Few quarterbacks in the SEC are coming into 2025 with starting experience.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning is the betting favorite to win the Heisman; however, he only has two career starts under his belt.

But LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is entering the 2025 season having played in 31 career games, including starting all 13 games for the Tigers in 2023.

At SEC Media Days, LSU head coach Brian Kelly’s comments about his starting quarterback shouldn’t go unnoticed as the fifth-year senior aims to win the 2026 National Championship.

It’s no secret that LSU has a track record of sending elite quarterback talent to the NFL. Joe Burrow has been a top quarterback in the league for years, and most recently, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was the NFL Rookie of the Year and took the league by storm in 2024.

In 2024 — his first full season as the starting quarterback — Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Now, Kelly is confident that his quarterback will take a similar leap to what Daniels made in his second season.

“Garrett Nussmeier will have a similar jump. It’s because you go on the road and it’s sold out, you play teams that are so well-coached and so balanced and have great players that you have no choice but to learn, develop, and get better, or you’re going to be left by the side,” Kelly said.

“So that’s why I’m so confident that experience in this league at the quarterback position is the most important thing. Could you come in and play as freshmen? Absolutely. But there will be those moments where you look like a freshman. You look like a first-year player. Garrett will tell that you. And he wasn’t a true freshman. He had seen it, been there.”

Despite having the second-best odds of winning the Heisman Trophy in 2025, Kelly said winning the award is not Nussemeier’s goal.

“All of our conversations with him aren’t about individual goals, they’re about how do I lead this football team to a championship,” Kelly said. “All we’ve seen is him leading, him being selfless. His selflessness is going to be the differentiator from last year to this year, as well as the experience he had playing against really good SEC teams.”

Kelly also highlighted Nussemeier’s mentality and willingness to learn and improve as a player as one of the reasons he believes his quarterback has what it takes to win in the SEC.

“Every day he comes to workouts, every day I come to practice, he’s looking for areas to improve on. I would tell you that experience is going to be his best teacher in the SEC. Having played a year in the SEC and seeing what needs to happen on a consistent basis is most important,” Kelly said.

“He brings the individual trait that coaches love because he wants to be taught, coached. He wants to be coached hard. He wants to be coached in a manner that gets him to be the best version of himself.”

The post Why Brian Kelly believes Garrett Nussmeier could be the next great quarterback at LSU appeared first on Saturday Glory.

In the 24 hours after Jayden Daniels heard his name called and he walked on stage in Detroit when the Washington Commanders selected him with the No. 2 overall draft pick, the reality of his childhood dream is setting in more and more.

Daniels thought back to waking up on Friday and texting former LSU wide receiver teammates Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., who were chosen No. 6 overall by the New York Giants and 23 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively. He said it “kind of” set in the night of Round 1 kick-starting the 2024 NFL Draft last Thursday.

READ: Entire UAB football team signs up for Athletes.orgEntire UAB football team signs up for Athletes.org – Saturday Glory

“I was just sitting, laying in bed, and I was texting with Malik and Brian, man, and we were just like, ‘You know, we woke up as pros officially,’” Daniels said. “We’re all on our teams and we’re able to live out our childhood dreams. So it still hasn’t hit me yet but it’s starting to get there.”

READ: Colorado RB Dylan Edwards to transfer to Kansas State

READ: No. 1 pick Caleb Williams says he wants to be part of ‘a big portion’ of winning with Chicago Bears after NFL Draft

Daniels grew up in San Bernardino, California, where he helped lead Cajon High School on multiple deep postseason runs, breaking both school and state records, on the way to becoming a four-star recruit as part of the class of 2019.

He began his college career at Arizona State under head coach Herm Edwards, then transferred before the 2022 season to play for Brian Kelly and LSU. Daniels led the Tigers to a 10-4 record and Citrus Bowl victory his first year before winning the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns to four interceptions as well as a 10-3 record.

Getting to the NFL was a dream Daniels said he’d had since he was a kid. In fact, he knew he wanted to get there when he was 7 years old.

“I got a blank piece of paper, wrote, ‘I’ll play in the NFL,’ and put it above my door so I’ve seen it every morning,” Daniels said. “The workouts with my dad, you know, when I didn’t want to work out, when I started doubting myself when I was younger, like, ‘Can I really do this, man?’ All the perseverance, I’ve been through the adversity in my life, led me to this point now.”

Daniels credited “the stability I was able to have at LSU” under Kelly and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and others as a reason for his improvement from his first season as Tigers starting quarterback to his second — which ultimately would be the one he won college football’s top award.

“Same coaching staffs, same coordinators, and you know, it’s just the camaraderie and the trust that me and my guys built this past offseason and being able to find ways to take my game to another level,” Daniels said. “I didn’t want to come back to college to do the same thing I did the year before, so I wanted to take my game to another level. And you know, shout out to LSU and the support staff that helped me out whether that’s the Oculus VR stuff that I was doing or even after practice, the equipment people, the equipment assistants, the students catching footballs for me while when I’m the last one on the field, so I appreciate all of them.”

Daniels is the only player in Football Bowl Subdivision history to pass for 12,000 yards and run for 3,000.

In Week 11 last season, Daniels became the first player in FBS history to throw for 350 yards and 200 yards in the same game when he did it in a 52-35 win over Florida. He said that game “catapulted me back to win the Heisman Trophy.”

READ: Missouri hires Memphis’ Laird Veatch as athletic director

Daniels will now move on to professional football in Washington D.C., where he’ll be coached under a new regime led by Dan Quinn, who has coaching ties to both the NFL and college including a two-year stint at Florida as defensive coordinator from 2011-12.

