RADIO
Florida in No Hurry to Name Starting Quarterback
Florida quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. will continue to compete for the starting role this fall, and head coach Jon Sumrall said he does not have a timeline for when a starter will be announced. He also said there is a chance both signal-callers could play this year. "Just because you start game one doesn't mean you start game 12," Sumrall said at SEC Media Days. Philo transferred from Georgia Tech, following offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner to Gainesville. In eight game appearances over the last two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, Philo completed 59 of his 102 passing attempts for 938 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Jones spent last season at Florida backing up DJ Lagway and tallied 191 passing yards, 10 rushing yards, and two touchdowns in two contests. Neither has significant experience in live action, but Philo's familiarity with Faulkner's system could give him the leg up early in the season. Regardless of who wins the job, expect the Gators to lean heavily on standout running back Jadan Baugh.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Charles Jagusah's Timeline to Return Still Unclear
Notre Dame offensive tackle Charles Jagusah (arm) did not play in 2025 after suffering nerve damage in his left arm following a UTV accident last July. A full year later, his timeline to return is still unclear, and he won't take part in fall camp this preseason. However, head coach Marcus Freeman said he expects him to play again at some point in his career. "I would hope it's this season at some point, Freeman said. "I don't know, though." Jagusah is a former four-star recruit in the Class of 2023 out of Illinois and has played in just five games through his first three collegiate seasons. If he can return to action, he has all the talent required to make a significant impact for the Irish up front, but his serious injury could limit his play early in his return to action.
Source: Jack Soble
Source: Jack Soble
Lawson Luckie to See Elevated Role Following Oscar Delp's Departure
Georgia tight end Lawson Luckie is entering his fourth season with the program and should see the most action of his career following the departure of Oscar Delp, who was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Both tight ends saw the field often in 2025, but Luckie was sparingly used in the Bulldogs' passing attack. However, he flashed big-time upside in the team's regular-season game against Ole Miss, catching five passes for 43 yards and three touchdowns. With Zachariah Branch, Colbie Young, and Dillon Bell also off to the NFL, the stage is set for Luckie to have the most productive season of his collegiate career. Entering Year 2 with Gunner Stockton at quarterback should only help his bid to break out as a senior.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Terrance Carter Jr. a Candidate to Lead All Tight Ends in Receiving Production
Texas Tech tight end Terrance Carter Jr. ranked No. 5 at the position in total receiving yards last year (624), and the four players ahead of him are now in the NFL. The senior pass-catcher spent three years at Louisiana before joining the Red Raiders' program in 2025, and he has compiled 131 receptions for 1,568 yards and 12 touchdowns in 39 career games. He's surpassed the 600-yard mark in each of the last two seasons and is viewed as one of the clear top tight ends in the country entering 2026. Texas Tech is without its top two receivers from last year (Caleb Douglas, Reggie Virgil) and will break in new starting quarterback Will Hammond following the departure of Behren Morton and the failed Brendan Sorsby experiment in Lubbock. That said, Carter projects to be a critical piece of Texas Tech's passing game early in the 2026 campaign.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rocky Beers a Top Red-Zone Target for Oklahoma
Former Colorado State and Florida International tight end Rocky Beers joined the Oklahoma program via the transfer portal this offseason, and he figures to be a top target in the red zone for quarterback John Mateer. Last season, Beers ranked second nationally among tight ends in touchdown receptions (seven) despite catching just 31 passes for 388 yards. The Senior Colorado native is looking to make a big impact in his first year of Power 4 competition after the departure of Jaren Kanak, who tallied 533 receiving yards last season during his first year at the position. Oklahoma also brought in Florida transfer tight end Hayden Hansen, but based on Beers' success near the end zone last season, he should be one of Mateer's first looks in the red area.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brody Foley an Impact Transfer for Louisville
Louisville tight end Brody Foley joined the Cardinals' program this offseason after a productive season at Tulsa, in which he ranked second nationally among tight ends in touchdown receptions. Overall, he tallied 37 receptions for 528 yards and seven touchdown receptions. He added two rushing scores across 11 games. With former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz set to run the show in 2026, Foley projects to be one of the top options in the passing game alongside Vanderbilt transfer wide receiver Tre Richardson. Big-time production is hard to find at the tight end spot in college football, but Foley has the opportunity to be one of the best at his position in the ACC and in the country. With tailback Isaac Brown commanding a ton of attention in the running game, Louisville's passing attack could be underrated heading into 2026. Foley stands to benefit.
