Big 12 Commissioner Brian Yormark came out swinging at the conference’s media day on Tuesday.

During his introductory press conference at The Star in Frisco, Texas, Yormark shared some strong opinions about the Big 12 heading into the 2025 football season.

“I believe the Big 12 will be the deepest football conference in America,” Yormark said. “No league offers the competitive balance that we do. Last season the Big 12 led the nation in fourth quarter lead changes and go-ahead scores in the final minute of conference games.”

Yormark also highlighted the Big 12’s star power entering the 2025 season, especially at the quarterback position.

“The Big 12 returns nine starting quarterbacks who threw for over 2,400 yards last season,” Yormark said. “The rest of the power-four combined have just 11.”

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht and TCU quarterback Josh Hoover headline the Big 12 as key returners to their respective teams.

Leavitt — who led Arizona State to a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff appearance last year — totaled 3,328 offensive yards and 29 touchdowns. Leavitt was already named the conference’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year on Monday.

In addition, Becht is coming off a junior season in which he eclipsed 3,823 yards and 33 touchdowns for the Cyclones, followed by Hoover, who garnered 3,930 yards of offense and 31 touchdowns for the Horned Frogs.

In Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah’s debut season in the conference — and the Big 12’s first season with 16 teams — Arizona State, Colorado, Iowa State and BYU each finished with a 7–2 conference record.

Even with the overall success, the Big 12’s only team in the College Football Playoff was Arizona State, which had an automatic bid from its conference championship win.

Despite the Sun Devils’ double overtime loss to Texas in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Yormark is confident this season’s playoffs will feature more teams from the Big 12.

“I expect the Big 12 to earn multiple College Football Playoff bids this year,” Yormark asserted.

On top of the returning talent and star power, Yormark pointed to the conference’s coaches who will help push the Big 12 to new heights.

“We also boast one of the nation’s top coaching lineups, from Hall of Famers to rising stars,” he said.

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Summer is underway, and each passing day gets us closer and closer to the start of the college football season. June has prospective recruits visiting college campuses, July will have The Big Ten Media Days, and then August will have stories and news trickling out from teams about their respective depth charts are shaping up for the 2025 season.

While every team within The Big Ten has its share of non-conference opponents throughout the season, with most games falling in the first weeks of the season, the conference match-ups will start to materialize before the end of September. While not serving as elimination games, getting off to a good start within the conference can only help in the race for one of the coveted College Football Playoff berths.

September 20th: Michigan at Nebraska (3:30pm ET kickoff, CBS); Illinois at Indiana (Kickoff and network TBA)

Nebraska won the first two games versus Michigan as B1G opponents back in 2012 (Nebraska 23, Michigan 9) and 2013 (Nebraska 17, Michigan 13), but the Wolverines have been on the winning side of the ledger the last four times the teams have played, with Michigan decisively beating Nebraska 45-7 in Lincoln in 2023. For a program that earned its first bowl game visit since the 2016 season, this could be a barometer game for Matt Rhule and his coaching staff in seeing how far the Cornhuskers have come, and possibly how much further they may need to go to ascend to the level of the perceived conference elite.

Last season, the Indiana Hoosiers were the surprise team of The Big Ten, under their first year of coaching by Curt Cignetti. While Illinois had a tremendous 10-3 season under Bret Bielema in 2024, this game at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington could provide some clues as to how much either team will factor into the conference championship race.

September 27th: Ohio State at Washington/USC at Illinois (Kickoffs and networks TBA); Oregon at Penn State (7:30pm ET kickoff, NBC/Peacock)

Both Ohio State and Washington will begin their Big Ten conference schedules in this contest at Husky Stadium. This will be their first meeting as conference opponents, as Ohio State last visited Husky Stadium in 2007 (Ohio State 33, Washington 14) when Washington was still a member of The Pac-12. As Jedd Fisch begins his second year at the helm for Washington, this game against the defending national champions will be scrutinized to see how the program is developing. Ohio State will begin conference play in their first road trip of the 2025 season.

