CFB Player tracking: ND's Pyne, Mayer move on; Virginia players granted another season -- 200 latest updates
Following quarterback Drew Pyne out the door -- but in a different direction -- Notre Dame star tight end Michael Mayer will enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
Mayer relayed his decision to ESPN's Pete Thamel on Wednesday. Thamel shared the news via Twitter.
"Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer tells ESPN he's declaring for the NFL Draft," tweeted Thamel. "'I wanted to come and win games be a first-round draft pick.' He's Mel Kiper's No. 8 overall prospect and top TE. He's skipping the Gator Bowl."
A day earlier, Pyne revealed he was entering the transfer portal, and we will teall you why. First, about Mayer:
Mayer was a staple of the Notre Dame offense, bursting onto the scene in 2021 with 841 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He carried that momentum into this year and set multiple records during his time in South Bend, including the most touchdown receptions by a tight end in program history.
Out of high school, Mayer was a four-star recruit and the No. 34 player in the nation from the class of 2020, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Mayer has been projected as a first-round pick throughout the season in multiple mock drafts, and he appears to have a bright future in the NFL.
Drew Pyne's career with the Fighting Irish is over. After spending three seasons with Notre Dame, he announced his intentions today to enter the transfer portal. He finally earned the starting job this season after Tyler Buchner's season-ending injury. Now, it appears their breakup was caused by the program's alleged interest in another QB.
Why Pyne entered transfer portal
Per Pete Sampson of The Athletic, the team reportedly told Pyne about their intentions to look around the portal themselves for a new quarterback. He mentions a chance Pyne competes for the job again in the spring. Considering all things, though, it seems he's focused on finding snaps for next season elsewhere.
"Notre Dame informed Pyne the program planned to take a quarterback transfer this offseason," said Sampson in a reply on Twitter to Dan Orlovsky. "(He) could compete for the job in spring ball."
Pyne started 10 games for Notre Dame this season and led them to an 8-2 record. He completed 66.1% of his passes in those starts for 2,001 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. While many would take that production, it seems Pyne has taken the hint about the Irish's intention this offseason.
Pyne has been stuck behind Ian Book, Jack Coan, and Buchner during his time in South Bend. That's why you can't really blame him when, after the success he found this season, he wants to move on now that the program appears prepared to do so as well. The question now is where Pyne ends up for '22-'23 and which prospect in or that will be in the transfer portal takes the reins of the offense for Marcus Freeman's team?
VIRGINA PLAYERS GRANTED EXTRA YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY
Per Mike Barber, The Daily Progress:
The NCAA will grant any Virginia football player whose college eligibility expired this past season an extra year to play, a response to the shooting on Grounds that killed three teammates, UVa athletic director Carla Williams confirmed Wednesday.
Virginia initiated and submitted the request, she said.
The decision from the NCAA comes in the aftermath of last month’s tragic shooting on Grounds in Charlottesville that killed wide receivers Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler and linebacker D’Sean Perry.
The Cavaliers, who finished 3-7 in their first year under coach Tony Elliott, canceled their last two games of the campaign — a non-conference contest against Coastal Carolina and their annual rivalry game at Virginia Tech — after the shooting.
And instead of playing football on those days, UVa players and coaches gathered for a public memorial service to honor the lives of Davis, Chandler and Perry at John Paul Jones Arena on Nov. 19. The following week, the Hoos traveled as a group to the funerals of their three fallen teammates. Perry’s funeral was held in Miami, Chandler’s in Virginia Beach and Davis’ in North Charleston, S.C.
The extra year of eligibility will mostly impact graduate players and sixth- or fifth-year seniors if they decide to take advantage of the additional season they’re being offered.
According to the Virginia roster, players who completed their final year of eligibility this past season include wide receivers Billy Kemp IV and Keytaon Thompson, defensive backs Darrius Bratton and Anthony Johnson, defensive ends Kam Butler and Jack Camper, and defensive tackle Devontae Davis.
Not all will use the extra year, though. Johnson and Kemp have already declared for the NFL Draft. Johnson was a sixth-year senior this past fall and will play in the Senior Bowl this coming February. Kemp was a fifth-year senior this past season.
PLAYER NEWS FROM DRAFT SCOUT WIRE
1023575 Bennett, Stetson (Georgia) (12/07/22)
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2022 BURLSWORTH TROPHY WINNER: Monday, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett was named the thirteenth winner of the Burlsworth Trophy at a ceremony held at Crystal Bridges Museum. The award is given to the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. On hand to make the announcement was Marty Burlsworth, Chairman and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy. Bennett keeps adding memorable chapters to a storybook Bulldogs career. After earning MVP honors in the CFP Championship game win against Alabama last season, Bennett is having another banner season in his final year in Athens as the Bulldogs make another run at a CFP title. He ranks No. 11 nationally in passing yards (3,425) and was the Walter Camp Player of the Week after a Week 1 victory against then-No. 11 Oregon. He was also named the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week for torching the Ducks with a career-high 368 yards on 25-of-31 passing with two touchdowns and added a rushing TD.
In a showdown with then-No. 1 Tennessee, Bennett was 17-of-25 for 257 yards passing and two touchdowns and added a 13-yard rushing TD to help the Bulldogs to a 27-13 win over their SEC East foe. His 64-yard run against Auburn earlier this fall was the longest by a Bulldog QB since Ray Goff rambled 73 yards against Clemson in 1976. Stetson is included among the Top 10 candidates for the 2022 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. In 2021, he started 12 of the 14 games and came up big during Georgia’s CFP run. Bennett was the Offensive MVP of the Capital One Orange Bowl after completing 20-of-30 passes with three TDs in the win over Michigan. He then completed 17-of-26 passes for 224 yards and two TDs in the CFP Championship Game win over the Crimson Tide. - Burlsworth Trophy
1030202 Oluwatimi, Olusegun (Michigan) (12/07/22)
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The offensive line for the No. 2-ranked Michigan Wolverines was revealed as one of two finalists for the 2022 Joe Moore Award by the Foundation for Teamwork on Wednesday (Dec. 7). The other finalist group is the unit from No. 1-ranked Georgia. The Wolverines won the award in 2021 for the first time in program history and are seeking to be the first offensive line unit to ever win the award in consecutive seasons. The Joe Moore Award has been presented since 2015 and recognizes the most outstanding offensive line in college football. The voting committee trimming its finalist list to just two offensive line units is unprecedented in the award's history.
U-M saw starting guards Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan pick up first-team All-Big Ten honors last week, while Olusegun Oluwatimi was first-team on the coaches' ballots. Oluwatimi is also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy and Outland Trophy. Ryan Hayes (second team, coaches) and Karsen Barnhart (honorable mention, both) were also All-Big Ten picks, marking the second year in a row that U-M has seen all five starters receive some type of all-conference recognition. Trente Jones (six starts) and Giovanni El-Hadi (three starts) are also major contributors to the group. This group is the engine behind U-M's offensive success. Last weekend, the Wolverines reached 13 wins for the first time in program history (13-0) with a win over Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game. U-M out-rushed Purdue 225-90 in the win. - Michigan Football
1051208 Duncan, Collin (Mississippi State) (12/07/22)
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Mississippi State senior safety Collin Duncan declared for the 2023 NFL draft Tuesday morning, forgoing one final year of eligibility to do so. He did not specify whether he will play in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2. "To my Bulldog family, thank you for bringing me in and treating me like family since the first day I stepped on campus," Duncan wrote in a social media post. "Being a Mississippi State Bulldog means the world to me and it forever will." Duncan recently completed his fourth regular season at MSU, recording 55 tackles - 3.5 for loss - two sacks, an interception and a team-high eight quarterback hits. Over his four-year career, Duncan has totaled 148 tackles and three interceptions. - The Dispatch
1021927 Broussard, Jarek (Michigan State) (12/07/22)
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Jarek Broussard's stop with Michigan State football turned out to be a short one. The running back on Tuesday announced his intention to enter the NFL draft after one season with the Spartans. He had one season of eligibility remaining. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Dallas native predominantly served as MSU's No. 2 running back behind fellow transfer Jalen Berger this fall. Broussard finished third on the team with 298 rushing yards on 63 attempts and scored three touchdowns in 12 games, adding four catches for 48 yards.
