NFL draft bust Ryan Leaf is not sold on Caleb Williams

If a memorable draft bust isn’t a Caleb Williams believer, maybe that means Caleb is going to be a superstar.

If one of the most memorable NFL draft busts of all time says a top quarterback prospect isn’t ready to start in his NFL rookie season, does that mean you should trust the draft bust or treat his words with skepticism? That’s the question after Ryan Leaf expressed skepticism about Caleb Williams and his ability to start right away in the NFL. It could be that Leaf, a failed NFL player, might not have the right instincts as an evaluator, and that Caleb Williams will thrive. We will find out soon enough.

Ryan Leaf made his way into the news cycle two months ago when someone on social media made an erroneous comment which tried to link Leaf with Williams.

A person tweeted that Caleb Williams was going to become the biggest Heisman Trophy-winning NFL draft bust since Ryan Leaf. However, Leaf never did win the Heisman. As we wrote in the article linked to above, “It’s crazy that the original tweeter identified Ryan Leaf as a former Heisman winner, given that Leaf wasn’t even in the top two in 1997’s final vote. It was Charles Woodson first, Peyton Manning second. If Leaf had won, it would have been a historic Heisman upset.”

At any rate, we will see if Ryan Leaf is right about Caleb Williams.

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USC’s Keyshawn Johnson recalls his celebrity-filled NFL draft night party

Keyshawn Johnson can tell some stories. This is one.

Former No. 1 NFL draft pick and USC Trojan legend Keyshawn Johnson gave a behind-the-scenes look into his wild draft night party. The big bash included some of the biggest names in popular culture from eras past and present: 2Pac, Snoop Dogg and Coach Prime, Deion Sanders.

Keyshawn Johnson won the Cotton Bowl and the Rose Bowl at USC. He then went to the NFL and helped the New York Jets succeed.

“With an aging Vinny Testaverde at quarterback, Johnson needed to be his best self for the offense to function well. He was.

“Johnson made his first Pro Bowl in that 1998 season, catching 83 passes for 1,131 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Jets won the AFC East, got a wild-card bye, and hosted a divisional playoff game for the first time since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

“Guess what? That 1998 season remains the only time the Jets got a wild-card bye and a home game in the divisional round since the franchise joined the NFL from the old AFL.”

Here is Keyshawn on his unforgettable NFL draft night party:

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Notre Dame football lands first 2026 commitment

Another family affair for the Irish

After Sunday’s “Pot of Gold Day,” many wondered what ramifications it would have for Notre Dame football recruiting.

Well, that answer was a quick one for 2026 wide receiver [autotag]Dylan Faison[/autotag], who made his verbal pledge to the Irish on Monday. The brother of current receiver Jordan, the younger brother stands 5-foot, 11-inches and weighs 170-pounds.

Dylan isn’t ranked by any major services at the moment, but not many in his class are. The Irish offer was his only reported one at the moment, and it obviously didn’t take long for him to make his decision to join his brother in South Bend.

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Four-star safety sets commitment date, Gators in top 3

One of the elite defensive backs in the recruiting class of 2025, Bryce Fitzgerald, says Florida is among his top choices.

The Florida Gators are among three teams standing out for Columbus (Miami) safety [autotag]Bryce Fitzgerald[/autotag] as he approaches a decision, according to Swamp247’s Blake Alderman.

Fitzgerald said that he plans to announce a commitment on May 24, his mother’s birthday.

“Right now I have Florida, USC and Miami,” Fitzgerald said to Alderman. “I like Florida State too, but things were switching around. I like them, but they kind of dropped.”

Fitzgerald’s top three are in no particular order, which means Florida still has work to do to finish on top. The Gators expect to get him back on campus for a visit on Thursday after last hosting him in January for one of the team’s junior days, and he’ll return on June 14 for an official visit, post-commitment.

Florida is in the middle of spring camp, so Fitzgerald will get a chance to see his potential future position coaches in action, as well as head coach Billy Napier. UF’s secondary is under new direction with Will Harris replacing Corey Raymond as the team’s defensive backs coach.

Miami and Southern California will also host Fitzgerald on official visits after his planned announcement date. Like Florida, Miami will get him during spring camp. So will Florida State.

