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

The post First Round Live Reaction: 2024 NFL Draft appeared first on Saturday Glory.

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.”

The post Malik Nabers showcases ‘dog mentality’ at LSU’s Pro Day appeared first on Saturday Glory.

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. 

The post 5 takeaways from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

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.

According to Glen West of 247 Sports, the promotions took place on Tuesday. Sloan will “serve as the primary play caller but Hankton will also be actively engaged in how the offense is run.”

READ: Reports: Germie Bernard transfers to Alabama

Sloan joined LSU after Brian Kelly was named head coach prior to the 2022 season. He spent nine seasons at Louisiana Tech where the Bulldogs appeared in seven bowl games and won the Conference USA West twice.

Sloan also has past coaching stops at South Florida from 2010-11 and serving as an administrative assistant for East Carolina.

Hankton also joined the Tigers after Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge. He coached the likes of Kayshon Boutte and Malik Nabers, helping LSU reach its second-highest totals of 6,344 total yards and 3,770 passing yards in program history in 2022.

READ: Reports: San Jose State hires Ken Niumatalolo as head coach

Hankton coached for four years at Georgia as the pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2019-22. There, Hankton coached receivers such as George Pickens and Mecole Hardman among others.

Hankton spent three seasons coaching wide receivers at Vanderbilt before Georgia. He’s also spent three seasons at Dartmouth and some time at Central Florida.

The post Reports: LSU to name Cortez Hankton, Joe Sloan co-offensive coordinators appeared first on Saturday Glory.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels was named to the First Team Offense after recording a 208.01 passing efficiency rating, the highest in Football Bowl Subdivision history. Daniels also had 50 total touchdowns and threw for 40 of them.

READ: Reports: QB Aidan Chiles transfers to Michigan State

Daniels is joined by Biletnikoff Award-winning wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State. Harrison finished fourth in the Heisman voting after bringing in 1,211 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

Here are the full AFCA Coaches’ All-America Teams.

First Team

QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

RB Blake Corum, Michigan

RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

WR Malik Nabers, LSU

TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

OL Joe Alt, Notre Dame

OL Cooper Beebe, Kansas State

OC Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

OL Zak Zinter, Michigan

OL Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

DL Jared Verse, Florida State

DL T’Vondre Sweat, Texas

DL Laiatu Latu, UCLA

DL Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

LB Dallas Turner, Alabama

LB Payton Wilson, NC State

LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

DB Trey Taylor, Air Force

DB Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

DB Malaki Starks, Georgia

P Tory Taylor, Iowa

PK Graham Nicholson, Miami (OH)

AP Travis Hunter, Colorado

LS James Rosenberry Jr., Florida State

Second Team

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

RB Cody Schrader, Missouri

RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

WR Malik Washington, Virginia

WR Rome Odunze, Washington

TE Dallin Hooker, Colorado State

OL Graham Barton, Duke

OL Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

OC Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia

OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

DL Jalen Green, James Madison

DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan

DL JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State

DL Jonah Elliss, Utah

LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson

LB Jay Higgins, Iowa

LB Trey Moore, UTSA

DB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

DB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

DB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

DB Beanie Bishop Jr., West Virginia

P James Ferguson-Reynolds, Boise State

PK Jose Pizano, UNLV

AP Xavier Worthy, Texas

LS Joe Shimko, NC State

The post AFCA names 2023 Coaches’ All-America teams appeared first on Saturday Glory.

LSU quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels earned First Team All-America honors after accounting for 50 touchdowns, 3,812 passing yards and 1,134 rushing yards. 

A panel of 18 AP Top-25 voters rounded out the three All-America teams, according to the AP. 

There were seven players in either their fifth or sixth season of college football to be selected to the AP All-America First Team. Eleven more made the second and third teams. 

Alabama had the most AP First Team All-Americans, and they each came on the defensive side of the ball. 

The Southeastern Conference also led with nine First Team selections, and the Big Ten followed with six. The Pac-12 had four First Team All-Americans, the Big 12 had three, there were two independents and the remaining conferences had one selection or less. 

