College football
FILE - Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher speaks to reporters in Cleveland on March 12, 2020. With sports betting now legal in more than half the states and generating millions in revenue for once-apprehensive professional sports leagues, college conferences are starting to explore ways to cash in, too. The MAC was the first to jump in, selling the rights to its data and statistics to a company called Genius Sports, which will in turn sell it to sportsbooks. Steinbrecher said it is impossible to ignore the changing reality. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
College sports eye gambling money amid safeguard concerns

By Ralph D. Russo May. 26, 2022 02:23 AM EDT

Georgia coach Kirby Smart talks with defensive back Nyland Green (1) after a play during the NCAA college football team's G-Day game Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
College football, XFL, Australian Open headline ESPN slate

By Joe Reedy May. 17, 2022 12:08 PM EDT

FILE - Oklahoma defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey (8) defends during an NCAA college football game against TCU, on Oct. 24, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. Lacking depth on the defensive line, the Browns took Oklahoma tackle Perrion Winfrey in the fourth round (No. 108). The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder spent two seasons with the Sooners after being rated the nation's top junior college player. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade, File)
Oklahoma at TCU 10/24/2020

Apr. 30, 2022 08:23 PM EDT

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) runs following a catch against Penn State during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Nov. 13, 2021. Dotson was selected by the Washington Commanders during the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, April 28. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Michigan at Penn State 11/13/2021

Apr. 30, 2022 08:17 PM EDT

FILE - LSU kicker Cade York (36) boots a field goal during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, on Oct. 31, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. The Cleveland Browns selected York in the fourth round (124th overall) of the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
LSU at Auburn 10/31/2020

Apr. 30, 2022 03:23 PM EDT

FILE - Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game Oct. 23, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Emerson was selected by the Cleveland Browns during the third round of the NFL draft Friday, April 29. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Mississippi State at Vanderbilt 10/23/2021

Apr. 29, 2022 11:13 PM EDT

FILE - Colorado State tight end Trey McBride (85) sprints with the ball during the team's NCAA football game against San Diego State on Dec. 5, 2020 in Carson, Calif. McBride was selected by the Arizona Cardinals during the second round of the NFL draft Friday, April 29. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
Colorado State at San Diego State 12/5/2020

Apr. 29, 2022 09:37 PM EDT

FILE - Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) poses for a photograph during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mercer, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Washington Commanders have another defensive tackle from Alabama after selecting Phidarian Mathis in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night, April 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Mercer at Alabama 9/11/2021

Apr. 29, 2022 08:59 PM EDT

FILE - Houston defensive lineman Logan Hall (92) breaks through the line as he splits between Temple offensive linemen C.J. Perez (62) and Wisdom Quarshie (79) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 13, 2021, in Philadelphia. Hall was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the NFL draft Friday, April 29. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
Houston at Temple 11/13/2021

Apr. 29, 2022 08:45 PM EDT

Los Angeles Rams fans cheer before the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Seemed forever for QBs to go in 1st 2 rounds of NFL draft

By Barry Wilner Apr. 29, 2022 08:09 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons 2022 NFL first round draft pick Drake London, a wide receiver from Southern California, speaks with the media at the Falcons Practice Facility Friday, April 29, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Cincinnati's Ridder is Falcons' pick as possible future QB

By Charles Odum Apr. 29, 2022 08:00 PM EDT

FILE - Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill (30) in action in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Washington in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Hill is a possible pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)
Washington at Michigan 9/11/2021

Apr. 29, 2022 12:09 AM EDT

FILE - Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith (56) dives on the ball to recover a fumble in front of Houston linebacker Deontay Anderson (2) during an NCAA college football game Oct. 1, 2021, in Tulsa, Okla. Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL draft Thursday, April 28. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Houston at Tulsa 10/1/2021

Apr. 28, 2022 10:59 PM EDT

FILE - National Team quarterback Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh (8) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. Pickett is expected to be taken in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Defense 1st, then offense, with receivers a focal point

By Barry Wilner Apr. 28, 2022 09:52 PM EDT

FILE - Southern California wide receiver Drake London runs for a touchdown against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Oct. 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. London was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL draft Thursday, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Texas Southern at Southern University 10/9/2021

Apr. 28, 2022 09:29 PM EDT

FILE - Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) reacts after intercepting a pass thrown by Murray State quarterback Preston Rice during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. The New York Jets selected Gardner with the fourth pick in the NFL draft Thursday, April 28. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Murray State at Cincinnati 9/11/2021

Apr. 28, 2022 08:57 PM EDT

FILE - LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (7) forces a fumble by Central Michigan running back Darius Bracy (2) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Sept. 18, 2021. Stingley was selected by the Houston Texas with the third pick in the NFL draft Thursday, April 28. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle, File)
Central Michigan at LSU 9/18/2021

Apr. 28, 2022 08:49 PM EDT

FILE -Ohio State offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere plays against Tulsa during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. This year's NFL draft prospects reluctantly recall their personal COVID-19 experiences. Some consider them inspirational reminders of obstacles already overcame. Others sound more reminiscent of old war stories. And while the stories change, each comes with unforgettably vivid detail and heartfelt emotion about a challenging two-year battle to pursue their dreams.(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Tulsa at Ohio State 9/18/2021

Apr. 28, 2022 03:07 AM EDT

FILE -Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. This year's NFL draft prospects reluctantly recall their personal COVID-19 experiences. Some consider them inspirational reminders of obstacles already overcame. Others sound more reminiscent of old war stories. And while the stories change, each comes with unforgettably vivid detail and heartfelt emotion about a challenging two-year battle to pursue their dreams.(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Tennessee at Alabama 10/23/2021

Apr. 28, 2022 03:07 AM EDT

FILE -Kentucky offensive tackle Darian Kinnard (70) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Nov.13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. This year's NFL draft prospects reluctantly recall their personal COVID-19 experiences. Some consider them inspirational reminders of obstacles already overcame. Others sound more reminiscent of old war stories. And while the stories change, each comes with unforgettably vivid detail and heartfelt emotion about a challenging two-year battle to pursue their dreams.(AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Kentucky at Vanderbilt 11/13/2021

Apr. 28, 2022 03:07 AM EDT