USC will be making their first trip to Champaign as a member of The Big Ten, as the Trojans easily handled Illinois 55-3 as a Pac-12 member back in 1996. USC will have already played at Purdue (September 13th, 3:30pm ET CBS/Paramount) and Michigan State (September 20th). It will be interesting to see how Illinois plays after the aforementioned game at Indiana on September 20th.

The most anticipated game of The Big Ten season in September is the night game featuring Oregon at Penn State. A rematch of last season’s Big Ten Championship Game, the Penn State faithful are understandably excited about a “White Out” contest against one of the premier Big Ten teams, and it will be interesting to see how Oregon handles what promises to be a raucous environment when the game kicks off. This will be the first time Oregon has played at State College since October 3, 1964, when the Ducks defeated the Nittany Lions, 22-14.

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According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, former Nebraska and Washington running back/wide receiver Will Nixon will join Syracuse before the 2024 season. Nixon has almost 30 games under his belt across four seasons in college football.

The Waco, Texas, native will have the opportunity to play for his father Jeff Nixon, who was named next offensive coordinator of the Orange in January and has built over 27 years of coaching experience across both college football and the NFL.

READ: NCAA, Power 5 announce settlement agreement, plan to pay student-athletes

Will Nixon ran for 201 rushing yards last season and scored a touchdown in his second year with the Huskies. While Washington advanced to its first College Football Playoff National Championship appearance, Will Nixon played an important role as the team’s second-leading rusher.

The 5-foot-11, 202-pound running back also is a threat in the backfield having averaged more than six yards per carry and catch in 2023. Will Nixon posted career highs in many categories, though in the receiving game he caught 84 yards along with 13 receptions.

Will Nixon was sidelined the first year of his college career at Nebraska after suffering a torn ACL in summer 2020.

READ: College Football Playoff, TNT Sports reach 5-year sublicensing agreement; TNT Sports to begin broadcasting 2 first-round games in 2024

The rising fifth-year is also accomplished in the classroom. Will Nixon earned a spot on the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team and won Washington’s 101 Club Academic Award in the postseason.

Will Nixon was a three-star recruit according to Rivals playing at Midway High School in Texas. He earned district MVP after totaling 2,087 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns as a senior.

Syracuse is heading a new direction with former Georgia secondary coach Fran Brown as head coach and incoming quarterback transfer Kyle McCord from Ohio State. Will Nixon will join the Orange and junior running back LeQuint Allen, who led Syracuse with 1,118 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last season.

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Beginning with the 2024-25 seasons, TNT Sports will broadcast two first-round games, according to a release. TNT Sports will air two quarterfinal games additionally in 2026-28 through the agreement.

Additional details about programming plans for the College Football Playoff “will be announced at a later date,” according to a release.

“It is exciting to add TNT Sports, another highly respected broadcaster, to the College Football Playoff family,” Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Bill Hancock stated in a release. “Sports fans across the country are intimately familiar with their work across a wide variety of sports properties over the past two decades, and we look forward to seeing what new and innovative ideas they bring to the promotion and delivery of these games.”

READ: Reports: Big Ten Conference made $880 million in revenue during 2023

READ: Penn State Board of Trustees approves Beaver Stadium renovation before 2027 season

According to a release, TNT Sports will be “the primary network” televising its select games, and it will also distribute coverage among its additional platforms.

The playoff field expanded from its original four teams to 12 for the first time since it was implemented before the 2014 season.

What’s different under the new format include a range of changes. Notably, the entire first round will be played on-campus while the four highest-ranking conference champions will make up the first four seeds and receive byes in the opening round.

“We’re delighted to reach this agreement with ESPN, providing TNT Sports the opportunity to showcase these College Football Playoff games on our platforms for years to come,” TNT Sports Chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser stated in a release. “TNT Sports aims to delight fans and drive maximum reach and engagement for these marquee games.”

