Category: College Football

Clemson falls a spot, Ohio State jumps to No. 1 in 247Sports latest Preseason Top 25

Clemson dropped a spot in 247Sports latest Preseason Top 25.

In the 2023 Clemson football season, Coach Dabo Swinney led the team through ups and downs. They ended with a thrilling win against Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, but their 9-4 record and 4-4 ACC standing left fans wanting more consistency. Now, attention turns to 2024, with talks of changes to improve Clemson’s game.

Clemson like years prior, has a tremendous ceiling. They have the talent to make a serious run at the College Football Playoff and the defense to win it all. Much of their future success revolves around the offense and how starting quarterback Cade Klubnik and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley fare in 2024. If the offense can put things together, well Clemson could be a powerhouse.

Even so, the Tigers dropped a spot in 247Sports latest Preseason Top 25 to No. 16.

Are we still feeling about about the Tigers’ chances near the top of the ACC race or is reigning champion Florida State the team to beat with Miami gaining steam? Coming out of spring, the hype seems to have simmered a bit on Clemson — just the way Dabo Swinney likes it. Clemson gets Phil Mafah back, but it’s going to have to manufacture production elsewhere in the run game to take some of the pressure off Cade Klubnik, who’s back for his second season as the Tigers’ QB1. Swinney liked the progress his signal caller made this spring. Clemson’s defense should be one of the nation’s best.

The consensus here is that the Tigers’ success revolves around how the offense looks. They have a star running back, so the run game will be covered, but outside of that, a lot is in the air. It goes beyond just Klubnik, too. 

The offensive line needs to perform, and the playmakers at wide receiver and tight end need to take the next step. If Klubnik is properly supported, we could see a massive break out in 2024 from the junior signal caller.

 

Former Arizona State star receiver visits Washington

The Washington Huskies appear to be turning to a former Arizona State Sun Devil to bolster their wide receivers.

The Washington Huskies are looking for reinforcements all over the roster and are turning to the transfer portal in search of another wide receiver, as former Arizona State Sun Devils star Elijhah Badger.

ASU beat writer Anthony Totri reported that Badger was visiting Washington on Monday afternoon, which the former four-star recruit confirmed on his Instagram story.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Badger has led the Sun Devils in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons and tallied 142 receptions for 1,640 yards and 10 touchdowns over his four years in Tempe. He added 3 rushing touchdowns to his total and would be an intriguing piece for coach Jedd Fisch’s offense.

A versatile player, Badger can line up in the slot or on the outside of the formation and would give the Huskies an extremely exciting group of receivers for the upcoming season. If he were to commit to Washington, he would likely be asked to start in the slot alongside sophomore Denzel Boston and California transfer Jeremiah Hunter.

Fisch and offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll would also find significant roles for senior Giles Jackson and redshirt freshmen Keith Reynolds and Rashid Williams, who have all turned in solid performances so far during spring practice, which could create one of the better groups of receivers in the Big Ten.

If the coaching staff can secure a commitment from Badger in the coming days, he would round out Washington’s receiving corps and allow the coaching staff to focus on the offensive line, which is still in need of extra help.

Penix pens letter to general managers ahead of NFL draft

Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a powerful message for general managers ahead of Thursday’s NFL draft.

One of the biggest questions surrounding former Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been his health. After suffering four season-ending injuries over his four years at Indiana, some teams have concerns about his long-term durability, and ahead of Thursday’s NFL draft, Penix took to The Player’s Tribune to address any concerns general managers might have about selecting him in the first round.

“This is a big decision,” Penix wrote. “Selecting someone to lead your franchise, to wear the name on the front of the jersey with pride, and to make sure every teammate, coach, staff member, and fan can do the same. So, it’s about more than tape.”

“You need to know what I’m made of. This job isn’t just about 60 minutes on Sunday, and what you use to judge my fit as a leader has got to include what’s outside those white lines. On that, it seems there are questions that you need answered …”

Over his two years at Washington, Penix showed Husky fans exactly what he can do as a leader. He rallied a demoralized team where many of its best players were considering transferring coming off a 4-8 season and combined with coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, helped turn the Huskies into a contender for a national championship.

Penix went on to credit Washington’s former coaching staff for taking a chance on him when the rest of college football was ready to give up on him.

“The first thing [DeBoer] does is get a quarterback transfer who wasn’t thought of as a top 100 player in the portal,” Penix said. “And so I wasn’t promised anything. Not a starting job, no NIL deal, no special treatment. Nothing was going to be handed to me. I was going to have to earn everything. Good. That’s what I was accustomed to.”

With his name being linked to the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and New England Patriots as the rumor mill kicks into high gear, he ended his statement with a powerful message for any team willing to select him.

“I have no problem taking all the MRI’s and X-rays you ask of me,” he said. “Truth is, it’s an EKG that will tell you everything you need to know about me.”

To read Penix’s entire letter in The Player’s Tribune, click here.

Washington adds transfer lineman Logan Sagapolu from Miami

The Washington Huskies added another transfer along the offensive line on Monday morning, a former member of both the Miami Hurricanes and Oregon Ducks.

