The Southeastern Conference will discuss player availability reports during meetings this week in Florida, according to multiple reports. According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said to a group in Destin that the conference “will hold conversations this week” upon the meetings’ start on Tuesday about the use of availability reports.

READ: Lou Groza Award will be included in EA Sports College Football 25

Availability reports are common within sports and reveal which players may be questionable or not going to play in that week’s game. The Big Ten Conference started requiring its teams to send the list of players’ names to the conference office no more than two hours before kickoff last season.

Before the Big Ten, no other Power 5 conference had an availability report required to be distributed during the season.

READ: Charlie Baker believes antitrust settlement will ‘reshape the future of college sports’ in memo sent to members of NCAA

According to Brett McMurphy of Action Network, the SEC “does not expect a decision this week” regarding availability reports.

College football’s 2024 season will kick off in August with Week 0, and among the first games to be played include Florida State at Georgia Tech on Aug. 24 at noon EST which will broadcast on ESPN.

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The Palm Beach County Sports Commission, which established the Lou Groza Award in 1992 that is presented annually by the Orange Bowl, announced last Tuesday that the award will be featured in College Football 25. It will be EA Sports’ first release of the college football video game since 2013.

READ: Charlie Baker believes antitrust settlement will ‘reshape the future of college sports’ in memo sent to members of NCAA

“EA Sports College Football 25 is one of the most anticipated and long-awaited video game titles in history and we are incredibly excited that the Lou Groza Award will be a part of the game,” Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission George Linley stated in a release. “The Lou Groza Award is the pinnacle of collegiate football kicking, and we could not be more excited that college football fans from around the world will have a chance to vie for a Groza Award of their own.”

EA Sports released a full reveal of the modes and features within College Football 25 on May 18 after unveiling an official teaser trailer in February. The video game has been among the most-talked about topics in college football as it will return to consoles for the first time in more than a decade. It will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

READ: Report: Former Nebraska, Washington RB Will Nixon transferring to Syracuse

According to Pete Nakos of On3, the Lou Groza Award is the only award under the National College Football Awards Association that will be included in College Football 25, which On3 also reported in March that other honors such as the Biletnikoff Award and Outland Trophy will not be included in the game.

The Heisman Trophy will be included in College Football 25, the Heisman Trophy Trust announced in a social media post in March.

Former Miami (OH) kicker Graham Nicholson, who announced his transfer to Alabama in April, received the Lou Groza Award last season after setting an NCAA record of 25-straight field goals, and he finished 27-of-28 on field goals and 35-for-37 on extra points.

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NCAA President Charlie Baker sent a memo to members of the NCAA on Friday, and he stated the settlement of the House v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA and Carter v. NCAA cases will help “in our ongoing effort to create a stable, sustainable and equitable model for the future of college sports.” The Ohio State athletic department published the memo, and a full read of it is below.

READ: Report: Former Nebraska, Washington RB Will Nixon transferring to Syracuse

The NCAA and each of the Power 5 conferences jointly announced Thursday that schools can share “up to $22 million with student-athletes per year.” Baker acknowledged there will be future compensation for Division I student-athletes and back damages, though, he thanked everyone within Division I for their “dedication and hard work in getting us to this point.” Baker stated “there is still much work to be done” and NCAA members’ “continued support and collaboration will be crucial.”

Baker stated the “nearly $2.78 billion” in back damages from the settlement will be split 42% paid by the NCAA and 58% among the Division I conferences “based on their distributions over the past nine years.” It will be paid over 10 years, about $280 million per year.

“This will be funded through careful expense management, new revenue initiatives and the use of reserves,” Baker stated.

Baker bulleted three “specific contributions” from a trio of sources, as outlined below.

• Football Bowl Subdivision conferences: $95 million annually (33%).
• Football Championship Subdivision conferences: $37 million annually (13%).
• Nonfootball Division I conferences: $34 million annually (12%).

