NIL

USC commit Boobie Feaster is the modern football recruit — agents, NIL, reclassification and all

Published

4 months ago

August 19, 2025

Before Ethan “Boobie” Feaster played a single down of varsity football at DeSoto (Texas) High School, the wunderkind receiver had more than 25 college scholarship offers. Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, Oklahoma and Texas A&M were among the programs throwing their hat in the ring for the then-eighth grader.

He soon showed why those schools were so intrigued, becoming the first ninth-grader to start at receiver for coach Claude Mathis at the Division I recruiting factory and catching nine touchdown passes to help the Eagles to a 2023 state championship.

Feaster’s pedigree, traits and production would make him an elite prospect in any era. But his recruitment, and everything that comes with it in modern college football, is an example of how much the industry has changed for the typical blue-chipper. A decision to reclassify to start his college career a year early. Interviewing and signing with an agent. Building a brand to capitalize on his name, image and likeness as soon as rules allow. And of course, big money offers from interested colleges.

Those closest to the 16-year-old Feaster, who committed to USC in July and won’t turn 17 until after he graduates from DeSoto this spring, believe he’s ready for all of it.

✌🏽💪🏾Fight On!! @uscfb @On3USC @SSN_USC @CoachSweeny @FootballDesoto @drobalwayzopen pic.twitter.com/bXjW4JEpjt

— Ethan “Boobie” Feaster ✞ (@BoobieFeaster23) August 1, 2025

“He’s way more mature than most kids his age,” Mathis said

In his first two seasons at DeSoto, Feaster caught 89 passes for 1,458 yards and 22 touchdowns. While offers continued to pour in, college coaches began asking him about the possibility of reclassifying. Academically, it was feasible. Boobie’s father, Lee Feaster, said his son was only half a credit short of being a junior academically heading into his sophomore year.

When Boobie came home one day and jokingly asked his parents. “When are you going to let me reclassify?” Lee and Alison Feaster were initially reluctant.

“We’re losing a year of our baby,” Lee Feaster said. “We have four kids and the other three have gone on and we’ve got the baby boy and now you’re telling me you wanna leave early? I don’t know about that.”

The Feasters sought counsel from those closest to them, including Mathis and DeSoto receivers coach Kerry Sweeny, both of whom have coached multiple Division I prospects and have known Boobie since middle school. Mathis has coached at the college level, too, as SMU’s running backs coach from 2014-17. Lee Feaster said LSU receivers coach Cortez Hankton and USC receivers coach Dennis Simmons — both of whom have recruited Boobie for years — inquired about the possibility of reclassification.

Feaster was the No. 1 receiver in the 2027 class, and that elite status would translate to a sizable payday from interested schools. Reclassifying to graduate in 2026 — which he officially did in February — allows him to cash in sooner. (He’s now ranked No. 58 overall and the No. 6 receiver in the ’26 class in the 247Sports Composite.)

Lee says, despite what outsiders may think, money was not the primary motivating factor in the decision.

“The funny thing is that had nothing to do with it,” Lee Feaster said. “(Boobie) was already ahead in his classes.”

The shared sentiment from those in the Feaster’s inner circle: Boobie could handle the challenge.

“He was mature in the classroom,” Sweeny said. “But he was mature on the football field, too. I don’t want him to get bored. So it was time for him to just level up.”

Also, Lee Feaster considered the wear and tear on his son’s body. Because of DeSoto’s typical deep playoff runs, Boobie has already played 29 games in two seasons. If DeSoto plays for another state championship this fall, that’ll be 16 more, giving him basically four seasons’ worth of games in three years.

The decision, as tough and emotional as it was, made business sense. And the business part of it, which was only just beginning, was an eye-opener for the Feasters.

“The day he reclassified, I had 276 texts on my phone,” Lee Feaster said.

They weren’t just from college coaches — agents bombarded the Feasters, eager to represent one of the nation’s top skill-position players.

Lee Feaster said he started hearing from agents when Boobie was still in eighth grade, which started roughly a year into college football’s NIL era. Over the years, Lee Feaster says he has vetted 47 agents before landing on one they trust, Justin Giangrande, the CEO of the agency NETWORK. Giangrande also represents Florida QB DJ Lagway and Colorado freshman QB Julian Lewis, a top-100 recruit from the 2025 class.

