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Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion, has won a $50m verdict in a defamation case against his former company, bringing an end to one of golf’s most bitter business feuds.

A jury in Palm Beach County, Florida, found that Nicklaus Companies – the firm he founded and later sold – defamed him by spreading false claims that he had considered a $750m offer to become a public face of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League and that he was no longer mentally fit to manage his business affairs. The six-person jury ruled that the company’s actions damaged the 85-year-old’s reputation and exposed him to “ridicule, hatred, mistrust, distrust or contemptâ€.

The verdict came after four and a half hours of deliberation. Nicklaus quietly embraced family and friends in the courtroom after the decision. “We tremendously appreciate the time that the jury put into this case,†said his attorney, Eugene Stearns. “They were extraordinarily conscientious and dedicated, and we’re happy that Jack’s been vindicated.â€

The dispute dates back nearly two decades. In 2007, Nicklaus sold the rights to his name, image and golf course design business to Nicklaus Companies for $145m in a deal financed by billionaire banker Howard Milstein. After stepping down from an executive role in 2017, Nicklaus was bound by a five-year noncompete clause that prevented him from taking on new design projects. When that restriction expired in 2022, the company sued him in New York, alleging that he had diverted business opportunities and secretly entertained talks with LIV Golf.

Nicklaus responded with a defamation suit of his own, accusing Milstein and other executives of planting false stories that he had “sold out†the PGA Tour – an organization he considered central to his legacy – for Saudi money. According to court documents, a Nicklaus Companies official had arranged for him to meet with Golf Saudi representatives in 2021 to discuss course design work. During that meeting, Nicklaus said, he was asked to take a leadership role with LIV Golf but immediately declined because of the PGA Tour’s opposition to the breakaway league.

The lawsuit also accused the company of circulating rumors that Nicklaus was suffering from dementia and could no longer handle his affairs. “What they said was, ‘You need to have the keys taken away,’†Stearns told ESPN. “It was unfortunate, but Jack’s reputation has now been restored.â€

Lawyers for Nicklaus Companies argued that the case was simply a business dispute and that Nicklaus’s stature in the game remained untarnished. “His reputation is as stellar as it’s always been,†defense attorney Barry Postman told jurors. But the jury sided with Nicklaus, though Milstein and company executive Andrew O’Brien were cleared of personal liability.

The verdict follows a separate court ruling earlier this year in which a New York judge affirmed that Nicklaus is free to use his own name and likeness in future golf ventures, even as the company retains the rights to sell branded apparel and equipment.

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  Mark SchlabachOct 20, 2025, 09:11 PM ET

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  • Senior college football writer
  • Author of seven books on college football
  • Graduate of the University of Georgia

A Florida jury on Monday awarded Jack Nicklaus $50 million in his defamation lawsuit against billionaire banker Howard Milstein and other officials of the company that bears the 18-time major champion’s name.

Nicklaus, 85, filed the lawsuit in response to statements that Milstein and other Nicklaus Companies officials made in a previous lawsuit in a New York court.

In the defamation lawsuit, Nicklaus claimed the defendants suggested that he had considered a $750 million deal to become the face of the Saudi Arabian-financed LIV Golf League and disseminated those false claims to media outlets.

“It’s always hard in a defamation case to prove damages to reputation, because in particular for a guy like Jack, it’s always such a good one,” Nicklaus’ attorney, Eugene Stearns, told ESPN on Monday. “But I think what was important was the dispute that arose 3½ years ago when the company told the world that Jack was selling out the PGA Tour for the Saudi golf, when it was not true. So, we’re happy that Jack’s been vindicated.”

In court documents, the golfer’s attorneys wrote that a Nicklaus Companies official asked him to meet with Golf Saudi representatives in 2021 about designing a golf course in Saudi Arabia. During that meeting, Nicklaus learned that Golf Saudi wanted him to accept a leadership role in LIV Golf.

“According to Nicklaus, he had no interest in the offer and declined because he felt the PGA Tour was an important part of his legacy, and if the PGA was not in favor of a new league, he did not want to be involved,” the court documents said.

Nicklaus claimed the defendants also alleged that Nicklaus wasn’t mentally fit to manage his business affairs and was suffering from dementia.

“What they said was, ‘You need to have the keys taken away,'” Stearns said. “But the combination of all of that was unfortunate, and we’re happy that this is all soon going to be behind Jack, and hopefully the Nicklaus Companies will do fine, as well. But it was an unfortunate incident, and hopefully now it’s over.”

