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Top LSU Wide Receiver Recruit Joins adidas NIL Roster

With one more season of high school football ahead for the LSU-committed Tristen Keys, the top wide receiver recruit in the 2026 class is joining a new team off the field. The Hattiesburg, Miss.-native has signed a NIL partnership with adidas, as the latest top prospect on the brand’s growing high school football roster. Keys […]

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With one more season of high school football ahead for the LSU-committed Tristen Keys, the top wide receiver recruit in the 2026 class is joining a new team off the field. The Hattiesburg, Miss.-native has signed a NIL partnership with adidas, as the latest top prospect on the brand’s growing high school football roster.

Keys is the newest signing for adidas, who counts fellow top receiver recruits Chris Henry Jr. and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt as NIL endorsers. The German-based sports brand recently signed Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola and top NFL Draft picks Travis Hunter – who joined the brand ahead of winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy – Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker, Shemar Stewart and Emeka Egbuka, among others to their roster.

The brand announced their partnership in a collab post on Instagram with Keys, with the message “Don’t blink or you’ll miss the future. Welcome to the three stripes.”

The 6’3″ pass catcher hauled in 58 receptions for 1,275 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior and although he committed to LSU in March, has visited Miami with trips to Alabama and Tennessee still to come.

Keys is poised to be next in line as adidas’ star wide reciever, following in the footsteps of Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jets’ Garrett Wilson and Bears’ Rome Odunze, among others. Additional star NFL players wearing three stripes include Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, Micah Parsons of the Cowboys and Brock Purdy of the 49ers.

If Keys ultimately attends LSU, he won’t be able to wear adidas cleats on-field for the Tigers – who are sponsored by Nike – but can support the brand via social media and additional off-the-field marketing opportunities.





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How will the NCAA v. House settlement change college sports?

Dan LaForest was surprised as he sat in his office last week reviewing a new contract for a Name, Image and Likeness agreement from a university. It was one of the first contracts LaForest, the director of NIL for Influencer Counsel, reviewed since the House v. NCAA settlement officially paved the way for schools to […]

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Dan LaForest was surprised as he sat in his office last week reviewing a new contract for a Name, Image and Likeness agreement from a university.

It was one of the first contracts LaForest, the director of NIL for Influencer Counsel, reviewed since the House v. NCAA settlement officially paved the way for schools to pay student-athletes.

LaForest, a former Apopka and college quarterback, represents student-athletes at several Power 4 programs including Oregon, UCF, Florida State, Duke and Ole Miss.

Aside from the length of the contract — 19 pages, or four-to-five times the length of the standard NIL agreement players previously had with collectives — he was struck by some of the language in the deal.

“Before, you were looking at collective contracts that were built around NIL,” LaForest said. “We’re paying you to do something in return or post something on social media. Now, we have contracts directly from the universities because now the National Letter of Intent is gone. We’re talking about university lawyers putting things in contracts that are solely in place to protect the university.”

The contract is one of many changes quickly coming to the college athletics landscape, as schools can begin revenue sharing up to $20.5 million to student-athletes as soon as July 1.

“We are really excited about it,” Florida State athletic director Michael Alford said. “It’s a changing environment in collegiate athletics. We have elected to be a part of it. We’re going to compensate, and are working on our budget to compensate our student-athletes at the highest, elitist level we can do to continue to compete for championships.”

The recent settlement left some schools scrambling to get signed agreements in place in just a few weeks.

“In all fairness, universities were waiting six months to find out what the specific language would be and now they were left with two to three weeks with a July 1 effective date, LaForest said. “Until the judge ruled on it, everybody had an idea. But I only saw one school that had a revenue share contract prior to a few weeks ago, and they revised the language on it.”

The USA Today Florida Network spoke to college athletic directors, high school athletic directors and coaches, athletes, lawyers, and agents to get answers to some of the biggest questions heading into July 1.

Will revenue sharing bring more parity to the NCAA?

Much of the conversation in recruiting over the past few years has revolved around which teams had the deepest pockets. Who could make the highest bid for a high school player or transfer portal player? While those kinds of things will still exist, athletic departments will be capped at spending $20.5 million across all sports. Theoretically, it should mean a more balanced playing field. Basically, Michigan couldn’t give freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood a $10 million NIL deal without it eating up a huge portion of its allotment.

