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Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
Tennessee wide receiver Braylon Staley had a fantastic redshirt-freshman season in 2025, collecting 68 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns. He won SEC Freshman of the Year. With last year's leading receiver, Chris Brazzell, in the NFL, Staley could emerge as the most productive pass-catcher in Tennessee's offense. The Vols have had three 1,000-yard receivers since Josh Heupel took over the program in 2021, and Staley could be next up if the team gets quality quarterback play from George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon. With a freshman quarterback running the show, the 20-year-old slot receiver could be a security blanket in the middle of the field. That said, Tennessee's wide receiver room is loaded with former blue-chip recruits, so Staley will have plenty of target competition in his second year as a starter.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy (leg), who suffered a gunshot wound early in May, remains without a clear timeline for a return to football, according to head coach Eli Drinkwitz. "[Hardy] has been rehabbing in our facility every morning at 9 a.m.," Drinkwitz said at the SEC Spring meetings. "We're a long way away from knowing what the football side of it will be, but from a overall health, just fine. There's not a lot of return to play protocols with this particular injury, so we'll have to carry that out as we get back." Drinkwitz said Missouri expects to know more about his status "around SEC Media Days," which take place in late July. If Hardy cannot play or is limited during the 2026 season, Jamal Roberts, who tallied 894 yards from scrimmage last year, will take on a larger workload.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele displayed the type of talent as a freshman that makes fans realize why they love the game of football so much. One highlight throw after another, Sagapolutele's quick release, zip on the ball, and accuracy make him such a special passer. As a freshman, the 6-foot-3 passer threw for 3,454 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He impressed late in the season, leading wins over Louisville and SMU. Sagapolutele is surrounded with a lot more talent as a sophomore under first-year head coach Tosh Lupoi. Cal added Rutgers transfer Ian Strong, Ohio transfer Chase Hendricks, New Mexico tight end Dorian Thomas, and Washington running back Adam Mohammed to bolster the group of weapons around their rising star. He should be set up to improve as a sophomore, and could become a household name by the end of the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
Florida running back Jadan Baugh is penciled in as one of college football's elite playmakers for the upcoming 2026 season. Despite being stuck in a stagnant offense a season ago, Baugh piled up 1,170 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 210 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. Standing 6-foot-1, 231 pounds, the all-around running back's blend of size, athleticism, and power make him one of the nation's most punishing rushers. In year one under Jon Sumrall, the offense is primed to lean on the rising junior to carry the load. With either Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. set to start at quarterback, the lack of SEC experience at the quarterback position may naturally make the offense lean more on the ground game. Baugh has limitless talent, and could soar up 2027 NFL Draft boards with a strong season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has rejoined the Tigers' staff under Lane Kiffin, per Pete Thamel. Orgeron's official title is the special assistant to recruiting and defense. The former Tigers' head coach previously parted ways with the program in 2021, just two years removed from the historic undefeated 2019 season. He has not held a coaching position since, and is returning to the sport after a nearly five-year hiatus. Orgeron went 51-20 as the Tigers' head coach from 2016-2021, finishing at a 31-17 mark in SEC games. The undefeated season with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and company was the high-point of his tenure, and he hopes to help Kiffin lead the Tigers back to the promised land.
Source: LSU Sports
Source: LSU Sports
Evan Stewart Pushing Oregon Receiving Corps
Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart (knee) missed the entire 2025 season with a torn patellar tendon, but the senior is fully healthy entering 2026. In a loaded receiver room also featuring Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan, and Iverson Hooks, Stewart is a leader. Quarterback Dante Moore stated, "Evan's been doing a great job ever since he got back, just being a leader. Even when he wasn't playing, he was being a leader in the facility, the way he carried himself, the way he was still participating in meetings, even though he wasn't able to play. But with him being back and healthy, he's just pushing that room way more, way better." Stewart's presence in a stacked receiving room will be very beneficial for Moore, who is looking to solidify himself as the top quarterback in the 2027 class.
Source: On3
Source: On3
North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
North Carolina and South Carolina have canceled a home-and-home series that was originally scheduled for 2028-29. The rivalry between the two schools is not played yearly, but they have met five times since 2010. This series is the latest home-and-home between power conference opponents to be nixed as the state of college football continues to evolve. South Carolina has already added Bowling Green to their 2028 schedule as a replacement. North Carolina leads the all-time series with a record of 36-20-4. It remains to be seen when the two programs will meet on the gridiron again.