Nicklaus Companies said it paid the legendary golfer $145 million in May 2007 for exclusive rights to his golf course design services and marketing, promotional and branding rights.

Nicklaus resigned from the company in 2017, triggering a five-year noncompete clause in the deal that prevented him from designing golf courses on his own. Nicklaus stepped down from the company’s board in May 2022.

Not long after, Nicklaus Companies sued Nicklaus and his company GBI Investors, alleging tortious interference, breach of contract and breach of judiciary duty against Nicklaus. The complaint alleged that Nicklaus had diverted opportunities away from Nicklaus Companies for his personal benefit.

At the time of that lawsuit, Nicklaus said in a statement: “The claims made by Howard Milstein are untrue. Our relationship has been a difficult one, at best. I have little doubt about the outcome, but I don’t intend to make this a public spectacle, if it can be avoided.”

A Florida arbitrator ruled in July 2024 that Nicklaus was no longer restricted by the noncompete clause and was free to design golf courses.

In April, New York Civil Division Supreme Court Justice Joel M. Cohen ruled that Nicklaus had the right to use his own name, image and likeness, while Nicklaus Companies owned the trademarks it purchased and could continue to sell apparel and equipment with the Nicklaus’ name, “Golden Bear” moniker and logos.

Jack Draper will no longer work with the man who coached him to the Indian Wells title as James Trotman wants to prioritise time with his family.

The British number one has already hired Jamie Delgado as his head coach for next season but had been hoping there would also be a role for the man with whom he has enjoyed much success over the past four years.

Trotman says it has become increasingly difficult to “juggle” Draper’s career with his own family life.

“I’ve made the decision that four years has been a great run,” Trotman told BBC Sport.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was getting increasingly difficult for me juggling the demands Jack deserves as the player that he is – and also being a father and a husband.

“I need to start to get those energy levels back up and have a little bit more normality – watch my son play football on a Sunday, go on some family holidays, have a bit more of a normal life.”

Trotman says he first spoke to Draper about his future after Wimbledon, having felt mentally and physically tired over the previous year.

The pair have been working together this week, with 23-year-old Draper returning to the practice court after resting the left arm injury that ended his season early.

If the bruising in his arm heals as expected, Trotman will head to San Diego for some warm weather training with Draper and Delgado at the end of November.

But after that, he will return to his job as an LTA men’s national coach.

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Kaedan Korczak also scored for the Golden Knights (2-0-2) and Tomas Hertl added an empty-net goal with seven seconds left.

Starting goalie Adin Hill stopped eight of 10 shots in the first period and didn’t return for the second because of a lower-body injury. Akira Schmid turned away all 19 shots he faced in relief.

Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman scored for the Flames (1-3-0). Dustin Wolf made 26 saves in the loss.

Eichel scored his second of the game at 6:38 of the third period. He drove by Flames defenceman Daniil Miromanov to shovel the puck past Wolf.

Korczak pulled the visitors even at 4:11 of third period when he stepped into a shot that beat Wolf stick side.

Eichel halved a two-goal deficit midway through the second period when he poked his own rebound past Wolf.

Coleman made it 2-0 for the Flames at 12:10 of the opening period when he gained the puck off a heavy Calgary forecheck and wired the puck by Hill’s glove.

Backlund and Flames defenceman Mackenzie Weegar combined on a give-and-go on the first goal of the game at 7:32. Weegar faked a shot and dished to Backlund, who snapped a sharp-angled shot past Hill.

Golden Knights: Vegas has been outscored 5-1 in first periods so far this season. Mitch Marner is still looking for his first goal as a Golden Knight, although he recorded his third and fourth assists on Tuesday.

Flames: The Flames have been outscored 6-2 in third periods to start this season. Jonathan Huberdeau participated in the optional pre-game skate, but wasn’t in the game lineup. The highest-paid player on the Flames, at a cap hit of US$10.5 million, hasn’t played since he was injured in the pre-season. Miromanov made his season debut Tuesday with Weegar as his defensive partner.

Vegas exploited a sagging Calgary defence with two goals in a span of two minutes, 27 seconds early in the third period.

Eichel has four goals and five assists, and Mark Stone has six assists in four games to start the season.

Golden Knights: Host the Boston Bruins on Thursday.

