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  • Alex Scarborough, ESPN Staff WriterDec 31, 2023, 08:00 AM ET

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    • Covers the SEC.
    • Joined ESPN in 2012.
    • Graduate of Auburn University.

Greg McElroy recalled waiting until after his freshman year in 2007 to ask Alabama coach Nick Saban for a favor. McElroy figured Saban didn’t need the whole backstory about his dad’s lifelong dream to see him wear Joe Namath’s number, so he pulled Saban aside one day and asked him straight up for the change to No. 12.

“You know,” Saban said, “that’s the number I wore.”

McElroy said he shot back, “Yeah, that’s of course why I want to switch to it. Namath, [Kenny] Stabler, those guys have nothing to do with it. It’s really about you.”

Saban obliged, but the accommodation came with expectations. Because Saban not only wore No. 12, he wore it while quarterbacking his high school to a state championship in 1968. It’s a fact that every Alabama quarterback who spoke to ESPN said they were aware of — even Bryce Young, who wasn’t born until three decades later. Young grinned and said Saban will “tell you about the West Virginia days, for sure.”

A former Monongah High teammate, Walter Baranski, said Saban was “the top dog out there.” Jim Pulice, another teammate, added, “He could walk out on the field and see a defense and catch it all.”

Tua Tagovailoa said Saban would boast that “he’s the best athlete.” Saban was well rounded, all-state in basketball and baseball as well. If he wasn’t a few hairs shy of 6-feet, he might have lasted longer as a quarterback at Kent State before making the switch to defensive back. “I couldn’t see as well, especially in the pocket,” Saban recalled of the transition to college. “But if it just came to throwing the ball and doing that stuff, I was OK.”

While he never switched back to offense, instead developing into one of the preeminent defensive minds in football, his background playing quarterback informed his relationship with the position as a head coach. We spoke to seven current or former starters at Alabama to learn more about their day-to-day interactions. Together, they told the story of a coach who invests his time in order to build trust and ultimately benefit the team. There are regular one-on-one meetings that can range from discussion of X’s and O’s and personnel to how to handle interpersonal relationships and the grind of a long season — all made lighter by Saban’s occasional ribbing.

“I threw a good spiral,” McElroy said. “But in the rare instance if I threw a ball that wasn’t perfect or wasn’t pretty, you were going to hear about it from him.”

Blake Sims, who started 14 games for Alabama in 2014, can picture Saban now, running behind him after the stretch period of practice and chiding him, “Hey 6, I bet you can’t throw the ball like this.” Saban would then gather the defensive backs for individual drills, planting his right leg and tossing passes to them as they ran down the sideline. Always a good loft, almost always a tight spiral.

“Hey 6,” Sims remembers Saban bellowing, “you need to come over here and throw like this.”

Jake Coker, who followed Sims as the starter, laughed at his version of the same story. He said it’s a shame most people don’t get to experience Saban’s sharp sense of humor, including some “legendary jokes” he says aren’t fit for print.

“There’s something funny about seeing a 70-year-old in a straw hat throwing the ball around and cussing 20-year-olds out,” Coker said.

While Saban was never shy about dolling out a tongue-lashing in public, in private Coker and other former Alabama quarterbacks paint a different picture of the coach. Coker said Saban met with him often while he battled Cooper Bateman for the starting job early in 2015. Saban sensed Coker getting in his own way — too worried about messing up and agonizing over his reads instead of letting the ball go.

“He’d talk to me and get me to a place where I was going out there and reacting instead of overthinking each moment,” Coker said. “A lot of our conversations were tailored toward the mental aspect.”

He added, “I would say he’s the best at managing emotions of any coach I’ve been around. I mean, when he gets mad, you know you deserve it. And when he pats you on the back, you deserve it.”

This year’s starter, Jalen Milroe, has felt both the sting of disappointment and the joy of success with Saban — and often in a public setting.

Along the way, as Alabama recovered from an early-season loss and found its way back to the College Football Playoff, Saban challenged Milroe.

“Embrace hard,” Milroe recalled Saban telling him, “and embrace the role of being a quarterback and being a leader of the team.”

SIMS AND OTHERS describe Saban as something of a clairvoyant, knowing exactly the right buttons to push at exactly the right time. It certainly looked that way at halftime of the 2017 national championship when Saban benched former SEC Offensive Player of the Year Jalen Hurts in favor of a true freshman, Tagovailoa. And it worked again this season when he sat Milroe a week after he threw two interceptions in a loss to Texas. Milroe responded by finishing sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting and leading Alabama to the playoff, where it will face Michigan in the Rose Bowl presented by Prudential on Monday (5 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Sims said he’s asked all the time about what makes Saban different — how can he bench an accomplished starter and not lose them for the rest of the season? Hurts sat most of the 2018 season behind Tagovailoa but was ready to go when his number was called in the SEC championship game, coming off the sideline to beat Georgia after Tagovailoa was hobbled by an ankle injury. Sims said that’s possible only because Saban makes a point of getting to know his players, so he understands how to keep them motivated and engaged.

