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Staff writer/editor @On3 covering college football, basketball, NIL/sports business | @On3NIL newsletter | @LoyolaChicago alum. Tips: nicholas.schultz@on3.com
Articles by Nick Schultz
Manny Diaz warns how college football changes can impact fans: 'We're going to alienate our next generation' Original
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Over the last five years, the college football landscape has changed drastically. The NIL era brought the age of player compensation, and the evolution has continued ever since its arrival in 2021. To Duke coach Manny Diaz, there’s a need to come together and ensure the sport as a whole stays strong. But he also wants to make sure the fans can still find joy watching college football, both now and in the future.
Tom Brady slaps Logan Paul at Fanatics Fest, separated by Karl-Anthony Towns
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect There were apparently some fireworks at Fanatics Fest on Friday. Tom Brady slapped Logan Paul on stage and had to be separated by Karl-Anthony Towns. It's unclear what was said between Brady and Paul. Once the former New England Patriots star landed the slap, though, Towns got in the middle to help break the two up. Brady and Paul are among the big names in New York for Friday at Fanatics Fest, which goes through Sunday.
Marcus Freeman: 'There was no other option' than returning to Notre Dame amid NFL interest
Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman. (MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Throughout the offseason, after Notre Dame chose not to play in a bowl game after its College Football Playoff snub, Marcus Freeman’s name was at the center of NFL coaching rumors. He addressed the interest multiple times since and, Friday, said there was “no other option” than to stay in South Bend.
Bryson DeChambeau assessed controversial penalty at Open Championship, R&A explains ruling Original
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images When Bryson DeChambeau finished his second round at The Open Championship on Friday, he was tied for second place on the leaderboard. But he was assessed a controversial two-stroke penalty afterward, which dropped him down to a tie for fifth place, and the R&A released a statement explaining the ruling. DeChambeau’s drive on the fifth hole wound up in the fescue, just missing the water hazard.
Adam Silver: Caitlin Clark has become 'political football' amid criticism about WNBA officiating
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect As criticism swirls about officiating in the WNBA and hard fouls against Caitlin Clark, NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the chatter. He said Thursday the discussion is about more than just the referees. Silver called Clark a “political football” of sorts amid the dialogue around the WNBA.
Mike Boynton contract details: Salary, buyout, bonuses for new Michigan head coach
New Michigan head men’s basketball coach Mike Boynton’s contract is for two years and $7.6 million, according to MLive. The deal also includes bonuses. Boynton is set to make $3.6 million in 2026-27, which is the first year of the contract. On May 1, 2027, that figure goes to $4 million for 2027-28. He will also get a $250,000 signing bonus “in recognition of his efforts while serving in an interim head coaching capacity” after Dusty May left for the NBA, according to MLive.
CJ Carr reveals how Tommy Rees helped land Notre Dame commitment over Michigan despite family ties
Photos courtesy of IMAGN IMAGES / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect As CJ Carr went through the recruiting process, Michigan quickly became a team to watch. Both his parents went to UM and his grandfather, the great Lloyd Carr, led the Wolverines to a national championship as head coach. However, Carr did not end up in Ann Arbor despite those family ties.
Dabo Swinney on tampering in college football: 'Don't know that there's been much fear of consequences'
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect While evaluating tampering in college football, Dabo Swinney stressed the need for repercussions. Speaking at ACC Football Kickoff, he pointed to the rules at the processional level to make his point. Swinney and Clemson found themselves at the center of a tampering case this offseason after the Tigers head coach went public with allegations against Ole Miss over the recruitment of Luke Ferrelli.
2026 Big Ten College Football Preview: CFP favorites, power rankings, more
On3.com When the 2026 season begins, the Big Ten will look to continue its run of College Football Playoff national championships. On3 is previewing the upcoming year with the CFP favorites, power rankings and more. Indiana completed a historic two-year turnaround under Curt Cignetti by winning last year’s national title.
2026 Big Ten College Football Preview: CFP favorites, power rankings, more
On3.com When the 2026 season begins, the Big Ten will look to continue its run of College Football Playoff national championships. On3 is previewing the upcoming year with the CFP favorites, power rankings and more. Indiana completed a historic two-year turnaround under Curt Cignetti by winning last year’s national title.
