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Tennessee's Arion Carter Receives Two-Game Suspension for Agent-Funded Flight
The NCAA has suspended Tennessee standout linebacker Arion Carter for two games due to his agent paying for a $427 flight during the NFL pre-draft process, according to Adam Sparks of Knox News. Carter has since paid back the money. Following the 2025 season, Carter announced his decision to enter the 2026 NFL Draft before ultimately returning to college for one more year. Last year's SEC leader in tackles per game (7.6) will now be forced to miss the Volunteers' matchups with Furman and Georgia Tech in Weeks 1 and 2. Head coach Josh Heupel has come to his defense. "Arion Carter represents everything that is right about college athletics, dedicating all four years of his career to the University of Tennessee," Heupel said. "His high character, loyalty, and leadership within our program are unmatched." While this isn't ideal for Tennessee, Carter will return before conference play, and the Vols have strong depth at the position. In 31 career games, Carter has tallied 161 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, and nine pass deflections.
Source: Adam Sparks - Knox News
Source: Adam Sparks - Knox News
Nyck Harbor Poised for Breakout Season in New Offense
South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor was named a third-team All-SEC selection in the conference's media poll heading into his senior season. The 6'5", 240-pound track star posted career highs in receptions (30), receiving yards (618), and receiving touchdowns (six) in 2025. He was the only South Carolina wideout to reach 600 yards. With Kendal Briles taking over the play-calling duties in 2026, Harbor could reach his ceiling and play his way into an early slot in the 2027 NFL Draft. Harbor has elite physical traits and is set to catch passes from LaNorris Sellers for a third straight season, making him a top breakout candidate in the SEC this season.
Source: SECSports.com
Source: SECSports.com
True Freshman Guard Zykie Helton Trending to Start for Georgia?
Georgia true freshman offensive lineman Zykie Helton was listed as a three-star recruit (Rivals) in the 2026 class out of Carrollton, Georgia, but despite his lack of hype coming out of high school, he is viewed as a real threat to start for the Bulldogs this season. According to On3's Pete Nakos, Helton has flashed since enrolling at Georgia and going through spring practice. Georgia's offense is likely to remain a run-first unit that thrives on getting the ball out quickly in the passing game, and running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens are back in the fold in 2026. It sounds like Helton could be the Week 1 start at guard if he continues his momentum into fall camp.
Source: Pete Nakos - On3
Source: Pete Nakos - On3
Jayvan Boggs to Be Limited to Start Fall Camp
Florida State wide receiver Jayvan Boggs (undisclosed) will be a limited participant in practice to start fall camp this preseason, according to Logan Robinson of Nole Gameday. The three-star recruit in the Class of 2025 played in eight games as a freshman, catching nine passes for 103 yards and one touchdown. With star pass-catcher Duce Robinson back for FSU, Boggs is set to compete for the likely WR3 role behind Robinson and Micahi Danzy in 2026. The 6'1, 211-pound Florida native is dealing with an unknown ailment or injury to begin his sophomore season preparation, but he could be back at full strength in time for the Week 0 meeting with New Mexico State.
Source: Logan Robinson
Source: Logan Robinson
North Carolina GM Michael Lombardi Placed on Administrative Leave
North Carolina placed general manager Michael Lombardi on administrative leave on Monday, according to On3's Pete Nakos. "The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has placed Michael Lombardi, general manager for the Carolina football program, on paid administrative leave, effective immediately," the school said in a statement. "As is standard procedure with personnel matters, leadership, staff, and student-athletes are prohibited from addressing this topic further, and has no reflection on the merits." As of now, there is no further information on why the decision was made. The 67-year-old joined Bill Belichick at UNC in 2025 after eight years away from being on a football staff. He previously worked as an assistant to the coaching staff for the New England Patriots from 2014 to 2016.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Four-Star Quarterback Lukas Prock Commits to Indiana
2028 four-star quarterback Lukas Prock has committed to Indiana. The 6-foot-2 signal-caller is from Princeton, New Jersey and is ranked as the fifth-rated quarterback in the 2028 class. Prock also held offers from the likes of Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Georgia, and more. Curt Cignetti continues to make noise on the national recruiting trail just days after landing 2027 wide receiver Monshun Sales. The defending national champions are officially a football school.
Source: 247 Sports
Source: 247 Sports
Steve Sarkisian Creates "Cap Space" at Texas
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stated on The Paul Finebaum Show on Thursday that in a college football world with NIL and the transfer portal, you have to let talent walk to bring in talent. "I think in this day and age of the [Transfer] Portal and high school, you've got to have the ability to be strategic," Sarkisian said. "To make the moves we make, to bring in a Cam Coleman, to bring in a Hollywood Smothers, to bring in a Raleek Brown, to bring in a Mike Masunas at tight end; we had to let DeAndre Moore go. We had to let Parker Livingstone go. We had to let Tre Wisner go. We had to let CJ Baxter go. We had to let some pretty good players leave to create the cap space to bring those guys in. I think strategically, there were some tough decisions to make. But, we made them. I think we all can agree that we're probably better around Arch [Manning] today than we were a year ago at this time." In the past, constructing a college football roster was very unlike constructing an NFL roster but in this day and age, the two are a whole lot more similar.
