With the No. 9 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, the Mavericks are in a position to potentially select one or more of the Michigan players now entering the professional ranks. And it is a possibility that the star of that still-freshly-celebrated championship run, Yaxel Lendeborg, is openly and enthusiastically on board with.

“I’m going to tell him he better pick me up. If he doesn’t, I’m going to block him,” Lendeborg said jokingly in an interview shared on the MavsMuse X page. “I mean, it would be amazing to be able to stick with him. Me and the guys already talked about it, and we’re going to be happy regardless. If we are getting an opportunity to play there, it would be awesome. Maybe snag Roddy and Morez as well, we might as well have a whole Michigan starting lineup again. But I’m just happy for him and proud that he got what he wanted.” .

The pool of Michigan talent available in this draft is substantial. Lendeborg himself is in the mix, along with Aday Mara and Morez Johnson, both projected as first-round selections. There is also Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimari Burnett, who have projections as late second-round to undrafted prospects. The prospect of May reassembling pieces of the Michigan championship core in Dallas is one the players have apparently already discussed among themselves, and the enthusiasm is clearly there, even if they’ve made peace with whatever ultimately happens.

Whether Dusty May actually pursues that reunion approach is still a probability. And even if he does, it wouldn’t change the fundamental reality that his departure, timed as it was, with multiple key players entering the draft, left the Michigan program in a significantly weaker position heading into next season. Wolverines fans may find some comfort in seeing their players thrive in the NBA under a familiar coach. But the sting of losing May so soon after winning it all is unlikely to fully disappear regardless of how the draft unfolds.

Why Dusty May’s Exit Hit Michigan Wolverines Fans Especially Hard

There are a lot of reasons why Dusty May’s departure from the Michigan Wolverines was especially painful to fans. The fact that they had just completed a dominant season, finishing with a 37-3 record and a national championship, made it even harder to accept. May leaving meant an abrupt end to the possibility of a run of dominant campaigns, and that was one cogent reason for the frustration. Also, having lost some key players and now May may have added even more to the disappointment.

But perhaps the most painful part is the fact that Dusty May actually promised not to leave. Following the national championship victory, May publicly stated that he was “here to stay” and that Michigan was his home. For many fans, that made his sudden exit feel even more difficult to process.

Believing him, the athletic department announced that they had worked out a massive contract extension. However, it was later revealed that May never actually signed the paperwork before jumping to Dallas.

With virtually every elite college basketball coach already locked into their contracts for the upcoming season, this has sort of left the Wolverines stranded. And right now, they have promoted assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. to serve as the interim head coach.

The post Ex-Michigan Star Urges Dusty May to Make Key NBA Decision Amid Backlash Against the Coach appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“There’s a risk that the NFL might punish him when he makes it to the league, and suspended for some games,” The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen said on The Rich Eisen Show.

Sorsby faced a clear violation of policies, therefore, when it seemed like he was getting only a two-game suspension for placing over 40 bets on the Indiana Hoosiers while he played for the program, the whole of college football went wild. On noticing the NCAA lacked the authority to punish him, the Big 12 took the law into its own hands. And even before then, certain programs had decided to boycott the Red Raiders, before Sorsby escaped via the NFL Supplemental Draft.

Sorsby, who entered the Supplemental Draft to salvage his football career, now faces an uncertain future as NFL front offices evaluate his past infractions. The NFL prohibits all players, coaches, and league personnel from betting on the NFL or its related activities. This rule also extends to the players’ close associates, who are not allowed to place a bet for the players. And though players are allowed to bet on other sports, they are prohibited from doing so at team facilities, team hotels, or during team travel. Players are also prohibited from playing fantasy football, entering a sportsbook during the NFL playing season, and sharing inside information.

Sorsby’s gambling history violates the NFL’s conditions for gambling, even when he was not an NFL player. He did not just place bets on any college football team; he placed bets on his own team. NFL wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for an entire season for betting on NFL games involving his own team. This happened despite him placing fewer than 10 bets, wagering a total of $1,500, over five days while he was away from the team. In comparison, Sorsby wagered over $90,000, placed bets through four years, including while he trained with the team.

Nevertheless, the punishment from the NFL would not be as severe as that of the NCAA, which had decided that he was permanently ineligible to play college football. In the NFL, he would possibly be suspended for a few games. And even if the suspension is overblown, he has a full NFL career ahead of him to bounce back from it, compared to college football, where he was to miss the final season that would have gotten him into the NFL draft. Interestingly, an NFL suspension may not be bad after all, as the time out could be spent working on his major weakness.

