Category: CFB News

Joey Aguilar named Vols new QB ahead of opener

The University of Tennessee Volunteers announced Sunday transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar will start under center for the season opener against Syracuse on August 30. The coaching staff informed the team during a closed-door meeting, according to reports from the Knoxville News Sentinel later confirmed in the following Instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNeg4UoMuRn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Aguilar, a transfer from UCLA, beat out redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and incoming freshman George MacIntyre for the job. The decision solidifies a crucial position for an offense looking to sustain momentum from a landmark 2024 campaign.

The California native arrived in May after one season with the Bruins, but he’s best known for his prolific two-year stretch at Appalachian State. There, Aguilar threw for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns in just 25 appearances, showcasing a deep-ball accuracy and pocket presence that made him a coveted addition in the transfer portal.

Tennessee lost former starter Nico Iamaleava to UCLA this offseason — a twist of fate considering Aguilar made the reverse move. Iamaleava led the team to its first-ever College Football Playoff berth last year, raising expectations in Knoxville ahead of 2025.

Now, the pressure shifts to Aguilar to keep Tennessee among the SEC’s elite. With a strong supporting cast and a season-opening showcase against Syracuse, the Vols are banking on experience over youth at the most important position on the field.

The opener marks a fresh chapter for a program still buzzing from its 2024 success — and Aguilar will be the one holding the pen.

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UGA LBs CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson poised to anchor Dawgs defense in 2025

CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson are no longer Georgia’s promising young linebackers—they’re the leaders of a new-look defense chasing another national title.

Both players were thrown into the fire as true freshmen in 2023, stepping in after injuries to veterans Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon. By 2024, they were no longer fill-ins—they were difference-makers.

Allen led the linebacker unit with 76 total tackles last season, just one behind team leader Malaki Starks. Wilson, meanwhile, logged 47 total tackles and made impact plays behind the line of scrimmage, racking up seven tackles for loss.

Defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, who also serves as inside linebackers coach, says the game has finally slowed down for his veteran duo.

“It’s honestly really crazy to think about,” Schumann said. “I constantly refer to them as the old heads now… it feels like you have forever when you first get here, and the next thing you know, you’re a junior.”

That increased experience is translating on the field. Schumann says Allen and Wilson are no longer reacting—they’re anticipating. And that’s made them faster, more confident, and more vocal leaders across the board.

“You’re not reacting,” Schumann said. “You’re anticipating… They’re more confident both in terms of communicating the defense, commanding from a leadership standpoint, and speeding up their run fits.”

Kirby Smart echoed those sentiments when discussing Georgia’s linebacker unit as a whole, pointing to Schumann’s track record developing inside backers and deploying them creatively in multiple-linebacker sets.

“That room has been one of our strengths throughout the time we’ve been here,” Smart said. “We play a lot of them. Naturally, there’s two out there every play, but sometimes we have three.”

With Mondon off to the NFL and no clear-cut star emerging beyond Allen and Wilson, the two juniors are now the backbone of the Bulldogs defense. Behind them are second-year players Chris Cole and Justin Williams, who could factor in heavily as Georgia looks to rotate at least three linebackers this fall.

If Georgia returns to championship-level defense in 2025, it’ll be because Allen and Wilson delivered. So far, all signs point to them being up for the challenge.

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Texas ranked No. 1 in 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll, ahead of Ohio State

The 2025 college football season is fast approaching, and the USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll has officially set the stage. On Monday, the Texas Longhorns earned the No. 1 ranking in the preseason poll—marking the first time in school history the Longhorns have opened the season in the top spot.

Led by quarterback Arch Manning, Texas claimed 28 of the 67 first-place votes to top the poll. Reigning national champion Ohio State followed with 20, setting the stage for a marquee August 30th showdown in Columbus between the top two teams in the country.

The Penn State Nittany Lions rounds out the top three with 14 first-place votes. The Georgia Bulldogs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish complete the top five.

Top 10 – 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll:

  1. Texas (13-3) – 28 first-place votes

  2. Ohio State (14-2) – 20 first-place votes

  3. Penn State (13-3) – 14 first-place votes

  4. Georgia (11-3) – 3 first-place votes

  5. Notre Dame (14-2)

  6. Clemson Tigers (10-4) – 2 first-place votes

  7. Oregon Ducks (13-1)

  8. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-4)

  9. LSU Tigers (9-4)

  10. Miami Hurricanes (Fla.) (10-3)

Other Notables:

  • The Michigan Wolverins ranks No. 14 after an 8-5 season.

