Penn State coach James Franklin made a video appeal to Nittany Lions football fans on Thursday, asking them to contribute to a fund to pay players through the name, image and likeness program.

• The funding is key to keeping Penn State competitive in the expanding Big Ten, Franklin told fans.

  "Our goal is to compete for championships while doing it the right way. But having an elite NIL program is critical to this mission. A strong NIL program is a foundational component of building and maintaining an elite roster of players that will ensure our program is competitive in today's college football," Franklin said.

  "Our staff has done an amazing job of bringing in high level players that uphold the standard of wearing the blue and white. Now we must ensure we do everything we can to guarantee our roster is the best it possibly can be for this upcoming season."

  The university said it has raised just 25 percent of its $500,000 goal via donations to Retain the Roar, a campaign run by Happy Valley United, the school's NIL collective that serves 31 Penn State sports.

  "We need your help," Franklin said. "Every donation matters."

  A study by a Washington, D.C., certified public accountant projected NIL estimates for each of the public Big Ten universities and reported the collective at Ohio State had brought in an estimated $20.3 million, with Michigan second at $16.4 million and Penn State next at $13.8 million. About 75 percent of the money was set to go to football, per the study.

  --Field Level Media

Arizona State is expected to promote Graham Rossini to fill the vacant athletic director position, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

• The position has been open since Ray Anderson resigned Nov. 13.

  Rossini is the Sun Devils' senior associate athletic director and chief business officer. He was hired in 2021 after 13 years as an executive with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

  Rossini, 44, is a 2002 graduate of Arizona State. He previously worked in the Sun Devils athletic program as director of baseball operations.

  The next AD will be in charge of overseeing the school's shift from the Pac-12 to the Big 12.

  Times have been rocky in Tempe over the past few seasons.

  The football team is coming off back-to-back 3-9 seasons, self-imposed bowl ban and continues working to reduce penalties from the NCAA probe into recruiting violations by former coach Herm Edwards.

  The men's basketball team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament just three times over the past 10 seasons, as an 11 seed each time and never advancing past the first round.

  --Field Level Media

Former Louisville kicker John Wallace died on Wednesday, the school announced. He was 31.

• The university didn't divulge a cause of death.

  Wallace played for the Cardinals from 2012-15 and kicked a school-record 66 career field goals. He booted two field goals to help Louisville beat Florida 33-23 in the 2013 Sugar Bowl.

  Wallace's most accurate season came as a sophomore in 2013 when he booted 20 of 24 field-goal attempts (83.3 percent). He also scored a career-best 112 points that season.

  Wallace was a native of Elizabethtown, Ky.

  --Field Level Media

Cormani McClain, the No. 1 cornerback prospect of the Class of 2023, is transferring from Colorado to Florida.

• Multiple outlets reported the news on Wednesday, before the Florida native posted a photo and message on social media confirming the news.

  "It's always a lesson when you take a lost, as soon as you find it correct it. #Backhome," he wrote.

  McClain entered the transfer portal in April after starting four of nine games under head coach Deion Sanders at Colorado last season, recording 13 tackles and two pass breakups.

  A Lakeland, Fla., native, McClain visited Florida's campus twice recently, per 247Sports.

  As a five-star recruit, McClain committed to Miami but flipped to Colorado in January 2023 to play for Sanders.

  Sanders, in an interview last month, said he wants to see his former player succeed at the college level.

  "I pray to God that he goes to a program that challenges him, as well as holds him accountable and develops him as a young man," Sanders told DNVR, a Denver-based outlet. "Unfortunately, we weren't the program that could accomplish that."

  --Field Level Media

UCLA's windfall for moving to the Big Ten Conference during the next academic year just got a little bit smaller, as a University of California board of regents panel approved a plan where Cal will be paid $10 million a year from its athletic rival for at least the next three years.

• Both schools are members of California's ten-school UC system, with Cal objecting to UCLA's move to the Big Ten, saying it would be hurt financially through the dissolution of the Pac-12 Conference.

  The $10 million payments, which will run through at least the 2026-27 school year, will help Cal offset losses from media rights. The board is expected to review the payment plan after three years.