He posted season-highs of 81 rushing yards, 15 carries and two touchdowns in the Spartans' Sept. 10 win over Akron, then remained mostly dormant until getting 11 carries for 80 yards in a Nov. 12 win over Rutgers. Broussard arrived during the offseason as a transfer from Colorado, where he suffered ACL injuries that kept him off the field in 2018 and 2019. In the six-game 2020 season, Broussard won Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors with 895 rushing yards, an average of 162.6 per game that ranked third in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and five touchdowns. - Lansing State Journal
1028608 Ivey, DJ (Miami) (12/07/22)
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Miami starting cornerback DJ Ivey played five seasons with the Hurricanes. He had his ups and downs, but many ups along the way, including this season as an integral defensive playmaker and team leader. Ivey, who came to UM out of South Dade High, earned his degree, exhausted his eligibility and on Tuesday announced he will be heading to the NFL Draft, as expected. Ivey started 11 of his 12 games this season, finishing with 38 tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. - Miami Herald
1051984 Matthews, Jackie (Mississippi State) (12/07/22)
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Mississippi State's secondary took another hit Monday. After junior cornerback Emmanuel Forbes declared for the NFL draft last week, senior safety Jackie Matthews made the same decision Monday. "I'm excited for this next chapter of my life," Matthews said in a social media post Monday evening. "It took a lot for me to get here but it was all worth it." Matthews said he will participate in the ReliaQuest Bowl, which kicks off at 11 a.m. Jan. 2 against Illinois in Tampa, Florida. The West Virginia transfer spent just one year with the Bulldogs but earned a starting spot in preseason camp. Matthews finished the season with 43 tackles - two for a loss - and two interceptions. - The Dispatch
1044889 Richardson, *Anthony (Florida) (12/07/22)
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On Monday, Florida's starting quarterback Anthony Richardson announced he was opting out of the bowl game to begin his preparation for the NFL draft. Richardson completed 53% of his passes this season for 2,549 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Richardson was also a threat on the ground, running for 654 yards and nine touchdowns. His absence leaves the Gators extremely thin at the quarterback position. Backup Jalen Kitna was excused from the squad last week following his arrest on child pornography charges. No other quarterback on the roster has thrown a pass this season. - Gazette Times
1031187 Hudson, Tyler (Louisville) (12/07/22)
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Louisville is finalizing a deal to hire Purdue's Jeff Brohm as its next head coach, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement and an announcement from the schools has not been finalized. Brohm, 51, would replace Scott Satterfield, who abruptly left the Cardinals on Monday after four seasons to become Cincinnati's coach. The Louisville native and former Cardinal quarterback Brohm is 66-44 lifetime and 36-34 at Purdue, which he guided to the Big Ten Conference West title this season before the Boilermakers (8-5) lost to No. 2 Michigan in the conference championship game. The Boilermakers are headed to the Citrus Bowl a season after winning the Music City Bowl. - AP College Football
1053157 Allen, Braelon (Wisconsin) (12/07/22)
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Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell lost three more players to the transfer portal on Tuesday. However, it appears sophomore tailback Braelon Allen intends to return to UW in 2023. Tailback/returner Isaac Guerendo, reserve defensive back Semar Melvin and reserve tight end Jaylan Franklin have decided to leave UW. Not long after those developments, Allen wrote on Twitter: "Sources tell me Braelon Allen is a Wisconsin Badger." Allen, a consensus second-team, all-Big Ten pick, rushed for 208 times for 1,126 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 regular-season games. - Journal Sentinel
1051910 Webb, LaDamian (South Alabama) (12/07/22)
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South Alabama running back La'Damian Webb announced Tuesday he will return for the 2023 season. Webb, a fourth-year junior, has rushed for 1,014 yards and a school-record 13 touchdowns in 11 games this season. He had been considering turning pro, but posted his decision on Instagram, writing "Let's run it back one more year with the gang." Webb, a former Mr. Football at Beauregard High School in Opelika, transferred to South Alabama in 2022 from Jones (Miss.) College. He was an NJCAA All-American in 2021, when he led the nation in rushing yards per game. Webb signed with Mississippi State out of high school, but did not qualify academically. He played at Jones in 2019, then at Florida State in 2020 (rushing for 369 yards and three touchdowns) before entering the transfer portal. - Birmingham News
1041460 Miller III, Jack (Florida) (12/07/22)
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Jack Miller III could find himself moved up from third string to starter at quarterback for the Florida Gators in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 17, due to Anthony Richardson declaring for the NFL Draft and backup Jalen Kitna being dismissed from the team last Friday following his arrest on child pornography charges. Miller was a four-star recruit out of Chaparral High in Scottsdale, Ariz., the nation's No. 14-ranked pro style quarterback by 247Sports.com. He was a four-year varsity starter, and holds the Arizona state records with 115 passing touchdowns and 3,653 passing yards. He also threw for 53 touchdowns in a season in high school, a 2A state record. Miller backed up C.J. Stroud before transferring from Ohio State Miller transferred from Ohio State where he played sparingly behind All-Big Ten standout quarterback C.J. Stroud. As a true freshman in 2020, Miller scored a touchdown for the Buckeyes on a 21-yard touchdown run in relief of Stroud against Nebraska. In 2021, Miller appeared in four games off the bench, completing 7 of 11 passes for 101 yards while adding 8 yards rushing. - Gainesville Sun
1045031 Sanders, *Drew (Arkansas) (12/07/22)
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All-SEC linebacker Drew Sanders will declare for the NFL Draft and will not play in Arkansas' game against Kansas at the Liberty Bowl. Sanders, who has one season of eligibility remaining, is the third Razorback to declare for the draft since the end of the regular season. Center Ricky Stromberg and receiver Jadon Haselwood have also said they will enter the draft, and neither is expected to play in the bowl game. "I've enjoyed playing in college," Sanders told ESPN. "It's always been a dream for me to play in the NFL, ever since I can remember. There's an opportunity for me to take, and I want to take it." Sanders was a break-out star on Arkansas' defense this year. He led the team with 113 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. His sack total was second to Alabama's Will Anderson (10) in the SEC. - Northwest Arkansas Times
1029995 Henderson, LaDarius (Michigan) (12/07/22)
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Michigan has dipped into the NCAA transfer portal again to add a veteran offensive lineman to the 2023 roster. Arizona State's LaDarius Henderson announced Tuesday he is signing with the Wolverines a day after he entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal. Entering this season, Michigan added Virginia graduate transfer Olu Oluwatimi, one of three finalists for the Rimington Award given to the nation's top center. Henderson, who has one year of eligibility, reportedly accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine game, suggesting he would leave college football to prepare for the NFL Draft.
He announced his decision to transfer to Michigan with a social media post that included a photo of him with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, co-offensive coordinators Matt Weiss and Sherrone Moore, who also coaches the offensive line, and tight ends coach Grant Newsome. "After much prayer and thought, I will be spending the last chapter of my college journey at The University of Michigan! GO BLUE!" wrote Henderson, who has not returned a request for comment. Henderson, who will turn 21 next week, was a three-star recruit from Waxahachie, Texas. He started 29 games during the last three seasons at Arizona State and was a captain this season. He missed the last six games after suffering a broken hand in October. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Henderson has played left tackle and left guard. - Detroit News
1039350 Bell, Jaheim (South Carolina) (12/07/22)
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South Carolina's Jaheim Bell, the most versatile offensive weapon the Gamecocks have, will enter the NCAA transfer portal, he announced late Monday night. A multi-use talent who could play running back, receiver and tight end, Bell came into the season with expectations that he would be a heavy part of every offensive game plan. Instead, he spent most of it without the ball in his hands, which led to late-season statements about his frustration and explanations from former offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield that didn't make much sense. Satterfield declared he wanted Bell to touch the ball as much as possible, something that was echoed by head coach Shane Beamer, but the execution screamed otherwise.
It came to a head after a 23-10 loss to Missouri where Bell was on the field for nine snaps and received no carries nor catches. "It's very frustrating going through the week knowing that you're going to get the ball and it doesn't happen," Bell said then. "It's kind of frustrating, but I kind of tried to let that go after Sunday and Monday and today on Tuesday, try to come in and build on it and be positive and prepare like a pro." The Gamecocks' final four games, which also featured injuries to top two running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Christian Beal-Smith, saw Bell's usage dramatically increase. Bell rushed nine times, scoring one touchdown, and caught two passes in the Gamecocks' 31-30 win at Clemson on Nov. 26. The thought was that Bell would consider the NFL Draft, but his statement on Monday said nothing about professional football, only that he was leaving USC. With fellow tight end Austin Stogner also announcing his intention to enter the portal on Monday, and Nate Adkins out of eligibility, the Gamecocks stand to return only Traevon Kenion from their four-TE rotation. - The Post and Courier
1022866 Levis, Will (Kentucky) (12/07/22)
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Kentucky quarterback Will Levis announced Wednesday on social media he will declare for the NFL draft and skip the Wildcats' upcoming Music City Bowl against Iowa. Projected as a first-round selection next spring, Levis completed 65% of his passes for 2,406 yards and 19 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in 11 games for Kentucky (7-5). The Penn State transfer won 17 games over two seasons at Kentucky. He thanked Wildcat coaches, teammates and fans in his Twitter post and expressed gratitude for helping him find confidence, success and lasting friendships at the university. The senior Levis was a preseason All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection after passing for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 376 yards and nine touchdowns. - AP College Football
1047361 Cowing, Jacob (Arizona) (12/07/22)
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Arizona's star wide receiver, who leads the Pac-12 in receptions (85) this season, announced on his social media accounts Monday night that he's returning to the Wildcats in 2023. Cowing announced his decision with a video hours after receiver counterpart Dorian Singer, who leads the conference in receiving yards, revealed that he's entering the transfer portal. "Ever since I was young, I dreamed about playing the game I love professionally," Cowing said in the video. "After careful consideration and talking with my family and loved ones, I have decided that one year is not enough. Wildcat nation, we still have business to take care of."