“I saw a quote today from an NFL team, might have been anonymous, that said they don’t mind that he needs some time to sit on the bench, and really clean up that footwork,” Nguyen added. “So, yeah, like he mentioned, having that extra year is gonna benefit him, and I think some teams that are considering him would think that he needs some time to sit down and really just kind of sit down and rework his mechanics and his footwork.”

At this point, Sorsby can only accept his fate and hope his case is treated like Boutte’s case in 2024.

Why Sorsby may go unpunished

Following the precedent of Patriots receiver Kayshon Bouette’s gambling scandal, the NFL is unlikely to punish Sorsby. Sorsby’s agent, Ron Slavin, cited Boutte’s case as evidence of why Sorsby would not be punished by the NFL.

“No, because there’s a precedent set with the Boutte kid out of LSU, where he had gambling, and when he got to the NFL, he didn’t get any suspension or sit out at all,” Slavin told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “I think the precedent’s been set there.”

Nine months after joining the NFL, Bouette was arrested for allegedly placing over 8,900 wagers in college, with at least six of them being placed on his team, the LSU Tigers. Despite the fact that he was also underage at the time of the bets, the NFL decided not to punish him, as his betting happened during his college career. But such conclusions can not be made about Sorsby yet. Until he enters the NFL, his punishment remains uncertain.

The post “Might Punish Him”: Brendan Sorsby Warned of Lingering Career ‘Risk’ by NFL Insider appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“First of all, I love Dusty. In the short time I’ve been with him, he’s just a stud, a phenomenal basketball coach, and a great opportunity for him. Wish him all the best. And going forward, I’m sure the program will be in good hands,” said Whittingham in an interview with Woodward Sports Network when asked about his thoughts on Dusty May heading out.

Dusty May’s move makes sense on the NBA side because he’s joining the Dallas Mavericks, who had a vacancy after firing Jason Kidd, and May is stepping into a franchise that wants a quick turnaround around Cooper Flagg. Reports say his deal is being finalized, though the exact salary has not been disclosed yet.

However, May’s sudden departure is going to be a shock for the Michigan fans, especially considering his spring message regarding his contract, when he said, “Warde [Manuel] and I agreed to terms. Just like last year, I think we ended up signing it in July.” After leading Michigan to its first-ever title win since 1989, the fans expected the program to replicate that success in the next season. There is no doubt that the defending champions could continue their run in the upcoming campaign, but it will be under a new head coach. Dusty May spent two seasons in Ann Arbor, finishing with a 64-13 record.

That matters because roster retention and recruiting can wobble fast after a coach leaves, especially when a national-title program suddenly changes direction. For Michigan, the next few weeks will decide whether the championship momentum holds or starts to slip.

Michigan is not starting from zero, though. Reports say Mike Boynton Jr. is expected to serve as the interim coach, giving the Wolverines a bridge while the school works through the next step for the 2026-27 season.

On the flip side, Michigan will be Kyle Whittingham’s last coaching stop. He doesn’t intend to leave the Wolverines and has his eyes firmly set on winning the national title. Interestingly, Dusty May believes Whittingham can take the football program to the top.

Dusty May’s confidence in Kyle Whittingham

Though Dusty May wasn’t connected to Kyle Whittingham directly, he knew about the football coach’s strong leadership skills through his friends who played basketball at Utah, where the new Michigan football head coach spent 21 seasons.

“I think his ability to coach ball is obviously at the highest level,” said May in April 2026, after Michigan’s win over McNeese. “He [Kyle Whittingham] seems like a really balanced family guy. I’m sure he’s someone that I’ll lean on for some advice and enjoy learning from because he’s done this at a high level for a long time. He’s very, very well respected in college athletics.”

“He doesn’t need any message from me. He’s been doing it for a long time, and I’ve heard only great things about him,” added Day.

Although the Michigan men’s basketball head coach will not be in Ann Arbor following his decision to leave, Whittingham’s goal is clear about his retirement: “They just said, ‘What do you foresee?’ I told them that I feel great, and as long as I feel great and am excited and passionate about what I’m doing, I just want to keep going.”

Due to his age, many doubt Whittingham’s long tenure at Michigan, but the coach shut down all rumors and said he has no decided timeline. He signed a $41 million contract with Michigan and has a goal to lead the Wolverines at the highest level. Now we will see how Michigan’s 2026 season unfolds under its 22nd head coach.