There have been 12 quarterbacks to start at least one game for the Commanders since they moved on from Kirk Cousins following the 2017 season. Daniels aims to be the one to stick around and lead Washington into the future.

“God put me in this place for a reason,” Daniels said. “My life is already written out. He got a plan. I’m just following it. But that comes with the work at the end of the day. Nothing is given to me. It’s not a given I’m a starter Week 1. I got to go out, I got to earn it. I got to put in the work. I got to learn the playbook, earn the respect of my teammates and go out there and try to win football games.”

The post Jayden Daniels realizes draft dream after No. 2 overall selection by Washington Commanders appeared first on Saturday Glory.

The first round of this year’s draft begins tonight at 8 p.m. on ESPN and NFL Network, and 32 players will hear their names called in Detroit where thousands of fans are expected to attend.

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

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

Check out five takeaways from the 2024 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis where 321 players were invited to take part in workouts and measurements in front of NFL personnel.

The Chicago Bears will select first, and many reports have indicated USC quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams will be taken with the No. 1 overall selection.

Alabama’s Terrion Arnold drafted by Detroit Lions: “I’m going to help them win a Super Bowl”

Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, who was a First Team All-American last season, was picked No. 23 by the Detroit Lions, who traded up with the Dallas Cowboys.

Arnold tied atop the Southeastern Conference with 17 passes defended and five interceptions. The Tallahassee, Florida, native had 63 tackles to finish fifth on the Crimson Tide in 2023.

UCLA’s Laiatu Latu is first defensive player picked; record 14 offensive players taken to start draft

A record-breaking 14 offensive players were taken to start the draft. The previous record was seven in 2021.

UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu became the first player on defense to be drafted when he was chosen No. 15 by the Indianapolis Colts.

Latu won the 2023 Lombardi Trophy given to the top offensive lineman/tight end or defensive lineman/linebacker in college football. He led the NCAA with an average of 1.8 tackles for loss per game and fourth with 1.08 sacks per game. Latu had 13 sacks last season, most by a Bruin since Anthony Barr in 2012.

Five quarterbacks picked in top 10 for first time in NFL history

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy went No. 10 overall to the Minnesota Vikings, who traded up one spot with the New York Jets according to multiple reports.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, this year marks the first time in NFL history that five quarterbacks were picked in the top-10 selections of the draft.

And according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, it’s the first time since 1983 that the first round has featured six quarterbacks taken by teams.

Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. goes No. 8 to Atlanta; Daniels and Nabers make history

Four quarterbacks were selected among the top-eight picks.

Washington gunslinger Michael Penix Jr. heard his name called at No. 8 by the Atlanta Falcons, who signed former Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract this offseason.

Penix led college football with 4,903 passing yards and finished second in the Heisman voting.

According to the SEC Network, Daniels and Nabers are the first quarterback-wide receiver duo to be selected in the top-10 picks of the NFL Draft.

Jim Harbaugh takes Notre Dame’s Joe Alt with first pick with Los Angeles Chargers

Amid plenty of rumors about trading back, former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the No. 5 pick.

Alt was a captain at Notre Dame and consensus All-American in 2023. He departs the Fighting Irish with over two dozen starts in his career.

Quarterbacks go Nos. 1-2-3

The last time quarterbacks were chosen with the first three picks of the draft was 2021.

Williams, LSU‘s Jayden Daniels and North Carolina‘s Drake Maye were picked Nos. 1, 2 and 3 to begin the 2024 NFL Draft.

On stage, Harrison said he aims to “work as hard as I can to be the best player I can be” in the NFL. Cardinals quarterback Kyle Murray posted on X “LET’S ROCK!”

Heisman Trophy winners go No. 1-2

The Chicago Bears chose Williams at No. 1 overall and the Washington Commanders took Daniels, who won the Heisman in 2023, with the second pick of the first round.

Daniels said on stage at the draft after he was selected that he was “pretty confident” the Commanders would pick him at No. 2, and he said “Washington is going to get everything out of me.”

Marvin Harrison Jr. will soon realize his childhood dream

The 2023 Biletnikoff Award winner and Ohio State wide receiver capped a decorated college career last fall, and now Marvin Harrison Jr. is ready to make a name for himself.

He’s grown up as the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr. After catching 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns across three seasons with the Buckeyes, Marvin Harrison Jr. will likely follow in his father’s footsteps as a first round NFL Draft pick.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is the only two-time All-American receiver in Ohio State history.

More than 150K fans are in Detroit

The crowd in Detroit is full of blue, and many in attendance are wearing jerseys from teams like the hometown Lions or rival Minnesota Vikings including some who are donning their college swag.

Maye is attending the draft. He’s reportedly expected to be among the first several gunslingers selected, perhaps as early as No. 3 to New England.

TRANSFER PORTAL: Read the latest regarding the transfer portal.

Follow here for real-time results and reaction from around the football community.

