Current college athlete set to become face of Ed O'Bannon v. NCAA?

A current college athlete could soon step forward as part of Ed O'Bannon's lawsuit against the NCAA.

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But why would a current athlete sign up for all this grief? Remember, Flood never got the payday he sought. He lost his case, but the attention he brought to the issue ultimately forced a change in public perception that in turn forced Major League Baseball to change its rules. Despite dire warnings that free agency would kill baseball, the sport now rakes in billions. Ramogi Huma, the former UCLA football player who runs the National College Players Association advocacy group, believes plenty of players would volunteer to become the Flood of college sports. "If they think their participation would strengthen the case and would bring quick justice and would get the NCAA to stop these practices, I think they're interested," Huma said on Thursday night. With the NCAA's Q rating in the toilet because of several recent scandals, Huma believes players will want to fight. "The more the NCAA is exposed on some of the practices that aren't very favorable, it makes it easier to stand up against," Huma said. "This is probably the best time for players to stand up against the NCAA."

Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood challenged MLB's reserve clause in 1969.

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STAPLES: What's at stake? Who's involved? A complete O'Bannon case primer