Thanks for your summary.

Niko Rocak has been granted a 5th year of eligibility according to a post on the Big West Boards Men's Basketball Forum:

UC Davis has released their 2025-26 roster and there are several changes.
Biggest news is that forward Niko Rocak has been granted a 5th year of eligibility and returns as a graduate. He started 27 games, putting up 5.4 ppg and 6.8 rpg making him one of the more productive returning bigs in the conference. A couple of players who played little last year are no longer on the roster despite not entering the portal; Sion Lose and Marsalis Roberson.

This would be wonderful news if this is indeed the case. Niko is defensive force in the paint and he would be a great, experienced team leader for the Ags with so many new players. He was a workhorse last season since the Ags really didn't have anyone to back him up adequately with Borra out injured for the entire season. We would have some depth at the post now with Niko and the addition of 6'11 transfer Jonathan Noudjihid. I sure hope we get to see Niko play again this fall!

"Source: PAC-12 formally extends membership invitation to Texas State"

Sources confirmed to the Austin Sports Journal late Thursday night that the Pac-12 Conference has formally extended a membership invitation to Texas State University, effective for the 2026–27 academic year.

The Texas State University System Board of Regents called a special meeting for Monday morning to formally accept the invitation.

The invitation follows weeks of speculation regarding Texas State’s potential move to the Pac-12.

University officials are expected to notify the Sun Belt Conference of their intent to depart and will pay a $5 million exit fee, thus meeting the July 1 deadline.

With the addition of Texas State, the rebranded Pac-12 will meet the NCAA’s minimum requirement of eight football-playing members to maintain its Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) status and eligibility for the College Football Playoff.

Whole article here: https://austinsportsjournal.com/2025/06/26/texas-state-formally-invited-to-pac-12/

There is an article in the NY Times about Sac's quest to be FBS. I subscribe to the Times but this article is part of The Athletic which is their sports only subscription. Post up a summary if you can read it. Here is the link:

"Sacramento State is dead set on joining the big time. But what will it take?"

It has money, buzz, Mike Bibby and even Shaq. But does Sacramento State have what it takes to get to the next level?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6454456/2025/06/27/sacramento-state-college-football-fbs/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=10689657&source=dailyemail

Not about recruits but I just saw on KCRA News that TY Johnson is now playing for the Lakers in their summer league.

Wow...scathing opinion video about the whole Sac PAC12 or Bust fiasco...

I didn't think that Rocak had any eligibility left so that might be a mistake. Sione Losé is not listed on the roster either and he has a year of eligibility left. I wonder if he may have left the team or maybe they erroneously listed Rocak instead of Losé on the roster?

The Ags officially announced the signing of CJ Franklin Jr today.

"We're thrilled to welcome CJ to the Aggie family," Les said. "He brings great size and length at the guard position, and he plays with a high motor that we love. CJ is dynamic in the open floor and gives us tremendous flexibility in the backcourt. His ability to defend multiple positions, especially as an elite on-ball defender, sets him apart. CJ's upside is through the roof, and we're excited about his future here at UC Davis."

Franklin Jr., a 6-foot-5 guard from Las Vegas, Nevada, dominated the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) during his lone season at the NJCAA Division I level. He averaged 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 49.4% from the field for the Coyotes. His standout campaign included 17 double-digit scoring efforts, highlighted by a career-high 28 points against Arizona Western College, and 11 multi-steal games, featuring a career-best six steals vs. Phoenix College. Franklin Jr. also showcased his playmaking with 11 games of five or more assists, including a pair of eight-assist performances, and was a consistent presence on the boards from the guard position with 17 games grabbing five or more rebounds, ranking third on the team. His performance during his lone season with the Coyotes earned him ACCAC Freshman of the Year and all-conference accolades in the very competitive ACCAC.

https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2025/6/26/cyril-cj-franklin-jr-to-join-mens-basketball-program.aspx

Short of winning a national championship can’t prove anything new at the FCS level, with this years weak schedule. — Riveraggie

No doubt that Marion has brought in an unprecedented FCS recruiting class. You would think, that with so many FBS transfers with 3 to 5 star ratings, they should dominate their FCS opponents or, as Dr. Wood likes say, "the JV football programs" on their schedule. It's going to be embarrassing for them if they don't.

Click on the image to expand it to see the whole post from Brennan Marion:

You know, it wouldn't really surprise me when you consider the recruits they have brought in, the size of the Sac area media market and apparently the big money that has been promised from deep pockets if they get an invite to the PAC12. I'm not a fan of the "Colorado/ Deion Sanders" style they are following but they just may make it happen.

Great to hear that Kavir Bains got $200K of NIL as a grad transfer to Pitt. These power programs must be flush with cash!

Great conversation with Scott Marsh. I really enjoyed it especially the discussion about Pinnick and the tough schedule we have to start the season with a young QB. Also liked the discussion about all the noise Sac has created across the causeway and it was nice to hear a bit about the new Aggie recruits for men's basketball too and Scott saying that the Ags have "some marquee games" scheduled for this fall. Exciting times for Aggie sports!

Plot Twist for Sac State Football Independence + Updates On ASUN, WAC, Big Sky Movement

Well, this is another twist in the ever-evolving saga of Sacramento State. For those of you keeping score at home, the Hornets have gone from launching a $50 million Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) fund to scaling back academic programs, all in pursuit of the elusive dream of joining the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). A dream that, let’s face it, only a handful of programs actually turn a profit from competing at that level (or any level!). Oh, and don’t tell Ohio State, Alabama and Texas (among others!) that a FCS school has a bigger NIL budget than them.

Now here comes the latest chapter.

On Monday, the FBS Oversight Committee formally recommended that the Division I Council deny Sacramento State’s waiver request to move up to the FBS — the highest level of college football. That decision isn’t final yet, but you can feel the direction this is heading.

So, how did Sacramento State respond?

Yes, the Hornets plan to go independent in football, even as an FCS independent, if the FBS bid is officially denied. And don’t be surprised if legal action follows. A lawsuit wouldn’t be shocking, given how committed they seem to this path.

Monday: Denial recommendation.
Tuesday: Leak an announcement to become an independent.
Wednesday: Make the announcement official in a very extravagant way.
Thursday: Find a way to make “Go-Go” work more into their marketing scheme for becoming independent.

Life comes at you fast.

Whole article here: https://herosports.com/fcs-plot-twist-sac-state-football-independence-ksks/