2024 NFL Draft results

1: Chicago Bears (from Carolina): QB Caleb Williams — USC

2: Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels — LSU

3: New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye — North Carolina

4: Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. — Ohio State

5: Los Angeles Chargers: OT Joe Alt — Notre Dame

6: New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers — LSU

7: Tennessee Titans: OT JC Latham — Alabama

8: Atlanta Falcons: QB Michael Penix Jr. — Washington

9: Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze — Washington

10: Minnesota Vikings via trade with New York Jets: QB J.J. McCarthy — Michigan

11: New York Jets via trade with Minnesota Vikings: OT Olu Fashanu — Penn State

12: Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix — Oregon

13: Las Vegas Raiders: TE Brock Bowers — Georgia

14: New Orleans Saints: OT Taliese Fuaga — Oregon State

15: Indianapolis Colts: DE Laiatu Latu — UCLA

16: Seattle Seahawks: DL Byron Murphy II — Texas

17: Minnesota Vikings via trade with Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Dallas Turner — Alabama

18: Cincinnati Bengals: OT Amarius Mims — Georgia

19: Los Angeles Rams: DE Jared Verse — Florida State

20: Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Troy Fautanu — Washington

21: Miami Dolphins: EDGE Chop Robinson — Penn State

22: Philadelphia Eagles: CB Quinyon Mitchell — Toledo

23: Jacksonville Jaguars via trade with Minnesota Vikings (from Cleveland through Houston): WR Brian Thomas Jr. — LSU

24: Detroit Lions via trade with Dallas Cowboys: CB Terrion Arnold — Alabama

25: Green Bay Packers: OT Jordan Morgan — Arizona

26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C Graham Barton — Duke

27: Arizona Cardinals (from Houston): EDGE Darius Robinson — Missouri

28: Kansas City Chiefs via trade with Buffalo Bills: WR Xavier Worthy — Texas

29: Dallas Cowboys via trade with Detroit Lions: OT Tyler Guyton — Oklahoma

30: Baltimore Ravens: CB Nate Wiggins — Clemson

31: San Francisco 49ers: WR Ricky Pearsall — Florida

32: Carolina Panthers via trade with Buffalo Bills via trade with Kansas City Chiefs: WR Xavier Legette — South Carolina

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After one of the most successful seasons in Huskies program history, Michael Penix Jr. is preparing for one of the biggest moments of his football career.

Penix is less than a month away from the NFL Draft, something he’s worked toward as he developed into a Heisman Trophy-caliber quarterback. The Tampa, Florida, native led college football with 4,903 passing yards last season.

READ: Reports: Judge denies Florida State’s dismissal request of ACC lawsuit

Washington held its Pro Day on March 28, and Penix participated on the field in drills displaying his athleticism and conditioning. He said in an interview with ESPN that he felt healthy, and he accomplished some things he set out to achieve.

“I feel like (I) possibly answered a lot of questions,” Penix said. “I felt good being able to run, to be able to jump. Obviously, I wanted to do that, to show that I’m willing to compete. And I want to write my own story, write my own narrative. And I feel like I did that today, and I’m super blessed.”

According to Ben Glassmire of Huskies Wire, Penix ran a 4.46-second time in the 40-yard dash. 

On the skills challenging his mobility and athleticism, Penix leapt 36 1/2 inches on the vertical jump, according to Field Yates of ESPN.

Penix said in his meetings with NFL teams he’s told them they can expect a professional work ethic he carried with him both at Washington and Indiana, where he began his college career from 2018-21.

“They’re going to get a guy that’s going to help lift the team up, help elevate everybody around them,” Penix said. “That’s what I feel like I’ve been able to do at two different places, and I’ve been super blessed to be able to have great players around me to help up my game and continue to allow me to become better day in and day out. So I’m just super blessed, and they’re going to get a winner.”

READ: Joe Judge joins Ole Miss coaching staff

Penix’s southpaw style will bring intrigue to the 2024 NFL Draft class, which boasts two Heisman Trophy winners at quarterback in last year’s winner Jayden Daniels of LSU and 2022 recipient USC’s Caleb Williams.

For teams looking for a pro-style quarterback with a cannon arm, they can find one in Penix. He said he’s more than an athletically talented gunslinger with a knack of picking things up quickly on the gridiron.

“I don’t know where they think my football smarts is, but I just hope that they – I just want to show them that I can do it all as far as learning the playbook,” Penix said. “I know I get questions about, ‘You haven’t been under the center a lot. How do you feel about that?’ Just show that I’m comfortable doing that, comfortable calling plays in the huddle, stuff like that, so just showing those type of things that I possibly couldn’t show within the last couple seasons.”

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The wait to see who the first wide receiver off the NFL Draft board will be is less than a month from being over.

And LSU’s Malik Nabers is eager to show to pro scouts and evaluators why he should be taken first. Nabers said he woke up at 5 a.m. Wednesday for Pro Day, and his preparation was the reason for his angst.

READ: Reports: NCAA Football Oversight Committee exploring coaching staff size changes

“I tried to go to sleep earlier but I kept thinking about the 40,” Nabers said. “I’d never ran it since high school. I started working on it three weeks ago. I had a little nudge going on. Just having that mind. I stated I never really knew my time was. I was just going out there and trying to be the best dog I can get.”

Nabers went out on the Tigers practice field and electrified the crowd on hand in Baton Rouge with a 4.35-second time on the 40-yard dash. For comparison, that would’ve been the No. 8 fastest at the NFL combine behind the record-breaking 4.21 clock set by Texas’ Xavier Worthy.

Nabers didn’t work out at the combine in Indianapolis. He opted to showcase his skills alongside Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels who also chose not to participate on the field at the combine.

Nabers leapt 42 inches on the vertical jump and repped 15 sets on the bench press at Pro Day. He also measured in at 6-foot 1/4 inches weighing 199 pounds.

“Not doing anything at the combine didn’t really stop anything. I’m Malik Nabers. I can only write the path for me,” Nabers said. “So just staying on my course, not getting too carried away with the media and what they say. Just being the guy that I am: a playmaker out there on the field. Whatever you want to see me do, I’m happy to do it and that’s really it.”

READ: NCAA President Charlie Baker advocates for removal of college sports prop betting

According to NFL.com and Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings, Nabers is No. 4 among all players entered in April’s upcoming draft.