The first round of the expanded playoff is scheduled for Dec. 20-21, then the quarterfinals will take place at familiar New Year’s Six locations, including the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, before the semifinals at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9, 2025, and Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10, 2025, all leading up to the national championship in Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025.

READ: Colorado announces season-ticket sellout for 2nd-straight season

It’s been a historic offseason for the College Football Playoff. It and ESPN agreed to a new media rights deal in March that will keep the playoff on the network through 2031.

The College Football Playoff also signed a six-year contract establishing a revenue distribution plan. That solidified the 12-team format through at least 2026, and the possibility of more teams joining the field could be a reality come that season.

ESPN “will also continue to manage the sponsorship program for the presentation of the CFP,” according to a release.

“ESPN is pleased to sublicense to TNT Sports a select number of early round games of the College Football Playoff, an event we’ve helped to grow – alongside the CFP – into one of the preeminent championships,” ESPN executive vice president of programming & acquisitions Rosalyn Durant stated in a release. “We’re confident in the reach and promotion that this new agreement will provide as we enter the new, expanded playoff era.”

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Penn State announced Tuesday that the Board of Trustees approved investments in renovating Beaver Stadium, allowing year-round use of the stadium. The board held a vote that resulted in a 26-2 outcome with three abstaining.

According to a release, the total cost is no more than $700 million and will be financed and paid for “entirely” by Intercollegiate Athletics. It will be completed before the 2027 season.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to share there is overwhelming support for the University’s recommendation to renovate Beaver Stadium,” Penn State Board of Trustees Chair Matt Schuyler stated in a release. “I’m pleased that the renovation will benefit our student-athletes, elevate Beaver Stadium’s significance in driving local and state economies, and ensure Beaver Stadium remains a premier facility in all of college athletics.”

READ: Colorado announces season-ticket sellout for 2nd-straight season

READ: Former UNLV DB Ricky Johnson transfers to Michigan

Through 2027, the renovations are expected to “grow revenue-generating opportunities, transform the fan and community experience, and fuel the future funding for all 31 athletics programs at Penn State.”

The renovations include “three distinct phases” over the next three offseasons and “will offer a new mix of seating options and improved amenities, such as restrooms and concessions.”

According to a release, the entirety of Beaver Stadium’s renovations “will be paid for through fundraising, concessions, naming opportunities, sponsorships and ticket sales, including new premium seating options to be added during the renovation.”

The initial $70 million expenditure for the stadium renovation was approved in January, and early construction has prioritized safety and accessibility through the widening of select concourses and installation of new escalators among other plans. Penn State plans to winterize Beaver Stadium, entailing “the insulation of pipes and other upgrades to allow the building to be occupied when temperatures are below freezing.” Additional steps “will continue leading up to the 2024 college football season.”

The Nittany Lions’ renovation of Beaver Stadium will allow it to host a potential College Football Playoff game as soon as this fall when the playoff field expands to 12 teams and provides the teams seeded Nos. 5-8 the opportunity to open the first round at home.

“With home football games averaging $16.2 million in tourism and economic growth in our region, the potential return on investing in a premiere football stadium is significant,” Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Patrick Kraft stated in a release. “Beyond the increased ability to host major events year-round as we winterize the stadium and build inventory, the experience for our fans will be greatly enhanced while providing the facilities our football program needs to continue competing at the highest level. I am grateful for the support of President (Neeli) Bendapudi and Penn State’s Board of Trustees in making this investment for the future of our university community and athletics programs.”

READ: Reports: Auburn’s Brian Battie injured during shooting in Sarasota on Saturday

Plans for a new welcome center “will include a 21,000-square-foot facility for events and many other uses, serve as a connection point for all in the community, and augment enrollment efforts for prospective students and future student-athletes.”

Beaver Stadium renovation plans are designed “with a high standard for energy efficiency, construction and eventual operation of the renovated stadium” and committed “to achieving LEED certification,” according to a release.

Penn State also has a “Beaver Stadium Revitalization” website with more information.