Here are the full All-America teams. 

First Team 

QB Jayden Daniels, LSU 

RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State 

RB Cody Schrader, Missouri 

OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame 

OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State 

OG Cooper Beebe, Kansas State 

OG Zak Zinter, Michigan 

OC Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon 

TE Brock Bowers, Georgia 

WR Malik Nabers, LSU 

WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State 

WR Rome Odunze, Washington 

AP Travis Hunter, Colorado 

K Graham Nicholson, Miami (OH) 

EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA 

EDGE Jalen Green, James Madison 

DL T’Vondre Sweat, Texas 

DL Jer’Zahn Newton, Illinois 

LB Payton Wilson, NC State 

LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M 

LB Dallas Turner, Alabama 

CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa 

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama 

SAF Malaki Starks, Georgia 

SAF Xavier Watts, Notre Dame 

DB Terrion Arnold, Alabama 

P Tory Taylor, Iowa 

Second Team 

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington 

RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame 

RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina 

OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State 

OT JC Latham, Alabama 

OG Tate Ratledge, Georgia 

OG Clay Webb, Jacksonville State 

OC Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia 

TE Dallin Holker, Colorado State 

WR Troy Franklin, Oregon 

WR Malik Washington, Virginia 

WR Luther Burden III, Missouri 

AP Ashton Jeanty, Boise State 

K Jose Pizano, UNLV 

EDGE Jonah Elliss, Utah 

EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State 

DL Byron Murphy II, Texas 

DL Howard Cross III, Notre Dame 

LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson 

LB Jason Henderson, Old Dominion 

LB Jay Higgins, Iowa 

CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

CB Beanie Bishop Jr., West Virginia 

SAF Tyler Nubin, Minnesota 

SAF Caleb Downs, Alabama 

DB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri 

P Matthew Hayball, Vanderbilt 

Third Team 

QB Bo Nix, Oregon 

RB Blake Corum, Michigan 

RB Kimani Vidal, Troy 

OT Javon Foster, Missouri 

OT Troy Fautanu, Washington 

OG Christian Haynes, UConn 

OG Luke Kandra, Cincinnati 

OC Zach Frazier, West Virginia 

TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State 

WR Ricky White, UNLV 

WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU 

WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona 

AP Xavier Worthy, Texas 

K Will Reichard, Alabama 

EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State 

EDGE Bralen Trice, Washington 

DL Kris Jenkins, Michigan 

DL Braden Fiske, Florida State 

LB Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State 

LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington 

LB Danny Strutsman, Oklahoma 

CB Ricardo Hallman, Wisconsin 

CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State 

SAF Trey Taylor, Air Force 

SAF Dillon Thieneman, Purdue 

DB Sebastian Casto, Iowa 

P James Ferguson-Reynolds, Boise State 

The post LSU’s Jayden Daniels headlines AP All-America teams appeared first on Saturday Glory.

That answer could remain in either No. 1 Georgia or No. 2 Michigan, while the latter is currently the subject of an alleged sign stealing investigation by the NCAA. 

PODCAST: Do we have any more clarity after some major week eight decisions?

Or, it could be any of the remaining six unbeaten teams, such as No. 3 Ohio State or No. 4 Florida State. 

Penn State and North Carolina suffered their first losses of the season in Week 8 and face an uphill climb back into title contention. 

Here are several players and notes to keep a tab on in this week’s Big Board. 

Midseason All-American lists are released 

A number of outlets released their midseason All-American lists in recent weeks, including Sporting News, The Associated Press and ESPN. 

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was unanimously named to all three midseason All-American lists. He is joined by Notre Dame running back Audric Estime, LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers as offensive skill players named to all three lists. 

