Ag13 said:
Question - Does the A&M athletic department provide legal help for something like this being that they would ultimately reap the reward of having an experienced player on the roster? I seem to remember Manziel needing to be represented by a law firm during the autograph issue back in 2013. Nowadays the definition of extra benefits are certainly a lot looser.
That's a great question, and one we've been asking ourselves too. From what we've gathered, A&M's athletic department doesn't provide legal support for cases like this, even though they'd benefit from having an experienced player like Travis on the roster.
It's been a bit of a back-and-forth with compliance. They've tried to help where they can, but honestly, fighting the NCAA seems to be above their pay grade. The process is complicated, and unfortunately, it falls on the athlete and their family to find legal representation and push the case forward.
Travis isn't a high-profile case. He's not making big NIL money, and he may not get drafted, but this extra year would mean everything to him. After what happened following the CWS, he's got a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. He wants that opportunity back in maroon and white, playing for a coach he completely respects.
He's had other schools reach out since entering the portal, but he's made it clear, he's an Aggie, and his heart is in Aggieland. He's not interested in going anywhere else.
We're doing everything we can to fight for him and explore every possible path. Your support and insight truly mean the world.