Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what’s next.
NCAA FOOTBALL ROSTER REDUCTIONS REPORTEDLY UNDER CONSIDERATION
The ever-changing landscape of college football may undergo yet another dramatic shift.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, power conference leaders are eyeing a new athlete compensation model that could reduce roster size across college football. The proposal would potentially cut rosters to 85 players, which is down from the current 100-120 players that teams typically have on their roster.
With a near 35-player reduction in roster size, this proposal would likely spell the end to all walk-on positions at most power programs.
Football would not be the only sport impacted by this proposal. In addition to potential roster cuts, power conference leaders are discussing the removal of scholarship restrictions, which would allow sports like baseball or hockey to offer full scholarships to all players on the roster.
A NEW ADDITION TO THE FBS
In the world of conference realignment, Missouri State and the Conference USA announced on Friday that the Bears would be the newest addition to the conference, effective July 1, 2025.
Conference USA announces Missouri State University will join the league on July 1, 2025
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) May 10, 2024
CUSA @MissouriStBears #NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/XbukLJA6Tq pic.twitter.com/nC344bgtJF
The C-USA, which had only five members at one point in 2021, will now grow to 12 programs with the addition of Missouri State. Delaware will join the Bears as new members of the conference in 2025, while Kennesaw State will play its first season in the C-USA this year.
Missouri State went 4-7 last season under first-year head coach Ryan Beard, finishing ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference.
STANFORD TO NAME COURT AFTER TARA VANDERVEER
In 38 seasons at Stanford, legendary women’s basketball head coach Tara VanDerveer built one of the most fearsome programs the sport has ever seen.
To honor her contributions to the university after she retired in April, Stanford announced on Thursday that the floor at Maples Pavillion will be known as Tara VanDerveer Court. Stanford also enshrined an assistant coaching position in the program as the Tara VanDerveer Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, as another reminder of her legacy.
Tara's name will forever hold a special place at Stanford.
— Stanford WBB (@StanfordWBB) May 9, 2024
Tara VanDerveer Court
The Tara VanDerveer Assistant Women's Basketball Coach#GoStanford
As the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history, VanDerveer led Stanford to three national championships and 14 Final Four appearances during her time with the program. Across her 45 seasons as a college head coach, which also included stops at Idaho and Ohio State, VanDerveer captured a career record of 1,216-271.
ICYMI
GENE SMITH BELIEVES MICHIGAN WINS OVER OHIO STATE AMID CONNOR STALIONS SCANDAL SHOULD HAVE ASTERISK: “OF COURSE I DO”
During a radio appearance, outgoing Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said he believes Michigan’s wins over the Buckeyes in 2021 and 2022 should come with an asterisk.
OHIO STATE’S QUARTERBACK DEPTH STANDS OUT AMONG COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S TOP TEAMS IN 2024
With five scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, Ohio State’s depth at the position stacks up well against other elite programs.
IF THEY ONLY KNEW
Eleven Warriors writer Ramzy Nasrallah draws parallels between Ohio State’s impending 2024 campaign and the Buckeyes’ 1998 season.
UP NEXT
- Men’s Tennis: vs. No. 8 Columbia (in Stillwater, Oklahoma), Thursday, Noon ET, ESPN+
- 111 Days: Ohio State football's season opener vs. Akron
- 202 Days: The Game