Had the settlement not happened and trials unfolded, Baker stated the NCAA could have been on the hook to pay potentially $9 billion in “treble damages,” which he stated “would be financially devastating and unsustainable.”

READ: College Football Playoff, TNT Sports reach 5-year sublicensing agreement; TNT Sports to begin broadcasting 2 first-round games in 2024

Baker also listed “several critical objectives” reached through the settlement, as outlined below.

1. It replaces potentially crippling lawsuits with a negotiated settlement and a 10-year injunction.
2. It enables student-athletes to receive up to 22% of the average DI Power 5 athletics revenues — in addition to tuition and other benefits currently provided. Adding all these benefits together, many A5 schools would be devoting nearly 50% of athletics revenue to student-athletes. 
3. It ends decades of antitrust litigation, stabilizing college sports while permitting conferences and the NCAA to enforce rules that set a level playing field and emphasize the educational mission of college athletics.
4. It binds DI together, enabling the NCAA to contribute $120 million annually for 10 years toward back damages.

While Baker stated in closing that the settlement is “a massive step forward for student-athletes and college sports,” he accompanied that sentiment by acknowledging “it does not address every challenge.” Baker stated pending legal issues “such as those related to employment with the NLRB and the Johnson case” are among the obstacles still in need of a solution.

There is the possibility that “if the NCAA outperforms revenue projections and has unplanned surplus net assets, there will be an opportunity to determine how those additional assets can be used to offset the local impact of the damages payment,” Baker stated. 

The NCAA aims “to provide more direct benefits to student-athletes,” and Baker stated “this is a vital opportunity to positively reshape the future of college sports” amid the challenges ahead.

READ: Reports: Big Ten Conference made $880 million in revenue during 2023

Here is Baker’s full memo, via Ohio State.

“Good afternoon,

“I would like to share an update on an important step forward in our ongoing effort to create a stable, sustainable and equitable model for the future of college sports. We have now reached a proposed settlement in three major cases — House, Hubbard and Carter — involving back damages and future compensation for Division I student-athletes. 

“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you in Division I for your dedication and hard work in getting us to this point. Your efforts have been instrumental in negotiating this complex settlement and in shaping a more stable future for Division I college athletics. We acknowledge that there is still much work to be done, and your continued support and collaboration will be crucial as we implement these changes.

“The media has covered these lawsuits extensively, with varying degrees of accuracy. The plaintiffs’ demand for back damages is substantial. In the House case alone, the plaintiffs sought approximately $3 billion. If the NCAA were to lose at trial, the courts could impose “treble damages,” potentially resulting in a $9 billion judgment. Such a verdict would be financially devastating and unsustainable.

“The lawsuits address three main issues: compensation for academic-related expenses; name, image, and likeness opportunities; and restrictions on scholarships. We have managed to negotiate the total back damages for these cases down to nearly $2.78 billion, to be paid over 10 years, equating to approximately $280 million annually.

“To address this obligation, we have developed a plan where the NCAA will contribute $1.2 billion over 10 years, representing 42% of the total back damages. This will be funded through careful expense management, new revenue initiatives and the use of reserves.

“The remaining 58% will be distributed among the Division I conferences based on their distributions over the past nine years. This translates to an annual contribution of $165 million, or a 20% total reduction in distributions.

“Specific contributions are as follows:

• Football Bowl Subdivision conferences: $95 million annually (33%).
• Football Championship Subdivision conferences: $37 million annually (13%).
• Nonfootball Division I conferences: $34 million annually (12%).

“While these contributions represent only 1%-2% of total revenues for FCS and nonfootball conferences, individual conferences will need to manage these contributions based on their members’ budgets. I understand this change will not be easy to manage, but given the challenges facing college sports over the last few decades, change is inevitable. I believe the change before us now presents massive new opportunities for student-athletes and all of Division I. 