  According to reports, UCLA will be paid $60 million per year in the Big Ten. Cal reportedly will be paid $11 million per year over its first seven years in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

  Not long after UCLA and Southern California elected to move out of the Pac-12, Colorado departed for the Big 12, followed by Arizona, Arizona State and Utah, who also went to the Big 12. Cal and Stanford ultimately left for the ACC.

  In a separate move, Oregon and Washington also agreed to join the Big Ten.

  Only two schools remained in the Pac-12 -- Oregon State and Washington State -- when the exodus was complete. The Pac-12 will not be in operation for the foreseeable future, with Oregon State and Washington State to be paid a combined $65 million from the 10 departing schools.

  --Field Level Media

Alabama shored up two positions of need Saturday, as two transfer players announced commitments to the Crimson Tide.

• Safety King Mack, a former top-100 safety prospect who began his career at Penn State put out a tweet saying he was "1000% committed #RollTide." Mack played in 13 games in 2023, totaling three tackles.

  Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide also secured the services of former Michigan State offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark, who started six games at guard for the Spartans in 2023. He posted "Roll Tide Roll" and "Committed" on Instagram.

  Seven Alabama defensive backs entered the transfer portal since the conclusion of the 2023 season and subsequent retirement of Nick Saban. That list included safeties Caleb Downs, Jake Pope and Kristian Story. In addition, Jaylen Key left for the NFL and was selected in the seventh round by the New York Jets.

  Interior linemen Seth McLaughlin, TJ Ferguson and James Brockermeyer also transferred out, each landing with power 5 programs (Ohio State, Florida State and TCU, respectively).

  The Crimson Tide have been active in the spring portal after suffering those defections and several others following Saban's retirement. In addition to VanDeMark and Mack, Alabama has added former Iowa lineman Kadyn Proctor, former Charlotte defensive back Kameron Howard and former Wake Forest DB DaShawn Jones.

  Alabama is coached by former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer.

  --Field Level Media

Missouri State is joining Conference USA effective July 1, 2025, becoming the league's 12th member.

• The Bears currently are part of the Missouri Valley Conference.

  "This is an exciting day for Missouri State," Missouri State president Clif Smart said. "The opportunities associated with membership in an FBS conference allows us to continue to expand as a university and raise our reputation to the next level. We have valued our membership in the Missouri Valley Conference -- a premier conference in the NCAA -- and look forward to a final year in the league before we transition to CUSA."

  Missouri State will compete in sports that include football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball, and beach volleyball.

  "We are so excited for the opportunities that CUSA membership will bring to our university, our student-athletes, our coaches and our fans," athletic director Kyle Moats said. "This move represents a transition to a national brand and a platform that will help raise the profile of Missouri State University and the city of Springfield. The steps we have taken over the past 15 years to invest in a successful broad-based athletics program have prepared us for this long-awaited moment."

  In the 2022-23 academic year, Missouri State finished second in the MVC's All-Sports Trophy standings, driven by five regular-season and postseason league titles.

  Conference USA currently is made up of FIU, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico State, Sam Houston State, UTEP and Western Kentucky. Kennesaw State will join on July 1, with Delaware also coming on board on July 1, 2025.

  --Field Level Media

Former Vanderbilt and Mississippi State quarterback Mike Wright is transferring to Northwestern for his final season of eligibility.

• Wright told ESPN on Thursday that he chose the Wildcats to play for head coach David Braun and new offensive coordinator Zach Lujan.

  "Those two guys were the main factors," said Wright, who made three starts last season at Mississippi State and 11 starts in his time at Vanderbilt (2020-22).

  Wright has completed 55.5 percent of his passes for 2,520 yards with 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions across 38 career games. He has also rushed for 1,229 yards and 10 TDs.

  The starting quarterback gig is open at Northwestern with last season's QB1 Ben Bryant out of eligibility and former backup Brendan Sullivan transferring to Iowa.

  Wright's competition to lead the Northwestern offense in 2024 includes sixth-year veteran Ryan Hilinski and redshirt sophomore Jack Lausch.

