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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post ‘Adversity teaches a man a lot about himself’: Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. pens letter to NFL GMs in Players Tribune appeared first on Saturday Glory.

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.”

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

Rattler played two series at the start of the game. He connected with TCU’s Emani Bailey, Missouri’s Cody Schrader twice and once to Georgia’s Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint on a 29-yard touchdown, totaling 65 yards. 

READ: Michigan promotes Kirk Campbell to OC, Grant Newsome to OL coach

After Rattler and American scored to start the Senior Bowl, the National team went on to score 16 unanswered points all in the second half. 

Oregon’s Bo Nix connected with Minnesota tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford for a 2-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 55-yard drive that lasted 3:40 in the first quarter. 

All National needed then was three field goals kicked by Stanford kicker Joshua Karty from distances of 37 yards, 52 and 19. 

READ: Big Ten, SEC form joint advisory group

Washington State cornerback Chau Smith-Wade dove for an interception with 1:38 left as the American team drove to National’s 16-yard line, and he returned it 83 yards to set up for Karty’s game-sealing field goal with 1:15 remaining. 

Smith-Wade was named National’s player of the game.

Among the other participants in the Senior Bowl included Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman, Tennessee gunslinger Joe Milton III and Tulane’s Michael Pratt. The three of them combined to go 20-48 for 194 passing yards and three interceptions, and Milton had two of them. 

2023 Burlsworth Trophy winner Schrader had a game-high 54 receiving yards across five receptions. He also carried the rock for 12 yards totaling 66 all-purpose yards. 

Bailey rushed for a game-high 53 yards. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry. 

READ: Ohio Lineman Jake Cook Commits to Louisville

American outgained the National team 271 yards to 184. Neither team surpassed more than 94 rushing yards, while the American team committed four turnovers. 

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was part of the lead-up toward the Senior Bowl but decided not to play.

It was the first sellout at the Senior Bowl since 2010, according to The Associated Press.

The post Rattler goes 4-for-4 with TD, National beats American 16-7 in Senior Bowl  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

The No. 1 Wolverines took it all in on Monday night, just after beating No. 2 Washington 34-13 in the College Football Playoff National Championship. It secured Michigan’s first CFP title and first national championship since 1997, all under the tutelage of head coach and “Michigan man” Jim Harbaugh. 

“Glorious win. Could not be happier or prouder,” Harbaugh said. “Our team, 15-0. Took on all comers. Last one standing. It’s a great feeling, and just so happy for our players, for our parents, for their grandparents, our coaches (offensive coordinator) Sherrone Moore, (defensive coordinator) Jesse Minter, (running backs and assistant special teams coach) Jay Harbaugh, the coordinators, the coaches, the staff just couldn’t have had a better game. Jesse Minter, I mean, A-plus-plus the whole way. And for me, personally, I can now sit at the big person’s table in the family. They won’t keep me over there on the little table anymore. My dad Jack Harbaugh won a national championship and my brother won a Super Bowl so it’s good to be at the big person table from now on.” 

READ: Former Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins commits to Ohio State

Michigan jumped out to a 17-7 lead after running back Donovan Edwards scored two 40-plus yard rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. 

Washington answered back in the second quarter when Michael Penix Jr. Connected with receiver Jalen McMillan on a 3-yard touchdown bringing the score to 17-10 at halftime. 

But the Wolverines held the Huskies to 141 yards in the second half and forced two turnovers to outscore Washington 17-3 in the third and fourth quarters. 

It didn’t come easily for the Wolverines. They punted on three-straight drives in the second half while Washington trailed behind 20-13. 

“We started off really hot, everything was clicking, but I feel like we got to points in the games where we were beating ourselves,” Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy said. “I was missing throws. I was missing some reads, and it just comes down to moving on to the next play, flushing the last play and just staying in the present moment and just trying to attack one play at a time.” 

VIEW: Watch: Michigan RB Blake Corum gives Wolverines insurance, scores 12-yard TD

McCarthy went 10-of-18 for 140 yards, and it was completely Michigan’s running attack and defense that helped seal the Wolverines’ national title. 

The Wolverines ran for a season-high 303 yards, including 209 in the first half, while they became the first team with two 100-plus yard rushers in a CFP National Championship. 

VIEW: Watch: No. 2 Washington answers back, Michael Penix Jr. finds Jalen McMillan for 3-yard TD

Blake Corum led Michigan with 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He said Michigan manifested its national championship ever since it lost to TCU in the CFP semifinals for a second-straight year in 2022. 