Oklahoma LB Owen Heinecke signs NIL deal with Q-Collar Original
Courtesy of Q-Collar Last year, Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke wore a Q-Collar as he sought to better protect himself from concussions. He now has an NIL deal with the company. Heinecke and Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen are the latest additions to Q-Collar’s NIL athlete roster, the brand told On3. Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy came on board last month, as well. All three will wear the Q-Collar during game action.
George Pickens to play on franchise tag for Dallas Cowboys after deadline passes Original
Lon Horwedel | Imagn Image Wednesday was the last day for players on the franchise tag to agree to long-term contracts. The 4 p.m. deadline came and went, and George Pickens didn’t land a deal – meaning he is preparing to play on the tag for the Dallas Cowboys in 2026. The Cowboys officially placed the tag on Pickens in April and he signed it after the NFL Draft.
Mario Cristobal addresses Miami's pursuit of Darian Mensah after Duke transfer
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect As Carson Beck headed to the NFL following the national championship, Miami again turned to the transfer portal for its next quarterback. The Hurricanes proceeded to make a splash when former Duke star Darian Mensah committed, who became one of the top players to enter the portal. Wednesday, Miami coach Mario Cristobal discussed the program’s pursuit of the reigning ACC Championship MVP.
Dabo Swinney: New eligibility rules will 'clean up' players sitting out to preserve redshirt
Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Following the Division I Cabinet’s vote, the NCAA is implementing new age-based eligibility rules. Athletes will now get up to five years of eligibility if they enroll no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday. In the process, redshirts are effectively going by the wayside.
Jim Phillips calls Protect College Sports Act 'last hope' for help from Congress Original
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect In the NCAA’s years-long quest for help from Congress to settle the landscape, the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act presents an opportunity for federal legislation. As the process goes along, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips called the bill college sports’ “last hope” for Congressional assistance. The bill, introduced by Sens.
Auburn, Aflac Kickoff Game announce multi-million dollar NIL deal ahead of Baylor matchup Original
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Ahead of the season opener against Baylor in Atlanta, Auburn has entered into a lucrative NIL deal with the Aflac Kickoff Game, the Peach Bowl announced Tuesday. The agreement is worth “multi-million dollars,” according to the release. This year’s matchup between Baylor and Auburn was to take place at Jordan-Hare Stadium to conclude a home-and-home series.
Multiple Big Ten presidents hold 'productive' meetings with legislators on Protect College Sports Act Original
Presidents from four Big Ten schools – Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State and USC – met with Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Tuesday about the Protect College Sports Act, they said in a statement. The talks were “productive.” Tuesday’s conversations are notable, given the Big Ten’s stance against the bipartisan legislation in its current state.
Multiple Big Ten presidents hold 'productive' meetings with legislators on Protect College Sports Act
Presidents from four Big Ten schools – Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State and USC – met with Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Tuesday about the Protect College Sports Act, they said in a statement. The talks were "productive." Tuesday's conversations are notable, given the Big Ten's stance against the bipartisan legislation in its current state.
USC 5-star ATH commit Honor Fa'alave-Johnson inks NIL deal with Destination Kia Original
A central part of USC’s 2027 recruiting class, Honor Fa’alave-Johnson landed a major NIL deal. He has joined forces with Destination Kia, he announced via social media. Fa’alave-Johnson has notably impressed with his speed while starring at San Diego (Calif.) Cathedral Catholic. He has clocked in at more than 22.7 miles per hour to cement himself as a home-run hitter and become one of the top-rated recruits from the 2027 cycle.
Report: Oklahoma baseball to hire Skip Johnson's son, Tyler, as assistant coach
Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images Oklahoma is set to hire Tyler Johnson as an assistant coach, D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reported. He is the son of OU head coach Skip Johnson. Tyler Johnson spent the 2026 season on the staff at Dallas Baptist as a recruiting coordinator and assistant coach. He made the leap to the college game after serving as the head coach at McLennan Community College, where he had a 131-55 overall record and led the program to back-to-back NJCAA World Series appearances.
