New motion marks Alberto Osuna's latest bid to play baseball at Tennessee
A motion was filed Monday in federal court seeking to reverse the denial of a preliminary injunction that would've him allowed him to take the field for the national champion Volunteers. The motion pointed to a recent decision by the District Court of New Jersey that granted eligibility to Rutgers football player Jett Elad for the 2025 season, contending that Osuna's request should be granted since both cases are largely based on the same evidence.
'Elad involves the same JUCO rules and same Sherman Act antitrust claim at issue in this case. Elad also submitted and relied on substantially the same evidence as Osuna, including the expert testimony of Dr. Joel Maxcy regarding the anticompetitive effects of the NCAA's JUCO rules. The NCAA's JUCO rules have now been enjoined by two District Courts who relied on expert testimony provided by Dr. Maxcy that is the same or substantially the same as the evidence and testimony provided in this case.'
Federal motion filed on April 28
He filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in February, arguing that his one season at Walters State Community College should not count against his eligibility. He played the 2021 season at the school in Morristown, Tennessee before spending the last three years at North Carolina.
Osuna had joined Division II program Tampa believing he had no Division I eligibility left. When an injunction was issued allowing Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia to play another year after a judge determined that his season at New Mexico Military Institute shouldn't count against his Division I eligibility, Osuna entered the transfer portal and came to Tennessee in hopes that he would win a similar ruling.
Burchett chides NCAA on House floor over Osuna's fight to play baseball at Tennessee
All three cases assert that NCAA rules violate the federal antitrust law, arguing that using junior college play into determine Division I eligibility denies athletes the full earning potential they would've received from four full years of name, image and likeness opportunities at a D-I program.
Osuna batted .259 with a .359 on-base percentage, 45 homers and 140 RBIs in 177 career games at North Carolina over the last three seasons. He hit .281 with a .376 on-base percentage, 14 homers and 56 RBIs in 62 games last season while helping the Tar Heels reach the College World Series.
No. 5/12 Tennessee currently sits in fourth place in the SEC baseball standings with a record of 13-8 in conference play.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
College sports bill moving to House floor in Congress after passing committee votes
Two U.S. House of Representatives committees on Wednesday, July 23 advanced a bill that would establish a variety of national rules concerning how college sports operate, making this the most comprehensive measure connected to the industry set to reach the chamber's floor in decades. After considering nearly a dozen amendments, the Energy and Commerce Committee ultimately voted 30-23 to send the bill to the House floor. It was a straight party line vote in which one vote was not recorded. The Education and Workforce Committee also signed off on the bill later in the afternoon by a margin of 18-17. Barring last-minute intervention from another committee, the bill could receive a vote in September, perhaps within the first two weeks after the House is scheduled to return Sept. 2 from a summer recess that is expected to begin at the close of business July 23. If the bill moves to the Senate, its future will remain uncertain, as 60 votes will be needed to prevent a filibuster. So, even if all 53 Republican members back the measure — which so far has received bipartisan support and opposition in the House — seven Democrats also will have to approve. Dubbed the SCORE Act (Student Compensation And Opportunity Through Rights and Endorsements), the bill includes antitrust-exemption language that specifically would allow the NCAA, and potentially the new College Sports Commission, to make operational rules affecting schools and athletes in areas that have come into legal dispute in recent years. That would include rules about transfers and the number of seasons for which athletes can compete. It also would prevent college athletes from being employees of their schools, conferences or an athletic association. The employment issue is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit in a federal district court in Pennsylvania. In addition, the bill also would codify college athletes' name-image-and-likeness activities, basically following the terms of the recent settlement of three athlete-compensation antitrust cases against the NCAA and the Power Five conferences. And it would require most Division I schools to provide a series of health and educational benefits for athletes that are currently called for under NCAA and some conferences' rules, but do not have the force of federal law. The most well-financed schools would be required to establish no later than July 1, 2027 — and then maintain — at least 16 varsity teams. (Over the past two decades, according to NCAA data, Division I schools have sponsored, on average, 19.) And schools would be required to make public information about student athletic fees and how those funds are used. Schools with media rights revenues of at least $50 million in their most recently completed fiscal year would not be allowed to use student-fee money 'to support intercollegiate athletic programs.' (Schools could get around this by replacing student-fee money with more money from their general funds.) Without further changes in the bill, Senate approval seems unlikely. House Democrats have mostly opposed the bill and longstanding negotiations between Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a college-sports bill proponent who now chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, and Democratic senators, including Cory Booker, N.J., and Richard Blumenthal, Conn., have remain stalled. However, as approved on July 23, the bill included a number of changes from the version that was advanced by a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee by a 12-11, party-line vote on July 15. The changes appeared designed to make the