Tuesday 5/20/25
Tennessee House vs NCAA Settlement, Zakai Zeigler Lawsuit, & Brian Callahan on QBs
Tennessee’s legislature has thrown a curveball into the already chaotic world of college sports with a new law, effective May 1, 2025, that both aligns with the House v. NCAA settlement and hedges against its potential collapse. The law allows universities in the state of Tennessee to comply with the settlement’s athlete compensation framework while granting them leeway to sidestep its rules if they violate federal law. As Tennessee AD Danny White put it, this is about “protections from the legal and structural uncertainties” of a system teetering on the edge.
The House settlement, awaiting approval from Judge Claudia Wilken, aims to stabilize college sports by creating a new enforcement body, the College Sports Commission (CSC), to oversee athlete payments and cap revenue sharing at roughly $20.5 million per school next year. However, the settlement’s enforcement structure, which polices third-party NIL deals through Deloitte, might not hold up in court. Without an antitrust exemption or athlete collective bargaining, caps on payments could be deemed price-fixing, inviting lawsuits from boosters, states, or even athletes.
Tennessee’s law anticipates this. It ensures schools can pay athletes directly but also shields them from NCAA or conference rules that might violate federal law. This has sparked tension, as power conferences are reportedly pushing schools to waive their right to sue the CSC or face expulsion. Could Tennessee risk its SEC membership? Unlikely, but the threat looms.
This move isn’t just about Tennessee. It’s a signal to other states eyeing similar laws, potentially giving their schools a competitive edge in recruiting by dodging restrictive NIL caps. The SEC and other conferences, already battered by antitrust losses (like Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti’s 2024 smackdown of NCAA NIL rules), now face a dilemma: enforce the settlement and risk more lawsuits, or let states like Tennessee reshape the game.
The NCAA’s hope for order hinges on a settlement that may crumble under legal scrutiny. Tennessee’s law, pragmatic and defiant, underscores a broader truth: in college sports, loyalty oaths and conference threats can’t outmuscle state power or federal law. The cartel’s grip is slipping, and the Volunteers are ready for the fight.
In short, think about it like this: Tennessee’s state law is like a backup plan. It says, “We’ll play by the rules, but if they’re illegal or risky, we’re protecting ourselves.” This could lead to fights between Tennessee, its conference, or even the NCAA, especially if the state’s attorney general steps in (like they did in 2024 to stop NCAA rules).
It is safe to say that the Vols AD Danny White and the state of Tennessee aren’t liked by the league office over this law.
Zeigler Seeks Fifth Year of Eligibility
Vols basketball star, Zakai Zeigler, has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, seeking a fifth year of eligibility for the 2025-26 season. Represented by Litson PLLC and Garza Law Firm, Zeigler argues that the NCAA’s rule that limits athletes to four seasons within a five-year window violates federal and state antitrust laws. The suit seeks a preliminary injunction to allow Zeigler to compete next season while pursuing graduate studies, potentially extending his incredible run with Coach Rick Barnes.
Zeigler’s case draws attention to a growing legal trend. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Rutgers safety Jett Elad recently won additional eligibility through similar lawsuits, leveraging expert testimony to challenge the NCAA’s restrictions. However, Tennessee baseball’s Alberto Osuna, using the same expert witness, was denied a fifth year, highlighting the inconsistency in these rulings.
Zeigler has not only been a fan favorite the past four seasons, but one of Rick Barnes’s favorite players to coach. “ZZ” became the Vols’ all-time assists leader (747), averaging 11.3 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.8 steals over 118 games. Last season, he posted 13.6 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.9 steals, leading Tennessee to a second straight Elite Eight and setting SEC records, including becoming the first player with 1,550 points, 700 assists, 350 rebounds, and 250 steals.
Here is the problem. Tennessee’s 2025/2026 roster is essentially set. With Zeigler’s expected departure, Rick Barnes brought in the highly-coveted Maryland transfer, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, to fill the starting point guard role. If Zeigler’s injunction succeeds, coach Barnes will face roster adjustments to integrate both playmakers. The elephant in the room is how will Gillespie take that news? Also, will Jordan Gainey follow Zeigler’s lead with a suit of his own?
These are some pretty big questions, but they only exist under the assumption Zeigler is granted his injunction. With the Onuna outcome earlier this year, it’s far from a guarantee.
Titans HC Brian Callahan Speaks
The Titans quarterback room is crowded heading into the 2025 offseason program. There is the No.1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in Cam Ward, last year’s starter Will Levis, and veterans Brandon Allen & Tim Boyle.
Nick Suss of Yahoo Sports said in an April 29th article that Brian Callahan is likely to only keep three of the four QBs on the roster this season. Reading the tea leaves, Tim Boyle is looking to be the odd-man-out as of right now. On a Tuesday media session, Brian Callahan spoke about Ward & Levis, the likely starter and backup, and how they are handling this offseason.
“They’ve both handled it really well,” Callahan said. “I’ve been pleased with their demeanor and their approach. Will has done a really nice job of getting better at things he needed to get better at. Cam has done a really nice job of integrating himself,” Callahan noted, praising his command of play calls, huddle tempo, and receiver chemistry.
The reps are currently split evenly—“roughly about even all the way through, which is pretty standard for this time of year,” per Callahan. But as Phase 3 begins next week, with offense-versus-defense drills, the competition will ramp up. “It will change probably a little bit when we get to the OTAs and we have 7-on-7 and some team work,” Callahan said, hinting at a shift in rep distribution.
“They’re both doing a really nice job getting up to speed,” Callahan said. With OTAs coming up on May 27th, we are likely to see a change in snap distribution. Most of us are hoping Ward wins the starting job heading into 2025. Best case scenario? We see a Jayden Daniels-like performance from the No.1 overall pick that quickly lifts the Titans back into playoff contention.