Whit Babcock: James Franklin is 'celebrated' rather than 'tolerated' at Virginia Tech
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Soon, James Franklin will officially kick off his next chapter. He’ll be going through his first training camp at Virginia Tech since his departure from Penn State last season. Through his first months on the job through spring practice, Franklin spoke about bringing the Hokies back to prominence and reflected on his time in Happy Valley.
ESPN's FPI ranks Top 25 college football teams with best chance to win 2026 national championship
Entering the 2026 college football season, ESPN’s FPI ranked the top teams with a chance to win the national championship. It gave three teams a 10% or higher chance of bringing home the trophy. The rankings align closely with FPI’s preseason Top 25 teams, which released Thursday. There are some slight differences, though, as ESPN gave some teams a better chance to win the national title than others that were initially ranked higher.
College Football Rankings: ESPN releases preseason FPI ahead of 2026 season
Special Offer: On3 | Rivals National Membership Join for $1 then $19.99 your first year One subscription: The best coverage and community, and all access to the On3 College Sports Network. On3.com Preseason rankings continue to roll out ahead of the 2026 college football season. Thursday, ESPN released its initial Football Power Index (FPI) rankings. Ohio State comes in as the top team in the FPI to start the year.
Washington's Pat Chun calls out the state of college sports: 'This has become a billionaire's playground' Original
USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect As college sports enters Year 2 of the post-House settlement era, officials in the sport continue to call for stronger enforcement of NCAA rules. Washington athletics director Pat Chun was among those voices this week. Chun’s comments came as the Protect College Sports Act goes through the legislative process in the U.S. Senate.
Paige Shiver, former Sherrone Moore assistant, sues University of Michigan over alleged FOIA violations
Junfu Han | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Paige Shiver, the former executive assistant for Sherrone Moore, is suing the University of Michigan, according to the AP. She alleged the school violated the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by denying requests made on her behalf. Shiver said Michigan denied the FOIA requests after Moore’s firing amid an investigation into an inappropriate relationship between the two.
Phil Steele releases 2026 preseason poll, ranking all college football teams, 1 to 138
On3.com Training camp is on the horizon with the 2026 college football season quickly approaching. It’s also time for preseason polls, and Phil Steele has released his full rankings of teams, 1 to 138. Notre Dame sits atop Steele’s 2026 college football rankings after missing out on the College Football Playoff a year ago. Despite losing two first-round picks out of the backfield, the Fighting Irish return plenty of key pieces, headlined by quarterback CJ Carr and cornerback Leonard Moore.
College Sports Commission, NIL Go have cleared $355 million in deals since launch Original
Since the NIL Go clearinghouse launched in June 2025, more than $355 million worth of deals have been cleared, the College Sports Commission said in its latest NIL data report. During that same time, 1,812 deals worth $89.9 million were not cleared. NIL Go saw an uptick in deal submissions between May 1 and June 30, 2026, according to the CSC. The system cleared 7,639 deals worth a total value of $112.89 million and denied 659 deals worth a combined $33.68 million.
Urban Meyer ranks Top 5 college football coaches he's most excited to watch during 2026 season
Brett Davis-Imagn Images During the college football offseason, the coaching carousel took some interesting turns. Big names ended up elsewhere, and Urban Meyer is watching a few closely. Meyer ranked the top five college football head coach he is most excited to watch during the 2026 season on The Triple Option. Four of them are preparing for their first seasons with new programs, including a close friend at one of Meyer’s old rivals and the biggest move of the carousel.
Deion Sanders on coaching in the NIL era: 'It's taught me tremendous patience' Original
© Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images When Deion Sanders took over at Colorado in 2023, the program became the talk of college football in the NIL and transfer portal era. Coach Prime overhauled the roster through the portal, headlined by top names in Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. As he navigated the ever-changing landscape, Sanders said he learned some lessons. The biggest, though, was to have “patience” and understand all aspects of the modern age.
Brett Yormark backs Protect College Sports Act, stresses need for 'progress over perfection' Original
© Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images Upon the Protect College Sports Act’s introduction, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark was among those to voice support for the bipartisan bill. He said it will help bring stability to college athletics, but acknowledged there’s still work to do. Yormark confirmed he plans to be in Washington, D.C. next week as negotiations continue about the Protect College Sports Act.