The post Kyle Whittingham Reacts as National Championship Coach Leaves Michigan for Pro Coaching Job appeared first on EssentiallySports.

On The Paul Finebaum Show, Mike Rodak peeled back the curtain on how the Tide is framing Kalen DeBoer’s future. When Paul Finebaum questioned whether Alabama was trying to sell fans on the on-field success despite eight losses in two years, the Alabama 247Sports reporter pointed out that neither the head coach nor AD Greg Byrne has really defended the actual record. 

“I think the message has been more about stability and trying to build,” he said. “And I think again that was another word that he was using in his interview – ‘build.’ It’s kind of this idea of we understand that things have not gone perfectly according to what everybody wanted them to look like the first two years, and that’s a very high bar to clear. But let’s keep things in place and continue to try to move forward. So, I think that was really the message.”

The pitch is simple, and that’s to keep the staff and roster together and give the program time to build. That’s what Kalen DeBoer himself said when discussing his new deal.

“I think people equate the noise about other opportunities or whatever it might be with the extension,” he said during his WVUA interview. “I don’t think that’s the case. I think our success and what we’re doing and what we’re continuing to grow and how we’re continuing to grow.”

Kalen DeBoer also emphasized that continuity within the coaching staff helps create continuity for players, which ultimately creates long-term success both on and off the field. That’s a reasonable explanation, but Mike Rodak also hinted at a detail hidden inside the contract that runs through 2033 and gave him a $12.5 million raise to his annual salary. But it’s the buyout that’s the main thing. 

“You’re talking about a situation where if he did not sign an extension, if there was a reason to fire Kalen DeBoer after this season, the buyout for Alabama would be about 47 million,” he said. “Now it’s back up to about 68 million. And so that really makes it prohibitive, I think, to move on from him unless there’s a true groundswell of support financially after this season. And that kind of plays into this idea of stability and kind of letting things play out and build over time.”

That $21 million increase in buyout money is the leverage Kalen DeBoer has to experiment with the 2027 recruiting class, which, again, isn’t sitting well with Paul Finebaum. 

Does Kalen DeBoer have a plan behind Alabama’s poor recruiting class?

It’s June, and a lot of programs have already done justice to their 2027 classes. Alabama, meanwhile, sits in a very unfamiliar territory. After signing the No. 2 class in 2026 and the No. 3 class in 2025, the Tide currently ranks around 68th nationally with only eight commitments. Paul Finebaum pressed Mike Rodak on the issue, who offered valuable context. 

Alabama had one of the youngest playoff teams in the country last season. So if the goal is to get older and more experienced, the transfer portal becomes a wiser choice than signing another massive freshman class. 

“If they pulled back a little bit on this high school recruiting class and maybe put more emphasis into the portal this upcoming offseason, then it might all balance out in the end,” he said. “And I think that’s really the context people need to remember there.”

Still, that doesn’t mean everything is perfect. Alabama has undoubtedly missed the recruits it wanted. The current average player rating is down compared to the previous two classes, and there are more 3-star prospects than fans are accustomed to seeing. 

“I think it’ll be much less than what we’ve had the last two seasons,” Kalen DeBoer said. “But a lot of that is because we have retained well, brought in a group of transfers, and don’t have many seniors.”

And that’s where the extension becomes relevant, as a coach operating with a $68 million buyout can afford to think longer term. While there’s anxiety among people, Kalen DeBoer is asking them to trust the process. The extension shows Alabama’s leadership already has. The next six months will determine whether that confidence was visionary or simply expensive.

The post Alabama Reporter Points to Kalen DeBoer’s $21M Leverage as Recruiting Struggles Hint at Bigger Motive appeared first on EssentiallySports.

A big reason for the growing financial gap is that the main university campus is cutting back its support. In earlier years, the university president often stepped in to help cover losses, including a $10 million bailout last year. This time, though, funding has been reduced by more than $10.1 million, going from $17.3 million down to just $7.2 million.

The situation got worse because of changes to the football schedule, which hurt the program’s income. Louisville will now play only six home games instead of the usual eight. This happened after a planned home game against Georgia was canceled, and another game against Ole Miss was moved to Nashville. Missing two home weekends erased parking, concession, and gate revenue, totalling $4.2M, which, in a way, was a blow to their baseline gate revenue.

Louisville athletics expects to run a record deficit of about $30 million in FY27, its fifth negative balance in eight years.

The projected deficit is $18.8 million higher than the department’s $11.2 million deficit in FY26.