“And to be clear, the financial estimate is just that. If the NCAA outperforms revenue projections and has unplanned surplus net assets, there will be an opportunity to determine how those additional assets can be used to offset the local impact of the damages payment (e.g., supplemental, pay down).

“Additionally, the forward-looking aspect of this settlement includes a revenue-sharing model allowing schools to provide more direct benefits to student-athletes, including for NIL. This model, starting in the 2025-26 fiscal year, proposes that 22% of average Autonomy 5 revenues can be shared with student-athletes, potentially amounting to $1 billion to $1.5 billion annually.

“This settlement achieves several critical objectives:

1. It replaces potentially crippling lawsuits with a negotiated settlement and a 10-year injunction.
2. It enables student-athletes to receive up to 22% of the average DI Power 5 athletics revenues — in addition to tuition and other benefits currently provided. Adding all these benefits together, many A5 schools would be devoting nearly 50% of athletics revenue to student-athletes.
3. It ends decades of antitrust litigation, stabilizing college sports while permitting conferences and the NCAA to enforce rules that set a level playing field and emphasize the educational mission of college athletics.
4. It binds DI together, enabling the NCAA to contribute $120 million annually for 10 years toward back damages.

“This is a massive step forward for student-athletes and college sports, but it does not address every challenge. There are still pending legal issues, such as those related to employment with the NLRB and the Johnson case. 

“While challenges remain, this is a vital opportunity to positively reshape the future of college sports. In the weeks ahead, the DI governance team will be working through all relevant committees to discuss next steps with you all. 

“There is a lot of work to be done, and we look forward to getting it done with you in the coming months. 

“Sincerely,

“Charlie Baker”

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According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, former Nebraska and Washington running back/wide receiver Will Nixon will join Syracuse before the 2024 season. Nixon has almost 30 games under his belt across four seasons in college football.

The Waco, Texas, native will have the opportunity to play for his father Jeff Nixon, who was named next offensive coordinator of the Orange in January and has built over 27 years of coaching experience across both college football and the NFL.

READ: NCAA, Power 5 announce settlement agreement, plan to pay student-athletes

Will Nixon ran for 201 rushing yards last season and scored a touchdown in his second year with the Huskies. While Washington advanced to its first College Football Playoff National Championship appearance, Will Nixon played an important role as the team’s second-leading rusher.

The 5-foot-11, 202-pound running back also is a threat in the backfield having averaged more than six yards per carry and catch in 2023. Will Nixon posted career highs in many categories, though in the receiving game he caught 84 yards along with 13 receptions.

Will Nixon was sidelined the first year of his college career at Nebraska after suffering a torn ACL in summer 2020.

READ: College Football Playoff, TNT Sports reach 5-year sublicensing agreement; TNT Sports to begin broadcasting 2 first-round games in 2024

The rising fifth-year is also accomplished in the classroom. Will Nixon earned a spot on the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team and won Washington’s 101 Club Academic Award in the postseason.

Will Nixon was a three-star recruit according to Rivals playing at Midway High School in Texas. He earned district MVP after totaling 2,087 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns as a senior.

Syracuse is heading a new direction with former Georgia secondary coach Fran Brown as head coach and incoming quarterback transfer Kyle McCord from Ohio State. Will Nixon will join the Orange and junior running back LeQuint Allen, who led Syracuse with 1,118 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last season.

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NCAA President Charlie Baker and each of the Power 5 conferences — the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern — jointly announced Thursday that they’ve agreed to settlement terms regarding antitrust and class-action lawsuits. According to Ralph D. Russo of The Associated Press, the NCAA and Power 5 will pay nearly $2.8 billion, expected to be paid over 10 years, to settle several antitrust claims, notably House v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA and Carter v. NCAA, and the joint statement claimed it “is an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide benefits to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come.”

Among the longstanding aspects that made up the foundations of the NCAA is set to change: schools can directly pay players.

Here is the full joint statement from Baker, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petititti, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.