He’ll be in close competition with other receivers such as Biletnikoff Award-winning Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. or First Team All-American Rome Odunze from Washington.

But wherever Nabers is selected, he’s focused on being the best receiver he can be.

“If I get picked 19th it’s not going to change the dog mentality that I have,” Nabers said. “I’m sure those other guys also, those guys that’s on the wall in the receiver room, they had that same mentality, that same chip, so to follow right behind that — I’m always going to be receiver 1 in my eyes so I’m going to always go out there and try to prove that.”

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LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is seeing his NFL Draft prospects ramp up.

The NFL Draft is less than a month away, and LSU held its Pro Day on Wednesday in front of six NFL head coaches and 100 assistants, scouts and other personnel.

READ: Reports: NCAA Football Oversight Committee exploring coaching staff size changes

Daniels put a stamp on his Pro Day performance with back-to-back deep balls to Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. that impressed the crowd on hand. Daniels didn’t participate at the NFL combine, instead choosing to go through drills on campus so his LSU teammates could also get pro eyes on them.

“It meant a lot,” Daniels said. “They had multiple eyes out here, all 32 (teams) and more, so that was great for them to go out there and showcase their talent, showcase how they move, write their own journey. They get an opportunity, I know they’re going to crush it.”

Daniels measured in a 6-foot-3 5/8 inches weighing 210 pounds. His hand size came to 9 3/8 inches while his wingspan reached 76 3/4 inches.

He didn’t participate in the 40-yard dash or other drills such as broad jump or bench press. But Daniels continued meeting with NFL teams so they could get to know him better and he could learn what to expect at the pro level.

“Who’s going to invest in me, who’s going to believe in me?” Daniels said. “Kind of like LSU on and off the field as a man and a player, so I’ll say it’s kind of the biggest thing. But they probably already did their homework. They know who I am as a person and who I am as a player.”

READ: NCAA President Charlie Baker advocates for removal of college sports prop betting

Daniels earned the Heisman Trophy after a 3,812-passing yard, 40-touchdown campaign in 2023. It was a long time coming for the gunslinger from San Bernardino, California, who originally started his college career at Arizona State.

According to NFL.com and Eric Edholm’s 2024 NFL mock draft, Daniels is projected to be picked No. 3 overall by the New England Patriots. That would make him the highest drafted Tigers player since Derek Stingley Jr. went third to the Houston Texans in 2022.

Daniels has the tools to succeed in the NFL. In less than one month he’ll realize his dream, and then the countdown toward his pro debut will begin.

“God wouldn’t put me in nothing that in the NFL I can’t handle so obviously he put me in this position, my life calling, mapped out,” Daniels said. “Only He knows so I was just going out there. I feel like I’d be ready. There’s a learning curve for everything. I’m just ready to hear my name called and then go in there just ready to learn and meet my new teammates.”

The post Jayden Daniels says he’ll ‘be ready’ for NFL after LSU Pro Day appeared first on Saturday Glory.

This year, record-breaking runs and jumps took center stage, all the while spiral passes were aplenty and many an NFL executive likely left with new impressions on some of their future players. 

READ: Pitt WR Bub Means looks to gain momentum from NFL Combine

Widely projected No. 1 overall pick USC quarterback Caleb Williams was among the biggest talking points of the combine. Williams chose not to take part in measurements and on-field workouts, instead opting to share medical information with specific teams interested in drafting him, and he did take the podium for a media session. 

Also absent from the combine was Biletnikoff Award winner and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. He’ll likely compete at the Buckeyes Pro Day on March 20. 

The NFL Draft is less than two months away beginning April 25 in Detroit. Here are five takeaways from this year’s combine. 

Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy breaks records. Could he climb the draft board? 

John Ross’ previous combine 40-yard dash record has been broken. 

It took Texas wide receiver Xaver Worthy two tries before he earned the crown of fastest 40 time in combine history. Worthy blazed his way to a 4.21 official time, topping Ross’ best by 0.01 seconds. 

So now, how does this affect Worthy’s draft positioning? According to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 draft-eligible prospects, Worthy is No. 41 among top players expected to be taken in April’s NFL Draft. 

Ross went No. 9 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 NFL Draft. Worthy might not be selected that high while competing against other receivers such as Harrison, LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze for who takes WR1 this draft, but his 40-yard dash time will certainly draw interest from NFL teams. 

Worthy finished second in the Big 12 Conference with 1,014 receiving yards and third with 75 receptions. He added five touchdown receptions. 

Could a defensive back make a surprise early selection? 

Every year since the 2020 NFL Draft, a defensive back has been selected within the top 10 picks. 

READ: Texas WR Xavier Worthy breaks 40-yard dash record with 4.21 time at NFL Combine

According to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50draft-eligible prospects, the highest ranked defensive back is Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold at No. 9. 

Arnold had a strong combine performance in Indianapolis. He scored a 90 on the production rating to place first among cornerbacks, according to NFL.com. 

Arnold ran a 4.5 40 and leapt to a 10-foot, nine-inch broad jump and 37-inch vertical. He led the Southeastern Conference with 17 passes defended and tied for first with five interceptions last season. 

Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins also impressed with his speed. He ran a 4.28 40, fastest among cornerbacks, but felt a pop in his groin and dealt with injury. 

Among other combine standouts in the secondary were Utah safety Cole Bishop and Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell. Bishop ran a 4.45 40, fifth-fastest among safeties, and Mitchell led with 20 reps on the bench press. 

Each year it seems a defensive back rises the draft board and hears his name called earlier than expected. The 2024 NFL Draft might not be much different for teams looking to upgrade their secondary. 

Which lineman saw his draft value rise most? 