Via @courierjournal | https://t.co/nca5x3py5M pic.twitter.com/hiAkC7MHk6

— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) June 22, 2026

The math is stark, as Louisville relies almost entirely on men’s basketball to fund all other sports. The sport generates $16.9M profit, carrying the entire department, making about $28.4 million in revenue after spending $11.5 million. That creates a $16.9 million profit, which helps support all the other sports on campus.

Most sports operate at a loss: women’s basketball ($4.2M), baseball ($4.13M), and volleyball ($1.67M). Because of this, the basketball program ends up carrying a large part of the athletic department. Even with a $30 million deficit, Louisville is still not cutting major spending.

The school recently approved a 5% raise for assistant coaches on Jeff Brohm’s football staff. They also set aside up to $400,000 to replace five old turf fields across campus. The idea behind this is that spending on coaches and facilities is needed to stay competitive and win games.

School leaders believe that if they cut spending too much, the teams could get worse. That would then lead to fewer wins, lower TV value, smaller crowds, and less money from conferences and sponsors in the future. So instead of cutting back, they are choosing to keep investing in the program.

To manage the short-term money problem, Louisville is using emergency financial tools.

Louisville’s plans to borrow from the bank

Their cash reserves have dropped sharply from $34 million to just $3.4 million. To cover the gap, the athletic department plans to use a $25 million line of credit from a bank and also take short-term loans if needed. This helps them stay stable for now, but it also increases financial risk.

Louisville is not entering this blind. The department also projected a near $30 million deficit in the prior budget cycle, while reserves have kept shrinking and borrowing has become part of the routine. Across the ACC, other programs have faced similar pressure, but many have responded by cutting costs first rather than spending more.

Looking ahead, Louisville is also building a new structure called Cardinal Ventures. This is a separate nonprofit group created to move faster than normal university systems. Its job is to bring in new corporate sponsorships and handle athlete revenue-sharing under the new House v. NCAA rules.

There are also plans for another business setup that could attract private investors. The goal is to bring in outside money, possibly from large firms, to invest in media rights and help reduce the school’s growing debt.

The post Historic ACC Program Willingly Accepts Record $30M Deficit, Marking Fifth Operating Loss in Eight Years appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Fast forward to now, and he has left the Wolverines faithful in shambles. But the cat is already out of the bag for this move.

According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, May has agreed to become the new head coach for the Dallas Mavericks, one day before the 2026 NBA Draft, which brings an end to his brief but highly successful stint at Michigan. But there are reasons why May made the move.

Firstly, three Michigan alums would be entering the NBA draft this year, and the Mavericks are already eyeing them. If all things work out, it would be an added benefit for the NBA franchise as both the players and the coach know each other’s style well enough and have a pre-existing connection that May will need to build with the rest of the team over the next few years. But there’s more.

Analyst Jeff Goodman revealed that the 49-year-old did not want to miss the opportunity to coach Mavericks PF Cooper Flagg, who will now enter his second year with the franchise. After all, if he can help the Wolverines in sweeping the Natty with a 64-13 record, he can help a potential NBA star in the making. Another reason was even more long-sighted.

The NCAA landscape has already changed many colors over the last decade. With cases like Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s, it is only bound to change further. And that’s exactly why May wanted to enter the professional basketball world that has already established itself. Meanwhile, it was no surprise that the Mavericks needed a new head.

Dallas made it clear that major changes were needed following a disappointing 26-56 campaign under Jason Kidd, and it was no secret that they were pursuing May. However, while the timing of this move has caught many by surprise, May arrives in Dallas with a résumé that explains why the Mavericks were willing to make such an aggressive move.

After beginning his career as a video coordinator and then as an assistant coach in 2004, Dusty May made his name at Florida Atlantic, where he guided the Owls to their first-ever Final Four appearance in 2023. So, when Michigan needed a replacement for Juwan Howard in 2024, the Wolverines turned to May, and that move paid off almost immediately.

May has a reputation for having one of basketball’s sharpest tactical minds. His teams consistently execute detailed game plans, and his ability to make adjustments on the go has become one of his biggest strengths, besides his ability to connect with the players.

So it’s not hard to see why Dallas believes he can help lead their franchise into its next era. But while Mavericks fans are excited about what he could bring to the NBA, Michigan supporters are far less thrilled.

Michigan Fans Feel Betrayed by Dusty May’s Exit

See, for many, the issue isn’t that May left for the pros. It’s when he left.