“I was that type of player that if you tell me I won the position, maybe I might slack off a little bit. But if I knew I was always in competition, I played to the top of my ability,” Sims said. “And maybe Coach Saban knew that. …’Just as quick as I named you the starting quarterback, I can take it from you.'”

Go back to the 2014 season after Sims came out of the gates hot, throwing for 445 yards and four touchdowns against Florida in a pivotal Week 4 matchup. He went from a former receiver no one expected anything from to one of the most exciting players in the SEC.

And then Saban stopped him in the hallway one day.

“I had nothing but rat poison all on me. He could just smell it and everything,” Sims said. “And he just pulled me in his office and just gave it to me. I can’t remember his exact words, but he just gave me an ear full.

“When I walked out of there, man, I think I went straight to the weight room.”

Sims laughed.

“How he finds things out, I don’t know,” he said. “I still wonder to this day.”

But go back a few weeks earlier, the morning of the Florida game that put Sims on the map, and you get another side of Saban’s mentorship.

Sims was nervous — it being his first start in Bryant-Denny Stadium — as he headed to breakfast at the team hotel. That’s when strength coach Scott Cochran growled at him, “Walk around that corner. Coach Saban wants to talk to you.”

Saban was waiting for him and said, “So Sims, what do we need to do to get you going? For you to be comfortable?”

Sims decided to be honest.

“Coach,” he said, “when I go fast it gets me in my rhythm where I don’t have to think. Let’s just go.”

Saban asked, “So NASCAR?” which is shorthand for the hurry-up offense.

Sims said yes.

Saban shook his head and said, “OK.”

That Saban wanted his input was humbling, Sims said. That he was open to shifting from a ball-control style of offense to more uptempo was a lesson Sims said he thinks about a lot now, coaching at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy in Marietta, Georgia.

“Seeing him do that lets you know even when you’re at the top of your game, you still need help,” he said. “You can’t do it by yourself.”

Sims cherishes his relationship with Saban. He went from being unsure about whether Saban knew his name to being comfortable tossing barbs back and forth.

Saban told Sims often about his Monongah days, specifically how he was given the freedom by his coach to call plays.

“But we let him know, ‘Hey, Coach, you play in this day and time and we’ll smack you,'” Sims said.

Speaking to Milroe earlier this season, Saban leaned on his hoops background, advising the dual-threat QB to “be a point guard with the ball and get the ball to playmakers to allow explosive plays.”

“Initially, you’d probably think it was just Coach Saban talking, but it’s also an opportunity for me to talk,” Milroe said of their conversations. “A lot of times, we just talk about life. He’s helped me with some personal things, and he’s been there for me throughout the season. The main thing is that we both talk, what we see in games, feedback from games. He sees a lot of things I don’t see, and he’s always willing to listen if I see something.”

Young enjoyed two seasons starting for Saban and “being able to have a conversation about some bigger picture stuff — about the team, about stuff he’s feeling, what he sees, what he needs from us as leaders, and us, our side.”

“We’re all kind of working towards that same goal,” he said. “So it was really cool just coming as a freshman, proving myself. That’s something you have to earn at Alabama. You have to earn that trust, earn everything. And then getting to that point definitely my last two years of building our relationship and then being to where it is now, I’m super grateful.”

AJ McCARRON REMEMBERS his Sunday morning one-on-one debriefing sessions with Saban.

“He was always up there early,” he recalled. “We would sit there and watch the film from the game, and most of the time we’d watch the whole film, kind of just see the flow of the game, talk about the flow, talk about their defense, what else they could have done, what we could have done as an offense, in my opinion.

“But I liked doing that as a freshman just because I got to learn a lot, even from the defensive side, what’s their thought process on things and how they see certain formations and how they plan to cover certain routes and stuff.”

Sometimes, McElroy said, you’d look forward to those meetings. Other times, not so much.

“You could kind of tell where the meeting was going to go based on how you played,” McElroy said.

Asked if he was thinking of a specific meeting, McElroy groaned.

“One in particular,” he said. “It was awful.”

It was the Sunday after playing Ole Miss in 2009. It was McElroy’s first truly hostile road environment, Alabama was undefeated, and the Rebs were ranked. And McElroy was off from the start. Coaches called “Boom,” which McElroy said is a “smash concept with a guy in the flat and a guy running a corner.”

The first time, he threw it into double coverage to Julio Jones for an incompletion.

The next time, on the opposite end of the field, he again threw it into double coverage to Jones for an incompletion.

It just so happened that both times the receiver in the flat was wide open.

McElroy woke up Sunday morning dreading going to Saban’s office.

“I knew he would say, ‘Why didn’t you take the flat?’ And I didn’t really have a reason,” he said. “You can’t say I was looking at the rush.”

Never mind he had a good excuse.

“Greg Hardy cleaned my clock on the first play of the game,” he said.

So McElroy thought about it and came up with an admittedly “ridiculous excuse” about Julio being open.