  --Field Level Media

Sam Huard, a former five-star quarterback who began his career at Washington, announced he is transferring to Utah.

• Huard spent two seasons with the Huskies before transferring to FCS program Cal Poly. He passed for 2,247 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season for the Mustangs.

  Utah has star Cam Rising back for a seventh collegiate season after he missed all of 2023 with a serious knee injury. Huard figures to compete for a backup spot.

  "Utah has an unbelievable culture and the people and the program were some things that I felt were the best for me at this point in my career," Huard told 247Sports. "To be in a great spot and to compete every day with great people around me, being in the room and learning from one of the best quarterbacks in college football while being able to have two years in a great system was a big part of it."

  Huard made one start in two seasons with Washington, that coming in a 40-13 loss to Washington State in the 2021 Apple Cup. He completed 17 of 31 passes for 190 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions in that contest.

  In 2022, Michael Penix Jr. transferred in to be Washington's starter. Huard, who threw 44 total passes for the Huskies, transferred to Cal Poly after the season.

  At Cal Poly, Huard passed for 483 yards in a 41-30 road loss to Sacramento State on Nov. 11. That was the second-most passing yards in a game in school history behind Seth Burford, who passed for 566 against Northern Iowa in 2000. Huard also set a school record with 37 completions in the game.

  Huard is the son of Damon Huard, who played at Washington and in the NFL. His uncle, Brock, also played for the Huskies and in the NFL.

  --Field Level Media

Former San Jose State cornerback Jay'Vion Cole revealed on social media Sunday that he is transferring to Texas.

• Cole was considered one of the top cornerbacks available in the transfer portal.

  Cole intercepted seven passes over his first two college seasons -- four at FCS Cal Poly in 2022 and three last season in his lone campaign for the Spartans.

  The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Cole has top-notch speed and was a sprinter in high school. He is a native of Oakland, Calif.

  The Longhorns have been on the lookout for a cornerback with Ryan Watts moving on to the NFL as a sixth-round draft choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Terrance Brooks recently entering the transfer portal.

  --Field Level Media

Former Nebraska and Oregon State head coach Mike Riley joined the College Football Playoff selection committee on Friday.

• Riley, who was appointed to a three-year term, replaces Washington athletic director Pat Chun on the 13-member committee.

  "We are pleased to have Mike join the committee," CFP executive director Bill Hancock said in a statement Friday. "He has significant experience as a player and coach, and he loves college football. He will bring a unique perspective to the committee. Plus, he is a delightful human being."

  Riley, 70, compiled a record of 112-99 with Oregon State (1997-98, 2003-14) and Nebraska (2015-17). He guided the Beavers to eight bowl games (6-2 record) and the Cornhuskers to two (1-1).

  Riley went 14-34 as head coach of the NFL's San Diego Chargers from 1999-2001 and has also served as a head coach in the Canadian Football League, World League of American Football, Alliance of American Football and USFL.

  --Field Level Media

Georgia is making Kirby Smart the highest-paid college football coach at a public school under a new contract announced Thursday.

• Smart, who led the Bulldogs to national championships in 2021 and 2022, agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2033 that will pay him a yearly salary of $13 million -- a $1.75 million annual raise -- and bonuses up to $1.55 million.

  Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is due to make $11.5 million in 2024, according to reports.

  Smart, 48, is 94-16 in eight seasons at his alma mater, including 13-1 last season when a loss to Alabama for the Southeastern Conference championship kept the defending champion Bulldogs out of the College Football Playoff. Instead, Georgia played in the Orange Bowl, defeating Florida State to raise its mark to 9-2 in bowl games under Smart.

  He signed a 10-year contract in 2021 that totaled $112.5 million -- at the time the most lucrative deal. However, Swinney and Alabama's Nick Saban -- who retired after last season -- inked new contracts that surpassed the annual figure.

  Smart's new compensation was approved Thursday afternoon by an executive committee of the Georgia Athletic Association's board of directors.