Sometimes, the game is won in the trenches. 

Defensive linemen kicked off the combine on Thursday and offensive linemen wrapped up the event on Sunday. Plenty of players stood out along the line of scrimmage and during on-field workouts, leading to eyebrow-raising evaluations for some. 

Penn State tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu and Georgia’s Amarius Mims didn’t compete fully due to injuries. Fashanu suffered a right thigh injury, while Mims had a right hamstring injury, according to Stacey Dales of NFL Network. Both are projected to be among the top offensive linemen taken in the draft. 

READ: Alabama WR Jermaine Burton ready to ‘bring the same intensity and energy’ on Saturdays to NFL Combine

Wisconsin center Tanor Bortolini might be one lineman who saw his value rise most. Bortolini ran a 4.94 40, which was the second-fastest time among offensive linemen, and his 99 athleticism score was first among centers according to NFL.com. 

Who might’ve rose most along the defensive line? Well, one wouldn’t have to look much further than the South. 

Florida State’s Braden Fiske and Texas’ Byron Murphy II clamored some of the most buzz on Day 1 of the combine. Both defensive tackles placed among the top-three at their position in the 40, running 4.87 or better, while Fiske led with a 33.5-inch vertical, 9-foot, nine-inch broad jump and 4.37 shuttle run. 

Murphy had top-five finishes in the 10-yard split, vertical and on the bench. The DeSoto, Texas, native had 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks last season. 

For teams looking to take an anchor along the line this draft, they’ll have some viable options to choose from. 

Longhorns likely a strong combine winner 

Perhaps no other college program had a better combine than Texas. 

Murphy opened some eyes during defensive tackle drills, and his teammate and Outland Trophy winner T’Vondre Sweat was expected to lead in his group as well. 

Sweat ran a 5.27 40 with a 1.8-second 10-yard split, and he also jumped 26 inches on the vertical and 8-feet, 2-inches on the broad jump. His production score was fourth among defensive tackles according to NFL.com. 

READ: Arizona WR Jacob Cowing hopes to impress at NFL Combine

In addition to the defensive line standouts was Worthy, who broke the record for fastest 40 time with a 4.21 clock. 

Texas had 11 participants in the combine this year: Murphy, Sweat, Worthy, running backs Jonathon Brooks and Keilan Robinson, wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, offensive lineman Christian Jones, linebacker Jaylan Ford and defensive back Ryan Watts. 

The Longhorns went 12-2 last season and won the Big 12, advancing to their first College Football Playoff appearance under third-year head coach Steve Sarkisian. They’ll return quarterback Quinn Ewers for his senior season. 

According to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 draft-eligible prospects, Murphy is the highest projected at No. 22. Mitchell is close behind at No. 33. 

All eyes are on USC’s Caleb Williams and LSU’s Jayden Daniels 

The combine this year didn’t get to see a pair of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks throw on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

But the beat goes on. 2022 Heisman winner Williams will have the chance to throw at the Trojans’ Pro Day on March 20, and LSU quarterback and last season’s Heisman recipient Jayden Daniels will throw at his Pro Day on March 27. 

Williams said it was a team decision for him not to take part in measurements and on-field workouts, and Daniels spoke similarly while both met with numerous NFL teams. 

Williams is No. 1 and Daniels is No. 6 — one spot behind North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye at No. 5 — according to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 draft-eligible prospects list. 

READ: Oregon State WR Anthony Gould wants to ‘give the scouts a reason to cut up my tape’ at NFL Combine

The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 pick in the draft, and they have an interesting situation to address with starter Justin Fields. The Bears have been tied to Williams plenty this draft cycle, while rumors swirl about Daniels being picked as early as No. 2 to the Washington Commanders or No. 3 to the New England Patriots. 

Much is left to be determined between now and the start of the 2024 NFL Draft. Both Williams and Daniels will throw at their pro days and continue to meet with NFL teams. 

But the race for the No. 1 pick is on. 

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According to Bobby Kownack of NFL.com, quarterbacks Jayden Daniels of LSU and USC’s Caleb Williams “are instead waiting until their respective pro days to throw and work out for scouts.”

READ: Reports: Iowa State promotes Taylor Mouser to OC

Daniels, last season’s Heisman winner, will likely throw at LSU’s pro day scheduled for March 27, and Williams, who won college football’s top honor in 2022, will likely do so at the Trojans pro day March 20, according to NFL.com.

Both Daniels and Williams will be in Indianapolis for the combine, according to NFL.com. They’ll both participate in interviews and meetings.

Daniels led college football with 40 passing touchdowns last season, and he also set the single-season passer rating record with a 208.01 clip.

Daniels became the third LSU player to win the Heisman Trophy and first since Joe Burrow in 2019.

READ: Reports: UCLA hires Eric Bieniemy as associate head coach, offensive coordinator

Both Daniels and Williams have their similarities. They both won the Heisman and they both transferred during their college careers.

Williams may not have produced at the same level as he did his Heisman Trophy season, throwing 12 fewer touchdowns and 904 fewer yards, but he led a larger role on offense and maintained his signature style of play beating opponents both on the ground and through the air.

Williams still played at a high level in 2023. He finished second in the Pac-12 Conference with a 170.1 passing efficiency rating, and his 68.6% completion was good for fourth.

Daniels and Williams will be two of 321 players invited to attend the combine, which begins Thursday with defensive line and linebacker drills and extends through Sunday.

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The NFL announced Tuesday that 321 players were invited to the Combine taking place Feb. 26-March 4.

READ: UCLA names DeShaun Foster next head coach

Seventy-nine teams will be represented at the Combine this year.

