James Madison completed a historic 2025 campaign, capturing the Sun Belt title and earning the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff berth before a first-round loss to Oregon.

Even with the postseason loss, the Dukes finished ranked inside the top 25 and reinforced their status as one of the fastest-rising programs in the FBS after transitioning from the FCS in 2022.

The team’s biggest contributor was junior running back Wayne Knight.

Across the season, he totaled 1,373 rushing yards on 207 carries (6.6 yards per carry) with nine rushing touchdowns and added 40 receptions for 397 receiving yards, producing 1,770 all-purpose yards.

Knight posted multiple 100-yard rushing games, set a school record with 234 all-purpose yards in the Sun Belt championship (including a 212-yard rushing effort), became a Paul Hornung Award finalist, earned first-team All–Sun Belt honors, and garnered All-American recognition from select outlets.

However, on Saturday, Knight announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Early reporting has already linked him to several Power Five programs, with Yahoo Sports explicitly naming No. 1-ranked Indiana as a logical fit.

Knight redshirted in 2023 before establishing himself as James Madison’s primary back in 2024, totaling 449 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns while adding 137 receiving yards and two receiving scores ahead of his breakout 2025 campaign.

Knight signed with James Madison in December 2021, choosing the Dukes over more than a dozen other scholarship offers, including Delaware, Navy, Brown, Howard, and Maine.

Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti is the central link in the Knight to Indiana storyline. 

Before taking the Indiana job in 2024, Cignetti led James Madison to an 8–3 record in 2022 and an 11–1 finish in 2023, reaching as high as No. 18 in the AP poll.

Knight played under Cignetti during both seasons and was originally recruited to JMU by him.

For Cignetti and Indiana, adding a high-production, battle-tested running back would bolster depth and special teams for a program now competing at the highest level.

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Late Friday night, Michigan made it official. Kyle Whittingham will take over as the next Wolverines head coach, and he released his first public statement.

News broke earlier Friday that Whittingham would replace Sherrone Moore as Michigan head coach. He previously announced his plans to step down as Utah head coach after a decorated run, becoming the winningest coach in program history. Michigan confirmed he is signing a five-year contract.

In Friday’s announcement, Whittingham and athletics director Warde Manuel released statements. Whittingham pointed to the tradition in Ann Arbor and high standard as he takes over the program.

“We are honored to lead the outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and staff who represent Michigan Football each day,” Whittingham said in a statement. “Michigan is synonymous with tradition and excellence – both on the field and beyond – and our entire program is committed to upholding those values while striving for greatness together.

“My family and I are thrilled to join the University of Michigan community, and we look forward to helping our players grow, develop, and reach their highest potential – on the gridiron, in the classroom, and as leaders. It’s a privilege to be part of something that inspires pride in every Wolverine fan. Go Blue!”

Whittingham replaced Urban Meyer as Utah head coach in 2005 and amassed a 177-88 overall record at the helm – the most wins in Utes history. He initially joined the program in 1994, starting out as defensive line coach ad becoming the Utes’ defensive coordinator in 1995. When Meyer left for Florida in 2005, Whittingham took over as head coach.

Although he announced he’d step down as Utah coach, Whittingham made it clear he wasn’t necessarily done coaching. Now, he’ll prepare to head to Ann Arbor and take over a Michigan team which underwent a major shakeup this month.

“Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership,” Manuel said in a statement. “Throughout our search, he consistently demonstrated the qualities we value at Michigan: vision, resilience, and the ability to build and sustain championship-caliber teams.

“Kyle brings not only a proven track record of success, but also a commitment to creating a program rooted in toughness, physicality, discipline and respect – where student-athletes and coaches represent the university with distinction both on and off the field. We are excited to welcome Kyle to the University of Michigan family as he takes the helm of our football program.”

On Christmas Eve, On3’s Joe Tipton reported James Nnaji committed to Baylor after receiving four years of eligibility. Nnaji was the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, though he never signed an NBA contract, and will play the second half of this season.

The reaction was swift, including a post on social media from UConn coach Dan Hurley. Saturday afternoon, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo weighed in on the situation.

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Izzo admitted he didn’t know all the details and reached out to “good friend” and Baylor head coach Scott Drew for more information. But he raised multiple questions about the impact of the Nnaji eligibility decision, even asking what would stop him from asking Miles Bridges – or other even Magic Johnson and Gary Harris – if they wanted to return to East Lansing.