“The amount of times I heard this guy in interviews say I’m not even looking at jobs this year… I’m committed to Michigan Is CRAZY. What a snake. Doing this after the portal is crazy work,” one fan wrote. While another added, “The transfer portal is closed, and all those kids who agreed to come and play for this bum have to either eat it or pick a team that has already built their team. He not only royally screwed Michigan with this timing, but he screwed over all those young men he made promises to.”

Before making his jump, coach May spent the 2026 offseason building another title contender in Ann Arbor. He brought in three prominent frontcourt players – Moustapha Thiam, J.P. Estrella, and Jalen Reed — who chose Michigan specifically to play under him. But what stings the most for fans is the Elliott Cadeau situation.

After leading Michigan to a national championship and earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors, Cadeau initially declared for the NBA Draft. However, Dusty May and his staff convinced him to return for his senior season.

“IS HE DUMB???? YOU JUST WON IT ALL WITH US. MICHIGAN WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS,” one fan stated. Whereas another highlighted, “Dusty May have just made the biggest career blunder a basketball coach can make. Doing this after such a great season at Michigan is wild. Jumping from a top college job to the NBA rarely works out.”

See, there is a history of college coaches making a jump like this to the pros, but it rarely works out the way they envision.

In fact, Dusty May is the first coach since John Beilein in 2019 to leave Michigan for an NBA head coaching job. Like May, Beilein arrived in the league with an impressive college résumé and a winning track record. However, his NBA stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers lasted less than a full season after he won just 14 of his 54 games. And this story isn’t unique.

Over the years, several successful college coaches have tried leaping to the NBA, only to struggle with the transition. While a few names, such as Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan, found success, they remain the exception rather than the rule.

Previously, before the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers signed head coach JJ Redick in 2024, UConn’s Dan Hurley was the biggest name. But even when the franchise promised him a huge check, he returned to Storrs because he believed in what he had built more than moving into a situation that would take time for him to understand. Now, that obviously doesn’t mean May is destined for the same fate.

If anything, May has shown that he can develop quickly and also help his teams become true contenders in no time. As big as that is for the Mavs fans, it is also the sore point for the Michigan loyalists.

“Nah this either finna be genius or a generational disaster ,” one fan summed up.

According to ESPN, assistant coach Mike Boynton will have the chance to prove he can take over a national championship team as the interim coach for the team this season. The Wolverines will also look into Josh Schertz, Mark Byington, Nate Oats, and Billy Donovan as their potential head coach. Only time will tell if May’s gamble pays off.

The post Dusty May Faces Massive Backlash as He Leaves Michigan For NBA Job With Dallas Mavericks appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“After a great OV weekend at UNC and discussion with my family, I have decided to flip my commitment to the University of North Carolina!” Jaiden Lindsay posted on X. 

For Deion Sanders, it was a painful recruiting loss partly because of the way it unfolded. He traveled to Chapel Hill to watch teammates from Olney, Md., Good Counsel, compete at a camp. But then, he found himself working out for the Tar Heels. After impressing Bill Belichick’s staff, he earned an offer, scheduled an official visit, and flipped his commitment.

“Going there, it had a pro feel the way they do everything there,” he said. “It represents being an actual pro. It matters. They care about the littlest details. From the way they do nutrition to the way they run, it’s just different.”

2027 OL Jaiden Lindsay has flipped his commitment from Colorado to North Carolina.

He committed to the Buffs on June 6. https://t.co/aNn4hXp2JT

— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) June 22, 2026

Jaiden Lindsay later admitted he wasn’t even thinking about the Tar Heels as a serious option before the camp. But hearing Bill Belichick and GM Michael Lombardi break down his film changed everything.

“I camped up there and to hear Coach Bill and Coach Lombardi talk about my film, talk about how much I improved, it made me think about actually going on a visit there,” he said. “I was just really going there to be with my team. I was with my team there.”

Bill Belichick’s aura stands out. The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach can simply walk into a room, discuss football at a professional level, and a recruit starts rethinking his future. Then there was OL coach Will Friend, whose no-nonsense approach stood out for the 6’3, 300-pound OL.

“He’s all about business,” he said. “It’s all about football. He’s going to be hard. He’s going to be a hard coach, and that’s what I need. I need that guy that is going to only care about football, and he wants to coach me as hard as he can.”

Aside from the staff and developmental fit, distance also played a major role in Jaiden Lindsay’s flip. Chapel Hill sits about four hours from his home in Waldorf, Maryland, unlike Boulder, which requires crossing multiple time zones.