  Athletic director Josh Brooks also received a pay increase to $1.275 million annually with a contract extension to 2030. Hired in January 2021, Brooks was making $1.025 million annually with yearly increases of $100,000.

  --Field Level Media

Marcus Outzen, who stepped in at starting quarterback to lead Florida State to the first BCS National Championship game in 1999, died Tuesday after a battle with a rare immune deficiency disorder. "The Rooster" was 46.

• Outzen was recently diagnosed with HLH (Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis), a severe inflammatory syndrome that prevents the immune system from functioning properly, the Tallahassee Democrat reported Wednesday.

  "Rest In Peace @MarcusOutzen. I love you so much Dad," his son Colton Outzen posted to X.

  Outzen played at FSU from 1996-2000 as a career backup to QB Chris Weinke. However, a neck injury to Weinke late in the 1998 season thrust Outzen into the starting role. He led the Seminoles to wins over Wake Forest and archrival Florida and into the inaugural BCS National Championship game in Tempe, Ariz., where they lost to Tennessee, 23-16.

  Outzen threw for 145 yards and rushed for a touchdown against the Volunteers.

  Outzen returned to a backup role behind Weinke, who led FSU to the BCS Championship title over Virginia Tech the following year at the 2000 Sugar Bowl.

  Outzen finished his career with 1,074 yards passing and five touchdowns against six interceptions.

  Outzen lived in the Tampa Bay area with his wife and children.

  "Marcus was a good friend to a lot of people," former FSU teammate Bobby Rhodes told the Democrat. "People liked him, on and off the field. This is so sad."

  --Field Level Media

The University of Houston has executed a reverse by informing the NFL that it plans to proceed with adding an alternate uniform that features the Columbia blue color scheme.

• The decision comes approximately six months after the NFL's merchandising and licensing division threatened legal action in a cease-and-desist letter, citing the school's "blatant copying" of the old Houston Oilers. The Cougars initially wore their Columbia blue uniforms in a 17-14 season-opening win over Texas-San Antonio on Sept. 2, 2023.

  "We literally have a story we can show the city uses it," athletic director Chris Pezman told the Houston Chronicle. "This isn't a reach. This is a layup. We've got a very defensible position."

  Pezman also added, "We're doing it. We've reviewed everything and come to the conclusion that we are going to proceed."

  Per Pezman, Houston has informed the NFL of its decision.

  "We're giving them two or three weeks to respond," Pezman said. "We're waiting on a response to see if we get one."

  The Houston Texans unveiled four variations of new uniforms on April 23. One of those variations included a light blue helmet as part of its Color Rush look, complete with "H-Town" on the front of its uniforms.

  The Texans also featured a light blue "H" that is outlined in red on a dark blue helmet.

  Last October, the NFL sent a letter to the university that said in part that "the Houston Cougars' attempt to free ride on the popularity of the NFL and the club violates the intellectual property rights of the NFL and (Tennessee) Titans."

  --Field Level Media

The antitrust class action lawsuit levied against the NCAA may not go to trial as college sports leaders are in talks to settle, per an ESPN report on Monday.

• The plaintiffs in the case, House vs. NCAA, have accused the NCAA and its power conferences of breaking federal law by limiting how athletes can benefit from selling their name, image or likeness.

  If the case were to go to trial - set for January 2025 -- and the plaintiffs win, the NCAA and its schools could have to shell out more than $4 billion in damages.

  NCAA president Charlie Baker, NCAA lawyers, the plaintiffs' attorneys have been meeting with the power conference commissioners and their general counsels in the Dallas area, with talks ramping up of late, per the report.

  Per the report, more information regarding a possible settlement is expected to be released soon, though no deal is close to completion. The settlement - which could cost the NCAA billions in back pay for former athletes -- could be the foundation for the NCAA sharing revenue with athletes in the future.

  Although it has not been settled, the top-end revenue share amount per school would be around $20 million every year.

  Another issue the NCAA faces is college athletes aiming to be viewed as employees and allowing them to unionize, with the National Labor Relations Board reviewing a pair of cases.

