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Did Will Wade, NC State basketball build a winning roster? Here are results from survey
Will Wade, the new head coach, has earned an “A” grade from 81% of surveyed fans for his offseason moves.Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams is considered the most important addition and a potential ACC Player of the Year candidate.Concern remains about the center position after Paul Mbiya backed out of his commitment.N.C. State basketball will have […]

Will Wade, the new head coach, has earned an “A” grade from 81% of surveyed fans for his offseason moves.Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams is considered the most important addition and a potential ACC Player of the Year candidate.Concern remains about the center position after Paul Mbiya backed out of his commitment.N.C. State basketball will have a completely different look in the 2025-26 season.
The Wolfpack enters its debut season under head coach Will Wade with 12 newcomers, including eight players picked up via the transfer portal. Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams and Michigan State’s Tre Holloman are expected to be two of the top players for the Pack, which also added former UNC forward Ven-Allen Lubin.
N.C. State’s nonconference schedule includes Auburn, Kansas and a trip to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational. Arizona State, Texas, USC and Seton Hall are among the teams competing in that tournament.
Here’s a breakdown of results from a four-question survey that allowed fans a chance to voice their opinion on the Wolfpack’s offseason.
What grade do you give NC State basketball’s offseason?
The Wolfpack received an “A” on their offseason report card, according to 81% of voters in the survey, meaning Will Wade’s makeover for the Pack has received a big-time approval rating. More than 14% of voters gave N.C. State a “B” for the roster reload, which features one of the nation’s top transfer portal classes. ESPN has Wade’s latest additions ranked No. 13 in the country. It appears voters are confident that N.C. State will bounce back as an NCAA Tournament team in Wade’s debut season.
Darrion Williams voted NC State basketball’s most important newcomer
Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams was one of the top transfer portal pickups this offseason, receiving 71% of the vote as the Wolfpack’s top newcomer. Williams has experienced sensational moments as an NCAA Tournament standout and could be the favorite to win ACC Player of the Year in his first season with the Pack. Freshman guard Matt Able was second with 8% of the vote. Michigan State transfer Tre Holloman and UNC transfer Ven-Allen Lubin also received votes.
Paul Mbiya backing out on Wolfpack gives reason for worry
More than 81% of voters are most worried about what N.C. State will look like at the center position this season. Freshman big man Paul Mbiya was positioned to be the top candidate as the Wolfpack’s primary rim protector this season before backing out of his commitment. Following Mbiya’s decision, N.C. State shifted its attention to former Wyoming center Scottie Ebube, who gives the program a 6-foot-10 center to play alongside undersized post players Ven-Allen Lubin and Jerry Deng.
Tre Holloman, Matt Able get vote of confidence as NC State guards
Looking at N.C. State’s guards, forwards and centers, voters are most confident in the Wolfpack’s group of guards (62%). That group includes Able and Holloman, along with sophomore returner Paul McNeil. Williams, Houston transfer Terrance Arceneaux and McNeese transfer Quadir Copeland are among the Pack’s top options at forward, which received 34% of the vote. Overall, N.C. State has good roster balance and a squad capable of vaulting the program back to the top of the ACC.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
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Ranking the Five Most Exciting Syracuse Players To Use in College Football 26
Share Tweet Share Share Email Today, July 7 at noon EST, marks the early release of College Football 26. Its predessecor, the College Football 25 video game, made over $1.5 billion and became the hottest game of 2025. This success allowed for a larger pot for player payments (An $1000 increase for each player), and […]
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Athlon Sports ranks Top 10 LB units in college football for 2025
The 2025 college football season is still roughly two months away from offically kicking off, but that leaves plenty of time for Ranking Season to continue. And Athlon Sports more than provided with its 2025 preseason college football preview magazine. As part of its annual preseason preview, Athlon Sports identified the Top 10 positional groupings […]