“The five autonomy conferences and the NCAA agreeing to settlement terms is an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide benefits to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come. This settlement is also a road map for college sports leaders and Congress to ensure this uniquely American institution can continue to provide unmatched opportunity for millions of students. All of Division I made today’s progress possible, and we all have work to do to implement the terms of the agreement as the legal process continues. We look forward to working with our various student-athlete leadership groups to write the next chapter of college sports.”

READ: College Football Playoff, TNT Sports reach 5-year sublicensing agreement; TNT Sports to begin broadcasting 2 first-round games in 2024

READ: Reports: Big Ten Conference made $880 million in revenue during 2023

Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. also reportedly released a statement, calling the settlement “necessary to avoid what would be the bankruptcy of college athletics.” Here is his full statement according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports.

“The settlement, though undesirable in many respects and promising only temporary stability, is necessary to avoid what would be the bankruptcy of college athletics. To save the great American institution of college sports, Congress must pass legislation that will preempt the current patchwork of state laws; establish that our athletes are not employees, but students seeking college degrees; and provide protection from further antitrust lawsuits that will allow colleges to make and enforce rules that will protect our student-athletes and help ensure competitive equity among our teams,” Jenkins stated via Yahoo! Sports.

Among the expected outcomes from the settlement include the NCAA and universities sharing revenue directly with student-athletes. There could be “millions of dollars” paid to players as soon as fall 2025, according to the AP.

The model for revenue sharing with student-athletes “will cost major conferences a cumulative $1 billion-plus annually,” according to Yahoo! Sports, and schools can share up to $22 million with student-athletes per year — a figure that “was derived from 22% of an average of power conference revenues” and subject to change and exceptions.

According to Dan Murphy and Pete Thamel of ESPN, any Division I athlete dating back to 2016 is eligible to receive a share as part of the settlement class. These athletes therefore drop their claims in three antitrust lawsuits — House v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA and Carter v. NCAA — and cannot sue the NCAA for other antitrust-related reasons.

Roster size could also be affected as a result of the changes expected after the settlement. According to Yahoo! Sports, scholarship restrictions could be eliminated while roster limits would be implemented.

Bankruptcy was reportedly at risk had the settlement not been reached among the NCAA and Power 5 regarding the lawsuits.

READ: Penn State Board of Trustees approves Beaver Stadium renovation before 2027 season

The ability for student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness began when the NCAA implemented policy in July 2021. Since, college athletics has seen a flurry of changes in almost the past three years, including in areas such as the conference realignment and the transfer portal. Texas senator Ted Cruz hosted an NIL roundtable on Capitol Hill in March discussing its impacts and urging Congress to pass college athletics legislation.

According to Yahoo! Sports, there is likely a five-to-eight month time period before finalization of the settlement to account for official filing, judge approval and individual plaintiff objections among other things.

Final details will be submitted to the court and Judge Claudia Wilken in the next 30 days, according to ESPN.

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Beginning with the 2024-25 seasons, TNT Sports will broadcast two first-round games, according to a release. TNT Sports will air two quarterfinal games additionally in 2026-28 through the agreement.

Additional details about programming plans for the College Football Playoff “will be announced at a later date,” according to a release.

“It is exciting to add TNT Sports, another highly respected broadcaster, to the College Football Playoff family,” Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Bill Hancock stated in a release. “Sports fans across the country are intimately familiar with their work across a wide variety of sports properties over the past two decades, and we look forward to seeing what new and innovative ideas they bring to the promotion and delivery of these games.”

READ: Reports: Big Ten Conference made $880 million in revenue during 2023

READ: Penn State Board of Trustees approves Beaver Stadium renovation before 2027 season

According to a release, TNT Sports will be “the primary network” televising its select games, and it will also distribute coverage among its additional platforms.

The playoff field expanded from its original four teams to 12 for the first time since it was implemented before the 2014 season.