  • The Tennessee Volunteers, coming off a 10-win campaign, is No. 18.

  • SMU Mustangs (No. 16) and BYU Cougars (No. 23) are among Group of Five programs making the Top 25.

Programs just outside the Top 25 include: Oklahoma Sooners, Missouri Tigers, Louisville Cardinals, USC Trojans, and Utah Utes.

The Longhorns hasn’t won a national title since 2005 but is positioned for a championship run with Manning at the helm and a loaded roster on both sides of the ball.

What’s Next?
All eyes now turn to August 30th, when No. 1 Texas travels to No. 2 Ohio State in a potential College Football Playoff preview. Kickoff is set for Ohio Stadium, and the outcome could immediately reshape the rankings just one week into the season.

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Boo Carter returns to Tennessee practice amid uncertainty about role

Sophomore defensive back Boo Carter returned to practice in uniform Tuesday morning as Tennessee resumed fall camp, taking part in open drills for the first time this preseason, per On3’s Austin Price. His appearance marked a clear step forward after beginning camp with workouts on the sidelines.

Carter had been absent from team workouts and offseason activities leading into the start of camp. After addressing his teammates last week, he was gradually reintegrated, returning to the field with a helmet during Saturday’s session and officially joining drills Tuesday morning.

“He’s here, he’s with us,” head coach Josh Heupel said Tuesday, per On3’s Grant Ramey. “And each day we’ll figure out what comes next.”

Heupel emphasized that Carter’s return is ongoing and dependent on completing internal requirements. The details remain unclear, and the coaching staff has declined to set a public timetable for Carter’s full reintegration into team activities.

“There’s some things he’s got to accomplish to get back on the field with us,” Heupel said. “Our leadership council has been involved every step of the way. They care deeply about Boo and want the best for him, as we all do.”

Last week, Carter made visits to Children’s Hospital in Knoxville and appeared to take steps to reconnect with the team off the field. Heupel confirmed that conversations with Carter have continued behind the scenes, but also acknowledged frustrations.

“Disappointed with how some things were handled,” Heupel admitted. “But our focus is on what happens now, not what happened yesterday. We’re moving forward.”

The Vols open their season on August 30th against the Syracuse Orange in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Whether Carter will suit up for that matchup remains to be seen.

For now, Tennessee continues preparing for the season with Carter back in the mix — albeit with his long-term role still to be determined.

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Jam Miller reveals he always wanted to play for Texas before choosing Alabama

Jam Miller is entering his fourth season at Alabama as the projected starting running back. After patiently waiting his turn behind a string of elite backs, the veteran is now in line to lead the Crimson Tide’s rushing attack in 2025. But things could have turned out very differently.

In a recent interview, Miller revealed that he originally dreamed of playing for the Texas Longhorns.

“It’s going to sound messed up,” Miller said. “But I knew Alabama, but I didn’t really know Alabama, how great they was. I always grew up a Texas fan. My godparents, they went to Texas, graduated from Texas. Whole time, since I was little, mind was ‘If I get an offer from Texas, I’m going to Texas.'”

Miller was once committed to Texas. But as his high school career progressed, another opportunity emerged—one that was simply too big to ignore.

“I believe it was my junior year, I committed to Texas… did the whole process. OVs, all that,” he said. “Later, I ended up getting an offer from Bama. Everybody was like ‘Bama is a big thing.’ Bama has been great for so many years.”

The decision wasn’t easy. At the time, Texas was coming off a 5-7 season under Steve Sarkisian. Alabama, on the other hand, was contending for another national title under legendary head coach Nick Saban.

“Then I started thinking, ‘Do I want to go to a place where I can start immediately, get on the field and play? Or I can wait behind a few guys, great guys, build my craft, and be coached by the best coach in the world.’ That was a hard decision.”

Miller recalled the moment he decommitted from Texas, a move that stunned those closest to him.

“It was Thanksgiving night,” Miller said. “It was me and my Mom in the car, we were just talking. ‘You’ve got to make a decision now.’ And that night, I remember calling the Texas running back coach and telling him, ‘I’m decommitting from Texas.’ And that broke a lot of family members’ hearts… But I had to make the best decision for me.”

