NIL

Ranking the top 25 college football teams

Published

8 months ago

May 21, 2025

Ranking the top 25 college football teams

I all but flipped a coin back in January when choosing between Penn State and Texas for No. 1. Then Steve Sarkisian’s team became arguably the biggest winner in the spring portal window and made the decision easier this time.

1. Texas (Too-early 2025 ranking: 2)

Familiar faces: QB Arch Manning, RB Quintrevion Wisner, WR Ryan Wingo, edge Colin Simmons, LB Anthony Hill Jr., S Michael Taaffe

Notable spring additions: WR Emmett Mosley V (Stanford), TE Jack Endries (Cal), DT Maraad Watson (Syracuse), K Mason Shipley (Texas State)

Despite losing 12 draft picks, Texas looks like the closest thing to a complete team. Everyone knows about Manning, but the ’Horns should again be teeming with skill talent and strong in the trenches. Mosley and Endries become immediate targets for Manning, while Watson (6-foot-3, 313 pounds), a true freshman starter, Purdue transfer Cole Brevard and North Carolina transfer Travis Shaw fill a need at defensive tackle.

2. Penn State (Previous: No. 1)

Familiar faces: QB Drew Allar, RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, DT Zane Durant, S Zakee Wheatley

Notable spring additions: WR Trebor Pena (Syracuse), LB Amare Campbell (UNC)

Penn State most closely fits the 2023 Michigan/2024 Ohio State “everybody’s staying” mold, but last year’s College Football Playoff semifinalist still had one glaring deficiency: wide receiver. Coach James Franklin hopes he’s addressed that with a trio of transfers: USC’s Kyron Hudson, Troy’s Devonte Ross and Pena, a breakout star on last season’s 10-win Syracuse team (84 catches for 941 yards). Campbell was highly productive with 76 tackles and 10 1/2 TFLs in 2024.

3. Clemson (Previous: No. 5)

Familiar faces: QB Cade Klubnik, WR Antonio Williams, DEs T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, LB Sammy Brown, CB Avieon Terrell

Notable spring additions: None

I was already high on Clemson, and then two things happened. 1. Coach Dabo Swinney finally got some transfers, and one of them, former Southeast Missouri State receiver Tristan Smith, stole the show at the Tigers’ spring game with five catches for 137 yards. 2. Early 2026 mock drafts emerged, and every guy listed above (save for second-year player Brown) was a projected first-rounder. Clemson should have its best team in five years.

4. Ohio State (Previous: No. 6)

Familiar faces: WRs Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, LBs Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, CB Davison Igbinosun, S Caleb Downs

Notable spring additions: DE Beau Atkinson (North Carolina)

My first 2025 top 25 was published the morning after the Buckeyes’ national championship win, at which point it was hard to overlook how many key players they were losing. (As it turned out, 14 draft picks.) But coach Ryan Day still has a lot of veterans, and now he’s added Atkinson (7 1/2 sacks last season), who could start opposite returnee Kenyatta Jackson. But it all comes down to how expected QB1 Julian Sayin performs.

5. Notre Dame (Previous: No. 3)

Familiar faces: RB Jeremiyah Love, WR Jaden Greathouse, LBs Drayk Bowen and Jaylen Sneed, CB Leonard Moore, S Adon Shuler

Notable spring additions: None

Coach Marcus Freeman’s QB competition seemingly resolved itself in the spring as redshirt freshman CJ Carr seized control of the race, prompting veteran Steve Angeli to portal his way to Syracuse. Love is a Heisman contender, TE Eli Raridon is poised for a breakout and former Virginia WR Malachi Fields arrives this summer.

6. LSU (Previous: No. 4)

Familiar faces: QB Garrett Nussmeier, RB Caden Durham, WR Aaron Anderson, LBs Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr.

Notable spring additions: DT Bernard Gooden (USF), S A.J. Haulcy (Houston)

I’m still high on LSU despite the two-spot drop. Coach Brian Kelly added to what was already the nation’s No. 1 transfer class with Gooden, who had 10 TFLs last season, and first-team All-Big 12 safety Haulcy. WR Nic Anderson from Oklahoma is a big get. Reports out of spring indicated that the Tigers’ D-line will be a strength, thanks to Florida transfer Jack Pyburn and Nebraska transfer Jimari Butler.

7. Georgia (Previous: No. 7)

Familiar faces: QB Gunner Stockton, RB Nate Frazier, TE Oscar Delp, LB CJ Allen, CB Daylen Everette

Notable spring additions: RB Josh McCray (Illinois), LB Elo Modozie (Army)

I was mildly surprised to see Georgia’s Vegas win total is only 9.5. If there’s concern, it may be either that Stockton is still relatively unproven or that the D-line is not up to previous standards. Stockton should have plenty of guys to throw to with the additions of USC’s Zachariah Branch and Texas A&M’s Noah Thomas. McCray (609 yards, 10 TDs in 2024) should be a nice complement to Frazier, and Modozie (6 1/2 sacks) should make an impact.

8. Oregon (Previous: No. 8)

Familiar faces: RB Noah Whittington, WR Evan Stewart, pass-rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, MLB Bryce Boettcher

Notable spring additions: None

Oregon’s prospects depend heavily on former five-star QB Dante Moore, once a freshman starter for UCLA. He went 12-of-20 for 140 yards in the spring game. RB Makhi Hughes (2,779 yards in two seasons) is poised to take the Big Ten by storm. Transfer LT Isaiah World (Nevada) and G Emmanuel Pregnon (USC) should be immediate starters. Dan Lanning has no shortage of pass rushers with Uiagalelei, Tuioti and LB Blake Purchase.

9. Miami (Previous: No. 15)

Familiar faces: QB Carson Beck (Georgia), RB Mark Fletcher Jr., OT Francis Mauigoa, DE Rueben Bain Jr., LB Wesley Bissainthe

Notable spring additions: WR/KR Keelan Marion (BYU), RB CharMar Brown (North Dakota State), LBs Mohamed Toure (Rutgers) and Kamal Bonner (NC State), CB Keionte Scott (Auburn/Houston), K Bert Auburn (Texas)

No one was more active in the spring portal window than coach Mario Cristobal, who added a potential breakout star in Brown (1,181 yards, 15 TDs), the Jerry Rice Award winner for best FCS freshman; an All-American kick returner in Marion; and a proven seventh-year senior (!) in Toure (93 tackles, 10 TFLs in 2023), who missed 2024. Freshman WR Malachi Toney had a great spring game. Beck has been cleared for summer workouts.