“I asked Coen [Carr], would you be okay if I went and got Miles and brought him back? … You laugh, but that’s what we’re doing,” Izzo said. “Somebody’s sitting. Somebody’s not playing. I just don’t think that’s fair for the players. Some of them work their butt off to get to this position and maybe things didn’t go right. I’m a little surprised. I’ve got a call in to Scott. I’m anxious to see what he tells me. … But what I’m hearing and now, we’re taking guys that were drafted in the NBA and everything. I said it to you a month and a half ago, ‘Come on, Magic and Gary. Let’s go, baby. Let’s do it.’ Why not?

“If that’s what we’re going to, shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches, too. But shame on the NCAA because coaches are going to do what they’ve got to do, I guess. But the NCAA’s the one. Those people on those committees that are making those decisions to allow something so ridiculous and not think of the kid. Everybody talks about me thinking of my program or selfish. No. Get that straight, for all of you. I’m thinking of what is best for my son if he was in that position, and I just don’t agree with it.”

Of course, Izzo made it clear he was not planning to ask Bridges if he’d come back to school. He said his point was more about his concern with the situation.

“Sooner or later, it’s gonna get me,” Izzo said. “Not that I’m gonna be too stubborn not to ever do anything, but I’m not going and recruiting Miles. I love Miles. Would love to have him play. But what is wrong with that statement? ‘Go and replace Coen.’”

Tom Izzo: ‘I’m not going to fight city hall’

James Nnaji played professional basketball in Europe before going No. 31 in the 2023 NBA Draft when the Detroit Pistons selected him. While he did not sign a standard NBA contract, his draft rights were traded twice, most recently in the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. Nnaji also played in the NBA Summer League with the Knicks.

Amid the fallout from the NCAA’s decision, Nnaji’s name also came up in an ongoing eligibility lawsuit. Attorneys for Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and others cited it in a filing Friday. Pavia and other plaintiffs are challenging the NCAA’s junior college rules.

Tom Izzo also said he spoke with an unnamed coach who agreed with him. But Izzo also further called out the NCAA and president Charlie Baker about the state of the landscape.

“I was told by a very famous, good, great coach yesterday in a text that said, ‘I believe in everything you’re saying. Just don’t let it ruin your year. Why fight city hall?’ I’m not going to fight city hall – I’m just not going to stick up for it, either,” Izzo said.

“I’m not going to tell you that [as] a guy that worked for the NCAA for 20 years on every committee known to man. I’m not going to tell you that this president, to me, is doing anything but running from leadership and is making decisions that are against them. I’d like to poll 360 of the coaches and see how many are in favor of what’s going on.”

A running back with proven production is set to enter the college football transfer portal with just one year of NCAA eligibility remaining in his career.

James Madison running back Ayo Adeyi is preparing to enter the transfer portal in search of what will be a third school to play for in 2026, according to ESPN.

What he’s done on the field

Adeyi was limited to just 120 rushing yards on 24 carries for the Dukes as they made their first College Football Playoff appearance this past season, but the tailback has a history of solid output when he was initially at North Texas.

In total, Adeyi has 2,480 career rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry over the last five collegiate seasons, mostly with the Mean Green.

He ran for 6 touchdowns on 496 yards in his initial season there before improving his per yard average to 7.2 yards the following season with 4 touchdowns and 807 total yards.

Adeyi had his best season to date in 2023, when he carried 143 times for 1,017 yards and scored 6 touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per attempt.

How the college football transfer portal works

College football’s transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2, but that hasn’t stopped a flurry of players from entering their names for consideration at a new school right now.

The new 15-day transfer portal window from Jan. 2-16 and the elimination of the spring transfer period has condensed the timeline for players and programs to make their moves.

The NCAA Transfer Portal is a private database that includes the names of student-athletes in every sport at the Division I, II, and III levels. The full list of names is not available to the public.

A player can enter their name into the transfer portal through their school’s compliance office.

Once a player gives written notification of their intent to transfer, the office puts the player’s name into the database, and they officially become a transfer.

The compliance office has 48 hours to comply with the player’s request and NCAA rules forbid anyone from refusing that request.

The database includes the player’s name, contact information, info on whether the player was on scholarship, and if he is a graduate student.

Once a player’s name appears in the transfer portal database, other schools are free to contact the player, who can change his mind at any point in the process and withdraw from the transfer portal.

Notably, once a player enters the portal, his school no longer has to honor the athletic scholarship it gave him.

And if that player decides to leave the portal and return to his original school, the school doesn’t have to give him another scholarship.

(ESPN)

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NFL betting usually rules the roost on the American sports wagering landscape. 

But College Football Playoff quarterfinal odds are giving the mighty shield a run for its money at the moment — particularly in the Miami vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl matchup, which kicks off the quarterfinals on Dec. 31, and the Alabama vs. Indiana Rose Bowl showdown on Jan. 1.

