All articles tagged with #nil era
Dante Moore, 20, chose to return to Oregon for 2027 instead of entering the 2026 NFL draft, boosting Oregon’s title chances and thinning the 2026 QB class. The decision reflects the NIL era’s risk/reward calculus and suggests NFL teams may value experience and development over pure upside, potentially changing quarterback trajectories in college and pro football and shifting early draft focus to other positions in 2026.
Penn State fired coach James Franklin after a costly nearly $50 million buyout, highlighting how the modern college football landscape is driven by high financial stakes, quick coaching changes, and the influence of transfer portal and NIL, which are reshaping the value and role of coaches in the sport.
Will Hammond, a backup quarterback and practicing Mormon with family roots in Utah, led Texas Tech to a dominant 34-10 win over Utah, showcasing his composure and skill despite being a backup, amid a backdrop of significant booster investment and the evolving NIL landscape in college athletics.
Mike Locksley, head coach of Maryland football, has implemented a new policy by placing a sign outside the locker room reminding players to leave personal and financial items behind, as a response to the locker room divide experienced last year due to the NIL era, aiming to foster a better team environment in his seventh season.
North Carolina has fired head football coach Mack Brown, marking a significant moment in the college football coaching carousel as the program is now in a strong position to attract top candidates. This move comes amid a relatively quiet year for coaching changes at major programs, partly due to financial uncertainties in college sports. Brown's second tenure improved the program's standing, making the North Carolina job more attractive than it has been in decades. The school aims to capitalize on this opportunity with a strategic hire, avoiding the typical rebuilding phase and aiming for sustained success.
John Calipari, a renowned college basketball coach, has taken on a new challenge at Arkansas after a storied career at Kentucky. Despite criticism over recent years, Calipari remains focused on winning and developing NBA talent. His move to Arkansas is marked by significant support from the university and local businesses, emphasizing immediate success in the NIL era. Calipari's approach remains largely unchanged, focusing on a tight rotation and leveraging his fundraising prowess to support the program's ambitions.
The early signing period for college football recruiting has seen some interesting developments. While there is a notion that the NIL era is leading to more parity, the top talent is still concentrated among a few powerhouse programs. Georgia emerged as the recruiting crown winner with 10 top-100 players signed, showcasing their national reach. Auburn has shown significant improvement in recruiting under Hugh Freeze. Michigan's success on the field doesn't necessarily translate to top-tier recruiting classes. Florida State suffered losses in flipping prospects to Miami and Georgia. Miami had an impressive finish, flipping several top prospects and securing a top-3 class. Ohio State remains strong with five five-star prospects. Colorado's recruiting class under Deion Sanders has raised questions, while Nebraska's flip of a five-star quarterback is a significant win. USC and Texas have had mixed results in recruiting, while South Carolina and Oregon have made notable signings.