The 2025 college football season is still roughly two months away from offically kicking off, but that leaves plenty of time for Ranking Season to continue. And Athlon Sports more than provided with its 2025 preseason college football preview magazine.
As part of its annual preseason preview, Athlon Sports identified the Top 10 positional groupings entering the 2025 regular season, including the Top 10 linebacker units. To little surprise, the SEC leads the way with four of Athlon’s Top 10 linebacker rooms, including the Top 2 overall units. The Big Ten was also well-represented with three teams in the Top 10, including the last two College Football Playoff national champions.
Reigning national runner-up Notre Dame also managed to crack Athlon’s Top 5, while the ACC earned a pair of Top 10 spots. Check out Athlon Sports’ full Top 10 list of best linebacker units below:
CLICK HERE to buy Athlon’s 2025 magazine online.
Projected starters: MLB Jaishawn Barham, WLB Ernest Hausmann, EDGEs TJ Guy, Derrick Moore
The Wolverines return a particularly experienced group in the heart of its defense, including starting linebackers in Barham (66 tackles) and Hausmann (team-high 89 tackles, both of whom started all 13 games last season. Michigan also returns veteran pass rushers in Moore (4 sacks, 6 TFL) and Guy (5.5 sacks, 7 TFL), who combined for 9.5 sacks and 13 TFL in 2024.

Projected starters: MLB Whit Weeks, WLB Harold Perkins
The heart of the Tigers’ defense rests with Perkins and Weeks in 2025. Perkins, a former 5-star recruit in 2022, has had his once-promising collegiate career derailed by injuries, including being limited to just four games in 2024. Meanwhile, Weeks has emerged as one of the SEC’s top tacklers after finishing second in the league with 125 total tackles in 2024, including 10 for loss.
Projected starters: MAC Bryce Boettcher, MONEY Devon Jackson, JACK Teitum Tuioti
Much likes others on this list, the Ducks return all three of their projected starters from last season, including 13-game starting ‘backers Boettcher and Tuiioti. Boettcher, a two-sport star and former walk-on to the football team, led Oregon with 94 total tackles in 2024, while Tuitoti added 58 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Jackson started one game in 2024 and will replace Kansas City Chiefs draft pick Jeffery Bassa.
Projected starters: WLB Rasheem Biles, STAR Kyle Louis, MLB Braylan Lovelace
Louis returns after receiving All-American honors and a first-team All-ACC selection after racking up 101 total tackles, including a team-high 15.5 TFL and 7 sacks, while making 13 starts in 2024. Biles wasn’t far behind him with 82 tackles, 14.5 for loss, and 5.5 sacks across 8 starts last season, while Lovelace appears in line to replace Brandon George as the Panthers’ starting middle linebacker in 2025.

Projected starters: MLB Justin Jefferson, STING Deontae Lawson, WOLF Qua Russaw
Lawson and Jefferson both opted to return for their fifth season, giving the Crimson Tide one of the SEC’s most experienced LB units. Lawson (76 total tackles, 6.5 TFL) is back after suffering a season-ending injury against Oklahoma, while Jefferson (60 tackles, 6.5 TFL) earned a NCAA waiver following Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia‘s court win last year. Russaw becomes a full-time starter after tallying 36 tackles in limited role as a true freshamn.
Projected starters: MLB Wade Woodaz, WLB Sammy Brown
While they might not have the star power of their peers in the trenches, Brown and Woodaz are arguably the true heart of the Clemson defense after combining on 163 total tackles in 2024. Woodaz started 13 games last season and led the team with 83 stops, while Brown won ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after ranking second to superstar DE T.J. Parker with 11.5 TFL, 5 sacks and 80 tackles last season.
Projected starters: ROVER Jaiden Ausberry, MLB Drayk Bowen, WLB Jaylen Sneed
The Fighting Irish lost leading tackler Jack Kiser to the NFL, but still returns serious talent in the middle of its defense, including rising juniors Bowen (78 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles) and Sneed (51 tackles). But arguably the most impactful returner is Ausberry, who splashed as sophomore with 58 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, and two QB hurries despite just two starts in 2024.