Michigan had a Combine-record 18 players invited this year. Among the Wolverines who were invited include quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum and defensive lineman Kris Jenkins.

Heisman Trophy-winning LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels will be among the gunslingers taking part in drills. Fellow Heisman finalists Marvin Harrison Jr., Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. will also be in attendance at the Combine, as well as 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams.

READ: Full List: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers college football alumni in Super Bowl LVIII

Here is the full list of 321 college football players invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine sorted by position.

Quarterbacks

Jayden Daniels, LSU

Sam Hartman, Notre Dame

Devin Leary, Kentucky

Drake Maye, North Carolina

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

Joe Milton III, Tennessee

Bo Nix, Oregon

Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Michael Pratt, Tulane

Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

Austin Reed, Western Kentucky

Kedon Slovis, BYU

Jordan Travis, Florida State

Caleb Williams, USC

Running backs

Rasheen Ali, Marshall

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Emani Bailey, TCU

Trey Benson, Florida State

Jonathon Brooks, Texas

Blake Corum, Michigan

Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State

Ray Davis, Kentucky

Daijun Edwards, Georgia

Audric Estimé, Notre Dame

Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi

Isaac Guerendo, Louisville

George Holani, Boise State

Bucky Irving, Oregon

Dillon Johnson, Washington

Jawhar Jordan, Louisville

Dylan Laube, New Hampshire

MarShawn Lloyd, USC

Jase McClellan, Alabama

Kendall Milton, Georgia

Keilan Robinson, Texas

Cody Schrader, Missouri

Will Shipley, Clemson

Jaden Shirden, Monmouth

Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue

Kimani Vidal, Troy

Michael Wiley, Arizona

Miyan Williams, Ohio State

Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

Wide receivers

Javon Baker, UCF

Jermaine Burton, Alabama

Jalen Coker, Holy Cross

Keon Coleman, Florida State

Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

Jacob Cowing, Arizona

Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State

Troy Franklin, Oregon

Anthony Gould, Oregon State

Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi State

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane

Cornelius Johnson, Michigan

Xavier Legette, South Carolina

Luke McCaffrey, Rice

Ladd McConkey, Georgia

Jalen McMillan, Washington

Bub Means, Pittsburgh

Adonai Mitchell, Texas

Malik Nabers, LSU

Rome Odunze, Washington

Ricky Pearsall, Florida

Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington

Brenden Rice, USC

Tayvion Robinson, Kentucky

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Georgia

Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

Jamari Thrash, Louisville

Devaughn Vele, Utah

Devontez Walker, North Carolina

Malik Washington, Virginia

Tahj Washington, USC

Xavier Weaver, Colorado

Jordan Whittington, Texas

Isaiah Williams, Illinois

Johnny Wilson, Florida State

Roman Wilson, Michigan

Xavier Worthy, Texas

Tight ends

Erick All, Iowa

AJ Barner, Michigan

Jaheim Bell, Florida State

Brock Bowers, Georgia

Devin Culp, Washington

Dallin Holker, Colorado State

Theo Johnson, Penn State

Trey Knox, South Carolina

Tanner McLachlan, Arizona

Tip Reiman, Illinois

Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

Ben Sinnott, Kansas State

Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota

Cade Stover, Ohio State

Jack Westover, Washington

Jared Wiley, TCU

Offensive linemen

Isaiah Adams, Illinois

Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Kiran Amegadjie, Yale

Gottlieb Ayedze, Maryland

Karsen Barnhart, Michigan

Graham Barton, Duke

Cooper Beebe, Kansas State

Keaton Bills, Utah

Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin

Javion Cohen, Miami

Andrew Coker, TCU

Brandon Coleman, TCU

Frank Crum, Wyoming

Anim Dankwah, Howard

Ethan Driskell, Marshall

Kingsley Eguakun, Florida

Josiah Ezirim, Eastern Kentucky

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

Troy Fautanu, Washington

Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

Jeremy Flax, Kentucky

Javon Foster, Missouri

Zach Frazier, West Virginia

Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

X’Zauvea Gadlin, Liberty

Nick Gargiulo, South Carolina

Delmar Glaze, Maryland

Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh

Tylan Grable, UCF

Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State

Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross

Christian Haynes, Connecticut

LaDarius Henderson, Michigan

Christian Jones, Texas

Matthew Jones, Ohio State

Trente Jones, Michigan

Trevor Keegan, Michigan

Jarrett Kingston, USC

Brady Latham, Arkansas

JC Latham, Alabama

Sataoa Laumea, Utah

Matt Lee, Miami

KT Leveston Jr., Kansas State

Beaux Limmer, Arkansas

Christian Mahogany, Boston College

Mason McCormick, South Dakota State

Dylan McMahon, N.C. State

Amarius Mims, Georgia

Jacob Monk, Duke

Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Hunter Nourzad, Penn State

Drake Nugent, Michigan

Patrick Paul, Houston

Julian Pearl, Illinois

Prince Pines, Tulane

Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Dominick Puni, Kansas

Andrew Raym, Oklahoma

Layden Robinson, Texas A&M

Roger Rosengarten, Washington

Walter Rouse, Oklahoma

Nick Samac, Michigan State

Kingsley Suamataia, BYU

Jalen Sundell, North Dakota State

Nathan Thomas, Louisiana

Charles Turner III, LSU

Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Georgia

Caedan Wallace, Penn State

Zak Zinter, Michigan

Defensive linemen

Austin Booker, Kansas

Solomon Byrd, USC

DeWayne Carter, Duke

Nelson Ceaser, Houston

Myles Cole, Texas Tech

Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State

Tyler Davis, Clemson

Brandon Dorlus, Oregon

Justin Eboigbe, Alabama

Jonah Elliss, Utah

Braden Fiske, Florida State

Gabe Hall, Baylor

Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State

Jaylen Harrell, Michigan