10. Alabama (Previous: No. 14)

Familiar faces: WRs Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, DT Tim Keenan III, LB Deontae Lawson, CB Domani Jackson

Notable spring additions: TE Brody Dalton (Troy)

It’s notable that no Alabama players hit the portal after spring practices, indicating coach Kalen DeBoer is pleased with his roster. Fourth-year junior QB Ty Simpson seized control of the starting job this spring. He has plenty of options to throw to among Williams, Bernard and Miami transfer Isaiah Horton. This should be another top-10 defense, with Colorado LB Nikhai Hill-Green filling one of the few holes.

11. Arizona State (Previous: No. 9)

Familiar faces: QB Sam Leavitt, WR Jordyn Tyson, TE Chamon Metayer, DT C.J. Fite, S Xavion Alford

Notable spring additions: Edge Joshua Shanklin (juco)

Coach Kenny Dillingham mostly recruited for depth in the spring because he has so much coming back from last year’s Big 12 title team (with the notable exception of star RB Cam Skattebo). He previously nabbed Army RB Kanye Udoh (1,110 yards) to join promising returnee Kyson Brown. Fresno State WR Jalen Moss (48 catches, 563 yards) looks like a solid complement to Tyson. ASU’s concern is generating a better pass rush.

The Gators never gave up during an up-and-down 2024 campaign, and optimism abounds under QB DJ Lagway. (Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images)

12. Florida (Previous: No. 11)

Familiar faces: QB DJ Lagway, RB Jadan Baugh, C Jake Slaughter, DE Tyreak Sapp, DT Caleb Banks

Notable spring additions: None

Billy Napier only took five transfers between the winter and spring windows and expects major contributions from his freshman class. Early enrollee WR Dallas Wilson set a Florida spring game record with 10 catches for 195 yards. While the talented Lagway is the biggest reason for so much optimism around the Gators, they’ll also be strong in the trenches. Slaughter, OT Austin Barber, Sapp and Banks are all garnering early first-round NFL Draft buzz.

13. BYU (Previous: No. 10)

Familiar faces: QB Jake Retzlaff, RB LJ Martin, WR Chase Roberts, LB Isaiah Glasker, K Will Ferrin

Notable spring additions: WR Tiger Bachmeier (Stanford), DT Justin Kirkland (Oklahoma State)

Notable spring defections: WR/KR Keelan Marion (All-American kick returner), LB Harrison Taggart (69 tackles in 2024)

Several key pieces from BYU’s 11-win season last year return, most notably the dual-threat QB Retzlaff. But it hurt to lose Taggart, the Cougars’ second-leading tackler last season, and Marion, a spring practice standout at receiver. Two Utah transfers, TE Carsen Ryan and DT Keanu Tanuvasa, are expected to start. BYU has a lot of proven veterans on defense, like Glasker and S Tanner Wall.

14. Oklahoma (Previous: No. 25)

Familiar faces: RB Jovantae Barnes, WR Deion Burks, DE R Mason Thomas, S Robert Spears-Jennings, LB Kip Jennings

Notable spring additions: RB Jaydn Ott (Cal), G Jake Maikkula (Stanford)

Notable spring defection: RB Gavin Sawchuk (744 yards in 2023)

I didn’t realize in January how much Oklahoma would transform its offense. Washington State QB John Mateer, one of the most coveted QBs this offseason, reunited with his former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Then coach Brent Venables got Ott, who ran for 2,212 yards and 20 TDs the past two seasons. Top receiver Burks is back after missing most of last season. Florida State’s Marvin Jones Jr. adds to an already talented defense.

15. Texas A&M (Previous: No. 17)

Familiar faces: QB Marcel Reed, RB Le’Veon Moss, DE Cashius Howell, LB Taurean York, S Dalton Brooks

Notable spring additions: None

Reed is the face of A&M’s offense now. Coach Mike Elko spent the winter cycle upgrading his receivers and D-line, which showed in the spring game. Mississippi State’s Mario Craver and NC State’s Kevin Concepcion both made big plays. DEs T.J. Searcy (Florida) and Dayon Hayes (Colorado) and DT Tyler Onyedim (Iowa State) should be starters or rotation guys, as well as freshman Marco Jones, who had five sacks in the spring game.

16. Illinois (Previous: 12)

Familiar faces: QB Luke Altmyer, LT J.C. Davis, OLB Gabe Jacas, S Matthew Bailey, DB Xavier Scott

Notable spring additions: DL Carter Hewitt (Northern Iowa)

Notable spring defection: RB Josh McCray (609 yards, 10 TDs in 2024)

I went a bit overboard on the Illini in January, before they lost top returning rusher McCray to Georgia. But there’s still a lot to like coming off a 10-win season. Unsurprisingly, coach Bret Bielema’s team is built up front, with four O-linemen who earned All-Big Ten honors in 2024. Former Wisconsin DL James Thompson Jr. helps fill a need, as does former West Virginia WR Hudson Clement (51 catches, 741 yards).

17. South Carolina (Previous: No. 16)

Familiar faces: QB LaNorris Sellers, WR Nyck Harbor, DEs Dylan Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr., DB Jalon Kilgore

Notable spring additions: DE Demon Clowney (Ole Miss)

Notable spring defection: OL Jakai Moore (28 career starts, injured in 2024)

Sellers should be one of the stars of the sport after a breakout redshirt freshman season (2,534 yards passing, 674 yards rushing). Freshman WR Malik Clark could become one of his targets. The Gamecocks lost a lot from last year’s dominant D-line. Coach Shane Beamer got help on the interior with Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (Texas A&M) and Troy Pikes (Georgia Southern). NC State’s Brandon Cisse will help in the secondary.

18. Indiana (Previous: 20)

Familiar faces: WRs Elijah Starrett and Omar Cooper Jr., LB Aiden Fisher, OLB Mikail Kamara, CB D’Angelo Ponds

Notable spring additions: WR Jonathan Brady (Cal; 98 career receptions for 1,317 yards), edge Kellan Wyatt (Maryland; 80 career tackles, 8 1/2 sacks), DE Stephen Daley (Kent State; 51 tackles, 9 TFLs in 2024)

Coach Curt Cignetti used the portal in the winter to reload on offense, landing Cal QB Fernando Mendoza (19 career starts), Maryland RB Roman Hamby (2,276 career rushing yards), Tennessee TE Holden Staes and three potential starters on the O-line, most notably Notre Dame’s Pat Coogan. In the spring, he added two proven pass rushers in Wyatt and Daly. Indiana plays a tougher Big Ten schedule in 2025.

19. Texas Tech (Previous: NR)

Familiar faces: QB Behren Morton, WR Caleb Douglas, LBs Jacob Rodriguez and Ben Roberts, S Maurion Horn

Notable spring additions: WR Micah Hudson (Texas A&M), C Cash Cleveland (Colorado), DE David Bailey (Stanford)

Notable spring defection: Edge Joseph Adedire (14 career starts)

Texas Tech reportedly spent more than $10 million on its winter portal class, and that was before a seven-figure deal for Bailey, who had 14 1/2 sacks in three seasons. He and Georgia Tech’s Romello Height give coach Joey McGuire two big-time ends, joined by disruptive DTs Lee Hunter (UCF) and Skyler Gill-Howard (NIU). Other impact guys include USC RB Quinten Joyner and Miami (Ohio) WR Reggie Virgil.