“For me, when we all decided to come back, we knew what it took to get here, right? And when we all said we’re coming back and the guys that had no other choice but to come back, we had to pay attention to details, and our strength coach actually hit on it (Sunday night) when he was talking to us,” Corum said. “But it’s the little things, the details and the details, and we really locked in on those details all the way back to winter workouts, summer workouts. We were always just trying to execute at a high level and pay attention to detail. I think that’s what separated us a lot.” 

VIEW: Watch: Donovan Edwards scores 2nd touchdown on 46-yard run to keep No. 1 Michigan ahead in College Football Playoff National Championship

Now that Harbaugh gets to sit at “the big person’s table” in his family, the Wolverines also secured a special place in history. 

Harbaugh and Michigan underwent a season full of controversy. Harbaugh served a self-imposed three-game suspension to start the season due to recruiting violations and he also was suspended the final three games of the regular season by the Big Ten Conference after its investigation into in-person scouting led by former staff member Connor Stalions. 

Harbaugh had been tight-lipped about the ongoing investigations into Michigan’s program throughout the season. He focused on the “one-track mind” and preached it all season long, and now that the season is over, Harbaugh shed a little light. 

“It couldn’t have gone better. It went exactly how we wanted it to go to win every game,” Harbaugh said. “Off the field issues, we’re innocent. And we stood strong and tall because we knew we’re innocent. And I’d just like to point that out. And these guys, these guys are innocent. And yeah, (to) overcome that wasn’t that hard because we knew we were innocent.” 

VIEW: Watch: Michigan’s Donovan Edwards scores 41-yard TD to start CFP National Championship

Whether Michigan holds onto its national championship remains to be seen. Speculation has swirled regarding the ongoing NCAA investigation into in-person scouting that the Wolverines could vacate their 2023 season. 

But that all remains speculation. For now, though, Michigan is on top of the college football world, and it doesn’t plan on stopping here. 

“It takes a lot more than just being a football player to be a Michigan man, and everything that — the rigorous school, schedule, the rigorous football schedule just forces us into these Michigan men and couldn’t be in a better spot,” McCarthy said. 

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Edwards sprung for a 41-yard touchdown on the game-opening drive, and Michigan (15-0, 9-0 Big Ten Conference) held the lead ever since.

VIEW: Watch: Michigan RB Blake Corum gives Wolverines insurance, scores 12-yard TD

Edwards struck again later in the first quarter, this time on a 46-yard rush to the right side of the line of scrimmage that gave Michigan a 14-3 lead with 2:23 left in the quarter. 

Washington’s (14-1, 10-0 Pac-12 Conference) response in the first half came in the form of a 3-yard touchdown reception caught by receiver Jalen McMillan. Michael Penix Jr. finished the game 27-of-51 for 255 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. 

The Huskies trailed by one score 17-10 at halftime. At that point in the game, Michigan had 209 rushing yards compared to 160 total yards produced by Washington’s offense. 

The beat played on in the second half for Michigan. It intercepted Penix on the first play of the third quarter and terrorized him for two turnovers. 

VIEW: Watch: No. 2 Washington answers back, Michael Penix Jr. finds Jalen McMillan for 3-yard TD

Neither team had much luck converting on late downs. Both teams combined to go 3-of-24 on third down and 2-of-6 on fourth down, and Washington had four of those conversions. 

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy did just enough on offense to lead the Wolverines offensively. He may not have produced as much as he would’ve liked in the passing game, but he had provided a running threat that kept the Huskies on their toes. 

McCarthy went 10-of-18 for 140 passing yards. He scrambled four times for 31 yards, and had a 22-yard conversion in the third quarter. 

It marks Michigan’s first national title since 1997. 

VIEW: Watch: Donovan Edwards scores 2nd touchdown on 46-yard run to keep No. 1 Michigan ahead in College Football Playoff National Championship

The Wolverines totaled 303 rushing yards. Blake Corum led the way with 134 yards on the ground and Edwards had 104, becoming the first duo to have over 100 rushing yards in the CFP National Championship. 

Dillon Johnson led Washington with 33 of its 46 rushing yards. Rome Odunze had 87 receiving yards on five receptions. 