Marcus Harris, Auburn

Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian

Adisa Isaac, Penn State

Brennan Jackson, Washington State

McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M

Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame

Trajan Jeffcoat, Arkansas

Jordan Jefferson, LSU

Kris Jenkins, Michigan

Cedric Johnson, Mississippi

Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State

Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan

Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Logan Lee, Iowa

Zion Logue, Georgia

Fabien Lovett Sr., Florida State

Braiden McGregor, Michigan

Byron Murphy II, Texas

Myles Murphy, North Carolina

Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Eyabi Okie-Anoma, Charlotte

Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson

Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois

Chop Robinson, Penn State

Darius Robinson, Missouri

Justin Rogers, Auburn

Maason Smith, LSU

Javon Solomon, Troy

T’Vondre Sweat, Texas

Leonard Taylor III, Miami

Xavier Thomas, Clemson

Bralen Trice, Washington

David Ugwoegbu, Houston

Jared Verse, Florida State

Eric Watts, Connecticut

Mekhi Wingo, LSU

Linebackers

Michael Barrett, Michigan

JD Bertrand, Notre Dame

Tatum Bethune, Florida State

Chris Braswell, Alabama

Aaron Casey, Indiana

Steele Chambers, Ohio State

Junior Colson, Michigan

Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Kalen DeLoach, Florida State

Khalid Duke, Kansas State

Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State

Jaylan Ford, Texas

Easton Gibbs, Wyoming

Cedric Gray, North Carolina

Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri

Jontrey Hunter, Georgia State

Curtis Jacobs, Penn State

Tyrice Knight, UTEP

Marist Liufau, Notre Dame

Jordan Magee, Temple

Darius Muasau, UCLA

Gabriel Murphy, UCLA

Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin

Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson

Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington

Dallas Turner, Alabama

Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington

Trevin Wallace, Kentucky

Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State

Payton Wilson, N.C. State

Defensive backs

Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri

Daijahn Anthony, Mississippi

Terrion Arnold, Alabama

Cole Bishop, Utah

Beau Brade, Maryland

Millard Bradford, TCU

Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Louisville

Javon Bullard, Georgia

Calen Bullock, USC

Jaylon Carlies, Missouri

Caelen Carson, Wake Forest

Ryan Cooper Jr., Oregon State

Cooper DeJean, Iowa

M.J. Devonshire, Pittsburgh

Marcellas Dial, South Carolina

Johnny Dixon, Penn State

Willie Drew, Virginia State

Renardo Green, Florida State

Kamal Hadden, Tennessee

Dominique Hampton, Washington

Myles Harden, South Dakota

Daequan Hardy, Penn State

Cam Hart, Notre Dame

Jaden Hicks, Washington State

Khyree Jackson, Oregon

DJ James, Auburn

Carlton Johnson, Fresno State

Isaiah Johnson, Syracuse

Elijah Jones, Boston College

Jarrian Jones, Florida State

Jaylen Key, Alabama

Kamren Kinchens, Miami

Kalen King, Penn State

Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

Dwight McGlothern, Arkansas

Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Patrick McMorris, Cal

Max Melton, Rutgers

Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest

Josh Newton, TCU

Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State

Tyler Owens, Texas Tech

Andru Phillips, Kentucky

Deantre Prince, Mississippi

Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn

Josh Proctor, Ohio State

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri

Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State

Demani Richardson, Texas A&M

Christian Roland-Wallace, USC

Mike Sainristil, Michigan

Andre’ Sam, LSU

Jaylin Simpson, Auburn

Tykee Smith, Georgia

Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State

Tarheeb Still, Maryland

T.J. Tampa, Iowa State

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech

Ro Torrence, Arizona State

Sione Vaki, Utah

Josh Wallace, Michigan

Ryan Watts, Texas

Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Evan Williams, Oregon

James Williams, Miami

Specialists

Joshua Karty, K, Stanford

Cam Little, K, Arkansas

Harrison Mevis, K, Missouri

Ryan Rehkow, P, BYU

Will Reichard, K, Alabama

Tory Taylor, P, Iowa

The post Full List: 321 players invited to 2024 NFL Scouting Combine appeared first on Saturday Glory.

Ewers, who reclassified and entered college football a year early in 2021, will enter his senior season next year.

PODCAST: What Nick Saban’s Retirement Will Reveal About Alabama

Across three seasons of college football including stops at Ohio State and Texas, Ewers has amassed 5,656 passing yards and 37 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

He’ll be viewed as one of the premier quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft. This year, Heisman Trophy-winning LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are all entrants in the NFL Draft.

READ: Alabama’s Nick Saban announces plan to retire

Ewers was named All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention after leading the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.

Ewers finished second in the Big 12 with 3,479 passing yards and a 69% completion this season. He averaged 289.9 passing yards per game, which were second-most in the conference.

The post Texas QB Quinn Ewers to return in 2024 appeared first on Saturday Glory.

Washington State quarterback Cam Ward announced on social media Monday that he will enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

READ: 3 questions before College Football Playoff begins

Ward’s decision comes weeks after his initial decision to enter the transfer portal. He was a sought-after player, drawing reported interest from programs such as Miami.

Ward had a breakout year in 2023. He threw for 3,732 yards and 25 touchdowns to seven interceptions.

READ: No. 6 Georgia claims Orange Bowl victory over No. 5 Florida State

He was named All-Pac 12 Conference Honorable Mention after his banner year in 2023. Ward’s passing yardage and touchdown total were career highs.