Source: On3
Source: On3
John Meredith III to Enroll at Texas This Fall
Five-star cornerback John Meredith III, ranked as the No. 1 cornerback in the 2027 class, has reclassified to 2026 and will join Texas' team this upcoming season. Meredith was battling eligibility concerns in high school after transferring from Trinity High School to North Crowley, but will instead suit up for the Longhorns this fall. The star recruit stated, "I feel like I'm physically ready. It's time to ball." While it may be a struggle for him to get onto the field this season given that he won't be joining the team until the fall, Meredith joins a loaded defensive backfield with names like Graceson Littleton, Bo Mascoe, and more.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Lane Kiffin Compares Sam Leavitt to Jaxson Dart
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin compared new starting quarterback Sam Leavitt to a former quarterback of his, New York's Jaxson Dart. Kiffin stated, "I kind of feel like there's some Jaxson in there,. "He's probably actually faster. But that's the most similar that I've seen with him throwing with everything, just kind of working with him and watching him and trying to figure out like, 'OK, what are we going to look like and how are we going to design it?'" Leavitt broke out in 2024 for Arizona State, throwing for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions, leading them to the Big 12 title and a near win over Texas in the College Football Playoff. He regressed in 2025, but also dealt with an injury-riddled campaign. Star linebacker Whit Weeks stated, "I've seen a lot of great quarterbacks in my time. My freshman year, Jayden [Daniels] was our quarterback, and Sam's up there with all of them. I mean that, dude, and I haven't even seen him really take off yet. I've just seen him be throwing the football, and that dude can spin it. He's putting the ball in the tightest windows." Leavitt and LSU kick off their season against Clemson on September 5th.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Will Hammond Named Starting Quarterback at Texas Tech
After the departure of Brendan Sorsby following the gambling saga, Texas Tech has officially moved on to redshirt sophomore quarterback Will Hammond, naming him the starting quarterback on Friday morning. Hammond has played a bit over the past two seasons and has thrown for 1,151 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions. He was at his best in last season's road win over Utah, coming in in relief of an injured Behren Morton to complete 13-of-16 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Hammond tore his ACL last October, but is ahead of schedule in his recovery and looks to be on pace to go in Week 1's matchup with Abilene Christian. Hammond was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class and has made four career starts.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Arch Manning Takes Ownership of Leading Team
Texas quarterback Arch Manning had an up-and-down 2025 season, his first as a starting quarterback. Manning has reportedly spent the offseason taking ownership of leading the team. Defensive lineman Colin Simmons stated, "We need a different side of Arch if we want to get somewhere. So, Arch definitely brought that side of him out, and I feel like as long as we trust and believe in Arch as a team and never look past him or look down at him, we're going to be OK." Manning has been sidelined with a foot injury for most of the spring, but is now medically cleared and has been building a rapport with his retooled receiving room. Head coach Steve Sarkisian stated that ""He is fundamentally much better. We have a better understanding of what he really likes to throw in that range because not every pass is the pass he wants to throw. We've got better weapons around him. We can't just drop back and pat the ball. That's a recipe for disaster. I don't care how good your O-line is. You've got to have the ability to mix up launch points, and you've got to have the ability to mix up when the ball's coming out of the quarterback's hand."
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kamario Taylor a Special Talent at Quarterback Position
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor was a standout at the Manning Passing Academy this summer, and after SEC Media Days, the buzz surrounding him continued, thanks to comments from head coach Jeff Lebby. "This guy is special, special," Lebby told ESPN. "I don't think he has a ceiling. The physical traits, incredible. Who the kid is, his consistency and the way he works, the way he prepares, the way he retains. Pretty elite." The rising sophomore played behind Blake Shapen for much of the 2025 campaign but flashed when called upon. Overall, he tallied 629 passing yards, 458 rushing yards, and 13 total touchdowns to just one interception in 11 games (two starts). He exploded for 173 rushing yards and two rushing scores in the team's regular-season finale against Ole Miss before putting up over 300 yards of offense against Wake Forest in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. Mississippi State has had its best success with a special dual-threat quarterback in place, and Taylor has the tools to be the next man up for the program in 2026.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Antwan Raymond a Contender to Lead Country in Rushing
Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond isn't necessarily a household name in college football, but he should be after rushing 244 times for 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2025. He also added 18 receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Raymond returns to the Scarlet Knights in 2026 with eyes on leading the nation in rushing after finishing seventh among Power 4 backs a year ago. Rutgers has an offensive line full of upperclassmen, and as the team breaks in a new starting quarterback, Raymond should be fed early and often in his junior season. The 2025 second-team All-Big Ten selection is one of the top ball carriers to know in 2026.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bryant Wesco Jr. Still a Top Wideout After Injury-Shortened Season
Clemson wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. played in just six games last season before suffering season-ending neck and spinal injuries. However, he produced at a high level in limited action, tallying 31 receptions for 537 yards and six touchdowns. As a true freshman the year prior, he caught 41 passes for 708 yards and five touchdowns. Now fully medically cleared this preseason, Wesco could reemerge as one of the nation's top and most productive receivers. Redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina and true freshman Tait Reynolds are battling for the starting quarterback job following the departure of Cade Klubnik, but whoever is named QB1 should pepper Wesco with targets early and often in the 2026 campaign. The Tigers open the season against LSU before a tune-up game against Georgia Southern in Week 2.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Upgraded Supporting Cast Entering Year 2
California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele enjoyed a relatively strong true freshman season with the Golden Bears, completing over 64% of his passes for 3,454 yards (led all true freshmen), 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He tossed for at least 209 yards in every contest, and threw for at least 323 yards in three of his final four games. Entering Year 2 as a starter, he has a rebuilt pass-catching room, including wideouts Ian Strong (Rutgers), Chase Hendricks (Ohio), and tight end Dorian Thomas (Arizona). The three transfers combined for 2,359 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Running back transfers Asthen Emory (UTEP) and Adam Mohammed (Washington) will also provide a nice boost in the backfield. All in all, JKS has the supporting cast to take a big second-year leap, making him one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the country entering 2026.
Source: Ourlads.com
Source: Ourlads.com