“Many recognize Beaver Stadium as the best stadium in college football, and we want to preserve the atmosphere that our fans, alumni and community have come to expect while building on this history of excellence for generations to come,” Bendapudi stated in a release. “The renovations will have a wide variety of positive impacts on our community, help us remain a national leader by attracting top student-athletes, and continue serving as a symbol for belonging and pride for students across the Commonwealth.”

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Set to launch worldwide on July 19, a full reveal of the modes and features of EA Sports College Football 25 was announced on Friday.

Dynasty and Road To Glory modes will be available in College Football 25, according to a release. Those two modes will allow players “to construct their own powerhouse program as a created coach or vie for the Heisman as a player” in what the video game introduces as CampusIQ, which will be “a suite of features that brings to life the true depth of college football through wide open, fast-paced gameplay across all 134 FBS schools in all areas of the game.”

READ: ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery introduce Venu Sports streaming service

Over 10,000 players have opted into College Football 25, it was announced in March. Any student-athlete who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used will receive $600 and a copy of the video game.

College Football 25 will also offer “the all-new Road to the College Football Playoff and College Football Ultimate Team” that will “bring fresh online experiences and ways to play.”

“EA SPORTS College Football is BACK! We’ve felt the passion and anticipation of college football fans every step of the way since we first announced this game, and we’re ecstatic to finally be able to show everyone what we’ve been building,” EA Sports SVP and Group GM Daryl Holt stated in a release. “College Football 25 is built with authenticity at its core, inspired by experiences our fans have loved from our games, and fully evolved to reflect modern college football – all of which will immerse them in the sights, sounds, and true-to-life gameplay of the sport they love.”

READ: Northwestern announces 2024 schedule, will play 2 games at Wrigley Field

READ: ABC, ESPN unveil Weeks 0-1 broadcast schedule

EA Sports unveiled the cover of College Football 25 on Thursday, showcasing Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter. They will star on the covers of the Standard and Deluxe editions.

“Donovan, Quinn and Travis are extraordinary talents who impressed and entertained millions of college football fans on the field last season and are poised to do so again this year,” Holt stated in a release. “We’re proud to be able to incorporate thousands of current athletes in College Football 25, and featuring this trio of playmakers and their iconic college programs on the cover is a perfect fit as we usher in a new era for EA SPORTS and college football. I can’t wait for the world to learn more about the game tomorrow.”

ESPN broadcasters such as Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will “call marquee matchups,” along with other broadcast teams such as Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and David Pollack will comprise the virtual booth and “take the mic for all other games.”

Among the gameplay features include Homefield Advantage, which will allow players to “through distractions like screen shaking, missing pre-play icons, and moving play art.” Additional features consist of Pre-Snap Recognition and the Wear & Tear System, which means virtual player stamina is affected by more play so it will be important to “manage your players’ health, limit fatigue, assess risk of injury, and avoid on-field mistakes by using strategic substitutions to ensure your players are at their best when it counts the most.”

The traditions within college football that make it one of a kind will be immersed in College Football 25. Along with team mascots and fight songs, the video game will include “unique team run-outs, rivalry rituals, synchronized crowd-chants, loudness meters as well as real game-day audio.”

READ: Colorado-Nebraska primetime kickoff announced for Week 2 matchup on NBC

Dynasty and Road To Glory modes are also offered in the video game alongside Road to the College Football Playoff, where players will “experience a new way to play competitively across consoles” and “earn rank by upsetting the toughest opponents and securing the votes you need to progress and level up divisions,” as well as College Football Ultimate Team.

College Football Ultimate Team will allow players to “build your dream team of college football stars and legends” in Solo Challenges or H2H seasons, and they can test their skill across consoles “in more competitive formats like College Football Ultimate Team Champs and Champs Gauntlet.”

EA Sports College Football 25 is available for pre-order now. According to Matt Brown of Extra Points, the video game will not be available for PC at launch. EA Sports is also offering an MVP bundle on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S that will include deluxe editions of College Football 25 and Madden NFL 25 “with 3-day early access and unlocks a multitude of benefits across both titles.”