“It’s the first step back to normalization,” said Jones coach Elijah Williams, who was a national championship at Florida in 1996. “By capping it, kids aren’t getting unlimited money anymore. Now, you get things back to the way college football should be. It’s going to even the playing field. Now, you have guys going to schools where they want to wear the colors, graduate, and be an alumni. These kids graduate and go to four different schools and now they can’t even get a sideline pass because they don’t know you. I believe in giving them something but capping it so it’s an even playing field for everybody. You have to stop buying championships. That’s not college sports.”

Have NCAA programs been spending more than $20.5 million?

For some, way more. According to Knox News, part of the USA TODAY Network, Texas Tech will reportedly pay its players $55 million among all its programs next year between revenue sharing and NIL.

Are high school seniors being offered less NIL money now than they were from collectives in previous years?

Yes. While values vary by player and position — a five-star quarterback and a three-star defensive back have different values — LaForest estimated that rising seniors he represents are being offered approximately 30 percent less than players in previous years.

“It’s way different and way less,” he said. “Only because they have to pay their starters first. Starters aren’t going to happy if a high school recruit who’s on the third team is getting more money than they are.”

What happened to pre-existing NIL deals? Are they still in place?

In some cases, contracts for the 2025-26 school year were written to be paid out before June 30, 2025. Any NIL deals after that are subject to scrutiny by NIL Go.

“Most of the collective contracts were front-loaded, which means the compensation has been paid, or will be paid prior to July 1,” said Mit Winter, an NIL expert and attorney at Kennyhertz Perry in Missouri. “Any collective contacts paid before July 1 don’t have to be disclosed and reviewed by NIL Go. Either contacts are already all paid out before July 1 or some of the payments have been accelerated. I know some examples of that. Some that could extend beyond July 1. But under the new rules they’re supposed to be disclosed to NIL Go and then be reviewed.”

How are college athletic departments splitting up the $20.5 million among their programs?

Multiple people interviewed made similar remarks that several Power 4 programs plan to earmark approximately 75 percent ($15.37 million) for football, 15 percent for men’s basketball (3.08 million), 5 ($1.03 million) percent for women’s basketball, and 5 percent (1.03 million to other sports). Those are approximate numbers and certainly will vary from program to program.

“Twenty point five million is what each school can use,” LaForest said. “Up to $20.5 million. Some schools may not be able to get there. And that is for all sports. Florida has a strong football team, but they just won a natty in basketball. If they say football gets $15 million, how much does basketball get? Three? Basketball is going to say they need more. It’s going to be interesting.”

If approximately 90 percent of the $20.5 million goes to football and men’s basketball, does that create a Title IX issue?

Most likely. And both sides are gearing up for a courtroom showdown.

Sportico reported in May that Arthur H. Bryant, a prominent Title IX attorney, was launching his own practice. “This is a period of golden opportunities for Title IX enforcement in America,” Bryant told Sportico. “The law is very clear that women athletes at colleges and universities are supposed to get equal opportunities to participate, equal financial aid, and equal treatment compared to men. And some schools are providing it. But many, many, many are not. And all it takes to hold them accountable is women being willing to sue.”

“There will definitely be Title IX lawsuits,” Winter said. “It’s a gray area right now. We know Tit IX applies. It will be up to a court to tell us what Title IX means and how it applies to NIL compensation.

“Schools know they’re going to get sued. They’re already building war chests.”

What’s the fallout going to be for non-revenue sports?

That remains to be seen, but there is reason to be concerned. Some Power 4 schools already have made drastic roster cuts to sports like swimming and track & field.

“Power 4 schools, they’ll maintain (the sport), but they may end up cutting some more or consolidating. What I mean by cutting is maybe cutting some athletes or consolidating,” Pine Forest High School track coach Richard Dix said. “You can look at what happened over at Washington State. They got rid of the throws and jumps program. They’re just going to be more of a track team, per se. And there’s going to be a little trickle down effect because in reality we don’t know how it’s going to work right now. You know it goes into effect July 1, but there’s still a lot of unknown of what this means for the state of NCAA and in their school, so I’m a little hesitant to promote my athletes to a point, where is that roster spot going to be there as far as track and field goes? … So, it’s really an unknown for a non-revenue generating sport from my perspective. I just don’t really know how this is going to turn out.”



