Since its inception, name, image and likeness (NIL) deals have transformed not just how college sports operate, but professional sports.
Collegiate players, knowing they can stay in school for another year and make substantial money, do not have to turn professional to make money.
Former NFL agent Ben Dogra cited Oregon quarterback Dante Moore returning to college instead of declaring for the NFL Draft as something that might not have happened before NIL.
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“I think it still remains to be seen because it’s still relatively new, but I think you’re seeing, based on what happened with the quarterback at Oregon, Moore staying in school. I would never have anticipated a player that would go possibly top 10 in the draft, let alone the top five, would actually stay in school with the amount of money that he’s willing to risk,” Dogra told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore looks to pass against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Jan. 9, 2026.(Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
Moore was being projected in some mock drafts to go as high as No. 2 overall to the New York Jets before deciding to return. Dogra wasn’t sure how big the NIL deal that Moore signed to stay with Oregon was but thought it influenced his decision.
“I know it’s an individual decision, but with NIL and when you look at Oregon and you see one of their biggest donors in (Phil) Knight of Nike, I don’t know what was promised or what was done, but I think it was significant enough (to have) allowed the young man to think, ‘Wait a minute, I don’t want to go out,’ the way he did, throwing a pick six, and they think they have a chance to win a national championship,” Dogra said.
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Dogra said he expected players projected in the third and fourth rounds, maybe the second round, to return to school but not someone who was projected to go as high as Moore was. He said some players would make more money returning to school than declaring for the NFL Draft if they were projected to be a mid-round pick.
“And some players want to stay in college,” Dogra said. “Because they’re making more money than if they’re drafted, right? I mean, that’s the vast majority, because there’s only 32 first-round picks, whether you like it or not. That’s it.
“And then you’ve got 32 second-round picks. That’s where the money is. Once you start getting in the third round, that’s a functional starter. Could be a very good player. But those are (where) you’re filling out your roster, and you’re hoping to steal those players in the third and fourth round.”
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes for a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter during a College Football Playoff first-round game against James Madison at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., Dec. 20, 2025.(Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Dogra cited current Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers as someone who opted to go to the NFL Draft instead of transferring out of Texas and extending his college career.
“The test cases aren’t out there, but Quinn Ewers is a pretty prime example. All-American. He had to move on from Texas because the commitment was to Arch Manning. And, instead of going to another school, which I think they reported that he was going to make like $7 million in NIL, he elected to go to the draft. He won’t make $7 million where he was drafted.”
Ewers was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed a four-year, $4.3 million contract. Not only will Ewers make less, Dogra said, he could be out of the NFL sooner because of when he was drafted.
“In four years, he might be out of the league because you don’t get the same amount of chances as a late-round pick as you do as a first-round pick. First-round picks, they give you every opportunity to succeed because the general manager is going to let you be on that team for three years, or he’s getting fired, right?” Dogra said.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 10, 2025.(AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Dogra said NIL will not only affect who stays and goes in college football. In the pre-NIL era, college athletes weren’t allowed to sign with agents until after their final college game.
Dogra said that while that rule remains in place, there is a different dynamic in the agent-player interaction.
“Now, it’s a different dynamic. Although that rule remains in place with NIL, you’re seeing that agents and marketing agents are getting these players a lot faster than you ever anticipated,” Dogra said.
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“It’s almost like hockey. So, now you’re going after these players in high school. So, if you go after them in high school, how are you going to disseminate that information on how good that player is going to translate five, six years from now? So, it’s really Russian roulette.”
With contacts between players and agents being earlier in their career than they’ve ever been, Dogra said agents have to weigh different options for how they want to cultivate the relationship.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers looks to hand the ball off to a teammate against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Jan. 4, 2026.(David Butler II/Imagn Images)
“It’s the wild, wild west as I say because if you go early and you cultivate that relationship, you could get stale and old,” Dogra said. “And if that happens, you’re not going to sign the player. That’s happening.
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“But on the flip hand, if you develop that relationship early and that player pans out, and you build that credibility, now you’re going to be in the driver’s seat for when they’re eligible and it’s going to be really hard for other people to break down that door. So, it can go either way. But it’s a lot more work. It’s a lot more uncertain.
“That’s going to be very dangerous and dicey for agents. It looks good. But a lot of those agents are going to lose players because recruiting is sales. That’s all it is. And if you … undersell and overperform, you’re going to keep the player. But (the) tendency in recruiting is very simple. You oversell and underproduce because you’ll move on to next year’s guy. And with this transfer portal, you just don’t know. There’s no continuity anymore.”