bill more attractive to Democrats. Among those are: ▶ Mandates that would apply to NCAA's — and potentially the College Sports Commission's — governance structures. It includes requirements concerning the involvement of athletes and schools outside the Power Four conferences. It also would require the NCAA, and potentially the CSC, to 'establish a council to serve as the primary deliberative body' that is 'composed of individuals who represent each conference that is a member' of the association. No such group currently exists within the NCAA, which comprises three competitive divisions. And changes to Division I's governance setup that are being discussed by those schools aim to reduce the size of its Board of Directors and a secondary policy-making group. ▶ Requiring future studies on several college sports topics by the schools, the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Comptroller General. These would seem to combine to cover ground contemplated by a college sports commission President Donald Trump had been considering. The schools would be required to report within 180 days of enactment and then, every two years, on issues relating to compliance with the SCORE Act and 'recommendations to improve the health, safety and educational opportunities of student athletes.' The FTC would have to study the possibility of establishing an independent entity to address certification and regulation of agents who represent college athletes. The Comptroller General would have to conduct a study within two years of enactment covering the impact of the SCORE Act on schools' Olympic sports programs, 'including the funding of Olympic Sports' and to "develop recommendations for support of Olympic Sports, given the unique nature of Olympic Sports and intercollegiate athletics" in the U.S. It also have to analyze 'trends with respect to roster sizes for Olympic Sports,' especially at Power Four schools. Contributing: Tom Schad


New York Times
18 minutes ago
- New York Times
SCORE Act advances through committee, moving college sports reform closer to House floor
A bill that would help regulate college sports and how athletes are compensated by schools made it through a House committee on Wednesday — a notable step on the way to it conceivably being put to a vote — while public criticism of the potential legislation also mounted. After years of lobbying for help from Congress by college sports leaders, the SCORE Act is the first bill to move through committees in either chamber. The House Energy and Commerce committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce both approved the bill with only Republican votes and no Democratic support. Advertisement That clears the way for the bill to go to the floor of the House for a vote, but the soonest that could happen is in the fall Congressional session starting in September, with summer recess looming. Before either hearing was held, attorneys general from Florida, Ohio, New York, Tennessee and the District of Columbia sent a letter to six committee chairs and ranking members of Congress, detailing their strong opposition to the bill. 'The SCORE Act is a misguided effort that will enshrine in federal law the arbitrary and biased authority of the NCAA at its worst,' the letter said. The proposed legislation from seven Republican and two Democratic sponsors prevents athletes from obtaining employment status and mirrors many of the terms of the recent House v. NCAA settlement. It would officially end most administrative restrictions on athletes' name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation, but it allows schools and conferences to establish what is and isn't permissible. Should it pass, it would override current NIL laws, which vary from state to state, and grant antitrust protections to the NCAA and conferences. Critics say the bill is too deferential to the NCAA and power conferences, who have led the efforts to push for a federal law. Even if the SCORE Act passes a House vote on partisan lines with Republicans in control, it faces a much higher bar in the Senate. The bill would need 60 votes to pass in the Senate, including seven Democrats. One of those Democrats, Sen. Maria Cantwell, has already voiced opposition to the SCORE Act, calling it the 'national championship of all heists.' The players' associations of several professional sports leagues also came out with a joint statement, encouraging lawmakers to reject the bill. Big West commissioner Dan Butterly wrote in a letter to Rep. Michael Baumgartner (D-Wash.), another SCORE Act critic, that too many of the bill's provisions are skewed toward what would work for schools in the wealthiest conferences rather than the majority of Division I schools. Advertisement 'Institutions within The Big West are proud to offer meaningful educational and competitive experiences to student-athletes. But without financial safeguards, structural flexibility and inclusive policymaking, reforms like the SCORE Act may unintentionally harm the very programs they seek to protect,' Butterly wrote. As written, the SCORE Act probably has little chance of garnering enough support to pass the Senate, if it gets there. Still, the progress is meaningful. For the first time, lawmakers have prioritized the need to help college sports sort out its issues enough for a bill to be debated in committee and possibly sent to the full body for consideration. The next notable step out of Washington on college sports could be coming from the executive branch. President Donald Trump has signaled his interest in getting involved in the issue, possibly by forming a commission to search for solutions or by signing an executive order. A draft of 'Saving College Sports,' obtained by The Athletic, directs the Secretary of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board to address the debate over the employment status of college athletes. It also calls for members of Trump's cabinet and other political officials to pursue policy and protections in a number of other areas related to college sports, including rules that could be challenged by antitrust complaints and continued opportunity for scholarships and roster spots, along with preventing 'unqualified or unscrupulous agents from representing athletes.' — Stewart Mandel and Justin Williams contributed reporting.