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How NIL money is reshaping the NBA draft: Fewer early entrants, more college stars staying put – Tar Heel Times

Posted Jun 26, 2025 It’s been four years since college athletes were permitted to profit off the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL), opening the door for athlete compensation that was once forbidden by NCAA rules. Next week marks the official start of revenue sharing where schools can […]

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It’s been four years since college athletes were permitted to profit off the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL), opening the door for athlete compensation that was once forbidden by NCAA rules. Next week marks the official start of revenue sharing where schools can begin directly paying athletes following the $2.8 billion House antitrust settlement.
(Associated Press)

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How NIL money is reshaping the NBA draft: Fewer early entrants, more college stars staying put




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NCAA faces reckoning as college football analyst challenges ‘student-athlete’ myth in NIL era transformation

The Evolving Landscape of College Football In an era where college football has transformed into a lucrative enterprise, the question of identity looms large: Are athletes truly students, or have they transitioned into professionals? The advent of six-figure Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has altered the dynamics of collegiate sports, prompting a critical examination […]

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The Evolving Landscape of College Football

In an era where college football has transformed into a lucrative enterprise, the question of identity looms large: Are athletes truly students, or have they transitioned into professionals? The advent of six-figure Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has altered the dynamics of collegiate sports, prompting a critical examination of the traditional “student-athlete” label.

As the NCAA grapples with these changes, the implications of NIL agreements have become a focal point in discussions about the future of college athletics. The financial landscape has shifted dramatically, with athletes now positioned to capitalize on their brand presence and marketability. This evolution raises fundamental questions about the role and responsibilities of athletes within the collegiate framework.

The Challenge to Tradition

A prominent college football analyst has taken a stand against the NCAA’s longstanding narrative, urging the organization to abandon the “student-athlete” moniker. This plea reflects a broader sentiment among many who believe that the NCAA is attempting to shield itself from accountability by clinging to outdated terminology. The reality is that with direct revenue sharing becoming part of the NIL framework, the distinction between student and professional is increasingly blurred.

The analyst’s challenge resonates deeply within the college football community, where the pressures to perform and secure lucrative endorsements can overshadow the educational experience. Athletes are now navigating a complex landscape that requires them to balance their academic responsibilities with their burgeoning professional careers. This duality not only affects their personal lives but also raises ethical questions about the true nature of their participation in collegiate sports.

The Impact of NIL on Collegiate Sports

The introduction of NIL has fundamentally altered the financial incentives for college athletes. No longer are they merely participants in an amateur system; they are now key players in a marketplace that values their skills and visibility. The financial rewards associated with NIL deals can be substantial, leading to a reevaluation of what it means to be a college athlete.

Moreover, this shift has implications for recruitment and team dynamics. Programs that can effectively leverage NIL opportunities may have a competitive edge in attracting top talent. As colleges and universities adapt to this new reality, the pressure to perform extends beyond the field, as athletes are now expected to cultivate their personal brands and engage with fans and sponsors.

A Call for Change

The call to rethink the “student-athlete” label is not merely a semantic debate; it represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of college sports. As the NCAA faces increasing scrutiny, the need for transparency and accountability has never been more pronounced. The organization must confront the realities of the current landscape and consider the implications of its policies on the lives of the athletes it governs.

As this conversation unfolds, it is essential to recognize the broader implications of these changes. The future of college athletics hinges on the ability to balance the pursuit of academic excellence with the realities of a professionalized sports environment. By acknowledging the dual roles that athletes play, the NCAA can begin to craft a more equitable framework that honors both the educational mission of its institutions and the professional aspirations of its athletes.

Reflecting on the Future of College Athletics

In conclusion, the transformation of college football in the NIL era presents both challenges and opportunities. As athletes navigate this new landscape, the need for a clear understanding of their roles becomes paramount. The NCAA stands at a crossroads, tasked with redefining its approach to ensure that the interests of athletes are prioritized. The journey ahead will require thoughtful dialogue and a willingness to embrace change, ultimately shaping the future of college athletics for generations to come.



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Spurs pick Arizona’s Carter Bryant at No. 14 in NBA Draft

When the San Antonio Spurs made him the 14th pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday, Arizona’s Carter Bryant walked onto some familiar turf. He became UA’s 17th lottery pick, and to exactly the same team as Arizona’s first lottery pick: Sean Elliott, who went No. 3 to the Spurs in 1989, became a two-time […]

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When the San Antonio Spurs made him the 14th pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday, Arizona’s Carter Bryant walked onto some familiar turf.

He became UA’s 17th lottery pick, and to exactly the same team as Arizona’s first lottery pick: Sean Elliott, who went No. 3 to the Spurs in 1989, became a two-time NBA all-star and then the team’s longtime television analyst.