What’s different under the new format include a range of changes. Notably, the entire first round will be played on-campus while the four highest-ranking conference champions will make up the first four seeds and receive byes in the opening round.

“We’re delighted to reach this agreement with ESPN, providing TNT Sports the opportunity to showcase these College Football Playoff games on our platforms for years to come,” TNT Sports Chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser stated in a release. “TNT Sports aims to delight fans and drive maximum reach and engagement for these marquee games.”

The first round of the expanded playoff is scheduled for Dec. 20-21, then the quarterfinals will take place at familiar New Year’s Six locations, including the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, before the semifinals at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9, 2025, and Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10, 2025, all leading up to the national championship in Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025.

READ: Colorado announces season-ticket sellout for 2nd-straight season

It’s been a historic offseason for the College Football Playoff. It and ESPN agreed to a new media rights deal in March that will keep the playoff on the network through 2031.

The College Football Playoff also signed a six-year contract establishing a revenue distribution plan. That solidified the 12-team format through at least 2026, and the possibility of more teams joining the field could be a reality come that season.

ESPN “will also continue to manage the sponsorship program for the presentation of the CFP,” according to a release.

“ESPN is pleased to sublicense to TNT Sports a select number of early round games of the College Football Playoff, an event we’ve helped to grow – alongside the CFP – into one of the preeminent championships,” ESPN executive vice president of programming & acquisitions Rosalyn Durant stated in a release. “We’re confident in the reach and promotion that this new agreement will provide as we enter the new, expanded playoff era.”

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According to Daniel Libit of Sportico, tax reports show the Big Ten took in the $880 million figure between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023.

The Big Ten distributed “about $60.5 million” to the 12 longest-tenured members in the conference, according to Steve Berkowitz of USA TODAY. Maryland and Rutgers received “about $2 million less” than the other 12 members of the Big Ten.

READ: Penn State Board of Trustees approves Beaver Stadium renovation before 2027 season

The Big Ten’s revenue earnings allow it to pass the Southeastern Conference for most revenue among college conferences, and the SEC had $853 million in revenue in fiscal year 2023, according to Sportico. The SEC distributed “an average of about $51.3 million” to each of its 14 members.

The Big Ten spent, including its distributions to member programs, “just over $897 million” in 2023 and “operated at a deficit of just over $17.5 million for the year, but still had net assets totaling $247 million,” according to USA TODAY.

Despite retirement in 2020, former commissioner Jim Delaney was the Big Ten’s “highest-paid employee” having received $5.8 million from retirement or deferred compensation and bonus or incentive compensation, according to Sportico. Delaney remains on the conference’s payroll as an outside consultant.

READ: Colorado announces season-ticket sellout for 2nd-straight season

The Big Ten entered a new media rights deal it signed in 2022 worth nearly $7 billion. It reached agreements with CBS, FOX, NBC, NBCUniversal’s Peacock, Big Ten Network and FS1 and will continue through the 2029-30 season.

Now over a year into its new media agreement, the Big Ten will likely see the beginnings of its impact financially. For comparison on revenue between fiscal years 2023 and 2022, the $880 million last year “represent about a 4% increase in total revenue and a nearly 3% increase in per-school payouts” according to USA TODAY.

The Big Ten also saw Tony Petitti take over after Kevin Warren as conference commissioner in May 2023, and Petitti’s pay was not reported because the report only covered the 2022 calendar year, according to USA TODAY.

ALSO WATCH

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Penn State announced Tuesday that the Board of Trustees approved investments in renovating Beaver Stadium, allowing year-round use of the stadium. The board held a vote that resulted in a 26-2 outcome with three abstaining.

According to a release, the total cost is no more than $700 million and will be financed and paid for “entirely” by Intercollegiate Athletics. It will be completed before the 2027 season.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to share there is overwhelming support for the University’s recommendation to renovate Beaver Stadium,” Penn State Board of Trustees Chair Matt Schuyler stated in a release. “I’m pleased that the renovation will benefit our student-athletes, elevate Beaver Stadium’s significance in driving local and state economies, and ensure Beaver Stadium remains a premier facility in all of college athletics.”