Flames: Travel to Salt Lake City on Wednesday to face the Utah Mammoth in their home opener.

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EDMONTON — There are two sides to every acquisition, and there are definitely two sides — or more — to the National Hockey League career of Jack Roslovic.

He is a gifted first-rounder whose NHL path — as he joins his fifth organization in nine NHL seasons — now shades towards journeyman status.

He tied Sebastien Aho for the team lead in even strength goals (21) last season in Carolina, but come playoff time head coach Rod Brindâ€Amour made Roslovic a healthy scratch for six of 15 post-season games.

He finished third on the Canes in goals (22) and sixth in points (39), but Roslovic was also dead last in plus-minus at minus-10.

Roslovic, 28, skated with the Edmonton Oilers for the first time at Fridayâ€s practice, after signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract as a free agent this week. He is expected to get into the lineup during next weekâ€s Eastern road swing — but not Saturday night versus the Vancouver Canucks.

“The theme of the day is opportunity,†he told the media upon his arrival. “An opportunity to win, an opportunity to play with great players. Iâ€ve been to the Conference Finals the last two years too. The fire is in me too. I want to win it.â€

So we bring you, Two Sides of a Signing — Jack Comes Back (To Western Canada).

• Roslovic was a first round pick of the Winnipeg Jets for a reason: Heâ€s fast, committed to fitness, has good size and has an above-average shot.

He has been described as a guy who can pick up speed while not even striding, so smooth is his gait. That slick stride has not taken him into the hard areas nearly enough over a 526-game career however, to convince one of his previous four NHL teams not to move in a different direction at some point.

• Edmonton GM Stan Bowman referenced Roslovicâ€s value as a five-on-five scorer, an area where the Oilers can always use some help. He had 21 even-strength tucks last season. As a comparable, Connor McDavid had 17.

In nine playoff games last spring, however, Roslovic had one goal — on the power play. In 16 games during the Rangers playoff run two years ago, Roslovic scored twice — both on the power play.

So, in 45 NHL playoff games, Roslovic has not scored an even-strength goal.

Does his game vanish when the going gets tough? The stats say “yes,†though the Oilers hope the answer is “no.â€

• Ask around, and the scouting report on Roslovic is as stated above — as the games get harder, his impact diminishes. The fact that Brindâ€Amour chose to replace Roslovic in his playoff lineup with the much-travelled Mark Jankowski — not known as a gritty player himself — last spring is telling.

Roslovic tired of his lot in Winnipeg and was eventually thrown in with Patrik Laine in a deal to his hometown Columbus Blue Jackets. Three seasons later the Jackets moved him to New York for a fourth-round pick.

The Rangers chose to let Roslovic walk, and he signed as a free agent with Carolina. The Hurricanes came to the same conclusion as New York, and Roslovic ended up without a contract as the current NHL season began — 32 teams all taking a pass.

The good news? He could not be more highly motivated to have a great season, on a one-year deal with Edmonton that includes a no movement clause and a tiny four-team window of teams he can be traded to.

“The summer is the summer. Weâ€re onwards and upwards,†said Roslovic, who fired agent Claude Lemieux after going unsigned this summer. “Itâ€s a great to be in a place where youâ€re wanted, where they see a fit.

“Iâ€m familiar with Canada, familiar with the market, familiar with you (media) guys… To have a good chance to come here and put our names on a trophy is huge.â€

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Jack Eichel has signed an eight-year contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights that carries a $13.5 million average annual value, the team announced Wednesday.

The agreement came just hours before the Golden Knights open their season against the Los Angeles Kings in Las Vegas. The sides intensified talks as training camp opened, with both focused on getting a long-term deal secured ahead of the season.

The extension begins in the 2026-27 season, and Eichel will be 38 when it ends. He will be the third-highest player in terms of AAV in the league, following Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million) and Leon Draisaitl ($14 million) going forward.

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Eichel, 28, was entering the final year of an eight-year contract that carried a $10 million cap hit, a deal he originally signed with the Buffalo Sabres, who drafted him.

Buffalo traded Eichel to the Golden Knights in 2021.

The deal stemmed from his desire to get an artificial disk replacement (ADR) to correct a neck injury, a procedure that never had been done on an NHL player and therefore was considered a risk. Eichel’s agent, Pat Brisson, helped facilitate the trade.

The Golden Knights allowed Eichel to get the surgery, which was such a success that several other NHL players have had it.