After three seasons at UTEP, Cowing transferred to Arizona this past season and quickly emerged as one of the Wildcats' top play-makers on offense alongside Singer and star freshman Tetairoa "T-Mac" McMillan, catching 85 passes for 1,034 yards and seven touchdowns; his 85 receptions also ranks third in single-season program history behind Bobby Wade and Dennis Northcutt. Cowing has 226 catches for 3,629 yards and 20 touchdowns over his four-year college career. Cowing, who is likely to become Arizona's first All-Pac-12 selection since Juron Criner in 2010, was named a first-team all-conference selection by Pro Football Focus last week. - Arizona Star News
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Campbell (6-foot-5, 246-pounds) has led Iowa’s defense all season. He has totaled 118 tackles, which are second in the Big Ten and tied for 13th nationally. He also recorded two interceptions, one recovered fumble and one forced fumble, along with 3.5 tackles for loss. He has 295 career tackles to rank 19th in program history. Campbell, who will earn his degree in December, carries a 3.49 grade point average with a major in enterprise leadership and a minor in sport and recreation management. He earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recognition in 2021, has earned Dean’s List honors three semesters and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He has been a member of Iowa’s Player Leadership Council for three years. - Iowa Football
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2022 PAC-12 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY NEXTIVA: Caleb Williams, QB, So., USC,...Williams, a 2022 Heisman Trophy finalist, give the Trojans back-to-back Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year winners (WR Drake London last year), the first time a school has repeated since Stanford won three straight from 2009-11 (Toby Gerhart, Andrew Luck x 2). The last time USC won this award in consecutive seasons was from 2003-2005 when Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush each won the award once individually while sharing in 2004...First USC Heisman finalist since Bush and Leinart were both finalists in 2005...Instrumental part of turning around program that went 4-8 in the 2021 season to an 11-2 team in 2022. The 7-win increase matches the biggest turnaround in USC history.
The only other time the Trojans increased their win total by 7 games was the 1962 National Championship season, following a 4-win season in 1961...Prior to any bowl games, Williams ranks among the national leaders in almost all passing categories. Leads the nation with 37 passing TD, which is 2 short of the school's single-season record held by Cody Kessler (2014) and Matt Barkley (2011), and also leads with a USC record 47 total TD (37 pass, 10 rush)...Third in the country with 4,447 total yards, breaking the USC single-season record set by Sam Darnold in 2017 (4,425)..Fourth in FBS with 4,075 pass yards to become just the 2nd Trojan to reach 4,000 yards in a season (Darnold with 4,143 in 2017). ..Fifth in the country in lowest rate of interceptions (0.9%) with just 4 picks in 448 pass attempts which would set the school record (currently Kessler, 1.1% in 2014)...372 rushing yards is the most by a USC QB in the last 70 years since complete records were available, breaking the previous record of 342 by Jim Sears in 1952. - Pac-12 Football
1045550 Tuipulotu, Tuli (Southern California) (12/06/22)---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2022 PAC-12 PAT TILLMAN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, Jr., USC,...Tuipulotu becomes the second Trojan in the last three years to win this award (Talanoa Hufanga in 2020) and the ninth all-time since the Defensive Player of the Year became its own award in 1983...Back-to-back seasons as first team All-Pac-12...Leads the nation with 12.5 sacks this season, becoming just the third Trojan in the last 30 seasons to have at least 12 sacks in a season...Second in FBS with 21.0 TFL this season, the most by a Trojan since Kenechi Udeze had 26 in 2003...Finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award...Won Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week two times this season and the Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week four times to become the first player to ever win it four times in one season since the award was created in 2019. - Pac-12 Football
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2022 PAC-12 DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY NEXTIVA: Lander Barton, LB, Fr., Utah,...Barton becomes the second straight Ute to earn this honor (Junior Tafuna last year) and becomes the third straight year a Utah player has won a Pac-12 freshman award (Ty Jordan, 2020 Pac-12 Offensive Freshman Player of the Year)...3.5 sacks this season, second most among Pac-12 freshmen behind teammate Simote Pepa...5.0 TFL this season, third most among Pac-12 freshmen..Six tackles, 0.5 TFL, fumble recovery, one pass breakup in Pac-12 Football Championship Game...Four or more tackles in seven of Utah's 13 games this season...Named College Football Network Freshman All-American...Honorable Mention: DB Jaden Hicks, Washington State; DB Jeremiah Earby, California; EDGE David Bailey, Stanford; LB Jacob Manu, Arizona; K Carter Brown, Arizona State. - Pac-12 Football
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2022 PAC-12 OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR, PRESENTED BY NEXTIVA: Damien Martinez, RB, Fr., Oregon State,...Martinez becomes the second Beaver to be named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman Player of the Year, joining fellow running back Jermar Jefferson in 2018. Running back Jacquizz Rodgers won Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2008, the year before the award was split into Offensive and Defensive. Offensive Guard Jeremy Perry split the freshman award in 2005 while cornerback Brandon Browner was named the league's top freshman in 2003...2nd among FBS freshmen and 38th overall in the country with 970 rushing yards. Third most rushing yards in the Pac-12 this season.
Needs 30 yards to become the fourth OSU freshman to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season (Ken Simonton - 1998, Jacquizz Rodgers - 2008, Jermar Jefferson - 2018)...Ran for 100+ yards in each of the final six games of the regular season, becoming the first Beaver to have six straight 100-yard games since Steven Jackson in 2003...Second among Pac-12 true freshmen with seven rush TD this season...3-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week this season including the final two weeks of the regular season. One of two players this season to earn it three times (Cal RB Jaydn Ott)...Honorable Mention: RB Jaydn Ott, California; WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona; QB Ashton Daniels, Stanford; RB Jordan James, Oregon; WR Jordyn Tyson, Colorado. - Pac-12 Football
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Auburn's top two pass rushers are leaving for the NFL. Defensive end Colby Wooden announced in a video on social media posted Tuesday that he is skipping his senior season to enter the draft. Edge rusher Derick Hall also posted a video to announced his plans to leave. The 6-foot-3, 256-pound Hall is a senior who already had accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl but could have returned for a fifth season. He was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection.
Hall is projected as a potential second-round draft pick while projections have the 6-5, 284-pound Wooden in the mid-round range. Hall finished last season with 60 tackles, seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Wooden had 45 tackles, six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. He also forced and recovered three fumbles. - AP College Football
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2022 BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD WINNER: Alabama football's Will Anderson Jr. was selected as the 2022 winner of the Nagurski Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Charlotte Touchdown Club announced on Monday evening at the Charlotte Convention Center. Anderson Jr., who was joined by Calijah Kancey (Pittsburgh), Chris Smith (Georgia) and Tuli Tuipulotu (USC) to make up this year's finalist list, became the second player in the 30-year history of the Nagurksi Trophy to earn the honor in consecutive seasons (Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald won it in 1995 and 1996). He also joined Jonathan Allen, the 2016 honoree, as the only two Alabama players to win the Nagurski in program history.
The reigning Nagurski Trophy winner who has put together another standout season in 2022, Anderson Jr. totaled 51 tackles on the year, including 17 for loss (-72 yards) and 10 sacks (-54 yards). He ranks sixth nationally in sacks and seventh in tackles for loss while leading the SEC in both categories. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been presented annually since 1993 to the top defensive player in college football as voted on by the members of the FWAA. The award is named after Bronko Nagurski, who played football for the University of Minnesota and the Chicago Bears. - Alabama Football
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Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil is returning for a fifth season. The 5-foot-10, 182-pounder announced his decision on Twitter late Sunday night - one day after the Wolverines beat Purdue to win their second straight Big Ten title. "I want to start off by thanking Coach Harbaugh and the University of Michigan for an amazing 4 years," Sainristil wrote. "The opportunity coach gave me when he offered was one that changed my life beyond football. My family and I can't thank you enough coach! The season is not over. In fact, it is just getting started. Just like my team here at the university. "With that being said, I will be back for my 5th year as a Wolverine and won't be entering my name in the 2023 NFL Draft after the season. Team 143, let's finish the mission and bring the big one home!"
