NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rivals, the original recruiting brand, is excited to announce the addition of Brandon Huffman as a National Recruiting Analyst. One of the most experienced and respected evaluators in the industry, Huffman brings more than 20 years of recruiting coverage experience and deep ties across the West Coast and nationally.

Huffman has covered recruiting since 2003 and is based in Phoenix. He served as the national director of recruiting for Scout from 2003 to 2017 and, most recently, was the national recruiting editor for 247Sports from 2017 to 2026. Over the course of his career, he has evaluated thousands of prospects and played a key role in shaping national rankings and coverage strategy.

“Rivals is building the most dominant recruiting and scouting operation in the industry, and adding Brandon Huffman is the next step in accomplishing that,” said Rivals CEO Shannon Terry. “Brandon’s experience, relationships and knowledge of the high school and recruiting space deepens our evaluation process, sharpens our rankings and expands our reach. We’re building this to lead the industry, and this move pushes us even further ahead.”

In addition to his reporting background, Huffman will also remain an in-game analyst and selection committee member for the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio. Huffman also serves on the player selection committee for the Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu and the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame selection committee.

“When the opportunity presented itself to join the team at Rivals, it was a no-brainer for me to make this move,” Huffman said. “Seeing the team that has been assembled here – mainstays in recruiting and former colleagues like Greg Biggins, Steve Wiltfong and Charles Power – what they have been building is unlike anything we’ve seen, and they are dominating the industry. Having both worked for Shannon Terry for a number of years and admired his work and vision from afar at other networks, I felt joining this team was something I could not pass up. He’s a visionary and a creator who owns the space, and his plan to continue to own the market was something I wanted to be a part of.”

Beyond recruiting, Huffman is the co-founder, executive director and president of the board of directors of the Avery Huffman DIPG Foundation, established in 2016 in honor of his daughter Avery’s courageous battle with pediatric brain cancer.

Huffman’s coverage at Rivals will focus on national recruiting, rankings and high school football coverage, adding another authoritative voice to Rivals’ industry-leading team of analysts and reporters.

About Rivals

Rivals is the leader in recruiting and high school coverage, delivering in-depth analysis, player rankings and insider news across football and basketball. Founded in 1998, Rivals pioneered digital recruiting coverage and built one of the most trusted communities for fans, athletes and coaches. Rivals continues to set the standard in prospect evaluation and recruiting scoop, powered by an unmatched network of local experts and national analysts.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rivals, the original recruiting authority, is proud to announce the addition of Allen Trieu as a National Recruiting Analyst. A respected voice in the industry for more than 20 years, Trieu brings extensive experience, national media presence and deep ties across the Midwest and beyond.
Trieu has covered college football recruiting since 2005, beginning with Scout and most recently with 247Sports. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation as a trusted evaluator and reporter within the high school and college coaching communities.

“The addition of Allen Trieu reinforces Rivals’ commitment to being the clear leader in the high school and recruiting space,” said Rivals CEO Shannon Terry. “He gives us unmatched depth across the Big Ten footprint, strengthens our evaluations and makes our player rankings more thorough and accurate than anyone else in this space. We’ve built something no one can match, and bringing Allen on board only widens that gap.”

In addition to his recruiting coverage, Trieu has appeared annually on Big Ten Network’s Signing Day Specials since 2009, providing analysis on one of the sport’s biggest stages. He is also a contributing writer for The Detroit News, and his work has been featured in Lindy’s Sports and The Sporting News.
Trieu’s insight has also been showcased across major national platforms, including appearances on The Audible, SiriusXM and ESPN Radio.

“As I looked at where the industry was headed, I felt strongly about the vision, innovation and future of Rivals,” Trieu said. “The brand is already strong, and I am a staunch believer in the plan and creative direction going forward. I get to be reunited with many former colleagues whom I respect, and get to join forces with people who I have competed against for years, who always proved to be formidable counterparts.”

At Rivals, Trieu will focus on national recruiting analysis, prospect evaluations, rankings and expanded high school football coverage. His addition further strengthens Rivals’ commitment to building the most comprehensive and authoritative scouting operation in the industry.

About Rivals

Rivals is the leader in recruiting and high school coverage, delivering in-depth analysis, player rankings and insider news across football and basketball. Founded in 1998, Rivals pioneered digital recruiting coverage and built one of the most trusted communities for fans, athletes and coaches. Rivals continues to set the standard in prospect evaluation and recruiting intel nationwide.

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East following the military strikes involving Israel and Iran, air travel in the region has been severely impacted. Airlines operating from India, particularly IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express, are facing significant disruptions due to airspace closures and safety concerns. These airspace closures, which include regions of Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE, are causing major challenges for airlines in maintaining their scheduled services. The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, which has resulted in a broader regional crisis, is affecting travelers not only in the Middle East but globally, as several crucial air routes that connect Europe and North America via the Gulf region are now rerouted or canceled altogether.