The U.S.-born center helped Vegas win its first Stanley Cup in 2023, scoring 26 points in 22 games during the playoff run.

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“On or about four years ago, Jack was getting the first ADR surgery for an NHL active player,” Brisson told ESPN on Wednesday. “He is a pioneer. Vegas stepped to the plate and helped the process occur. They’ve since won the Cup. It’s a great place for him, and he’s really happy with the decision.”

Eichel is one of the six players already named to Team USA for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

The Golden Knights are expected to be Stanley Cup contenders, especially after adding winger Mitch Marner this summer. Eichel and Marner are expected to play together on Vegas’ top line in its opener against the Kings.

The agreement takes another big name off the list of what could have been a star-studded free agent class next summer. Connor McDavid re-signed for a two-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers earlier in the week, and Kaprizov inked an eight-year deal with the Minnesota Wild ahead of the season.

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Another star from the 2015 draft put pen to paper on a long-term deal.

The deal carries a $13.5 million AAV. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.

His representatives and Vegas’ front office reached the agreement roughly six hours before the start of the season. Asked before training camp opened if he would shut down negotiations once meaningful games get going, Eichel brushed off the question.

“If a contract happens organically, then it happens,” Eichel said last month in Las Vegas at the NHL/NHLPA pre-season player media tour. “You can only control so much, right, and thatâ€s sort of in my mindset. What are the things that I focus on? Preparing for the season, getting my mind and body in the best place to be successful and help our hockey team. Thatâ€s more so my focus. I think anything else sort of just takes care of itself when you do your job well.â€

The move to sign Eichel comes after the fellow 2015 draftees Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov and Kyle Connor signed lucrative multi-year extensions in the last week.

Eichel, selected second overall that year by the Buffalo Sabres, is the fifth-leading points-getter from the 2015 class, tallying 608 points (239 goals, 369 assists) in 616 career games.

The 28-year-old took another step last season, picking up a career-high 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) in 77 games while finishing top-five in voting for the Hart and Selke trophies.

Vegas finished with a 50-22-10 record, good for the third-best points tally (110) in the NHL. They won the Pacific Division, but were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With the deal, Eichel is set to be under contract through the 2033-34 season, joining Mitch Marner, Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin as the Golden Knights players signed on until at least 2032.

Since undergoing artificial disk replacement, Eichel has produced above a point-a-game level for the Knights. He was the No. 1 center for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off and was already named to the Olympic team.

— With files from the Associated Press

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As college baseball programs settle into the rhythm of fall, storylines are beginning to take shape from coast to coast. Some teams are in evaluation mode, balancing injuries and experimentation. Others are already showing signs of continuity and momentum. What ties them all together is the sense of renewal that defines this time of year—when rosters reshape, leadership emerges and next springâ€s contenders quietly start to form.

Below, you can find Baseball America’s latest fall ball notes from around the country.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbiltâ€s fall has carried a distinctly evaluative tone after a summer of turnover that saw seven members of last yearâ€s roster drafted, including Friday night starter JD Thompson, righthander Cody Bowker, outfielder RJ Austin and first baseman Riley Nelson. The Commodores entered the 2025 NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 national seed but were stunned by No. 4 seed Wright State in their own regional. It marked an abrupt end that underscored the importance of the ensuing offseason for coach Tim Corbin and his staff.

Corbin said he feels this new group has the ingredients to again meet Vanderbiltâ€s trademark standard. The offense, in particular, should carry more thump—an area he identified as a weakness last spring.

“We have a stronger offensive group,†Corbin told Baseball America, noting that the teamâ€s ability to drive the ball was a point of emphasis in roster construction and player development.

That progress, however, has been difficult to fully gauge with several projected regulars sidelined. Transfer Max Jensen and returning infielder Chris Maldonado are among those limited, while a handful of pitchers are also recovering from minor ailments. Corbin said none of the injuries are expected to extend into the season, though some players may remain out through December.

The absences have created opportunities elsewhere.

“Itâ€s been really valuable for us to understand exactly what we have in terms of depth but also for the future,†Corbin said.

Among those healthy, the early focus has been on the impact of first-year hitting coach Jason Esposito, a former Commodore who returned to Nashville this offseason. Corbin credited Esposito for his ability to “communicate with players and create individualized plans to help guys improve.â€

Esposito has also introduced a more analytical approach to hitting instruction—something Corbin said has already benefited players like sophomore infielder Brodie Johnston, who hit .260 with 15 home runs last year but struck out in 28.3% of plate appearances compared to a 4.2% walk rate. Improving Johnstonâ€s zone command has been a key goal this fall.