Among the others who were named unanimous midseason All-Americans includes: offensive guards Cooper Beebe of Kansas State and Zak Zinter of Michigan; linebacker Dallas Turner of Alabama; edge rusher Laiatu Latu of UCLA; defensive lineman Howard Cross III of Notre Dame; linebacker Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M; safeties Malaki Starks of Georgia and Jaylin Simpson of Auburn; and punter Tory Taylor of Iowa. 

How will Ewers’ injury impact Texas? 

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers “is expected to miss some time” with a grade 2 AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. 

The Longhorns nearly suffered a setback at the hands of Houston on Saturday. They escaped with a 31-24 win but now face questions surrounding their quarterback position. 

Ewers ranked No. 10 in completion percentage and No. 15 in passing efficiency among quarterbacks this season. He’s a key part of the Longhorns offense in year two with Ewers under center. 

So where does Texas turn from here? The answer may already have been in front of the Longhorns with quarterback Maalik Murphy. 

Murphy entered the game after Ewers departed, and he filled the role while Texas held off the Cougars. Murphy completed one pass for seven yards among two attempts. 

Murphy is a former four-star recruit according to 247 Sports, and he has the tools necessary to keep Texas afloat this season, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 238 pounds. Texas also has five-star freshman Arch Manning in the same quarterbacks room. 

Texas has five games left before conference championship season heats up, and the Longhorns are prime in the Big 12 race. Their loss to Oklahoma could loom large, as does a potential rematch, but Ewers’ absence will loom even larger until his return. 

How will Ohio State’s defense hold up the rest of the season? 

Ryan Day said the Buckeyes played “championship level” defense against Penn State on Saturday. 

Ohio State isn’t typically known for its defense. High-powered, explosive offense is usually the name of the game for the Buckeyes. 

READ: Quotables: Week 8

But in 2023, teams are having trouble moving the ball and scoring against the Buckeyes. They rank No. 4 in the country in total defense allowing an average of 260.1 yards per game and No. 3 in scoring defense allowing 10 points per game. 

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has transformed the Ohio State defense in two years under his tutelage. He attributed the dramatic change thus far to “knowing the scheme” and having it honed against opponents. 

Ohio State will face three teams among its final five games that rank within the bottom half of the Big Ten Conference in total offense: Rutgers, Michigan State and Minnesota. 

The other two remaining games are against Wisconsin, which ranks fifth in the conference, and at Michigan, which is third. It’ll be a test and fun challenge to see how the Buckeyes continue to hold up and do so among the best nationally. 

The post Big Board: Week 9  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

There are four ranked matchups on the schedule this week. Friday will get the ranked ballgames started when No. 10 Utah travels to No. 19 Oregon State, which suffered its first loss of the season to No. 16 Washington State.

PODCAST: It Was Always Going to End This Way for Mel Tucker

Cougars quarterback Cam Ward earned Pac-12 offensive player of the week honors after a 404-yard performance. Ward added four touchdowns and completed 82.4% of his passes, good for seventh-best in program history. 

Here are several games to watch this week. 

No. 22 Florida at Kentucky 

A matchup between two 4-0 programs is set to take place at Kroger Field on Saturday. 

Defense just might be the name of the game and the key to victory for either team. Neither Florida nor Kentucky rank in the upper half of the Southeastern Conference in total offense, and the Gators are No. 8 while Kentucky is No. 9. 

The Wildcats are entering their first ranked matchup of the season, and it comes two years after they upset No. 10 Florida at home 20-13. The Gators had Kentucky’s number 29-21 during the 2019 season. 

“I mentioned last week when they talked about them beating us in the year before it really doesn’t have any bearing on that game,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said. “If it does for our players, if they come in locked in early in the week then that’s the way I expect our team to be anyway. We’re playing Florida. You know it’s going to take a great effort. We’re playing that home; we should have a great sense of pride. And I think there’s that term that we use a lot in our program is that divine discontent. We know there’s more out there. We know we can play better, and that ought to be our motivation.” 

READ: Big Board: Week 5

Stoops also had positives to say about Florida quarterback Graham Mertz, who considered Kentucky when he entered the transfer portal after last season. 

