RADIO
LJ Martin a Candidate to Lead Nation in Rushing Yards
After a strong 2025 performance, BYU running back LJ Martin decided to return for another year of college football, and the preseason first-team All-Big 12 selection is a prime contender to lead the country in rushing yards. Martin finished 11th nationally in rushing yards last season, tallying 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on 236 attempts. The Cougars are without their two leading receivers from last season (Parker Kingston, Chase Roberts), meaning their offense should continue to run through the 220-pound ball carrier. Additionally, BYU sets up to be favored in at least nine of their 12 games. Behind a strong defense and an attacking rushing offense, Martin should enjoy plenty of run-heavy game scripts. The Texas native has all the makings of a productive workhorse running back in his final campaign in Provo.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Will Hammond Could be Ready for Week 1
Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond (knee), who tore his ACL in late October, is expected to be the team's primary starting quarterback after the departure of transfer Brendan Sorsby. For most of the offseason, it has been expected that Hammond would return to action in Week 3 against Houston. But recently, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said he might be ahead of schedule and is eyeing a Week 1 return against Abilene Christian. While the Red Raiders are unlikely to need his services against the FCS foe, a tune-up game would benefit the rising sophomore coming back from a major injury. In limited action a season ago, Hammond completed 69 of his 109 passing attempts for 680 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 299 yards and five scores. Even with Sorsby out and Hammond in, Texas Tech remains the favorite to win the Big 12 in 2026.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Willie Fritz Believes Houston Can Compete for National Championship
Houston head coach Willie Fritz is not putting a cap on the ceiling of the program, citing that his reason for leaving Tulane was for a chance to win a national championship. "I loved New Orleans and Tulane," Fritz said. "I wanted to have an opportunity to win a national championship. There's just a little bit more of a divide happening every year between Power Four and Group of Six, and that was part of it." The 66-year-old is entering his third season with the Cougars after a 10-3 campaign in 2025. Houston won just four games in each of its two first years in the Big 12, but the program has acquired depth and more high-end talent, making it a conference title contender in 2026. Veteran quarterback Conner Weigman is poised for a big year after the best season of his career, and the team added several impact transfers, including running back Makhi Hughes (Oregon) and wide receiver Trent Walker (Oregon State). Houston also just signed an elite quarterback prospect in Keisean Henderson, so its immediate and long-term future is bright in the new-look NIL era. "We're in the epicenter of football, in my opinion, in the world -- Houston, Texas," Fritz said. "I haven't been on a plane yet to recruit. We've got great facilities. We've got some work to do on the NIL front; we're working on that, but we've got over a quarter-million Houston alumni in the greater Houston area. We can get it done here."
Source: On3
Source: On3
Tennessee, Ohio State Battling for Five-Star RB David Gabriel Georges
Five-star running back prospect David Gabriel Georges is set to announce his collegiate commitment on July 22. Although Ole Miss is in the mix, the race appears to be between Ohio State and Tennessee. Georges is the No. 1 recruit out of Tennessee in the Class of 2027 and plays under two hours away from Knoxville at Baylor School in Chattanooga. Experts are split on where he will end up, but he's viewed as a potential Day 1 contributor for either program. Georges is heading into his senior season after a monster junior campaign in which he rushed for 1,749 yards (10.8 yards per carry) and 27 touchdowns. The 205-pound explosive ball carrier could be the first high school running back recruit with a seven-figure price tag.
Source: Rivals
Source: Rivals
Can a Healthy John Mateer Lead Oklahoma to Title Contention?
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer began his Sooners career with a bang, tallying 1,221 passing yards, 190 rushing yards, and 11 total touchdowns through his first four games. However, he suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand in the fourth game of the season against Auburn, which required surgery. Over his next six games, he averaged just 174.2 passing yards per game and threw just six touchdowns. His thumb injury seemed to impact Oklahoma's offense significantly, but the team also saw a step up in competition during Mateer's cold streak. Despite this, Brent Venables' defense led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff. Expectations remain high for that unit in 2026, but can a healthy Mateer engineer an offense worthy of competing for a CFP National Championship, or was his start to last season the outlier? Mateer's performance is one of the biggest storylines in this year's SEC and CFP race.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sam Leavitt a True Heisman Contender at LSU?
