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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- By ScriptOhio
- College Football
- 0 Replies
Victory Vaka lost his Western Kentucky scholarship while grieving mother's death; now he's suing to transfer
The former Western Kentucky defensive lineman is suing the NCAA for the right to use his final year of college eligibility at another school
Former Western Kentucky defensive lineman Victory Vaka filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on Wednesday seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow him to transfer to Middle Tennessee or another school, his attorney Darren Heitner tells CBS Sports.
Vaka filed the lawsuit in a chancery court in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and is seeking an injunction allowing him to join another program after his scholarship was non-renewed in May. The lawsuit argues he'd suffer irreparable injury, loss or damage without temporary injunctive relief.
Vaka, a redshirt senior who transferred in from Texas Southern, flew home to California in early April to grieve his mom's death. Vaka told CBS Sports he always planned to return to Western Kentucky for the 2026 season. Nine days before his mom's funeral in May, he received a call from an assistant strength coach. Vaka said the coach provided him a summer workout plan and told Vaka he was expected back in June.
A few weeks later, on May 27, the Hilltoppers informed Vaka they were canceling his scholarship due to his failure to report with the rest of his team.
That designation of a "failure to report" prevented Vaka from entering the transfer portal under the NCAA's aid-and-reduction-or-cancellation exception.
Vaka was set to graduate in the fall. He had one remaining year of eligibility remaining. But with no ability to transfer, Vaka was left with no way to play his final season.
Vaka's agent, Jaykwon Jefferson, said multiple FBS schools would sign Vaka today if he were able to enter the portal. Western Kentucky filed a legislative relief waiver on Vaka's behalf. But the NCAA denied it and a subsequent appeal, leading to Vaka's lawsuit.
The 6-foot-3, 335-pound DT is a journeyman in college football terms. He's played for four schools and said he hoped Western Kentucky would be his last.
Looking back at the situation, Vaka said he could have communicated better. Other than Western Kentucky flying Vaka back to campus in mid-April and his call with the strength coach, the two sides had no communication between Vaka's mom's death and the staff asking him to report in late May.
Vaka said he told the staff at the time that he thought he could return in June, but offered to come back sooner to prevent his removal from the roster.
The unique situation
Western Kentucky did eventually help Vaka file a legislative relief waiver, but that process puts the Hilltoppers in a situation where they basically had to file a waiver against themselves, per CCHA Law partner Paia LaPalombara, because NCAA rules only allow schools to cancel scholarships under limited exceptions"It's very unique," LaPalombra said. "The institution is filing a waiver essentially against itself. So, they're filing a waiver in support of a student athlete that is going against something that they ultimately said that they're not going to do -- (enter him into the portal)."
Vaka wasn't a high-profile transfer -- he played 171 snaps in 2025, and WKU signed him for $2,000 a month, per Jefferson -- and his text with the GM in May indicated the Hilltoppers were worried about Vaka maintaining his weight.
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Google AI: Defensive lineman Victory Vaka is a college football journeyman who has been associated with multiple programs throughout his collegiate career, with tracking documented on the Victory Vaka Profile on 247Sports.
College Football Career & School List
- BYU Cougars: Committed in April 2021 and enrolled in January 2022 before later entering the transfer portal.
- College of the Canyons: Transferred to the junior college program in August 2022, spending two seasons there.
- Northern Arizona Lumberjacks: Played one season with the program.
- Texas Southern Tigers: Played the 2025 season as a defensive lineman for Texas Southern.
- Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: Transferred to WKU ahead of the 2026 season. However, his status became the center of a major national controversy and legal suit after WKU revoked his scholarship following a family bereavement.
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Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby/Preakness/Belmont)
- By ScriptOhio
- Other OSU and Professional Sports
- 119 Replies
Preakness Stakes to be held on Sunday, one week later than normal, to hopefully get more Triple Crown entrants
The second leg of the Triple Crown thinks moving to Memorial Day weekend can draw a better field
www.cbssports.com
Preakness Stakes to be held on Sunday, one week later than normal, to hopefully get more Triple Crown entrants
The second leg of the Triple Crown thinks moving to Memorial Day weekend can draw a better field
The Preakness Stakes is moving from its traditional date of the third Saturday in May. The race will instead be held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in 2027. It will be the first time any Triple Crown race has ever been run on a Sunday.
The change was announced on Wednesday by Maryland governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Jockey Club, as they hope to bring a top field back to the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. The schedule change is in response to the recent increase in trainers opting not to run their horses in the Preakness just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby -- in 2026 there were no horses in the Preakness field that also ran in the Derby.
"We believe the Preakness and the entire Triple Crown series are positioned for growth and great success," Maryland Jockey Club CEO Bill Knauf said, via the AP. "This extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods."
