fans can’t do it without looking it up. His 2017-18 team did win the SEC Tournament, which is notable because the Cats haven’t won it since.

But that was the high point.

Despite an easy path to the Final Four — the top four seeds in the South bracket all lost in the first or second round, including No. 1 seed Virginia’s historic loss to No. 16 seed UMBC — UK lost to ninth-seeded Kansas State in Atlanta.

The “free-throw merchant” moniker some NBA pundits have tagged on Gilgeous-Alexander was far from being created, but he did score 11 of his 15 points in that final game from the free-throw line.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s post-UK career has included some examples of him staying attached to the program as recently as Calipari’s last season.

The Ontario native visited with the Cats and attended some games when they played in the GLOBL Jam in Toronto the summer of 2023. He also gifted them pairs of an unreleased version of his signature Converse shoes before the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Those are the kinds of actions that nurture a real connection. But those actions have to be multiplied.

What forms lasting bonds with a program are things like returning to campus during the summer to workout. Or making an effort to visit with the newest team. Or holding a skills camp or an event that reaches out into the community.

This new age of players that have played for multiple schools might not even have clarity on where they should anchor themselves.

Where does someone like Tre Mitchell consider his home? He played at Massachusetts, Texas and West Virginia before finishing at UK. Is he enamored with one program above all? Does he return to Lexington knowing his former coach is in Arkansas?

There’s no wrong choice here, but the fact that there are options speaks to why there will be a growing disconnect between programs and the former players who were only there for a season.

Short of winning a national championship or accomplishing something extraordinary, there’s just not many reasons to hold on.

Reach sports columnist C.L. Brown at clbrown1@gannett.com, follow him on X at @CLBrownHoops and subscribe to his newsletter at profile.courier-journal.com/newsletters/cl-browns-latest to make sure you never miss one of his columns.





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Alabama baseball coach Rob Vaughn agrees to contract extension

A few more years of the Rob Vaughn era of Alabama baseball have been guaranteed. Yea Alabama, the university NIL collective, announced Tuesday night that, while financial terms remain subject to approval by The Board of Trustees, appropriate members have been notified of the proposed terms and conditions for a contract extension with Vaughn. In […]

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A few more years of the Rob Vaughn era of Alabama baseball have been guaranteed.

Yea Alabama, the university NIL collective, announced Tuesday night that, while financial terms remain subject to approval by The Board of Trustees, appropriate members have been notified of the proposed terms and conditions for a contract extension with Vaughn.

In two seasons, Vaughn has continued Alabama’s NCAA Tournament appearance streak and compiled a 74-42 overall record with the Crimson Tide, highlighted by the program’s first 40-plus win regular season since 2002 this spring.

“It means everything, to be honest with you,” Vaughn told Yea Alabama.

What does baseball coach Rob Vaughn currently get paid at the University of Alabama?

Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne told Yea Alabama that Vaughn has been “an incredible addition” to the university’s coaches and UA is “thrilled to reach an agreement to keep him and his family in Tuscaloosa for years to come.”

When Vaughn was hired in June 2023, he signed a five-year contract for $900,000 annually.

“He went and hired a young coach that had never one time coached in this area, this part of the country, that had never coached in this league, and gave me an opportunity. And I have felt from the second I stepped here super indebted to him for doing that. I never took that lightly,” Vaughn said of Byrne. “I felt like I had to wake up every day and prove Greg right.”

The Crimson Tide’s 2025 season ended on Saturday in an NCAA regionals against No. 16 national seed Southern Miss.

play

Rob Vaughn reflects on Alabama baseball season after NCAA Regional elimination

Eliminated on the second day of regional play for the second year in a row, Alabama baseball’s 2025 season is over. What coach Rob Vaughn said.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article was updated to correct a typo.