20. Michigan (Previous: 18)

Familiar faces: Edges Derrick Moore and TJ Guy, LB Ernest Hausmann, CB Zeke Berry, S Rod Moore

Notable spring additions: RBs CJ Hester (UMass) and John Volker (Princeton), P Luke Bauer (Missouri)

All signs point to five-star freshman QB Bryce Underwood assuming the reins come Week 1. Coach Sherrone Moore needs new skill players to emerge. Alabama RB Justice Haynes is one proven guy, as is Indiana WR Donaven McCulley (48 catches for 644 yards in 2023). Michigan’s defense should again be a strength, with experience across the board. Arkansas’ TJ Metcalf should be a factor in the secondary.

21. Baylor (Previous: 19)

Familiar faces: QB Sawyer Robertson, RB Bryson Washington, WR/KR Josh Cameron, TE Michael Trigg, LB Keaton Thomas

Notable spring additions: WR Louis Brown IV (San Diego State; 38 catches for 620 yards in 2024), CB Caldra Williford (Tennessee Tech; 88 tackles over two seasons)

Baylor has the chance to field one of the nation’s most dangerous offenses, led by Robertson, Washington and four returning O-line starters. Coach Dave Aranda added several capable receivers, including Alabama’s Kobe Prentice. The defense has questions, though; Aranda will count on Oregon LB Emar’rion Winston, FIU LB Travion Barnes (129 tackles in 2024) and Northwestern S Devin Turner (130 career tackles).

22. Boise State (Previous: 21)

Familiar faces: QB Maddux Madsen, WR Latrell Caples, TE Matt Lauter, Edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan, S Ty Benefield

Notable spring additions: Edge Sterling Lane II (Arizona), S Derek Ganter Jr. (Eastern Washington)

Notable spring defections: LB Andrew Simpson (25 career starts), P James Ferguson-Reynolds (three-year starter)

Boise, which returns its QB1 and four offensive line starters, will be the Group of 5 front-runner again. While there’s no replacing Ashton Jeanty, Fresno State RB Malik Sherrod (172 carries, 966 yards in 2023) was the star of spring and will be joined by promising redshirt freshman Sire Gaines. Boise lost several big names on defense from last year’s Playoff team and saw its D-line thinned by portal exits.

23. Louisville (Previous: No. 22)

Familiar faces: RBs Isaac Brown, WRs Caullin Lacy and Chris Bell, LBs TJ Quinn and Stanquan Clark

Notable spring additions: WRs Dacari Collins (NC State) and TreyShun Hurry (San Jose State), S Joseph Jefferson (Purdue)

Notable spring defection: G Austin Collins (14 starts over two seasons)

Jeff Brohm has the makings of another potent offense with USC QB Miller Moss, who played well in the spring game, two solid running backs and the return of Lacy, a 1,316-yard receiver in 2023 who was injured last season. Brohm stocked up on receiver depth in the spring. Three transfers could start on the O-line. Louisville needs to get much better in pass coverage. Southern CB Rodney Johnson should help.

24. Auburn (Previous: NR)

Familiar faces: WR Cam Coleman, DE Keldric Faulk, LB Demarcus Riddick, CB Kayin Lee, S Sylvester Smith

Notable spring additions: DE James Ash (Florida A&M), LB Caleb Wheatland (Maryland)

I predict Auburn will be one of the most improved teams in the country. Despite going 6-7, it fielded a top-20 defense last year with many young players, nearly all of whom return. Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold should fare better now that he’ll have a bunch of stud receivers, led by freshman standout Coleman and Georgia Tech’s Eric Singleton Jr. (1,468 yards in two seasons). Some running backs will need to step up.

25. Kansas State (Previous: No. 23)

Familiar faces: QB Avery Johnson, RB Dylan Edwards, WR Jayce Brown, LB Austin Romaine, S VJ Payne

Notable spring additions: RB Antonio Johnson Jr. (Southeastern Louisiana), OLs JB Nelson (Penn State) and Terrence Enos Jr. (Pittsburgh)

New OC Matt Wells has several proven playmakers in Johnson, Edwards and Brown and TE Garrett Oakley, and K-State added another potential impact receiver in Purdue’s Jaron Tibbs. Head coach Chris Klieman addressed several needs on the offensive line by bringing in Ohio State T George Fitzpatrick, Nelson and Enos Jr. Standout Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado (175 career tackles) was a big get.

Dropped out: No. 13 Tennessee, No. 24 Navy

Just missed: SMU, Iowa, Iowa State, Missouri, Ole Miss

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Kevin C. Cox, Tim Warner, Carmen Mandato, Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images)

NIL

Joel Klatt describes Kyle Whittingham hire at Michigan as a ‘tremendous fit’

Published

20 minutes ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

The hiring of Kyle Whittingham at Michigan may have caught much of the college football world off guard. However, FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes the move checks every box the Wolverines needed to address.

Speaking on The Joel Klatt Show, Klatt called Michigan’s decision to bring in Whittingham a “home run,” citing the unique challenges surrounding the search, and how seamlessly the longtime Utah head coach fits the moment in Ann Arbor.

“This seems like a tremendous fit. This seems like a home run because it checks off all of these boxes,” Klatt said. “The timing is a challenge. The play-identity is a challenge. Culture reset and stabilization, that’s a challenge. Any one of those four is going to be very difficult to find. And yet, Kyle Whittingham checks the box in all four.”

Alas, Michigan moved quickly after firing Sherrone Moore earlier last month following an investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The timing of the opening, coinciding with the start of the transfer portal and a limited coaching market, made the search particularly difficult. Many around the sport believed Michigan would be forced into a short-term or high-risk hire.

Instead, the Wolverines landed one of the most respected and stable figures in college football. Whittingham spent 22 seasons at Utah, compiling a 177–88 record while building the program into a consistent national presence.

He won two Pac-12 championships, produced eight double-digit win seasons and famously finished 13–0 in 2008, capped by a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama. His teams became known for their physicality, discipline and consistency, traits Michigan is eager to reestablish.

Many assumed Whittingham’s resignation from Utah signaled retirement. Instead, the 64-year-old opted for a new challenge, stepping into a Michigan program just two years removed from a national championship in 2023. With Big Ten resources, elite recruiting infrastructure and a roster still stocked with high-level talent, Klatt believes the move is about more than stability.

“He looks at this as an opportunity to actually go out there and compete for a national championship,” Klatt claimed. He certainly has the chance to do so now.