Ward will be among a quarterback class expected to be rounded out by Heisman Trophy winner and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Oregon’s Bo Nix and Florida State’s Jordan Travis among others. 

The post Washington State QB Cam Ward declares for NFL Draft appeared first on Saturday Glory.

The New Year’s Six bowl games kicked off beginning Friday with the Cotton Bowl Classic between No. 7 Ohio State and No. 9 Missouri. The Tigers have 11 wins for the first time since 2014 after beating the Buckeyes 14-3.

READ: No. 6 Georgia claims Orange Bowl victory over No. 5 Florida State

Friday night meant the start for the New Year’s Six, and it continued Saturday with the Peach Bowl and Orange Bowl games.

No. 11 Ole Miss contested No. 10 Penn State in the Peach Bowl, beating the Nittany Lions 38-25, and No. 6 Georgia blew out No. 5 Florida State 63-3 later Saturday afternoon.

Finally, New Year’s Day will present three New Year’s Six bowl games with two being College Football Playoff semifinal games. The Fiesta Bowl will start the day between No. 23 Liberty and No. 8 Oregon, and the CFP matchups are Michigan-Alabama and Washington-Texas. 

Here are three questions entering the CFP semifinals.

Can Michigan, Washington maintain their higher seeded positions?

Both the Wolverines and Huskies achieved their highest rankings in the CFP era going into the Playoff.

And now, they’re expected to advance and play one another in the CFP National Championship.

But that won’t be an easy task for either team. Both Michigan, going against 11-1 Alabama, and Washington, which plays Big 12 Conference champion Texas, have their hands full.

Michigan will have to keep up with the Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, and the Wolverines will have to battle a decorated program for a chance at their first win in the CFP.

READ: Jaxson Dart throws 3 TDs, No. 11 Ole Miss routs No. 10 Penn State 38-25 in Peach Bowl

Perhaps the most intriguing game of the CFP this season will be in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Washington is making its second trip to the CFP while Texas made its first. Both teams won their conference championships, and the Longhorns enter with one loss coming Week 6 to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry.

Both Washington and Texas will compete in the Sugar Bowl with stellar quarterback play. Michael Penix Jr. was a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing runner-up to LSU’s Jayden Daniels, and Quinn Ewers owns a win over CFP rival Alabama and leads the Big 12 Conference with a 70.7% completion.

Penix and Ewers both have taken different paths to get where they are today. Both began in the Big Ten as members of Indiana and Ohio State, respectively, and transferred out for greater opportunity.

It turned into trips to the CFP for Penix and Ewers. Now, both will have a chance at ultimate achievement with a trip to the national championship on the line.

If Washington wins, it’ll compete for its first national title since 1991, and a Texas win would give the Longhorns their first shot at a national championship since 2009.

Can No. 4 Alabama use Saban magic and get past No. 1 Michigan?

The Crimson Tide pulled off the unthinkable and won the SEC Championship following their 27-24 win over No. 6 Georgia, ending the Bulldogs’ 29-game winning streak.

It rewarded Alabama with the No. 4 spot in the CFP over No. 5 Florida State, which became the first Power Five program to go unbeaten as a conference champion and miss the Playoff.

Saban and the Crimson Tide won the CFP National Championship the last time they played in the semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

Saban and Alabama also hold a 3-2 edge over Michigan in their all-time series having won the past two meetings, including a 35-16 win in the Citrus Bowl at the end of the 2019 season.

But Michigan is different this time around. The Wolverines have navigated a season of adversity seeing their head coach suspended for six games during the regular season due to recruiting violations and for the in-person scouting operation which resulted in a suspension from the Big Ten Conference.

The Wolverines enter the Rose Bowl with the No. 1 scoring defense in college football. They’ve held opponents to 9.46 points per game this season; Alabama has scored at least 17 points in every game this year.

READ: No. 9 Missouri prevails 14-3 over No. 7 Ohio State in Cotton Bowl defensive slugfest

Alabama also will enter with Jalen Milroe riding his hot hand. Milroe has thrown 10 touchdowns over the past four games, and he averages 226.5 passing yards per game.

Where the test will remain is in the trenches. Michigan running back Blake Corum leads the NCAA with 24 rushing touchdowns, and Alabama holds the No. 46 rushing offense averaging 172.7 yards per game.

So in Alabama and Michigan’s latest meeting, a trip to the CFP National Championship is on the line. The Crimson Tide last made it in 2021, and Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines are looking to make their first appearance in the title game behind their first CFP win.

Which team makes the biggest statement?

Bowl season can be impacted by plater opt outs and the transfer portal, and this time around that case still stands.

Players such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Caleb Williams and Jared Verse haven’t played in their teams’ bowl games to preserve their health and focus toward the 2024 NFL Draft. Others, such as Ohio State’s Kyle McCord and Texas’ Maalik Murphy, have already transferred out of their previous programs.

READ: Reports: Buffalo to hire Dave Patenaude as next offensive coordinator

So that leaves teams to turn toward younger players to flex the depth of their rosters. Freshmen who haven’t gotten full games’ worth of playing time or third- and fourth-string players sliding up the depth chart are among the groups that could see increased playing time.

Not only is bowl season about building momentum toward the next season but it’s also about ending the current one on a high note. Teams such as Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon all had disappointing ends to their regular seasons — and in the case of the Seminoles, they missed the CFP.

But those teams still had a chance to end their seasons on a high note. In the case of the teams involved in the CFP, they can still add hardware to their mantles, and it all begins Monday in the Rose Bowl at 5 p.m. between Alabama and Michigan.

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