“That definitely played a big part,” he admitted. “That’s big for me for my family to come and watch me play on Saturdays. This is a better opportunity for them to come and do that.”

The flip leaves Deion Sanders with another recruiting wound this month. Jaiden Lindsay joins RB Steven Alexis, who recently flipped to Illinois, as a former Colorado commit who changed course. The Buffs now sit with 15 commitments in their 2027 class, including four OLs. Meanwhile, Lindsay becomes the fifth OL in North Carolina’s 2027 class. While the flip stings, Colorado fans are still processing an even bigger loss. Jordan Seaton, a former 5-star OT, recently opened up about his transfer to LSU.

Jordan Seaton reveals why he left Colorado under Deion Sanders

Maybe the biggest offseason blow to Deion Sanders was when former 5-star OT Jordan Seaton transferred to LSU under Lane Kiffin in January. After all, he was the first top-rated, 5-star OL in program history to sign with Colorado and started 22 games while protecting Shedeur Sanders. When discussing his transfer, he pointed to the Tigers’ developmental structure.

“I think LSU speaks for itself,” he told WAFB-TV reporter Jacques Doucet. “I don’t think we got to go through all the comparisons and all the ‘what makes them better’, ‘what makes this better.’ I think LSU is LSU. And LSU is always going to be LSU.”

He also credited Lane Kiffin and his long-standing relationship with OL coach Eric Wolford. 

“[Kiffin] played a big factor, but not only Lane Kiffin, my O-line coach, Eric Wolford,” he revealed. “Me and Wolf go back years and years and years. I feel like, for me, it was a no-brainer going back to a guy that not only I know that he knows his stuff, but I can trust.”

Despite leaving Boulder, Jordan Seaton remained respectful toward Deion Sanders, thanking him for giving him the opportunity to play alongside stars like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. But based on his comments, he seems quite happy at LSU. 

“Being here is really just different from how we train to how we work,” he added. “We’re big on extras around here. Just doing what’s required is not enough.”

Taken together, Jordan Seaton’s departure and Jaiden Lindsay’s flip reveal something. When programs like North Carolina and LSU start selling pro-style development and proven infrastructure, even Deion Sanders’ recruiting style can face serious competition.

The post Bill Belichick Steals Deion Sanders’ Recruit Days After Committing to Colorado appeared first on EssentiallySports.

The whole thing started when a defensive end named Dean Miller, who wanted to transfer to UCF from Kansas, found out the NCAA was blocking his extra year of eligibility. Miller filed an emergency lawsuit in an Orange County, Florida, court to bypass the NCAA. His lawsuit revealed he has a massive $300k NIL deal waiting for him that vanishes if he can’t suit up for UCF.

UCF has faced NCAA fights before, from a past postseason ban appeal to the current eligibility battle, so this lawsuit fits a program that has already lived through NCAA courtroom pressure rather than a one-off flare-up. Cody Campbell seized the moment, hopping on social media to play the ultimate “Uno reverse” card against Mohajir’s high-and-mighty quote right next to the news of UCF’s incoming player suing the NCAA:

“Institutions cannot control court rulings, legal strategies, or judicial outcomes,” Mohajir continued. “What we can control is playing time and the standards we set for participation in our programs.” Campbell reposted Mohajir’s quote on X alongside Miller’s lawsuit, highlighting the hypocrisy.

“Institutions cannot control court rulings, legal strategies or judicial outcomes,” Mohajir continued. “What we can control is playing time and the standards we set for participation in our programs.”

– Terry Mohajir, UCF Athletic Director, June 9 2026 pic.twitter.com/94jubH5Cvc

— Cody Campbell (@CodyC64) June 23, 2026

The two cases have diverged sharply. Texas Tech’s quarterback dropped his lawsuit. Sorsby decided it was time to move on and officially declared himself ineligible for college football. Sorsby is now focused on getting picked up in the upcoming NFL Supplemental Draft this July. While UCF’s defensive end remains in limbo.

What’s going on with Miller’s case

Miller spent one season at a junior college in 2021 and then played three years at Kansas. After a strong season with the Jayhawks, where he recorded 13.5 tackles for loss, the former JUCO standout planned to transfer to UCF for what could be his final year of college football.

However, the NCAA blocked the move and said he’s eligible because he already has 4 years of college ball. UCF desperately appealed the ruling but was completely rejected by the NCAA on May 28. Caught in a corner, Miller’s camp retained Heitner Legal and did the exact same thing Sorsby did: they filed an emergency lawsuit against the NCAA in local court.