After weeks of uncertainty, Michigan appears to have found exactly what it needed in Whittingham. A proven winner, steady hand and a coach capable of restoring trust while keeping the Wolverines firmly in the national title conversation.

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USA Today sends Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, and Texas A&M a black-pilled message

Published

1 hour ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Ahead of the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes’ clash in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, January 19, the SEC’s absence from a third-straight title game has many thinking the conference’s demise is here.

USA Today’s Matt Hayes is one of those people. Hayes called out the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Florida Gators, and Texas A&M Aggies by name for failing their sky-high expectations in the NIL/rev-share era.

As Hayes pointed out, Texas Tech Red Raiders superbooster and Fort Worth oilman Cody Campbell has built a program with rev-share payouts that used to resemble the schools that “didn’t pay” their players before student athletes started cashing sanctioned paychecks.

“There are millionaires and billionaires who love their universities and are obsessive about winning. Throw open the doors to NIL and free player movement — and legalized big booster involvement — and watch how quickly the SEC looks like the ACC,” Hayes wrote.

“Watch how quickly Alabama comes back to the pack, and Georgia can’t get out of the quarterfinals in the CFP. How quickly LSU and Florida and Texas A&M spend hundreds of millions of dollars to fire coaches and start over.

“More to the point, watch how quickly the deep-pocket Cody Campbells of the world begin to simply play by the rules laid out by the SEC and Big Ten ― and build teams that look and play like SEC teams of the past.”

What Campbell is doing in the open, with public information on all salaries available at a state school per an information request, is more honorable than the bagmen of years past, who gave the “It Just Means More” tagline a devilish undertone. Obligatory mention of the cars Crimson Tide players were driving during their dominant 2010s era.

It’s just sad to see this change, since societies in the south were built on winning football.

Auburn’s fall in the rev-share/NIL era is understated, but it’s still a thing

Going from a College Football world that once saw Alabama win every other year, Georgia doing the same at the very end, and schools like LSU and Florida formerly dominated before, or right when Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa, is more dramatic than going to a world where the Auburn Tigers went from an 8-10-win team to a perennial loser.

That doesn’t mean Auburn’s fall hasn’t happened. It has, and it’s been stark. It’s the same world, and it’s the one we’re living in.

As the Plains sees new, modern structures being erected everywhere, there is a lack of the same character from when the team was winning games, and the Auburn Creed meant something. From the sounds of it, the Creed’s principles were absent under the last two full-time head football coaches’ regimes.

Just like the perennial contenders in the conference, the Tigers need to figure out how to restore glory and make “It Just Means More” hit like it used to. Easier said than done, but all sports are cyclical, and the current CFB landscape will always favor the SEC and Big Ten.

So it should happen sometime in the future. Especially with a different personality like Alex Golesh in tow.

Only time will tell, though.

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NIL

Florida football transfer tracker as Jon Sumrall works the portal for 2026 class

Published

2 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Updated Jan. 10, 2026, 9:46 p.m. ET

The Florida football 2026 roster remains a work in progress.

With the Florida Gators coming off a 4-8 season in 2025, changes are in store under first-year UF coach Jon Sumrall.

Already, more than 20 Florida players have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal, including a host of starters: quarterback DJ Lagway, wide receiver Eugene Wilson III, tight end Hayden Hansen, safety Jordan Castell and defensive tackle Michai Boireau.

The FBS transfer portal opened Friday, Jan. 2, and runs through Jan. 16, a window in which players can officially be in contact with other schools. Florida players who are in the portal can re-sign with UF during that time or choose to sign with other schools.

Florida will likely be in the market for at least one more quarterback and will try to fill holes on the offensive and defensive lines, at punter and kicker and in the secondary.

Transfer players Florida football is eyeing or has added from the portal

Auburn WR Eric Singleton Jr.

Singleton signed with Florida football on Jan. 10, per multiple reports, a day after he took his name out of the NFL Draft and entered the transfer portal. He began his career at Georgia Tech before moving on to Auburn and brings familiarity with UF’s coaching staff based on his relationship with former Georgia Tech and current UF offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and former Auburn and current UF wide receivers coach Marcus Davis. The 5-10, 185-pound Singleton, from Atlanta, Georgia, had 58 catches for 534 yards and 3 TDs last season.

Stanford OT Emeka Ugorji

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Ugorji committed to Florida on Friday, Jan. 9, per a report from Tyler Harden of 247Sports. Ugorji, from Dallas, Texas, appeared in 10 games and made eight starts for Stanford as a true freshman. His two penalties committed were the fewest among Stanford offensive linemen who played over half of the team’s offensive snaps

East Carolina RB London Montgomery

Montgomery announced his commitment to Florida on social media on Thursday, Jan. 8. The 5-11, 197-pound Montgomery rushed for 742 yards and 7 TDs on 156 carries for 2025.

Georgia Tech OL Harrison Moore

Moore announced on social media on Friday, Jan. 9 that he signed with the Gators. A sophomore, the 6-5, 300-pound Moore entered the transfer portal on Jan. 3 and is considered a Florida target based on his relationship with new UF offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. Moore started eight games for the Yellow Jackets last season and hasn’t allowed a sack in 866 career snaps.

Louisiana LS Carter Milliron

Milliron announced his commitment to Florida on social media on Thursday, Jan. 8. A junior, the 6-0, 257-pound Milliron has appeared in 40 games over three seasons as long snapper at Louisiana and has posted two career tackles on special teams.

Jacksonville State DE Emmanuel Oyebadejo

The 6-7, 295-pound Oyebadejo committed to Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 6, after visiting UF’s campus from Jan. 3-4, according to Tyler Harden of 247Sports. A redshirt junior, Oyebadejo posted 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles for Jacksonville State in 2025. He provides insurance at the edge rush spot for UF if rising sophomore defensive end Jayden Woods, who remains in the portal, opts to sign elsewhere.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College S Elijah Owens

The 6-3, 210-pound Owens announced his commitment in a social media post on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Owens began his college career at Alabama State and posted 65 tackles,1.5 tackles-for-loss, an interception and three pass break-ups for Mississippi Gulf Coast CC last season.

Kentucky S Cam Dooley

The 6-2, 208-pound Dooley committed to Florida on Janu. 7 after visiting Florida on Jan. 4. A sophomore with two seasons of eligibility remaining, Dooley appeared in 12 games with three starts for the Wildcats in 2025, recording 20 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception. He’s considered a Florida target based on his relationship with UK-turned-Florida defensive coordinator Brad White and UK-turned-Florida safeties coach Chris Collins.

Wake Forest WR Micah Mays Jr.

The 6-2, 196-pound Mays committed to Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 7 after visiting Florida from Jan. 3-4. A former four-star recruit from The Benjiman School in North Palm Beach, Mays has recorded 34 catches for 520 yards and 4 TDs in two seasons with the Demon Deacons. A sophomore, Mays has two years of eligibility remaining.

