Justin Williams
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Senior writer for @TheAthletic, covering college football and basketball. Proud @ohiou alum. | Email: jwilliams@theathletic.com
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Articles by Justin Williams
UNC, Michigan followed the college sports investigations’ playbook: No paper trail
North Carolina commissioned outside lawyers to conduct a weeks-long investigation into the Tar Heels football program. The investigators had latitude to speak with whomever they deemed necessary, including head coach Bill Belichick, the resources to pursue whatever information they found relevant, and executed what the school termed a “thorough and independent” review. Except there is no formal written record of any of it.
Texas Tech earned a cinematic win over Houston. But is it still the Big 12’s bully?
LUBBOCK, Texas — The Big 12 still runs through Lubbock. For now. By the slimmest of margins. That appeared up for debate when No. 22 Houston jumped out to an early 10-point lead over No. 13 Texas Tech, and again on a nervy, last-minute 2-point conversion to try to tie game. But the Red Raiders held on for a 28-26 win, punctuated by a dramatic goal-line stand under the Friday night lights.
College football Week 3: The 10 best games on the schedule, ranked
Any guesses on the No. 1 game this weekend? It’s a fun slate, including a Big 12 showdown of ranked teams Friday night and a handful of games that should set the tone as we dig into conference action. All building toward Oxford, Miss.: LSU at Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin versus his former school in what should be one of the most hostile, villainous reunions this sport has ever seen. What a time. Here are the top 10 games of Week 3, starting with a few honorable mentions and counting down.
All eyes are on Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, but Pete Golding has his own Mississippi backstory
It sounds like myth-making, the type of Friday night tale that gets taller with each round of drinks. Pete Golding, now the head football coach at Ole Miss, was once an all-conference safety at Division II Delta State University in the early 2000s. There’s not exactly a trove of Statesmen highlights on YouTube from those days, but his teammates and coaches swear by the time Golding played despite two broken thumbs, with each hand heavily wrapped.
ESPN to give air time to Protect College Sports Act opponent ahead of vote
After receiving backlash for allowing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to promote a college sports senate bill on “College GameDay” on Saturday, ESPN will feature one of the bill’s most vocal opponents on its airwaves Tuesday.
Why did ESPN give Ted Cruz 10 minutes to talk about a bill on College GameDay?
With “College GameDay” in Austin, Texas, ahead of Saturday’s much-anticipated showdown between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Texas, ESPN gave Texas senator Ted Cruz ample airtime to discuss his congressional bill on college sports. Cruz is the co-author of the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill before the United States Senate that aims to address a number of disruptive issues in college sports.
Week 2’s top 10 college football games: Ohio State-Texas, Oklahoma-Michigan and more
Let Week 1 be a reminder that college football weekends with one ranked matchup can still — and usually will — deliver the goods. We got a walk-off blocked field goal, a walk-off goal-line tackle, the No. 2 team pushed to the brink, a Labor Day blackout, one very controversial second in Ann Arbor, and much more. Plus, the ranked matchup between Ole Miss and Louisville was arguably the best of the bunch. And this weekend’s ranked matchup should be even better.
SEC files amended complaint to lawsuit seeking authority to expel LSU from league
The SEC filed an amended complaint in its federal lawsuit against LSU on Tuesday that notes conference CEOs will meet Thursday to “decide whether to terminate Louisiana State University (“LSU”) as an SEC member institution.” As part of the amended complaint, the SEC is requesting a temporary restraining order to ensure that neither LSU nor anyone working with or on its behalf can take any action to block or interfere with the meeting or with the conference’s First Amendment rights.
Big 12 withdraws lawsuit against Texas Tech filed during Brendan Sorsby saga
The Big 12 Conference has withdrawn its lawsuit against Texas Tech University, school officials and Texas attorney general Ken Paxton that was related to quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s gambling saga, according to court documents. The case was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought again. The federal lawsuit was originally filed in U.S. district court in Texas back in June, shortly after Sorsby was granted eligibility by a state court ruling in Lubbock County.