Miller’s legal team is using the same argument that helped Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia win his case last year. They argue that the NCAA should not count old junior college seasons for a player’s eligibility.

According to the lawsuit, doing so unfairly limits an athlete’s ability to earn money in today’s college sports world. Miller’s lawyers are asking a Florida judge for a temporary restraining order (TRO), which would allow him to enroll at UCF, join the team, and begin practicing while the case moves forward.

That is why these eligibility fights keep landing in court now: NIL money, the transfer portal, and new compliance rules have made a player’s final season feel like a financial deadline, not just a roster decision. For now, though, Miller is still not enrolled at UCF and is waiting for the court’s decision.

The post Texas Tech Booster Reignites Brendan Sorsby Feud After Big 12 Rival’s Fresh NCAA Lawsuit appeared first on EssentiallySports.

The story surfaced recently when Michael Irvin was recounting a conversation involving his longtime friend Ed Orgeron, who returned to LSU this year as a special assistant to recruiting and defense. Coach O was working on relationships, making calls, and selling a vision. And he decided to call the playmaker.

“I love Coach O. He was at Miami,” Michael Irvin recalled via his podcast. “He called me the other day with a top recruit. Now he’s at LSU… He calls me, ‘Michael!’ You know that voice he has. He’s like, ‘I got somebody here, he’s a star. He gonna be a star.’”

Orgeron was not calling Irvin by accident. He knew Irvin still carried a real pull with Miami players and recruits, because Irvin had long been more than a face in the stands. Around Miami, he has acted as an unofficial host, a mentor, and a loud selling point for the program.

Then Ed Orgeron put the recruit on FaceTime, and things got awkward. Michael Irvin was staring at a future star while Coach O was trying to recruit the kid to LSU. The Hall of Famer, who’s an ardent supporter and ambassador of his alma mater, knew how bad that looked.

“I hope they didn’t do no screenshot,” Irvin joked. “I don’t want nobody to see no screenshot of me and this dude talkin’, and you coach, and you recruitin’ him for LSU.”

That is what made Irvin such a tempting call for Orgeron. He is not just a former Hurricane. He is one of the rare alumni whose voice can still make a recruit listen, and Miami has leaned on that kind of presence for years.

Michael Irvin said he resisted the urge to pitch Miami directly. Ed Orgeron and Irvin are connected through the legendary Miami culture of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their friendship has survived decades. But friendships only go so far when recruiting enters the conversation.

“I couldn’t say anything to Coach O, but that’s my guy,” he added. “But man, when he puttin’ on FaceTime, I wanted to try to sell the kid. You know, he was recruitin’ for LSU. So I didn’t do it. But I read it in the paper two days later, the kid flipped to Miami, anyway. He got my subliminal.”

And that’s how the recruiting story turned into a classic Michael Irvin story. Still, none of this should surprise anyone. Irvin has never hidden his soft corner for Miami. In fact, he might be the most active alumnus in college football today. When highly touted Colorado OT Jordan Seaton entered the transfer portal in January, he openly tried steering him toward Coral Gables, even though it meant an awkward situation with Deion Sanders. 

“If you are going to leave my boy Deion Sanders, you might as well come and see his boy,” he posted on social media, making a public pitch for Miami.

Seaton even responded with: “Meet me up there.” The exchange made everyone believe Miami could land him. But then, the OT committed to LSU instead. Still, whenever his alma mater enters a recruitment, Michael Irvin gives his all.

Michael Irvin loves what Mario Cristobal is building

Irvin treats every Miami game as if still wearing pads, sprinting sidelines, and jumping celebrations.

“If Hurricane alums are asking players to be fully committed, then those alums have to show how committed they are as well,” he said.

The relationship between the two stretches back nearly four decades, dating to the head coach’s own recruitment. Michael Irvin also showed his belief in the head coach. 

“I do all this for our coach,” he said. “Mario Cristobal sacrificed for this, and we all have to follow him. We will follow him right to heaven, to that championship. He’s the one to get us there.”

So, Coach O may have called Michael Irvin, hoping to help LSU land a star. Instead, he got a reminder. When Miami’s most famous cheerleader gets involved, even recruiting battles can take on a life of their own.

The post Ed Orgeron Called Michael Irvin to Help LSU Recruit; But He Poaches Their Target For Miami appeared first on EssentiallySports.