Saban wasn’t buying it.

“He was so disgruntled, he wanted me to go down and get checked for a concussion because my reads were so bad,” McElroy said. “I know it was his way of jabbing at me. He said, ‘You need to go down and see [head trainer Jeff Allen] and get checked. That’s ridiculous.’

“Jeff was a good sport about it, Coach was a good sport about it. After the fact we can laugh about it. But at the time, it was like, ‘Oh, God. I can’t believe I made the same mistake twice.’ Because the one thing was, he could live with a mistake. That happens. But you make the same mistake twice, you need to tighten it up.”

In games, McElroy and other quarterbacks described Saban as mostly hands off. The only time they’d hear from him is if they committed a mental error — like the time Coker didn’t throw the ball away at the end of the first half of a blowout win and cost the team a field goal.

“That was one of those headset-tearing-apart moments where he got me pretty much from the sideline all the way to the tunnel,” Coker said. “It was one of those where as soon as I did it I thought, ‘Oh my God, you’re such a dumbass. I know I’m going to hear about this all the way back to the locker room.’ And I did. He lost his mind.”

Coker couldn’t remember exactly what Saban said, it was such a blur of expletives. Coker muttered “Yes, sir” again and again in hopes it would end the conversation quicker.

“If it’s within your mental control, I mean, he’s going to be mad about it,” he said. “But if you’re going 100% and you just screw it up, then he can live with that. If you screw up, he moves on. And if you throw a good ball, he is high-fiving.”

It turns out that backups get worn out a lot more than starters, McElroy said, and with good reason.

“He didn’t want to affect the starter’s confidence and he wanted to just make sure the starter felt good,” he said. “And the backup, if you make a mistake, you’re very much in developmental mode at that point, so your confidence isn’t quite as important.”

So much of playing quarterback is what happens between the ears, and Saban is careful to keep that in mind.

When Coker met with him, they didn’t spend a ton of time going over the playbook, he said. It was more about situational awareness — “on and off the field.” Coker said Saban gave him good advice on how to “maneuver through the season” and handle personal relationships on the team.

Together, they won a national championship.

And, like Milroe, it started with Coker riding the bench early in the season.

Would he have liked to avoid the stress of all that? Sure.

But he can’t argue with the results.

“I don’t know, maybe if I was named the starter and I knew that everybody that had my back I would’ve gone in and played with a lot more confidence and played with no restraint as well,” Coker said. “But I know benching me made me that way for sure.”

ESPN reporters Ben Baby, David Newton and Marcel Louis-Jacques contributed to this story.

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Sources: ACC ref, irked by replay handling, quits

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September 12, 2025

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Sources: ACC ref, irked by replay handling, quits

  • Andrea Adelson

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    Andrea Adelson

    ESPN Senior Writer

    • ACC reporter.
    • Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
    • Graduate of the University of Florida.

  • David Hale

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    David Hale

    ESPN Staff Writer

    • College football reporter.
    • Joined ESPN in 2012.
    • Graduate of the University of Delaware.

Sep 12, 2025, 03:38 PM ET

After an awkwardly handled replay late in the first half of last weekend’s game between UConn and Syracuse, a longtime ACC official has quit his post over frustration with the way the review was handled, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Gary Patterson, who served as the head referee for Saturday’s matchup between the Huskies and the Orange and has worked as an official with the ACC since 2002, abruptly terminated his contract with the conference after the game.

The ACC confirmed Patterson’s departure from the conference’s roster of officials Friday but said that adjustments to officiating crews have already been made and that there will be no disruption to league officiating. Patterson had been scheduled to referee Saturday’s game between Pitt and West Virginia.

The sequence that reportedly led to Patterson’s departure began with 1:02 remaining in the half and UConn leading 14-3. Syracuse opened a drive at the Huskies’ 25-yard line, and on first down, quarterback Steve Angeli dropped back to pass. His arm was hit as he threw, and the ball went forward about 8 yards, landing on the turf.

The officials immediately ruled the pass incomplete. Syracuse then snapped the ball again with 58 seconds left on the clock, though about 25 seconds of real time passed between plays. The second-down throw was nearly intercepted before two UConn players collided and the pass fell incomplete, bringing up a third-and-10 with 53 seconds to go.

A flag was thrown after the play, however, and Patterson could be seen talking on his headset to the ACC’s command center for nearly 90 seconds before announcing that “replay had buzzed in prior to the previous play.”

Sources who have reviewed numerous camera angles of the sequence said there was no physical indication by any official on the field that they had been buzzed by the replay booth before the second-down snap. An ACC spokesperson said that officials were buzzed to initiate the review but that the timing was not ideal for it to be a seamless replay. The conference has addressed the handling of this sequence internally, the spokesperson said.

Officials reviewed the first-down play to see whether Angeli had fumbled, negating the second-down play, before ultimately upholding the original call of an incomplete pass.

Syracuse and UConn officials were told the referee had simply “not heard” the initial request from the replay booth before the second-down snap.

