Follows top players outside university chapters (8)
I believe the answer is:
succeeds
'follows' is the definition.
('succeed' can be a synonym of 'follow')
'top players outside university chapters' is the wordplay.
'top players' becomes 'seeds' (eg seeded players in tennis or other sports).
'outside' is an insertion indicator.
'university' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for university).
'chapters' becomes 'cc' (an abbreviation for chapter written twice).
'u'+'cc'='ucc'
'seeds' placed around 'ucc' is 'SUCCEEDS'.
(Other definitions for succeeds that I've seen before include "turns out well" , "comes off" , "Reaches a desired goal" , "Follows on the throne and accomplishes what is attempted" , "wins" .)