READ: Colorado announces season-ticket sellout for 2nd-straight season

READ: Former UNLV DB Ricky Johnson transfers to Michigan

Through 2027, the renovations are expected to “grow revenue-generating opportunities, transform the fan and community experience, and fuel the future funding for all 31 athletics programs at Penn State.”

The renovations include “three distinct phases” over the next three offseasons and “will offer a new mix of seating options and improved amenities, such as restrooms and concessions.”

According to a release, the entirety of Beaver Stadium’s renovations “will be paid for through fundraising, concessions, naming opportunities, sponsorships and ticket sales, including new premium seating options to be added during the renovation.”

The initial $70 million expenditure for the stadium renovation was approved in January, and early construction has prioritized safety and accessibility through the widening of select concourses and installation of new escalators among other plans. Penn State plans to winterize Beaver Stadium, entailing “the insulation of pipes and other upgrades to allow the building to be occupied when temperatures are below freezing.” Additional steps “will continue leading up to the 2024 college football season.”

The Nittany Lions’ renovation of Beaver Stadium will allow it to host a potential College Football Playoff game as soon as this fall when the playoff field expands to 12 teams and provides the teams seeded Nos. 5-8 the opportunity to open the first round at home.

“With home football games averaging $16.2 million in tourism and economic growth in our region, the potential return on investing in a premiere football stadium is significant,” Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Patrick Kraft stated in a release. “Beyond the increased ability to host major events year-round as we winterize the stadium and build inventory, the experience for our fans will be greatly enhanced while providing the facilities our football program needs to continue competing at the highest level. I am grateful for the support of President (Neeli) Bendapudi and Penn State’s Board of Trustees in making this investment for the future of our university community and athletics programs.”

READ: Reports: Auburn’s Brian Battie injured during shooting in Sarasota on Saturday

Plans for a new welcome center “will include a 21,000-square-foot facility for events and many other uses, serve as a connection point for all in the community, and augment enrollment efforts for prospective students and future student-athletes.”

Beaver Stadium renovation plans are designed “with a high standard for energy efficiency, construction and eventual operation of the renovated stadium” and committed “to achieving LEED certification,” according to a release.

Penn State also has a “Beaver Stadium Revitalization” website with more information.

“Many recognize Beaver Stadium as the best stadium in college football, and we want to preserve the atmosphere that our fans, alumni and community have come to expect while building on this history of excellence for generations to come,” Bendapudi stated in a release. “The renovations will have a wide variety of positive impacts on our community, help us remain a national leader by attracting top student-athletes, and continue serving as a symbol for belonging and pride for students across the Commonwealth.”

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Colorado announced Monday that it sold out of season tickets for 2024, marking the second-straight year the Buffaloes have done so. It’s also the 10th time in program history Colorado has sold out of season tickets.

READ: Former UNLV DB Ricky Johnson transfers to Michigan

Sanders and the Buffaloes sold out Folsom Field for the first time in 2023 since 1996 when Colorado’s seven-year stretch of doing so during the 1990-96 seasons also included a national championship in 1990.

“Selling out of season tickets for the second year in a row shows how strong our fan base is and the continued impact of and trust in Coach Prime,” Colorado athletics director Rick George stated in a release. “We are ready for an exciting 2024 season and expect a full house for every game for the second straight season.”

READ: Reports: Auburn’s Brian Battie injured during shooting in Sarasota on Saturday

READ: EA Sports College Football 25 features, gameplay shared in full reveal

The lone other season Colorado sold out its season tickets was in 1972 following a 1971 campaign in which the Buffaloes went 10-2 finishing the year ranked No. 3 and including wins over LSU and Ohio State.

According to a release, Colorado’s season ticket renewal rate finished above 98% for a second-straight year. Both the 2023 and 2024 seasons are “two of a few” that totaled over 90% renewal rates.