ESPN rules expert Bill LeMonnier, who has decades of experience as an official, said the series of events was uncharacteristic of how a replay would normally be handled.

“Let’s say they’re right up at the line, the ball’s being snapped, and the buzzers go off,” LeMonnier said. “It’s the referee’s discretion to shut the play down vs. saying it’s too late. It’s supposed to be in the referee’s hands.”

LeMonnier also said a flag thrown after the second-down play, which was presumably due to a high hit on Angeli by a UConn defender, was ignored, despite rules saying a personal foul would be enforced even during a dead ball period.

“The mistakes were completely created by either the replay booth or the command center,” LeMonnier said. “It’s not the fault of the officials on the field.”

Every play is subject to review. When officials are buzzed to begin the process, they get on the headset with the replay booth in the stadium and the ACC command center and the review is initiated.

Two sources with knowledge of the situation said the directive came from the ACC command center.

One source said Patterson was upset at the ACC’s interference in forcing a replay after the next play had already occurred, instigating his resignation. Patterson did not respond to requests by ESPN for comment.

After the second-down incompletion was wiped out, Syracuse went 61 yards on its next seven plays and kicked a field goal as time expired in the half. The Orange went on to win the game 27-20 in overtime.

For select games this season, the ACC has allowed cameras and audio access to the review process, offering transparency into the discussions between on-field officials and replay officials at the command center. Last week’s game between UConn and Syracuse, however, was not among those with command center coverage.

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Pitt, WVU extend Backyard Brawl through 2036

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September 12, 2025

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Pitt, WVU extend Backyard Brawl through 2036

  • David HaleSep 12, 2025, 02:37 PM ET

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    • College football reporter.
    • Joined ESPN in 2012.
    • Graduate of the University of Delaware.

The Backyard Brawl is set to continue until at least 2036 after Pitt and West Virginia agreed to an extension of the series.

The two schools will face off Saturday for the 108th time in their history before taking a three-year break. The series will begin again in 2029 and be played each year thereafter until 2036.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled for what this means for both Pitt and West Virginia,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement. “But this goes far beyond four more games and the 75 miles separating us. This paves the way for future Panthers to carry on the history of this rivalry, while current ones get to forge new legacies for years to come. This extension isn’t just for Pitt and West Virginia, but for college football fans everywhere.”

The rivalry dates back to 1895, but it was interrupted after the 2011 meeting when West Virginia departed the Big East for the Big 12. Pitt joined the ACC a year later. The Brawl disappeared for 10 years until it was reignited as a nonconference matchup in 2022. Pitt holds an all-time edge, 63-41-3, and has won two of the past three.

The two schools had already scheduled games from 2029 through 2032 before Friday’s announcement of an extension.

West Virginia, which hosts Saturday’s showdown, will also welcome the Panthers in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036. Pitt will host the game in 2029, 2031, 2033 and 2035

Narduzzi was critical of West Virginia earlier this week, suggesting the Mountaineers could have added Pitt in 2026, too, after a home-and-home series against Alabama was shelved. Instead, the Mountaineers will face Coastal Carolina next season.

“I think our athletic director has reached out to them, and they already got it filled up, which means maybe they didn’t want to play us,” Narduzzi said. “I don’t know. They filled it up. I know if we knew that was going to happen, that would be our first call. Whatever. Can’t do anything about it. Stay in my lane.”

Narduzzi told ESPN earlier this week that “nobody’s chicken” and he may have gotten bad information but that he is eager to keep the rivalry alive, adding Pitt will “take Penn State, too” — referring to another heated rivalry that’s been played just four times since 2000.

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The most impactful recruit on each top-40 team

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September 12, 2025

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The most impactful recruit on each top-40 team

  • Craig Haubert

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    Craig Haubert

    ESPN Staff Writer

    • National recruiting analyst and analyst for ESPNU
    • More than a decade of college and pro coaching experience.
    • Graduated from Indiana and Nebraska-Omaha

  • Billy Tucker

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    Billy Tucker

    Scouts, Football Recruiting

      • Recruiting coordinator for ESPN RecruitingNation.
      • Nearly a decade of college coaching experience.
      • Has been evaluating prospects at ESPN since 2006.

Sep 11, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

College football teams across the country are far from finished products this season, but the first weeks of the 2025 slate are already giving them a better sense of who they are — for better or worse.

At the same time, coaching staffs face the delicate balancing act of winning today and looking ahead, knowing some of the answers to weaknesses with their current rosters might come from the 2026 class and beyond.

Recruiting isn’t just about stockpiling talent; it’s about addressing future needs with the right kind of fit. Here’s a look at one impact newcomer, some blue-chippers and others who are still flying under the radar, who could make an impact once they arrive on campus and help shape what’s next for the top programs in the country. The order is based on current class rankings.

ESPN 300 rank: 74

Sitting atop the class rankings, there is a lot to like about the Trojans, and one thing that’s evident is the team needs to improve in the trenches. USC has shown improvement on defense, but the addition of Topui would put USC on par with other Big Ten powers. He is massive, quick and powerful and can be a stout presence. As a local product from Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei, this was a must-get.