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Corum carried the football 12 yards and shed a few tackles to cross the goal line, helping the Wolverines take a 27-13 lead over No. 2 Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Both teams traded field goals after Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was intercepted by Michigan defensive back Will Johnson.

Neither team could muster offense when they had possession. As of 7:09 left in the fourth quarter, Michigan has gone 1-for-9 on third down and Washington 2-for-11.

Michigan leads 26-13 with just over seven minutes left to play.

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With 42 seconds left in the second quarter, Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. fired across the middle to receiver Jalen McMillan for a 3-yard touchdown. It brought Washington back within a score 17-10.

It was also Penix’s first touchdown of the game. It capped an 11-play, 61-yard drive that lasted 4 minutes.

Michigan leads 17-10 at halftime. The Wolverines totaled 290 yards in the first half to Washington’s 161.

Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy went 5-of-11 for 81 passing yards. Michigan ran for 209 yards in the first half led by 93 yards from Donovan Edwards and 84 yards for Blake Corum.

Penix went 13-for-21 for 128 passing yards and a touchdown.

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DeBoer will lead No. 2 Washington into its first College Football Playoff National Championship appearance, and the Huskies will play for their first national title since 1991 when they line up to play No. 1 Michigan in Houston on Monday night. 

“I’ve tried to make sure our guys realize the moment they’re in,” DeBoer said. “I’ve tried to really make sure and be intentional that this moment is special. It’s really great when you’re in playoff football, when you know when your last game is going to be. And you can have a moment here, a moment there, where you can really appreciate how far we’ve come, whether it’s this year or over the last two years, and in the end, though, someone’s going to be a national champion and that’s the greatest piece of it all is making sure you’re putting in all the preparation.” 

READ: Kalen DeBoer, Jim Harbaugh talk College Football Playoff National Championship

DeBoer has led a turnaround within Washington’s program from the moment he took the reins prior to the 2022 season. 

Washington finished 4-8 under Jimmy Lake in 2021. It marked the program’s first under-.500 season in 12 years, and it was time for a change. 

DeBoer made the trek across the country from Indiana where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2019, then he became the head coach at Fresno State from 2020-21. 

DeBoer brought quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with him to Washington after the two spent time together at Indiana, and Penix is soaking in the moment of a CFP National Championship. 

“It’s a dream come true to be honest. I’m still wrapping my head around it,” Penix said. “Just super blessed to be in this position. This is something that you dream of as kids coming to play for the national championship. For us to be here right now, all the hard work and dedication that it took to get here, it’s definitely showing that it’s paid off. But obviously, we got to make it happen.” 

READ: Reports: Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa enters transfer portal

Penix finished runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting. He led the Pac-12 Conference with 4,648 passing yards and has 35 passing touchdowns and a 66.7% completion to his name. 

Washington’s offense presents a high-powered passing approach, but it is complemented by dynamic running back Dillon Johnson. Johnson aggravated a foot injury and had a bruised left knee after the Sugar Bowl against No. 3 Texas, but he isn’t likely to miss time against the Wolverines. 

“We’re expecting him to play,” DeBoer said. “He’s been through this over the last couple of months and he hasn’t missed any time there. And so he’s having a good week getting back healthy.” 

Michigan’s defense will counter Washington with a stout front seven. 

The Wolverines hold opposing offenses to 150 passing yards per game, which is good for No. 2 in college football. 

Washington co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach William Inge said Michigan presents “a lot of challenges” from the defensive side of the ball. 

“They definitely define the elements of physicality, and as a coach, it makes you so happy because this is what really defines football from any other sport, the elements of contact that you have to have,” Inge said. “We have to be able to match that exact same physicality with us on defense.” 

READ: Former Oregon QB Ty Thompson to transfer to Tulane

Penix has some experience playing against a Michigan defense. 

In 2020, Penix led Indiana to a 38-21 win over the Wolverines, and in the game he threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. 

While there may be some flashbacks to competing against Michigan, Penix thinks the Huskies will be up for the challenge. 

“That whole defense, they’re good,” Penix said. “I feel like they do a lot of good things on that side of the ball. I feel like they’re very well coached. They have a lot of good players, and we do too, obviously. But for me, I’m always going to believe in my guys and believe that my guys are going to be able to get the job done no matter what and no matter who we’re facing, so I’m super excited for it. I know the guys are super excited for it, and come Monday I guess we’ll see who had the better side.” 