  While NCAA leaders are against athletes becoming employees, Baker has looked into methods to provide more revenue to athletes at some schools. In December, he proposed a subdivision of the richest programs to pay $30,000 per year to half their athletes or more.

  The NCAA wants Congress to enact a clause specifying that college athletes aren't employees, but there hasn't been much progress on that front. A multi-billion settlement toward revenue sharing with athletes may lead Congress to help govern college sports.

  --Field Level Media

Freshman running back Dylan Edwards is transferring from Colorado to Kansas State, according to multiple media reports.

• Edwards posted a photo of himself wearing a Kansas State uniform on his X (formerly Twitter) account. The Derby, Kan., native had committed in high school to Kansas State and Notre Dame before signing with Colorado.

  He was the Buffaloes' leading rusher with 76 carries for 321 yards and one touchdown, and fourth-leading receiver with 36 catches for 299 yards and four TDs.

  The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder made a big debut, rushing for one touchdown and catching three more in the Buffaloes' 45-42 upset of then-No. 17 TCU in the season opener. He was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week.

  He started the first four games and two others in playing in all 12 games for the Buffaloes (4-8).

  --Field Level Media

Former Oregon State star running back Damien Martinez announced Saturday that he is transferring to Miami.

• Martinez was one of the top running backs available in the transfer portal.

  "It's on! 305 it's that time," Martinez said on social media with a reference to Miami's area code.

  Martinez earned All-Pac-12 first-team honors by rushing for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns on 194 carries in 12 games last season for a 6.1 average per carry. He recorded six 100-yard games with a high of 146 against Stanford.

  In two seasons with the Beavers, Martinez has 2,167 rushing yards and 16 TDs on 355 carries in 25 games.

  Last season was Oregon State's final one in the Pac-12. Coach Jonathan Smith departed for the same job at Michigan State.

  --Field Level Media

Former Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada has decided to transfer to Georgia.

• He announced his transfer Thursday on Instagram with a photo of himself in a Georgia uniform and the message, "Compete with the BEST."

  Rashada, from Pittsburg, Calif., will have four years of eligibility remaining. 247Sports ranked him as the No. 6 quarterback in the 2023 class.

  He initially was set to enroll at Florida in 2023 but when his $13 million name, image and likeness deal with the school's collective went awry, he landed at Arizona State. His father, Harlen, played for the Sun Devils from 1992-94.

  The younger Rashada announced plans to transfer last week.

  As a freshman, he appeared in three games, passing for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He missed spring practice at Arizona State because of thumb surgery.

  At Georgia, Rashada will join a quarterback room that includes incumbent starter Carson Beck, who led the Bulldogs to a 13-1 finish in 2023, and Gunner Stockton, ranked by 247Sports as the No. 7 QB in the 2022 class.

  --Field Level Media

Due to an evolving landscape in college football, the Heisman Trust ran a reverse to reinstate 2005 winner Reggie Bush on Wednesday.

• Bush was honored in a brief ceremony attended by college football dignitaries, who share his status as members of the Heisman club.

  Tim Tebow, Earl Campbell, Eric Crouch, George Rogers, Steve Spurrier, Ricky Williams and Archie Griffin were among the 11 fellow Heisman winners in attendance.

  Bush won the 2005 Heisman Trophy in his final season at Southern California, where he amassed 3,169 rushing yards, gained 1,301 receiving yards and returned kickoffs and punts for a combined 2,081 yards. He totaled 42 touchdowns and also threw a 52-yard touchdown pass.

  "We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments," said Michael Comerford, President of The Heisman Trophy Trust. "We considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the Trophy for Reggie. We are so happy to welcome him back."

  The physical trophy was returned to Bush by the trust and a replica will be given to USC, which returned its facsimile of Bush's award in 2010.

  "Personally, I'm thrilled to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners and be a part of the storied legacy of the Heisman Trophy, and I'm honored to return to the Heisman family," Bush said in a statement to ESPN. "I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the organization."

  In 2005, Bush was named first-team All-American and the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year.