ESPN 300 rank: 19

Whether Protho plays tight end or receiver doesn’t really matter, as he can contribute to the passing attack in a variety of ways. He possesses an outstanding blend of size, speed, agility and body control. We like his projection as a pass-catching tight end in Athens in the mold of Brock Bowers as a receiving threat. Prothro can be an impactful part of Georgia’s offense, which will lose Oscar Delp after this season. Prothro, a five-star, is very fluid as well, and if not deployed as a tight end, the 6-foot-6, 210-pounder with 4.57 verified speed could play the outside receiver position. Regardless of which position you slot him at, Prothro can be a playmaking target for the Bulldogs.

ESPN 300 rank: 51

The run game has not looked dominate in College Station, but Le’Veon Moss should heat up. The issue is he graduates after this season, as does Amari Daniels. The duo combined for 1,426 yards last season and 18 touchdowns. Rueben Owens II, the No. 4 RB in the 2023 class, has shown flashes, but the Aggies need additional firepower in the backfield. Edwards is built low to the ground with impressive contact balance combined with 4.47 verified speed when he breaks into the open field. He will enter College Station with good experience as a pass catcher as well, which will allow for more immediate impactful snaps.

ESPN 300 rank: 14

Quarterback Dia Bell is certainly an important commit, but he’ll have time to develop, similar to Arch Manning. Atkinson is a tackling machine, and the Longhorns will need to replace 2023 five-star Anthony Hill Jr., arguably the top linebacker in college football. Like Hill, Atkinson’s game relies on great instincts, pursuit speed and tackling skills. He will need to continue adding size to become a better take-on defender. Atkinson might not possess some of the same upside as others ranked on this list, but he looks poised to immediately jump into the mix with the Longhorns.

ESPN 300 rank: 85

The Irish have depth along the defensive line but didn’t look particularly stout against Miami on the ground. This group, particularly the interior, will take a hit next season, and that’s why Notre Dame put an emphasis on building the front in this class. Golden can play both defensive end and tackle in new coordinator Chris Ash’s defense, but we project he’ll physically develop into a true interior defender. Already at 6-5, 260 pounds, he possesses a great penetrating burst off the snap and is extremely disruptive with his powerful hands. He’s fast for his size and has been clocked at a 4.5 in the 5-10-5 pro shuttle. Defensive line coach Al Washington will still have a versatile edge if he stays on the outside, and that position flexibility will be very valuable.

ESPN 300 rank: 13

To replace NFL talent like Josh Conerly Jr. and Ajani Cornelius, the Ducks dipped into the portal for immediate depth. They likely won’t have to next season as Iheanacho is massive even for NFL standards (6-6, 350). Not only is he wide, he’s also long and uses his strong hands to finish defenders. His size and power project him at guard to start in Eugene, but it’s not out of the question he could play tackle with improved footwork.

ESPN 300 rank: 8

Brandon arrives in Knoxville at the ideal time as Joey Aguilar will be graduating and the position will be open for competition. It’s a quarterback-friendly system. Brandon is a more polished passer than Hendon Hooker at this same stage in his career but has equally impressive arm strength. Brandon throws an exceptional deep ball, which is a requirement in this scheme that loves to attack defenses vertically. He’s also a legit dual-threat and has the quick decision-making to execute one of the fastest tempo offenses in the country.

ESPN 300 rank: 23

As Alabama continues to navigate the post-Nick Saban era, its defense has gotten off to an uneven start. There is talent on that unit and it’s still very early in 2025, but a player like Edwards is poised to have an impact next season. In the five-star, Alabama has landed one of the more versatile defenders of this class. Measuring in around 6-foot-2, 210 pounds with excellent speed, having consistently been tested around 4.5 in the 40, Edwards can be moved around to address needs based on injury or lack of production. At safety, he has excellent range and an explosive closing burst. He also has experience at corner and is fluid in his movements and can match up in coverage with tight ends and bigger receivers. With his size and physicality, he can also move closer to the line of scrimmage and be a factor there. In addition to excellent physical tools, he has also demonstrated strong leadership qualities and has developed into a tone-setter for that unit.

ESPN 300 rank: 34

The Buckeyes have had the fortune of playing with one of the top safeties and overall defenders in college football the past two seasons. While Bradford doesn’t possess the straight-line speed of Caleb Downs, his ball-hawk skills and physicality are very similar, as is his size (6-1, 205). He has range to play over the top of routes as a true back-end safety, but his physicality and pursuit in the second level are also excellent. Downs could contend for the No. 1 draft spot, and the Buckeyes will need a playmaker with a high football IQ to develop there in coordinator Matt Patricia’s system.