Four years later, Miller is seeing the payoff. In 40 games, he has rushed for 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns. His breakout came in 2024 when he ran for 668 yards and seven scores, despite limited touches in a crowded backfield.

Now, with the lead role up for grabs, Miller is ready to shine.

Texas has had its share of talented running backs over the years, but fans can only wonder what it might have looked like had Miller suited up in burnt orange instead of crimson.

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Texas loses key OL ahead of season

Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Andre Cojoe will miss the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL, according to multiple reports Monday.

The third-year lineman, who hails from Grand Prairie, Texas, was expected to compete for the starting right tackle job this fall. His injury is a major blow to the Longhorns’ offensive line depth as they prepare for their Aug. 30 season opener at Ohio State.

Cojoe did not appear in any games during his freshman season in 2023 but played in four contests in 2024. He is now expected to apply for a medical redshirt in order to retain a year of eligibility.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian recently addressed the right tackle competition between Cojoe and sophomore Brandon Baker.

“I want to see a level of consistency out of those guys at right tackle,” Sarkisian said. “We’re pushing them to get out of their shell, get out of their comfort zone and play a little more nastily.”

The Longhorns lost several starters from last year’s offensive line, including left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., center Jake Majors, left guard Hayden Conner and right tackle Cameron Williams. That has raised questions about the team’s overall depth up front.

Despite the setback, Texas still returns talent in left tackle Trevor Goosby, center Cole Hutson and right guard DJ Campbell.

“I think we are a really gritty O-line,” Goosby said. “That’s kind of what we pride ourselves on.”

Offensive coordinator and line coach Kyle Flood said the team’s offensive tackles are getting valuable reps by facing top edge rushers like Colin Simmons, Trey Moore and Ethan Burke in practice.

“One of the advantages we have is we’re going to play against a really talented edge group in training camp,” Flood said. “So I think these guys are going to get challenged on a day-to-day basis.”

Texas and Ohio State will kick off from Columbus on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT on FOX.

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Finebaum questions whether Gunner Stockton can lead Georgia to national title

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton is stepping into the spotlight this season, but not everyone is convinced he’s ready to lead the Bulldogs back to a national title.

Appearing on his show, SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum said he’s not sold on Stockton as a championship-caliber quarterback.

“My answer is no,” Finebaum said. “I don’t have a lot of faith in Gunner Stockton. The better question is, do I have more faith in Gunner Stockton today than I did in Stetson Bennett four or five years ago? I probably do. So, it’s proven that Georgia, if it has an elite defense and enough complements on offense, can get there.”

Stockton replaces Carson Beck, who transferred to Miami after two years as Georgia’s starter. Beck threw for 7,426 yards, 52 touchdowns and 18 interceptions but never delivered a title. That challenge now falls to Stockton, who has appeared in just five games.

Most of his action came late in the 2024 season, after Beck suffered a season-ending injury. In the SEC Championship Game, Stockton stepped in and helped Georgia defeat Texas in overtime, 22-19. He ran for eight yards to set up Trevor Etienne’s game-winning 4-yard touchdown.

In the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, Stockton started against Notre Dame and completed 20-of-32 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown in a 23-10 loss.

Finebaum made it clear he needs to see more.

Stockton will be one of several new starting quarterbacks in the 2025-2026 college football landscape, including new signal-callers at Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon, and Alabama.

The Bulldogs are still expected to contend in the SEC, but the question remains whether Stockton can elevate Georgia from a playoff team to a national champion.

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ESPN Labels Georgia-Tennessee as pivotal swing game for the upcoming season

When scanning Georgia’s brutal 2025 football schedule—home dates with Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas, plus road trips to Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech—it’s easy to circle several high-stakes matchups. But ESPN’s Mark Schlabach has singled out one game that could quietly swing the Bulldogs’ season: Sept. 13 at Tennessee.

It may not carry the SEC prestige of Alabama or the pageantry of the Florida rivalry, but the road clash against the Volunteers represents a critical turning point early in Georgia’s conference slate.

“It will be a significant road test for starting quarterback Gunner Stockton and the offense playing in one of the most intimidating road environments in the SEC,” Schlabach wrote. He noted that while Georgia has won eight straight against Tennessee—and 13 of the last 15—the Volunteers were a College Football Playoff team last season.

A Crucial Early Test in Knoxville
Georgia enters the season with a young, talented roster led by Stockton, who is stepping into the starting role under massive expectations. Opening with Marshall and Austin Peay should ease him into the job, but Week 3 at Neyland Stadium could be his first true trial by fire.

