South Carolina star cornerback Brandon Cisse is leaving school early to declare for the NFL draft, he told ESPN.

Cisse projects as a first-round pick and will be considered among the top corners in the upcoming draft class. ESPN’s Field Yates projected him as the 29th overall pick in his most recent mock draft.

“It’s definitely been a special feeling,” Cisse told ESPN about his decision. “It’s something I prayed for my whole life. I’m excited to fulfill my lifelong dream.”

Cisse leaves South Carolina after one season there, as he spent his first two at North Carolina State. He had five pass breakups this season, one forced fumble and one interception. He also broke up five passes at NC State in 2024, where he emerged as a rising star in the ACC before transferring back to his home state.

He emerged as one of the top cover corners in the SEC this year, allowing a completion percentage of less than 40%. He’s 6-foot, 190 pounds and thrived in man coverage for the Gamecocks this season.

When asked what the NFL was getting, Cisse told ESPN: “Someone that can play man-to-man is very versatile, a football junkie who cares about his teammates more than himself. Some who loves football, is a great teammate and will do anything for program and organization.”

Cisse is from Sumter, South Carolina, and said he appreciated the opportunity to play his final season in his home state. He made a point to thank his family, coaches and academic advisers.

“I loved my experience here,” he said. “I think it was the best decision I made for my college experience. It was great to live out a lifelong dream to come play here.”

Cisse isn’t the only Gamecocks defensive back to enter the draft Thursday. Jalon Kilgore told ESPN that he is leaving school early and declaring for the NFL draft. Kilgore played nickel primarily at South Carolina and is ranked as Mel Kiper’s No. 9 safety prospect in the upcoming draft.

Southern Miss promoted offensive coordinator Blake Anderson to head coach on Thursday to replace Charles Huff, who recently left for Memphis.

The school had previously announced Anderson as interim coach three days earlier after Huff took the Memphis job.

Anderson, who previously was head coach at Utah State and Arkansas State, served this past season at Southern Miss as offensive coordinator, and his passing offense ranked first in the Sun Belt.

In 10 seasons as a Division I head coach, Anderson is 75-54, including nine bowl games and three conference titles.

In a statement, athletic director Jeremy McClain pointed to the success Anderson had as a head coach at his previous stops as one key factor.

“Blake is an exceptional leader, a great communicator, and has the respect of the players and the staff throughout the Duff Center,” McClain said. “We look forward to supporting him at the highest level and continuing the positive momentum for our program.”

Fernando Mendoza was named Associated Press Player of the Year on Thursday after leading unbeaten and top-ranked Indiana to its first Big Ten championship since 1967 and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

The redshirt junior quarterback was the overwhelming choice over fellow Heisman Trophy finalists Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt, Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame and Julian Sayin of Ohio State. Mendoza received 32 of 51 first-place votes from a nationwide panel of media members who cover college football. Pavia got nine to lead the rest of the group, which also included Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech.

“I’m shining now but only because there are so many stars around me,” Mendoza said, describing his rise from lightly recruited high school prospect in 2021 to a candidate for the sport’s most prestigious awards. “There’s an analogy that the only reason we’re able to see stars in the sky is because the light reflects from all different types of stars. I have so many stars around myself — whether it’s my teammates, my coaches, my family, support staff — that I’m able to shine now in this light, and I’m so happy for everyone to be a part of this.”

Mendoza, the Hoosiers’ first-year starter after transferring from California, is the signal-caller for an offense that has surpassed program records for touchdowns and points set during last season’s surprise run to the CFP.

Mendoza has thrown for a Bowl Subdivision-leading 33 touchdowns and run for six, giving him a school-record 39 TDs accounted for.

He was the first Big Ten quarterback since 2000 with three straight games with at least four TD passes and no interceptions. His 21-of-23, 267-yard, 5-touchdown passing day in a 63-10 win at Illinois in the conference opener established him as a serious contender for national honors.

Mendoza is among 10 FBS quarterbacks who have completed better than 70% of their passes. He ranks among the most accurate passers on attempts of at least 20 yards, hitting on 23 of 43 (53.5%), and when under pressure (52.1%), according to Pro Football Focus.

Ranked the No. 72 quarterback prospect by ESPN when he was a senior at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Mendoza was pledged to Yale for almost six months before he decommitted and signed with California.

He sat out as a redshirt in 2022 and won the starting job for the final eight games in 2023. He was 10th in the nation in passing in 2024 and ranked among the top transfer prospects after the season. He landed at Indiana, where his brother Alberto Mendoza was the No. 3 quarterback last year. This year, Alberto is the top backup to his big brother.