Because the NCAA issues blanket waivers for all student-athletes in 2020, Sainristil has another year of eligibility despite never redshirting. The former three-star recruit from Massachusetts has been one of the biggest surprises in 2022, switching from receiver to nickelback - a vital position in Michigan's defense previously played by first-round pick Daxton Hill. Sainristil immediately earned a starting role in Michigan's defense and has 51 tackles (fourth on the team), seven pass breakups (second) and two sacks this season. He is a 2022 all-Big Ten honorable mention by coaches and media. - Ann Arbor News
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: DE - Yaya Diaby, Louisville, 65 votes,...Diaby made the biggest jump in production from 2021. Recording 1.5 sacks last year, Diaby finished his senior season with 33 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. He was the Cards' lone selection to the Reese's Senior Bowl in January. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: LB - Charlie Thomas, Georgia Tech, 63 votes,...Receiving his second All-ACC honor (honorable mention in 2021), Thomas also turned in a monstrous 2022 campaign in which he ranked second in the conference in solo tackles (71), and fifth in total tackles (112) and fumbles recovered (2). He also finished top-20 in the league in tackles for loss (10.5). In total this season, Thomas was the only player in the nation and only the second in Division I FBS since 2000 with 112 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two fumbles forced through 12 games - joining Paul Dawson, TCU in 2014. - Georgia Tech Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: DT - Cory Durden, NC State, 44 votes,...Defensive tackle Cory Durden rounds out the list of seven Pack players earning All-ACC accolades. Durden, who was named to the midseason list for the Lombardi Award, started all 12 games at nose tackle. He finished the year with 2.5 tackles for loss, 23 total tackles and seven quarterback hurries while helping the NC State defense rank third in the ACC in rushing defense. - NC State Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: WR - Keytaon Thompson, Virginia, 50 votes,...For the second-straight season, Thompson was UVA's top pass catcher. In eight games played, he had 53 receptions and 579 yards. Thompson's 6.6 receptions per game were the second-most of any ACC receiver. He caught a pass in the final seven games he played and his 72.4 receiving yards were the sixth most by any ACC wideout. - Virginia Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: C - Bryan Hudson, Louisville, 57 votes,...Caleb Chandler and Bryan Hudson started all 12 games on the offensive line as the Cardinals rushed for 193.4 yards per game. A preseason All-ACC selection, Chandler holds the school record with his 52 career starts. Hudson played a team high 852 snaps and earned the top grade at 92 percent. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: CB - Zamari Walton, Georgia Tech, 27 votes,...One of the top lockdown corners in the conference, Walton finished with 36 tackles, six pass breakups and one interception. His seven passes defended rank tied for 19th in the ACC as Walton was rated one of the top 120 cornerbacks in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus. - Georgia Tech Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: AP - Hassan Hall, Georgia Tech, 18 votes,...In his first season on The Flats after transferring, Hall ranked 15th in the ACC with 900 all-purpose yards (521 rushing, 165 receiving and 214 kicking return yards). Hall is one of just two players in the conference with 500 rushing yards, 150 receiving yards and 200 kickoff return yards. Hall would rank fourth in the ACC in kickoff return yards (23.8 ypr) if he didn't fall shy of the minimum number of attempts needed to qualify. - Georgia Tech Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: OG - Caleb Chandler, Louisville, 81 votes,...Caleb Chandler and Bryan Hudson started all 12 games on the offensive line as the Cardinals rushed for 193.4 yards per game. A preseason All-ACC selection, Chandler holds the school record with his 52 career starts. Hudson played a team high 852 snaps and earned the top grade at 92 percent. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 2ND TEAM: DB Hakeem Johnson, Gr., Samford,...Offensive lineman Jabari Brooks and wide receiver Kendall Watson were unanimous second-team selections. At the same time, linebacker Nathan East, defensive back Hakeem Johnson and punter Bradley Porcellato were named to the second team by the coaches. - Samford Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: S - Tanner Ingle, NC State, 91 votes,...Linebacker Drake Thomas and safety Tanner Ingle represented the Pack on the All-ACC second team. Thomas leads the Wolfpack with 90 tackles and ranks first among all ACC defensive players with 13 tackles for loss in conference games. Thomas also ranks second in the ACC with 6.5 sacks in ACC contests. - NC State Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: LB - Drake Thomas, NC State, 108 votes,...Linebacker Drake Thomas and safety Tanner Ingle represented the Pack on the All-ACC second team. Thomas leads the Wolfpack with 90 tackles and ranks first among all ACC defensive players with 13 tackles for loss in conference games. Thomas also ranks second in the ACC with 6.5 sacks in ACC contests. - NC State Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: WR - Nate McCollum, Georgia Tech, 37 votes,...Receiving honorable mention honors, McCollum had a breakout season in which he hauled in 60 receptions for 655 yards and three touchdowns. He finished fifth in the league in receptions, 10th in receiving yards and tied for fifth in 100-yard receiving games. He joined just two players in the ACC to have multiple games with at least eight receptions, 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. His 60 receptions mark the most by a Georgia Tech receiver in a season since Calvin Johnson (2006). - Georgia Tech Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: S - LaMiles Brooks, Georgia Tech, 47 votes,...One of the top safeties in the country (No. 21, according to Pro Football Focus), Brooks led Tech and ranked third in the ACC with three interceptions on the season. Brooks finished the year with the fourth-most tackles on the team, making 52 stops, including 2.5 for loss. He also broke up seven passes to finish with 10 passes defended - good for 12th in the league - and recovered a fumble. - Georgia Tech Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: P - Daniel Sparks, Virginia, 97 votes,...Sparks matched the UVA single-season punting average record, with a 46.8 yard per kick average in 2022. He was named the ACC co-Specialist of the week on Nov. 15 after he punted eight times for 409 yards against Pitt. He had three 60+ yard punts in the contest, the only UVA punter ever with three 60-yarders in a game. Of his 46 punts on the year 12 landed inside the 20 and 14 were 50 or more yards. - Virginia Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: P - Mark Vassett, Louisville, 45 votes,...Vassett averaged 44.6 yards a punt in the regular season, ranking third in the conference. The native of Melbourne, Australia, placed 17 punts inside the opposition's 20-yard line and recorded nine punts of 50 or more yards. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: LB - Momo Sanogo, Louisville, 20 votes,...Sanogo led the Cardinals in tackles with 86, registering double-digit tackles against James Madison (13) and Clemson (14). - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: DT - Ashton Gillotte, Louisville, 15 votes,...Running back Tiyon Evans, tight end Marshon Ford, offensive tackle Renato Brown, defensive end Ashton Gillotte, linebacker Momo Sanogo and punter Mark Vassett earned honorable mention. Gillotte recorded 22 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: OT - Renato Brown, Louisville, 32 votes,...Brown started 12 games at offensive tackle, recording 53 knockdown blocks. He graded out better than 84 percent on the season as the Cards finished in the top 40 in rushing offense. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: DT - Aaron Faumui, Virginia, 22 votes,...Faumui started nine of 10 games on UVA's defensive line, totaling 39 tackles, including a team-best 8.5 tackles for loss. He was credited with four sacks and four quarterback hurries on a Cavalier defense that improved over 75 spots in total defense from a year ago. - Virginia Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: DE - Chico Bennett, Virginia, 35 votes,...Playing UVA's bandit position, Bennett had a breakout season on a UVA defense that ranked 14th in the NCAA in sacks per game (3.0). Bennett started all but one game and led the team with seven total sacks. His 0.70 sacks per game are the third-most in the ACC. He garnered ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice this season, one of nine UVA defensive linemen ever to win the award twice in the same season. - Virginia Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: CB - Fentrell Cypress, Virginia, 69 votes,...Fentrell Cypress took home second team honors for the first time in his career. He led the ACC with 14 pass break ups and passes defended per game. The 1.56 passes defended per game are the fourth-most in the country. Cypress started all nine of the games in which he appeared and was credited with 39 tackles. - Virginia Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: WR - Tyler Hudson, Louisville, 109 votes,...The University of Louisville football team saw 12 of its players claim All-Atlantic Coast Conference status as announced Tuesday by the conference office. Linebacker Yasir Abdullah headlined the group by earning first-team honors, while offensive linemen Caleb Chandler and Bryan Hudson and wide receiver Tyler Hudson captured second team accolades. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: OT - Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse, 114 votes,...A team captain, Bergeron has graded out as one of the top-15 pass blocking tackles in college football from Pro Football Focus this season. He has the third-highest overall grade among tackles and fourth among offensive linemen regardless of position in the ACC this season. He has played 674 offensive line snaps this season, allowed just four sacks and was penalized three times all season. - Syracuse Football
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2022 ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 2ND TEAM: LB Nathan East, Gr., Samford,...Offensive lineman Jabari Brooks and wide receiver Kendall Watson were unanimous second-team selections. At the same time, linebacker Nathan East, defensive back Hakeem Johnson and punter Bradley Porcellato were named to the second team by the coaches. - Samford Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: S - Ja'Had Carter, Syracuse, 33 votes,...Carter led the Orange in interceptions with three. He also notched 36 tackles and had a fumble recovery that he returned for a score against Clemson. Carter was one of the other Orange DBs that led the unit to a top-20 passing defense. - Syracuse Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: CB - Garrett Williams, Syracuse, 26 votes,...Williams played in just seven games before suffering a season-ending injury. He finished his season with 36 total tackles (25 solo), two interceptions, three pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. At the time of his injury, the Syracuse defense ranked: 1st in the ACC (16th nationally) in total defense (303.1 ypg), 1st in the ACC (3rd nationally) in passing yards allowed (164.5), and 2nd in the ACC (19th nationally) in scoring defense (18.4 ppg). - Syracuse Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: TE - Marshon Ford, Louisville, 27 votes,...Running back Tiyon Evans, tight end Marshon Ford, offensive tackle Renato Brown, defensive end Ashton Gillotte, linebacker Momo Sanogo and punter Mark Vassett earned honorable mention. Ford was second on the team in receptions with 31 for 421 yards and two scores. Gillotte recorded 22 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: RB - Tiyon Evans, Louisville, 30 votes,...Plagued by injuries, Evans was third on the team with 525 yards rushing and six touchdowns in eight games. The transfer from Tennessee rushed for a season high 126 yards and score versus James Madison and added 106 yards in a win over No. 10 Wake Forest. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: WR Gage Larvadain, Southeastern, So.,...SLU's 14 All-Southland selections (Larvadain occupied two positions) were the most in the conference, followed closely by UIW with 13, while McNeese and Northwestern State finished with eight apiece. Gage Larvadain also represented Southeastern on the second team at wide receiver and was joined by senior running back Carlos Washington Jr., sophomore tight end Ivan Drobocky, sophomore offensive lineman Dom Serapiglia III, sophomore offensive lineman Jhy Orgeron, freshman place kicker Riley Callaghan, junior defensive end Arlen Williams and sophomore linebacker Donte' Daniels. - SE Louisiana Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: C - Grant Gibson, NC State, 132 votes,...Grant Gibson, who led Pack offensive players with 132 total votes, recorded 38 pancake blocks in 10 games this season. Gibson allowed just two sacks in 643 total snaps while anchoring the Pack offensive line. - NC State Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: OG - Chandler Zavala, NC State, 119 (tie) votes,...Chandler Zavala, a graduate student from Boynton Beach, Florida, registered 31 pancake blocks and allowed just 0.5 sacks in 747 snaps this season. Zavala was named a Midseason All-American according to The Athletic and has started all 12 games this year at left guard. - NC State Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: PK - James Turner, Louisville, 72 votes,...Turner was nearly automatic for the Cardinals, connecting on 19-of-21 field goal attempts. He connected on four field goals in Louisville's 25-10 win over NC State on Nov. 19. The junior was second in the conference with an average of 1.58 field goals per game and third in field goal percentage of 90.5. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: CB - Kei'Trel Clark, Louisville, 64 votes,...Clark earns All-ACC honors for the third-straight season after transferring from Liberty. The Richmond, Va., native recorded 51 tackles and an interception, returning it for a touchdown in a win over Pitt. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: DB Jack Henderson, Southeastern, So.,...John Allen was one of six first team All-SLC selections for SLU along with junior punter Austin Dunlap, sophomore defensive back Jack Henderson, senior defensive back Ferlando Jordan, sophomore defensive back Zy Alexander and sophomore kick returner Gage Larvadain. - SE Louisiana Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: WR - Thayer Thomas, NC State, 43 votes,...Five Wolfpack student-athletes also earned Honorable-Mention accolades - wide receiver Thayer Thomas, offensive tackle Timothy McKay, linebacker Isaiah Moore, linebacker Payton Wilson and defensive back Tyler Baker-Williams. - NC State Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: CB - Duce Chestnut, Syracuse, 39 votes,...Chestnut, the Orange's other starting corner, appeared in all-12 games and was also a key component of the Orange secondary that finished the regular season ranked second in the ACC and 20th nationally in passing defense (188.8). Individually, he had 40 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pick six. - Syracuse Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: LB - Marlowe Wax, Syracuse, 16 votes,...Wax ends the regular season as the team's leading tackler, with 89 this season. He also had 4.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He finished the regular season as the conference's fifth-highest graded linebacker according to Pro Football Focus. - Syracuse Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: AP - Sean Tucker, Syracuse, 64 votes,...Tucker posted his second-straight 1,000 yard regular season, following up his record-breaking season with another 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 36 passes for 254 yards and two more scores. - Syracuse Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: OT - Timothy McKay, NC State, 30 votes,...Five Wolfpack student-athletes also earned Honorable-Mention accolades - wide receiver Thayer Thomas, offensive tackle Timothy McKay, linebacker Isaiah Moore, linebacker Payton Wilson and defensive back Tyler Baker-Williams. - NC State Football
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2022 ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: TE/HB, Ivan Drobocky, Southeastern, So.,...SLU's 14 All-Southland selections (Larvadain occupied two positions) were the most in the conference, followed closely by UIW with 13, while McNeese and Northwestern State finished with eight apiece. Gage Larvadain also represented Southeastern on the second team at wide receiver and was joined by senior running back Carlos Washington Jr., sophomore tight end Ivan Drobocky, sophomore offensive lineman Dom Serapiglia III, sophomore offensive lineman Jhy Orgeron, freshman place kicker Riley Callaghan, junior defensive end Arlen Williams and sophomore linebacker Donte' Daniels. - SE Louisiana Football
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2022 ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL 2ND TEAM: P Bradley Porcellato, Gr., Samford,...Offensive lineman Jabari Brooks and wide receiver Kendall Watson were unanimous second-team selections. At the same time, linebacker Nathan East, defensive back Hakeem Johnson and punter Bradley Porcellato were named to the second team by the coaches. - Samford Football
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2022 ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: P Austin Dunlap, Southeastern, Jr.,...John Allen was one of six first team All-SLC selections for SLU along with junior punter Austin Dunlap, sophomore defensive back Jack Henderson, senior defensive back Ferlando Jordan, sophomore defensive back Zy Alexander and sophomore kick returner Gage Larvadain. - SE Louisiana Football
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2022 HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST: QB Caleb Williams, Southern California,...Williams, a sophomore, led the Trojans to the Pac-12 championship game, one year after transferring from Oklahoma and heading west along with head coach Lincoln Riley to revive a stagnant program. He has completed 66.1% of his passes for 4,075 yards, while throwing for 37 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He is seeking to be Riley's third Heisman Trophy winner and USC's first Heisman winner since Reggie Bush in 2005, an award that was later vacated. - Frank Cooney's NFL Draft Scout
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2022 HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST: QB Max Duggan, TCU,...Duggan led TCU to its first College Football Playoff berth as the Horned Frogs defied all odds before their undefeated season was ruined in the Big 12 title game by Kansas State. Duggan, TCU's first Heisman finalist since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2000, led the Big 12's highest scoring offense, throwing for 3,321 yards, 30 touchdowns and four interceptions. He was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches. - Frank Cooney's NFL Draft Scout
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2022 HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State,...Stroud is a Heisman finalist for the second consecutive year, having finished fourth in last year's voting. Despite the Buckeyes losing to Michigan, Stroud has Ohio State in the College Football Playoff after passing for 3,340 passing yards and is tied with Williams and Houston's Clayton Tune for the nation's lead with 37 touchdowns, while leading the FBS in passing efficiency. - Frank Cooney's NFL Draft Scout
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Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis, the fourth player in school history to account for 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in a single season, is staying in school for his senior year. Travis made the announcement Monday, the same day hundreds of players across the nation entered the NCAA transfer portal or declared for the NFL draft. Travis chose a different path and could be an early favorite in next year's Heisman Trophy race. "So many memories have been made on this field and we're not done yet," Travis said in a highlight video posted on social media. “See y'all in 2023."
A fourth-year junior, Travis has 22 touchdown passes to go along with seven rushing scores, one receiving and just four interceptions. He has led the 13th-ranked Seminoles (9-3) to five consecutive wins as they prepare to play Oklahoma (6-6) in the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 29 in Orlando. Travis joined FSU's three Heisman Trophy winners - Charlie Ward in 1993, Chris Weinke in 2000 and Jameis Winston in 2013 - to account for 3,000 yards and 30 TDs in a season. He is one of six QBs in Power Five conferences with at least 20 TD passes and four or fewer interceptions. - AP College Football
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2022 HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST: QB Stetson Bennett, Georgia,...Bennett, a 25-year-old sixth-year senior, has led top-ranked and defending national champion Georgia to an undefeated record as the Bulldogs have been perched at the top of the polls for most of the season. Bennett has thrown for 3,425 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2022 and has a 26-3 record as a starting quarterback. It's Georgia first Heisman finalist since 1992, when Garrison Hearst finished third behind Gino Torretta and Marshall Faulk. - Frank Cooney's NFL Draft Scout
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Cincinnati has hired Louisville's Scott Satterfield to be its next coach, the university announced Monday. Louisville was 7-5 this season under Satterfield and earned a berth in the Fenway Bowl, where coincidentally it will face Cincinnati. He replaces Luke Fickell, who recently left to become coach at Wisconsin. Satterfield said he was honored to become coach of the Bearcats and looked forward to continuing the program's winning tradition. "I'm excited to take Cincinnati into the Big 12 this fall and ready to compete for championships," he said in a statement. "I'm most looking forward to meeting the current team and beginning to build relationships with these young men. We will hit the ground running today." Athletic director John Cunningham called Satterfield "a proven winner" and noted his competitiveness and culture-building.
"He's an innovative offensive mind and a leader who develops men on and off the field," Cunningham said in the statement. "He's the perfect fit to grow this program and lead us into the Big 12 next season and beyond." The Cardinals overcame starts of 2-3 overall and 0-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference play with a 5-2 stretch run highlighted by wins over then-No. 10 Wake Forest, Pittsburgh and North Carolina State. Their disappointing start fueled speculation at midseason that Satterfield would be fired before Louisville won 34-17 at Virginia to begin its second-half surge toward bowl eligibility. It also finished 4-4 in league play despite a 31-16 loss at Clemson. - AP College Football
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Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has entered the transfer portal after an up-and-down two seasons as the starter, the school confirmed Monday. Uiagalelei was replaced after two series in Saturday’s 39-10 win over North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, and coach Dabo Swinney already has announced freshman Cade Klubnik will start in the Orange Bowl against Tennessee. The 10th-ranked Tigers (11-2) started 8-0, but Uiagalelei struggled in the Oct. 22 game against Syracuse and was benched in the second half. Klubnik led a fourth-quarter comeback in a 27-21 win.
Clemson’s offense was stagnant in a 35-14 loss at Notre Dame, and Uiagalelei was just 8-of-29 passing in a 31-30 loss to South Carolina. Klubnik took over after the Tigers went three-and-out on their first two possessions against North Carolina. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Uiagalelei was one of the top recruits in the country out of St. John Bosco High in Bellflower, California. Over 35 games in three seasons for Clemson, he threw for 5,681 yards and 36 touchdowns with a 59.8% completion rate and 17 interceptions. - AP College Football
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Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, considered more of a long-term project than a slam-dunk prospect, is leaving school early and entering the NFL draft. Richardson announced his decision with a lengthy social media post Monday, four days after backup quarterback Jalen Kitna was kicked off the team following his arrest on child pornography charges. Richardson's departure leaves freshman Max Brown, Ohio State transfer Jack Miller or walk-on Kyle Engel to make his first career start in the Las Vegas Bowl against 17th-ranked Oregon State (9-3) on Dec. 17. In his post, Richardson thanked just about everyone who had a role in his college career, including coach Billy Napier and his staff for "molding me into the player and person I am today." Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, guard O'Cyrus Torrence and receiver Justin Shorter also announced plans to enter the draft. They are among nearly two dozen players who have left the program in recent weeks.