Kirby Smart is hold a dominant 8-1 against Tennessee since taking over in Athens, the lone loss coming in 2016 on a Hail Mary. Georgia has dominated recent matchups in Knoxville, winning the last four by 24 or more points. But with Alabama looming the following week, Smart and company can’t afford to get caught looking ahead.

Tennessee Reloading After Playoff Push
The Volunteers must replace starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava and leading rusher Dylan Sampson, but their physical run game and defense remain the backbone of Josh Heupel’s program. Heupel understands the significance of this matchup, saying at SEC Media Days, “It will be important for us — that’s Week 3 — that we’re ready to go play at the level we need to against a really good football team.”

Despite Georgia’s recent dominance, Tennessee’s playoff pedigree and hostile home crowd make this a true gut-check moment for a Bulldogs team that needs to establish rhythm before entering an eight-game SEC gauntlet.

Confidence and Momentum at Stake
Beating Tennessee isn’t just about adding another W—it’s about momentum. A win in Knoxville gives Georgia early confidence, especially for Stockton. A loss, however, could immediately put them behind in the SEC race with Alabama waiting in the wings.

In a season loaded with championship expectations and tough opponents, the Week 3 matchup at Rocky Top might just be the one that defines Georgia’s path in the 2025-26 college football season.

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Oregon HC Dan Lanning doubles down headed into season

Dan Lanning isn’t hiding. He’s not spinning. He’s doubling down.

After one of the most painful ends to a season in recent college football memory—a 46-point dismantling at the hands of Ohio State in the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal—Oregon’s head coach is going all in.

“We’re close,” Lanning said at Big Ten Media Days, clearly still believing in the process that built Oregon into the nation’s top-ranked team for much of last season. The loss? Historic and humbling. But for Lanning, it’s not a breaking point. It’s a turning point.

And it has to be.

One Loss, One Identity Crisis
Oregon entered the 2024 postseason as the nation’s No. 1 team. They were dominant, confident, and led by a record-breaking quarterback in Dillon Gabriel. But when the lights came on in Pasadena, everything unraveled. Ohio State struck early—scoring on the third play of the game—and never looked back.

It felt eerily familiar. Lanning’s first game as Oregon head coach in 2022 ended with a blowout loss to eventual champion Georgia. The Rose Bowl collapse brought those ghosts roaring back.

Outcoached. Outplayed. Out of the title race.

But this time, Lanning isn’t running from the result.

“Doubling down is continuing to work your ass off at practice,” he said. “It’s getting necessary sleep. It’s continuing to run when your body says no. That’s who we are.”

A Rebuild That Never Stopped
In just three years, Lanning has stacked 35 wins and turned Oregon into a recruiting powerhouse. They claimed a Big Ten title in their first year in the conference. They beat ranked teams. They built NFL-ready rosters.

Still, the Rose Bowl loss exposed something raw: a program still one rung away from true elite status. Lanning’s response? Expand leadership. Harden resolve. Protect the core.

He avoided major portal losses. He brought in key additions like offensive tackles Isaiah World and Alex Harkey, and dynamic running back Makhi Hughes. He expanded a leadership retreat from a small group to 35 players.

“Great teams are led by coaches,” he said. “But the best teams are led by players.”

The Quarterback Question
Replacing Dillon Gabriel’s 63 career starts isn’t easy. But the Ducks are betting on talent—and upside—with sophomore Dante Moore. He’s raw, with just five career starts, but the tools are there.

And with one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country and elite skill players around him, Moore won’t be asked to carry the team—but he’ll need to grow fast.

Pain as Fuel
Senior linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who passed on pro baseball to return to Oregon, hasn’t forgotten that New Year’s Day collapse.

“It drives you,” he said. “It’s hard to explain how it ended. But that’s not something you ever forget.”

This team won’t forget. But they won’t be defined by it, either.

The Road Ahead: No Excuses
The Ducks will be tested immediately. Trips to Penn State and Piscataway will challenge their focus and resilience. The pressure will mount again. The ghosts of Pasadena will linger until proven otherwise.

But Lanning has no interest in nostalgia or regret. His message is clear: don’t run from failure—build on it.

“What happened last year has nothing to do with the future,” he said.

And just like that, Oregon is back on the clock.