While sifting through that agent process, Boobie’s recruiting picked up steam, including spring official visits to his four finalists: Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M and USC.

The money was important, but Giangrande said it wasn’t the deciding factor in choosing the Trojans. “Whatever school an athlete chooses,” he said, “if they’re elite like Boobie, (the money is) going to be pretty close.”

What separated USC from the pack, the Feasters said, was Boobie’s relationship with Simmons, who has coached players such as CeeDee Lamb, Dede Westbrook, Marquise Brown and Michael Crabtree.

“He’s very genuine,” Boobie said. “I’m able to talk to him outside of just talking about football. He can relate. And he has dealt with a lot of highly talented receivers.”

When Boobie sat with Lincoln Riley, USC’s head coach asked him what would keep him from coming to California. Boobie’s answer: “If my parents didn’t come.” So after Boobie graduates next spring, the family will pack up and move west.

Another issue the Feasters contended with is the fact that Boobie can’t yet capitalize on his name, image and likeness. Texas is one of six states that does not allow high school athletes to earn NIL compensation. The current state law, passed in June, permits athletes 17 and older to sign NIL deals, but they can’t receive compensation until they’re enrolled in college.

It’s not a new issue. Former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers notably reclassified from the 2022 class to 2021 to capitalize on a $1.4 million endorsement deal. He had to enroll at Ohio State to get it because accepting any NIL money would make him ineligible to play high school ball in Texas, according to the rules of the University Interscholastic League, the state’s governing body of high school athletics.

The Feasters, who moved to Texas early in Boobie’s childhood, had a chance to return home to Louisiana, one of the states that permits high schoolers to monetize NIL. But Boobie wasn’t interested.

“(Boobie) said that ‘You taught me to fight through adversity,’” Lee recalls his son saying. “He loves DeSoto. So we stayed here.”

Boobie would love to capitalize on his NIL now — he wants to buy cars for his parents — but is willing to be patient until he gets to USC. Meanwhile, Giangrande is conversing with brands that are interested in partnering with Boobie and working on logos and marks for merchandise to sell when he is permitted to be compensated.

“It’s OK for us to have conversations,” Giangrande said.

Having what Feaster calls the “best nickname in high school” — taken from James “Boobie” Miles, a central character in “Friday Night Lights” — should make him even more marketable.

“When I was 4 years old, I watched ‘Friday Night Lights’ the day before my flag football game,” Boobie said in an OT7 documentary. “I said the line the next day at the game, ‘If you want to win, put Boobie in!’ Ever since then, everybody started calling me Boobie.”

It’s been an eventful journey since. Feaster’s first offer, from FCS program Incarnate Word and then-head coach G.J. Kinne, came when he was a seventh grader. The summer before his eighth-grade year, TCU and Texas Tech offered, kicking off the wave of Power 4 programs that followed.

“It was a lot to deal with,” he said. “But I came from wonderful humans. My whole family just taught me to always be humble, keep God first always. And that’s what I did the whole way.”

His parents want him to enjoy his final year, go to prom and soak in the typical senior traditions. Boobie admits that it’s tough leaving friends in his grade. “But where I’m trying to go,” he says, “I can’t really bring friends with me.”

He’ll be a 17-year-old receiver for USC next fall. “Hopefully, I become a Freshman All-American, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, be a first-round pick and be able to take care of my parents,” he said. “Of course, I want to be a Hall of Famer, an All-Pro, a Pro Bowler.”

He figures there’s no sense in putting off the pursuit of those goals any longer.

(Photo: Angela Piazza / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

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Miami WR Malachi Toney Announces Career News Amid College Football Season

Published

4 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes defeated the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies 10-3 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. It was a defensive battle, ultimately decided by a late fourth-quarter score and red-zone interception by Miami.

With the score tied at 3 and 1 minute, 44 seconds left in the game, Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Carson Beck.

Up next for the Hurricanes is a Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic matchup against the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes. It’s an uphill battle, as ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Hurricanes a 29.5% chance of winning.

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10).© Robert Myers-Imagn Images

Before his heroic performance, though, the wide receiver revealed an exciting Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) update. In a joint Instagram post, Toney revealed a new NIL partnership with Hellstar, a popular clothing brand that has a sports training component.

