NCAA

Ex-college football star Shawn Oakman -- once projected to be a 1st round NFL Draft pick -- was found not guilty in his sexual assault case.

The former Baylor defensive end appeared in court Thursday to wrap up the 3-day trial -- in which the 26-year-old was accused of forcibly raping a woman in 2016, after a night at the bars.

As we previously reported, the accuser claimed Oakman brought her back to his place after meeting at a bar and forced her into his bedroom, tore her clothes off and raped her.

Oakman told police the sex was consensual -- claimed the two had been in a sexual relationship -- and denied any wrongdoing. The accuser claimed they never dated.

When the verdict was read inside the Waco courtroom, his family members cheered -- and Oakman strutted out of the building with a big smile on his face.

Oakman was facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Oakman was a consensus All-Big 12 selection as a junior and a 3rd team All-American. He's also Baylor's all-time sack leader.

Oakman was arrested in the rape case in April 2016 -- days before the 2016 NFL Draft.

Instead, Oakman signed a contract with the Bismarck Bucks of the Champions Indoor Football League -- where he racked up 50 tackles and 2 sacks in 12 games in the 2018 season.

Now that the case is over, it's possible NFL teams will want to give him a workout before the 2019 season -- and he's technically a free agent because he went undrafted in 2017.

Not even Zion Williamson's shoe falling apart on national TV could sway hoopers from the Swoosh ... so says Dahntay Jones, who tells TMZ Sports Nike will face ZERO backlash for the incident.

As we previously reported ... Nike execs held an emergency meeting after the most popular college basketball player had his PG 2.5 sneaker give out just 30 seconds into the Duke/UNC game.

But, Jones -- who played at Duke from 2001-03 -- says all the flippin' out is unnecessary, 'cause there's no way athletes will turn their backs on Nike over a "freak accident."

"Nike's been the best in shoes for years, especially basketball shoes," Jones says.

DJ also weighs in on whether Z-Dub should call it a season and start prepping for the draft.

We also spoke to Kenny Smith -- who previously told us Zion needs to sharpen his iron and continue to play (prior to Wednesday's injury).

Check out if he's changed his mind.

Tristan Thompson, listen up ... Nick Young is giving away one of his secrets for getting over a massive cheating scandal!!!

Of course, Swaggy P is an expert in what TT's currently going through ... the ex-Lakers star famously cheated on Iggy Azalea when the two were dating in 2016.

So, when we got Nick leaving Pretty Little Things on Wednesday night ... we asked how Tristan should deal with his latest Khloe Kardashian drama -- and Young delivered!!!

There's more ... Nick also spoke with us about Zion Williamson's shoe-blowing incident against North Carolina -- saying the play showed Z-Dub is legitimately like the Hulk!!!

Nike and Zion Williamson are gonna be just fine ... AFTER about 80 million apologies ... so says Dan Le Batard, who thinks ZW's shoe explosion is gonna lead to a money explosion.

Williamson's left Nike disintegrated in the first MINUTE of the much-ballyhooed matchup between Duke and North Carolina earlier this week, injuring Zion, and embarrassing the company.

It was a PR disaster for the shoe giant, prompting a company-wide freak-out, and making some wonder if they'd blown their shot at landing Zion for an endorsement deal whenever he decides to go pro.

We got Dan at LAX and he thinks things between the Swoosh and prodigy will be A-okay ... after the dollars come into play.

"When they give Zion Williamson the $80 million sneaker contract they'll try and make good by him."

Interestingly enough, Dan actually thinks Nike's #1 employee is to blame for Zion's shoe disaster, telling our guy Michael Jordan was the mastermind behind it all, and giving us reasons.

Nike is vowing to get to the bottom of the shoe fail that caused Zion Williamson's game-ending injury ... wishing the Duke superstar a quick recovery and promising to "identify the issue."

The Swoosh was front and center during the Duke/UNC game Wednesday night after Z-Dub's PG 2.5 shoe fell apart when trying to change directions 30 seconds into the game.

Zion spent the rest of the night in the locker room ... and Coach Mike Krzyzewski says his star is dealing with a right knee strain.

"We are obviously concerned and want to wish Zion a speedy recovery," Nike says.

"The quality and performance of our products are of utmost importance. While this is an isolated occurrence, we are working to identify the issue."

Our Nike sources tell us, brand executives called an emergency meeting Thursday morning to discuss a crisis strategy -- including how to deal with the negative publicity.

One source tells us the brand is obviously embarrassed by the incident -- and some execs are concerned it could cause high profile players to sign shoe deals with rival companies.

One of Nike's competitors has already jumped on the opportunity to throw shade ... with Puma saying, "Wouldn't have happened in the pumas" in a now-deleted tweet.

Clemson superstar QB Trevor Lawrence says he's sorry for shoving a fellow student to the ground during a heated intramural hoops game ... admitting it was "probably unnecessary."