Georgia Tech QB Aaron Philo

Philo officially signed with Florida on Jan. 6, the former Georgia Tech quarterback announced in a social media post. Reports of Philo’s commitment surfaced shortly after his weekend visit from Jan, 3-4. He announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 17 and has a connection with new UF offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, having played under Faulkner for two seasons with the Yellow Jackets. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Philo has thrown for 938 yards with 2 TDs to 3 interceptions over two seasons while rushing for 95 yards and 1 TD as the backup to Haynes King.

Penn State OL T.J. Shanahan Jr.

Shanahan announced his commitment to UF on social media after visiting Florida the weekend of Jan. 3-4. A redshirt sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining, the 6-4, 316-pound Shanahan began his career at Texas A&M before transferring to Penn State. An Orlando native, Shanahan was coached last season by former PSU and current Florida offensive line coach Phil Trautwein. He’s the cousin of fomer UF and NFL offensive lineman Jon Halapio.

Penn State OT Eagan Boyer

Boyer committed to Florida on Jan. 6 after his official visit on Jan. 3-4, according to a report from Stadium and Gale. The 6-8, 300-pound Boyer appeared in eight games for the Nittany Lions in 2025, making one start. A redshirt freshman, Boyer has three years of eligibility remaining and has a connection with new UF offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, who coached at Penn State.

Tulane K Patrick Durkin

Durkin committed to Florida on Jan. 6, joining former Tulane and new Florida special teams coach Johnathan Galante. An honorable mention All-American, Durkin connected on 27 of 32 field for the Green Wave last season, including four of 50 yards or more. He will replace Trey Smack as UF’s starting kicker in 2026.

Tulane P Alec Clark

Clark committed to Florida on Jan. 6, joining former Tulane and new Florida special teams coach Johnathan Galante. An All-American Conference first team punter in 2025, Clark averaged 46.5-yards per punt, with 16 of his 48 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. The 6-1, 184-pound Clark has two years of eligibility remaining and projects to replace Tommy Doman as UF’s starting punter next season.

Cincinnati RB Evan Pryor

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Pryor committed to Florida on Jan. 6, per multiple reports, after a visit to UF’s campus on Jan. 5. Pryor, a redshirt junior, rushed for 522 yards on 6.9 yards per carry with 3 TDs for the Bearcats last season. He will provide a solid backup option to Jadan Baugh if Baugh opts to return for his junior season.

Baylor DB DJ Coleman

Coleman committed to Florida after his weekend visit from Jan. 3-4. A junior, the 6-1, 210-pound Coleman has posted 89 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 9 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble in three seasons at Baylor.

James Madison TE Lacota Dippre

Dippre committed to Florida after his weekend visit to UF’s campus from Jan. 3-4. A redshirt sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining, the 6-4, 253-pound Dippre had 17 catches for 192 yards and 3 TDs with JMU in 2025. He’ll compete with returning tight ends Tony Livingston and Amir Jackson for the starting job at UF.

Georgia Tech WR Bailey Stockton

The 5-11, 185-pound Stockton committed to Florida after a weekend visit on campus from Jan. 3-4. A sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining, Stockton posted 38 catches for 439 yards and 1 TD in his first two seasons.

Baylor DT DK Kalu

The 6-4, 309-pound Kalu committed to Florida on Monday, Jan. 5, after a visit to UF’s campus from Jan. 3-4. A redshirt freshman, Kalu has appeared in three games and made one career start in two seasons at Baylor, recording a tackle against Air Force.

Miami (Ohio) LB/DE Adam Trick

The 6-4, 242-pound Trick visited Florida on Jan. 4, per a report from 247Sports. Trick posted 25 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and an interception for the Red Hawks in 2025.

Minnesota WR Malachi Coleman

Coleman visited Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 7, according to a report from Tyler Harden of 247Sports. A redshirt sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining, the 6-5, 200-pound Coleman began his career at Nebraska in 2023 has posted 13 catches for 222 yards and 1 TD in two Big Ten seasons with the Cornhuskers and Golden Gophers.

West Virginia WR Cam Vaughn

Vaughn plans to visit Florida, according to a report from Tyler Harden of 247Sports. A redshirt sophomore, the 6-2, 185-pound Vaughn had 35 catches for 541 yards and 4 TDs last season.

Georgia TE Pearce Spurlin

The 6-7, 230-pound Spurlin, from South Walton HS in Santa Rosa Beach, visited Florida from Jan. 7-8, according to Tyler Harden of 247Sports. Spurlin had three catches for 60 yards in 2023 but has sat out the last two years due to a congenital heart condition.

UCLA DB Kanye Clark

The 6-0, 190-pound Clark visited Florida on Saturday, Jan. 10. Clark appeared in nine games with two starts at nickel back for UCLA in 2025, finishing with 23 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble and 1 tackle for loss. A redshirt sophomore, Clark has two years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football players who have announced their return to UF for 2026

Florida football EDGE Jayden Woods

Woods, who earned All-Freshman SEC honors, announced on social media on Thursday, Jan. 8, that he’s returning to UF after initially entering the portal. The 6-3, 248-pounder appeared in all 12 games for Florida this season, which featured him totaling 28 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one interception. Woods has three years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football DB Alfonzo Allen

Allen announced his decision to return to UF on social media on Jan. 7. The 5-foot-11, 199-pound Allen recorded 32 tackles in six games and three starts for UF last season, including a 15-tackle performance in his first career start against Mississippi State.

Florida football RB Jadan Baugh

The 6-1, 231-pound Baugh announced his decision to return for his junior season on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Baugh ranked third in the SEC in rushing with 1,170 yards and a combined 10 TDs (8 rushing, 2 receiving) as a sophomore in 2025. He projects as a focal point of UF’s offense in 2026 under new coach Jon Sumrall.

Florida football QB Tramell Jones Jr.

Jones announced his intentions to return to UF in a social media post on Dec. 30. The 6-foot, 203-pound Jones appeared in two games for UF, completing 21 of 35 passes for 191 yards and 2 TDs. Jones will enter 2026 as a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football WR Dallas Wilson

Wilson announced his intentions to return in a social media post on Dec. 31, citing a “revenge season.” In four games, the 6-2, 213-pound Wilson recorded 12 catches for 174 yards and 3 TDs in a season that was cut short due to a broken foot.

Florida football WR Vernell Brown III

Brown announced his intentions to return for his sophomore season in a social media post on Dec. 26. The 5-foot-11, 178-pound Brown appeared in 10 games with six starts as a true freshman in 2025, earning freshman All-SEC honors with a team-high 40 receptions for 512 yards. Brown also proved value on special teams, adding 261 yards on punt and kickoff returns with a punt return long of 40 yards.