“He’s been very good with the football,” Stoops said. “I think they have very few turnovers in general. I want to say he only maybe has one, and he’s been very efficient. Very smart getting rid of the football and taking care of the ball and running their offense, and he’s been very efficient. So he’s played very well.” 

No. 24 Kansas at No. 3 Texas 

A Big 12 matchup is set to take place in Austin, Texas, and the two teams between Kansas and Texas have a history. 

The Jayhawks topped Texas in 2021 during what was only their second win of the season Nov. 13, 2021. Kansas finished 2-10 that year, while Texas went 5-7 in Steve Sarkisian’s first year as head coach. 

Texas got back at Kansas last season with a 55-14 blowout at home. The loss left a bad taste in the Jayhawks’ mouths. 

“Old news, it doesn’t matter,” Kansas head coach Lance Leipold said. “Both teams are significantly better. And it doesn’t do you — it’s honestly it’s so far in the past. We got to keep moving. Yeah, it helped this program. It helped our players but we can’t, yeah, that’s about it.”

READ: Quotables: Week 4

And now, Leipold said the athleticism stands out about Texas now. 

“Yeah, and I guess I’ll add to that. I hope it’s the last time I have to answer that question this week honestly, I do,” Leipold said. “I really want to focus on our team now and where we’re going because that’s what’s important. It’s an excellent football team across the board. You can tell for coach Sarkisian, the staff he’s put on it offensively, he’s one of the best playcallers in the country. The movements and shifts and different looks that he gives, how they spread the ball about the playmakers that they have, huge up front and very athletic, well coached offensive line. And then defensively a front that, again, I think that’s a group from if you are going to keep looking at our previous meetings, I think that the defensive line continued improvement for them and consistency, maybe not improvement, but just consistent play and physical, tough kids. Linebackers who are extremely physical and run well. So yeah, it’s definitely to me a different team and a huge challenge for us and one that we’ve got to have our best week of preparation yet.” 

Kansas’ offense is No. 5 in the Big 12 averaging 37.8 points per game, and Texas is right behind at an average of 35 points per outing. 

Both the Jayhawks and Longhorns are in the top-three in their conference in total defense, as Kansas is second allowing 296.8 yards per game and Texas is third giving up 298.5 yards per game. 

No. 13 LSU at No. 20 Ole Miss 

LSU is seeking to reenter itself back into the College Football Playoff mix. 

After suffering a Week 1 upset to No. 5 Florida State, head coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers had to do a bit of soul searching to figure out what kind of team they are. 

Now they go on the road for two games, and the first will be against No. 20 Ole Miss, which lost 30-24 to No. 12 Alabama.

PODCAST: What’s the Perception of Marcus Freeman After Notre Dame’s Loss to Ohio State?

Quarterback Jayden Daniels has played steadily in 2023. He’s eclipsed 320 passing yards in each of the past two games, and he threw four touchdowns last week against Arkansas. 

One of Daniels’ targets had a breakout game against the Razorbacks, as Malik Nabers became the 13^th player in LSU history to catch over 200 yards. He finished with 239 receiving yards and two touchdowns. 

Ole Miss will bring a defense that ranks No. 61 in total defense, allowing over 351 yards per game. Linebacker Suntarine Perkins is tied for third with three sacks this season. 

Kelly thinks LSU has learned about itself through the first four weeks of the season, and this week he’s hoping to see a complete game with a distinctiveness about the team.  

“I’m seeing that starting to evolve in that identity, and look, I mean, there are times when you play in quality competition that you get a better sense and feel for your team. And especially when you’re down, right?” Kelly said. “We weren’t down against Mississippi State at anytime. We weren’t down at any time against Grambling. And we really didn’t have the right mix of mindset going into the Florida State game. So this was our first chance really to identify who we were when we got down late, and we immediately responded and we came out in the second half and played the kind of football that I expect. Never flinching, knowing that we were going to take some more shots and when we gave up a play, we forgot about it and we got to the next play.” 