Since 2022, just 13 out of 95 horses that have run in the Kentucky Derby have been in the field at the Preakness. It's little coincidence that the scheduling shift comes along with a new TV rights extension with NBC to broadcast the Preakness through 2032. The lack of Derby horses in the Preakness field has dampened enthusiasm for the event, as the chase for the Triple Crown remains the biggest draw for casual fans.
However, at least in 2027, there will be a new conflict between the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, which will take place just 13 days after the Preakness. That means trainers will still likely be picking between the Preakness and the Belmont, but given there were no Derby runners in last year's Preakness, the pressure falls on the Belmont Stakes to either adjust or risk having their field diluted.
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Just sayin': Now the Belmont will probably have to move back their race.
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LB Payton Pierce (All B1G, National Champion)
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Football
- 95 Replies
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Last year Ohio State had an embarrassment of riches at linebacker.
Starters Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles went on to be drafted in the top-10 in the 2026 NFL Draft. The presence of Reese and Styles left sophomore Payton Pierce to rotate in as the third linebacker at times. All Pierce did in just under 300 snaps on defense was register 43 tackles, an interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.
With Reese and Styles now in the NFL, now it’s time for Pierce to take the reins at linebacker for Ohio State.
Growing up in Texas, Pierce became one of the most sought-after linebacker recruits in the country coming out of high school. As a senior, Pierce recorded 181 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, as he was named a finalist for the High School Butkus Award.
Pierce was on current Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis’ radar early. Laurinaitis noticed the tough and instinctual play by Pierce, beginning his recruitment of Pierce when Laurinaitis was a graduate assistant at Notre Dame.
When Laurinaitis came back home to Ohio State after a year in South Bend, it seemed only natural that Pierce would eventually become a Buckeye. Laurinaitis saw a lot of how he played in how Pierce attacked the game. Even though Pierce suffered an ankle injury early on that kept him out of action during spring ball, it only made the young linebacker hungrier for success.
Pierce saw his teammates on the field during those spring practices and visualized greatness for himself.
Following seeing limited action as a freshman where he recorded just four tackles, Pierce started to see his role expand last season. Pierce started his first collegiate game when Ohio State hosted Minnesota, recording a career-high seven tackles.
The next game against Illinois, Pierce grabbed his first career interception. Then in the loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff, Pierce did everything he could to keep the Buckeyes in the game, registering a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Throughout the season it became even more obvious that Ohio State would be in good hands at linebacker after Reese and Styles left for the NFL.
2026 is Pierce’s time to breakout. Not only will Pierce take over as Ohio State’s Mike linebacker, he was recently named Preseason First Team All-Big Ten. While Pierce will see added responsibility since he’ll be green dot on defense, meaning he’ll have to relay important calls and information to the rest of the defense, Laurinaitis is confident that Pierce will be up to the task.
Pierce has displayed natural leadership skills in high school and in his first two years at Ohio State, which makes him an obvious fit to be the quarterback of the defense.
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Player to Watch: Payton Pierce ready to be next Buckeye up at linebacker
After starting three games in 2025, Pierce will be the starting Mike linebacker for Ohio State this year.
Last year Ohio State had an embarrassment of riches at linebacker.
Starters Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles went on to be drafted in the top-10 in the 2026 NFL Draft. The presence of Reese and Styles left sophomore Payton Pierce to rotate in as the third linebacker at times. All Pierce did in just under 300 snaps on defense was register 43 tackles, an interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.
With Reese and Styles now in the NFL, now it’s time for Pierce to take the reins at linebacker for Ohio State.
Growing up in Texas, Pierce became one of the most sought-after linebacker recruits in the country coming out of high school. As a senior, Pierce recorded 181 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, as he was named a finalist for the High School Butkus Award.
Pierce was on current Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis’ radar early. Laurinaitis noticed the tough and instinctual play by Pierce, beginning his recruitment of Pierce when Laurinaitis was a graduate assistant at Notre Dame.
When Laurinaitis came back home to Ohio State after a year in South Bend, it seemed only natural that Pierce would eventually become a Buckeye. Laurinaitis saw a lot of how he played in how Pierce attacked the game. Even though Pierce suffered an ankle injury early on that kept him out of action during spring ball, it only made the young linebacker hungrier for success.
Pierce saw his teammates on the field during those spring practices and visualized greatness for himself.
Following seeing limited action as a freshman where he recorded just four tackles, Pierce started to see his role expand last season. Pierce started his first collegiate game when Ohio State hosted Minnesota, recording a career-high seven tackles.
The next game against Illinois, Pierce grabbed his first career interception. Then in the loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff, Pierce did everything he could to keep the Buckeyes in the game, registering a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Throughout the season it became even more obvious that Ohio State would be in good hands at linebacker after Reese and Styles left for the NFL.