New York Times
19 minutes ago
- New York Times
Panthers observations: Rookie pass rusher overly aggressive pursuing Bryce Young
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dan Morgan kicked off training camp Tuesday with an opening statement in which the Carolina Panthers general manager outlined the goals for the season. Morgan mentioned improving consistency, developing the team's young core, leaning on the vets for leadership and competing every week with a 'relentless, team-first mindset.' Advertisement Morgan, the former Panthers linebacker, never mentioned the playoffs. Neither did Dave Canales following the Panthers' first practice on Wednesday. But Canales was much more bullish on his team's chances than at any point during his first season as a head coach. 'I think that the sky's the limit for this group. I think that this is going to be a very competitive team. I don't think people are gonna want to play us, by the style of football that we play,' Canales said. 'I'm expecting that. My expectations are really high for this group. They are every year.' The Panthers improved from two wins to five after hiring Canales, who spent one season as Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator after a dozen years as a Seattle Seahawks assistant. Another three-win improvement would put the Panthers just under .500, and a nine-win season could put them in contention for their first playoff berth since 2017. But we're getting way ahead of ourselves, considering the Panthers have only had one practice — in shorts and helmets. There were some instructive moments in Wednesday's first session, so let's get to our seven observations. Umanmielen was known for his speed rush and crazy bend over four seasons at Florida and one at Ole Miss. The third-round pick didn't wait long to show off both Wednesday. The 6-4, 244-pounder came off the edge late in team drills and got a hand on Bryce Young's arm to force a fumble. Great play, except defenders aren't supposed to put their hands on the quarterback. Practice ended quickly after that play, with Canales calling the players up and reminding them to take care of each other. Dave Canales on Princely Umanmielen play on Bryce Young: Liked the explosiveness, didn't like the contact. — Joe Person (@josephperson) July 23, 2025 'A really close one. But great rush, exactly why he's here — to be able to affect the passer. Just came really tight around that corner and kind of nicked Bryce in the arm right there. The ball comes out and that's really not what we want to see,' Canales said. 'I want to see that first part of it, though. Just the great bend and flexibility and power that he has in his rushes. So even some of the veteran guys … were like, 'Hey, don't back off that. Just be smart at the top.' ' Advertisement Young, who came away unscathed, figured it was just a rookie trying to make an impression. 'I didn't have to say anything. That's competition. It's football,' he said. 'Obviously, there's some etiquette stuff in football. But young guy getting after it his first day out here at training camp. And shoot, we want to see those plays on Sunday.' Those type of impact plays were few and far between for the Panthers last year. Umanmielen looks capable of making a bunch of them. Better that it happened on the first day than during a padded practice two weeks into camp. Some Panthers fans have been clamoring for the team to sign a veteran safety to start alongside free-agent acquisition Tre'von Moehrig. One of those guys is off the market after Julian Blackmon, who visited Carolina in the spring, agreed to terms with the New Orleans Saints in the wake of Tyrann Mathieu's retirement. There are other available safeties, but Wednesday a guy already on the roster made his own case. Demani Richardson, an undrafted free agent who started five games as a rookie, displayed great range and ball skills in intercepting a Young deep throw that was intended for Hunter Renfrow. 'He's got a knack for the ball. It started last year,' Canales said of Richardson, who had one pick as a rookie. 'So he shows up again on the first day with an interception on a ball that was slightly overthrown there. And he went from the middle of the field and made a great play on that.' Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn wasn't surprised to see Richardson come up big. After all, he played at Texas A&M. 'Demani came out of the SEC, so I expected him to be a high-level player,' said Horn, the former South Carolina standout. 