“We are so proud to announce our first Hellstar Sports College Athlete NIL signing – Malachi Toney🌟.,” the post caption read. “We had the privilege to coach @malitoney10 while he was apart of our high school 7 on 7 program, so now seeing him shine on the collegiate level we couldn’t be more proud.”

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What Colorado’s Athletic Department Valuation Says About Buffaloes’ Growth

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

In the growing landscape of college athletics, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals play a vital role in sports. Some programs are set up better than others based on a program’s valuation. Programs with higher valuations can help some of the top-performing teams stay successful.

CNBC released its valuation rankings for the country’s athletic departments, showing their growth from the 2024 fiscal year. The Colorado Buffaloes are ranked No. 47 in the nation, a rise from No. 55 in 2024.

Colorado Buffaloes valuation NIL transfer portal Deion Sanders Coach Prime Big 12 College Football Basketball Folsom Field — Nov 25, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders on the field against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

Breaking Down Colorado Buffaloes’ Valuation Ranking

Colorado’s 2025 valuation is $574 million, with a year-over-year value change of 22 percent. The program’s 2024 revenue is set at $147 million, with a 16 percent year-over-year revenue change.

A program’s valuation determines its monetary worth, and it is important to look at the growth, which shows that Colorado is trending in the right direction. It is also important to note that the valuation rankings are based on all of the athletics, not just the football program.

Where Colorado Ranks In The Big 12

When focusing on the Big 12 conference, several of the programs are in the same vicinity with their valuation ranking.

No. 39 Kansas: $620M
No. 41 Oklahoma State: $600M
No. 42 Baylor: $585M
No. 46 Iowa State: $575M
No. 47 Colorado: $574M
No. 49 Texas Tech: $570M
No. 50 TCU: $568M
No. 55 Arizona: $529M
No. 57 BYU: $500M
No. 58 West Virginia: $481M
No. 60 Utah: $451M
No. 62 Kansas State: $435M
No. 63 Arizona State: $430M
No. 68 Cincinnati: $280M
No. 70 UCF: $262M
No. 73 Houston: $222M

MORE: Colorado Gets Hit With Biggest Transfer Portal Loss Yet

MORE: Michael Irvin Gets Real On Blame Surrounding Shedeur Sanders

MORE: Deion Sanders Faces Recruiting Problem After Omarion Miller Transfer News

While from the top valuation of Kansas to the bottom, which is Houston is a significant difference in the Big 12, the conference teams are still in a similar vicinity overall. With it having to do with all athletics, the programs that have consistently strong teams, such as Kansas’ basketball team, make sense to have a higher valuation.

Looking at the Big 12 as a whole shows that the Colorado Buffaloes are in the top five for their valuation and trending upward.

Calling Back To Deion Sanders’ Comments On Fairness

While valuation is not the same as revenue, seeing the difference in the conferences does call back to Colorado coach Deion Sanders’ comments on the fairness between programs. The schools in the top five for their valuation are either in the Big Ten or the SEC, and all are in the billions.

“You talk about equality,” Sanders said during the Big 12 media day. “All you have to do is look at the playoffs and see what those teams spent, and you understand darn near why they’re in the playoffs. It’s kind of hard to compete with somebody who’s giving $25, $30 million to a darn freshman class.”

Although the valuation is on the programs’ overall athletics, Sanders has been outspoken about money when it comes to building the football program. With the Buffaloes facing a mass exodus through the transfer portal, Sanders has highlighted that several players are leaving because of money.

The positive side is that the Buffaloes’ valuation is growing with a 22 percent increase. This shows that the school’s athletics overall are being valued higher, and will help lead to more money poured into the program. With more money, the Buffaloes can put more of an emphasis on NIL as they look to build their roster and compete in the Big 12.

Insider Reveals Biggest Reason Behind Colorado’s Transfer Portal Mass Exodus

Published

6 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

From a player retention standpoint, the first few weeks of the offseason haven’t been kind to the Colorado Buffaloes.

Several key Buffs have announced their intentions to enter the college football transfer portal when it opens next month, including wide receiver Omarion Miller, safety Tawfiq Byard and freshman defensive end Alexander McPherson. While every situation is unique, one Colorado insider believes money has been a common denominator among players’ reasons for leaving Boulder.