Colorado will return this season to the Big 12 Conference since it departed in 2010 for the Pac-12 Conference. Among the Buffaloes’ anticipated home matchups include the opener Aug. 29 against North Dakota State, which won nine Football Championship Subdivision national championships from 2011-21, and Homecoming on Sept. 21 against Baylor, which will “also be the Big 12 Homecoming game with several league activations on campus along with traditional homecoming activities,” according to a release, during the Bears’ first visit to Boulder since 2010.

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Former UNLV defensive back Ricky Johnson announced on social media Saturday his commitment to transfer and join the Wolverines after four seasons with the Rebels.

Johnson will be part of new head coach Sherrone Moore’s first season at the helm of Michigan’s program. The 6-foot-1 defensive back is a veteran of 30 games, including a career-high 12 last season after battling back from an injury in fall camp 2022 that limited him to three games that year, who has compiled 78 tackles, four interceptions and 14 passes defended.

READ: Reports: Auburn’s Brian Battie injured during shooting in Sarasota on Saturday

READ: EA Sports College Football 25 features, gameplay shared in full reveal

Johnson posted career bests across a number of statistical categories in 2023. He totaled 36 tackles, including 25 solo and a season-high six against Kansas in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, in addition to seven passes defended, which tied for 10th-most in the Mountain West Conference, and three tackles for loss. He was also named to the preseason all-conference third team before the campaign.

Johnson broke out in 2021 when his three interceptions tied for the UNLV team lead. He collected 25 tackles and two pass break-ups. The Houston native is also a standout in the classroom, having been a three-time member of the Academic All-Mountain West Team from 2020-22 and earning recognition as a 2021 Mountain West Scholar Athlete.

According to Austin Curtright of USA TODAY, Michigan has added three players in the secondary in addition to Johnson through the portal this offseason. The Wolverines will see former defensive backs Aamir Hall of Albany, Jaden Mangham of Michigan State and Wesley Walker from Tennessee join their program through the portal ahead of the 2024 season.

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A suspect has been arrested in a shooting that killed Tommie L. Battie IV and injured Brian Battie in Sarasota on Saturday.

According to the Sarasota County Sherrif’s Office, Darryl Bernard Brookins of Sarasota “has been identified as the suspect in the shooting that occurred in the Tallywood Centre Plaza parking lot on 17th Street in Sarasota” and was arrested Wednesday afternoon. Brookins “has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and as a felon in possession of a firearm.”

Brian Battie in addition to three other men were injured in the shooting, according to The Associated Press.

UPDATED AT 10:18 P.M. EDT ON MAY 20, 2024

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze posted Monday on social media an update about Brian Battie, who is a senior running back and was injured in a shooting Saturday morning in Sarasota, Florida, stating, “Auburn family. Please continue to pray for Brian Battie. There was a set back last night and he’s still on a ventilator. #AUSTRONG”

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Saturday morning “deputies initially responded to the Tallywood Centre Plaza at approximately 3:30am where they observed a large crowd with multiple shooting victims in the parking lot.” Brian Battie’s brother Tommie L. Battie IV was pronounced deceased at the scene and “four additional victims were transported to local hospitals in both Manatee and Sarasota counties.”

A GoFundMe page was organized by Kelli Raines and Tanya Babinski, who state they are the godmothers of Brian Battie and Tommie L. Battie IV. Over $73,000 has been raised as of Monday.

According to Ainslie Lee of AL.com, an Auburn spokesperson confirmed Brian Battie was among the victims in the shooting. Auburn is “aware of the situation” and “continuing to gather information.”

The shooting appears to be an isolated incident, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It remains an active criminal investigation.

READ: EA Sports College Football 25 features, gameplay shared in full reveal

Anyone who may have information related to the shooting is encouraged by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office “to contact the SCSO Criminal Investigations Section at 941-861-4900 or Sarasota Crimestoppers at 941-366-8477.”