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt is entering his first season in Lane Kiffin's offense after two strong years at Arizona State. The rising junior started 20 games for the Sun Devils, totaling 4,513 passing yards, 749 rushing yards, and 44 touchdowns. He led the program to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff appearance as a freshman in 2024. Given those credentials, expectations are sky-high for him in Baton Rouge. Kiffin's quarterbacks have often been prolific, especially since his tenure at Alabama under Nick Saban. If Leavitt can pick up his system quickly, he has the dual-threat skills and talent around him to make a real run at the Heisman Trophy in 2026. The Tigers will likely have to win at least 10 games for him to be considered, but that is in the range of outcomes given LSU's talent profile and coaching upgrades this offseason.
Source: Sports Reference CFB
Source: Sports Reference CFB
Charlie Becker Looking to Continue Hot Streak in 2026
Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker flashed in the second half of his sophomore season and into the College Football Playoff, collecting 27 receptions for 522 yards and three touchdowns over his final seven games. He averaged 20 yards per reception on 34 catches over the full season. With Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Surratt off to the NFL, Becker could command more volume in 2026 next to Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh. Becker is a 6'4" big-play threat, and new Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover is a down-field gunslinger. The pairing is potentially perfect for Becker to make a big junior leap and rise on 2027 NFL Draft boards. The Nashville native is one of the top wideouts in the Big Ten to watch this season as the Hoosiers look to defend their 2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jamari Johnson Due for Big Season as Oregon's TE1
Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, who transferred from Louisville ahead of the 2025 season, tallied 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns in his first campaign with the Ducks. With first-round NFL Draft choice Kenyon Sadiq off campus, Johnson could be in for a splash season as Dante Moore's clear TE1. Johnson is already viewed as one of the top tight end prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft, so his potential breakout campaign won't come as a surprise. As always at Oregon, there is plenty of talent in the wide receiver room, so if he can earn targets and produce this season in a crowded pass-catching group, he will prove he is the real deal in 2026.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Aneyas Williams has Big Shoes to Fill at Notre Dame
Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams is slated for a significant workload following the departure of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Notre Dame's No. 1 and No. 2 running backs were selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, leaving an important hole to fill in the Irish offense. Williams, who has flashed in limited action, is a prime breakout candidate at the RB spot this season. The 20-year-old rising junior has tallied 58 rushing attempts for 443 yards and caught 20 passes for 212 yards across 27 career games. He also added seven total touchdowns. The sample size is small, but he's made a solid impact when called upon behind two stud ball carriers. While sophomore Kedren Young and freshman Javion Osborne will likely play a part in the backfield, Williams is in the driver's seat to handle the most touches for the National Championship hopefuls.
Source: Sports Reference CFB
Source: Sports Reference CFB
Mike Norvell Faces Toughest ACC Schedule in Critical Season
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell enters the 2026 season firmly on the hot seat after posting a 7-17 record over the last few seasons. Unfortunately for him, Andy Staples of On3 ranked FSU's schedule as the toughest in the ACC. After what should be an easy win in Week 1 against New Mexico State, the Noles host ACC contender SMU before a road trip to Alabama. They get a brief reprieve before a three-game stand against Virginia, Louisville, and Miami, who combined to go 33-10 last season and are among the top teams in the conference. Clemson, Pittsburgh, NC State, and Florida won't be pushovers, either. Norvell needs an impressive year to keep his job in Tallahassee, but the odds are against him given the cards he draws in his eighth season at the helm of the program.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Arch Manning Named Preseason Walter Camp All-American
Texas quarterback Arch Manning was selected as a first-team All-American by Walter Camp, the oldest college football All-American selection publication. The rising junior entered last season with sky-high expectations, but he showed signs of being a first-year starter in the early part of the 2025 campaign. However, Manning performed at a high level in the second half of the year, leading the Longhorns to seven wins over their final eight games. In his final six games, Manning tallied 19 touchdowns and threw just two interceptions. Three of those contests were against top-10 opponents. With Auburn transfer Cam Coleman in the wide receiver room alongside Trey Wingo, Manning has one of the best wide receiver duos in the country at his disposal. The additions of transfer running back Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and Hollywood Smothers (NC State) should help open up the offense, too.