The 49-year-old is coming off a glorious NCAA season with the Michigan Wolverines. They finished with a 37-3 overall record, a 19-1 Big Ten mark, and defeated UConn 69-63 in the title game to cap off an incredible season. Now, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, May’s immediate influence, that is, if any, on the Mavericks’ No.9 draft position will be an interesting watch.

That is where things get interesting. Michigan’s championship roster featured three prospects who are all projected to hear their names called in the first round: Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, May “surely has information from rival teams on all three of those players’ realistic landing spots.” With Dallas holding the No. 9 pick, the Mavericks suddenly have something few teams possess on draft night: a coach with firsthand knowledge of three lottery-level prospects.

We’ll see what level of influence Dusty May immediately has in Dallas’ decision tomorrow night at No. 9. Michigan has three players — Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg — who are all viewed as strong candidates to be picked in the late lottery. And May surely has… https://t.co/No4MLQiVCl

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 22, 2026

More importantly, May knows these prospects better than any scouting report ever could. Mara, Lendeborg and Johnson Jr. arrived together during Michigan’s 2025 transfer cycle and became the centerpiece of an unconventional three-big lineup that powered the Wolverines to a national championship. Each filled a distinct role, with Mara serving as the defensive anchor, Lendeborg functioning as a point-forward, and Johnson providing the energy, rebounding and interior toughness.

The bigger factor may be familiarity. While front offices can study film and conduct workouts, May spent an entire championship season coaching all three players. He recruited them, built a system around them, and watched them develop into first-round prospects. That level of firsthand knowledge could carry real weight as Dallas finalizes its draft board.

Mara currently projects in the 8-14 range, putting him firmly in Dallas’ territory at No. 9. The 7-foot-3 center has drawn interest from teams such as Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Charlotte. Lendeborg is generally projected slightly later, in the 11-15 range, while Johnson Jr. is expected to come off the board somewhere between 14 and 20. Their varying draft positions create an interesting dilemma for Dallas, particularly if the Mavericks explore trade-down scenarios.

May has repeatedly spoken highly of the group. On Mara, he said, “He’s a savant with what he’s doing.” On Johnson, he noted that “he raises our ceiling like Yax did last year.” And perhaps most notably, Yaxel Lendeborg once revealed that he chose Michigan largely because of May, saying, “Another big reason why I went with Dusty was he didn’t talk about money at all. It was all about making me better and helping me achieve my goals.”

May’s evaluation could carry more weight than most coaches. Before arriving in Dallas, he rebuilt Michigan into a national champion and helped elevate the draft stock of players such as Mara and Lendeborg. NBA executives and scouts have long viewed May as one of college basketball’s strongest talent evaluators, making his perspective particularly valuable as the Mavericks approach a pivotal draft.

Which Michigan prospect makes the most sense for Dallas?

In the 2025-26 NCAA season, Aday Mara anchored the paint with 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while shooting 66.8%. Morez Johnson Jr. added 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds with 62.3% shooting and a promising 34.3% mark from deep. Meanwhile, Yaxel Lendeborg filled every column with 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists, while hitting 37.2% from beyond the arc and 82.4% at the line.

Among the three prospects, Lendeborg may be the cleanest fit alongside Cooper Flagg. The versatile forward averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 37.2% from three, giving him the type of two-way versatility modern NBA teams covet. Scouts view him as one of the safest prospects in the class, and his ability to defend multiple positions, move the ball and stretch the floor would complement Flagg’s game immediately.

Mara, however, may be the more realistic option if Dallas stays at No. 9. The 7-foot-3 center averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while emerging as one of the best defensive players in college basketball. His elite rim protection and passing ability make him a unique frontcourt prospect, and several draft analysts project him firmly within Dallas’ range.

Draft positioning could ultimately determine which direction Dallas goes. According to league reporting, the Mavericks have explored potential trade-down scenarios if their preferred targets are unavailable at No. 9. Such a move would place players like Lendeborg and Johnson Jr. directly into Dallas’ range while allowing the organization to add additional assets around Cooper Flagg.

Whether Dallas ultimately drafts one of May’s former players remains unknown. What is clear, however, is that few people in the organization possess a deeper understanding of Mara, Lendeborg and Johnson Jr. than the Mavericks’ new head coach. Before May coaches his first NBA game, his first major contribution to Dallas may come in the draft room.

The post Dusty May’s Arrival Hints at Mavericks’ Draft Strategy Involving 3 Michigan Prospects appeared first on EssentiallySports.