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2025 Big Ten Football Rankings: Penn State, OSU lead charge into preseason

Penn State lands atop the 2025 Big Ten football rankings, boasting an edge in experience at quarterback, upgraded skill talent, and what may be the best offensive line of the James Franklin era. The defense looks strong enough to finish among the nation’s elite once again.

Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan round out the top four, each with national title potential depending on how young quarterbacks perform. In total, as many as six or seven Big Ten teams could push for a College Football Playoff spot by the end of the season.

Here’s how the full conference shapes up heading into preseason camp:

1. Penn State
Former Syracuse wideout Trebor Pena (84 receptions, 941 yards in 2024) could be one of the conference’s most impactful additions. With Drew Allar returning at quarterback and running backs Kaytron Allen (1,108 yards) and Nick Singleton (1,099 yards) anchoring the offense, Penn State is loaded. Pena’s 16 third-down conversions on 21 attempts last season will help offset the loss of tight end Ty Warren.

2. Ohio State
Julian Sayin’s emergence at quarterback is big, but more pressing is the overhaul on defense. Only three starters return, although All-American safety Caleb Downs remains. Former Patriots coordinator Matt Patricia brings an NFL background to the college game for the first time since the early 2000s.

3. Oregon
Dante Moore isn’t new to starting—he logged starts at UCLA in 2023—but now he takes over a Ducks offense designed for explosion. After a bumpy freshman year, he’ll benefit from greater familiarity with the scheme and improved talent around him.

4. Michigan
The defense is strong, especially at linebacker and in the secondary. While true freshman Bryce Underwood is the favorite to win the QB1 job, don’t count out Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, who played for new OC Chip Lindsey at UCF. Michigan’s special teams should be among the nation’s best.

5. Illinois
With one of the most experienced rosters in the Power Four, Illinois plays a physical, grind-it-out style that led to a 6–1 record in games decided by 10 points or fewer. A 10-win season and potential playoff spot aren’t out of reach.

6. Nebraska
Matt Rhule’s third season could be the breakout. Dylan Raiola looks ready to make a leap, and new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen brings creativity. The trenches will ultimately decide how far this team goes.

7. Iowa
Over the past two seasons, Iowa’s quarterbacks have totaled 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. New arrival Mark Gronowski from South Dakota State brings experience and dual-threat upside to an otherwise solid roster.

8. USC
USC was 0-6 when allowing 24 or more points last year. That stat must flip if the Trojans are to contend. The defense finished 16th in the Big Ten in yards per play and has to make major strides.

9. Indiana
Kaelon Black (251 yards) takes over the lead back role, while transfers Lee Beebe Jr. (884 yards) and Roman Hemby (607 yards) bolster the backfield. Hemby’s 40 catches for Maryland in 2024 make him a valuable dual threat.

10. Washington
Jedd Fisch enters Year 2 with increased depth after mass departures post-Kalen DeBoer. Key transfers like Arizona’s Tacario Davis and Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei bring immediate help to the defense.

11. Minnesota
The Gophers hit the portal hard at wideout after losing most of last year’s production. Drake Lindsey will work with Miami (OH)’s Javon Tracy, UCLA’s Logan Loya, and former Nebraska five-star Malachi Coleman.

12. Wisconsin
After missing a bowl for the first time since 2001, Luke Fickell needs a bounce-back year. But with games against Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, and Ohio State, even reaching eight wins will be difficult.

13. UCLA
Nico Iamaleava changes the ceiling for Deshaun Foster’s team. But a shaky offensive line and brutal Big Ten schedule—including games vs. Penn State, Ohio State, Nebraska, and USC—leave little room for mistakes.

14. Rutgers
Greg Schiano has led Rutgers to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in over a decade. But the Scarlet Knights face a brutal schedule that includes Oregon, Penn State, and Ohio State.

15. Michigan State
Aidan Chiles has the talent but struggled with consistency. If the Spartans avoid injuries and get solid play from a strong transfer class, they could reach seven wins.

16. Northwestern
If SMU transfer QB Preston Stone can steady the passing game, the Wildcats may flirt with bowl eligibility. Their strength lies in a deep backfield and solid defensive front.

17. Maryland
True freshman Malik Washington is likely the future at quarterback, but the Terps may suffer growing pains. The roster is thin, and the defense could be the Big Ten’s worst.

18. Purdue
Barry Odom worked wonders at UNLV, but 2025 might be a full rebuild at Purdue. With a depleted roster and little returning firepower, wins could be hard to come by in Year 1.

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