'And he's turning into just that.' Richardson is also turning into an effective communicator, a requisite trait at a position that serves as a traffic cop at the back end of the defense. Richardson wasn't super vocal last year in a safety room that included veterans Nick Scott, Jordan Fuller, Xavier Woods and Sam Franklin. But now that everyone but Scott is gone from that group, Richardson is letting his voice be heard. Advertisement 'He's gotta be connected with the corner, the nickel. Calls that are coming with motions and all those things,' Canales said. 'And I think that's probably the biggest growth I've seen from Demani is his level of comfort in our system, to be able to talk loudly.' Horn said Richardson is communicating at a high level and making plays. 'And I think he's just going to get better and better.' Canales, Horn and linebacker Christian Rozeboom all responded to questions about Josey Jewell by first expressing compassion for their former teammate, who was cut Tuesday after being unable to clear the concussion protocol seven months after his initial head injury. Rozeboom was only around Jewell for a few months, but the former Denver Broncos linebacker left an impression. 'You care about him as a human first and foremost,' Rozeboom said. 'It was great to get to know him and hopefully continue that relationship, and maybe play together someday once he heals up.' Canales called Jewell a 'no-nonsense guy' while praising his leadership skills. 'The toughness, the character, the aggressive style of play,' he said. 'Always making plays on the ball throughout his career. It's the reason why we brought him here.' The Panthers signed Rozeboom in March to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, not exactly starter's money. Despite his 135-tackle season in his final season with the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina brought Rozeboom as a special teams and depth piece. But there Rozeboom was Wednesday wearing the green dot on his helmet as the player responsible for calling the defensive signals. Rozeboom, 28, was in a similar situation last year in L.A. when he was thrust into a starting role after the Rams traded Ernest Jones late in camp. He responded with a career season while finishing with the 17th-highest tackle total in the NFL. Advertisement 'Christian had like 136 tackles or something last year, played on a playoff defense. Really played probably the best year of his career,' Canales said. 'And for us to be able to have him here, it's huge.' Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace are the presumptive starters at inside linebacker. Horn conceded that he didn't pay much attention to the linebackers Wednesday, and wouldn't have put much stock into it anyway since it was a non-contact practice. That said, Horn thought things went smoothly. 'Communication and stuff in the huddle was A-1,' he said. 'And I feel like everybody got the call around the defense and we played fast.' Any attention on the kicking competition during the spring focused on undrafted rookie Ryan Fitzgerald. Part of that was logistics: The way the schedule fell, Fitzgerald always seemed to be the guy kicking on the days the media was allowed to watch practice. But veteran Matthew Wright took aim at the tight goal posts Wednesday, and made 4 of 5 field goal attempts while showing good range in the process. Wright has kicked for six teams in five seasons, including a one-game cameo with the Panthers at the end of 2023. Fitzgerald has felt like the favorite in this competition, but Wright could make it interesting. Bryce to JT Sanders, a connection the Panthers hope to see a lot of this year. — Joe Person (@josephperson) July 23, 2025 Tommy Tremble showed up Wednesday wearing athleisure and a bucket hat, and didn't look like someone close to being ready. He's not. Canales said Tremble is in a week-to-week status following back surgery in May, adding that three to four weeks likely would be the earliest Tremble could return. In the meantime, the Panthers will look to Ja'Tavion Sanders, rookie Mitchell Evans and new pickup Tyler Mabry for plays in the passing game. Sanders is 10 pounds lighter and a little faster than he was during his 33-catch rookie season. Sanders' speed was evident on a seam route Wednesday when a defensive back resorted to holding him rather than risk having him get behind him when Young was looking Sanders' way.