Projected starters: EDGE Beau Atkinson, WLB Sonny Styles, MLB Arvell Reese
Despite significant turnover within the Buckeyes’ championship defense, including losing leading tackler Cody Simon, Ohio State still features plenty of talent and experience at LB. Styles has started 28 straight games and ranked second on the team with 100 total tackles last season, while Reese will replace Simon after making two starts in 2024. Atkinson transferred in from North Carolina after racking up 7.5 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 12 TFL and 35 tackles last season.
Projected starters: MONEY CJ Allen, JACK Elo Modozie, MAC Raylen Wilson
While the Bulldogs’ 2024 defense took its share of lumps, the heart of the unit more than held its own last season. Led by Allen (76 total tackles, 5 QB hurries, 4 PBUs) and Wilson (47 tackles, 7 TFL) in the middle, Georgia’s linebackers made plays all over the field. After losing some of its best pass rushers off last season’s squad, the Bulldogs added 6-foot-3, 245-pound EDGE Modozie (6.5 sacks, 8 TFL) from Army out of the transfer portal.
Projected starters: MLB Anthony Hill Jr., WLB Trey Moore, BUCK Colin Simmons
Given the sheer wealth of returning talent, it’s no surprise the Longhorns would have college football’s top-ranked LB room. After opting to forgo the NFL, the senior Hill comes back as arguably the best individual linebacker in college football after racking up 113 total tackles and a SEC-leading 16.5 TFL in 2024. Simmons added a team-high nine sacks and 14 TFL despite not starting a single game as a true freshman. That’ll change in 2025. On the other side, Moore has made 15 consecutive starts after adding 5.5 sacks and 9.5 TFL last season.
NIL
Longhorns Daily News
Seven Texas Longhorns were named to Athlon Sports’ 2025 Preseason All-American list. The first-team nominations include quarterback Arch Manning, defensive lineman Colin Simmons, and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.,; on the second-team, tight end Jack Endries, safety Michael Taaffe; the third-team, cornerback Malik Muhammad; and the fourth-team, running back Tre Wisner. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE […]