ESPN rank: 116

While it’s still early in the season, adding playmakers at receiver for young QB Bryce Underwood is a top priority. Robinson, a versatile athlete with a strong track background, brings a nice blend of size (nearly 6-3) and speed, having been clocked at 4.47 in the 40. Not only can he be a vertical threat, but he uses his length well and can be a friendly target for Underwood, as he offers a wide catch radius and is effective after the catch. Robinson caught 42 passes as a junior, and two games into 2025, he has 10 grabs with a TD. Robinson alone will not elevate the Wolverines’ receiver corps but is a great place to start in terms of further surrounding the star QB with more big-play weapons.

ESPN rank: 9

Despite their early-season setback, the Gators are still in a better place than they were at this time a year ago. Still, their improved defense could use more pass rush firepower with Tyreak Sapp in his final year. McCoy could eventually be even better than Sapp. The five-star has an excellent motor, good practice habits and an alpha presence along the defensive line. He has the coveted length and collection of tools to become a top SEC defender.

ESPN rank: 1

Landing the No. 1 player in the country injects significant life into any program. That Brown plays his high school ball in Baton Rouge is the cherry on top. The defensive lineman has excellent hands, flexibility and mobility for his size. Jacobian Guillory II and Bernard Gooden are both seniors, so LSU will have an immediate need at the position. However, Brown is arguably even better along the offensive line and could develop in the mold of former standout Tennessee guard Trey Smith if a need arises for the Tigers.

ESPN rank: 3

Landing Cantwell was a massive win for Mario Cristobal, who was also a former Hurricanes offensive lineman. Miami is expected to lose several offensive line starters, including 2023 five-star Francis Mauigoa, who is a projected first-round pick. Cantwell is a massive, powerful presence at 6-foot-7, 320 pounds. Considering he’s also quite flexible and agile, Cantwell has all the tools to step in as a Year 1 starter, just like Mauigoa once did.

ESPN rank: Unranked

Johnny Wilson, Keon Coleman and Duce Robinson have all experienced varying levels of success in Tallahassee, but they were all transfers. The last great homegrown Florida State receiver is arguably 2011 signee Rashad Greene. Lopez is a sleeper who could change that. A two-sport star with legitimate college basketball potential, Lopez is an explosive athlete who creates separation and racks up yards after the catch. He also has a long track record of production for south Florida powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna. That adds up to a potential breakout target in Florida State’s passing attack, especially if he narrows his focus to football.

ESPN rank: 256

The Bill Belichick era is off to a bumpy start. He overhauled North Carolina’s roster, especially at quarterback, and the position still seems unsettled early in 2025. Burgess addresses a key need. An offseason riser, the 6-5 dual-threat has improved as a passer to better utilize his arm talent and quick release. An injury ended his senior season early, and he’s not quite a Bryce Underwood type plug-and-play option, but Burgess’ tools and upside provide intriguing building blocks for a potential long-term answer.

ESPN rank: 102

Clemson’s offense is struggling so far this season. Things will only get tougher if Antonio Williams leaves after the season, and Bryant Wesco Jr. is also heading into his junior year in 2026. So the Tigers are getting ahead of a key need by adding several ranked receivers, including Burroughs. The four-star Florida native has a nice blend of speed, agility and body control. His football IQ stands out during in-person evaluations, which will only help expedite his development into a potential big-play target early on.

ESPN rank: 135

While Penn State enjoys having arguably college football’s best backfield duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton a bit longer, Mickens is an in-state rusher who can one day absorb some of their production. The four-star is more in the mold of Allen as a bigger back with good vision, balance and enough speed to finish plays. The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder is roughly the same size as Allen and Singleton were at this stage, and he’s perhaps already faster. Replacing both will be tough, but Mickens seems equipped to one day take the baton for the Nittany Lions.

ESPN rank: 91

Flipping five-star offensive tackle Kodi Greene from Oregon was a big win for the Huskies. Don’t be surprised if he steps into a starting tackle spot in 2026. But Bonner could also make a quick impact for a Washington team that graduates Jonah Coleman and didn’t sign much running back talent in 2025. Bonner has the requisite frame and speed (he has reached 21 mph in games) to develop into a productive back. He ran for over 1,400 yards last year as a high school junior and is off to a hot start in 2025. Bonner’s well-rounded skill set can also impact the pass game, only helping his chances of quickly becoming an every-down back.

ESPN rank: 49

This type of recruiting win for BYU can’t be ignored. While a planned Latter-day Saints mission trip will delay Lyons’ arrival in Provo to 2027, his commitment generated tons of buzz and he has a chance to add to the Cougars’ quarterback history. Lyons won California’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior after throwing for over 3,000 yards and 46 touchdowns and is already on the cusp of surpassing 1,000 yards early in his senior season. BYU was first to offer Lyons. The reward? A potentially program-changing signal-caller.

ESPN rank: unranked

The Mustangs have several ranked commits, but a prospect like Woods adds key depth. He’s a dangerous in-state three-star who has notched double-digit sacks each of his past two high school seasons. He gets off the line well from the edge and has solid bend. Woods is a surprisingly savvy young pass rusher who knows how to use his hands and has an effective arsenal of rush moves. He can make an impact on SMU’s defense.

