Ohio State Buckeyes
FILE - Ohio State gathers before an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Alabama in Miami Gardens, Fla., Jan. 11, 2021. In 2019, California became the first state to pass a law allowing athletes to earn money on endorsements, autograph signings and other activities, and by July 2021, the NCAA lifted its decades-old ban. Football players earn the most, followed by women’s and men’s basketball players, according to Opendorse. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Keeping schools out of NIL dealings opened door for boosters

By Ralph D. Russo May. 13, 2022 01:46 PM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) hauls in a pass for a touchdown against Duke safety Lummie Young IV (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 6, 2021, in Durham, N.C. Addison is exploring his options. The 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver is in the NCAA transfer portal. Addison put in his paperwork by the May 1 deadline and his entry became visible Tuesday. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)
'Momentum' for dumping yearly scholarship limits in football

By Ralph D. Russo May. 03, 2022 09:43 PM EDT

FILE - New TCU NCAA college football head coach Sonny Dykes speaks during an introductory news conference in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. TCU coach Sonny Dykes and Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire wrapped up their first spring drills without naming a starter, though both inherited multiple quarterbacks with starting experience. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
3 new coaches and lot of new QBs in the Big 12

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 26, 2022 04:22 PM EDT

head coach Marcus Freeman leads players out of the tunnel during the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring NCAA college football game on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
Freeman turns attention to recruiting after 1st Irish spring

By John Fineran Apr. 26, 2022 02:14 AM EDT

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

Texas NCAA college football quarterback Quinn Ewers talks to the media following a spring practice, Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Battle to be Longhorns QB the talk of Texas this spring

By Jim Vertuno Apr. 23, 2022 03:22 AM EDT

FILE - Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates his touchdown catch with offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (77) during the second half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah on Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. Smith-Njigba, the starting slot receiver for the Buckeyes as a sophomore last year, stepped out of the shadow of the more established receivers to pace the Buckeyes with 95 catches and 1,606 yards. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
Smith-Njigba ready for role as top receiver for Ohio St

By Mitch Stacy Apr. 14, 2022 03:20 PM EDT

FILE - Then-Ohio State's linebackers coach Al Washington celebrates a win against Michigan after an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. First-year Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman knows success in the 2022 season will depend on how strong the Fighting Irish will be on the offensive and defensive lines. Al Washington is in charge of the defensive line. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FIle)
For new coach Freeman, Notre Dame success starts in trenches

By John Fineran Apr. 11, 2022 02:26 PM EDT

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

FILE - Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara looks to pass against Georgia during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. After leading Michigan to its first Big Ten championship in 16 years, McNamara could be excused for expecting to be the quarterback getting the most attention at Saturday, April 2, 2022 spring game. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
McNamara will share the spotlight at Michigan spring game

By Dave Hogg Apr. 01, 2022 02:55 PM EDT

FILE - Florida quarterback Emory Jones warms up for the team's NCAA college football game against Missouri on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. Jones is leaving Florida after just two days of spring practice. Jones announced Saturday, March 19, 2022, he is entering the NCAA transfer portal, an about-face for a fifth-year senior who earlier this week said he wanted to give new coach Billy Napier and his staff a chance. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Florida QB Emory Jones transferring after 2 spring practices

By Mark Long Mar. 19, 2022 10:35 AM EDT

Ohio State center Harry Miller (76) warms up for the team's football spring game in Columbus, Ohio, April 17, 2021. Miller said he's retiring from football because of mental health issues that pushed him to the brink of taking his own life. Miller made the retirement announcement in a two-page letter posted on Twitter on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in which he shared details of his struggle with mental illness and credited Ohio State coach Ryan Day with getting him help. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch via AP)
Ohio State's Miller retires, citing mental health struggles

By Mitch Stacy Mar. 11, 2022 01:20 PM EST

FILE - Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud drops back to pass against Tulsa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Stroud, who threw for 4,435 and 44 touchdowns as a freshman, could be a Heisman Trophy candidate. Spring practice opened Tuesday, March 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Defense a priority as Ohio State opens spring practice

By Mitch Stacy Mar. 08, 2022 04:04 PM EST

FILE - Rep. Chip LaMarca talks on his phone during a break in a legislative session April 29, 2021, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. With millions of dollars pouring into endorsements for college athletes, the latest battleground in the recruiting wars is the statehouse: A handful of states are already considering changing barely-dried rules to help their flagship schools land — or keep — top prospects. LaMarca is interested in tweaking a state law, to let schools get more directly involved in helping athletes make deals. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Statehouses latest front in college athlete recruiting wars

By Jim Vertuno Feb. 04, 2022 12:15 PM EST

FILE -Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell coaches his players during practice for the Cotton Bowl NCAA football game, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Deposed Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs will be the new special teams/cornerbacks coach for Luke Fickell at the University of Cincinnati. Fickell announced the hiring of the 60-year-old Coombs on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022.(AP Photo/Brandon Wade, File)
Fired Ohio St assistant Coombs joins Fickell at Cincinnati

By Mitch Stacy Feb. 01, 2022 06:18 PM EST

Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., center left, celebrates his touchdown catch with offensive lineman Luke Wypler during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
2 defensive coaches hired as Ohio State revamps staff

Jan. 14, 2022 05:40 PM EST

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) scores a touchdown against the Miami during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Alabama plays Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Alabama WR Williams, offensive lineman Evans enter NFL draft

Jan. 13, 2022 02:08 PM EST

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis and teammates leave the plane after the team arrived at Indianapolis International Airport on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia is scheduled to play Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game Monday. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Flipping out: UGa QB Bennett goes old school with phone

By Paul Newberry Jan. 08, 2022 06:27 PM EST

FILE - Texas quarterback Casey Thompson (11) looks to pass against Kansas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Thompson has entered the transfer portal after starting 10 games and passing for 24 touchdowns this season. Thompson is leaving after former Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers transferred to Texas. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Former Texas QB Casey Thompson transferring to Nebraska

Jan. 07, 2022 04:35 PM EST