ERIC OLSON
FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the team's College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. The first year of the athlete compensation era in college sports evolved into almost everything the NCAA didn't want when it gave the green light last summer.v“When you see Nick Saban losing his cool over recruiting, it's a sure sign that damage is being done at the highest levels of NCAA athletic competition,” University of Illinois labor law professor Michael LeRoy said, referring to the Alabama football coach's comments in May. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
One year into NIL era, fresh questions about its future

By Eric Olson Jun. 30, 2022 01:20 PM EDT
The first year of the athlete compensation era in college sports evolved into almost

Texas A&M starting pitcher Nathan Dettmer (35) throws a pitch against Oklahoma in the first inning during an NCAA College World Series baseball game Friday, June 17, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/John Peterson)
Sooners get on roll early, beat Aggies 13-8 in CWS opener

By Eric Olson Jun. 17, 2022 06:22 PM EDT
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Jackson Nicklaus hit a grand slam, Jake Bennett pitched six strong

FILE - Florida quarterback Tim Tebow throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Gainesville, Fla., Oct. 11, 2008. Tebow, who led Florida to two national championships and won a Heisman Trophy, is among the former players making their first appearance on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot this year. The National Football Foundation announced on Monday, June 6, 2022, the players and coaches eligible for election into the Hall of Fame, and 11 of the 80 FBS players will be debuting on the ballot. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Tim Tebow among first-timers on College Football HOF ballot

By Eric Olson Jun. 06, 2022 04:21 PM EDT
Tim Tebow, who led Florida to two national championships and won the 2007 Heisman

FILE - Alabama celebrates after their win against Ohio State in an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. College football and men's basketball players on scholarship in one of the major conferences can expect to soon earn a minimum of $50,000 each year he plays because of the influx of cash from so-called booster collectives brokering name, image and likeness deals.That prediction, based on market trends, was made this week by Blake Lawrence, co-founder and CEO of a company that helps athletes and schools navigate the ever-changing NIL landscape. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
NIL expert predicts $50,000 minimum pay for Power 5 players

By Eric Olson May. 10, 2022 03:04 PM EDT
Football and men's basketball players on scholarship in one of the major conferences

FILE - Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches from the field during the second half of Nebraska's NCAA college football annual red-white spring game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, April 9, 2022. Frost will not be allowed to perform his football coaching duties for five consecutive days this season as part of Nebraska's negotiated settlement with the NCAA for allowing an unauthorized staff member to do hands-on special teams coaching. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)
Huskers' Frost to sit out 5 days in '22 season for violation

By Eric Olson May. 02, 2022 01:46 PM EDT
Scott Frost will be barred from coaching for five consecutive days this season as

FILE - Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh is tackled by Michigan defensive end Mike Morris during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. In his fourth season, the 6-foot-6, 278-pound Morris will have a lot of chances to make plays from a position that produced NFL prospects Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo last year. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
14 Big Ten players poised to break out in 2022

By Eric Olson Apr. 25, 2022 05:50 PM EDT
A look at football players in the Big Ten this spring who are poised to have standout

Nebraska red team quarterback Casey Thompson (11) signals the sideline between plays against the white team during the first half of Nebraska's NCAA college football annual red-white spring game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, April 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Big Ten's best defenses come out of spring in rebuild mode

By Eric Olson Apr. 25, 2022 05:44 PM EDT
Coordinator changes and heavy player personnel losses made it a spring of uncertainty

FILE - Iowa State running back Jirehl Brock (21) runs from TCU linebacker Shadrach Banks (19) during a 40-yard touchdown run in the first half an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. Jirehl Brock arrived at Iowa State as a four-star recruit ranked as the nation's 11th-best running back prospect, and for three seasons he waited his turn behind Breece Hall. Such patience is rare nowadays with the transfer portal readily available to any player looking to bolt to another school where he can get on the field sooner.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, Fo;e)
After 3 years, it's time for Cyclones to give rock to Brock

By Eric Olson Apr. 13, 2022 02:30 PM EDT
Jirehl Brock arrived at Iowa State ranked as a four-star recruit and one of the

Nebraska red team quarterback Casey Thompson (11) passes the ball against the white team during the first half of Nebraska's NCAA college football annual red-white spring game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, April 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Ex-Texas QB Casey Thompson embraces fresh start at Nebraska

By Eric Olson Apr. 09, 2022 05:10 AM EDT
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Even though Casey Thompson hasn't been named Nebraska's starting