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CEO Pete Distad, who has previous experience at Apple and Hulu, announced Thursday that the name of the platform will be Venu Sports.

READ: Northwestern announces 2024 schedule, will play 2 games at Wrigley Field

The collaborative relationship “will bring together the companies’ portfolios of sports networks and certain direct to consumer services in a compelling new streaming sports service to allow underserved fans to get the most out of every game,” according to a release. The platform will include content from all major professional sports leagues and college sports.

Customers who purchase subscriptions can access Venu Sports directly “via a new app,” and subscribers “would also have the ability to bundle the product, including with Disney+, Hulu or Max.”

“We are excited to officially introduce Venu Sports, a brand that we feel captures the spirit of an all-new streaming home where sports fans outside of the traditional pay TV eco-system can experience an incredible collection of live sports, all in one place,” Distad stated in a release. “As preparations for the platform continue to accelerate, we are singularly focused on delivering a best-in-class product for our target audience, built from the ground up using the latest technologies to engage and entertain discerning sports fans wanting one-stop access to live games.”

READ: ABC, ESPN unveil Weeks 0-1 broadcast schedule

READ: Colorado-Nebraska primetime kickoff announced for Week 2 matchup on NBC

FOX, The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery will have equal ownership shares in Venu Sports, according to Stephen Battaglio of the Los Angeles Times.

The formation and launch of Venu Sports “is subject to regulatory approval and the finalization of definitive agreements amongst the parties,” according to a release.

Venu Sports aims to provide a way for viewers to access “an extensive, dynamic lineup of sports content to serve sports fans, particularly those outside of the traditional pay TV bundle,” according to a release. It targets a younger audience and individuals who aren’t subscribed to major or traditional television streaming services.

According to Joe Reedy of The Associated Press, FuboTV filed an antitrust lawsuit against ESPN, FOX, Warner Bros. Discovery and Hulu in February. FuboTV seeks cash damages and to prevent Venu Sports, or have restrictions imposed on the joint service to ensure competition within the market.

ESPN and the College Football Playoff reached an agreement on a new media rights deal in March keeping the Playoff on the network through 2031.

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The Arizona Cardinals selected two first team all-conference standouts with their first round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Their first choice came No. 4 overall when choosing Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner became the Buckeyes’ fourth receiver to hear his name called in the first round in the past three drafts.

READ: Drake Maye believes he can ‘fit right in’ New England after No. 3 overall draft pick

Harrison will team up with former Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson, who ended his Tigers career with a 14-3 Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State last season. Robinson reportedly wore his Cotton Bowl ring at their introductory press conference, and he said he and Harrison talked about it.

“I was telling Marvin we was glad he didn’t play,” Robinson said. “I mean, the whole week leading up, you see Ohio State, everybody say, ‘OK. Marvin Harrison,’ and then we was like, ‘Is he going to play? Is he going to play?’ He didn’t play, so you know, we lucked out, so.”

READ: Former Oregon State, Nebraska coach Mike Riley appointed to CFP Selection Committee

READ: Georgia approves new contract for Kirby Smart; Smart becomes college football’s highest paid coach

Harrison has long heard conversations about following in the footsteps of his father Marvin Harrison Sr. who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame spending 13 years with the Indianapolis Colts.

Marvin Harrison Jr. became the most decorated wide receiver in Ohio State history after joining Terry Glenn in 1995 as the only Buckeyes to win college football’s top award for a receiver, and the new NFL rookie also is the only two-time All-American receiver in school history.

Marvin Harrison Jr. has embraced the pressure on the biggest stages, like the College Football Playoff. Now at football’s highest level, he’s comfortable with working his way up.

“I mean, yeah, I have high standards for myself,” Marvin Harrison Jr. said. “But I’m just going to go in there and try to work the best I can. I just want to help the team win really, so. And whatever role I play come September I’m going to just do my best and do that role.”