  But he was stripped of his Heisman and his stats in 2010 after a four-year investigation by the NCAA showed that Bush and his family took improper financial benefits, including cash and paid-for housing.

  When name, image and likeness legislation was enacted in 2021, Bush asked the NCAA to reinstate his status. The Heisman Trust said at the time it would consider giving back his trophy if the NCAA agreed to reinstate him, but the organization declined.

  In part due to a 2021 Supreme Court decision that questions the legality of the amateurism model, the Heisman Trust said it was forced to reconsider "reinstating" the 2005 award and welcoming Bush back to the annual award ceremony. Fellow Heisman winners, most recently former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and Notre Dame wide receiver Tim Brown, said they would skip future ceremonies unless Bush got his trophy back.

  Bush was named to the College Football Hall of Fame last year.

  He received 784 first-place votes during the 2005 Heisman Trophy balloting, the fifth-most in Heisman Trophy history.

  --Field Level Media

Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun signed a contract extension through the 2029 season ahead of his 18th season with the Falcons.

• "Thank you to General Richard Clark, (athletic director) Nathan Pine, and AFAAC for the Academy's sturdy commitment and support to help our football program build leaders of character for our country," Calhoun said in a statement on Tuesday. "Amanda and I are incredibly grateful for the tremendous people -- coaches, players, administration, faculty, the Foundation, staff, cadet wing, and their families -- that we are blessed to be alongside each day. Bolt Brotherhood!"

  Calhoun is 130-82 as a head coach with 13 bowl game appearances at Air Force, where his record over the past four full seasons is 40-12.

  Air Force has claimed the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy five times under Calhoun, who has eight seasons with nine or more wins.

  "Coach Calhoun has had an outstanding career at Air Force over the last 17 years," Pine said. "He understands and embraces the mission of the Academy and leads our program accordingly. I am proud of the success we have enjoyed together over the last five seasons and look forward to continuing to build on that in the new College Football Playoff model. We are pleased to have Coach Calhoun continue leading our football program for the next six years and beyond."

  --Field Level Media

Former Miami Hurricanes running back Henry Parrish Jr. committed to Ole Miss on Monday, returning to the school where he started his college career in 2020.

• Parrish entered the transfer portal last Tuesday, the first day of the spring transfer window, and announced his decision to join the Rebels on social media Monday.

  Parrish gained 625 yards on the ground and scored six touchdowns for the Hurricanes in 2023. Across four seasons with Ole Miss (2020-21) and Miami (2022-23), Parrish amassed 2,057 rushing yards, 56 receptions for 384 yards and 17 total touchdowns (15 rushing).

  He has one year of eligibility remaining.

  Coach Lane Kiffin adds Parrish to the mix of potential running backs to replace starter Quinshon Judkins, who went to Ohio State via the transfer portal. The Rebels' second-leading rusher last season, Ulysses Bentley IV, returns after posting 540 yards rushing and five rushing and receiving touchdowns, and the team also added transfers Jacory Croskey-Merritt from New Mexico and Logan Diggs from LSU.

  --Field Level Media

Games in the upcoming college football season might feel more like the NFL, after the NCAA approved rule changes that include new options for communications and a new automatic timeout policy.

• According to new rules announced by the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel, in FBS games, teams will be given the option to use coach-to-player communications through a device in the helmet of one player.

  Similar to the NFL, that player will be identified by a green sticker on the helmet, and communications will be cut off either when the ball is snapped or with 15 seconds left on the play clock, whichever comes first.

  Additionally, the NCAA will implement a system like the NFL employing automatic timeouts with two minutes left in the second and fourth quarters. These will not be additional television timeouts.

  Teams in all divisions will also have the option of reviewing in-game video on up to 18 active digital tablets in the coaching booth, on the sideline and in the locker room.

  These proposals were approved Thursday after being introduced March 1, and will take effect for the 2024 season.

  --Field Level Media

The Arizona State football program received four years of probation and an undisclosed fine for violations involving recruiting and using ineligible players during former coach Herm Edwards time in Tempe, the NCAA announced Friday.