The post Preview Thursday: Week 5 appeared first on Saturday Glory.

Week 3 presented a solid slate of games that saw just one Associated Press Top 25 team lose its contest. Florida, which entered this week’s AP poll at No. 25, defeated then-No. 11 Tennessee handily at home 29-16. 

Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. once again is this week’s leading passer, surpassing 400 yards for a third-consecutive week. He topped out at a season-high 473 yards on the road at Michigan State and added four touchdowns. 

The No. 1 Bulldogs were on upset alert for a brief point on Saturday. South Carolina built a 14-3 lead over Georgia before it scored 24 unanswered points. 

Here are some of the top statistical performances from Week 2. 

Jayden Daniels, LSU 

First up is a pair of LSU teammates who had big roles in the Tigers 41-14 win in their Southeastern Conference opener. 

Daniels adds to his early Heisman Trophy bid after a disappointing start to the season. LSU fell in Week 1 to No. 4 Florida State, and the setback has set up for an interesting start for LSU. 

Daniels went 13-for-13 to start the game and finished 30-for-34 with 361 passing yards and two touchdowns. 

Daniels even went on to lead his team in rushing with 64 yards on 15 carries. He played a big role in 49 plays on LSU’s offense. 

Malik Nabers, LSU 

One of Daniels’ favorite targets caught a big game against Mississippi State. 

Nabers hauled in 13 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday. His big box score numbers lit up the team’s big offensive day. 

Nabers caught touchdowns on back-to-back LSU drives in the first through second quarters. He first hauled in a 26-yard score with less than four minutes to go in the first period and later brought down a 33-yard touchdown less than one minute into the second. 

According to LSU Athletics, Nabers’ first half totals tied him for best half in program history, and he had four catches of 25-plus yards for the first time since Ja’Marr Chase in 2019. 

Portland State 

The Vikings completely dominated this game on Saturday. 

Portland State defeated North American 91-0, scoring by far the most points of any game this season. The Vikings scored 13 touchdowns, seven rushing, four passing, an interception return and a punt return. 

Portland State quarterback Dante Chichere threw three touchdowns and 74 passing yards. Both running backs Quincy Craig and Jobi Malary scored twice on the ground. 

Running back Chrisitian Grubb had a 60-yard punt return near the end of the third quarter. 

To boot, Portland State scored all of its points by the end of three quarters. 

And by the way, Portland State set the previous Football Bowl Subdivision record when it scored 105 points in 1980. 

Shilo Sanders, Colorado 

In one of the biggest games of the week, Shilo Sanders stood out with one impressive defensive play among others. 

Sanders got No. 19 Colorado on the board in the first quarter against Colorado State with an 80-yard pick-six. He dove on the ball thrown by Rams quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and returned it to give the Buffaloes a 7-0 lead. 

Sanders totaled four tackles in Colorado’s 43-35 overtime win over the Rams. His pick-six set the tone for Colorado early although Colorado State led for most of the first half. 

Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes’ belief didn’t run out, however, they came up with the plays necessary to keep in the ball game. 

Garrett Schrader, Syracuse 

This week’s rushing leader happens to be a quarterback. 

Garrett Schrader and the Orange rode their way to a 35-20 win over Purdue on the road, thanks in large part to the quarterback’s legs. 

Schrader gave Syracuse an early 14-0 lead after touchdown runs of 3 and 35 yards. 

He later returned to the end zone and scored twice in the fourth quarter, first on a 1-yard rush and second on a 35-yard punch. 

Schrader totaled 195 rushing yards on the day. He ran for 17 more yards than the next closet rusher, Nate Noel of Appalachian State who had 178 rushing yards in the win against East Carolina. 

That’s not all Schrader did on Saturday. He got it done with his legs and added 184 more yards through the air on 50% completion. 

Truly a dual-threat quarterback. 

The post Stat Pack: Week 3 appeared first on Saturday Glory.