Good morning!

It’s Thursday, May 1, and the post-draft haze has barely cleared. One former Heisman favorite slid. One QB cashed in without throwing a pass. And one portal-hopping linebacker just re-entered the transfer cycle again.

Welcome back to Betting The Mascots, where we love college football so much, we’re willing to read 800-word NIL contract breakdowns just to make jokes.

First time reading? SIGN UP HERE.

Got a hot take? Want to sponsor a linebacker for $10 and a can of Bang? Email us: [email protected].

📰 THE NEWS

Five Headlines That Actually Matter

1. Shedeur Sanders' Draft Day Slide Sparks Debate
   Once projected as a top-three pick, Shedeur Sanders fell to the fifth round, selected 144th overall by the Cleveland Browns. Critics, including Hall of Famer Cris Carter, attribute the slide to concerns over Sanders' pre-draft decisions and perceived attitude. Boomer Esiason added that some NFL owners reportedly labeled him "entitled," leading to his removal from draft boards. ​

2. Texas Longhorns' NIL Budget Soars to $40M
   The Texas Longhorns are reportedly allocating between $35-40 million for NIL deals ahead of the 2025 season, surpassing Ohio State's previous $20 million budget. This significant investment underscores the escalating financial arms race in college football. ​

3. FSU's Mike Norvell and Urban Meyer Win Peach Bowl Challenge
   Florida State head coach Mike Norvell, alongside Urban Meyer, clinched their second consecutive title at the Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament, each earning $32,500 for their respective foundations. Meanwhile, FSU continues to bolster its roster, securing commitments from QB Jaylen King and DB Jeremiah Wilson. ​

4. Oklahoma Lands Top Transfer RB Jaydn Ott
   Oklahoma made a significant addition by securing former Cal star running back Jaydn Ott through the transfer portal. Ott is expected to be a key component in the Sooners' revamped offense for the upcoming season. ​

5. EA Sports Increases NIL Deals for College Football 26
   EA Sports is boosting its NIL offer to FBS players to $1,500 and a deluxe copy of EA Sports College Football 26, a significant increase from last year’s $600 offer. This move reflects the growing importance of NIL in college athletics.

🧢 NFL DRAFT

Winners, Losers, and WTF Moments

🏆 Winner: The Jaguars’ PR Team
Jacksonville traded up to snag Colorado’s two-way unicorn, Travis Hunter, at No. 2 overall—and immediately announced he’ll mostly play offense, which is code for please don’t get hurt doing literally everything. To celebrate, they threw a party at HQ complete with staff cheers and a mascot high five. Congrats, Travis—you now play for the most Florida franchise in Florida.

😬 Loser: Shedeur Sanders’ Vibe Check
Once seen as a top-10 lock, Shedeur Sanders plummeted to pick 144, where the Cleveland Browns said “sure, why not.” Analysts blamed “entitlement,” but let’s be honest—NFL GMs don’t love custom cleats, luxury cars, or dads with whistle privileges. Still, he’s got the top-selling rookie jersey, so maybe the slide just boosted his Q Score.

🤷 WTF: Falcons Confuse Everyone, Including Themselves
The Falcons’ draft board must’ve been printed in Wingdings. After a solid pick in Jalon Walker, they traded up for James Pearce Jr., who comes with more question marks than a Reddit thread. Pair that with last year’s mystery pick of a running back in the top 10, and Atlanta’s new motto might as well be “We’re just vibing.”

💰 NIL WATCH

Deals, Disasters, and Delusions

👟 Dylan Raiola’s Three-Stripes Touchdown
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola just inked a flashy NIL deal with Adidas, adding to his growing portfolio that includes Panini and EA Sports. With a reported NIL valuation of $2.3 million, Raiola is proving that in Lincoln, the real action might be off the field. ​

💸 Arkansas' Tax-Free NIL Play
In a bold move to attract top talent, Arkansas has become the first state to exempt student-athletes' NIL earnings from state income tax. Signed into law by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, this legislation is retroactive to January 1, 2025, and aims to give Razorback programs a competitive edge in the NIL era. ​

🏢 Kentucky's LLC Leap: Champions Blue
The University of Kentucky is restructuring its athletic department into a limited liability company named Champions Blue LLC. This pioneering move is designed to provide greater flexibility in the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly with the anticipated $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement on the horizon. ​

🤝 Danny Stutsman's Generosity
Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman showcased true team spirit by donating $50,000 of his NIL earnings to support the Sooners' walk-on players. His act of generosity didn't go unnoticed, as Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux matched his donation, bringing the total support to $100,000 for the unsung heroes of the team. ​

That’s it for this week. We’ll be back next Thursday with real picks, real chaos, and the takes your group chat doesn’t deserve.

Let’s get reckless.

P.S. The newsletter drops every Thursday. Move us to your primary inbox so you don’t miss the madness.

My subject line always includes 🏈 emoji so they are easy to find.