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Gunner Rivers Follows His Father, Commits To North Carolina State
Four-star Fairhope, Alabama, quarterback Gunner Rivers has committed to North Carolina State. Gunner is the son of eight-time NFL Pro-Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers, who starred in college for North Carolina State. Philip Rivers started all four of his seasons at North Carolina State from 2000-03. He threw for a school record 13,484 yards and 95 touchdowns. Philip led the ACC in passing in 2002 and 2003 and led the conference in touchdown passes in 2003. He was the ACC Player of the Year in his senior season of 2003. The elder Rivers led North Carolina State to a bowl game in each of his four seasons, winning three of them. Gunner is the oldest son of Philip and wife Tiffany. Gunner is the 12th-ranked quarterback in the 2027 class. He chose his father's alma mater over offers from Georgia, Auburn, Boston College, and Miami.
Source: On3 Sports
Source: On3 Sports
Curt Cignetti Agrees to New Deal With Indiana, Will Earn $13.2 Million Per Year
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has agreed to a new deal with the school that will pay him $13.2 million annually through 2033, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Cignetti signed an eight-year deal worth $11.6 million per year in October, but he has since led his team to an undefeated season and won a College Football Playoff National Championship. The program is being aggressive in keeping Cignetti long-term after a historic two-year run in Bloomington. Since taking the job in 2024, the 64-year-old has tallied a 27-2 record, with his only losses coming against the two participants in last year's National Championship Game, Ohio State and Notre Dame. After being widely unknown before taking the Indiana job, he has established himself as one of the elite coaches in college football, and he's now set to earn a similar salary to Kirby Smart.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Trinidad Chambliss Eligible for 2026 Season
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is expected to play for the Rebels in 2026 after he was granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, barring them from stopping Chambliss from being eligible for a sixth collegiate season. The preliminary injunction hearing took place in Pittsboro County, Mississippi, on Thursday. He is now eligible until the lawsuit is fully litigated, which will likely be after the 2026 college football season. This is a major development for Ole Miss, which will now get back its veteran who threw for 3,937 yards, rushed for 527 yards, and scored 30 total touchdowns en route to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. With Chambliss expected back, freshman Deuce Knight will presumably take on the backup role, and Ole Miss should be a contender in the SEC once again under first-year head coach Pete Golding.
Source: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
Source: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
BYU's Parker Kingston Charged with Felony Rape
BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston was charged with first-degree felony rape, the Washington County, Utah Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday. This charge stems from an accusation from February 23, 2025, when a woman told officers that Kington sexually assaulted her. After a yearlong investigation, Kingston was arrested and is being held without bail. He is scheduled to appear in Utah's Fifth Judicial District Court on Friday. Last season, Kingston hauled in 66 receptions for 924 yards and five touchdowns in his fourth year with the Cougars. Needless to say, his future with the program is rightfully unclear moving forward.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Rutgers Hiring South Dakota Head Coach Travis Johansen as Defensive Coordinator
South Dakota head coach Travis Johansen is leaving the program to become the defensive coordinator at Rutgers, according to On3's Pete Nakos. Johansen spent just one season with the Coyotes, posting a 10-5 record and a trip to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. He has nine years of collegiate experience as a defensive coordinator at Grand View and South Dakota. Last season, the Scarlet Knights ranked last in the Big Ten in total defense (432.8 YPG) and tied for second-to-last in points per game allowed (31.8). Johansen will be tasked with turning the defense around in a hurry to help Rutgers be more competitive in the conference next season.
Source: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
Source: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
Oklahoma football is hiring former NFL defensive tackle DeShawn Williams to an analyst role, according to George Stoia III of SoonerScoop. The 33-year-old played for Clemson from 2011 to 2014. He went undrafted in 2025, but put together a solid career with 164 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one interception, and 13.5 run stuffs in 78 career games with the Bengals, Broncos, and Panthers. He was coached by Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables for three seasons with the Tigers. This will be Williams' first coaching gig since retiring from the NFL, where he'll learn from one of the sport's greatest defensive minds.
Source: George Stoia III - SoonerScoop
Source: George Stoia III - SoonerScoop
Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Virginia wide receiver Jahmal Edrine was arrested on Thursday and charged with one count of rape and one count of abduction, following an investigation that began on August 25. The school stated that he is no longer enrolled. The investigation is ongoing, and he is being held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. The former FAU and Purdue transfer caught 46 passes for 564 yards and one touchdown last year for the Cavaliers and was expected to be a starting wideout again in 2026. The legal process will continue to play out, but he's unlikely to be with the team for his senior campaign.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
According to 247 Sports' high school rankings, there are only three five-star high school quarterbacks for the Class of 2026. Houston signed No. 1 overall player Keisean Henderson (Spring, TX), Vanderbilt landed No. 2 overall player Jared Curtis (Nashville, TN), and Tennessee reeled in No. 3 overall player Faizon Brandon (Greensboro, NC). It's a new era of college football due to NIL, and it has given smaller programs like the Cougars and Commodores a chance to bring in elite prospects. Henderson is likely to sit behind veteran Conner Weigman next season, while Jared Curtis, a former Georgia commit, is the favorite to start on Day 1 for Vandy. Tennessee is still waiting to see if Joey Aguilar will be granted another season of collegiate eligibility, but if he is not, Brandon is slated to compete with George MacIntyre for the QB1 role in Josh Heupel's offense. These three rising true freshmen could become household names in the near future, so keep them on your radar.