Insider Reasons Colorado Transfer Portal Exodus Buffaloes NIL Deion Sanders Alexander McPherson Tawfiq Byard Omarion Miller — Oct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) is tackled by Utah Utes defensive back JC Hart (14) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

“The super majority of those people, I’m talking 95 percent, are going to be leaving for a bigger bag,” Thee Pregame Show’s Uncle Neely said on his YouTube channel. “This ain’t transferring in 1990. This ain’t transferring in the year 2000. This is 2025. This is business now. This isn’t, ‘Oh, I don’t like the coach. Oh, I don’t want to be treated the way they treat me.’

“This doesn’t mean something is wrong. These are business decisions now. But what we like to do is run with the narrative that woe is me, something must be wrong, something must be going on. How are all these people leaving?”

The NIL (name, image and likeness) era has rocked college football, and the depressing truth is that schools with more money will ultimately land the best players. In the Big 12, no school better exemplifies that trend than new conference champion Texas Tech.

Who’s Leaving Colorado?

As of Sunday, 16 Colorado players will enter the transfer portal next month. That group includes 12 defensive players, six members of the Buffs’ 2025 high school signing class and a few other Buffs who spent only one season in Boulder.

Below is an updated list of Colorado players who plan on entering the transfer portal:

Safety TJ Branch
Defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis
Cornerback Noah King
Cornerback Teon Parks
Linebacker Mantrez Walker
Safety Terrance Love
Safety Tawfiq Byard
Wide receiver Omarion Miller
Defensive tackle Brandon Davis-Swain
Offensive lineman Carde Smith
Defensive end Alexander McPherson
Offensive lineman Tyler Brown
Defensive tackle Gavriel Lightfoot
Defensive tackle Christian Hudson
Defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas
Wide receiver Dre’lon Miller

Uncle Neely shared his take that Colorado’s losses should be replaceable via the transfer portal.

“Have you ever stopped to say, what am I actually losing by those people leaving?” Uncle Neely said. “Have you ever looked at the numbers production-wise of who has announced that they’re getting up out of here and what you’re actually losing by them leaving?… Is it replaceable via the portal? And in this business in college football, is it replaceable cheaper? I would wager to say the answer is yes in all regards.”

MORE: Colorado Gets Hit With Biggest Transfer Portal Loss Yet

MORE: Michael Irvin Gets Real On Blame Surrounding Shedeur Sanders

MORE: Deion Sanders Faces Recruiting Problem After Omarion Miller Transfer News

The college football transfer portal will open on Jan. 2 and close Jan. 16. Colorado coach Deion Sanders and his staff can begin adding players from the portal at the start of that period.

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Report: LSU finalizes deal to hire Ole Miss’ Kevin Smith, puts him among highest paid RBs coaches

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Lane Kiffin is bringing another Ole Miss assistant with him to LSU. According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Tigers have finalized a deal to hire Rebels running backs coach Kevin Smith for the same role.

Smith is reported to have a salary of close to $1 million, which would make him one of the highest-paid running backs coaches in the country. He is the sixth Ole Miss assistant to follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge.

The other coaches joining Kiffin at LSU are offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., tight ends coach Joe Cox, receivers coach Joe McDonald, inside receivers coach Sawyer Jordan and quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens. So far no defensive assistants from the Rebels have made the jump to Baton Rouge.

Smith worked with Kiffin as a running backs coach at Florida Atlantic form 2017-19 and joined his very first staff at Ole Miss in 2020. He stayed for the next two seasons in Oxford before leaving to take the running backs coach position at Miami in 2022.

Smith’s stint with the Hurricanes was a short-lived one as he returned to Ole Miss in 2023 and stayed through this season. Now he’ll look to continue the success he has enjoyed with Kiffin while building up the running backs room at LSU.

Smith helped to develop running backs such as Quinshon Judkins and Kewan Lacy during his time in Oxford. This past season, Ole Miss ranked fifth in the SEC with 185.6 rushing yards per game as Lacy led the conference with 21 rushing touchdowns and ranked second with 1,366 yards.