Source: Walter Camp
Source: Walter Camp
Jayden Limar Tasked with Replacing Jonah Coleman
Washington Huskies running back Jayden Limar is expected to assume the starting role in Seattle after three seasons with the rival Oregon Ducks. Oregon's backfield was crowded during his time in Eugene, limiting him to 95 carries for 442 yards, 20 receptions for 207 yards, and five total touchdowns in 33 career game appearances. He'll be tasked with replacing standout running back Jonah Coleman, who tallied 2,342 total yards and 27 total touchdowns over the last two seasons. Coleman was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Limar is a former four-star recruit and could be one of the Big Ten's surprise breakouts in 2026 playing alongside stud quarterback Demond Williams Jr.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Deuce Alexander the Next Breakout Ole Miss Wide Receiver?
Ole Miss wide receiver Deuce Alexander posted a productive sophomore season (his first with Ole Miss), catching 44 passes for 684 yards and two touchdowns. He trailed just Harrison Wallace III and De'Zhaun Stribling in receivering yards for the Rebels last season. With that pair of wide receivers, along with Cayden Lee and Dae'Quan Wright out of Oxford, Alexander could be the next breakout star wideout for Ole Miss. His quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, was asked to name a breakout player for Ole Miss during the Manning Passing Academy, and he said "If I had to put money on it, it would probably be Deuce Alexander." Alexander has the most chemistry with one of the best quarterbacks in college football, making him a prime candidate for an explosive season in 2026. Overall, Alexander has tallied 82 receptions for 1,114 yards and five touchdowns in 29 career games with Wake Forest and Ole Miss.
Source: On3
Source: On3
DJ Miller Primed for WR1 Duties for Kentucky?
Kentucky wide receiver DJ Miller appeared in seven games as a true freshman last year, catching 13 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He is one of just a handful of returning contributors from last year's team, but new starting quarterback Kenny Minchey has high expectations for the St. Louis native. While taking part in the Manning Passing Academy, Minchey was asked to name a breakout pick. "DJ Miller," Minchey said. "He's the best receiver in the country. He's very athletic. His tenacity and his size." Miller has several transfer wideouts to compete with for targets, but based on Minchey's comments, the QB and WR have developed chemistry quickly this offseason. The 6'3" field-stretcher had a breakout game late in last year's campaign, snagging five passes for 120 yards and two scores against Tennessee. He's a player to watch in Will Stein's new-look Wildcats offense this season.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Kevin Jennings Lists Yamir Knight as Breakout Pick in 2026
SMU wide receiver Yamir Knight enjoyed a solid first season with the Mustangs after transferring from James Madison, catching 54 passes for 637 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. He was the third-leading receiver on a team that lost its first, second, fourth, and fifth-leading receivers after last year's campaign. Needless to say, there is opportunity for Knight to become the unquestioned WR1, and quarterback Kevin Jennings shouted him out as a breakout player for 2026. He's underrated," Jennings said. "Just looking at the (EA SPORTS College Football 27) ratings, he's rated at an 85 overall, which is crazy. He's going to have a big, breakout year, and they'll have to boost his attributes a little bit." Jennings is heading into his third full season as a starter and has 39 games of experience under his belt. If he takes another step forward, Knight could be due for big-time receiving production.
Source: On3
Source: On3