Dogra represented Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Mario Williams and Richard Sherman during his career.
It’s been 10 months since Jayson Tatum last suited up for the Boston Celtics in an NBA game. That stretch ended Friday night, when the star forward made his 2025-26 debut against the Dallas Mavericks.
Before the game, Tatum acknowledged he was bracing for a flood of emotions as he prepared to return.
“Stepping onto the court for the first time, I might be emotional, but I’ll be excited,” he said. “I’ll be anxious. And I’ll just be proud of myself that I made it to that point. There’s been some long days over the last 42 weeks.”
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Tatum delivered a double-double in his quicker-than-expected return from the Achilles injury he suffered during a playoff game against the New York Knicks. He scored 15 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in 27 minutes as the Celtics beat the Mavericks 120-100 Friday night.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum walks off the court after Game 1 of an NBA Eastern Conference semifinal against the New York Knicks at TD Garden.(Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe)
After the win, Tatum opened up about the hurdles he cleared to get back on the court.
“It was surreal. It was an emotional day. It’s been a long journey. God is the greatest, getting me to this point. Many days I dreamed about this and for it to finally happen and share with my family, my teammates, the crowd. It was everything I could have dreamed of,” Tatum said.
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While he learned he was medically cleared in February, Tatum said his mental readiness took longer.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots past Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) during the second quarter at TD Garden March 6, 2026, in Boston.(Winslow Townson/Imagn Images)
“Physically, you’re clear, you can do all the things,” he said. “But it’s a long time that I haven’t competed or played in a game. That mental hurdle is a real thing.”
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum applauds from the bench in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden March 4, 2026.(Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe)
Tatum was visibly emotional in the locker room moments after suffering the injury May 12.
Trainer Jack Bruce anticipates success from Sir Maurice at Ipswich on Friday, aided by a useful weight reduction and the horse’s peak condition for winning.
This marks the fifth appearance this season for the five-year-old gelding sired by Japanese standout Maurice, who tackles the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) on his maiden voyage to the circuit an hour’s drive west of Brisbane.
“I think it is a nice race for him,” Deagon resident Bruce noted, calling the horse suitable for this grade but no elite talent.
“He drew wide at his last start and had to go all the way back in the run and that made it challenging for him to win the race.
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“He got held up at a crucial time and he flew late for second. He’s a horse in really good order at the minute and he’s racing in good spirits.
“We just have to find the race for him and hopefully this is it.”
The gelding has notched three wins alongside eight placings in 23 races, consistently placing but ripe for another triumph post his May 2025 victory.
Previously second at Sunshine Coast in a benchmark 60 over 1200m on February 22, apprentice Leah Martyn continues riding with her two-kilo deduction bringing the weight to 56kg.
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“She’s riding well and she’s very dedicated,” added Bruce.
“She does her homework and as far as two-kilo claimers go in the provincials, she is well worth using and she rode him last start and got held up at the wrong time so she she’ll be hungry for success on him on Friday.”
In addition, Bruce has Sacred Bull in the Racing and Sports Benchmark 58 Handicap (2010m), opting Friday morning between Ipswich day races or Sunshine Coast night ones for the six-year-old.
Visit betting sites to find racing odds for Sir Maurice in the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap.
Oct 25, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Zevi Eckhaus (4) is tackled by Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Generally speaking, mock drafts before free agency tell us nothing. There’s still almost two months of scouting to be done, a ton of conversations, visits, pro days, etc.
And, of course, players to be signed starting next week. So why do one now? To familiarize ourselves with some prospects, see what the Vikings could do if the draft were tonight, and some of the holes on the roster.
It’s a Safety and RB Out of the Gate for MIN in the Draft
Whether or not the Vikings choose to sign will alter what they do when they are on the clock, but what other teams do can also change who will be on the board at #18. For example, the Los Angeles Rams have been heavily linked to a cornerback early in the draft, but they likely will look somewhere else after trading for Trent McDuffie.
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The quarterback will also impact the players, at least for me. If they stick with J.J. McCarthy, I don’t know how comfortable I’d be with a rookie or inexperienced center. However, if they do sign a veteran QB1, I’d like to see them use a draft pick on a new center. What happens with Jonathan Greenard will also impact the plan.
I think you all get the point. A lot will change between now and the draft. Also, I’m using PFF’s simulator to do this mock.
We still don’t know if Harrison Smith will be back. Regardless, safety is a big position of need even if he returns. But McNeill-Warren isn’t the pick because of his position. His Combine numbers don’t jump off the page, but the tape shows a player with very good zone instincts, good enough athleticism, a knack for finding the football (14 turnovers in four years), and physicality.