On the mound, Corbin mentioned returning arms Austin Nye, Connor Fennell and Luke Guth, as well as Georgia transfer Nate Taylor as having made positive early impressions. However, he cautioned against reading too much into any one performance this time of year.

Adding to Corbinâ€s optimism is the teamâ€s commitment level over the summer. The 24th-year head coach said 21 players remained in Nashville to train, the most in his tenure. It was a sign, he noted, of a group invested in taking ownership of its development but also in the changing times as it relates to summer ball participation.

Florida

Florida officially opened fall workouts on Oct. 7, leaving it with limited on-field evaluation time so far. Still, early sentiment in Gainesville is one of quiet optimism.

Coach Kevin Oâ€Sullivan and his staff believe theyâ€ve maximized their offseason resources to build a transfer class that complements a high-end core of returning talent, led by righthander Liam Peterson, the No. 1 college pitcher in the 2026 draft class; infielder Brendan Lawson, the top-ranked college prospect for 2027; and righthander Aidan King, who ranks No. 10 in that same class.

Scoring runs hasnâ€t been an issue for Florida in recent years, and 2026 should be no different. The Gators bolstered an already dynamic lineup with four key transfers: former TCU catcher Karson Bowen, former Jacksonville center fielder Jaden Bastian, former Columbia shortstop Sam Miller and former Ole Miss infielder Ethan Surowiec, who broke out with one of the loudest summer performances in the country. Returning contributors Lawson, second baseman Cade Kurland and fleet-footed outfielder Kyle Jones headline a group expected to keep Florida among the SECâ€s most dangerous offensive clubs.

The more pressing challenge has been on the mound. Florida ranked 12th in the SEC in ERA last season and was plagued by an elevated walk rate that repeatedly undercut its arm talent. Thereâ€s cautious confidence that 2026 will mark a course correction.

In addition to Peterson and King, the Gators return Luke McNeillie, Christian Rodriguez, Josh Writenour and Schuyler Sandford. Theyâ€ve added transfer righthanders Russell Sandefer (UCF), Cooper Walls (Hawaii) and Ricky Reeth (Notre Dame). The staff believes that trio, in particular, will help tighten the programâ€s collective command.

Oâ€Sullivan, now entering his 19th year at the helm, has guided Florida to more College World Series appearances than any program in the country during his tenure. Yet the two regular seasons since the Gators†2023 national championship appearance have fallen short of that standard. Oâ€Sullivan told Baseball America heâ€s confident this roster is more balanced, more consistent and better equipped to avoid the kind of late-season scramble that has defined the past two years.

Xavier

Few programs entered the offseason with as much frustration—and motivation—as Xavier.

While last yearâ€s NCAA Tournament field was largely viewed as one of the most agreeable in recent memory, the Musketeers and fellow Big East contender UConn stood out as the most notable omissions. Both built aggressive schedules in an effort to strengthen their postseason resumes, but without the leagueâ€s automatic bid, those ambitions fell short on Selection Monday.

Coach Billy Oâ€Connor told Baseball America that the disappointment hasnâ€t altered Xavierâ€s approach. He and his staff plan to continue scheduling with intent, believing that testing themselves against the countryâ€s best remains the clearest path to the programâ€s sixth NCAA Tournament appearance. To compete with that caliber of opposition, he added, the Musketeers must look and play like them.

“We needed to actualize our projectability,†Oâ€Connor said. “I was just tired of being projectable.â€

That focus on physicality has shaped the 2026 roster. Oâ€Connor described this group as one that “looks amazing getting off the bus,†praising its size and strength while expressing confidence that the offseason gains will translate into game power on both sides of the ball.

The offensive core begins with outfielder Clay Burdette, who ranked among the most powerful hitters in college baseball last season with a 94 mph average exit velocity and a 111 mph 90th percentile mark. Burdette slashed .292/.407/.540 with 13 home runs, nine doubles and 13 stolen bases while emerging as a vocal leader.

“He sets the tone for the group,†Oâ€Connor said.

O’Connor also highlighted first baseman Connor Misch, who hit .338/.489/.475 with a team-high 50 RBIs, and outfielder Landon Mensik, who has rebounded from an uneven 2025 with a strong fall. Peter Johnson, a transfer from Liberty, has also impressed early as a corner outfield bat who “could really make an impact for us,” O’Connor said.

