KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches says input from coaches is “vital” in discussions about going to an age-based model that would include five years of eligibility for college athletes. That comes as an NCAA panel has discussed the revamp that would give athletes five years of eligibility with the clock starting when an athlete turns 19 or graduates from high school, whichever is earliest. NABC executive director Craig Robinson said Thursday says his group views “collaboration and communication with coaches as non-negotiable.”
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin interim athletic director Marcus Sedberry says he doesn’t know how long he might have this title. Nor is he worrying much about that. Sedberry is concentrating more on the present as he settles into his new position after Chris McIntosh’s surprise departure. Sedberry took over as interim athletic director on April 13 after McIntosh left to accept a newly created position as the Big Ten’s deputy commissioner for strategy. McIntosh had been Wisconsin’s athletic director since the summer of 2021.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State has remained one of the nation’s top football programs under coach Ryan Day. However, what happens during the first round of Thursday’s NFL draft could put the Buckeyes in a group only two other schools have joined. If the mock drafts hold up, Ohio State would be the first school in 59 years to have four players selected in the top 10. Michigan State was the most recent to do it in 1967, with Notre Dame the first in 1946. There have been 12 instances of three players from one school going in the top 10, with the most recent being Alabama in 2021. Edge rusher/linebacker Arvell Reese could be the first defensive player off the board, followed by safety Caleb Downs, wide receiver Carnell Tate, and linebacker Sonny Styles.
UNDATED (AP) — There will be eight new starting quarterbacks in the Big Ten this fall, and six will be experienced transfers who arrived at their new schools this spring with jobs all but locked up. No QB will be watched more than Josh Hoover. He takes over for Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at defending national champion Indiana. Hoover threw for 9,600 yards and 71 touchdowns in three years at TCU but had an issue with turnovers. Other transfers who'll be starters are Illinois' Katin Houser, Nebraska's Anthony Colandrea, Northwestern's Aidan Chiles, Penn State's Rocco Becht and Wisconsin's Colton Joseph.
UNDATED (AP) — A big part of spring football is identifying players on the verge of making breakthroughs. Among Big Ten players on the cusp are Illinois tight end Kaden Feagin, Indiana safety Byron Baldwin Jr., Iowa receiver Tony Diaz, Maryland defensive lineman Zion Elee, Michigan receiver JJ Buchanan, Michigan State quarterback QB Alessio Milivojevic, Minnesota edge rusher TJ Bush Jr., Nebraska running back Jamal Rule, Ohio State cornerback Devin Sanchez, Oregon offensive lineman Fox Crader, Penn State defensive end Max Granville, Rutgers cornerback Kevin Levy, USC defensive end Jahkeem Stewart, UCLA defensive lineman Aiden Gobaira and Washington wide receiver WR Dezmen Roebuck.
UNDATED (AP) — Establishing team chemistry in college football is tougher than ever with so many players not staying at the same school for four years. But it’s still doable. Succeeding in the transfer portal era requires altering offseason objectives. Players aren’t just getting to know the playbook. They’re getting to know one another. New Mexico provides a model example on how teams can build chemistry even after roster overhauls. The Lobos had 75 newcomers last year and still went 9-4 for their first winning season since 2016.