Both head coach Jedd Fisch and quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty told the media after Saturday’s practice that help was on the way for the Washington Huskies along the offensive line. On Monday morning, former Miami offensive lineman Logan Sagapolu announced his commitment to Washington, however, he is rumored to make the switch to defensive tackle on Montlake.

According to 247Sports’ Scott Eklund, Sagapolu is expected to flip sides of the line like former Washington defensive tackle Ulumoo Ale.

After spending the first two years of his college career with the Oregon Ducks, Sagapolu followed coach Mario Cristobal to Miami, where he played in 10 games along the offensive line over his two seasons with the Hurricanes.

The product of Skyridge High School in Lehi, Utah, has two years of eligibility remaining, and the 6-foot-2, 340-pound lineman should add much-needed depth for defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi at nose tackle. Washington lost three defensive tackles after the 2023 season, with Ale and Tuli Letuligasenoa out of eligibility, while Faatui Tuitele chose to medically retire.

Sagapolu gives defensive coordinator Steve Belichick a promising option to deploy in the middle of the defense and also allows the Huskies to pursue another player at the position, like Louisville transfer Jermayne Lole, who also visited UW over the weekend.

Clemson offensive lineman Zack Owens enters transfer portal

Another Tiger enters the transfer portal.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program are losing another player to the spring transfer portal.

According to multiple reports, Clemson offensive lineman Zack Owens has entered the portal. The redshirt freshman’s time with the program has come to an end.

Owens appeared in two games during his Clemson career, playing 13 offensive snaps before redshirting. The Tigers are looking to bolster their offensive line and Owens won’t be a part of that with this news.

A four-star recruit in the 2023 class, 247Sports ranked Owens as the No. 18 offensive tackle and the No. 198 overall player in the class. Recruited by some of the best schools in the country, Owens should have some great offers in the portal.

Trotter ‘could be in for long wait in 2024 NFL draft’ according to this analyst

Trotter has a wide range of outcomes in the 2024 NFL draft.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers are losing arguably their best player to the 2024 NFL draft, All-American linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Trotter was our defensive MVP for the Tigers during their 2023 season, playing as one of the best defensive players in college football. Trotter started all 12 games on the Clemson defense this season, ranking first on the team in tackles (87), tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (5.5). You’d think another excellent season like this would raise his draft stock, but that might not be the case.

According to USA TODAY Sports analyst Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, Trotter is a big-name college football standout who could be in for long wait in 2024 NFL draft.

It didn’t take long before the son of four-time Pro Bowl linebacker and former Philadelphia Eagles standout Jeremiah Trotter stepped out of his father’s shadow. The 6-0, 228-pounder made his mark at Clemson as a consistent downhill playmaker, collecting nearly 180 tackles with 28 ½ tackles for loss and 12 sacks over his two years as a starter.

Taking his game to the NFL, however, could be tricky. Finishing plays against the run might prove more difficult at the next level, as his range is not extensive and he can be too easily shaken in space. And while his instincts could help him become a solid contributor in zone coverage, he could be exposed in man-to-man matchups. The middle rounds seem like a sensible starting point for his pro career.

While Trotter is a bit undersized, his talent is far more impressive than Middlehurst-Schwartz is giving credit for. His athleticism is legitimate, and he has the tools to be fantastic in man coverage with the right coaching staff. Trotter is a pure leader with the tools to rush the quarterback and cover ground in the run game.

While I don’t see Trotter as a first-round pick, primarily because of his size, I also don’t see him making it out of the second round with the potential he possesses.

Clemson freshman defensive end announces transfer destination

After entering the transfer portal, Adam Kissayi quickly announced his transfer destination.

Clemson freshman defensive end Adam Kissayi entered the transfer portal on Sunday and, on the same day, announced where he will be playing football in 2024.

The three-star defensive end committed to Clemson after de-committing from Minnesota, which was seemingly the incorrect decision for the young defender. Sometime later, before taking a snap in a Clemson uniform, Kissayi transferred to Minnesota, ending his time with the Tigers and giving Kissayi a new start with the Golden Gophers.

This is modern college football for ya.

Kissayi was a three-star recruit in the 2024 class, viewed as a development piece for the Tigers with a 6-foot-8 frame. According to 247Sports composite rankings, Kissayi was the No. 38 edge and No. 563 overall player in his class. After being an early enrollee, Kissayi may not see much opportunity for him in Clemson’s stacked defensive line unit.

Sights and sounds from Washington’s ninth spring practice

The Washington Huskies held a scrimmage during their ninth spring practice inside Husky Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Jedd Fisch couldn’t have picked a better day to hold a scrimmage. On a perfect, 70-degree day inside Husky Stadium, the Washington Huskies took the field for their ninth spring practice for the first of two scrimmages before the team’s spring game on May 3.

“We got a lot of work done and I think we were able to see every single player out on the field today,” Fisch said.

However, they were without one key piece.