DeBoer’s play calling and the work he does alongside coordinators such as Ryan Grubb on offense and co-coordinators Inge and Chuck Morrell on defense has been among the best in college football, and Washington hinges itself on executing the right play. 

DeBoer said the Huskies talk about game planning and schematics “all offseason” and even into spring and fall practices. He said the emphasis lies in “game situations,” such as being ready for an opportunity on fourth down offensively. 

“I think there’s a lot of people that are much more aggressive than I am, but I think it’s just picking and choosing the right times,” DeBoer said. “A lot of it, you understand that percentages and the chances and, of course, there’s a million different ways to look at the analytics of everything and what you should do. But for me, there’s a piece of that, but it’s also just where we’re at in the game and your gut instinct. And obviously, you’re trusting in the game plan and you’re trusting in the calls that your coach is going to make and of course, most importantly, you’re trusting the execution of your guys.” 

READ: Former Kansas State QB Will Howard to transfer to Ohio State

Washington’s turnaround over the past two seasons has been drastic, and it all starts with Penix and DeBoer at the top. 

Penix said his relationship with DeBoer “definitely helped” and was among the reasons he chose to transfer to Washington from Indiana after the 2021 season. 

And now the two have a chance to win a CFP National Championship together as part of an unbeaten, conference-champion Huskies team. 

“He’s somebody that I trusted in whenever he was coaching me at Indiana,” Penix said. “It was good, the whole transfer thing. I felt like I was doing what I felt was best for me and my future at that time, and I definitely don’t regret it. I feel like it was the best decision of my life and I’m super blessed that I was able to do that. And to be able to be on this stage today is a big blessing, but I’ve always loved and believed in coach DeBoer and everything that he stands for and he preaches, and I’m still doing it. I’m still believing.” 

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That will be the matchup in Houston next Monday for the College Football Playoff National Championship. It will pit two unbeaten conference champions against one another, and DeBoer said the excitement has set in.

“We are back in Seattle just honored to be representing our team here in the national championship,” DeBoer said. “Just congratulations and tip of the hat to coach Harbaugh and Michigan and the amazing season they’ve had and just a lot of domination all year long and a well-fought win against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. So we are looking forward to the challenge, looking forward to everything that comes along with the national championship here in the days ahead, and our preparation, especially with the coaching staff and the game planning, is going strong and ready in a couple of days when we’ll be back down in Houston and really looking forward to that time down there.”

READ: Former Oregon QB Ty Thompson to transfer to Tulane

DeBoer and the Huskies earned a 14-0 record after holding off No. 3 Texas’ comeback efforts in the fourth quarter of the Sugar Bowl. Shortly before that game, Harbaugh and the Wolverines emerged victorious in overtime over Nick Saban and No. 4 Alabama.

Harbaugh said the message remains the same to the Wolverines in the days leading up to the CFP National Championship.

“Thinking more about the here and now for sure so take a look at Washington. They’re an outstanding football team,” Harbaugh said. “It’s just a very one-track mind of today getting our team prepared, getting back moving around, but also schematically on to what Washington does and preliminary plans for putting in our game plan.”

Harbaugh and Michigan have gone through a season mired in controversy. He’s spent six games suspended for recruiting violations and the Big Ten’s investiation into in-person scouting.

The NCAA is in an ongoing investigation into the in-person scouting efforts led by former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions. Whether this season or a potential national title is vacated remains to be seen, but that’s not what Harbaugh is thinking about right now.

“Getting ready for this game, one-track mind,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, that’s, I guess you’re going to live in the room, world of rumor-ville or speculation, but we just don’t really have any room to be doing that at this point. That’s time spent elsewhere.”

Harbaugh and the Wolverines will turn their focus to the Heisman Trophy runner-up in Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Penix beat the Wolverines 38-21 during his third season at Indiana in 2020. He threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, and Penix and the Hoosiers finished that season No. 11 in the final CFP rankings.

Penix’s left-handed throw is among the best in college football. His skill set stands out to Harbaugh, who has history with Penix.

“He’s a super great player,” Harbaugh said. “My impressions of him when he played in Indiana were the same. I mean big-time arm talent, tremendous pressure, presence, I mean, presence in the pocket, sees the field really well. He is so polished. Watching him and his accuracy, decision-making, timing. He has really just continued to have this tremendous presence of going through progression, feels pressure will drop it off to a check down. Yeah, it’s at an elite level.”