Airlines Ground West Asia Flights Amid Regional Turmoil

The latest escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran has caused widespread disruptions to airlines flying to and from West Asia. IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express have been forced to suspend flights due to the closure of essential airspace over countries like Israel, Iran, and Iraq, which are critical for flights connecting India to various destinations in Europe and the Middle East.

As the crisis unfolded, countries in the region took precautionary measures by shutting down parts of their airspace, leading to immediate flight cancellations and diversions. For instance, Air India’s Delhi-Tel Aviv flight, a key route between India and Israel, was forced to return to Mumbai after being diverted mid-flight. Other flights between India and Middle Eastern destinations, including Riyadh, Sharjah, and Doha, were either canceled or rerouted.

Flight Disruptions Across Major Airlines

As the situation worsened, several other Indian airlines were impacted. IndiGo confirmed the suspension of its flights, advising passengers to check the status of their flights before travel. The airline also issued warnings about possible delays and cancellations to West Asia destinations. This disruption is expected to last until the situation stabilizes. Similarly, Air India Express has suspended all Westbound international flights due to the escalating tension and airspace restrictions. With safety at the forefront, airlines are recalibrating their operations to minimize further disturbances.

A Travel Nightmare for Passengers Heading to West Asia

The broader impact on travelers is undeniable, as key flight routes are being disrupted, leading to inconvenience for thousands of passengers across India, UAE, and Qatar. Many tourists, business travelers, and expatriates have found their plans thwarted as flights were abruptly canceled or rerouted, with long delays and extended waiting times at airports.

The disruptions are also deeply affecting the tourism sector, especially in popular destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Tel Aviv. With global travelers depending on smooth air links between India and West Asia, these sudden airspace restrictions will impact travel demand and force passengers to reconsider or delay their trips.

Impact on International Airlines and Travel Routes

In addition to Indian carriers, other international airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Flydubai have also warned passengers of potential flight delays and cancellations. Since both Qatar and the UAE serve as key aviation hubs, airspace restrictions will not only affect regional flights but could also disrupt flights heading further to North America and Europe.

Airlines with flights that typically overfly Iran, Iraq, and Israel are looking at longer, alternative routes, which will inevitably lead to longer flight durations and increased fuel costs. The resulting delays are expected to put a strain on airlines that rely on time-sensitive international routes.

Airlines Monitor the Situation, Offering Passengers Flexibility

Amid the uncertainty, airlines are offering passengers the option to modify their bookings or cancel without penalty. IndiGo and Air India Express have both updated their websites to allow for more flexible rebooking options, ensuring that affected travelers can reschedule their flights with minimal hassle.

Travel Advisory for Passengers: What You Need to Know

If you’re planning to fly to or from West Asia in the coming days, it’s essential to stay updated with your airline’s announcements. Airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express are regularly updating their flight statuses, but the rapidly evolving situation means that more disruptions could occur.

Here are a few travel tips:

• Stay Updated: Always check your flight status on the airline’s official website or app. Airlines will send notifications about cancellations or delays as the situation unfolds.
• Plan for Longer Travel Times: If your flight is still operating, be prepared for longer travel times as rerouted flights will take alternate paths to avoid the closed airspaces.
• Flexibility is Key: Ensure that your booking allows for easy changes or cancellations. Many airlines are waiving rebooking fees due to the current crisis.

What Does This Mean for Tourism?

While the aviation crisis is immediate, the ripple effect on tourism could be significant. With travel routes disrupted, tourists may reconsider their planned visits to Dubai, Doha, Tel Aviv, and Riyadh. Regional tourism, especially for events and business conferences, will likely suffer from the uncertainties surrounding air travel.

For now, Middle Eastern destinations like Dubai, which relies heavily on tourism, will feel the brunt of these disruptions. Similarly, Indian travelers heading to the Gulf region will need to reassess their travel plans based on flight availability and safety advisories.

Safety First: Airlines Adapt to Growing Challenges

Safety remains the highest priority for all airlines. The conflict in Israel and Iran and the resulting airspace closures highlight the fragile nature of international air travel in times of political instability. The Indian government and airlines have been taking proactive measures to protect travelers, such as avoiding conflict zones and rerouting flights as necessary.

A Tourist’s Guide Amid the Crisis

• Check Flight Status Frequently: Given the evolving nature of the conflict, it’s crucial to check flight statuses frequently to avoid being caught off guard.
• Allow Extra Time: If traveling, be prepared for delays at airports. With fewer flights operating, lines at ticket counters and security checks may be longer than usual.
• Know Your Rights: Airlines like IndiGo and Air India are offering flexible options for affected passengers. Be sure to inquire about refund or rebooking policies.

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