Why Michigan got 1 second put back on clock before controversial win vs. Western Michigan
Where exactly did that one second come from for Michigan? That question will be asked a lot, especially by Western Michigan fans. And probably Ohio State fans. Bryce Underwood launched a Hail Mary well out of the end zone as time seemed to expire on the Wolverines to give WMU an improbable upset victory late Saturday night in Ann Arbor. But no. After a video review, it was determined that a defender touched the ball beyond the back of the end zone with a second left.
Josh Hoover bloodied during first half of Indiana debut, stays in game to throw TD anyway
Indiana transfer quarterback Josh Hoover started the 2026 season with a battered and bloody face. But you should see the other team. A gnarly second-quarter facemask by North Texas defensive end Udoka Ezeani left the former TCU quarterback with blood pouring out of his nose and down his jersey. But the senior stayed in the game and threw a dart to wide receiver Charlie Becker for a 9-yard touchdown three plays later, giving the Hoosiers a 21-3 lead.
Lane Kiffin talks roster, bonds with McAfee on GameDay: ‘We’re the two most hated people there are’ Original
“Yeah, that wasn’t easy,” said Kiffin. “As much as I feel for the players, and I believe you fight for what you believe in, and I believe these kids have an opportunity to play, just like all the other kids around the country that are winning court cases and being put on rosters.” Why are LSU fans unequivocally behind Lane Kiffin?
Clemson letter to LSU says rostering ex-pros could be breach of game contract
Clemson notified LSU that if the LSU football team chooses to play former professional players in Saturday night’s game in Baton Rouge, it could be in breach of the game contract between the two schools. People familiar with the situation, speaking under condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, also told The Athletic that Clemson intends to play against LSU on Saturday and does not plan to seek financial damages.
SEC sues LSU, Lane Kiffin in federal court over push to add cut NFL players to roster Original
The SEC filed a lawsuit in federal court against LSU, head football coach Lane Kiffin and other school administrators on Thursday as the conference and university remain at odds over the eligibility status of multiple potential LSU football players who spent time on NFL training camp rosters. The SEC’s case argues First Amendment violations by LSU, by forcing the conference to associate with actions that violate the conference’s rules.
Brendan Sorsby makes first comments since gambling scandal in Texas Tech documentary
Former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, in a new documentary, says he has “a ton of regret” over the betting saga that ended his college football career and rocked college sports. “I know how quickly things can go wrong,” Sorsby says in his first public comments since he was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA earlier this year.
Week 1’s top 10 college football games: Clemson-LSU, Louisville-Ole Miss, Wisconsin-Notre Dame
Welcome back. It may not be the flashiest of opening slates, but what Week 1 lacks in ranked matchups, it makes up for in breadth (and Lane Kiffin drama). Five straight days of games, running Thursday to Monday of Labor Day weekend. It’s the perfect way to bid adieu to summer. Here are the top 10 games of Week 1, starting with a few honorable mentions and counting down.
Cincinnati cleared of wrongdoing by NCAA in Brendan Sorsby gambling case Original
The University of Cincinnati has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the NCAA’s investigation of former quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who was deemed permanently ineligible by the NCAA this summer for extensive gambling violations, according to the university. “Earlier this summer, NCAA enforcement staff completed an inquiry into a former Cincinnati student-athlete’s prohibited betting activity during his time at the university.
Ranking the Week 0 games: UNC-TCU, Memphis-UNLV and NC State-UVA
After slogging through an offseason of eligibility lawsuits, Congressional lobbying and playoff expansion debates that no one asked for, we finally have some actual college football games to watch this weekend — from the sun-kissed shores of Southern California to the lush, rolling hills of Ireland. It’s not a full slate of matchups just yet, but plenty to tide us over.
Texas Tech is chasing another Big 12 title. Here are the teams that could stand in its way
Texas Tech loaded up in the portal again after winning its first Big 12 championship, though it will move forward without Cincinnati transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby as teams like BYU, Houston, TCU and Utah give chase. Three storylines to watch: Indiana, Arch and Kiffin Arizona Wildcats 2025 record: 9-4 (6-3 Big 12) Location: Tucson, Ariz. Odds to make the CFP: 11.3% Odds to win the Big 12: 4.4% The Athletic 138 ranking: 28th Will they be better, worse or the same this year? The same.