“These standalone College Football Playoff games really rival the NFL games,” Caesars Sports vice president of trading Craig Mucklow said.

Mucklow serves up his insights on College Football Playoff quarterfinal odds for all four matchups.

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Bettors Backing Buckeyes

Ohio State is 12-1 straight up (SU), though that lone loss came in its last outing. The Buckeyes were 3.5-point favorites vs. Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game and fell short 13-10.

Still, with a 10-2-1 mark against the spread (ATS), Ohio State has been one of the best bets all season in college football. Only Texas Tech (11-2 ATS) is better at covering the number.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the public betting masses are all over No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami (11-2 SU/8-5 ATS) in the Cotton Bowl, for a 7:30 p.m. ET New Year’s Eve kickoff.

“Ohio State is a bigger loser for us on the spread than any of the NFL Week 17 games. And there’s still [five days] of betting to come,” Mucklow said.

After Miami’s 10-3 first-round win at No. 7 Texas A&M, Caesars Sports opened the Buckeyes as 7.5-point favorites. That number sprinted to Buckeyes -10, with early bettors eager to pile on Ohio State.

The Hurricanes actually saw sharp action at +10, so Caesars adjusted Monday to Ohio State -9.5.

Backing Off ‘Bama

No. 9 Alabama (11-3 SU/8-5-1 ATS) has the SEC pedigree, which is usually attractive to the betting masses. But No. 1 Indiana (13-0 SU/8-5 ATS) has been an offensive juggernaut much of the season, and bettors like to back a good offense.

And even though the Hoosiers didn’t put up points in their last outing, they did beat defending national champion Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. That carries some weight, as well, for a 4 p.m. ET Rose Bowl clash on New Year’s Day.

Indiana opened as a 6-point favorite and moved out to -7 in short order. Mucklow said sharp action on Alabama +7 led Caesars to lower Indiana to -6.5. But a continuing flood of Indiana action from the masses moved the Hoosiers up to -7 again.

“Bettors are all over Indiana big time. That’s bigger than our Ohio State decision,” Mucklow said. “I hate to say it, but we’re Alabama fans by a good distance.”

That said, Mucklow noted Caesars has one angle working in its favor.

“Indiana has not really been in this position before. Alabama has been there, done that,” he said.

Short Spread

Oddsmakers believe No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech is the most competitive matchup in CFP quarterfinal odds. The Ducks opened as 1.5-point favorites and are up to -2 vs. the Red Raiders, for a noon ET New Year’s Day start in the Orange Bowl.

Oregon (12-1 SU/9-4 ATS) already has a CFP game under its belt, coasting past No. 12 James Madison 51-34. But the Ducks fell short of covering as huge 20.5-point home favorites.

As noted above, Texas Tech (12-1 SU/11-2 ATS) is the best spread-covering team in the nation this season. The Red Raiders have been resting since a 34-7 rout of BYU as 12.5-point favorites in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 6.

Bettors are leaning toward the Ducks, as of Friday afternoon.

“Oregon is a small loser for us, nothing drastic. There’s not much of a difference between these two teams,” Mucklow said. “I think this game will see two-way action. It’s only a 2-point spread.”

Sweet Rematch

One matchup in College Football Playoff quarterfinal odds is actually a rematch from the regular season. In Week 8, Ole Miss and Georgia played a thriller in Athens, Ga.

Ole Miss — then under Lane Kiffin, who has since left for LSU — led 35-26 late in the third quarter. But Georgia did the rest of the scoring in a 43-35 victory, barely covering as a 7-point home favorite.

Now, No. 3 Georgia (12-1 SU/6-7 ATS) and No. 6 Ole Miss (12-1 SU/8-5 ATS) meet on a neutral field at the Sugar Bowl. The spread is similar to the first meeting, with the Bulldogs opening -6 and now up to -6.5 for this 8 p.m. ET kickoff on New Year’s Day.

“All the money is for Georgia, which doesn’t surprise me,” Mucklow said. “You’ve given Kirby Smart three weeks to prepare for this game.”

Money Talks

Mucklow also ran through ranking the four CFP quarterfinals based on the amount of money each game is seeing so far.

“Alabama-Indiana is No. 1 by a distance. Then it’s Miami-Ohio State,” Mucklow said. “Then there’s a pretty significant gap to Ole Miss-Georgia, and another big gap to Oregon-Texas Tech. That’s the least popular of the four, by a distance.”

Patrick Everson is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and senior reporter for VegasInsider.com. He is a distinguished journalist in the national sports betting space. He’s based in Las Vegas, where he enjoys golfing in 110-degree heat. Follow him on X: @PatrickE_Vegas.

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