ESPN rank: unranked

UCLA’s season is off to a rough start, but the good news is the Bruins’ incoming class helps address a variety of needs that are already evident in 2025. Wide receiver is one such hole, and Moore could quickly step in to fill the void. Moore’s diminutive size (5-10, 160 pounds) is a concern, but he has plenty of wiggle and runs smooth routes. Moore won the wide receiver MVP at the Under Armour Salt Lake City camp this offseason after catching nearly 50 passes as a junior. He could inject a much-needed quick boost to the Bruins’ receiving corps.

ESPN rank: 73

South Carolina has cultivated plenty of talent in the greater DMV area, landing the likes of Dylan Stewart, Nyck Harbor and Tree Babalade. The Gamecocks struck again to land Gray, a top-10 offensive tackle in the class. He’s a bit on the lighter side, but Gray has good power, tenacity and bend to go along with excellent agility. The 6-4 bookend has excellent arm length and can project to tackle or move inside to guard. South Carolina has plenty of versatility to work with.

ESPN rank: 22

Once buried in the 2026 recruiting rankings, adding Kreul helped elevate Oklahoma’s class into the top 25. He’ll fortify a unit that is already a strength for the Sooners. Kruel is an explosive defender with a relentless motor who could develop into a disruptive pass rusher thanks to his bend and violent hands. Stacking the five-star alongside fellow IMG Academy defensive linemen David Stone, who is beginning to tap into his immense talent, and Jayden Jackson gives the Sooners the pieces to field one of the SEC’s most feared defensive lines.

ESPN rank: 173

Bret Bielema has done an excellent job reviving Illinois, and the early returns on his 2026 class suggest regression isn’t coming anytime soon. The class is loaded with talent, but good recruiting starts at home. Rankin is one of the state’s top prospects and was a priority target early on for Bielema and his staff. Rankin is a versatile playmaker on either side of the ball, but he projects best to receiver, where he has impressive ball skills and elusiveness after the catch.

ESPN rank: 287

Yes, landing wide receiver Calvin Russell grabbed headlines, but Syracuse needs more help rushing the passer than additional offensive firepower. The Orange have only one sack through two games this season after losing most of their pass rushing production from 2024. A productive high schooler, Wilson tallied 17 sacks as a high school junior, using his first-step quickness and bend to his advantage. He needs some time to develop his frame, but even if it’s just situational pass rush reps early, his addition will help a program that has taken strides under Fran Brown.

ESPN rank: 20

Texas Tech made noise with several splashy commitments in the 2026 and 2027 classes over the past two months, and Ojo was first to spark that wave. The five-star offensive tackle brings elite physical traits, including more than an 80-inch wingspan and impressive flexibility. He’ll need to add bulk to his rangy frame, which could slow his early impact, but his upside is clear. With time to develop, Ojo has the ceiling to become a top-tier Power 4 tackle and a centerpiece for the Red Raiders’ offensive line.

ESPN rank: Unranked

Baylor has stacked some ranked commits, particularly at receiver, but Battle stands out as a lesser-known name. The big-bodied defender can move around the defensive front and even contributed at tight end and linebacker in high school, showcasing rare mobility and versatility. Projected as an interior player for the Bears, he brings agility and leverage that can translate into disruptive play inside. With further development, Battle has the tools to carve out a key role in Baylor’s defensive line rotation.

ESPN rank: 276

With the way quarterbacks move around in college football, the excitement around any QB commit should be tempered. But Louisville starter Miller Moss is in his last season and his backup, Brady Allen, is a redshirt junior, so this addition could pay off down the road. Cherry always seems to embrace an opportunity to compete, and in in-person evaluations, he has shown leadership qualities. He threw for over 2,700 yards while completing 69% of his passes as a junior and possesses good arm strength and is fairly polished, with good footwork and poise.

ESPN rank: Unranked

Stanford once built its identity on dominant offensive lines, and the early signs are that reinforcements up front need to remain a priority. While this class doesn’t feature a quarterback, the Cardinal made promising additions in the trenches, highlighted by Thomassie. The Louisiana product is right on the cusp of four-star status, and he’s a strong, undervalued pickup who projects inside at guard or potentially center. Thomassie still needs to add bulk, but he shows good bend, body quickness and the ability to gain leverage with his hands. He’s the type of developmental interior lineman Stanford can build around.

ESPN rank: 118

Rutgers appears to be set with a solid group of receivers this season, but with the potential for turnover constantly looming, reinforcements are key. Freshman Jourdin Houston and 2024 signee Ben Black are in place, yet Carter adds another high-upside option who could factor in early. A 2025 Under Armour All-American, he has been clocked near 21 mph in game action, showing legitimate top-end speed. More importantly, Carter already runs crisp routes and is coachable, quickly absorbing and applying adjustments. He gives the Scarlet Knights another talented target with the tools to grow into a key contributor in their passing game.

