It has been almost a month since the college football transfer portal closed to new entrants, but since then, there has still been a fair amount of movement in the NCAA’s de facto free agency system.

Of course, there are still over three months before the opening kickoff of the 2025 campaign, but that has never slowed down the sports media when it comes to their preseason predictions. Among those who have updated their initial numbers is The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel, who recently ranked the top 25 college football teams after the spring transfer portal window.

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Thanks to a strong finish to the 2024 season, led by quarterback DJ Lagway and steered by coach Billy Napier, the Florida Gators find themselves among the preseason top 25 for the first time in a few years. However, there was not much activity in Gainesville during the portal window, which led to a drop in the Orange and Blue’s ranking, falling from No. 11 to No. 12.

Here is what Mandel had to offer on the topic.

12. Florida (Previous: No. 11)

Familiar faces: QB DJ Lagway, RB Jadan Baugh, C Jake Slaughter, DE Tyreak Sapp, DT Caleb Banks

Notable spring additions: None

“Billy Napier only took five transfers between the winter and spring windows and expects major contributions from his freshman class,” Mandel begins.

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“Early enrollee WR Dallas Wilson set a Florida spring game record with 10 catches for 195 yards. While the talented Lagway is the biggest reason for so much optimism around the Gators, they’ll also be strong in the trenches. Slaughter, OT Austin Barber, Sapp and Banks are all garnering early first-round NFL draft buzz.

The Athletic’s college football top 25 after spring

1. Texas (Too-early 2025 ranking: 2)

2. Penn State (Previous: No. 1)

3. Clemson (Previous: No. 5)

4. Ohio State (Previous: No. 6)

5. Notre Dame (Previous: No. 3)

6. LSU (Previous: No. 4)

7. Georgia (Previous: No. 7)

8. Oregon (Previous: No. 8)

9. Miami (Previous: No. 15)

10. Alabama (Previous: No. 14)

12. Florida (Previous: No. 11)

13. BYU (Previous: No. 10)

14. Oklahoma (Previous: No. 25)

15. Texas A&M (Previous: No. 17)

16. Illinois (Previous: 12)

17. South Carolina (Previous: No. 16)

18. Indiana (Previous: 20)

19. Texas Tech (Previous: NR)

20. Michigan (Previous: 18)

21. Baylor (Previous: 19)

23. Louisville (Previous: No. 22)

24. Auburn (Previous: NR)

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Football: The Athletic’s top 25 ranking has ranked Gators here

The Michigan-committed quarterback Bryce Underwood is becoming well-known for his monumental NIL deal and personal life. The young QB, who flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan in a stunning move, has been the center of attention due to his lucrative NIL agreement. Still, much of his recent buzz is from stories about his relationships.

Romantic Spotlight: Bryce Underwood and Girlfriend Diana

Outside of football, Underwood has been steady with Diana, known as @daythedolll on YouTube and Instagram, and shares story times and vlogs. Though Underwood had kept his personal life relatively private, recent social media activity has brought their relationship into the public eye.

In Underwood’s personal life, his sweetheart never misses a chance to pamper him. And it doesn’t matter in what form it comes—lovey-dovey messages, gifts, or spontaneous surprises.

One of those days was May 23. The elegant couple wanted to make that day about them and a special one. Diana posted a couple of pics of their date on her Instagram.

It was hard not to stare at them in those pictures. Underwood looked elegant in a deep blue suit, with his perfectly styled hair; Diana was an outstanding complement, dressed in a blue-colored sequined sheer dress.

Who wouldn’t be excited to show off? Diana did just that, posting a pic with the caption, “My date so handsome .”

Of course, you wouldn’t need a professional stylist when your sweetheart knows how to do it best.

Underwood had earlier shared and reacted to Diana’s photo dumps on social media, signaling a soft launch of their relationship to the world. People have grown to love him because he shows his feelings for her in a warm and modest way.

Even though his athletic career and decision to accept a NIL contract received considerable attention, Underwood continues to balance both areas of his life.

KEEP READING: Michigan QB Bryce Underwood Drops Unexpected Wisdom in Amusement Park Video

Underwood has an impressive story, both when playing sports and outside of them. With his new $2.9 million NIL deal, he is well-prepared to play a key role for his team in college football. At the same time, what we see on social media of his relationship with Diana adds a personal spin to the athlete side of his personality.

Mixing the athlete’s hopes and love of the game creates a complete picture of what it’s like for a youngster to succeed in today’s world of college sports and romance.

College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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