His tackling at the line is good, but he will need to improve it in open space, especially against stronger, faster players. He showed he belongs at the Senior Bowl, which is a natural concern for players coming from smaller schools.
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Trade Alert
The Jacksonville Jaguars send picks 56 and 100 for pick 49.
There were still some prospects I liked, and the idea of having five Day 2 picks was enticing. Don’t know how this would look in the trade value charts, but for the Vikings, it looked like a good deal.
For very good reasons, Jeremiyah Love is the Fighting Irish running back in the spotlight. But Price is also a great prospect. He’s explosive, patient at the line, and has fantastic vision. With the team cutting Aaron Jones, a running back to pair with Jordan Mason becomes a necessity.
And I think they’d complement eachother really well. Price will have to become a better tool in the passing game to fit KOC’s offense, but he has that home-run threat that we haven’t seen since Cook’s better days.
3rd Round, 82nd pick: Connor Lew, OC, Auburn
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
As I said earlier, I don’t envision the team pairing McCarthy with a young center. Considering Lew is 20 years old, I think another player will be the signal-caller in 2026. Lew will likely miss a chunk of his rookie season, as he suffered a torn ACL last October.
Looking at the bright side, though, it could give him some time to develop behind the scenes. If all goes well, he should be cleared during camp, so this could be viewed as a redshirt season. A great processor and pass protector (1 sack allowed in his sophomore season), he could be the final piece in the offensive line.
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3rd Round, 97th pick: Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Moore is a very big cornerback. At 6’3 and 198lbs, he shows promise as a press corner. He had multiple injuries throughout his career, but his size, jump-ball skills, and tackling ability are hard to ignore.
The Vikings are probably rolling with Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers as the starters in 2026, but Moore can factor as a rotational player, particularly when in the red zone. He will have to improve a lot as a zone defender to be a starter, but he can absolutely use his size when closer to the endzone.
3rd Round, 100th pick: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
If Moore stands out because he’s big, Louis stands out for being small. But don’t let it fool you. He may lack the size to take on blocks in the running game, but he had 10.0 sacks in the last two seasons. When playing for Brian Flores, the ability to blitz is a must.
He has a little Ivan Pace to him, in that he can slip out of blocks, with 24 tackles for loss since 2024. But he is way better in pass coverage, and has a knack for finding the ball in the air. His 2025 season was worse, but he showed the potential to be, at least, a solid starter.
5th Round, 161st pick: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
6th Round, 195th pick: Cole Brevard, DL, Texas
6th Round, 197th pick: Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
With Jalen Nailor likely out, the Vikings should look to add another young receiver. With Tai Felton on the roster and in contention to be the new WR3, Lance can come in as a depth option. A very good route runner, he would benefit from learning from Justin Jefferson and Keenan McCardell.
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Brevard may not be a scheme fit, as he lacks the versatility that Flores loves. But he can be a solid nose tackle for this defense.
Especially considering I’ve taken an undersized linebacker, a 6’3, 346lbs defensive tackle who eats space would be a smart move. You are unlikely to find a do-it-all player at #197, so finding athletic projects and/or role players is the objective here.
There’s a lot of talk about Hockenson being a cap casualty. Even if he stays, 2026 looks like his last year in purple and gold. So, trying to find another receiving tight end is a good move. Koziol fits exactly that mold, playing mostly as a big slot for Houston in 2025.
Blocking is a huge area of improvement for him, but he does remind me of a young Josh Oliver, who’s also very big and had trouble in the running game. With a 6’7 frame and strong hands, Koziol could be a weapon over the middle and in the redzone.
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6th Round, 202nd pick: V.J. Payne, DB, Kansas State
7th Round, 234th pick: Vincent Anthony Jr., EDGE, Duke
7th Round, 240th pick: Eric Gentry, LB, USC
Safety is a position the Vikings should invest heavily in, even if they trust Jay Ward. Payne would add depth and speed to a unit that needs it.
Athletically, he has the build of a great safety, with a rare combination of size and speed. He is a very good zone defender who played multiple roles in Kansas State’s defense, but he will need to improve his tackling to be an effective player.
Anthony comes as a draft project. He has the size (6’6″) and a solid build at 258 lbs, though he could add some more bulk. But he is as raw as it gets and will need serious development to see the field. But with Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard (at least for now), and Dallas Turner, he will have time to do so.
Gentry would be one of the tallest linebackers in the league at 6’7. He will have to add some bulk, but it is super rare to find a player with his size, athleticism, and playmaking. If he adds weight and improves his play strength without sacrificing much of his speed, there’s a real possibility that the Vikings find their linebacker duo in this class. It’d also be very funny to see a 6’0 and a 6’7 linebacker duo.