Pitching remains the biggest variable. Xavier finished with a 5.81 ERA in 2025, though Oâ€Connor believes the staff is positioned for a step forward. Righthander Ryan Piech is expected to anchor the rotation despite being sidelined this fall with a hip injury, and Oâ€Connor said his stuff remains “as good as anyoneâ€s on the roster.â€

One of the “biggest developments of the fall,†he added, has been the emergence of Jack Nobe, whose fastball has climbed to 96 mph after an up-and-down freshman campaign. Oâ€Connor praised Nobeâ€s confidence and maturity, saying the sophomore “is starting to realize his potential.†He also expressed excitement about transfer righthander Karter Muck, a long-time recruiting target.

Collectively, Oâ€Connor said, the strength of Xavierâ€s staff lies in its age, poise and experience—qualities he believes will allow the Musketeers to turn last yearâ€s near miss into motivation for another NCAA push.

Arizona State

Like Florida, Arizona State has only just begun intrasquad action, leaving limited opportunities for early evaluation. But two things are already evident both within the program and to those watching from the outside: The Sun Devils are immensely talented and physically imposing. Coach Willie Bloomquist pointed specifically to the teamâ€s athleticism and strength.

One Big 12 recruiting coordinator told Baseball America he believed Arizona State and TCU were the leagueâ€s two most talented rosters but wondered whether the Sun Devils could finally translate that talent into postseason success. Arizona State hasnâ€t advanced to a super regional since 2011, when now-Brewers manager Pat Murphy was still at the helm.

Given the stakes of the 2026 season for Bloomquist and his staff, the program will remain one to monitor closely as fall ball continues. For now, thereâ€s a tone of cautious optimism in Tempe—one rooted in the belief that the right blend of talent, maturity and health could finally push the Sun Devils back into national relevance.

Kentucky

Kentuckyâ€s fall slate opened with a statement.

After trading early blows with a talented West Virginia team in a scrimmage, the Wildcats pulled away in emphatic fashion, outscoring the Mountaineers 26–10 over 14 innings of play. Luke Lawrence, Ryan Schwartz and Caden Cloud were among the dayâ€s standouts, but two transfers—one on the mound and one in the outfield—commanded much of the attention.

On the pitching side, Jaxon Jelkin has quickly emerged as one of Kentuckyâ€s most intriguing arms. The Houston transfer, who missed the 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, has impressed evaluators in a closed-door setting dating back to the spring with what one observer described as “purely electric†stuff. Jelkin allowed some traffic on the bases against West Virginia but paired a turbo sinker that reached 99 mph with a high-spin power curveball and a developing changeup. Multiple sources expressed optimism that the 23-year-old righthander could anchor Kentuckyâ€s weekend rotation and reestablish himself as a legitimate draft prospect.

Offensively, Jayce Tharnish stole the show with a 3-for-6 performance that included a home run, double, three RBIs, two walks and two stolen bases—leaving him just a triple shy of the fall cycle. The 6-foot-3 center fielder who transferred from St. Bonaventure, where he hit .403 with seven home runs, 11 doubles, three triples and 32 stolen bases in 33 attempts last spring. His swing is compact and efficient, built from a crouched setup with minimal stride and quick hands designed for line-drive contact.

For all the focus on the SECâ€s perennial powers, Kentucky is quietly beginning to assert itself as a legitimate factor near the top of the league. With its blend of returning contributors and high-impact newcomers, the Wildcats appear poised to challenge the conference hierarchy in 2026.

Kansas

Few programs in the country have risen faster than Kansas under coach Dan Fitzgerald. The Jayhawks†surge reached a crescendo last season, when they earned their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2014, won a school-record 43 games and cemented themselves as one of college baseballâ€s most-improved programs.

The 2026 roster could take that progress even further. Should Kansas return to the postseason, it would mark the first back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in school history—a milestone that feels increasingly attainable given the depth and balance of Fitzgeraldâ€s latest group.

One of the most intriguing newcomers is righthander Daniel Lopez, who was selected by the Orioles in the 12th round of the 2025 draft but chose to enroll at Kansas. The junior college product has been a standout this fall, sitting 94-96 mph and touching 97 with carry through the zone. He complements his fastball with a low-80s, 12-to-6 curveball, a diving changeup and a newly-added mid-80s slider with late vertical bite.