Seven Texas Longhorns were named to Athlon Sports’ 2025 Preseason All-American list.
The first-team nominations include quarterback Arch Manning, defensive lineman Colin Simmons, and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.,; on the second-team, tight end Jack Endries, safety Michael Taaffe; the third-team, cornerback Malik Muhammad; and the fourth-team, running back Tre Wisner.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Texas Women’s Basketball: Aaliyah Crump facts to know
Austin American-Statesman: Texas Football: What to know about underrated DB Jordon Johnson-Rubell
Austin American-Statesman: Arch Manning doesn’t want to talk about the NFL Draft. Here’s why.
247Sports: Horns247 Staff Roundtable: Why Texas football can win the national championship in 2025
247Sports: Texas football expanded production series: Arch Manning
Inside Texas: Seven Longhorns make Athlon Sports Presesason All-American Teams heading into the 2025 season
Inside Texas: Texas vs Texas Tech: Two vastly different approaches to roster building
ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION
Four-star IOL John Turntine III commits to Texas over Michigan and Texas A&M
No. 2 OT Felix Ojo commits to Texas Tech over Texas, others, in stunning decision
Four-star LB Kosi Okpala commits to Texas
Where Texas baseball transfers landed from the portal
Texas RHP Drew Rerick has entered the NCAA transfer portal
Texas LHP Bryce Navarre has entered the NCAA transfer portal
Texas OF Easton Winfield has entered the NCAA transfer portal
RECRUITING ROUNDUP
Austin American-Statesman: Texas Baseball: The Longhorns just lost 16 transfers. Is that a lot?
Dallas Morning News: Who are the top 10 2025 recruits from Texas and where will they play next season?
Inside Texas: Does Texas need a different approach to recruiting the offensive line?
Inside Texas: Jim Schlossnagle Reshapes Texas: Near-total defensive reset, pitching corps stays intact
Inside Texas: Familiy, Football, and Future: Why Turntine committed to Texas
SEC SHOWDOWN
Austin American-Statesman: How did Texas’ SEC debut compare with its first year in the Big 12?
Dallas Morning News: Who are EA’s highest-rated offensive players with local ties in College Football 26?
Dallas Morning News: Who are EA’s highest-rated defensive players with local ties in College Football 26?
Good Bull Hunting: Four-star LB DaQuives Beck commits to Texas A&M
Rock M Nation: Missouri lands pledge from four-star guard Scottie Adkinson
And The Valley Shook: Paul Skenes, Alex Bregman Named 2025 MLB All-Stars
Red Cup Rebellion: Pete Golding talks 2025 defense and more
Rocky Top Talk: Defensive line prospect Darryl Rivers commits to Tennessee
Roll ‘Bama Roll: Alabama picks up top-100 Mississippi DL, Nolan Wilson
A Sea Of Blue: Kentucky lands four-star QB Matt Ponatoski
WHAT WE’RE READING
SB Nation: Full results of 2025 Gold Cup bracket after Mexico beat the USA
SB Nation: Oscar Piastri’s penalty at the F1 British Grand Prix, explained
SB Nation: Track icon Faith Kipyegon ends historic Prefontaine Classic with new world record
NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND
- The data don’t lie.
Nobody has finished like the Texas Longhorns in recruiting the last two years
And the 2026 cycle, they are ahead of pace.. pic.twitter.com/sCbOilkOfO
— ᴄᴏᴅʏ ᴄᴀʀᴘᴇɴᴛɪᴇʀ (@CodyCarpentier) July 5, 2025
NIL
Grok predicts college football’s 12 playoff teams based on new seeding model
A big change is coming to the College Football Playoff with a new seeding model ready to debut this season, as the committee will forgo the distinction between rankings and seedings, and simply award the 12 highest-ranked teams a place in the postseason field. “After evaluating the first year of the 12-team playoff, the CFP […]

A big change is coming to the College Football Playoff with a new seeding model ready to debut this season, as the committee will forgo the distinction between rankings and seedings, and simply award the 12 highest-ranked teams a place in the postseason field.
“After evaluating the first year of the 12-team playoff, the CFP Management Committee felt it was in the best interest of the game to make this adjustment,” College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark said.
“This change will continue to allow guaranteed access to the playoff by rewarding teams for winning their conference championship, but it will also allow us to construct a postseason bracket that recognizes the best performance on the field during the entire regular season.”
What can we expect in what should be another historic College Football Playoff field? For that, we turned to Grok to get a preview of who will be seeded where.
1. Ohio State
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Kentucky baseball facing a recruiting rankings reality check with stunning SEC numbers
Kentucky baseball has a Top 10 transfer class — and still just 7th in the SEC If you needed another reminder of how brutal life in the SEC is, Kentucky baseball just gave you one: the Wildcats landed the 7th-best transfer portal class in the country, per 64Analytics — and still rank only 7th in […]

Kentucky baseball has a Top 10 transfer class — and still just 7th in the SEC
If you needed another reminder of how brutal life in the SEC is, Kentucky baseball just gave you one: the Wildcats landed the 7th-best transfer portal class in the country, per 64Analytics — and still rank only 7th in the conference.