Richardson is the headliner of the group. Many considered him a Heisman Trophy candidate following his stellar performance against then-No. 7 Utah in the team's season opener, a three-touchdown outing that started season-long speculation about Richardson's first year as Florida's starter being his last. But the third-year sophomore ended up being more inconsistent than proficient at the all-important position. He completed 53.8% of his passes for 2,549 yards, with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for 654 yards and nine scores. He was sacked 14 times and fumbled twice. His completion percentage was the lowest for a starting quarterback at Florida since Treon Harris in 2015. Nonetheless, Richardson undoubtedly has NFL potential. The 6-foot-4, 232-pound Gainesville native is mobile and has a big-time arm. He has made plays all season - he has 16 runs that gained at least 10 yards and 46 passes that gained at least 20 yards - but he often struggled trying to complete routine throws. Staying healthy had been a concern, but Richardson started every game and took the majority of the snaps to prove his durability. Still, he's likely to land in the league with a team that has no plans to play him right away. Several scouts have said he would be best served starting his professional career as a backup and without the pressure of playing as a rookie. - AP College Football
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Ohio State star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will not play in the College Football Playoff semifinal game against top-ranked Georgia while he continues to rehabilitate a leg injury and prepare for the 2023 NFL draft. The AP Preseason All-American was hurt in the Buckeyes’ opener against Notre Dame and played in just two other games. Details on the seriousness of his injury weren’t disclosed through the season. The announcement was made by the football program on Monday. "I want to thank Jaxon for all he has done for our Ohio State program," Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. "He has had such a major impact here in Columbus, on and off the field, in a relatively short period of time. We all know he has a very bright future ahead of him and we all support him as he moves forward with his career."
The Buckeyes play Georgia in a CPF semifinal in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 31. Receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. (1,157 yards, 12 TDs) and Emeka Egbuka (1,039 yards, nine touchdowns) assumed larger roles in the passing game with Smith-Njigba sidelined. The junior from Rockwall, Texas, set school records in 2021 for receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606). His yardage total broke a 20-year-old Big Ten Conference record. Smith-Njigba set an all-time bowl game record with 347 receiving yards in the 2022 Rose Bowl win over Utah. He also broke the Rose Bowl record with 15 receptions and tied the game record with three touchdowns. - AP College Football
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North Carolina State quarterback Devin Leary plans to enter his name into the transfer portal for his final season of eligibility. Leary tweeted a statement announcing his decision on Monday. He suffered a season-ending injury in October after being named preseason Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year. Leary threw for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns with four interceptions in six games. The Wolfpack went on to start three other quarterbacks after Leary’s injury, including first-year passer MJ Morris. Leary played four seasons for the Wolfpack, throwing for 35 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2021. - AP College Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: LB - Yasir Abdullah, Louisville, 116 votes,...Abdullah was a dominating force on a defense that finished second nationally in the ACC in sacks. The native of Miramar, Fla., was second in the league with 8.0 sacks and seventh in the conference with 13.0 tackles for loss. The senior was second nationally in forced fumbles with four and was second on the team with a pair of interceptions. - Louisville Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: DE - Keion White, Georgia Tech, 44 votes,...White was a force on the defensive line for Georgia Tech, ranking sixth in the ACC with 14.0 tackles for loss and seventh in the league with 7.5 sacks. It's the most sacks and tackles for loss by a Georgia Tech player since second-round NFL Draft pick Jeremiah Attaochu in 2013. In addition to his dominance behind the line of scrimmage, White also finished third on the team with 54 total tackles for the year. - Georgia Tech Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: S - Kam Kinchens, Miami, 139 votes,...Kinchens tied for the nation's lead in interceptions during the regular season and paced the Hurricanes with 59 tackles. His six picks trail only Bennie Blades (10) and Sean Taylor on Miami's single-season interception list. - Miami Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: LB - Ayinde Eley, Georgia Tech, 70 votes,...Eley amassed a whopping 118 tackles to lead Georgia Tech and rank third in the league. In a historic season, Eley became the first Division I FBS player since 2016 with 118 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 12 games. Co-leading the nation, Eley is also one of just two Yellow Jackets since at least 2000 to force four fumbles in a single season (Eric Henderson, 2015). He also ranked fifth in the ACC in fumbles recovered and 20th in tackles for loss. - Georgia Tech Football
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Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said Sunday he will return to the school for his sixth and final season of eligibility in 2023. Penix announced his decision on social media and it was a surprising one at that. Penix was the national leader in passing this season, throwing for 4,354 yards and led Washington's turnaround. The No. 12-ranked Huskies went 10-2 in the regular season, finished tied for second in the Pac-12 and will face No. 21 Texas in the Alamo Bowl. Penix will have a chance at setting Washington's single-season record for yards passing in the bowl game. He also threw 29 touchdowns this season.
Because of his performance this season, Penix saw his NFL draft stock rise to where he was being expected to be a second-day pick at the latest. In his announcement, Penix wrote, "As I look back on this special season we had, I realized there were so many great moments and things to celebrate, but I KNOW there is so much for out there for this team and the job is still not finished. I can't wait to be playing in Husky Stadium for the 2023 season!" Penix started his career at Indiana and showed flashes of stardom while also battling injuries. He transferred to Washington after the 2021 season, a move that reunited him with new Huskies' coach Kalen DeBoer, who was Penix's offensive coordinator for one season at Indiana. - AP College Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: CB - Anthony Johnson, Virginia, 84 votes,...Johnson started all 10 games at corner for UVA amassing 51 tackles, two interceptions and 12 pass break ups. His 14 passes defended (12 break ups & 2 interceptions) were the second-most among ACC defenders and his 1.4 passes defended per game are the eighth-best in FBS. Johnson's 38 career passes defended are tied for the fifth-most among active FBS defensive backs. - Virginia Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: LB - Nick Jackson, Virginia, 75 votes,...The Cavaliers' leader in tackles for the third-straight season, Jackson finished with 104 stops including seven tackles for loss in 10 games played. He recorded double-digit tackle efforts in six of 10 games played, including 10 tackles playing just the second half against Duke. On Oct. 31 he was named the ACC Linebacker of the Week after an eight-tackle, two-sack effort against Georgia Tech in his hometown of Atlanta. Jackson's 354 career tackles are tied for the 11th most in program history. - Virginia Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: P - Lou Hedley, Miami, 133 votes,...A three-time All-ACC performer, Hedley guided Miami to seventh in the country in net punting at 43.04 per attempt. Hedley pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line on 50 percent of his boots, with 10 punts traveling at least 50 yards. - Miami Football
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USC quarterback Caleb Williams is hopeful he can lead the Trojans' offense against No. 16 Tulane in the Cotton Bowl, while coach Lincoln Riley offered a more cautious forecast Sunday. Williams limped his way through the Pac-12 title game after he "popped" his hamstring on a first-quarter run. Riley noted after the game that Williams was "not even close to 50%" during the second half and that he considered going to backup Miller Moss. But the Heisman Trophy favorite refused to check out, instead fighting his way through the rest of the Utah loss while largely confined to the pocket, unable to scramble as usual.
Williams, who still had a serious limp Sunday, was confident that he would play in the bowl game when asked by The Times after an event for his foundation, Caleb Cares. "It would take a lot to keep me out," Williams said. Riley said Williams likely would not be able to play if USC had another game in the next two weeks, referring to it as a "significant hamstring injury." "Hamstrings are different for everybody, but the nature of his is pretty severe," Riley said. "... We will see how it progresses. We obviously hope to have him. He's a warrior." - LA Times
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Graham Mertz is entering the transfer portal after spending the last three seasons as Wisconsin's starting quarterback. Mertz announced Sunday on social media he was entering the portal "in pursuit of my next opportunity." His move comes one week after Wisconsin hired former Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell to head its program. "I am grateful for my time as a Badger," Mertz said in his post. "My time in Madison has taught me lessons that go far beyond the football field." Mertz arrived at Wisconsin as the nation's No. 65 overall prospect in his class, according to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports.
He was the Badgers' first top-100 247Sports Composite signee who didn't play on the offensive line since 2007, when they got running back John Clay. Mertz went 20 of 21 and threw five touchdown passes to help Wisconsin beat Illinois 45-7 in his first career start, setting a school single-game record for single-game completion percentage and tying the school single-game record for touchdown passes. But he struggled with consistency the rest of his time with the Badgers. Wisconsin had a different offensive coordinator each of his three seasons as a starter. Mertz has completed 59.5% of his career passes for 5,405 yards with 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. He completed 57.3% of his attempts for 2,136 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. - AP College Football
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One-time Clemson starting defensive back Fred Davis II, sued by an accident victim when he and teammate Malcolm Greene allegedly were seen racing on a roadway near campus, has decided to transfer. Davis announced his intention Sunday, a day after the Tigers won the Atlantic Coast Conference title in a 39-10 win over North Carolina. "I'm officially entering the transfer portal on Dec. 5," was all Davis said in post along with a photo of him lined up prior to a snap of a home game.