Fitzgerald is a four-star recruit, according to the On3 industry ranking which considers all four major services. He’s ranked No. 216 nationally and No. 18 among safeties in the class of 2025.

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Michigan State football LB no longer with the program

An MSU LB is no longer with the team:

It has been announced that another member of the Michigan State football program is no longer with the team. Joining the news that Jaelon Barbarin is no longer with the team, linebacker Ma’a Gaoteote is also no longer with the program.

In three seasons, Gaoteote recorded 15 tackles and 1 tackle for loss in his Spartans career. He has battled injury problems for a vast majority of the last two seasons.

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CU Buffs OL coach Phil Loadholt praises Jordan Seaton’s football knowledge

Jordan Seaton’s football knowledge is on par with his physical tools, says Phil Loadholt

Former Fountain-Fort Carson High School star-turned-NFL tackle Phil Loadholt was a specimen of an offensive lineman during his playing days. Standing at 6-foot-8 and 345 pounds, Loadholt parleyed his physical tools into a seven-year NFL career.

Now coaching Colorado’s offensive line, Loadholt understands that the mental side of the game is just as important as the physical, and he sees both aspects as being strong in five-star freshman left tackle Jordan Seaton.

Following the Buffs’ first spring football practice on Monday, Loadholt answered questions from the media. Naturally, he was asked about Seaton. Loadholt shared that he has been particularly impressed by Seaton’s high-level football knowledge.

“Being a freshman coming in, a guy straight out of high school, his knowledge is up there,” Loadholt said. “He’s a student of the game, he works hard, he comes up and watches film and does everything he’s supposed to do. That’s been the most impressive part of him. Obviously, physically, you can see that he’s advanced, you know what I mean? But his mental part has been impressive to me.”

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Former Texas RB D’Onta Foreman among PFF’s top available NFL free agents

D’Onta Foreman is PFF’s No. 2 available free agent running back.

Former Texas running back D’Onta Foreman is an NFL free agent this offseason. Continue reading “Former Texas RB D’Onta Foreman among PFF’s top available NFL free agents”

LOOK: Jonathan Smith says transfer QB Aidan Chiles is in line for the starting spot

To no surprise, it appears Aidan Chiles has the fast track to winning the Spartans’ starting quarterback spot this fall.

To no surprise, it appears Aidan Chiles has the fast track to winning the Spartans’ starting quarterback spot this fall.

Chiles — who was ranked as the No. 2 transfer quarterback by 247Sports this year — is reportedly the clear-cut frontrunner to win the starting role this year. New head coach Jonathan Smith met with the media on Monday, and said it would be an “upset” if Chiles wasn’t starting for the Spartans this fall.

Chiles comes to Michigan State with Smith from Oregon State. Chiles is a former four-star and top 100 prospect and played one season for Smith’s Beavers before following him to Michigan State this offseason.

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MSU RB Jaelon Barbarin is no longer with the program

Running back Jaelon Barbarin is no longer with the Michigan State football program

Running back Jaelon Barbarin is no longer with the Michigan State football program.

Barbarin has reportedly left the program, according to Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press. He appeared in one game this past season as a true freshman before getting hurt.

Barbarin was a three-star athlete in the 2023 class. He came to Michigan State from Simi Valley, Calif.

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Clemson lands massive commitment from four-star defensive back Tae Harris

Clemson makes another huge splash recruiting in the 2025 class.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff continue their scorching hot run recruiting in the 2025 class.

Cedartown (Ga.) High School’s standout talent, four-star defensive back Tae Harris, has officially declared his commitment to the Tigers. Previously committed to Georgia, Harris boasts impressive rankings, with 247Sports positioning him as high as the No. 125 overall prospect in the 2025 class.

Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, the rising senior made a pivotal visit to Clemson during its March 9 junior day. With his verbal commitment, Clemson’s 2025 class now boasts a total of 11 pledges.

Following his decommitment from the Bulldogs on Jan. 21, Clemson swiftly extended an offer just a day later, seizing the opportunity to secure Harris’s talents. This is a huge commitment for the Clemson program that continues to prove they can recruit at an elite level.