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Ducks, Dynasties and Running Backs: 2026’s Boldest College Football Takes
9 hours ago•Source: Bleacher Report
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Big Ten Bans NFL Returnees From College Football Rosters
The Big Ten unanimously approved a rule barring players who declared for the NFL draft and either did not withdraw or who have appeared on an NFL roster or signed a pro contract from returning to a Big Ten college team, a move that will affect eligibility and roster management; the development mirrors a broader debate with the SEC reportedly opposing pros in college and eliciting mixed reactions from programs and coaches.
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Freshman Faizon Brandon Named Tennessee's 2026 Starting QB
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Browns Waive Dae'Quan Wright, LSU Transfer Hopes Rise With Waivers
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Indiana Tops 138-Team 2026 Preseason College Football Rankings
The Athletic publishes a 138-team preseason ranking for 2026, noting North Dakota State and Sacramento State joining the FBS and the Pac-12 relaunching as an eight-team conference. Indiana is ranked No. 1, with Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon and Notre Dame in the top five, and the piece includes a brief write-up for every team highlighting players, coaching changes, and schedule considerations. Rankings are subjective and will shift as results come in, with head-to-head results used as a tiebreaker when teams are close.
Browns TE Dae'Quan Wright eyeing LSU move after NFL waivers
Former Browns tight end Dae'Quan Wright, undrafted from Ole Miss, has an agreement to join LSU this season if he clears NFL waivers after being waived by Cleveland, a potential first in NFL-to-college transfers amid a Louisiana court ruling that allows such eligibility, with SEC transfer rules and eligibility questions still in play.
Harden seeks fresh start in college football via transfer portal
Former SMU and UCLA running back TJ Harden has entered the NCAA transfer portal after the 2025 season with SMU, where he led the Mustangs in rushing (171 carries, 787 yards, nine touchdowns). Harden previously piled up over 1,600 rushing yards across 31 games at UCLA and pursued an NFL path as an undrafted free agent with the Browns in 2026, later signing with the Seattle Seahawks before being waived. He now aims to continue his college career at another program through the transfer portal.
Indiana Reclaims Big Ten Glory in 2026 Predictions
Stewart Mandel’s 2026 Big Ten predictions have Indiana capturing the conference title over Oregon, with Oregon, Ohio State, and USC making the playoff. The piece argues Indiana’s reload on both lines and Josh Hoover at QB could push them back to the top, while Oregon’s Dante Moore and USC’s Lincoln Riley pace strong campaigns; it also lays out ten additional forecasts across the league, including Wisconsin’s rise and Nebraska’s continued steady progress, and projects a record number of bowl teams.
SEC Dominates CBS Sports Preseason All-America honors as Texas leads the pack
CBS Sports' 2026 Preseason All-America team showcases SEC dominance (15 first-team, 25 total selections of 54) with Texas leading the overall picks. Only three players earned unanimous first-team honors: Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), Colin Simmons (Texas) and Leonard Moore (Notre Dame). Oregon’s Dante Moore is the Player of the Year and Dan Lanning is Coach of the Year, while Miami (FL) running back/wide receiver Malachi Toney stands out as a dual threat. The two squads feature top programs like Oregon, Texas, LSU, Georgia and Notre Dame across first and second teams.
Notre Dame Opens 2026 Season as AP Preseason No. 4
Notre Dame opens the 2026 college football season ranked No. 4 in the AP preseason poll, earning several first-place votes; its top opponents in the poll are Miami (No. 7), BYU (No. 14), and SMU (No. 19), while Ohio State, Oregon, and Georgia occupy the top three spots.
Gamecocks lose two receivers to injuries for 2026 season
South Carolina will be without two wideouts, Jayden Sellers and Jayden Gibson, for the 2026 season due to lower-body injuries. Sellers had 22 catches for 337 yards as a true freshman in 2025; Gibson, who transferred from Oklahoma, had 14 receptions for 375 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2023 but hasn’t played the past two seasons. Head coach Shane Beamer expressed disappointment but pledged support for both players through rehab.
No. 5 Drama: LSU Jersey Sparks Daniels–Pickett Clash
Defector chronicles a high-profile clash over LSU’s No. 5 jersey, after Daniels’ camp sent a letter to the school about promotional use of his name and likeness and LSU allowed DJ Pickett to wear the number; Pickett and his father push back, Daniels publicly distances himself, and the saga centers on whether the historic number should stay tied to Daniels’ LSU legacy.
Transfer Sparks Lead 25 Intriguing QBs for 2026 College Football
Pat Forde lists the 25 most intriguing quarterbacks for the 2026 season, led by Miami’s Darian Mensah following his high-profile Duke transfer, with Arch Manning and a mix of portal moves, freshmen, and returning players shaping a dynamic, uncertainty-filled QB landscape.
Hokies Tap NFL-Style Sports Science to Power Fall Camp
Virginia Tech’s fall camp under James Franklin blends NFL-style summer OTAs and a new sports-science emphasis led by Shaun Huls to optimize recovery, mobility and situational practice. The core values remain—discipline and accountability—but the program is pursuing smarter loading and deeper installation to make the Hokies more game-ready, with transfers noting a more efficient, data-driven approach ahead of the season.