“Wildcat to Spur – love to see it,” Elliott posted Wednesday. “Welcome to SA @carterdbryant! #beardown #gospursgo.”

Bryant also will be playing for the same team from which a basketball idol from his Riverside, California, hometown — Kawhi Leonard — turned into an NBA all-star.

“I think immediately the first guy I think of is Kawhi, just his defensive versatility, being able to guard multiple positions early on in his career,” Bryant said when asked during his post-draft interview to which former Spurs players his game compares.

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“He became one of the best players in the world, arguably a top three basketball player at a time when Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and LeBron were pretty much solidified to be the top three. He was really making a statement that he was one of the best players in the world as well.”

Bryant will also be following along to San Antonio with former Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, whom the Spurs picked at No. 2, just after Dallas picked Duke’s Cooper Flagg as expected to begin the draft.

“I’m looking forward to playing with my guy D Harp. It’s been a long time coming,” Bryant said, noting he got to know Harper after facing him in a club-ball game. “We had a lot of conversations throughout high school, whether that was trying to play together in college, just maybe playing together at some point. For him to be my draft buddy and being able to both go in the lottery and being able to represent San Antonio is dope.”

Becoming the No. 14 pick means Bryant will receive a two-year guaranteed contract worth about $10 million, but it will come with the pressure to answer a few questions.

The 6-8 Bryant was the least-used of Arizona’s lottery picks, averaging just 6.5 points while playing only 19.5 minutes per game on average as a freshman in 2024-25.

However, Bryant improved as his only college season went on and intrigued NBA scouts with his upside as a wing player. His 3-point shooting rose from 26.9% in nonconference play to 38.6% in Big 12 games — and to 45.5% between the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.

Bryant also opened eyes at the May NBA Combine, when he showed off a 6-11.75 wingspan and recorded a maximum (running) vertical leap of 39.5 inches. 

“Prototypical 3-and-D, they call him,” analyst Bob Myers said during ESPN’s draft show. “Not a huge usage rate, didn’t handle the ball, but you can pencil him in and he can do those things, and those picks have tremendous value.

“He did a nice job on the wing. The question is, ‘Can he defend?’ Is that what he can do? But there’s a lot he can improve on, and this is the type of swing that you like to see at this time” in the draft.

During his ESPN interview as he walked off the draft podium, Bryant was asked how he felt to become an NBA Draft pick after a serious leg injury as a high school freshman that threatened his career.

“It just shows my mental fortitude, my grit, how strong I am mentally,” Bryant said, “showing that I’m ready to handle every obstacle that comes in front of me.”

Believed to be a 50-50 bet to stay in the draft when he entered it in April, Bryant rose through the predraft process to the point where he was projected to be taken between 10-15 in the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday.

After the deadline passed to withdraw from the draft for players intending to return to college basketball, Bryant officially acknowledged his departure from Arizona.

“From being an 8-year-old boy who always felt the magic of McKale as a fan, to playing in the most important games of my life thus far with Arizona on my chest, this journey has been all I could have imagined,” Bryant posted.






Carter Bryant poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 14th by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA Draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. 









Carter Bryant walks off the stage after being selected 14th by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA Draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. 




The second round of the NBA Draft will be held starting Thursday at 5 p.m. Former UA guard Caleb Love is expected to be taken with one of the final picks or sign a two-way contract as an undrafted free agent.

After Flagg and Harper were taken quickly off the board Wednesday, Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe was picked third by the Philadelphia 76ers, then Charlotte took Duke forward Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 pick, and Utah took Rutgers forward Ace Bailey at No. 5.

For the second five picks, Washington took Texas guard Tre Johnson at No. 6, New Orleans took Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick, Brooklyn chose BYU guard Egor Demin at No. 8, Toronto took South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9 and Houston chose Duke center Khaman Maluach at No. 10.

At No. 11, Washington State wing Cedric Coward went to the Portland Trail Blazers before he was traded to Memphis, and the Chicago Bulls picked French forward Noa Essengue at No. 12.

Atlanta then selected Maryland center Derik Queen at No. 13 before Bryant was selected, putting the former Wildcat forward on a young team featuring 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama and 2024 No. 4 pick Stephon Castle.

“There’s so much room for growth for this team,” Bryant said of the Spurs. “I think you’re going to look up and we could definitely be one of those dynasties that you look back on and you go, man, this was a hell of a team.”