Across the roster, Kansas blends returning experience with promising new talent, positioning itself as one of the Big 12â€s most quietly dangerous teams. The Jayhawks may not open the season with national headlines, but their ceiling—and momentum—suggest they wonâ€t stay under the radar for long.

More Fall Ball Notes

• This is the time of year when buzz begins to build around standout performers in early fall action, and no name has generated more so far than Mississippi State freshman lefthander Jack Bauer. A highly-regarded prospect in this summerâ€s draft, Bauer honored his commitment to the Bulldogs instead of turning professional, giving new Mississippi State coach Brian Oâ€Connor one of the hardest throwers in the country. Evaluators who have seen Bauer this fall say the premium velocity has translated seamlessly, and heâ€s looked exceptional in early outings. Bauer is expected to be a major contributor as a true freshman in 2026.

• At Coastal Carolina, fall practices are set to begin at Springs Brooks Stadium the week of Oct. 13 once installation of the programâ€s new playing surface is complete. The Chanticleers†rotation will be led by righty Cameron Flukey, who is one of the top arms in the 2026 class. Heâ€ll look to help steer the program back to Omaha.

• UCLA, the leading candidate to open the 2026 season ranked No. 1, began intrasquad play on Oct. 3. The Bruins feature an exceptionally deep roster anchored by reigning Player of the Year Roch Cholowsky and homegrown upperclassmen who helped guide the program to Omaha last season. Fellow Southern California power UC Irvine will begin its intrasquads on Oct. 17, and the two teams are slated to meet at UCLA on Nov. 1 in what should be one of the fallâ€s most compelling exhibition matchups.

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AEW/Lee South

2019 was a pivotal year for “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry both professionally and personally. On the professional front, Jack was one of the first people to sign for All Elite Wrestling and was immediately positioned as one of the brightest young stars the company had to offer. However, he was going through a very dark time on a personal level as his father, acclaimed actor Luke Perry, suffered two strokes and tragically passed away on March 4 at the age of 52. Luke never got to see his son wrestle on national television, but he can take solace in that Jack revealed in a recent interview with TVInsider that AEW helped him through such a turbulent time in his life.

“I felt very lucky I had something I could pour my entire self into. I was already obsessed with wrestling before that happened, but when it happened, it was right at the same time AEW was taking off. It was like my childhood dream was coming true. It just gave me something I could escape into and at all times work towards being better at. Whether that was wrestling or just being in the gym, it gave me a place I could go and occupy my mind with. I felt very grateful for that because not a lot of people have that. It ended up being a very good support system as well. I had some friends already and met some of the best friends I have now. I just feel it was a real positive thing for me, especially during that time of my life.”

Jack noted that signing for AEW and having his dad pass away was the best and worst thing to ever happen to him taking place at the same time, but that he is grateful to all the people who supported him during AEW’s formative days, and he is excited to see what the future has in store for him.

Please credit the original source when using quotes from this article, and thanks to TVInsider for the transcription.

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Jack Draper will work with Andy Murray’s former coach Jamie Delgado in a major change to his team.

The British number one has had a long-standing partnership with James Trotman and, while he will continue to be heavily involved, Delgado takes over as lead coach and will travel with Draper to the majority of tournaments.

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A former British Davis Cup player who holds the men’s record for consecutive Wimbledon appearances with 23, Delgado began working with Murray in 2016, initially alongside Ivan Lendl, when the Scot enjoyed the most successful period of his career.

Delgado remained in Murray’s team until the end of the 2021 season and has since coached Denis Shapovalov and Grigor Dimitrov.

Both players praised the impact of Delgado, 48, and, with Trotman keen to spend more time at home, Draper has moved to secure his services after his long-time partnership with Dimitrov ended last month.

Jamie Delgado formerly coached Andy Murray. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

The arrangement will begin in preseason, with Draper currently battling to recover from the left arm problem that has restricted him to only one match since Wimbledon.

Following his second-round exit at the All England Club, Draper was diagnosed with bone bruising, and an attempt to return at the US Open ended with him pulling out ahead of the second round before calling an early end to his season.

That ended the 23-year-old’s hopes of appearing at the ATP Finals for the first time, with Draper slipping to eighth in the rankings during his absence.

He is set to make his return to the court in December’s Ultimate Tennis Showdown Grand Final in London.

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