Miami QB Darian Mensah inks NIL partnership with Derby Watch Supply Original
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah has agreed to a deal with Derby Watch Supply, his reps at ESM told On3’s Pete Nakos. It’s one of the first-ever luxury watch NIL partnerships. As part of the agreement, Mensah will promote the new Rolex DateJust. It’s another high-profile deal for the Duke transfer as he gets ready for his first season as Miami’s starting quarterback.
Effects of Time-Since-Fire on Ant Interactions With Nectar Resources in a Semi-Arid Landscape
1 Introduction Biotic interactions are a major component of biodiversity that are particularly sensitive to the changes in the environment (da Silva et al. 2020). Identifying patterns in interaction networks such as nestedness, compartmentalization (Dáttilo et al. 2014; Olesen et al. 2007; Saunders and Rader 2020) and processes that lead to those patterns has recently gained a major concern in community ecology.
Verge Ausberry calls for clarity on NCAA rules, reveals how LSU will 'remain competitive' Original
© Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images Since taking over as LSU’s athletics director in November 2025, Verge Ausberry has become a key voice as the school navigates the ever-changing college sports landscape. But he also made clear his desire for clarity with regard to rules and structure. Throughout the NIL era, there have been comparisons between the college game and the pros.
Report: Patrick Ewing agrees to join Washington Wizards as assistant coach
Patrick Ewing has agreed to join the Washington Wizards as an assistant coach, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. He has been an ambassador with the New York Knicks since October 2024. Ewing last coached in 2023 when he was the head coach at his alma mater, Georgetown. He took over in 2017 and had a rough go during that time. The Hoyas went 75-109 under Ewing’s watch, including 28-81 in Big East play, and made just one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021.
Report: Patrick Ewing agrees to join Washington Wizards as assistant coach
Patrick Ewing has agreed to join the Washington Wizards as an assistant coach, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. He has been an ambassador with the New York Knicks since October 2024. This story will be updated.
Charles Bediako listed on NBA Summer League roster after failed Alabama injunction
Charles Bediako (John Reed / Imagn Images) Former Alabama forward Charles Bediako is listed on the Chicago Bulls’ NBA Summer League roster, the team announced Friday. It marks his return to an NBA franchise after suiting up for the Crimson Tide last year thanks to a judge’s order. A judge granted Bediako a temporary restraining order in his eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA, paving the way for him take the court for Alabama despite playing in the NBA G-League weeks earlier.
Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould: Protect College Sports Act process is ‘bringing folks together’
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Following last month’s markup and committee vote, the Protect College Sports Act has a path toward the Senate floor. The bipartisan bill would take aim at multiple aspects of the college athletics landscape including coach movement, the transfer portal and media rights. The Big Ten and SEC have notably spoken against the legislation in its current state, though Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported revisions circulated this week.
Oregon transfer OF Angel Laya commits to LSU Original
Oregon transfer outfielder Angel Laya has committed to LSU, he announced via Instagram. He had a .296 batting average last season. Laya had an impressive freshman season with the Ducks in 2026. He hit .296 with 14 home runs and 47 RBI, as well as a .538 slugging percentage. Those numbers made him a Freshman All-American. This story will be updated.
Marcus Freeman on recruiting in the NIL era: 'It's not going to be a decision based off money' Original
Michael Caterina | Imagn Images Since NIL’s arrival in July 2021, the recruiting world has changed drastically. In fact, this past June was the most expensive yet, as On3’s Pete Nakos detailed. When it comes to navigating the ever-changing space, though, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said his message isn’t about dollar signs. Instead, he sells other aspects of the Fighting Irish program and the university as a whole.
Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding: Mike Vrabel spotted en route with wife Jen following Dianna Russini controversy Original
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Ahead of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, the guest list is coming into focus. It appears New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and his wife Jen will be there. The Vrabels were spotted getting into a car in New York as they headed to Madison Square Garden for the wedding. Page Six captured video of the couple en route to the ceremony in a rare public appearance for the 2025 NFL Coach of the Year in light of the Dianna Russini controversy.