Davis and Greene were sued in Pickens County Common Pleas Court, a form of civil court, this past October by victim Karen Alvarez, who was driving a mail delivery truck that Davis' vehicle crashed into. Davis, a junior, was arrested and charged with reckless driving in the summer of 2021. The charge is a misdemeanor in South Carolina. On the field, Davis played 20 games his first two seasons and began this year as a starter in Clemson's first four games. He missed the final six games after injuring his ankle. - AP College Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: TE - Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse, 127 votes,...Gadsden, just a true sophomore, set single-season program records for receptions (56) and receiving yards (891) this season. He leads the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns by a tight end, and is sixth in the ACC in receiving yards by any player regardless of position. - Syracuse Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: PK - Christopher Dunn, NC State, 177 votes,...Placekicker Christopher Dunn, who earlier Tuesday was named a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, led the Pack with 177 total votes. Dunn capped a record-setting career with his finest single season, going 24-for-25 on field goals – the best accuracy rate by an FBS kicker with at least 20 attempts. Dunn also set new ACC career records for most made field goals and points scored during the 2022 season. - NC State Football
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2022 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM (COACHES): Punter Adam Korsak, Rutgers,...A finalist for the Ray Guy Award, Korsak is an All-Big Ten honoree for the fifth-straight year. The Aussie led the country with 32 punts downed inside the 20 and -11 return yards against, ranking third in net punt average (43.57). He is the NCAA all-time leader in punting attempts (349) and yardage (15,318), a three-time captain for the Scarlet Knights and tied for the program record with 58 games played. - Rutgers Football
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Travion Brown, a veteran Washington State defender who shared first-team snaps at middle linebacker this year, has entered the NCAA's transfer portal, according to multiple reports Friday. A graduate transfer, Brown has one season of eligibility remaining. He never used his redshirt at WSU. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder played in 11 games this season, starting two. He and redshirt freshman Francisco Mauigoa rotated frequently at the middle linebacker position. Brown finished the regular season sixth on the team with 49 tackles, adding five tackles for loss, 1½ sacks and a fumble recovery.
Brown came to WSU in 2019 out of Linfield Christian School of Temecula, California, as a three-star recruit and a top-20 outside linebacker in the country, per 247Sports.com. He chose the Cougars over offers from Washington, Oregon, Utah and Minnesota, among others, and claimed a playing role at WSU immediately. Brown made five starts at nickel during his true freshman season and earned All-Pac-12 second-team recognition for his special-teams exploits. He played sparingly in 2020, then established himself as a backup option at linebacker in 2021 and saw plenty of action off the bench behind mainstay LB Justus Rogers. Brown finishes his WSU career with 39 appearances, 132 tackles, 7½ TFLs, 1½ sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. - Spokesman-Review
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Phil Jurkovec, Boston College quarterback and former Pine-Richland High School star, entered the transfer portal Friday and has an interest in possibly coming to Pitt. But he said a number of other schools also had contacted him. Jurkovec spent the past three seasons at Boston College after transferring from Notre Dame. He has an extra year of eligibility because of COVID-19. "It's not like I'm that close to a decision yet," Jurkovec said. Jurkovec said he has heard from Power Five conference schools, as well as colleges from smaller conferences. "I really liked Boston College, but it just wasn't the right situation for me right now," Jurkovec said. "There are no hard feelings. Coach [Jeff] Hafley wishes me the best and he's trying to help me out. I'm not leaning one way or another. I have to take in all the information right now."
Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. was Boston College's offensive coordinator for Jurkovec's first two seasons at Boston College. Whether Jurkovec ends up at Pitt might hinge on whether Kedon Slovis uses his final year of eligibility at Pitt, transfers elsewhere or turns to the NFL. "In regards to Pitt, I really like coach Cignetti because of the past. That's a huge draw," Jurkovec said. "Coach [Pat] Narduzzi always has been good to me, too. I'm very interested in Pitt, but we'll see how this plays out and what exactly is the situation at Pitt." - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: CB - Aydan White, NC State, 117 votes,...Four members of a dominant NC State defense that ranked first in the ACC in scoring defense (19.42) were selected to All-ACC teams. Cornerback Aydan White was the Pack's sole defensive player named first-team All-ACC after ranking second in the ACC with four interceptions and tied for sixth in the league with 12 passes defended. White picked off a pair of passes, including an 84-yard pick-six, in NC State's win over Texas Tech en route to being named the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week. He is also the first Wolfpack cornerback to earn All-ACC honors since David Amerson earned Second-Team All-ACC accolades in 2012. - NC State Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM: LB - Mikel Jones, Syracuse, 55 votes,...Jones - a now three-time All-ACC selection - Had 84 tackles through 11 games, missing the final game of the regular season due to injury. A team captain, he also notched seven tackles for loss 4.0 sacks, forced a fumble and recovered another on the year. One of three Butkus Award Semifinalists from the ACC, which is presented to the nation's top linebacker, Jones was named to the third team in the conference. - Syracuse Football
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2022 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM (COACHES): KR Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers,...Often kicked away from by opponents, Cruickshank averaged 20.6 yards on 18 kickoff returns this past season. He ripped off a season-long 66-yard return to help set up a touchdown versus Penn State. This marks his third time earning All-Big Ten honors, claiming First Team in 2020 and Second Team in 2019. - Rutgers Football
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2022 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL THIRD TEAM (COACHES): DL Aaron Lewis, Rutgers,...Lewis emerged on the defensive line with 55 tackles with eight for loss in 2022. He posted a career high with 11 tackles, two in the backfield, and a forced fumble in the road win over Temple, adding sacks versus Nebraska and Penn State. - Rutgers Football
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The Oregon Ducks are losing an offensive lineman to transfer. Redshirt-freshman Bram Walden is entering the transfer portal, he announced Saturday. "I just want to thank the University of Oregon for making my experience for these last 2 years and I'll always be grateful for this opportunity," Walden wrote via Instagram. "I want to thank all of the coaches, players, my family, friends and faculty that have made my time here truly special. I want to thank the man above for always having a plan for me and allowing me to be where I am today. "With that being said, I am entering the transfer portal and I'm looking forward to furthering my academic and athletic career. Thank you! Go Ducks!" Walden battled a knee injury during his two seasons at UO. He did not play while redshirting in 2021 and appeared in two games this season, against Cal and Colorado. The 6-foot-3, 304-pound Walden is the fifth Oregon player to announce their intent to transfer since the regular season ended, joining receiver Dont'e Thornton, running back Byron Cardwell Jr., quarterback Jay Butterfield and edge rusher Bradyn Swinson. - The Oregonian
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Memphis football defensive back Joshua Hastings announced Saturday via Twitter that he's entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. Hastings, a former Cordova High standout, started five games this season and appeared in eight overall with 27 tackles and three pass breakups. The sophomore appeared in 15 games over three seasons. Hastings is the latest Tigers player to enter the transfer portal after kicker David Kemp and defensive tackle Cameron Blaylock did so this week. The portal officially opens at midnight Monday morning. The Tigers' secondary struggled with injuries all season and Hasting missed four of the team's last five games. But His departure adds to some of the depth issues facing the position entering 2023. - Memphis Commercial Appeal
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2022 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Christian Izien,...Izien garners All-Big Ten recognition for the third-straight season after totaling 84 tackles with five for loss, four pass breakups and a blocked punt. Starting all 12 games, he had two games recording double-digit stops with a high of 15 versus Iowa and became the 14th player in program history to reach 300 career tackles (303). - Rutgers Football
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2022 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Avery Young,...Young collects postseason recognition for the second time after registering 84 tackles at safety. He added an interception, four pass breakups and a forced fumble as a starter in all 12 games. The defensive back finishes his career with 326 tackles, 10th-most in program history. - Rutgers Football
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2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: RB - Sean Tucker, Syracuse, 140 votes,...Tucker picked up All-ACC accolades for the second year in a row. He posted his second-straight 1,000 yard regular season, following up his record-breaking season with another 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 36 passes for 254 yards and two more scores. - Syracuse Football
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BYU backup quarterback Jacob Conover is leaving the program and will enter the transfer portal, he announced Friday. The three-year backup to Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall departs after being one of BYU's most highly touted recruits, but never getting a start. In his career, Conover attempted just 11 passes and played in five games. With the potential departure of Hall next year, Conover would have likely competed to be BYU's starting quarterback in 2023. That said, the coaching staff never appeared to put their full confidence in Conover to truly take the reins after Hall leaves. Last week, Conover played the entire fourth quarter against Stanford - a total of 22 snaps - but was only allowed to throw the ball once. After the game, head coach Kalani Sitake insisted that it had nothing to do with a lack of faith in Conover to run the offense. Yet, it didn't exactly show a comfort level with the quarterback either. - Salt Lake Tribune
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2022 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Max Melton,...Melton contributed on both defense and special teams, posting 10 pass breakups, two interceptions, 33 tackles and a nation-leading three blocked punts. The blocked punt versus Michigan led to a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble on punt coverage in playing all 12 games. - Rutgers Football
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Georgia, Michigan, TCU and Ohio State were chosen Sunday to play in the College Football Playoff, giving the Big Ten multiple teams in the four-team field for the first time. The defending national champion and top-ranked Bulldogs and fourth-seeded Buckeyes will meet Dec. 31 at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The second-seeded Wolverines and third-ranked Horned Frogs, the lone first-timer in the final four, will play at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, the same day.