Marvin Harrison Jr. said it’s “awesome” reuniting with former Buckeyes offensive tackle teammate Paris Johnson Jr., who the Cardinals selected No. 6 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former All-American wide receiver said it’s “kind of like two years in the making” as the two discussed the possibility of playing pro football together while at Ohio State.

“Hopefully when I score some touchdowns he raises me up in his arms like he used to do in college, so super excited to play with him,” Marvin Harrison Jr. said. “I mean, not only is he going to be a great teammate, but a great friend to have as well.”

READ: MAC Offensive Player of the Year Peny Boone to transfer to UCF

About he and his father’s reaction to April’s draft, Marvin Harrison Jr. said “I don’t think it’s hit both of us yet” that he was chosen No. 4 overall. He said there’s “no better role model, coach, mentor you could have” than his father when he grew up going down a similar path on the gridiron.

Arizona expects Marvin Harrison Jr. to be the team’s top receiver, and he expects to connect with former Oklahoma Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Kyler Murray. Marvin Harrison Jr., who was a Heisman finalist last season after catching 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns, said his work ethic that’s led him to the NFL will remain an integral part of his routine that could help him wind up in Canton.

“It’s just being a pro,” Marvin Harrison Jr. said. “It’s kind how I was raised and grew up to do, and I keep the same mindset, same attitude that I’ve had throughout my whole career, once I get here. Continue to work hard, be consistent and disciplined in all that I do, so looking forward to putting in the work.”

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Mike Riley, who was the head coach at Oregon State from 1997-98 and 2003-14 and Nebraska from 2015-17, will now be part of the 13-member selection committee. Riley will replace Washington athletics director Pat Chun who was named to his new position in March and recently stepped down, according to a release.

READ: Georgia approves new contract for Kirby Smart; Smart becomes college football’s highest paid coach

“We are pleased to have Mike join the committee,” Executive Director of the CFP Bill Hancock stated in a release. “He has significant experience as a player and coach, and he loves college football. He will bring a unique perspective to the committee. Plus, he is a delightful human being.”

READ: MAC Offensive Player of the Year Peny Boone to transfer to UCF

READ: Jayden Daniels realizes draft dream after No. 2 overall selection by Washington Commanders

Riley has more than 48 years of college and professional coaching experience, and he’s been head coach in five different professional leagues including the NFL, Canadian Football League, World League of American Football, Alliance of American Football and the United States Football League.

Riley spent time as an assistant coach at USC before landing his first head coaching gig at Oregon State. Following three years as head coach of the San Diego Chargers, he returned to Oregon State where he collected school records of 93 career wins in 14 total seasons as head coach.

Riley most recently was head coach of the New Jersey Generals in the USFL from 2022-23.

Riley is an Alabama alum where he played defensive back. He was part of the Crimson Tide’s 1973 national championship team under head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

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On Tuesday the Georgia Athletics Board announced it approved a contract extension for Smart making him “the highest paid coach in college football” after increasing his salary to $13 million a year. It will keep Smart with the Bulldogs two additional years through 2033.

READ: MAC Offensive Player of the Year Peny Boone to transfer to UCF

“I want to thank President (Jere W.) Morehead, Josh Brooks and the Board of Directors for extending my contract at the University of Georgia,” Smart stated in a release. “I continue to be grateful and humbled by our administration’s commitment to our football program. The current culture in collegiate athletics is everchanging and as challenging as it has ever been, so I truly appreciate the leadership that our team is continually provided. I have an immense pride for representing my alma mater and look forward to that relationship continuing for many years to come.”

According to a release, Smart will receive “an average increase of $1.75 million annually,” and “his maximum amount of bonuses per year will go from $1.3 million to $1.55 million” based on the new 12-team College Football Playoff format.

According to Chris Low of ESPN, Smart’s extension is part of a 10-year, $130 million contract. Smart’s salary increases from $10.75 million.

READ: Jayden Daniels realizes draft dream after No. 2 overall selection by Washington Commanders

Smart now holds the title of top paid coach in college football, and he just might be considered the most decorated coach in the sport.