Florida football LB Myles Graham

Graham was one of the first UF players to announce his intentions to come back to Florida Victorious on Dec. 16. The 6-1, 228-pound Graham led UF in tackles (76) and tackles for loss (7) in 2025.

Florida football DB Cormani McClain

McClain announced his intentions to return to UF in a social media post on Dec. 31. A redshirt sophomore and former 5-star recruit from Lakeland who transferred in from Colorado, McClain has recorded two career interceptions at UF, including one returned for a TD.

Florida football EDGE LJ McCray

McCray announced his intentions to return to UF to Florida Victorious on Dec. 30. The 6-foot-6, 268-pound McCray, a former five-star recruit from Mainland High in Daytona Beach, appeared in just one game in 2025 before being sidelined with a broken foot. In 14 career games, McCray has recorded six quarterback hurries and half a sack. McCray will enter the 2026 season as a redshirt sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football LB Aaron Chiles

Chiles announced his intentions to return to Florida in a social media post on Dec. 24. The 6-3, 244-pound Chiles appeared in 25 games over two seasons with 3.5 career tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. A sophomore and former Under Armour All-American, Chiles has two years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football DB Dijon Johnson

Johnson announced his decision to return to UF in a social media post on Dec. 24. The 6-1, 204-pound Johnson has made nine career starts over three seasons with three career pass breakups and one interception. A redshirt sophomore, Johnson has two years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football EDGE Kam James

James announced his decision to return to UF in a social media post on Dec. 30. A junior with one year of eligibility remaining, the 6-6, 270-pound James has posted 7.5 career tackles for loss and 4.5 career sacks.

Florida football S Bryce Thornton

Thornton announced his intentions to return in a social media post on Dec. 31. A junior, the 5-10, 213-pound Thornton has started 22 games over three seasons, recording four career interceptions and a fumble recovery returned for a TD.

Florida football LB Jaden Robinson

Robinson announced his intentions to return to UF in a social media post on Jan. 1. A junior from Lake City, the 6-0, 226-pound Robinson has started 17 games over three seasons, recording 7.5 career tackles for loss and 5.5 career sacks.

Florida football OL Knijeah Harris

Harris has re-singed with Florida, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos. A junior, the 6-3, 313-pound Harris has started UF’s last 25 games at left guard. In 2025, Harris posted Pro Football Focus (PFF) pass blocking grade of 74.2 in 25 starts.

Florida football OL Roderick Kearney

Kearney announced his decision to return in a social media post on Dec. 26. A former Under Armour All-American, the 6-4, 310-pound Kearney appeared in seven games on offense and special teams last season. A redshirt sophomore, Kearney has two years of eligibility remaining and will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job at right guard vacated due to the departure of three-year starter Damieon George Jr.

Florida football WR TJ Abrams

Abrams announced his decision to return to Florida in a social media post on Dec. 18. A redshirt freshman from Fort Myers, the 5-foot-10, 196-pound Abrams appeared in 10 games with one start in 2025, catching 13 passes for 201 yards.

Florida football DT Joseph Mbatchou

Mbatchou signed an NIL deal to return to Florida on Dec. 24. As a true freshman last season, the 6-5, 300-pound Mbatchou appeared in eight games, making 11 tackles, including one tackle for loss.

Florida football OT Caden Jones

Jones signed an NIL deal to return to Florida on Dec. 31. The 6-8, 333-pound Jones started 10 games at right tackle for the Gators in 2025.

Florida football DT Brendan Bett

The 6-5, 308-pound Bett announced on social media that he’s returning for UF for his junior season. In 12 games and three starts for UF in 2025, Bett recorded 39 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.

Florida football players who have entered the transfer portal

Florida football DB Aaron Gates

In three seasons, Gates appeared in 18 games and recorded 34 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 pass deflections, 3 fumble recoveries and an interception. The redshirt sophomore had a promising 2024 season but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Miami this year. Gates committed to Kentucky on Jan. 6.

Florida football DB Sharif Denson

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Denson announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal in a social media post on Dec. 26. A former Under Armour All-American from Bartram Trail High in Jacksonville, Denson made 17 starts in 36 games over three seasons at UF, recording 97 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 1 interception. A junior, Denson has one year of eligibility remaining. Denson committed to Ole Miss on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Florida football WR Eugene Wilson III

The 5-10, 194-pound Wilson announced his intentions to enter the portal in a social media post on Dec. 24. Wilson finished his UF career with 107 catches for 1,043 yards and 10 TDs. A redshirt sophomore, Wilson committed to LSU on Wednesday, January 7.

Florida football WR Naeshaun Montgomery

The 6-1, 189-pound Montgomery plans to enter the portal, according to a report from On3s Pete Nakos. A former Under Armour All-American, Montgomery appeared in four games for UF, making three catches for 26 yards. Montgomery preserved his redshirt by appearing in just four games and has four years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football DT Michai Boireau

The 6-5, 349-pound Boireau announced his intentions to enter the portal in a social media post on Dec. 18. Boireau appeared in 21 games with nine starts for UF over two seasons, recording 35 tackles, 2 sacks and a game-winning interception against Mississippi State.

A sophomore, Boireau has two years of eligibility remaining. Boireau committed to Ole Miss on Jan. 5.

Florida football TE Hayden Hansen

The 6-8, 269-pound Hansen announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal in a social media post on Dec. 18,

Hansen made 34 starts over the last three seasons at UF, recording 57 catches for 611 yards and 5 TDs. This past season, Hansen had 30 catches for 254 yards and 2 TDs. A redshirt junior, Hansen has one year of eligibility left. Hansen committed Oklahoma on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Florida football LB Grayson ‘Pup’ Howard

The 6-4, 236-pound Howard announced his intentions to transfer in a social media post on Dec. 17. Howard appeared in 12 games over two seasons for UF, totaling 41 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 fumble recovery. He started nine games in 2024 but appeared in just three games in 2025 due to an ankle injury. A redshirt junior, Howard has just one year of eligibility remaining. Howard committed to USF on Jan. 5.

Florida football WR Tank Hawkins

The 5-10, 178-pound Hawkins announced he’s entering the transfer portal in a social media post on Dec. 17.

Hawkins appeared in 11 games over two seasons for UF, recording 12 catches for 116 yards and 1 TD. He opted out of UF’s final four games of the 2025 season to preserve his redshirt and as a redshirt freshman has three years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football WR Aidan Mizell

Florida redshirt sophomore wide receiver Aidan Mizell announced his intentions to enter the portal in a social media post on Dec. 16.

The 6-2, 185-pound Mizell, from Boone High in Orlando, appeared in 21 games over three seasons with three starts, finishing with 36 catches for 379 yards and 3 TDs. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Mizell announced on Jan. 7 that he’s committed to UCLA.