Brian Battie joined Auburn before last season. He played at South Florida from 2020-22 earning Second Team All-American Athletic Conference and becoming the sixth 1,000-yard rusher in Bulls history in 2022.

This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it is available.

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Set to launch worldwide on July 19, a full reveal of the modes and features of EA Sports College Football 25 was announced on Friday.

Dynasty and Road To Glory modes will be available in College Football 25, according to a release. Those two modes will allow players “to construct their own powerhouse program as a created coach or vie for the Heisman as a player” in what the video game introduces as CampusIQ, which will be “a suite of features that brings to life the true depth of college football through wide open, fast-paced gameplay across all 134 FBS schools in all areas of the game.”

READ: ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery introduce Venu Sports streaming service

Over 10,000 players have opted into College Football 25, it was announced in March. Any student-athlete who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used will receive $600 and a copy of the video game.

College Football 25 will also offer “the all-new Road to the College Football Playoff and College Football Ultimate Team” that will “bring fresh online experiences and ways to play.”

“EA SPORTS College Football is BACK! We’ve felt the passion and anticipation of college football fans every step of the way since we first announced this game, and we’re ecstatic to finally be able to show everyone what we’ve been building,” EA Sports SVP and Group GM Daryl Holt stated in a release. “College Football 25 is built with authenticity at its core, inspired by experiences our fans have loved from our games, and fully evolved to reflect modern college football – all of which will immerse them in the sights, sounds, and true-to-life gameplay of the sport they love.”

READ: Northwestern announces 2024 schedule, will play 2 games at Wrigley Field

READ: ABC, ESPN unveil Weeks 0-1 broadcast schedule

EA Sports unveiled the cover of College Football 25 on Thursday, showcasing Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter. They will star on the covers of the Standard and Deluxe editions.

“Donovan, Quinn and Travis are extraordinary talents who impressed and entertained millions of college football fans on the field last season and are poised to do so again this year,” Holt stated in a release. “We’re proud to be able to incorporate thousands of current athletes in College Football 25, and featuring this trio of playmakers and their iconic college programs on the cover is a perfect fit as we usher in a new era for EA SPORTS and college football. I can’t wait for the world to learn more about the game tomorrow.”

ESPN broadcasters such as Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will “call marquee matchups,” along with other broadcast teams such as Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and David Pollack will comprise the virtual booth and “take the mic for all other games.”

Among the gameplay features include Homefield Advantage, which will allow players to “through distractions like screen shaking, missing pre-play icons, and moving play art.” Additional features consist of Pre-Snap Recognition and the Wear & Tear System, which means virtual player stamina is affected by more play so it will be important to “manage your players’ health, limit fatigue, assess risk of injury, and avoid on-field mistakes by using strategic substitutions to ensure your players are at their best when it counts the most.”

The traditions within college football that make it one of a kind will be immersed in College Football 25. Along with team mascots and fight songs, the video game will include “unique team run-outs, rivalry rituals, synchronized crowd-chants, loudness meters as well as real game-day audio.”

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Dynasty and Road To Glory modes are also offered in the video game alongside Road to the College Football Playoff, where players will “experience a new way to play competitively across consoles” and “earn rank by upsetting the toughest opponents and securing the votes you need to progress and level up divisions,” as well as College Football Ultimate Team.

College Football Ultimate Team will allow players to “build your dream team of college football stars and legends” in Solo Challenges or H2H seasons, and they can test their skill across consoles “in more competitive formats like College Football Ultimate Team Champs and Champs Gauntlet.”

EA Sports College Football 25 is available for pre-order now. According to Matt Brown of Extra Points, the video game will not be available for PC at launch. EA Sports is also offering an MVP bundle on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S that will include deluxe editions of College Football 25 and Madden NFL 25 “with 3-day early access and unlocks a multitude of benefits across both titles.”

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