Contact sports reporter Bruce Pascoe at bpascoe@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @brucepascoe



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Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper could soon fund the team

Coach proud as Harper and Bailey prepare for NBA draft Coach Steve Pikiell shares pride as Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey head to the NBA after standout seasons. The email about Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper arrived a few hours before the NBA Draft, and it echoed the sentiments of more than a few Rutgers […]

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The email about Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper arrived a few hours before the NBA Draft, and it echoed the sentiments of more than a few Rutgers basketball fans regarding this historic occasion for the Scarlet Knights.

“I don’t understand all the praise,” it read. “This season was an incredible embarrassment.”

“I don’t get it.”

Because their one season at Rutgers yielded a losing record, there seems to be a feeling of indifference or worse among the much of the faithful about these two teammates becoming top-five draft picks – an unprecedented achievement in New Jersey college basketball.

If you can’t separate the magnitude of that from the shocking disappointment of a 15-17 season, or appreciate the fact that these guys will only call Rutgers their alma mater in an age of incessant school-hopping, then here’s another thing to think about.

There are potentially $60 million reasons why Rutgers fans should get behind Ace Bailey’s and Dylan Harper’s fortunes.

One day, not too long from now, one or both of them could be bankrolling the basketball program’s roster.

Don’t scoff. Stuff like this is already happening elsewhere. Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry is the assistant general manager for the men’s and women’s basketball programs at his alma mater, Davidson College.

Curry will “start an eight-figure fund for both the men and women’s programs,” ESPN reported earlier this year.

In March, Oklahoma hired alum and NBA All-Star Trae Young as an assistant general manager for its men’s basketball program and announced his $1 million donation to the program.

Last offseason, NBA star James Harden made what was reported as a “high six-figure” donation to help his alma mater Arizona State land forward Jayden Quaintance, who decommitted from Kentucky.

“I wanted to be a part of helping the team and the school get players,” Harden told Front Office Sports, “and if NIL is the problem, then I can help with that.”

The reporter who wrote the Harden story, Westfield native Alex Schiffer, thinks this could be the start of a trend – especially now that, unlike most current pros, Harper and Bailey benefitted from NIL during their time in college.

“With the way the NBA’s (salary) cap is going, it wouldn’t surprise me if either of those guys is making $60-million plus a year in a couple of years with their second contracts if they live up to the hype,” Schiffer said. “A month’s interest on that contract, a game check – they give that to Rutgers and that can go a really long way.”

Rutgers has to do its part, continuing to cultivate the relationships. That’s something head coach Steve Pikiell and his staff have been very good at. You see former players around the program all the time – at practices, at games, dropping by Pikiell’s office.

“Ron (Harper Jr.) is back all the time,” Pikiell said after the draft. “Caleb (McConnell) is coming back in a couple of weeks, which I love. Aundre Hyatt’s back right now; he’s going to play in France. These guys (Bailey and Dylan Harper) are part of our family, too. I’m looking forward to seeing them play a lot, which I will as much as I can, but I’m also looking forward to them coming back and sharing their lessons with our younger guys.”

Count on it, both players said before the draft.

“That’s home for me,” Dylan Harper said. “I’m tight with the coaching staff. I’ll definitely be returning.”

When Bailey threw out the first pitch before the New York Mets’ game June 24, he bought and signed Mets jerseys for Rutgers staffers who accompanied him to Citi Field. It’s a thoughtful gift, probably the first of many.

“I plan on going back and watching my fellow teammates and the new teammates there whenever I can,” he said.

Much has been said and written about Rutgers Athletics’ financial struggles, how it lags peers in the funding department. In this new pay-for-play era, the results on the court reflect that.

“Rutgers hasn’t exactly been on the cutting edge of NIL,” Pikiell said recently.

Bailey and Harper could change that with the stroke of a pen, and not 20 years from now, either.

“It’s the biggest gift that Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper can give Rutgers, given that it didn’t work out in their one year here,” Schiffer said. “If you’re Steve Pikiell and you’re the coach at Rutgers when these guys are getting paychecks like that, that’s the hope.”

After the draft Pikiell was asked about that possibility.

“They will be great – they’ll give back to their community,” he said. “Hope they sign many, many contracts. They’re generous people and good people – and that (the idea of them donating) is never anything I think about. Rutgers, though, really benefitted from these two guys being here. And I appreciate them.”

Given just how deep their pockets are going to be, Rutgers fans should appreciate them, too.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.



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Mississippi State baseball transfer portal intel

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