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On Tuesday morning, the college basketball world changed forever when AJ Dybantsa, the top high school player and the unanimous No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, shocked the sports world by announcing his commitment to the BYU Cougars on ESPN’s First Take. In doing so, Dybantsa turned down offers from perennial powerhouses like the Alabama Crimson Tide, Kansas Jayhawks, and North Carolina Tar Heels, choosing a program not traditionally associated with basketball dominance. His decision, fueled by a reported $7 million NIL package according to Adam Zagoria, cements BYU’s place at the forefront of the sport’s new era.
At 6-foot-9 with a wingspan over seven feet, Dybantsa is the archetype of the modern NBA wing, drawing comparisons to Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady. His elite skill set—anchored by a deadly pull-up game, the ability to create his shot against any defender and high-level basketball IQ—makes him a generational prospect. But while Dybantsa’s on-court talent is unquestioned, his choice of BYU speaks volumes about the evolving dynamics of college basketball.
For BYU, this is more than a recruiting victory; it’s a redefinition of what’s possible. Long overshadowed by blue-blood giants, the program leveraged the perfect storm of NIL resources and coaching expertise to land the sport’s crown jewel. Head coach Kevin Young was a decisive factor, whose résumé includes developing NBA superstars like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Dybantsa has been vocal about prioritizing development over brand name, and BYU’s NBA-centric approach aligned seamlessly with his aspirations to enter the league as a high-impact player.
The $7 million NIL deal, reportedly the largest in college basketball history, is only part of the story. Dybantsa’s earning power includes a $4 million endorsement deal with Nike, showcasing the unprecedented financial opportunities available to top athletes in the NIL era. Schools like BYU have been unable to attract elite talent for decades due to limited resources and less national prestige. With robust financial backing and forward-thinking leadership, BYU has redefined what’s achievable in college basketball recruiting.
Dybantsa’s impact will be immediate. His presence will elevate the program’s visibility to unprecedented levels, attracting national media attention, prime-time matchups, and potentially more top-tier recruits. BYU basketball may have transformed overnight into a legitimate national title contender.
This commitment represents more than just a win for BYU; it’s a tectonic shift in the college basketball landscape. The traditional barriers between blue blood programs and the rest are crumbling under the weight of NIL opportunities and forward-thinking coaching strategies. Dybantsa’s decision proves that players now value a holistic combination of development, resources, and financial security.
For BYU, this moment is a declaration of intent. They are not content to merely compete; they are here to win. AJ Dybantsa’s commitment isn’t just a headline—it’s a harbinger of a future where programs like BYU can rewrite the rules and challenge the sport’s status quo.
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New K-State Receivers Might Be Most Hyped Group In Years
Kansas State's offseason hype has been linked to the development of quarterback Avery Johnson. But the extension of that is with the new wide receivers on the roster. The Wildcats went deep in the transfer portal, acquiring veteran talent to complement star Jayce Brown. Brown was the leading receiver last season with 47 receptions for 823 yards and five touchdowns. However, the next in line was more than 450 yards away, illustrating the need to expand the receiving options. In addition, the team lost Tre Spivey, Keagan Johnson, and DJ Giddens, three of their top threats in 2024. Thus, the introduction of Caleb Medford, Jerand Bradley, and Jaron Tibbs to Manhattan, KS. Kansas State assistant Matthew Middleton discussed how some of the newest weapons have fared so far at training camp. Caleb Medford CAREER STATS: 48 REC, 887 YDS, 5 TD (2 seasons) Middleton's quote: “This is just an adjustment of my coaching style versus what he’s been coached to do. Just going out there playing with maximum effort every single play. He’s been doing a good job of competing day in and day out.” Jayce Brown Middleton's quote: “When we talk about things that have happened in-game, he can recall them and communicate them to the group. There’s a plan for him every year, so he knows the next steps for him to elevate his game, whether it be on the field or being a good teammate. “He has to continue to catch the ball down the field, but also when it’s thrown underneath. Being able to put a foot in the ground and get vertical and get those hidden-yardage contested catches as well. I think identifying coverages any receiver needs to see, because the picture changes from your normal down and distance to situational downs. So it’s just him being a really savvy, confident football player when it comes to recognizing coverages.” Jerand Bradley CAREER STATS: 98 REC, 1,368 YDS, 12 TD (4 seasons) Middleton's quote: “He’s been competing, every one of these guys has been competing. You’re not gonna be on a K-State Wildcats team with coach Klieman and not be a competitor. So we gotta make sure we do a great job of doing that, and those guys have. They respond to the coaching and they respond to the film.” Kansas State's running back room is poised for monster season College football insider has more good news for Kansas State Linkon Cure already making good impression
Milwaukee Brewers: Nestor Cortes Gone, Standout Rookie 3B Has Emerged as Gem from Would-Be Lose-Lose Trade