READ: Reports: Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa enters transfer portal

Injuries have bitten Penix’s career at points. Knee and shoulder surgeries had forced Penix to find opportunity elsewhere from Indiana, and he landed at Washington before the 2022 season.

DeBoer said there “may be” some flashbacks for Penix when he lines up to play Michigan for a second time in his career, only this time it will be for all the marbles in the CFP National Championship.

“I think it’s just a whole different thing that he’s involved with now being here at U-Dub and his teammates and the confidence he has in them and that they have in him as well,” DeBoer said. “I think it’s all about right now, but if you were playing in their stadium maybe there would be some familiarity that would help him feel good about it but we’re playing down in Houston. I mean, maybe the colors across from him would be something to bring back some memories pretty quickly. But I think right now he’s also just in the moment focused on our program and the opportunity at hand.”

Penix has led some successful drives that have paid off huge this season for Washington.

He led the Huskies on a comeback in the first game this year against Oregon Week 7, helping Washington win 36-33, and also conjured up more magic against the Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

Those moments will be etched in history and within Penix’s highlight reel for when he decides to turn pro. For now, though, a collection of moments defines this season, including the final minutes of the Week 7 matchup against Oregon, according to DeBoer.

“I know that’s more than one play, but that’s, to me, that span of just a few minutes, just the trajectory we were on and just how that kind of propelled us into kind of taking over the top spot in the conference,” DeBoer said. “So it’s not one play, but it’s just a group of things that have happened in the Pac 12 Championship and the Sugar Bowl. Just the way the guys work through third and fourth quarters, just keep trying and keep fighting, and each piece adds to the experiences we have and the way they trust and believe in each other on another level.”

READ: Former Kansas State QB Will Howard to transfer to Ohio State

Washington is playing for its first national title since 1991, and Michigan is playing for its first since 1997.

Both teams took very different courses this season to get where they are today, and yet, they’re similar in some regards. Both unbeaten, both led by high-powered offenses complemented by strong defenses, and both conference champions.

Something has to give on Monday. The focus for both teams will remain on staying present and prepared, DeBoer said.

“I think this year where we’re at right now in the season that this is all about, really, us representing the Pac-12 and going to win a national championship for our program and finishing off this season for this group of guys that have worked really hard,” DeBoer said. “I think it’s all about this moment and this game and what it means for our program to be participating and have a chance to win a national championship.”

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No. 1 Michigan will look to defend its top-seeded position against No. 2 Washington on Monday in Houston. Both teams fought off late comeback bids to advance past the semifinals and into the CFP National Championship.

READ: No. 2 Washington holds off No. 3 Texas 37-31 in Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal

The Wolverines used two rushing touchdowns scored by running back Blake Corum to boost themselves past the Crimson Tide in overtime of the Rose Bowl.

Across the country in New Orleans, Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies staved off Texas’ late comeback effort and held on to win 37-31.

Here are five takeaways from the CFP semifinals round.

Michgan’s defense came to play

The top scoring defense in college football proved its worth once again.

Michigan entered the Rose Bowl owning the No. 1 scoring defense holding opponents to less than 10 points per game.

The Wolverines, though, allowed more than their season average, and they had a stiff challenge in Alabama which had scored at least 17 points in every game this season.

But when it mattered, Michigan showed up in the key moments of the Rose Bowl.

Junior Colson and the Wolverines shut out the Crimson Tide in the third quarter and held them to 168 yards entering the fourth.

READ: Blake Corum’s TD in OT lifts No. 1 Michigan over No. 4 Alabama in Rose Bowl CFP semifinal

Michigan forced three punts in the second half as well as having picked up a fumble.

Michigan also forced four three-and-outs on four of the game’s first five drives. It allowed the Wolverines to go up 13-7 before they conjured up overtime magic to win the game.

In overtime, Michigan picked up the first touchdown after Corum ran 25 yards on two carries to give the Wolverines a lead.

Then, Michigan got stops on four-straight plays inside its 10-yard line, including the final one of the game that featured a low snap to Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who ran straight ahead into the tackle pile to end the game.

So when it mattered, Michigan’s defense stepped up. Now, the Wolverines will look to stop Penix and Washington, which boasts the No. 5 total offense and averages 332.9 yards per game.

Blake Corum proves he’s top running threat

The NCAA leader in rushing touchdowns with 24 entering the Rose Bowl, Corum provided the critical runs in overtime to help Michigan advance to its first CFP National Championship.