Florida football QB DJ Lagway

Lagway announced his intentions to transfer on Dec. 15 in a social media post. A 2023 Gatorade High School player of the year from Willis High School in Willis, Texas, the 6-3, 247-pound Lagway went 10-9 as a starter for Florida and passed for 4,179 yards over two seasons with 28 TDs to 23 interceptions. Lagway also rushed for 237 yards and 1 TD for UF in two seasons.

A sophomore, Lagway has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Per CBS Sports’s Matt Zenitz, Lagway is expected to visit Baylor, Missouri, Louisville and Virginia.

Florida football S Jordan Castell

Castell announced his intentions to enter the portal in a social media post on Dec. 15. A three-year starter at safety for UF, the 6-2, 213-pound Castell recorded 168 career tackles, 12 pass breakups, 3 interceptions and 1 sack. Castell committed to Kentucky on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Florida football RB KD Daniels

Daniels announced his intentions to transfer in a social media post on Dec. 15. A redshirt freshman, the 6-0, 203-pound Daniels rushed for 185 yards on 39 carries with 2 TDs over two seasons at UF. Daniels committed to Wake Forest on Jan. 5.

A former 5A Mississippi Mr. Football from West Point, Mississippi, Daniels has three years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football WR Muizz Tounkara

Tounkara announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal shortly after UF’s season ended on Nov. 29. As a 6-3, 208-pound true freshman receiver from League City, Texas, Tounkara appeared in eight games for UF in 2025, finishing the year with two catches for 12 yards.

Florida football TE Amir Jackson

Florida football tight end Amir Jackson announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal, according to a social media post. A redshirt freshman, the 6-5, 235-pound Jackson appeared in 12 games for UF in 2025, finishing with three catches for 29 yards and a TD. He has three years of eligibility left. According to reports, Jackson was expected to re-sign with UF once the portal opens.

Florida football DL Tarvorise Brown

A JUCO transfer, Brown announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 10. The 6-7, 296-pound Brown provided depth on UF’s defensive line over the last two seasons, appearing in six games. Brown committed to North Carolina on Monday, Jan. 5.

Florida football WR Mike Peterson Jr.

A freshman walk-on and son of UF edge rushers coach Mike Peterson, the 6-1, 164-pound Peterson didn’t appear in any games this season. A three-star recruit, Peterson had 24 catches for 258 yards and 4 TDs at Fort White High during his senior season in 2024.

Florida football S Josiah Davis

Florida football redshirt freshman safety Josiah Davis announced his intentions to enter the portal in a social media post on Monday, Dec. 15.

The 6-0, 200-pound Davis appeared in five games over two seasons on defense and special teams for UF. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football DB Teddy Foster

The 6-1, 188-pound Foster announced his intentions to transfer in a social media post on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Foster appeared in 11 games on defense and special teams over two seasons at Florida, recording five tackles.

A redshirt freshman, Foster has three years of eligibility remaining. Foster committed to USF on Jan. 5.

Florida football OL Marcus Mascoll

The 6-5, 308-pound Mascoll announced his intentions to transfer in a social media post on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Mascoll did not appear in any games over two seasons at Florida. A four-star recruit from Snellville, Ga., Mascoll has three years of eligibility remaining following his redshirt freshman season.

Florida football CB Jamroc Grimlsey

The 6-2, 198-pound Grimsley announced his intentions to enter the portal in a social media post on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Grimsley appeared in five games over two seasons, making one start and recording one tackle. A redshirt freshman, Grimsley has three years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football WR Jackson Wade

The 5-11, 185-pound Wade, a walk-on and special teams contributor, announced his decision to enter the portal in a social media post on Monday, Dec. 22. Wade appeared in 16 games over two seasons for UF, making one catch for 10 yards. A redshirt sophomore, Wade has two years of eligibility remaining. Wade announced on Jan. 5 he’s committed to Boston College.

Florida football OL Noel Portnjagin

The 6-foot-5, 306-pound Portnjagin, from Karlsruhe, Germany, announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal in a social media post on Tuesday, Dec. 23. A redshirt freshman, Portnjagin appeared in one game in two seasons at UF, playing five snaps in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl against Tulane. Portnjagin has four years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football K Evan Noel

Noel announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal in a social media post on Dec. 31. Coming out of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, with a five-star kicking rating, Noel spent his freshman season in 2025 backing up Trey Smack and did not appear in any games for UF in 2025.

Florida football RB Treyaun Webb

Webb announced his decision to enter the transfer portal in a social media post on Dec. 31. The 5-11, 217-pound Webb has missed most of the last two seasons with a hamstring injury. In 15 career games at UF, Webb rushed for 256 yards on 47 carries with 3 TDs.

Florida football OL Enoch Wagnoy

A former top 50 offensive tackle recruit, the 6-7, 333-pound Wagnoy didn’t appear in a game in two seasons at UF. A redshirt freshman, Wagnoy has three years of eligibility remaining. Wagnoy committed to James Madison on Jan. 6, where he will be reunited with former UF coach Billy Napier.

Florida football RB Ja’Kobi Jackson

Jackson announced he’s entering the portal after receiving a waiver to play for the 2026 season. In two seasons at UF, Jackson rushed for 618 yards and 7 TDs. He was limited to just four games in 2025 due to injury, rushing for 98 yards on 27 carries.

Florida football P Hayden Craig

Craig has entered the portal, according to a report from 247Sports. As a true freshman last season, Craig backed up Florida starting punter Tommy Doman. A five-star punter per Kohls kicking camp, the 6-1, 208-pound Craig has four years of eligibility remaining.

Florida football LS Mack Mulhern

Mulhern has entered the portal, according to a report from 247Sports. As a true freshman last season, the 6-1, 225-pound Mulhern backed up starting long snapper Rocco Underwood. Rated the No. 2 long snapper in the country as a high school senior by Kohls kicking camp, Mulhern has four years of eligibility remaining.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com

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Tennessee safety Boo Carter commits to Colorado out of NCAA transfer portal

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Tennessee safety Boo Carter has committed to Colorado out of the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned. Carter had a bit of a rocky relationship with the Volunteers, ultimately departing the program before the 2025 campaign had finished.

In two seasons at Tennessee, Carter recorded 63 tackles. He also notched two sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception and three passes defended.

Carter earned numerous SEC-related honors stemming from the 2024 season. He was a 2024 SEC All-Freshman team selection. He was also a 2025 preseason All-SEC third-team selection by the league’s coaches.

Boo Carter was arguably his most productive in terms of getting his hands on the ball in 2025. He logged 25 tackles, a sack, three forced fumbles and three passes defended this season.

But Carter didn’t stick around for the full season at Tennessee. He did not play in the team’s 42-9 win over New Mexico State in November. That absence was conspicuous.

Coach Josh Heupel expressed some disappointment in Boo Carter after the game. He shed a little light on the situation.