Source: GoHeels.com
Source: GoHeels.com
Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
Mississippi State sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor is set to take over as the starter in 2026 for the Bulldogs. Taylor played sparingly as a true freshman, finishing the season 43-for-77 for 629 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception. He was a weapon on the ground as well, rushing for 458 yards and eight scores. On3 reported that a source told them ""Kamario is going to make plays with his legs. Kamario is going to have some plays where he's just going to go alien mode and take off. Let Kamario do his thing. Don't need anybody to be Superman, just let his talent do its thing." Expectations are rising for the rising sophomore, who could be among the SEC's most electric playmakers in 2026.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
Entering Year 5 with the program, USC head coach Lincoln Riley believes his team is ready to make a run at the College Football Playoff. "We have absolutely taken steps now," Lincoln Riley said, per Adam Rittenberg of ESPN. "Honestly, now it's just time to go do it. It's time. The program's ready for it." Riley got out to a hot start in Los Angeles, posting an 11-1 regular-season record behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams. However, the Trojans are 24-15 over the last three seasons and have not been close to the College Football Playoff discussion by season's end. After winning 55 games and four Big 12 titles in five seasons with Oklahoma, questions have been raised about his ability to replicate the success at USC. He enters 2026 with second-year quarterback Jayden Maiava, but the Trojans will have their work cut out for them with Oregon, Washington, Penn State, Ohio State, and Indiana on the schedule this fall.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
Notre Dame announced that the rivalry series against Stanford has been extended through 2028, according to On3. The two programs are scheduled to meet this October in South Bend. They will face off on November 27, 2027, at Stanford Stadium and on October 14, 2028, at Notre Dame Stadium. Any time a historical rivalry is extended, it's a win for college football fans in the modern era dominated by realignment. The Irish and the Cardinal have squared off 39 times, beginning in 1925. Notre Dame has the advantage in the all-time series record, winning 24 meetings (2012 win vacated).
Source: On3
Source: On3
Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy (leg) is back in Columbia and is beginning his rehab process 10 days after suffering a gunshot wound at a concert in Mississippi. The 20-year-old's status for the 2026 campaign is still up in the air, but he took to X on Wednesday with a positive update. "I want to thank everybody for all the support and all of y'all prayers," Hardy said. "Thank everybody for everything, and I'm back on the road to success." In just two seasons of college football at Louisiana-Monroe and Mizzou, Hardy has tallied 2,911 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. He has earned consensus All-American, SEC Newcomer of the Year, Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-SEC, and First-Team All Sun Belt honors.
Source: Mizzou Football on X
Source: Mizzou Football on X
Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
Judge Phillip Hays has recused himself from the Brendan Sorsby vs. NCAA case, according to Texas court reporter Ryan Autullo. Hays, who did not give a reason for the decision, is a Teas Tech alum and Lubbock native, and there were questions regarding his ability to be unbiased. Sorsby sued the NCAA this week and is seeking an injunction that would prohibit it from interfering with his ability to play in 2026. Sorsby is expected to be ruled ineligible after it was revealed that he bet on the 2022 Indiana Hoosiers team he was a part of. The former Hoosier and Cincinnati Bearcat was one of the top players in the transfer portal this offseason and agreed to a lucrative deal to join the Red Raiders in hopes of competing for a College Football Playoff National Championship. His future hangs in the balance and could be decided by this court case.
Source: Ryan Autullo
Source: Ryan Autullo
UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
According to On3's Pete Nakos, UCLA offensive tackle Jordan Davis is officially eligible for the 2026 college football season after receiving a waiver from the NCAA. Davis spent the first two years of his collegiate career at South Carolina, but did not see any action. He then played three seasons at South Alabama, appearing in 32 games and earning All-Sun Belt honors in 2025. Last season, he appeared in eight games before suffering a season-ending injury. He was a third-star prospect in the 2026 transfer portal and should step in right away as Nico Iamaleava's blindside protector in 2026.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has expressed his support for expanding the College Football Playoff, and he believes it does not need to stop at 24 teams, according to On3. "Personally, I would love to see as many teams included as humanly possible," Bielema said. "It can't go to 64. I'm not talking about that. I think somebody floated 32 last year or something like that." Bielema noted he has never been at a Blue Blood college football program, which could explain his support for more teams with fewer resources getting a shot to play in the CFP. The College Football Playoff began as a four-team field before expanding to 12 teams ahead of the 2023-25 season. Now, there is momentum to expand to 24 teams, and if coaches and decision makers like Bielema have anything to say about it, it may not stop there.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
Alabama freshman running back Ezavier Crowell enters the program as a former five-star recruit in the Class of 2026, and after the Crimson Tide failed to land an impactful transfer running back, he could make an immediate impact in Ryan Grubb's offense. Last season, the Tide ranked 15th in the SEC in rushing yards per game (104.1), and its leading rusher, Jam Miller, tallied just 504 yards. Miller is now in the NFL, leaving Daniel Hill (284 yards) and Kevin Riley (224 yards) as the program's leading returning rushers. Alabama needs a spark at the position, and Crowell, who rushed for 2,094 yards and 28 touchdowns in 12 games in his final high school campaign, could provide just that in his first collegiate season.
Source: RollTide.com
Source: RollTide.com