Fisch announced that edge rusher Zach Durfee would miss the rest of spring practice with an elbow injury that he suffered last Saturday. The head coach said that the Sioux Falls transfer required surgery to repair the injury, which will keep him out for the next two months, but the Huskies are planning to have him back by the time fall camp starts.

Even without Durfee, the pass rush had a good day against Washington’s patchwork offensive line. The Huskies showed off an impressive pass rush, highlighted by multiple pseudo-sacks for edge rusher Lance Holtzclaw, along with multiple pressures from defensive tackle Jayvon Parker and edge rusher Jacob Lane.

Cornerback Jordan Shaw also made his way into the backfield, coming untouched on a nickel blitz for a sack, touching quarterback Demond Williams down. He also recorded the defense’s only interception of the day as he continued his strong campaign this spring, which could help him secure the starting job as defensive coordinator Steve Belichick’s nickelback.

After practice, both Fisch and quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty said that the team will be adding more players to the offensive front over the coming weeks from the transfer portal.

However, Williams didn’t need too much time when he made the play of the day, finding wide receiver Keith Reynolds for a 25-yard touchdown early on in practice. The true freshman displayed excellent poise and awareness, stepping up in the pocket before making a throw on the run and dropping a perfect throw right into the bucket for Reynolds.

“Demond is doing a great job,” Dougherty said. “He’s light years ahead of a kid that should still be in the hot lunch line. He should still be in high school right now, but he’s out here playing college football in Husky Stadium. And to do what he’s doing is pretty special.”

Spring Practice Notebook

  • Among the inactives on Saturday were offensive lineman Kahlee Tafai, who participated in the practice for the first time in over a week, but donned a yellow non-contact jersey. He was joined on the side field by running back Cameron Davis and cornerback Caleb Presley, while wide receiver Audric Harris didn’t suit up.
  • Quarterback Will Rogers had a good day, throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Giles Jackson, and a 30-yard score to wide receiver Denzel Boston, which he threaded in between cornerback Thaddeus Dixon and safety Makell Esteen.
  • Saturday’s practice saw a lot of high-profile visitors descend on campus for unofficial visits, including three-star quarterback commit Dash Beierly, and 2026 five-star quarterback prospect Brady Smigiel.
  • Freshman linebacker Khmori House displayed his impressive speed during the scrimmage, getting a great jump off the line of scrimmage and exploding into the backfield for a sack before Williams could even finish his drop.
  • Fisch also mentioned a handful of players that have stood out in his eyes this spring: linebacker Carson Bruener, offensive tackle Drew Azzopardi, cornerbacks Jordan Shaw and Thaddeus Dixon, and running back Adam Mohammed.

Washington’s best first round picks: No. 10 Reggie Williams

Reggie Williams will always be remembered as one of the greatest receivers in Washington Huskies history.

Wide receiver Reggie Williams is one of the highest-rated recruits to ever play for the Washington Huskies, coming in at No. 2 according to 247Sports behind linebacker Shaq Thompson. He saw nothing but success during his time on Montlake before he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 9 overall in the 2004 NFL draft, making him the highest-drafted Husky at wide receiver in program history.

Williams was born in West Germany into a military family. They eventually moved to Lakewood, Washington, where he would attend Lakes High School and lead his team to a state championship during his senior year, where he was named the AP’s Washington State Player of the Year.

During that final season, he caught 45 passes for 811 yards and 16 touchdowns, and took 34 carries for an additional 512 yards and 7 scores. He also played safety, where he grabbed 5 interceptions during his junior year and another 7 as a senior.

He also displayed his athleticism on the track in high school, where he ran a 10.76 100-meter dash to win the 3A state championship. His 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame gave him such impressive size and athleticism that it had many scouts wondering if he might switch to defense at the college level.

His recruitment rivaled that of a top NFL draft prospect, where he had an impressive list of schools courting him, including Washington, Florida State, UCLA and Michigan. There even was a late push by the newly hired Pete Carroll and the USC Trojans to get in the mix. Eventually, coach Rick Neuheisel’s tenacity and a helicopter ride to pick up Williams to bring him to campus for a visit won the high school standout over.

During his time on Montlake, to say his numbers were impressive would be an understatement. From 2001 – 2003, he set every receiving record at Washington. He totaled 16 100-yard games and three 1,000 yard seasons, the first of which made him the only freshman in school history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a year.

By his sophomore season, he was voted an All American before he declared for the 2004 NFL draft after his junior year.

His rookie season with the Jaguars was underwhelming and not up to the standard he had set for himself during his time at Washington. He impressed during the first half of his second season with the team, but after a concussion, he struggled to get back on track.

He broke out during his third season and was considered one of the top receivers in the NFL until Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich suffered a season-ending injury, limiting Williams’ production.

He spent the 2009 season out of the league before signing with the Seattle Seahawks, where it seemed as if Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll had finally got his man. But he never saw the field, as Williams was released by the team in June, prior to the start of training camp.

He spent one year in the UFL and another in the CFL before hanging up his cleats. Now, Williams resides in San Antonio, Texas with his wife and three children.