• In addition, four unnamed former university employees received show-cause penalties from 3-10 years in duration. The Sun Devils also had to vacate games in which ineligible players competed, saw scholarships reduced and received recruiting restrictions.

  Arizona State, which self-imposed a postseason ban in 2023, remains eligible for bowl games following the 2024 regular season, its first in the Big 12.

  Jason Leonard, the executive director of athletics compliance at Oklahoma and chief hearing officer for the NCAA committee on infractions panel, noted Arizona State's cooperation.

  "The school's acceptance of responsibility and decision to self-impose meaningful core penalties is a model for all schools to follow and is consistent with the expectations of the NCAA's infractions program," Leonard said in a statement.

  The trouble came to pass three years ago when Arizona State reportedly committed violations associated with the recruiting restrictions instituted during the COVID-19 "dead period."

  The NCAA stated that Edwards, fired after three games in 2022, committed a "responsibility violation" and that ASU allowed "recruiting inducements, impermissible tryouts" and was found to have committed tampering.

  "The COVID dead period rules were created not only for the sake of competitive equity but for the safety and well-being of prospective and enrolled student-athletes and their families," Arizona State president Michael Crow said. "ASU is disappointed and embarrassed by the actions of certain former football staff members who took advantage of a global pandemic to hide their behavior."

  There were no further details provided as to the former employees' punishment.

  One of those former employees is the school's defensive coordinator at the time, Antonio Pierce, who is now the head coach of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders.

  Two of the four former employees are contesting their cases, the NCAA said, and a decision remains pending until those appeals are heard.

  -Field Level Media

FedEx is entering into a five-year, $25 million name, image and likeness commitment that will benefit student-athletes at Memphis, particularly in the Tigers' football and men's and women's basketball programs, as well as additional women's sports.

• The shipping giant, which launched its operations in Memphis in 1973, has annual revenues of $88 billion.

  As part of the initiative, Memphis athletes receiving NIL funding will participate in FedEx initiatives via social media and in person around the city. The company supports events that include the FedEx/St. Jude Championships, the Southern Heritage Classic and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, all in Memphis.

  "We evaluated the evolving NIL landscape, exploring how we can best deliver positive impact to student-athletes and connect them to meaningful opportunities for both themselves and the community and made the decision to reallocate marketing funds to an NIL platform," said Brian Philips, the executive vice president and chief marketing officer at FedEx, in a news release. "This gives us an opportunity to invest in bright, young athletes in our great hometown of Memphis, strengthening our connection to the next generation of leaders."

  The program was announced Friday via a social media video that featured both FedEx employees and Memphis athletes.

  The first FedEx in-person NIL initiative will be a tailgate event at Memphis' spring football game, featuring the women's soccer team.

  Athletic director Laird Veatch told 929 ESPN radio in Memphis on Friday that the contribution includes a clause stipulating a 50 percent match and that the university will launch a campaign to raise $2.5 million per year.

  Veatch acknowledged the boost the FedEx partnership will give to his department.

  "It does elevate us to a highly competitive NIL space, and it's something that's sustainable at the same time," Veatch said. "If you ask many athletic directors around the country, I don't know that they'd be in a position to say that."

  This is not the first partnership between the company and school. The campus has a degree program for FedEx employees and also boasts the FedEx Institute of Technology. Company CEO Fred Smith agreed to donate $50 million from his personal foundation for renovations for the Tigers' football stadium.

  --Field Level Media

Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada will enter the transfer portal, he announced Thursday.

• Rashada posted a message on Instagram thanking his teammates, coaches, strength staff and other support staff at Arizona State.

  "With that being said I'll be entering my name in the transfer portal seeking the best fit for my career!" Rashada wrote.

  Rashada is a former four-star quarterback prospect in the Class of 2023 best known for flipping his commitment from Miami to Florida -- then requesting release from his national letter of intent when an NIL deal with Florida's collective worth a reported $13 million fell through.

  Rashada wound up at Arizona State and got into three games as a freshman, passing for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He has been out most of the spring after needing thumb surgery.

  Georgia is expected to pursue Rashada, On3 and 247Sports reported.

  --Field Level Media