Source: 247Sports.com
Source: 247Sports.com
Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
According to 24/7 Sports' composite recruiting class rankings, Michigan signed the No. 12 recruiting class in the country for 2026, despite its offseason drama. Former head coach Sherrone Moore was fired with cause after engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a football staffer, leading the Wolvarines searching for a new head coach late in the cycle. However, the program landed a big name in longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, and its recruiting class has remained strong. Michigan signed five-star running back Savion Hiter and edge rusher Carter Meadows, along with 10 four-star players out of high school. The team also retained big-time quarterback Bryce Underwood, who could have left Ann Arbor without a buyout. Michigan remains a Big Ten contender despite its shaky offseason.
Source: 247Sports.com
Source: 247Sports.com
USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
According to 247 Sports and On3, the USC Trojans finished 2026 with the No. 1 high school signing class in the country. The team's top signees include five stars Keenyi Pepe (OT), Luke Wafle (Edge), and Jaimeon Winfield (DL). Lincoln Riley and company also signed 19 four-star recruits and six three-star recruits overall. While many teams have found success building through the transfer portal, most successful programs are still recruiting high school players at a high level. With Riley looking to take the program to the next level in its third year in the Big Ten, this class could lay the foundation for a strong run toward competing for a College Football Playoff berth over the next few seasons. Last year, USC knocked on the door of the CFP, but it ultimately fell short after losing a de facto elimination game at Oregon in late November and ultimately finishing the regular season 9-3.
Source: 247Sports.com
Source: 247Sports.com
Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
The NCAA denied Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' medical redshirt waiver on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. The veteran signal caller was seeking an extra year of eligibility through a medical redshirt dating back to his second year at Farris State in 2022. This was just one step in his fight to earn a sixth year of collegiate eligibility, but it is not over. The 23-year-old's attorney has filed an injunction in the state court of Mississippi. The hearing is expected to take place on February 12 in the Chancery Court of Lafayette County in Mississippi. This case looms large for the 2026 college football season, as Chambliss would be viewed as one of the nation's top quarterbacks if he can return, giving Ole Miss a chance to compete for a second straight College Football Playoff berth. In his first season with the Rebels, he tallied 3,973 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions along with 527 rushing yards and eight scores. If Chambliss is unsuccessful in gaining another year of eligibility, former Auburn five-star quarterback Deuce Knight is likely in line to start for Ole Miss in the first full year of the Pete Golding era.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt (undisclosed), who transferred from Arizona State this month, is expected to be limited in spring practice ahead of the 2026 season with the Tigers. Leavitt played in just seven games last season with the Sun Devils due to an undisclosed injury. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said Leavitt will throw and take part in seven-on-seven drills, but he won't participate in team drills. While this is not ideal, Leavitt should have plenty of time to heal up and be ready for preseason practices and the Week 1 matchup against Clemson in Baton Rouge. With the 21-year-old leading Kiffin's offense and surrounded by elite talent, the Tigers are expected to be a College Football Playoff contender right away. In 20 games with ASU, Leavitt threw for 4,642 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He added 749 yards and ten touchdowns as a runner. Assuming he's healthy, he should produce big-time numbers in Kiffin's QB-friendly offense.
Source: Shea Dixon - On3
Source: Shea Dixon - On3
Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar, who is seeking a sixth season of collegiate eligibility, has been granted a temporary restraining order against NCAA eligibility rules, according to On3's Pete Nakos. He can now participate in winter workouts, and this development puts him one step closer to coming back for another season with the Vols. The 24-year-old's 3,565 passing yards in 2025 ranked third in the SEC, and he would presumably retain the starting job over George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon if he is successful in his bid to play next season. Tennessee has revamped its defense with a strong group of transfers coming in, and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles should provide a boost to that unit. If Aguilar is back, Tennessee's offense should be expected to remain potent, especially since Aguilar will have a full offseason to work with the team for the first time. There are sure to be several more developments in this case.
Source: On3 on X
Source: On3 on X
Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Tennessee quarterback Joe Aguilar has filed a new lawsuit against the NCAA in Knox County Chancery Court, seeking to extend his collegiate eligibility for the 2026 season. Aguilar played his fifth overall college season last year with the Vols following one year wth City College of San Francisco, two years at Diablo Valley, and two years at Appalachian State. However, he has only played three seasons of Division I football. "After a breakout season as the Volunteers' quarterback in 2025, the NCAA is blocking Aguilar from playing a fourth year of Division I football, depriving Tennessee of a gifted quarterback and robbing Aguilar of millions in compensation," Aguilar's complaint says. In 13 games with Tennessee, Aguilar completed over 67% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He arrived in Knoxville after last year's spring practice, yet still won the starting job and had success running Josh Heupel's offense. Should Aguilar earn another season of eligibility, he should be favored to remain the starter, and he could contend to lead the nation in passing.
Source: On3 on X
Source: On3 on X
Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is retiring, according to On3Sports. The 60-year-old has been coaching at the collegiate level since 2006 after a decade-long run at the high school level and has had great success as an offensive coordinator and head coach. Malzahn was famously Auburn's offensive coordinator from 2009 to 2011 and helped lead the Tigers to a 2010 National Championship with quarterback Cam Newton. Across 13 seasons as a head coach with Arkansas State, Aubrun, and UCF, he compiled a 105-62 record and finished as the National Champion runner up in 2013. As Florida State's play-caller in 2025, he led the Seminoles to the No. 1 total offensive in the ACC (472.1 PPG).
Source: On3.com
Source: On3.com
