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Opting out of a bowl game to focus on the draft seems so paradoxical to me.

Can't wait for what happens when theses schools go into collections for non payment.

Short version: The Big 12 didn’t find a new revenue stream.It found a way to advance its allowance. Whether that’s smart leverage or a payday loan depends entirely on how well these schools spend it — and how ugly the next round of realignment gets. Either way, welcome to college football’s private equity era. Please keep your receipts.

This thing got out of hand quickly. I like NIL for a number of reasons, but to safeguard the integrity of the sport and these young athletes, it should have had better guardrails in place from the start.

A little throwback!

So apparently the Big 12 has decided it doesn’t want to wait around for money anymore and is partnering with a private equity–backed fund to… checks notes …borrow against its own future. Very on-brand. Here’s the gist: a new entity gets created, some conference commercial rights get parked in it, and a finance group backed by RedBird and Weatherford waves around up to $500 million in upfront cash. Schools can opt in, take the money now, and repay it later by giving up future conference distributions. It’s basically revenue sharing meets Payday Loans. To be clear, this isn’t free money. This is the conference equivalent of saying, “Yes, I understand the interest rate, but have you seen the portal?” For schools feeling squeezed by NIL demands, roster churn, and the general chaos of modern college football, this is a tempting lifeline. Immediate liquidity to keep up with the Joneses, plug holes, and stay competitive. For others, it’s a long-term mortgage on future payouts in a sport where the future changes every six months. The most Big 12 part of this? It’s optional. Opt in if you need cash now. Opt out if you think you’ll be better off later. Translation: the resource gap inside the conference is about to get louder, not smaller. Zooming out, this is another signal that college football is done pretending it’s not a business. Conferences aren’t just leagues anymore — they’re balance sheets with logos. And once private capital starts slicing up “future distributions,” there’s no unringing that bell. History says those bets usually age… creatively.

Does he even get drafted with the lackluster year he had this season?

I didn’t realize he had no eligibility left, his career here felt kind of underwhelming, kind of reminds me of Anthony Cook maybe was maxed out in high school

Yep, like all players who only have one year starting... Goosby with another year can be a top 10 pick for example

No, but these declarations are guys basically announcing that they’re opting out of the bowl game to focus on the draft.

Did he have any eligibility remaining?

Excited to see what he does! Haven't seen a Longhorn QB start in the NFL since Sam a few years ago.

Texas CB Jaylon Guilbeau has posted his NFL Draft declaration and thank you to The University of Texas. Hoping for the best for Jaylon! He was one of my favorite recruits to follow and had a heck of a career.

I'd imagine we are going to see a lot of LSU decommits with Frank Wilson leaving.

Add Endries to the list. I would really like to see what another year of him in our offense would look like.

We want more Niblett!! Would love to see his role increase next season. Really hoping to hear more glowing reviews from Lockett and Ffrench. Excited to see MT3 and how the DNs are growing up. Kade Phillips report? Williams injured again is not a positive sign at all. What do we think about JJR getting run at safety along with Hicks?

Another full season of tape would help his stock I would think.

Who is Stepping Up for the Texas Portal Departures / NFL Draft Declarations *** Going position x position. Quarterback Departures: Trey Owens No change in the pecking order. Running Back Departures: CJ Baxter, Jerrick Gibson, Rickey Stewart Tre Wisner continues to take the most first team snaps in practice, no surprise there. The name I have heard the most about in the running back room is freshman Michael Terry III. Two sources have referenced a play from MT3 in practice where he juked a veteran Longhorn defensive back and drew the praise of the staff immediately after. Christian Clark has been the 2nd back up, followed by James Simon. Wide Receiver Departures: Aaron Butler, DeAndre Moore (NFL) Daylan McCutcheon is getting the reps in place of DeAndre Moore, and is doing well. I have yet to hear much about the other two freshmen, this month. Most people I have talked to around the program have voiced excitement for the 2026 season with the continuity of Mosley, Wingo, Livingstone and others with the Texas QB. Tight End Departures: None Nick Townsend and Emaree Winston have both been mentioned as freshmen taking advantage of the extra practices. We will see what movement comes in the next couple of days or weeks but overall, this room continues to development. Jordan Washington deserves mention as well. Offensive Line Departures: Connor Stroh These practices are huge for a Nate Kibble, Daniel Cruz and the freshmen. With the full offensive line still practicing, the first team reps have been few and far between for a number of second stringers. However, it would not come as a surprise should you see a Kibble or Cruz in for a series or two against Michigan. Brooks is priming to be OT3 for next season. Defensive Line Departures: Melvin Hills The two I have wanted to hear the most are Josiah Sharma and Myron Charles. I have not heard much about the defensive line in the month of December, but I have been told the 2026 season is setting up for Justus Terry to see a significant increase in snaps and impact. EDGE Departures: Ethan Burke (NFL) Lance Jackson is seeing action with the first team defense alongside Zina Umeozulu. The question becomes what is the future of Colton Vasek with Texas, especially with Richard Wesley arriving at the semester. Linebacker Departures: Liona Lefau, Trey Moore (NFL), Anthony Hill Jr. (NFL) It is Bo Barnes season! Perhaps no bigger benefactor than Barnes when it comes to departures and opt outs this December. TyAnthony Smith will be the voice of the defense come the Citrus Bowl with the green dot on his helmet, but it is Barnes who is seeing the largest increase in his role for the game. Cornerback Departures: Santana Wilson Still awaiting an NFL announcement from Malik Muhammad, but practice has been very beneficial for guys like Kobe Black and Warren Roberson. I've heard Wardell Mack remains practicing with the team after a portal report, could he still enter? Yes, but for now he is set on playing through the bowl game. Safety Departures: Derek Williams Jr., Michael Taaffe (NFL) This should be incredibly valuable snap opportunities for Jonah Williams. Williams was slightly dinged last week, but should be fine for the game at the end of the month. Xavier Filsaime continues to takes steps in the right direction as well. The athletic safety is learning more and more which should pay off in the long run. Zelus Hicks is one I am eagerly hoping to hear more about, just haven't had much passed along to me. Specialists For what it's worth, I am expecting Ryan Niblett to return in 2026.

Goosby, McDonald, Kanu, Wisner.

Probably cause the feedback from the mods here has been very positive in him returning 🤘🤘🤘🤘

Not sure how I forgot about him, he is def #1

Amen. No circumstance could ever make me want to see them win; I'd rather any other team win a championship.

Goosby is more important than all of them