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban retired this offseason, meaning Smart is the Southeastern Conference’s winningest coach with a 94-16 record. Smart led Georgia to back-to-back CFP National Championships in 2021-22, becoming the first team to do so since the Crimson Tide in 2011-12.

Smart and the Bulldogs just missed returning to the CFP last season for a chance at a three-peat defending their national titles. They went 13-1 in 2023 falling to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and sliding to No. 6 in the CFP rankings before beating No. 5 Florida State 63-3 in the Orange Bowl.

Smart’s senior class last year departed the program with a 50-4 career record, which set a new school record.

READ: Entire UAB football team signs up for Athletes.org

The Georgia Athletics Board also announced it approved a one-year extension for Brooks, the school’s athletics director. Morehead stated Brooks “has done a terrific job” and “positioned UGA Athletics to thrive in a rapidly changing college sports landscape.”

Brooks will see his salary increase to $1,275,000, and he’ll remain at Georgia through 2030 according to a release.

“I am extremely grateful for the trust placed in me by President Morehead and the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors,” Brooks stated in a release. “Serving in this role and working alongside our outstanding student-athletes, coaches and staff is truly the privilege of a lifetime. I also want to thank President Morehead and the Board of Directors for Coach Smart’s well-deserved contract extension. His success in the first eight years leading our football program is unmatched, and his generosity and leadership as part of our university community has made a lasting impact.”

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Caleb Williams had a historic draft night on Thursday.

After the Chicago Bears chose the former USC Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback No. 1 overall, many Williams jerseys sold quickly at Fanatics — so much so that it broke a draft night record.

READ: First Round Live Reaction: 2024 NFL Draft

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Williams “broke the Fanatics record for draft night merchandise sales for any draft pick in any sport, beating the previous record set last week by Caitlin Clark.”

Williams pointed to that record when asked about processing all of the events transpiring in the past 24 hours for him.

“I ended up — reposted it saying, ‘Well I guess that’s Chicago for you,’” Williams said. “So that’s probably my answer to that is all the love and support. It’s strong. I’ve heard about it, and so to get it, to get some of that love and support, that early is really awesome, really exciting.”

READ: Heisman Trophy Trust reinstates Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman

READ: ‘Adversity teaches a man a lot about himself’: Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. pens letter to NFL GMs in Players Tribune

It wasn’t a surprise that Williams went first in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Bears. While he collected All-Pac 12 Conference Honorable Mention passing for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns, Williams said he “watched the Bears a little bit more than I ever have” last year.

“The anticipation part I’ve been waiting on,” Williams said. “I’ve been waiting for that day — yesterday — and now that it came true I’m excited. But I got a couple other goals to hit over the next few years so I’m excited.”

A long list of goals is likely for Williams, who shouldn’t have trouble getting to work in Chicago.

Williams showed he could pick up quickly in a new environment during his college career. He arrived at Oklahoma in 2021 earning the starting reins midseason before transferring with head coach Lincoln Riley to USC in 2022. The Washington, D.C. native won the Heisman that season throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns to five interceptions.

READ: Florida State’s Braden Fiske motivated by ‘huge impact’ leading up to NFL Draft

At USC Williams took the Trojans to the Pac-12 championship game and helped them reach as high as No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings as a sophomore in 2022.

Williams knows the expectations will be different in the NFL. He’s been preparing for that workload, and he already has his focus set.

“Just do my job,” Williams said. “I’m always going to have scrutiny. I mean, I do things like — I paint my nails. I’m always going to have scrutiny over that. I wear funky clothes and things like that, so you know, just do my job on the football field. Win games. I think you win a bunch of games here, you’ll make a lot of people, a majority, happy.”

USC became the record holder with six No. 1 draft picks after Williams’ selection. He joined Ron Yary in 1968, O.J. Simpson in 1969, Ricky Bell in 1977, Keyshawn Johnson in 1996 and Carson Palmer in 2003.

