Player Notes

Maryland football’s Taulia Tagovailoa, Johns Hopkins’ Luke Schuermann named finalists for ‘Academic Heisman’ ·

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and Johns Hopkins defensive end Luke Schuermann were named Wednesday morning among 16 national finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, an award nicknamed the “Academic Heisman” for its recognition of a college football player who excels in academics, community service and the field.[ Johns Hopkins DL Luke Schuermann drawing NFL attention: ‘His statistics ...

Florida CFO threatens to sue NCAA over FSU football player’s eligibility ·

By Matt BakerTimes staffPublished YesterdayOne of Florida’s top elected officials is pressing the NCAA and threatening litigation over the eligibility of Florida State transfer Darrell Jackson.Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis sent a letter to NCAA president Charlie Baker on Tuesday requesting details about waivers for Jackson and another transfer, North Carolina receiver Tez Walker.Both transferred ...

Football: CU Buffs begin post-bye stretch run ·

10/24/2023Deion Sanders would have preferred to coach a game last week.Instead, the Colorado head football coach bought a couple of ATVs for his property and got more sleep than he’s had in weeks.“I had a good time and got some rest,” he said Tuesday at his weekly news conference.And now, it’s go time.CU (4-3, 1-3 Pac-12) returned from the bye week Sunday as it turns the focus to a matchup with No. ...

LSU football’s Brian Kelly talks 2022 Alabama win: ‘It helps build the momentum’ ·

In 2022, LSU did something unexpected in Brian Kelly’s first year as head coach. When Alabama football visited Baton Rouge, the Tigers pulled off the upset, winning in overtime on a two-point conversion, prompting a field rush by LSU fans.Both teams have open dates this weekend following wins, Alabama’s over Tennessee, LSU’s over Army. But when they return to action, it will be for a rematch, this ...

Nick Saban talks Kool-Aid McKinstry’s punt returning: ‘We’ve got total confidence’ ·

From afar, Alabama football cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry’s punt return judgment hasn’t looked great this season. McKinstry, who has been one of the SEC’s better returners throughout his career, has seemed to make some poor choices as to which balls to field and which to let roll.That happened again Saturday. McKinstry appeared to misjudge two kicks, one of which rolled to the Alabama three-yard line.During ...

Report: Stanford Willing to Join ACC at Reduced or No Media Payouts for Several Years ·

It appears that Stanford is willing to do whatever it takes to remain in a prominent conference.Ralph D. Russo of the Associated Press reported the school informed the remaining members of the Pac-12 that it told the ACC that the university was willing to make significant sacrifices in order to move to the conference."Leaders from Stanford, California, Oregon State and Washington State spoke Thursday, ...

Around the Pac-12: Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. meet with Heisman dreams and playoff hopes at stake; recruiting rankings; NIL changes ·

Bo Nix returned to the Oregon Ducks for one more season because he didn’t want “to have any regrets.”Michael Penix Jr. returned to the Washington Huskies for one more season because he had “unfinished business.”And now, amid Heisman hype, a College Football Playoff chase and a “College GameDay” frenzy, the dynamic quarterbacks’ quest for redemption will collide when they meet Saturday in a marquee ...

UNC football coach Mack Brown on Tez Walker, the NCAA and super conferences ·

Tar Heels football coach Mack Brown joined The Observer’s Talking Preps show to speak his mind on a variety of topics and how he’d really like to see the ACC stick together.UNC football coach Mack Brown took a very strong stand defending a wide receiver from Charlotte against an NCAA eligibility ban.Brown wrote a public letter of support for former West Charlotte High School star Tez Walker, ending ...

Georgia football's Kirby Smart responds to UK coach saying UGA 'bought pretty good players' ·

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops threw compliments each other’s way before their matchup of unbeaten ranked teams last Saturday.It was like a mutual admiration society.Then Stoops let down his guard Monday night on his weekly call-in show when he said that Georgia “bought some pretty good players,” with NIL money and encouraged Kentucky fans to step up their donations ...

Hall of Fame QB Steve Young still sees the entire field, even as he looks for new beginnings ·

Atherton, Calif. • The freshman runs a hitch-and-go for Menlo School on a play called “X train.”This is Laila Young’s first flag football game, but she looks like she played in a previous life, moving so smoothly and decisively. Her sister, Summer, a senior, is also a natural, covering big chunks of turf with long strides.Laila plays the X position — “I tell her she’s John Taylor, the most underappreciated ...

Recent Stories

2025 Draft: Previewing edge prospects

The edge rusher is a premier position in the a modern version of pro football always seeking ways to encourage more passing. The importance of franchise passers like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud, Justin Herbert, and Jalen ...

2025 Draft: ILBs seek relevance, respect

Over the past few draft cycles, there has been a lack of a bonafide, blue-chip prospect at the interior linebacker position. In recent memory, we have heard differing opinions on who is the top linebacker and what is his value in a draft. The position of inside ...

Bet on future DBs—they can cover

As part of our series on football’s defensive back scene, the Hall of Football consulted our ever-evolving database of ~17,000 active college and high school players to evaluate the position's future, looking at the horizon at least six years down the road—approximately ...

2025 Draft: DBs have a tough act to follow

  The 2024 cornerback class was one of the deepest in recent memory, with elite talent at the top of the class and unprecedented depth that followed. While it will be tough for the 2025 class to replicate that amount of talent, there are potential stars at the ...

Heisman Trophy odds: keeping track

   The Heisman Trophy picture is constantly changing, and BetOnline.ag tracks those changes to create the best odds at any given time. It has been about half a year since they first posted odds on who may win the coveted Heisman. Check the changes and reasons ...

Seeking nuggets in pile of rookie DBs

Whether it be too little talent or too many rule changes favoring wide-open passing attacks, NFL secondaries no longer impact the game as they once did. Newcomers from the 2024 Draft are not likely to fix the first part of that issue. Only three DBs went in the ...

History of mystery behind decline of RBs

We began this series on running backs with a warning: “Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be … running backs. Not anymore. Not unless something changes.” Apparently, mama listened or already knew. My concern over the demise of this once heralded position ...

Diving into Hall of Football database

Now that we have settled into the Hall of Football (HallofFootball.substack.com), here is our first dive into the massive database that has been at the heart of NFL Draft Scout for more than 25 years. Led by our player savant, Brian “Hitman” Hitterman, we gather ...

2025 NFL Draft: Running amok?

After coming off of a slim running back class in 2024, the 2025 draft includes more runners than usual as potential first or second-round picks. Optimistically there could be as many as seven good enough to go in the first two rounds. Realistically, there could ...

2025 Draft: Travis Hunter, a twofer?

It’s no secret Travis Hunter is the most dynamic and versatile player in college football. It’s not just that he plays both cornerback and wide receiver but that he plays both positions at a very high level. Hunter has become a trailblazer in college football ...

2025 Draft: Does James Pearce have Edge as No. 1?

Overview Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee is regarded as the top edge rusher in the SEC heading into the 2024 season. He is also projected as the top edge rusher for the 2025 draft, with many viewing him as the No. 1 overall pick. Teams and scouts ...

My backstory to EA's CFB relaunch

In the mid-1980s, I sat down with Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins and his programmers to create the underlying rating system for Madden Football.   That rating system is essentially the same as the one that drives EA’s College Football 25, the latest in ...