Thirty college football games you need to watch in 2026, from Kiffin’s return to Miami-ND
College football kicks off in less than a week. We finally made it. And because we love ranking things in tiers here at The Athletic — quarterbacks, coaches, program ambitions — we’ve collected 30 of the most anticipated matchups of the 2026 campaign and slotted them into the appropriate categories. From potential championship previews to West Coast MACtion, these are the best and most interesting games of the season. Plan your weekends accordingly. Tier 1: The Headliners Ohio State at Texas, Sept.
NCAA’s win in court pauses extra year of eligibility for Class of 2022 athletes Original
A court ruling that gave college athletes from the high school Class of 2022 a fifth season of eligibility has been paused. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit granted a stay request on Friday in the Wisne v. NCAA class-action lawsuit, which challenged the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility rule that ran out the clock on college athletes from the high school Class of 2022 this past spring.
Who’s eligible for college sports these days? Take our quiz and find out
Remember RJ Luis Jr.? He led St. John’s men’s basketball to a Big East title and won conference player of the year in 2025. The last time he was seen in a meaningful basketball game, he had a mystifyingly bad performance as the Red Storm were eliminated from the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Well, after getting brief looks from the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics last year, but never getting into an NBA game, he is now committed to play for Will Wade at LSU.
The rules in college football and basketball are constantly changing. Can you keep up?
Remember RJ Luis Jr.? He led St. John’s men’s basketball to a Big East title and won conference player of the year in 2025. The last time he was seen in a meaningful basketball game, he had a mystifyingly bad performance as the Red Storm were eliminated from the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Well, after getting brief looks from the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics last year, but never getting into an NBA game, he is now committed to play for Will Wade at LSU.
Ex-NFL training camp players enter NCAA transfer portal in wake of court ruling
College football’s transfer portal typically only opens in the winter, but a handful of notable players — who had already exhausted their eligibility and participated in NFL training camps — surfaced in the portal on Thursday as a result of the latest legal battle in the sport.
An NFL rookie had 2 sacks in preseason debut. Now he could return to college football
Buccaneers rookie Jack Pyburn recorded two sacks in Tampa Bay’s preseason win over the New York Jets on Friday. Now there’s a chance Pyburn, an undrafted free agent, could return to college football this season, according to a Louisiana court ruling. Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District Court granted a temporary restraining order on Wednesday that could allow more than 30 college athletes a fifth year of eligibility.
Akron football season-ticket stunt is why we love college football
One lucky Akron football season-ticket holder will get to call plays for the opening drive of a college football game. Really. Sort of. Which is a nice reminder of why we love this dumb sport. On Aug. 4, the Akron Zips football program announced a promotion in which every season-ticket holder is entered into a raffle; the top prize is the chance to script play calls for the first offensive possession of Akron’s home opener against Robert Morris on Sept. 12. The winner, announced on Aug.
Akron football season-ticket stunt is why we love college football
One lucky Akron football season-ticket holder will get to call plays for the opening drive of a college football game. Really. Sort of. Which is a nice reminder of why we love this dumb sport. It's a pure publicity stunt. Old-school, huckster carnival barking. On Aug.
Video: Which college fan base travels the best?
Video: Which college fan base travels the best? We asked our college football reporters which college fanbase travels the best. By Sam Khan Jr., Justin Williams and more July 31, 2026 11:51 am EDT Updated
Over 100 women’s college basketball players join push to unionize Original
More than 100 women’s college basketball players signed on to unionize with the United College Athletes Association, the organization announced on Friday. It marks a significant, athlete-led development toward collective bargaining in college sports, an idea that has gained increased attention as legal challenges have reshaped the industry in recent years.