Of course, 19-year-old Lawrence -- 6'6", 215 pounds -- just wrapped an unreal season, leading Clemson football to another national title. But, he found trouble on the basketball court this week when he got into an altercation with a fellow student who was trying to set a screen.

The student set the pick on Trevor some 80 feet from the basket ... but Lawrence clearly took issue with the move and pushed the guy hard, TWICE ... sending him flying to the ground.

Lawrence was definitely the aggressor -- but in a comment on social media, the QB implied the other guy had it coming for running his mouth during the game.

"He wanted to talk the whole game lol... still probably unnecessary. Sorry folks."

Lawrence has since deleted the comment ... probably 'cause Dabo Swinney HATED every second of the incident.

Man, ya gotta feel bad for this dude ...

A usually solid Kansas State basketball player had a TERRIBLE second half Monday night ... blowing THREE point-blank dunks -- in just 12 game minutes!

The guy's name is Makol Mawien ... and he's actually been a pretty good player for the Wildcats -- starting all 26 games for the team this season.

But, against West Virginia ... he was pretty much the anti-Shaq --- clanking not one, but THREE dunks off iron!!!

The first came at the start of the second half ... Mawien missed a left-handed slam that ended up in the first row of the stands.

The second and third came minutes later -- and just seconds apart from each other -- when Mawien rattled TWO balls off the rim with no defenders even CLOSE to him.

You could tell Mawien was embarrassed ... dude tapped his chest and slapped hands with all his teammates.

After the third miss, KSU coach Bruce Weber didn't even get mad -- putting his arms around Makol to try and help the guy get his confidence back.

Eli Manning deserves to be immortalized in bronze at his alma mater ... so says Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker, who tells TMZ Sports the former-Ole Miss QB needs a campus statue!!!

Of course, Eli's big bro, Peyton, already has a monument built for him in Indianapolis ... and the Mannings as a fam have been recognized in a few different ways already at Ole Miss.

But, Wicker says Eli -- who's a legend with BOTH the Rebels and the NY Giants -- "absolutely" should have his own statue at the school.

"Eli Manning is a great athlete. Two Super Bowl rings. A good family man. A good humanitarian. And, he volunteers his time."

Think Wicker's just playing to his constituents?? Think again ... the senator actually attended Ole Miss with Archie himself!!!

Jaylon Ferguson -- the projected 1st-round pick who was disinvited and then reinvited to the NFL Combine -- ain't sweating the drama one bit ... telling TMZ Sports, it's only gonna HELP his draft stock.

Here's the backstory ... the 23-year-old Louisiana Tech pass rusher was reportedly arrested for fighting at a McDonald's during his freshman year. He was later convicted of simple battery.

Per NFL rules ... if a player is found guilty of a misdemeanor or a felony involving violence -- their Combine invite will be pulled.

Since Ferguson went on to become the NCAA's all-time career sack leader (with 45) -- NFL teams are VERY interested in him. Which makes the Combine drama even more interesting.

Ferguson's story has blown up on social media -- where people are arguing Ferguson deserves an opportunity to attend the Combine if only to explain his side of the story to GMs ... and on Friday, the NFL caved.

Jaylon still won't be able to work out at the annual event ... but, he's at least now able to go and interview with teams -- and he says he's JACKED for the opportunity.

But, Ferguson also says this whole drama is only going to HELP him get picked higher in April's NFL draft.

"Now that I got my name out there more, more people know me. More people heard of me."

As for the fighting incident ... Jaylon says it's a non-issue, telling us, "I'm not even the same person."

Zion Williamson is SO good ... a shoe company could sign the guy to a $100 MILLION contract when he leaves Duke -- so says Jay Williams.

TMZ Sports spoke with the Blue Devils legend out in NYC when he told us Zion is so insanely talented, he should get the biggest sneaker contract since LeBron James.

"He has that marketability. That smile. And, who else is 6'7", 285 with a 43-inch vertical that can entertain you like that? Nobody."

Of course, LBJ famously signed a 7-year, $90 million Nike contract back in 2003 before he entered the NBA. But, most guys coming out since haven't come close to those figures.

In fact, DeAndre Ayton's deal with Puma last year was worth just a reported "multi-million dollars."

Translation ... NOWHERE near 9 figures.

But, Jay says Zion deserves a deal at least as big as LeBron's ... and seeing as it's been nearly 16 years since that contract -- doesn't seem it'd surprise him if that was in the $100 MILLION range!!!

Sounds like Floyd Mayweather wants to be the next big sports agent -- and he's already making his pitch to sign future NBA superstar Zion Williamson.

Floyd already runs Mayweather Promotions -- and reps a bunch of young boxing stars. But, Floyd tells us he's been working with NBA agent Alonzo Earle and he has serious interest in signing basketball players.

