First Down Kentucky: Revenue Sharing is the Final Destination for College Football

The world of college athletics is changing dramatically thanks to the inaction of its old leaders. Mark Emmert was hesitant to get behind NIL. The NCAA’s hand was forced and now litigation may force their hands again.

On Monday night Pete Thamel reported on a potential outcome of one of four lawsuits that’s expected to create a seismic shift in college athletics. The addition of NIL rules led former athletes to file a lawsuit for lost revenue, seeking financial compensation for the money they couldn’t make prior to 2021. The hook on Thamel’s report is that a settlement is on the horizon and that settlement appears to include structural changes to college athletics.

The world of NIL collectives was always going to be nothing more than a gateway drug for the final destination, revenue sharing. We’re currently in the middle of a transition, one that may not last more than five years. Eventually, the massive TV contract money will not only go to the school but the players they will employ. Early estimations are that between $15-$20 million will be earmarked to distribute to players annually.

There are plenty of specifics, like collective bargaining, that must be worked out to reach this final destination. However, revenue sharing always made the most sense because that’s how professional sports operate. NIL will still be available to players for what it was intended for, compensating players to market for brands. The quicker we get to revenue sharing, the less time programs must spend relying on fans to bankroll players’ salaries. Instead, the massive TV contracts will provide budgets for programs to recruit players. Finally, something that actually makes sense.

DJ Waller Speaks

DJ Waller Jr. filled a significant void on the Kentucky football roster when the former Michigan cornerback announced over the weekend that he’s making the move to Lexington. Speaking for the first time since the announcement, Waller told Larry Vaught that his connection with Vince Marrow and Kentucky’s defensive back pedigree made the decision an easy one.

“The first thing that stands out about Kentucky is the family feeling. It’s also the SEC and that’s close to the NFL. They have put out good DBs (defensive backs). I knew I would be taken care of there,” Waller said.

“Vince understands me and that’s a big reason I picked Kentucky. Vince and I kind of had a natural connection because of where we are from. We just clicked real fast.”

Former Kentucky Target Peny Boone Might Find a Home

Peny Boone made plenty of headlines across the Bluegrass State in the month of April. The 2023 MAC Offensive Player of the Year at Toledo transferred to Louisville in December, but left the program before the conclusion of spring practice. He officially visited Kentucky and predictions poured in for the Wildcats to land the talented running back. Then Boone hit a snag academically.

Transferring academic credits is not a seamless process. Even though it did not work out for Kentucky, it sounds like he may have found a landing spot in Orlando. Steve Wiltfong reports UCF has emerged as the program to beat for Boone’s services. It’s a shame he couldn’t end up at Kentucky, but at least for Boone’s sake he will still be able to play college football this fall, something that was seriously in jeopardy at one point this spring.

Clarity on a New Kentucky Addition

Yesterday we learned Daniel Mincey, the younger brother of offensive tackle transfer Gerald Mincey, will join Kentucky’s 2024 recruiting class. The versatile 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman was recruited primarily by G5 schools. Will he be on scholarship or a preferred walk-on? It all depends on what happens in the transfer portal. If Kentucky has available scholarships, Mincey is in line to receive one. That’s what appears to have happened last offseason with OL Dylan Ray and QB Beau Allen is likely in a similar position.

More Deone Walker NFL Draft Buzz

Once the NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, the NFL community turned its attention to 2025 prospects. As Adam Luckett wrote, Deone Walker will have the attention of NFL scouts this fall. Many are already slating him as a top five prospect. Yahoo’s Nate Tice might be the most bullish on Big Deone, ranking him as the No. 4 overall player in next year’s draft class. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler published his first mock draft for next spring and had Walker going off the board at No. 18 overall to the Chicago Bears.

“Every time Walker rushes the passer, it feels like the field is tilted, which allows him to charge downhill and run through road blocks using his 6-6, 350-pound frame,” writes Brugler. “Throw on the tape from the bowl game against Clemson and watch him work.