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I feel like FSU is the pinnacle of college baseball

Florida State baseball has its first transfer portal addition for the 2026 season. Davidson transfer Eli Putnam confirmed to Noles247 that he has committed to the Seminoles. 64Analytics’ transfer portal database first had Putnam’s commitment to FSU.  Putnam told Noles247, “I feel like FSU is the pinnacle of college baseball and was a perfect fit. […]

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Florida State baseball has its first transfer portal addition for the 2026 season. Davidson transfer Eli Putnam confirmed to Noles247 that he has committed to the Seminoles. 64Analytics’ transfer portal database first had Putnam’s commitment to FSU. 

Putnam told Noles247, “I feel like FSU is the pinnacle of college baseball and was a perfect fit. I love the coaching staff, the atmosphere is unmatched, and the history is incredible.”

He spent four seasons at Davidson and would be a redshirt senior in 2026. Putnam played in 13 games as a true freshman in 2022 before losing his 2023 season to injury. He has been an Atlantic 10 First-Team member each of the last two years, playing in 107 total games in that span. 

In 2024, Putnam hit .352 with 16 doubles and 16 homers. This season, he batted .349 with 18 doubles and 19 homers.

He owns a career .338 AVG with a .424 OBP and .642 SLG%. In the last two seasons, he’s combined for 34 doubles, 35 homers, and 120 RBI. The right-handed hitter has struck out 122 times compared to 71 free passes. 

He has played all four positions on the infield in his time at Davidson. This past season, six-foot-four, 215-pound infielder mostly played second base. He made 10 errors in 255 total chances for a .961 FLD%. 

“I don’t have any expectation around where I’ll play,” Putnam explained, “But it is a goal for me to stick on the left side of the infield and I think Link (Jarrett) is the best coach in America when it comes to developing infielders.”

He produced at a high level in the Cape Cod League last summer. In 36 games, he posted a .291 AVG with a .906 OPS. With wood bats, he slugged seven doubles, three triples, and five homers. He also stole nine bases in 11 attempts. He played first base on the Cape, only making a pair of errors in 241 total chances. 

Putnam is not planning on going back to the Cape this summer but said it was ‘the best summer of his life’ last year. 

The Davidson transfer was able to make one visit to Tallahassee. It only lasted about 20 hours but left an impact on him. He said, “I felt like I got a pretty good feel of the program through talking a bunch with the coaches and current players. It was a whirlwind of a day but I could really see myself going to FSU after the visit.”

He is draft-eligible and confirmed he will go through the draft process this summer. If he does not sign, FSU will be getting a proven, producitve right-handed bat. 





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South Carolina baseball lands USC Upstate transfer pitcher Amp Phillips

COLUMBIA — South Carolina baseball has landed pitcher Amp Phillips of USC Upstate via the transfer portal. Phillips, from Lancaster, spent one season with USC Upstate after starting his college career at Spartanburg Methodist This season, he went 7-2 with a 3.64 ERA in 84 innings pitched and had 81 strikeouts and 29 walks. Phillips […]

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South Carolina baseball lands USC Upstate transfer pitcher Amp Phillips


COLUMBIA — South Carolina baseball has landed pitcher Amp Phillips of USC Upstate via the transfer portal.

Phillips, from Lancaster, spent one season with USC Upstate after starting his college career at Spartanburg Methodist This season, he went 7-2 with a 3.64 ERA in 84 innings pitched and had 81 strikeouts and 29 walks.

Phillips is the fourth addition to South Carolina coach Paul Mainieri’s roster via the portal since it opened June 2. As of June 4, 14 players have announced they are transferring out of the program.

He was the Spartans’ starting pitcher in the NCAA regional against Clemson on May 30. He pitched six innings, allowed three runs and struck out nine but was not involved in the decision in the 7-3 loss.

When USC Upstate faced Clemson on March 4, Phillips pitched two scoreless innings, allowing only a walk and striking out two batters in a 7-0 loss.

In the Big South Tournament on May 22, Phillips struck out five batters and allowed four hits and zero runs while pitching a complete game in a 7-0 quarterfinal win over Winthrop.

He was named the 2025 Newcomer of the Year for the Big South Conference and was voted part of the Big South All-Tournament team. The Spartans won the Big South Conference Tournament for the first time in program history, earning their first NCAA Tournament bid.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

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