Corum entered the Rose Bowl without a receiving touchdown on the season. He caught his first of the campaign to put Michigan ahead first 7-0 on a route to the left as Corum waltzed into the end zone.

Corum averaged 4.4 yards per carry across 19 attempts. He totaled 83 rushing yards and 35 receiving yards, a season-high.

Corum may be reaching his peak performance this season. In each of his past five games, he’s averaged more than three yards per carry, and he’s scored a rushing touchdown in 14 consecutive games.

The Marshall, Virginia, native broke off his longest run of the game on his second carry, going 21 yards and converting the first down to position Michigan near midfield where it later scored on Corum’s 8-yard receiving touchdown.

Now, Corum and the Wolverines will take part in their first CFP National Championship.

Corum will enter the national title game the leader in total points responsible for. He’s up to 156 points on 26 touchdowns.

He’ll have his latest challenge against Washington, which allows 137.1 rushing yards per game good for No. 41 in college football. Corum and the Wolverines will be ready.

It’s hard to stop Michael Penix Jr.

The Heisman Trophy runner-up shined bright on the biggest stage.

Penix went off 29-for-38 and threw for 430 yards and two touchdowns. His performance was representative of his year this season as Penix leads college football with 4,648 passing yards.

READ: No. 8 Oregon hands No. 23 Liberty first loss 45-6 in Fiesta Bowl

Penix threw go-ahead touchdowns in the second and third quarters while he continued to pile up passing yards. He eclipsed 400 pass yards for a fourth time this season.

Perhaps Penix’s best quarter came in the third. Both Texas and Washington tied at 21 entering the second half, then Penix turned on.

The sixth-year quarterback went 12-for-13 for 118 yards and a touchdown. He began the second half 11-of-11, and his signature throw came on a 19-yard pass to Jalen McMillan.

Even the Longhorns couldn’t slow Penix, who is having a career year after knee and shoulder injuries plagued his career at Indiana.

Two seasons later at Washington, Penix is leading the Huskies to the national championship game.

Jalen Milroe will be a force to reckon with in 2024

Alabama went into the 2023 season with a new starting quarterback after former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young was selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.

Nick Saban turned to junior Jalen Milroe from Katy, Texas, and Milroe had been a four-star recruit as part of the class of 2021.

Milroe set out this season with a team mantra behind him: “Let a naysayer know.”

Milroe and the Crimson Tide put the college football world on notice after Alabama beat Georgia 27-24 in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, snapping the Bulldogs’ 29-game winning streak.

Leading up to the SEC title game, Milroe converted a key 4th and 31 play against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, helping Alabama keep on its path toward the CFP.

It’s clear Milroe has a clutch gene. He tried to make something out of a low snap on 4th and Goal at the end of overtime before he ultimately was tackled near the line of scrimmage.

But that doesn’t mean Milroe won’t be back for 2024.

He’s already announced his intention to return to Alabama and put off the NFL ahead of the 2024 season. It’ll give Saban a second-year starting quarterback to compete in an expanded SEC that will welcome Oklahoma and Texas to the conference.

Milroe totaled 2,834 passing yards, 23 touchdowns to six interceptions and compiled a 66% completion in 2023. Saban and Alabama will be in prime position to strike in the first 12-team Playoff with Milroe under center next year.

Special teams play was sloppy

Muffed punt here, muffed punt there.

There several combined muffed punts during the CFP semifinal round. They stung the likes of Michigan and Washington, yet cost neither team the game.

Even still, special teams must perform at the highest levels of the season in Playoff games.

READ: Reports: DJ Uiagalelei to transfer to Florida State

Near the end of the Rose Bowl, Michigan lined up for a punt return while Alabama punter James Burnip got ready. When he caught the snap and prepared to boot the football, disaster struck.

Michigan punt returner Jake Thaw muffed the punt near the goal line and he recovered it at the 1-yard line. Fortunately for the Wolverines, they ran the ball once before kneeling it out and opting for overtime.

In the Sugar Bowl, Washington punt returner Germie Bernard muffed a punt and the Longhorns fell on the football. It resulted in Texas going 22 yards down the field and Byron Murphy II scoring from 1 yard out to tie the game at 14 points apeice.

Both Michigan and Washington know the detriments of poor special teams play. They’ll have one week to fine tune and reload before meeting in the final CFP National Championship of the four-team Playoff era.

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