Source: Sports Reference CFB
Source: Sports Reference CFB
Trey'Dez Green in for Big Production in Lane Kiffin's Offense
LSU tight end Trey'Dez Green enjoyed a strong sophomore season, collecting 33 receptions for 433 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. The Tigers' offense was lifeless for much of the 2025 season under offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, but Green still found a way to produce. Now in Lane Kiffin's offense and catching passes from Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt, Green could be in for an All-American-type season in 2026. Green is arguably the most talented tight end Kiffin has had to work with since Harrison Bryant, who posted a 1,000-yard receiving season in 2019 with Florida Atlantic. The 6'7", 240-pound Green has an elite catch radius and possesses the ability to get downfield. The Louisiana native is a prime contender to lead all tight ends in touchdown receptions in what could be his final season of college football.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tennessee's Ethan Davis a Potential Breakout Tight End in 2026
Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis is entering his fourth year with the program, but the 2026 season will mark his first as the clear TE1 in Josh Heupel's offense. In 24 career games, the Georgia native has tallied 36 receptions for 390 yards and four touchdowns, but his play at the end of last year's campaign suggests he could be headed for a breakout season in Year 4. In the Volunteers' final three SEC games against Oklahoma, Florida, and Vanderbilt, Davis caught 17 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown. With last year's leading receiver Chris Brazzell II now in the NFL and Tennessee breaking in a freshman quarterback, Davis should be involved early and often in what has been one of the most successful passing attacks in college football over the last half-decade.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bear Bachmeier Aiming to Take Step Forward as a Passer
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier led the program to an incredible season as a true freshman, as the Cougars posted a 12-2 record, with their only two losses coming against Texas Tech. Bachmeier was exceptional on the ground, totalling 527 yards and 11 scores alongside star running back LJ Martin. However, Bachmeier threw just 15 touchdowns, and the BYU offense lacked the quick-strike ability it needed. The Cougars are without their two leading receivers from last season (Parker Kingston, Chase Roberts), but Bachmeier and company will have to find a way to be more dynamic in the passing game to take home a conference crown. Bachmeier's development is one of the top stories to watch in the Big 12 this season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Can Lincoln Kienholz Elevate Louisville to ACC Title Contention?
Former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz is in line to start for the first time in his career at Louisville after three seasons as a backup in Columbus. The former four-star recruit out of South Dakota sat behind Kyle McCord, Will Howard, and Julian Sayin since entering college football in 2023 and is now poised to start in Jeff Brohm's offense in 2026. In limited action, Kienholz has tallied 21 completions on 36 attempts for 250 yards and one passing touchdown. While there is a small sample size that shows what he can do, Brohm is confident he's ready for the step up. "I think he brings us some dimensions and skills that we have not had before," Brohm said. "I think he is a great athlete. He can run, he can extend plays, he can throw on the run, and he enjoys doing that. He's got all the skills, he's got all the traits you are looking for, he's a great teammate, and I think he is ready for this challenge." After two straight nine-win seasons at his alma mater, Brohm's Cardinals are looking to take the next step in the wide-open ACC. Kienholz developing into the quarterback many thought he could be coming out of high school would go a long way in making that happen.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Walker Eget Expected to be Full-Go for Fall Practice
Duke quarterback Walker Eget (knee) is expected to be a full participant when the Blue Devils take the practice field this fall, according to head coach Manny Diaz. The San Jose State transfer played through an ACL tear in 2024 and suffered an MCL injury last season that required surgery, causing him to miss spring practice. After the unexpected departure of star signal-caller Darian Mensah, Eget is expected to handle the QB1 role for the defending ACC Champions. In 23 games over the last two seasons, Eget has thrown for 5,555 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions, adding 195 yards on the ground. With the veteran being new to the program, a full workload this preseason is a strong development.
Source: Brian Murphy
Source: Brian Murphy
Georgia Running Back Dante Dowdell Out Indefinitely After ATV Incident
Georgia running back Dante Dowdell (undisclosed) will miss an extended period of time after being involved in an ATV incident this spring, according to head coach Kirby Smart. Not many details are known about Dowdell's injury or return to action, but Smart said it was serious enough to put him in the hospital. "I don't know when he'll be back, Smart said. "We expect a full recovery, but the outlook right now is we're waiting to see. We'll go day to day with him and see. So I hate that for him and his family, but he's a great kid. It's been tough." Dowdell transferred to Georgia this offseason after spending one year apiece at Oregon, Nebraska, and Kentucky. Overall, he has tallied 272 carries for 1,264 yards and 16 touchdowns in 30 career games. Running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens remain atop the Georgia depth chart in his absence.
Source: DawgsHQ - On3
Source: DawgsHQ - On3
Ahmad Hardy Medically Cleared From May Gunshot Wound
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy (leg) has been medically cleared from the gunshot wound he suffered in May, according to head coach Eli Drinkwitz. Needless to say, this is fantastic news for all involved. Drinkwitz said the team does not yet know what the return-to-play progression will be, but "it could take anywhere from 5-to-8 weeks." Hardy is one of the best running backs in the country entering 2026 after rushing 256 times for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season in the SEC last year. While it sounds like he could still miss early-season action or be limited, he should be on track to play at some point in his junior campaign.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Beau Pribula Named Starting Quarterback for Virginia
Virginia has named transfer quarterback Beau Pribula its starter for 2026, according to the team's official X account. Pribula played in 10 games for Missouri last season following a three-year stint at Penn State, tallying 1,941 passing yards, 297 rushing yards, and 17 total touchdowns. The redshirt senior scored 10 of his 17 touchdowns in his first three games against Central Arkansas, Kansas, and Louisiana before struggling in SEC play. However, he now has a full season of experience under his belt and will play in Tony Elliott's QB-friendly system in 2026. Pittsburgh transfer Eli Holstein will serve as his primary backup to begin the year.
Source: Virginia Football on X
Source: Virginia Football on X
Warde Manuel to Step Down as Michigan's Athletic Director
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel will step down at "the end of the calendar year," the University announced on Monday. It has been a rocky few years for the 58-year-old, as football head coaches Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore have exited the program under controversial circumstances, and the program just lost its National Championship-winning head basketball coach, Dusty May. Michigan has been among the most successful all-around programs in recent years, but off-the-field issues across many of its sports have caused people to call for Manuel's job, and it appears the Michigan alum will exit, opening the door for a new athletic director in Ann Arbor beginning in 2027.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