Alabama self-reports 6 NCAA violations, including 1 by football program
Jeff Hanisch | Imagn Images Alabama self-reported six Level III NCAA violations on Friday committed between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, the school said in a a violation report. It includes one committed by the football program. A member of the football staff had contact with an athlete during an evaluation period, Alabama said. UA reported the violation in July 2026.
College Basketball Rankings: CBS Sports shakes up Top 25 and 1 after Donnie Freeman injury at St. John's
© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images During a workout this week, St. John’s forward Donnie Freeman suffered an Achilles injury which required surgery, head coach Rick Pitino announced. He will miss the rest of the season as a result, and it led to a shakeup in CBS Sports’ way-too-early Top 25 and 1 college basketball rankings. Freeman was a major transfer portal pickup for St. John’s this offseason after a standout sophomore season at Syracuse.
Report: Billy Donovan agrees to become San Antonio Spurs lead assistant coach Original
After stepping down as Chicago Bulls head coach, Billy Donovan has his next move. His agreed to become the lead assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs under head coach Mitch Johnson, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Pete Thamel reported. Donovan stepped down as Bulls coach after his sixth season at the helm. Chicago made the playoffs once under his tenure and had a 226-256 overall record during that time.
DJ Lagway reveals biggest lesson learned at Florida ahead of first season with Baylor
Following two seasons at Florida, DJ Lagway is gearing up for his next chapter. He transferred to Baylor this offseason, following in the footsteps of his father Derek in the process. Lagway arrived at Florida with plenty of fanfare as a highly rated recruit. It was an up-and-down go, though, as he dealt with injuries and the Gators ultimately moved on from head coach Billy Napier during the 2025 season.
Multiple Tennessee athletes participate in adidas partnership launch through NIL Original
Tennessee Adidas. Credit: Tennessee Athletics As Tennessee officially launched its partnership with adidas on Thursday, a number of Vols athletes took part via social media. The posts were part of the NIL efforts involved in the agreement. More than 40 Tennessee athletes participated as the school started its new apparel deal with adidas. UT is one of a number of notable brands to switch apparel partners this week, leaving Nike to return to adidas after more than a decade.
Paul Finebaum predicts Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce marriage will last longer than Lane Kiffin's LSU tenure
This weekend, in addition to the United States’ 250th birthday, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are due to get married in New York. So, during an appearance on SportsCenter on Thursday, Paul Finebaum was asked an important question: Will the marriage last longer than Lane Kiffin’s tenure at LSU? Finebaum laughed before quickly giving his answer. He predicted Kelce and Swift will “make it” and be married longer than Kiffin will be with the Tigers.
Report: Folarin Balogun red card cannot be appealed, U.S. star to miss World Cup match vs. Belgium Original
© Carlos Barria-Reuters via Imagn Images The U.S. cannot appeal Folarin Balogun’s red card, according to The Athletic. As a result, he is in line to miss Monday’s World Cup match against Belgium. Balogun received the red card in the second half of Wednesday’s Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegoniva after he made contact with the back of a Bosnian player’s leg. The referee went to VAR and ultimately determined it warranted a red card, meaning the USMNT played a man down the rest of the way.
Folarin Balogun sent off after controversial red card in USMNT World Cup knockout match vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
In the first half of the USMNT’s World Cup knockout match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Folarin Balogun got the Americans on the board with a goal. But he will miss the remainder of the second half after a controversial red card in the 63rd minute. This story will be updated. Like this story0 Share article Members only · one like per member
Thomas Haugh calls modern era of college basketball 'golden time' for players Original
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Despite projections as a potential lottery pick in the NBA Draft, Thomas Haugh opted to run it back at Florida this year. It was a notable move in the NIL era, and he could reportedly be in for a big payday, too. Haugh cited unfinished business as a major reason he chose to come back, and he also had a conversation with Draymond Green about why he should head back to UF.
Live Blog: U.S. Soccer faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup knockout match
After going 2-1 in the group stage, U.S. Soccer is heading to the knockout stage. Bosnia and Herzegovina awaits Wednesday night as the FIFA World Cup continues. The USMNT got off to a dominant start to the World Cup, winning its first two matches for the first time since 1930 as they won Group D. It started with a 4-1 win over Paraguay and 2-0 victory against Australia, which – along with a Paraguay win over Türkiye – helped the Americans win the group.
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