That’s not an indictment of Kentucky. That’s a reflection of how loaded the SEC remains, fresh off LSU sweeping the College World Series and the league sending a record number of teams to the NCAA Tournament.
Here’s how the SEC dominates the national transfer rankings:
1. Mississippi State
2. Tennessee
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. South Carolina
6. Auburn
7. Kentucky
8. Alabama
Nick Mingione’s squad might not have the flashiest class, but it’s deep, balanced, and built for postseason baseball. Kentucky reloaded the pitching staff with Kaden Echeman (Northern Kentucky), Burkley Bounds (Eastern Kentucky), Jack Bennett (Western Kentucky), Ryan Mullan (Loyola Marymount), and Bryson Treichel (North Florida). That’s five arms with college experience and toughness.
Jackson Soucie joins from South Carolina to bolster the left side. In the infield, Tyler Cerny (Indiana) and Connor Mattison (Grand Canyon) bring versatility. Alex Duffey (Elon) adds pop behind the plate, while Scott Campbell (USC Upstate) is a name to know in the outfield.
On the freshman front, Kentucky’s class is ranked 24th nationally, headlined by Owen Jenkins, a top-30 national prospect and a big-time catcher out of Lexington Catholic. Add in pitching depth with righties Joshua Flores, Lucas Hall, and Jacks Sams, plus lefties like Will Coleman and Toby Peterson, and the foundation is set.
Let’s not forget — the Bat ‘Cats reached a Regional Final last season, coughing up two separate five-run leads in a gutting elimination loss. That stung. But with this infusion of talent, the goal is clear: win those close games in 2025 and make a deeper postseason run.
In the SEC, standing still means falling behind. But Kentucky isn’t standing still. They’re building a roster that can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
NIL
What Matt Ponatoski Can Do for Kentucky Baseball
To steal a line from Freddie Maggard, “Play ’em all!” You probably know him as an exceptional KSR Football Podcast host who spent a couple of years starting under center at Commonwealth Stadium. What you probably didn’t know is that Freddie nearly skipped college to play Major League Baseball. Scouts filled the Cumberland stands when […]

To steal a line from Freddie Maggard, “Play ’em all!” You probably know him as an exceptional KSR Football Podcast host who spent a couple of years starting under center at Commonwealth Stadium. What you probably didn’t know is that Freddie nearly skipped college to play Major League Baseball. Scouts filled the Cumberland stands when he threw a no-hitter and hit three home runs. Matt Ponatoski is the modern day Maggard, but better (no offense, Freddie).
We’ve spent plenty of time dissecting what Ponatoski can bring to the Kentucky football team, but what exactly could he do for Nick Mingione’s baseball program?
Playing two sports at the Power Conference level is a challenge rarely accepted. Austin Simmons spent one year on the diamond at Ole Miss before focusing all of his attention on learning the quarterback position for Lane Kiffin. The merits of this undertaking will be discussed thoroughly in the coming months and years. We can save that for another day.
Professional baseball scouts have eyed Ponatoski for years. As you might suspect, the quarterback is also a pretty good pitcher who can throw it up to 97 mph. He can also swing the bat. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Ponatoski hit .462 as a junior with seven doubles, four home runs, 37 RBIs, and a .556 on-base percentage.
Following his junior season, Ponatoski was the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year in football and baseball. He was a Second Team All-American selection as a shortstop, the position he’s projected to play at the next level.
Prep Baseball Report ranks Ponatoski as the No. 14 recruit in the 2026 class. Ohio Scouting Director Kyle Weldon shared with Bat Cats Central’s Derek Terry what makes him such a special prospect.
“Matt has elite arm strength,” Weldon said. “He has a plus hit tool with the potential to be a plus power guy eventually. He’s a winner profile, which has been seen on the football field too. This is a guy that’s highly competitive, highly skilled and has a lot of natural talent. When you combine all those things, it makes him a really sought-after prospect.”
Today was a big win for Mark Stoops and Nick Mingione. The talented athlete made the short drive from Cincinnati to Lexington often, but actually used his official visit for baseball. Before the baseball vs. football debate begins, Ponatoski made it clear to Jacob Polacheck that he wants to play ’em all.
“I’m going to try and do both for as long as possible,” he said. “The goal for me is to be drafted in both [sports]. It sounds crazy, but Kyler Murray did it not too long ago.”
In a conversation with reporters following his decision, he added, “I think people might think it might be too much, but it’s what I signed up for and I’m ready to go.”
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