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The Vikings may be hard-pressed to find immediate starters in this draft. After all, this was one of Kwesi’s biggest perceived flaws among fans and the media. So, selecting two players with injury history may not sit well with everyone.
But, to me, Lew and Louis have enough upside that it didn’t bother me, and they should factor in as key players from 2027 and beyond. McNeill-Warren and Price would have an impact from Day 1, while Louis would have the chance to start as a rotational player and key special teams contributor.
Lance and Kozior would spend their first two years developing and with few snaps, but could have bigger roles in the future. At least they should improve the depth. Payne is the late pick with the most potential out of the group and, if he’s able to improve his tackling during camp, could even be part of the defense as a rookie.
Brevard is a player with a very specific role, but not less of a contributor because of it. Anthony and Gentry should spend every single day at the gym, but there’s potential there.
Wings Darcy Graham and Kyle Steyn scored two tries each as Scotland beat France 50-40 in Edinburgh on Saturday to secure a pulsating bonus-point win that ensures the Six Nations Championship will be decided in the final round next weekend.
Despite the defeat, a try-scoring bonus-point means France head the table on points-difference from Scotland with both teams on 16 points from their five games. Ireland are still in the mix with 14 points.
Prop Pierre Schoeman and scrumhalf Ben White also crossed for tries as the Scots ran France ragged with a high-tempo game in the Edinburgh sunshine and they recorded their highest points tally over France.
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The visitors scored tries through wings Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attissogbe, scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, fullback Thomas Ramos (two) and flanker Oscar Jegou, but coach Fabien Galthié will be concerned by their discipline with two yellow cards and how they wilted under pressure.
‘Anything is possible’
France have a points-difference of +79 and Scotland +21, so it is advantage France ahead of their final match at home against England, while Scotland must go to Ireland with both hoping Steve Borthwick’s side can spring a surprise.
“The tournament is not over for us yet. We have got ourselves an opportunity next week,” Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu said.
“We have an air-tight change-room. We stuck together after that tough first round (a loss to Italy). We have rallied behind our coach (Gregor Townsend) and I can see the storylines changing.
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“Anything is possible now. A lot of people wrote Ireland off too at the start of the tournament, but both of us are still in the championship.”
France’s Emmanuel Meafou conceded his side were outplayed, but will quickly refocus on the challenge of England.
“The Grand Slam was the goal, but we are still looking to win the competition,” he said. “We will take this loss and get back to it next week and take on England.
“Scotland got on top us early in the first half, and then carried that on in the second. We gave ourselves too much of a hill to climb at the end, but credit to Scotland.”
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Scotland scored four tries in a Six Nations match against France for the first time since their final game of the 1999 Championship, when they last won the title.
France rally
It was only a late burst from the visitors that narrowed the scoreline at Murrayfield and denied Scotland a record winning margin.
Graham scored a Scottish record 36th international try to open the scoring inside five minutes, before France went into a 14-7 lead as Bielle-Biarrey scored one try and created the other for Attissogbe.
But from there Scotland turned the screw, winning the collisions and playing at a pace that France found unable to contain.
Reigning champion Luke Littler moves into the quarter-finals of the UK Open with a comfortable 10-5 win over Gary Anderson, while Luke Humphries is beaten 10-6 by Danny Noppert.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was seething after being given a yellow card in the Newcastle win that rules him out for two games
Pep Guardiola has earned a two-match ban after a sixth yellow card of the season – but it will NOT apply for the Carabao Cup final. The Manchester City manager will be free to be in the dugout at Wembley because the suspension only applies to Premier League and FA Cup games.
That means Guardiola will be forced to watch from the stands for the Premier League match at West Ham next Saturday, as well as the FA Cup quarter-final in the first weekend of April. The draw for that will take place on Monday, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool having already booked their place in the last eight.
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However, to City’s relief Guardiola will not be banned for the Carabao Cup final with Arsenal despite that taking place before the FA Cup game.
Guardiola joked that he would go on holiday for the games he is not allowed to be in the dugout for after raging again at Newcastle in City’s 3-1 win in the FA Cup. The Blues boss was furious with referee Sam Barrott in the Premier League defeat at St James’ Park in November and this time lost his temper after Jeremy Doku was denied a foul in the second half of the game.