FILE - Nebraska fans cheer as the marching band leads the team's arrival at Memorial Stadium before an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Lincoln, Neb. A survey of more than 20,000 Nebraska fans showed nearly three-fourths want or would have no problem with alcohol sales in Memorial Stadium. More than half would be OK with sports wagering on site if it becomes legal someday. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)
Survey: Huskers fans favor alcohol sales; gambling OK, too

By Eric Olson Mar. 08, 2022 05:25 PM EST
A survey of more than 20,000 Nebraska fans showed nearly three-fourths want or would

FILE - Texas quarterback Casey Thompson (11) looks to pass against Kansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Casey Thompson, who started 10 games and passed for 24 touchdowns for Texas last season, opened Nebraska's spring practice Monday as the No. 1 quarterback. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Texas transfer Thompson opens spring as Nebraska's No. 1 QB

By Eric Olson Feb. 28, 2022 07:31 PM EST
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Casey Thompson, who started 10 games and passed for 24

FILE - UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet (24) runs the ball in for a touch down as Southern California defensive lineman Jacob Lichtenstein (97) tries to stop him during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Los Angeles. An advocacy group for college athletes has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations board in the next step in a push to give employee status to college athletes and afford them the right to competitive pay, collective bargaining and other benefits and protections. The National College Players Association on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 filed the unfair labor practice charges against the NCAA, Pac-12 Conference, UCLA and the University of Southern California (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
College athlete group files complaint, seeks employee status

By Eric Olson Feb. 08, 2022 04:59 PM EST
An advocacy group filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on

FILE - Fans line up at a concession stand that sells beer during an NCAA college football game between North Carolina State and East Carolina at Carter Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Aug 31, 2019. Nebraska would sell alcohol at the Big Ten wrestling championships in March if university regents approve a policy revision at its meeting next week, opening the possibility of booze being available at Cornhuskers football games. Athletic department leaders have long considered selling alcohol at their venues, and their interest has increased recently as they've looked for ways to enhance the fan experience. (Bryan Cereijo/The News & Observer via AP, File)
Nebraska regents could rescind alcohol ban at sports venues

By Eric Olson Feb. 03, 2022 03:36 PM EST
Nebraska would sell alcohol at the Big Ten wrestling championships in March if

Alabama head coach Nick Saban speaks to players during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Tide's Robinson ready to ramp up run game against Cincinnati

By Eric Olson Dec. 30, 2021 02:26 AM EST
With a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and All-America receiver leading its

Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) reacts after sacking Houston quarterback Clayton Tune during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Special 'Sauce': Bearcats' lockdown CB faces biggest test

By Eric Olson Dec. 29, 2021 02:06 PM EST
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner was considered the ultimate project when he joined Cincinnati's

University of Arkansas commit Patrick Kutas Jr. signs his letter of intent during a signing day event at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian via AP)
NIL was factor on signing day; how big of one up for debate

By Eric Olson Dec. 21, 2021 02:03 AM EST
The three-day signing period last week put name, image and likeness in the spotlight,

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher walks the sideline during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Amid signing day chaos, SEC powers grab top recruits

By Eric Olson Dec. 15, 2021 06:38 PM EST
Through all the changes to the college sports landscape with money-making

FILE - Johnny Rodgers, the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner, smiles and waves to a well-wisher after he was granted a pardon for his felony conviction for robbing a gas station in 1970, at a state board of pardons hearing Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, in Lincoln, Neb. Rodgers, the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, is in an Omaha hospital intensive care unit with COVID-19. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Unvaxxed '72 Heisman winner: Fitness sped COVID-19 recovery

By Eric Olson Dec. 14, 2021 06:44 PM EST
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska football great Johnny Rodgers, back home after spending

Michigan defensive back Vincent Gray (4) breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
AP All-America team expands to add receiver, defensive back

By Eric Olson Dec. 12, 2021 11:21 AM EST
To more accurately reflect the evolution of college football's offenses and defenses,

Maryland running back Tayon Fleet-Davis (8) is tackled by Michigan defensive lineman Donovan Jeter (95) and linebacker Michael Barrett (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 59-18. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
CFP: Orange Bowl semi pits star defenses in Michigan-Georgia

By Eric Olson Dec. 05, 2021 01:47 PM EST
The College Football Playoff semifinal in the Orange Bowl will match surging