So, what's the pitch? Floyd says he can teach young superstars like Zion to not only make a ton of money during their careers, but he'll make sure they're financially set in RETIREMENT too.

"If Zion signs with me, you got my word that he gonna have a comfortable life when he's on the court and off the court ... if he did."

To prove his point, Floyd busted open a backpack filled with about $500,000 in cash.

Don't worry, Floyd says he's not worried about being robbed because he's smart when it comes to personal security -- with TMT bodyguards like Jizzy Mack and Badou, in addition to undercover police officers.

Floyd will obviously have competition when it comes to signing Zion -- every major agency in the world is trying to land the Duke superstar ... including Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports.

Jim Harbaugh wants a Tom Brady statue at Michigan ... and he wants it built NOW!!!

The UM coach was talking Super Bowl on his podcast, "Attack Each Day: The Harbaughs' Podcast," when he revealed TB12 is so great ... he needs a sculpture on campus.

In fact ... Jim says Tom has proved so much in his 19-year NFL career -- the university should now be OBLIGATED to immortalize him!!!

"Tom Brady -- greatest of all time -- and he's lapped the field in football. He's lapped the field."

"You're synonymous now with Babe Ruth, with Michael Jordan. The university that he attended should build a statue."

The only question left for Jim? Where to put it.

Harbaugh, his dad Jack and UM Director of Recruiting Matt Dudek had the debate ... and seems they're settling on somewhere near Michigan Stadium.

It's interesting ... 'cause when Tom was at Michigan -- a whole lotta fans thought Drew Henson shoulda been the starter during Brady's time as signal-caller.

But hey, nobody remembers that now, right?!?!

Terrelle Pryor says it's time for the Buckeyes to bring his old coach, Jim Tressel, back to Columbus -- which is interesting, considering the history.

Remember, Tressel left OSU in 2011 after a scandal involving Bucks players getting free tattoos in exchange for their game-worn memorabilia.

Pryor was one of the players involved -- he was suspended for 5 games. Tressel subsequently resigned.

It's been nearly 8 years since Tressel left the Bucks ... and Ohio State just lost its national-championship-winning coach, Urban Meyer. Pryor thinks Tressel's the right man to fill his shoes.

"We need to get Jim Tressel back," Pryor tells TMZ Sports.

Tressel was beloved in Columbus prior to his departure, racking up a 106-22 record (before the vacated wins) ... and led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2002.

Of course, Ohio State has found its replacement in Ryan Day ... but, it's clear Pryor wants to see the sweater vest back on the sidelines, or in some other capacity.

A former Kent State running back says he's suffering from long-term brain injuries due to his college football career ... and he's pointing the finger at the NCAA.

The man behind the lawsuit is Jerry Flowers -- a former high school superstar in Georgia who played for Kent State in 2005 ... racking up 304 yards and 3 TDs during his freshman year.

Flowers says he sustained "numerous concussions" during his college football career and now he's suffering from "several symptoms indicative of long-term brain and neurocognitive injuries."

In his lawsuit, filed in federal court in Indiana, Flowers claims the NCAA actively concealed data about the effects of concussions on long-term health.

He also claims the NCAA did not warn players that their helmets did not protect against concussions, "despite the fact an athlete would naturally think of his or her helmet as protective."

Quinnen Williams is about to make his grandma VERY happy ... 'cause the Alabama superstar says with his first NFL paycheck -- a gift for grams is on the way!!!

"I think I'm going to buy my grandma a car," the DT tells TMZ Sports.

Quinnen's projected to be the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL Draft ... which means Grandma's getting a DOPE new whip -- 'cause his first contract is expected to be around $31 MILLION.

But ... Quinnen says a car might not be the only gift he gets for her when that signing bonus starts rolling in -- he says he's thinking of swaggin' her out with some ice too!!

"She don't really wear jewelry, so I'll buy her jewelry."

Seems Grandma Williams should be proud ... Quinnen says he's normally a tightwad with his cash -- but looks like G-ma is just that special.

We also asked Williams about his ex-teammate, Jalen Hurts, transferring from the Tide ... and Q tells us why he wishes the QB the best.

Zion Williamson needs to IGNORE Scottie Pippen's advice and NOT sit out the rest of the college basketball season because it could hurt his development ... so says Kenny Smith.

"When you play, you get an opportunity to hone your craft," Smith tells TMZ Sports ... "Iron sharpens iron."

Pippen sees it MUCH differently -- claiming the Duke superstar is the obvious #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft and he needs to sit out to avoid risking serious injury.

But, Smith says sitting will essentially stunt his growth -- because the constant competition with top college talent will make him more prepared for the jump to the NBA.

Check out the clip ... Kenny sends a personal message to Zion to keep playing ... and throws a little jab about the big UNC/Duke rivalry.