Luke Fickell wanted to stick it out at Wisconsin. With a $25M roster, now he has to win Original
MADISON, Wis. — Hours after “Fire Fickell” chants reverberated across Camp Randall Stadium, Luke Fickell waited for more bad news to come walking through his door. Year 3 was not going to plan for the Wisconsin football coach, bottoming out with back-to-back home shutout losses last October. So when athletic director Chris McIntosh came knocking in the midst of a six-game skid, Fickell expected the worst. The former Badgers offensive lineman gave him a choice instead.
Protect College Sports Act unlikely to be voted on before summer recess Original
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Thursday the Protect College Sports Act is not likely to reach the floor for a vote before the session ends in two weeks. The bipartisan bill introduced in May by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) addresses a wide range of issues in college sports, from eligibility and transfer rules to regulations for compensating players.
Texans & Football Fans Rage At Ken Paxton Pocketing $275K From Texas Tech Chair In Alleged Pay To Play
NYT’s The Athletic: “Texas Tech booster donated $274K one day before Texas AG Ken Paxton’s Brendan Sorsby letter” USA Today: “Cody Campbell donated to Ken Paxton.
Justin Williams' Steve Ellis Co-Beat Writer of the Year Sample: Are Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State going to quit each other?
Justin Williams By Justin Williams The Athletic There will be scant traces of last season Saturday when Oklahoma State football travels to face No. 6 Oregon. Aside from head coach Mike Gundy and the Cowboys’ customary orange-and-black uniforms, the roster and coaching staff have been largely overhauled, stripped to the studs and refurbished. But the turmoil of the 2024 season still lingers. Oklahoma State ended last year with a 52-0 loss to Colorado on Nov. 29.
Texas Tech booster donated $274K one day before Texas AG Ken Paxton’s Brendan Sorsby letter
One day before the office of Texas attorney general Ken Paxton released a letter threatening legal action against the Big 12 conference if it moved to sanction Texas Tech over quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility saga, Texas Tech board of regents chair and billionaire booster Cody Campbell donated $274,300 in support of Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign.
Justin Williams' Steve Ellis Co-Beat Writer of the Year Sample: 'Everyone Loves Joey'
Justin Williams By Justin Williams The Athletic (First of a series) Somewhere high above the plains of West Texas, the Big 12 championship trophy sat buckled safely beside Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire, headed home to Lubbock. McGuire’s wife, Debbie, stayed behind in Dallas with family following the Red Raiders’ conference title win over BYU on Dec. 6. It saved her husband from a difficult decision on seating arrangements. “The trophy was strapped into her seat,” said McGuire.
Ohio judge grants injunction to basketball players challenging new NCAA eligibility rules
Ohio judge Christopher Wagner granted a temporary injunction on Thursday to 15 Division I college basketball players whose eligibility ran out after this past season, allowing them an opportunity to return for another year after they argued the NCAA unfairly excluded them from its new age-based eligibility rule.
Ohio judge grants injunction to basketball players challenging new NCAA eligibility rules
Ohio judge Christopher Wagner granted a temporary injunction on Thursday to 15 Division I college basketball players whose eligibility ran out after this past season, allowing them an opportunity to return for another year after they argued the NCAA unfairly excluded them from its new age-based eligibility rule.
Former Kentucky, Arizona basketball player Kerr Kriisa indicted in $2.2 million fraud scheme Original
A U.S. District Court in West Virginia indicted former NCAA men’s basketball player Kerr Kriisa on five counts of wire fraud amounting to at least $2.2 million, the court announced Monday. Kriisa, 25, was arrested Friday in Lexington, Ky., and remained in custody at the Fayette County Detention Center as of Monday morning, according to public information officer Matt LeMonds.
NFL clears Brendan Sorsby to pursue 2027 NFL Draft amid gambling saga
Former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby said Tuesday that he is focused on preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft, publicly putting an end to any attempts to play football in 2026 or challenge the league’s decision to not hold a supplemental draft for him. The NFL sent a memo to its 32 teams on Tuesday, informing them that Sorsby would not be pursuing litigation against the league. “For purposes of League and CBA rules, Mr. Sorsby will be considered a ‘Draft-Eligible’ player for the 2027 NFL Draft.