The national championship game is scheduled for Jan. 10 at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and it could a rematch of Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan. The rivalry dates to 1902, but the Buckeyes and Wolverines have never played outside of their annual regular-season game. With some drama, but not much controversy, the CFP selection committee’s top four fell into place over the championship weekend. The most interesting part of the unveiling was whether the committee would pair Michigan and Ohio State in the semifinals and if Alabama might be able to slip in as the first two-loss playoff team. In the end, the committee sprung no surprises. - AP College Football
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Georgia, Michigan, TCU and Ohio State were the top four in the final Associated Press college football poll of the regular season. The Bulldogs (13-0) are No. 1 for the ninth straight week and 12th time this season in the AP Top 25 presented by Regions Bank. Georgia received 62 first-place votes and Michigan (13-0) received the other one in the poll released Sunday. The final College Football Playoff rankings to set the four-team field for the national championship tournament was scheduled to be released later Sunday. TCU (12-1) remained third, despite losing for the first time this season in the Big 12 title game on Saturday. The Horned Frogs lost in overtime to Kanas State. The Buckeyes moved up a spot to No. 4, ahead of Alabama and Tennessee. Utah was No. 7 after beating Southern California in the Pac-12 championship game. The Trojans slipped four spots to No. 8. Penn State was ninth and Clemson stayed at No. 10 after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference title. - AP College Football
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Liberty is hiring Coastal Carolina's Jamey Chadwell to replace Hugh Freeze as the Flames' head coach. A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Sunday that a deal was done but spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement from Liberty was still in the works. Freeze left Liberty after four years to accept the same position at Auburn. Chadwell has guided the Chanticleers to new heights over the past three seasons, leading them to a 31-6 record and consecutive bowl games.
The Chants appeared at No. 23 in the AP Top 25 but lost 47-7 at James Madison in their regular-season finale with starting quarterback and Sun Belt player of the year Grayson McCall sidelined. They were beat again Saturday, 45-26, by Troy in the Sun Belt Conference championship game. Chadwell also has guided programs at North Greenville, Delta State and Charleston Southern and has a career mark of 99-57 as a head coach. - AP College Football
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The transfer portal is in full swing and Ball State's best player doesn't look like he'll be returning to Muncie next season. Sophomore running back Carson Steele, who finished the regular season sixth in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,556 rushing yards, announced his intention to enter the portal Saturday in a tweet, where he thanked God and Ball State's players, coaches and staff. "My family and I have decided that it would be best for me to enter the transfer portal for my remaining years of eligibility," Steele said in a tweet. "Again, I would like to say thank you to Ball State for the last two years and I wish nothing but success for their program as they move on."
Steele recorded 2,447 rushing yards, 323 receiving yards and 22 total touchdowns in his first two seasons. In Ball State single-season records, Steele finished third in rushing yards (1,556) and tied for third in touchdowns (14) this season. Steele is 10th in career rushing yards at Ball State. Steele isn't the first BSU player to enter the portal this season, but his decision is certainly the biggest blow for the Cardinals, who finished 5-7 in 2022, moving forward. - Star Press
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NIU running back Harrison Waylee announced Friday he was entering the transfer portal, the second year in a row the Huskies will have to replace the team's leading rusher. Last season, running back Jay Ducker ran for over 1,000 yards and was the MAC Freshman of the Year before transferring to Memphis. Coach Thomas Hammock could not be reached for comment. In a statement, Waylee thanked Hammock and the coaching staff for making his time with the Huskies a great experience. "Over the last three years I have grown as a player, student and person as a result of this community," Waylee said in the statement. Waylee played in all but one game this year, rushing for 899 yards and five touchdowns.
He was hurt after five games last year but still ran for 574 yards and four touchdowns, plus was the leading rusher in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Waylee's injury last year paved the way for Ducker to take over as the lead back, running 218 times for 1,184 yards and three touchdowns. He was named the MAC Freshman of the Year and then transferred to Memphis, where he ran for 461 yards on 97 carries and five touchdowns this season. The Huskies won the MAC last year, but went 3-9 this year. - DeKalb Daily Chronicle
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Iowa football's busy off-season continued Friday when sophomore wide receiver Arland Bruce IV announced his decision to transfer via his Twitter account. Bruce becomes the fourth Iowa player to enter the NCAA transfer portal, joining quarterback Alex Padilla, wide receiver Keagan Johnson and offensive lineman Josh Volk. On Thursday night, Iowa received its first transfer portal entry when Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara announced his intent to transfer into the program.
Bruce, a former four-star recruit from Ankeny, totaled 44 catches for 396 yards and two touchdowns in addition to 22 rushes for 112 and four touchdowns on the ground over two seasons. He also served as a primary punt returner this season, returning 19 punts for 123 yards. In a season when Iowa's wide receivers were largely hampered by injuries, Bruce was the most consistent presence on the field. He appeared in all but one game and was the only healthy scholarship receiver available through Iowa's first two games. In that regard, he emerged as one of the leaders on Iowa's offense early in the season. - Iowa City Press-Citizen
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Florida Gators running backs Nay'Quan Wright and Lorenzo Lingard are the latest two players to announce that they are entering the transfer portal next week. Wright was a starter and team captain in week one during Florida's 29-26 upset of No. 8 Utah, but eventually lost carries to Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne as the season progressed. He finished the season with 47 carries for 190 yards and 2 TDs. Overall, Wright finished with 688 yards and 3 rushing TDs in four seasons with the Gators, with 332 yards and 1 TD receiving. - Gainesville Sun
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University of Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson warmed hearts on a cold day across the state by announcing on Friday he would return for his senior season in 2023. The draft-eligible redshirt junior from Sardis, Miss., has emerged as one of the nation's top quarterbacks in two seasons as the Arkansas starter. The Razorbacks are 15-8 in games Jefferson has started since the 6-3, 242-pounder took the reins in 2021. In the two games Jefferson missed this year, due to a concussion and a shoulder injury, respectively, the Razorbacks averaged 366 yards and 13.5 points in a 40-17 loss at Mississippi State and a 13-10 home loss to LSU.
With Jefferson in the lineup, the Razorbacks went 6-4, lost three games by two points and averaged 471.3 yards and 34.1 points per game. Jefferson has advanced into the top 10 in the UA record books in multiple categories, including fourth in touchdown responsibility with 63. The dual-threat quarterback owns the second- and third-best completion-percentage seasons in Arkansas history with his 68.3% this year and 67.3% in 2021. Feleipe Franks holds the school record with 68.5% completions in 2020. Jefferson can challenge that record with a strong performance in the Razorbacks' bowl game. - Northwest Arkansas Times
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Jacob Slade decided to bypass an extra year of eligibility to turn pro, and Michigan State football's 2023 roster is beginning to take shape. The senior defensive tackle announced via Twitter on Saturday his plans to enter the NFL draft instead of returning to the Spartans for an extra season of eligibility available to him via NCAA waiver for 2020's COVID-afflicted season. Slade redshirted at MSU in 2018 and played the next four seasons, finishing this year with 20 tackles - 3 1/2 for a loss, plus half a sack - in eight games. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound native of Lewis Center, Ohio, missed four games with a right leg injury. In playing all 13 games last season, Slade had 40 tackles and 2½ sacks among his five tackles for a loss while collapsing the pocket at the point of attack with his strength. He finished his MSU career by starting 26 of his 42 games and getting 88 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, and four sacks. - Lansing State Journal
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North Carolina coach Mack Brown said Friday he does not expect quarterback Drake Maye to leave the Tar Heels this offseason through the transfer portal. "I don't think Drake will go anywhere because he's a Carolina family," Brown said at a news conference before Saturday's ACC championship game between Clemson and North Carolina. However, Brown said he had yet to have conversations with his players about their future plans. "This game is really important to us, so our coaches have been hesitant to say, 'Hey Ross, are you leaving, man? I know you've got to play Saturday night, but are you out of here? Are you going to play or are you going to stay?" Brown said. "So we'll have some guys playing tomorrow night that will probably be leaving on Monday, and that discussion will either come Sunday or Monday morning." Maye ranks fourth among FBS players in both passing yards per game (320.6) and passing touchdowns (35). The redshirt freshman is not eligible to enter the NFL draft until after the 2023 season. - Birmingham News
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After five seasons playing for his hometown team, Jamarye Joiner will explore other opportunities beyond Tucson. The Arizona Wildcats wide receiver and former Cienega High School star announced on Friday that he will enter the NCAA transfer portal. Joiner will have one more season of eligibility as a graduate transfer. The 6-foot-1-inch, 220-pound Joiner was originally recruited by the Rich Rodriguez regime to play quarterback for the Wildcats. Rodriguez's successor, Kevin Sumlin, converted Joiner to wide receiver. Joiner had a breakout season in 2019, leading the Wildcats with 552 receiving yards and five touchdowns. In the second half of Joiner's career at the UA, he endured multiple surgeries for a Jones fracture in the same foot. - Arizona Star News
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Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King and cornerback Denver Harris have entered the transfer portal, according to King's father, John King, and a social media post from Harris. Harris, a 247Sports.com five-star recruit from North Shore, had a short and turbulent stay in Aggieland. Harris was suspended twice during his only year at A&M, once for the Miami game due to a violation of team rules and then for the remainder of the season after the Aggies' loss at South Carolina. According to the Houston Chronicle, Harris was one of four players suspended indefinitely for smoking a vape pen that contained marijuana inside the locker room and did not play in the final five games of the season. Harris played in five games for the Aggies, recording 14 tackles and three pass breakups. - Bryan/College Station Eagle
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Yet another Colorado football player is likely on his way out of Boulder. On Friday, receiver Chase Penry announced his intention to put his name into the NCAA transfer portal when the 45-window opens on Monday. Following a miserable season, the Buffs (1-11, 1-8 Pac-12) have already had five players announce their intention to enter the transfer portal. True freshman quarterback Owen McCown and fifth-year junior guard Casey Roddick announced their decisions earlier this week. Safety Isaiah Lewis and receiver Maurice Bell are also in the portal, but both are sixth-year seniors who need a medical hardship waiver to gain a seventh season and final year of eligibility. Penry played in 11 games a true freshman in 2021, catching eight passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. He also had three punt returns for 53 yards. - Daily Camera