2026 is Pierce’s time to breakout. Not only will Pierce take over as Ohio State’s Mike linebacker, he was recently named Preseason First Team All-Big Ten. While Pierce will see added responsibility since he’ll be green dot on defense, meaning he’ll have to relay important calls and information to the rest of the defense, Laurinaitis is confident that Pierce will be up to the task.
Pierce has displayed natural leadership skills in high school and in his first two years at Ohio State, which makes him an obvious fit to be the quarterback of the defense.
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CB Jermaine Mathews, Jr. (All B1G, National Champion)
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Football
- 235 Replies
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With a defense full of new faces, Jermaine Mathews Jr. can’t just cover his side of the field. He has to hold the whole secondary together as a leader, while taking his own game to All-Big Ten, and maybe even first-round heights.
very championship defense has one. Not always the biggest star, not always the highest draft pick, just the player everyone else looks to when things start going sideways.
Ohio State had several over the last two seasons. Caleb Downs organized the secondary, Sonny Styles brought the physicality and emotion, and Davison Igbinosun never backed down from an opponent’s best receiver. The veterans set the standard, and the younger players followed.
Now almost all of them are gone.
The Buckeyes still have talent, plenty of it. Devin Sanchez might become one of the country’s best cornerbacks. Earl Little Jr. arrives after an All-ACC season. Jaylen McClain looks ready for an even bigger role. Terry Moore has played at an All-ACC level in the past. And the freshmen and sophomores fill nearly every position room with upside.
But upside isn’t experience. Experience, or at least players with experience at Ohio State, isn’t something the Buckeyes have much of anymore. That’s why this defense may ultimately ride or die with Jermaine Mathews Jr.
As a freshman, injuries forced him into meaningful snaps before anyone expected. He responded by looking comfortable against some of college football’s best receivers. The following season, he became one of the first defensive backs off the bench on a national championship team, learning behind veterans while quietly building confidence.
By 2025, there was no more waiting. Mathews started every game, handled weekly WR1 assignments, and became exactly what every defensive coordinator wants at cornerback: dependable. Sometimes that’s the highest compliment a corner can receive.
When quarterbacks stop throwing your direction, highlight plays naturally disappear. Fans notice interceptions, coaches notice receivers being erased from the game plan. Mathews became that kind of player in certain games, but now he becomes something even bigger. The leader.
That becomes much harder when half the secondary is learning new roles. Mathews isn’t.
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Ohio State’s defense has the talent; now it needs a leader
With a defense full of new faces, Jermaine Mathews Jr. can’t just cover his side of the field. He has to hold the whole secondary together as a leader, while taking his own game to All-Big Ten, and maybe even first-round heights.
very championship defense has one. Not always the biggest star, not always the highest draft pick, just the player everyone else looks to when things start going sideways.
Ohio State had several over the last two seasons. Caleb Downs organized the secondary, Sonny Styles brought the physicality and emotion, and Davison Igbinosun never backed down from an opponent’s best receiver. The veterans set the standard, and the younger players followed.
Now almost all of them are gone.
The Buckeyes still have talent, plenty of it. Devin Sanchez might become one of the country’s best cornerbacks. Earl Little Jr. arrives after an All-ACC season. Jaylen McClain looks ready for an even bigger role. Terry Moore has played at an All-ACC level in the past. And the freshmen and sophomores fill nearly every position room with upside.
But upside isn’t experience. Experience, or at least players with experience at Ohio State, isn’t something the Buckeyes have much of anymore. That’s why this defense may ultimately ride or die with Jermaine Mathews Jr.
The one player who has seen almost everything
Mathews has taken a different path than many recent Ohio State stars. He wasn’t a five-star recruit who walked into Columbus expecting to start immediately. Instead, he earned trust piece by piece.As a freshman, injuries forced him into meaningful snaps before anyone expected. He responded by looking comfortable against some of college football’s best receivers. The following season, he became one of the first defensive backs off the bench on a national championship team, learning behind veterans while quietly building confidence.
By 2025, there was no more waiting. Mathews started every game, handled weekly WR1 assignments, and became exactly what every defensive coordinator wants at cornerback: dependable. Sometimes that’s the highest compliment a corner can receive.
When quarterbacks stop throwing your direction, highlight plays naturally disappear. Fans notice interceptions, coaches notice receivers being erased from the game plan. Mathews became that kind of player in certain games, but now he becomes something even bigger. The leader.
Matt Patricia’s defense may depend on him more than anyone realizes
Matt Patricia’s scheme asks defensive backs to communicate constantly. Corners have to understand leverage, disguise coverages, exchange responsibilities after the snap, and make adjustments before the offense even reaches the line of scrimmage.That becomes much harder when half the secondary is learning new roles. Mathews isn’t.
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