Chris Vannini

Senior Writer, CFB

Chris Vannini covers national college football issues and the coaching carousel for The Athletic. A co-winner of the FWAA's Beat Writer of the Year Award in 2018, he previously was managing editor of CoachingSearch.com.

NCAA Division I removes cannabinoids from banned drug class for championships, postseason football

It’s a major change to a rule that's had high-profile consequences over the past decade.

Chris Vannini25

College football's era of unlimited coaches is here. What does it mean?

Chris Vannini114

College Football 25’s Toughest Places to Play: Which stadium is too high? What’s the biggest snub?

The Athletic College Football475

Antwann Hill, 4-star QB prospect from Georgia, commits to Memphis

Lukas Weese and Chris Vannini52

NCAA presents 72-, 76-team basketball tournament models to conference commissioners: Sources

The Athletic Staff133

How EA Sports is incorporating the NFL's new kickoff rule into Madden 25

With the NFL's new kickoff rule, video game representatives at EA Sports have had to make 11th-hour adjustments with Madden 25.

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G5 leagues also exploring selling conference naming rights: ‘Nothing should be off the table’

Conference USA, the American and the Mountain West are among the leagues that had discussed a naming rights sponsorship.

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Three suspects charged in shooting death of Southern Miss' MJ Daniels

Daniels, from Lucedale, Miss., started at cornerback for the Golden Eagles last season after transferring from Ole Miss.

Chris Vannini and Jenna West83

The EA Sports College Football 25 teams we are most excited to play

Do you want to run the option with Air Force? Get Oregon State back to a power conference? Run up the score with Ohio State?

The Athletic College Football Staff135

How much of College Football 25's Dynasty mode can be customized? More fan questions answered

You had so many questions about College Football 25 that we turned an all-video mailbag into two parts.

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Why isn't College Football 25's online Dynasty mode crossplay enabled? Answering fan questions

Let's answer your questions about EA Sports' College Football 25 game, which will be released in July.

Chris Vannini99

Nick Saban, Urban Meyer headline 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Other first-time nominees include Aaron Donald, Mark Ingram and Manti Te'o.

The Athletic Staff71

Vince McMahon accuser agrees to pause lawsuit pending federal probe

Grant accused McMahon, the WWE and John Laurinaitis of sex trafficking, physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and negligence.

The Athletic Staff55

How Dallas Baptist became college baseball's most unlikely perennial contender

In a state full of high-level college baseball programs, DBU has found a winning formula of player development.

Chris Vannini30

How does College Football 25 feel different, plus who is the Big Ten's dark horse?

Welcome to Until Saturday, the five-star college football newsletter: Let's get some pro tips for College Football 25.

Jayna Bardahl and Chris Vannini25

Mike Aresco retires with legacy of historic change for college sports TV and the Group of 5

Aresco became a thorn in the side of the Power 5 and the CFP, but he spent much of his 40-year career shaping college sports on TV.

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Submit your questions on EA Sports' College Football 25 for Chris Vannini's mailbag

Post your lingering College Football 25 questions here, and Chris will answer as many as he can in an upcoming CFB25-centric mailbag.

Chris Vannini115

NIL put college football video games on hiatus. Here's how EA Sports put it in the revival

In this first version of the new college football game, the NIL features are basic by design.

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What's in Dynasty mode of College Football 25? Recruiting, the transfer portal and more

We have not yet seen Dynasty mode in action, but the early glimpses look promising.

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Everything I learned about EA Sports' College Football 25 after two hours of gameplay

It was a surreal experience to play a new college football video game again.

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NCAA, power conferences approve settlement that makes way for players to be directly paid

This is another step toward finalizing a settlement in the landmark case that is likely to reshape the college sports business model.

The Athletic College Football Staff371

How do college football teams keep players out of the transfer portal in the NIL age?

In college football's transfer portal era, coaches — and NIL collectives — have to spend a lot of their time recruiting their own roster.

The Athletic College Football99

What to know about EA Sports CFB 25: Dynasty Mode, Road To Glory, Ultimate Team and game trailer

EA Sports on Friday revealed additional information about the game by announcing game modes, gameplay details and other features.

Chris Vannini124

EA Sports' College Football 25 will release July 19; Ewers, Hunter, Edwards star on cover

Quinn Ewers, Travis Hunter and Donovan Edwards are the first active players to make the cover, thanks to loosened NIL rules.

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Inside how college football’s transfer portal works: Coaches, players and agents dish on NIL

What is the transfer portal really like in the NIL age? We surveyed coaches, players, agents, NIL collectives and more to find out.

The Athletic College Football254