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“When Jeremy Doku dribbles past (Kieran) Trippier and goes alone to the box and is being pulled form behind, I’m not asking for a yellow card but please – it’s a foul,” he said. “I will defend my team. We have all the records in this country -all of them. Despite everything, we have all of them. And we have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I have always wanted this record and now I have it. Two game banned now and I will go on holidays.”
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As the next question started, Guardiola continued: “Oh my god. Oh. My. God. There are things that still after 10 years I cannot understand. Review the action, review the action. Of course I’m going to defend Doku, and all my teams. They continue to do it.”
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Manchester City came back to beat Newcastle 3-1 in the FA Cup despite 10 changes from Pep Guardiola as the fans had another top night at St James’ Park
It wasn’t the third goal of the night that put the Blues ahead for the first time but a successful tackle, Marmoush racing back to dispossess the speedy Will Osula so that City could get the ball back and attack again. Having nearly been out of this FA Cup tie in the first 20 minutes with a Harvey Barnes goal the least that Newcastle deserved, City somehow fought back.
Never mind a game of two halves, this was a half of two halves. From looking vulnerable every time they tried to play out from the back and getting overrun by a home side that looked intent on making up for their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat, City wrestled control of the game away from Newcastle and played themselves level.
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It came in slightly comical fashion, Savinho still as a statue as Jeremy Doku’s cross hit him in the six-yard box and rolled over the line with all the agonising slowness of Rayan Cherki’s pea-roller in injury time at Anfield, yet Savinho had earned it. On his first start since injury on New Year’s Day, the winger that can frustrate fans so often was instrumental in getting City going.
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Tijjani Reijnders missed too many chances and Marmoush hadn’t really been in the game when he made that challenge just before half-time but the spirit said a lot. City could have easily not fancied it, with Guardiola making 10 changes ahead of Real Madrid and nobody expecting this team to still be in contention for four trophies.
But, after a shellshocked start, a group of City players trying to work their way back into form turned the game on its head and completely dismantled Newcastle. Marmoush fired in from close range at the start of the second half and then smashed one in from outside the box on the hour mark to complete the comeback.
The home side are tired physically and mentally – they probably would have liked to make as many changes as City did and by the time their impact subs came on they were two goals behind. But this still stood as one of the toughest draws Guardiola’s side could have had, and to make more changes for it than Mikel Arteta made for Arsenal’s trip to Mansfield shows that this squad has strength as well as spirit.
Guardiola is now one game away from extending his astonishing record and making Wembley in nine of his 10 seasons in the FA Cup – he will have to curb his temper if he wants to be in the dugout for the quarter after racking up another yellow card – while City have put the Forest disappointment behind them in the best possible way.
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With Marmoush scoring two as Erling Haaland rested up at home and Rodri, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi and Bernardo Silva sitting it out on the bench, City head to Madrid full of confidence. They will just wish they could play Newcastle every week.
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Italy pulled off their first-ever win over England at the 33rd attempt with a 23-18 victory at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday as the visitors slumped to a third successive Six Nations defeat after Leonardo Marin’s try eight minutes from time.
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Suryakumar Yadav responded to comments made by Mitchell Santner about silencing the home crowd in the final
NEW DELHI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Saturday responded to comments made by Mitchell Santner about silencing the home crowd in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad, saying such remarks have become common before major matches.India will face New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.Earlier in the day, New Zealand captain Santner had said his team would look to quieten the home crowd during the final. His statement was similar to one made by Pat Cummins before the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at the same venue, when Australia defeated India.“The goal is to silence the crowd. There are a lot of variables in T20 cricket, and it is fickle at times,” the 34-year-old said. “If we go out about our business the same way we can upset another big team. There’s obviously a lot of pressure on in there (on India) to win this World Cup at home.”
T20 World Cup: Mitchell Santner press conference before IND vs NZ
Responding to the remark, Suryakumar said such statements are now repeated often before major games.“Sab he same line chipka rahe hai. Kuch to naya bolo (Everyone is now saying the same thing. Come up with something new),” Suryakumar Yadav told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
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The 35-year-old India captain, who is the second-highest run-scorer for the team in the 2026 T20 World Cup, said leading the side in a World Cup final comes with pressure but he wants to enjoy the occasion.He added that the atmosphere in the Indian dressing room remains positive as the team prepares for the final.“It’s a special feeling and everyone is very excited. We have a very good environment in the group. We are looking forward to the big final,” he said.“As a leader, there would be pressure; I cannot deny that. Definitely, there would be added pressure, the excitement is there of playing a World Cup final, that too in India,” Suryakumar added.India became the first defending champions to reach the final of the T20 World Cup. They will look to win the title and also become the first host nation to lift the trophy when they face New Zealand on Sunday.