ESPN rank: Unranked

Curt Cignetti quickly elevated Indiana into a College Football Playoff contender last season behind one of the nation’s top defenses. Reloading up front remains a priority, with several senior transfers filling roles this year. While Hugan ranks below two other ranked prospects in Indiana’s class, he highlights the depth of the haul. Hugan would likely enter the ESPN 300 if he had better size and length. Still, the four-star has a quick first step, active hands and a relentless motor. He produced more than 100 tackles and 18 sacks as a junior. Hugan is a tough, productive defender who projects as a valuable piece in Indiana’s defensive front.

ESPN rank: 282

A perpetually underrated prospect, Michigan State did well to snatch Wortham out of Florida. He erased any potential doubt this past offseason after showing up to the Under Armour Orlando camp with a hungry, competitive demeanor and putting forth an MVP performance. Wortham won’t overwhelm with size or straight-line speed, but he runs well, shows suddenness in his routes and consistently tracks the ball with strong hands. As a junior, he racked up more than 1,300 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns as his team’s primary big-play threat. He brings polish, production and toughness to the Spartans’ receiver room.

ESPN rank: Unranked

The Razorbacks currently have two young tackles with potential in backup roles that will bring more experience, so there is no guarantee that Gilmore will be needed to or able to step right into a starting role, but that is not what is key here. The four-star out of Texas gives Arkansas an offensive lineman with a big frame who bends well at the knees and has good balance and can develop into a top-tier SEC guard or tackle.

ESPN rank: Unranked

Boston College hasn’t had the same quarterback start every game of a season since 2018, so Bill O’Brien knows the value of depth. The Eagles dipped into the portal for their current starter and have a promising freshman in Shaker Reisig, but their 2026 class adds two more passers, led by Babalola. At 6-3, 215 pounds, Babalola has a wealth of physical tools. He combines size with arm strength and enough mobility to extend plays, even if he’s not a traditional dual-threat. He impressed us this offseason by winning quarterback MVP honors at the Nashville Under Armour camp. With O’Brien’s track record developing quarterbacks, Babalola is a high-upside prospect who could grow into a top ACC signal-caller.

ESPN rank: Unranked

Voss, despite being unranked, has received quite a bit of attention, including from Alabama, before Minnesota kept him home. The Gophers received commitments from both of the state’s top prospects in 2026. A high school quarterback, Voss projects as a versatile tight end with natural ball skills and big-play potential. He’s far more than a Wildcat option, though — he can legitimately throw the ball, giving the Gophers flexibility in how he is used. This fall, he showcased that versatility in one half alone, rushing for 100 yards and passing for over 200. Comparisons can be drawn to Penn State’s Tyler Warren or Syracuse’s Dan Villari, but whether it’s at tight end or even linebacker, Voss is a key in-state pickup who brings real value to the roster.

ESPN rank: 113

Early-season returns seem to indicate the Rebels scored with the portal addition of Kewan Lacy at running back, but Yates should bring solid depth when he arrives. A top in-state player (who at one point was committed to rival Mississippi State), he possesses a sturdy build that allows him to produce after contact. He has good speed and his explosiveness allows him to cut and separate. He has been productive in high school with over 1,300 yards rushing in each of the past two seasons and has shown the versatility to be a receiving threat, having caught 31 passes as a junior.

ESPN rank: 193

Lehman is tailor-made for Pat Narduzzi’s defense. Hailing from nearby McMurray, Pennsylvania, he’s a versatile edge with quickness and body control who doggedly pursues quarterbacks. He knows how to use his hands and can hold up in the run game, plus he arrives with the experience of playing off ball and dropping into coverage in high school. That showed up early in his senior season, when he dropped into the flat and intercepted a pass for a pick-six. Lehman’s tools pop on film, and he can develop into a key contributor for the Panthers.

ESPN rank: Unranked

At long last, the Jayhawks will have a new quarterback in 2026 with Jalon Daniels finally exhausting his eligibility. The good news for Kansas fans? Whoever calls the shots behind center will have a potential cornerstone offensive tackle arriving in Lawrence to protect him. Snyder could make the leap to four-star status this fall if he continues to add more bulk. The basketball and track standout has great feet and length and polished pass-protection skills to continue developing once he gets to school.

ESPN rank: Unranked

True freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele certainly looks like Cal’s quarterback of the future. Now, the Golden Bears need to build around him. Their short-term tight end prospects took a major hit when Jack Endries departed to Texas. But Purcell is one of the better tight ends in the country, and at 6-4, 225 pounds with a 4.8 40-yard dash, he has the athleticism and size of a player who typically fares well in new offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin’s offense.

ESPN rank: 201

It’s early, but Arizona’s offense under new coordinator Seth Doege looks much improved, and quarterback Noah Fifita has been the catalyst. Doege developed current Southern Miss quarterback Braylon Braxton into the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year during their time together at Marshall in 2024. Rios is another ball of clay Doege could soon mold. He’s the highest-rated Wildcats pocket-passer recruit in the past 10 years and is equipped with a strong arm and big leadership skills that can flourish under Doege and propel Arizona back to storied heights.

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