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes was the centerpiece of the Milwaukee Brewers‘ return haul from trading co-closer Devin Williams to the Yankees last December. Eight months later, Cortes is a member of the Padres, logging all of two starts in Milwaukee before injuries sapped his season. Over in New York, Williams lost his closer’s job, got it back, and has had one good month en route to a 5.04 ERA. Without the other part of Milwaukee’s incoming package, then minor-league third baseman Caleb Durbin, the trade would look at this juncture like a lose-lose scenario. Thanks to Durbin, it’s been anything but for the Brewers. Caleb Durbin is Milwaukee Brewers’ diamond in the rough Durbin didn’t make the spring training cut. Instead, the Brewers went with fellow rookie Oliver Dunn as the team’s starting third baseman. Durbin went down to Triple-A Nashville. Dunn didn’t last. After he struggled through the first three weeks of the season, he and Durbin switched places and the latter hasn’t squandered his shot. Following a slow start, he’s turned up the heat at the dish while playing outstanding defense. He’s had an OPS around .800 for over two months now and has his season slashline up to .263/.344/.372. His 2.2 WAR in 86 games played is tied for 10th among all third basemen, making him one of the position’s more valuable players. The Brewers saw plenty of promise in Durbin when they traded for him, coming off a strong season with New York’s Triple-A affiliate. Even though he didn’t, he was a decent candidate to make the team out of spring. The team likely didn’t see a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, which he is. By WAR, he and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin have contributed the same value to their teams, more than any other NL rookies. Cortes, on the other hand, was supposed to be a consistent cog in the rotation. Last year for the Yankees, he made 30 starts and recorded a 3.77 ERA. Instead, he’s still making his way back from injury ahead of start number three this season. In San Diego. Of course, Milwaukee did turn him into outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who will provide depth while Jackson Chourio is hurt. To dump Cortes’ salary, however, they had to attach a prospect, infielder Jorge Quintana. Neither Cortes nor Williams has been what the receiving team hoped. Both will be free agents this offseason. Only the Yankees, however, are at risk of walking away empty-handed. With years of team control remaining, the Brewers have in Durbin what looks to be their third baseman of both the present and future. The trade didn’t deliver according to expectations, but it’s hard to be too upset with the results.
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Could Have A New Favorite Redzone Target
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a lot of changes to their roster throughout the 2025 offseason, leading to a lot of storylines. From new signings to unexpected departures, there’s been no shortage of things for fans and analysts to talk about. Even with all the moves, however, some big questions still remain, especially when it comes to depth at key positions and who will step up to fill certain roles. One of the biggest storylines has been the addition of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and with him leading the offense, many are wondering who he’ll be throwing to in the passing game consistently. Recently, former Steelers Super Bowl champion Trai Essex released a new episode of his podcast, The Snap Count, where he and his co-host, Charlie Batch, talked about a variety of Steelers-related topics ahead of the upcoming season. Among the topics discussed on the podcast was the highly-talked about question of who Rodgers is expected to connect with the most in the Steelers’ passing game. Essex mentioned someone that hasn’t been talked about a lot during the offseason, someone he believes could have a big impact in the end zone this year. "You know, I think Darnell Washington is going to be a huge target for Aaron Rodgers in the end zone," Essex said. Darnell Washington, who is a tight end that was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, could have a bigger role this season. While Pat Freiermuth has remained the team’s first tight end, the arrival of Rodgers may create more opportunities for Washington to get involved in the passing game. With his combination of size, strength, and receiving ability, Washington has the ability to be a serious threat in the red zone, like Essex mentioned. Rodgers is a future Hall of Famer, with a historic and successful career behind him up until this point. However, as he begins the next step in Pittsburgh, some have concerns about his age and whether he can still perform at a high level in such a physical league. What has always set Rodgers apart is his arm talent, and according to a recent report, his arm strength remains his best attribute. That not only poses a challenge for opposing defenses, but also presents an exciting opportunity for the Steelers to have a dangerous passing game. The Steelers now have a crowded and talented tight end room, especially with the recent addition of Jonnu Smith, who adds proven receiving skills and versatility to the offense. With this depth at tight end, it’s clear the position will likely play a significant role in the Steelers' offense this season. As the team continues to build around Rodgers for this year, it will be interesting to see how the targets are distributed among the many weapons at his disposal. Steelers Have Plenty Of Receiving Options There’s been plenty of talk surrounding the Steelers' wide receiver group, especially given the amount of receiving talent across the offense, including a strong tight end unit. While DK Metcalf is the clear wide receiver one, the wide receiver two spot is possibly still up for grabs, despite wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni naming Calvin Austin III as the current second option. Like Washington, Austin has a real opportunity to step up and show just how valuable he can be in the offense, especially with a quarterback as talented as Rodgers throwing the football. With this potentially being Rodgers’ final season, there’s added pressure for the Steelers to deliver results now. While much of the spotlight will be on Rodgers to lead the offense effectively, there’s also significant expectation on key receiving players players like Austin and Washington to take a big step forward and make a meaningful impact.
Matt LaFleur sheds light on concerning Tucker Kraft situation
The Green Bay Packers continued work on the field on Saturday, with tens of thousands of fans in attendance watching amid the annual Family Night. However, one notable player who was not able to make it to the field and practice was tight end Tucker Kraft. The former South Dakota State Jackrabbits star is nursing a lower-body injury, forcing the Packers to take it easy on the tight end and keep him on the shelf rather than risk aggravation of the issue. Speaking to the media, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur opened up about Kraft’s status, via Green Bay reporter Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “MLF said Tucker Kraft has been dealing with a groin injury and powering through it for the last two days but they decided to give him a couple days off.” Kraft is expected to be among the major targets in the Packers’ passing attack in his third year in the pros. Selected in the third round (78th overall) by the Packers in the 2023 NFL draft, the 24-year-old Kraft is looking to surpass his production in 2024, when he posted 707 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 50 receptions.
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