Ole Miss had its best season in program history this year to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time. However, Kiffin was not granted permission from the school to finish out the season with the Rebels after he accepted the LSU job.

Other assistants, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., were allowed to complete the playoff run with Ole Miss. The Rebels defeated Tulane in the first round and will face No. 3 Georgia, which they lost to earlier this season, in the quarterfinals.

As of right now, it looks like most of the Ole Miss offensive staff will follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge. The defensive side keep defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who has been on staff at LSU since 2024.

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Former 4-star QB announces plans to enter college football transfer portal

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The quarterback market is expected to be extremely competitive this offseason.

A ton of experienced signal-callers have announced their decisions to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, including Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, North Texas’ Drew Mestemaker, Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby, and TCU’s Josh Hoover, among countless others.

The right move can benefit young quarterbacks, as players such as USC’s Jayden Maiava and Oregon’s Dante Moore benefited from transferring early in their careers.

An offseason coaching change has led one former blue-chip recruit to explore his options in the portal.

Former Four-Star Quarterback Expected To Enter Portal

On Sunday, Memphis true freshman quarterback Antwann “AJ” Hill announced his plans to leave the program after one season, per On3.

Hill appeared in two games in 2025, earning a redshirt. His most extensive action came in a 31-24 loss to UAB on October 18. Hill entered the contest after starting quarterback Brendon Lewis went down with an injury. In roughly two quarters of action, he completed 13/25 passes for 176 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

On the season, Hill connected on 19/32 passes for 223 yards with 1 touchdown to 1 interception.

Hill is transferring after Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield was hired away by Arkansas. The Razorbacks don’t have a ton of depth at quarterback. Redshirt freshman KJ Jackson holds the most experience on the roster with five appearances and one start last season.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Arkansas is involved in Hill’s transfer recruitment.

Hill was one of the highest-ranked prospects in program history to sign with Memphis. He was regarded as the No. 15 QB and a top-200 recruit in the 2025 class. Hill chose the Tigers over Florida following official visits to both schools.

During his prep career at Houston County High School, Hill compiled over 11,000 passing yards and led his team to at least one playoff victory in all three seasons as a starter.

Overall, Hill completed 800-of-1239 passes for 11,020 yards with 123 touchdowns to 20 interceptions. He added six more scores on the ground.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback is expected to have four seasons of eligibility remaining.

Former Carolina wide receiver set for WWE main roster debut

Published

11 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Former South Carolina wide receiver Matrick Belton is reportedly going to get a real shot on the main roster in the WWE. Belton, who goes by Trick Williams in the top professional wrestling and sports entertainment company, joined WWE in 2021 in the NXT brand. Now, he’s going to move up to either the Raw or Smackdown roster.

NXT is basically the developmental arm of WWE while Raw and Smackdown – shows on Mondays and Fridays, respectively – are considered the main roster. According to this report from PWInsider.com, Belton will make an appearance on the upcoming Smackdown, which was pre-taped.

Whether Belton moves to Raw or Smackdown is to be determined. Here’s the reporting from PWInsider:

Former WWE NXT and TNA Champion Trick Williams will debut on Smackdown on 12/26 with the storyline being he’s a free agent looking to sign with the brand. We are told Williams has not been officially listed internally on a brand yet, so he could appear on Raw in the upcoming weeks as well, but he’ll be moving to the main roster in 2026.

Belton is a two-time NXT champion and also held the TNA World Championship for 140 days earlier this year. Belton, a former SEC football player who was in the Philadelphia Eagles’ minicamp in 2018, recently got engaged to another former SEC athlete – women’s basketball player Anriel Howard, who played for three years at Texas A&M and her final year at Mississippi State.

Belton, a Columbia native who played for Keenan High School, joined the program in 2014 after spending his first two years out of high school at Hampton University. After sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules, Belton played in every game for South Carolina in 2015 and made five starts. He caught 11 passes for 121 yards his first season on the field.

As a senior in 2016, he played primarily on special teams, appearing in nine games. He played in 21 games over the course of his two-year career with the Gamecocks and made five starts.

Belton also spent time in training camp with Philadelphia Eagles. However, he decided to take a chance on pro wrestling and started training at the Combat Zone Wrestling Academy in New Jersey.

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