NFL won’t hold supplemental draft in 2026, denying Brendan Sorsby’s application
The NFL will not hold a supplemental draft in 2026, thereby making Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby ineligible, according to a letter reviewed by The Athletic. The 22-year-old Sorsby, who transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech this offseason, announced his intention to enter the supplemental draft on June 15, one week before Monday’s application deadline.
Why Texas Tech, Brendan Sorsby gave up the fight roiling college football Original
Brendan Sorsby met with a group of Texas Tech officials and administrators on Sunday night in Lubbock, Texas. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt, university president Lawrence Schovanec, Board of Regents chair Cody Campbell and head football coach Joey McGuire were all there, among others. For some, it was the first genuine opportunity to speak with the quarterback since he returned to campus after a month-long stay in an Arizona residential treatment facility for his gambling addiction.
Brendan Sorsby plans to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, ending saga at Texas Tech Original
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby plans to apply to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft, ending the drama over whether he would be eligible to play for the Red Raiders this year despite violating NCAA gambling rules.
Big 12 files lawsuit seeking to clear way to sanction Texas Tech for playing Brendan Sorsby
The Big 12 filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday over the Brendan Sorsby saga, asking the court to bar Texas Tech and the state attorney general from preventing the league from sanctioning Texas Tech if the quarterback plays for the Red Raiders. The filing lists the Texas Tech University System, its chancellor, president, athletic director Kirby Hocutt and Texas attorney general Ken Paxton as defendants. Last week, Paxton sent a letter to the Big 12 warning against any sanctions against Tech.
Inside the Big 12’s Brendan Sorsby fallout, from ‘rock bottom’ to the doorstep of a battle Original
“Feeling very despondent, angry, frustrated,” one Big 12 athletic director said at a convention for college sports administrators in Las Vegas, just a couple of hours after the order came down last Monday out of a district court in Lubbock County.
Big 12 files lawsuit seeking to clear way to sanction Texas Tech for playing Brendan Sorsby
The Big 12 filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday over the Brendan Sorsby saga, asking the court to bar Texas Tech and the state attorney general from preventing the league from sanctioning Texas Tech if the quarterback plays for the Red Raiders.
Oklahoma AG recommends Big 12 sanction Texas Tech over Brendan Sorbsy case
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond recommended to the Big 12 Conference on Friday that it take action against Texas Tech in the wake of a controversial court ruling restoring quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility after he admitted to gambling on his own team.
Oklahoma AG recommends Big 12 sanction Texas Tech over Brendan Sorbsy case
Drummond made his recommendation in a letter written in response to missives sent to the league Thursday by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Jeffrey Kessler, Sorsby's lawyer, in which they each warned that any sanctions imposed by the Big 12 against Texas Tech or Sorsby would be considered "unlawful" and would be met with legal action.
Texas AG warns Big 12 against ‘unlawful’ sanctions toward Texas Tech over Brendan Sorsby Original
The office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a formal letter to the Big 12 Conference on Thursday on behalf of Texas Tech University, stating any sanctions imposed by the Big 12 against Texas Tech regarding quarterback Brendan Sorsby would be considered “unlawful” and met with legal action. “Texas Tech is confident the Big 12 will choose to act within the confines of the law and respect both the judicial process and its own Rules and Bylaws,” the letter reads.
Brendan Sorsby granted temporary injunction to play in 2026 despite gambling admissions Original
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby was granted a temporary injunction order in his lawsuit against the NCAA on Monday in Texas state court, according to a written order obtained by The Athletic. The decision essentially overturns the NCAA ruling that made Sorsby permanently ineligible for gambling violations and clears a path for the fifth-year-senior to play for the Red Raiders in 2026.
NCAA says law enforcement initially tipped sportsbook of Brendan Sorsby’s gambling Original
The NCAA was initially tipped off to extensive gambling by Brendan Sorsby via an online gambling book on March 11, after the book had been informed by law enforcement, according to an opposition response filed Friday in the Texas Tech quarterback’s lawsuit against the NCAA and obtained by The Athletic. It was previously unknown how and why the NCAA began its investigation into Sorsby’s gambling history earlier this year.
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