“At the end of the day, there’s a standard you’ve gotta meet to be in that locker room,” Heupel said. “So he was not out on the field with us. That will be my last response to anything related to that for right now.”

Boo Carter also missed several days with the team in July and went into call camp with questions about his availability. But he was able to work his way back into the good graces of the staff.

Ultimately, things didn’t end up working out at Tennessee. Shortly after that New Mexico State game, it was reported that Carter was splitting with the program.

“No, not regretful,” Heupel said. “At the end of the day, it’s our job as coaches to try to mold these guys, and that’s a part of the commitment that you make, you know, in the recruiting process and when they decide to come. You know, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. And, you know, at the end of the day, we’re moving forward.”

Prior to enrolling at Tennessee, Boo Carter was ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 111 overall recruit in the nation, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. He also checked in as the No. 3 athlete in the class and the No. 3 overall player from the state of Tennessee, hailing from Chattanooga (TN) Bradley Central.

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Is college football broken, or the best it’s ever been? Yes

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Indiana football is everything right now, representing at once the enhancement of the college football product on the field and the unsustainable reality off it.

No, Indiana didn’t do anything wrong — that we know of, anyway, though I’m sure other coaches would like to investigate Curt Cignetti and his players for spyware or cyborg blood or something. But as we wrap up a week that had the absolute best and worst of the sport clawing at each other for top billing, the Hoosiers should know they’ve made it so much harder for so many people.

Not that they should care. Go destroy Miami after people spend the week talking themselves back into why you can’t really be this good, then celebrate a national championship that would represent one of the most unforeseen, inexplicable, glorious stories in American sports history.

Indiana, even while making Friday night more boring than we wanted with a 56-22 semifinal thrashing of Oregon, is the prevailing example of why college football is in a great place as a product.

Transfer portal. Contracts. No loyalty. Whatever. Inject this stuff into MY VEINS!!!!!

— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) January 9, 2026

Never has there been more hope for so many. Membership in the exclusive club of heritage and built-in advantages is no longer required. A tallying of the recruiting stars next to names on a roster no longer produces a long and accurate list of programs with no shot of winning it all.

The landscape is always changing, never boring. Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, Ole Miss and Arizona State are among Indiana’s party-crashing undercards. The College Football Playoff is compelling. The games aren’t all thrillers, but enough of them are.

I would, though, like us to get through one of those good games without half of college sports media crowing on some app: “OH THAT’S WEIRD, I THOUGHT COLLEGE FOOTBALL WAS BROKEN.”

Because we all know darn well that, in ways, it is. Or maybe fractured sounds less dramatic. Chaotic. Problematic? Whatever makes you feel less bad. In the same week we’re enjoying the CFP semifinals, including an Ole Miss-Miami classic, we’ve got the former coach of Ole Miss keeping assistant coaches from attending the ball like he’s Cinderella’s stepmother.

We’ve got that same coach, LSU’s Lane Kiffin, courting one quarterback (Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt) at a basketball game while another (Washington’s Demond Williams Jr.) announces he’s in the portal, apparently with the idea of joining Kiffin, except he had already signed to stay on with Washington. Except we have contracts in college sports that seek to sort of bind, while being careful not to make the person being paid sound as if he or she is being paid to play. Even though that’s exactly what’s happening.

So it’s the latest but far from the last “contract dispute,” this one finishing with Williams deciding to return to Washington. And hey, look, here comes the College Sports Commission promising to start cracking down on these predictable workarounds to pay enough to land top players in a market that is rising.

Which, at best, means an example made of a program or two, and in no way means any chance for the CSC to get its arms around things. Men and women with gavels and long, black robes will continue seeing to that. Lawmakers aren’t changing it.

Collective bargaining, in some form, is the only answer, and more and more people in the industry are coming around on that. The painful, inevitable journey continues. Hopefully, the past week serves as a bit of a jolt. I talked to an administrator who has been in that camp for a while and believes the athletic director and president levels are getting there.

But that will have unintended consequences, too. Go back and read what a lot of us were writing about name, image and likeness rights 10 or 15 years ago. I don’t recall anyone coming close to predicting all that has come with it.

And I must wonder how, with a cap of some sort in place while athletes get a bigger chunk of the revenue overall, the boosters at Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia are going to feel about officially being like everyone else, about parity as league design — about the caddies getting full-time access to the pool and golf course.

Which brings us to the thing I hear the most from folks in college sports in terms of long-term concerns. And this is where Indiana re-enters the discussion, in three words: return on investment. Indiana AD Scott Dolson has made what must be considered, two years later, one of the great hires in modern college football history. As hyperbolic as that may sound.

And for as much as this should be seen as an outlier that will spawn books and documentaries, it only serves to intensify the pressure elsewhere. All your resources, all that time, and you couldn’t figure this out, Penn State? Steve Sarkisian and Arch Manning can’t match this James Madison dude and Fernando Mendoza? Wasn’t USC the program with the great quarterback developer and offensive designer?

Those programs are at least having some success. All of them are begging the millionaires and billionaires who have helped build a facility or throw some nice cars at recruits of the past to sustain competitive payrolls. The TV money is good, but check the expenses. Colleague Seth Emerson wrote about “donor fatigue” in 2024 and, spoiler alert: No one has gotten any rest.

The wealthy folks who pay NFL players are called owners, and their investments are being multiplied many times over. The wealthy folks who pay college players get names on buildings, seats on the team plane and games of catch between the star quarterback and their grandkids. NFL owners lose, fire people, draft high and continue to profit; college boosters increasingly feel like they’re setting large piles of money on fire.

Which is why private equity looks as inevitable as collective bargaining. This is more than just a slight hairline fracture that will heal on its own.

I hope you can enjoy the college football right now. The product is soaring. Also, I hope anyone who cares about it understands that it can plummet without improved leadership that values common sense, the greater good of the industry and all of its employees.

If you’re an Indiana fan, soak in these experiences that are Cignetti-driven but still possible only because of NIL and the transfer portal. And plan to stay for a while. Cignetti never looks like he’s satisfied, and Mark Cuban is looking awfully happy right now.

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What if Not NIL but Hit the Road Jack

Published

5 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Your Sports Nation

I for sure have been concerned about all the players abandoning the ship, but what if they were talked to about not doing their jobs. What if they were given the option of either putting in the work or finding a new home. Could we have been wrong in some cases thinking the player was looking for more $ rather than putting the work in. Some players, as you know, don’t live up to their billing. OSU is one of the premier colleges for education and sports. I think when the players were recruited out of HS, they jumped at the chance to be a Buckeye. Now, the players see how difficult it is to live up to the expectations that is required to be a Buckeye. This is just a different take on what we have witnessed so far with the transfer portal. I what to find out how 11W members feel about this.

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