READ: Malik Nabers showcases ‘dog mentality’ at LSU’s Pro Day

Williams carried an intelligent approach throughout the lead up to the draft. He’s handled a strong work ethic proven to win games and hardware, and that’s something Williams hopes to continue to do, only this time in the NFL.

Williams said “it’s been a journey” navigating the draft process and becoming accustomed to the Bears. He also said he’ll start learning the playbook next week and he’s “excited” to get deeper into the X’s and O’s. The former All-American departs college football leaving a legacy at the quarterback position.

“It’s a team sport. That’s why I love the sport so much,” Williams said. “But you know, my reason to go out there is to win games. My reason why I play is to win games and championships, and so I want to be a big portion of it. I want to go out there. I want to have fun. I want to enjoy. I want to do it with my teammates, and so what better place to do it than the Chicago Bears?”

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The 2024 NFL Draft will begin Thursday at 8 p.m., and the former Washington quarterback is among plenty of quarterback hopefuls who will hear their name called. Penix is coming off a season during which he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, led the Huskies to the Pac-12 Conference Championship after a perfect regular season and advanced all the way to the national championship in the program’s second College Football Playoff appearance.

READ: Michael Penix Jr. set out to ‘write my own narrative’ at Washington Pro Day

Penix wrote a letter to NFL general managers that published Monday in The Players’ Tribune. He addresses immediately the question about his four season-ending injuries in four seasons including two ACL tears, and later in the letter he states he’d “be more worried if I had never been injured.”

Penix emphasized an important lesson he’s learned in the pre-draft process in that “there’s more to it than the All-22” football film.

READ: Penix displays ‘the heart’ and ‘the guts’ during No. 7 Washington’s 36-33 win over No. 8 Oregon

The Dade City, Florida, native recalled playing tackle football on concrete in 95-degree heat growing up, stating, “You find out quick if you’re built for this game or not.”

Penix’s college career began at Indiana in 2018, somewhere he didn’t expect to go as he stated “Two weeks before signing day I was told by the team I was committed to for two years that I no longer had a scholarship.” After one torn ACL Penix helped the Hoosiers rise to No. 7 in the Associated Press Top-25 poll in 2020, though he retore his ACL in the second-to-last game of the regular season that year.

Penix shouted out in his letter former Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, who was his head coach at Washington and later took the Alabama opening after Nick Saban’s retirement. Penix credited DeBoer for seeing “something in me that the rest of the college football world didn’t,” and he stated they “left our imprint” on Washington.

“Today I look at Coach Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb and Nick Sheridan,” Penix stated. “The ones that had to make the same decision that you’ll be faced with on draft day. They put their belief in me, and I did everything I could to pay it back to them. I look at the guys on the team that I talked into staying at Washington, who trusted that I was going to elevate them. Now seeing Troy Fautanu, Roger Rosengarten, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jack Westover, Rome Odunze, Devin Culp, Jalen McMillan, and Dillon Johnson all on the cusp of realizing their dream…. That is what brings me joy. As a QB, my job is to be an elevator. I need to uplift all those around me so that they too can be at their best. So just know if you put that same belief in me, history shows I hold up my end of the bargain.”

READ: Steve Sarkisian says Longhorns had to ‘recreate ourselves this spring’ after Orange-White Game

According to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 150 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class on NFL.com, Penix is ranked No. 35 among the class of players.

In 2023, Penix led college football with 4,903 passing yards, nearly 400 more than the next closest passer. He threw for a career-high 36 touchdowns and averaged almost 327 passing yards per game.

Penix collected the 2023 Maxwell Award and made many All-America second teams after last season. In his career, Penix passed for more than 13,500 yards and 95 touchdowns in over 45 games. He has three-plus seasons of starting experience under his belt.

In a quarterback class containing two Heisman winners and several conference champions, Penix will have competition for a top draft spot. But Penix’s story is unique, and he’s stood tall through it all.

One team will select Penix in the draft later this week, and the experienced, veteran quarterback will begin his professional career seeking to make a similar impact he’s made throughout his football career — beat adversity.

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