Category: College Football

From the moment Nick Ilsley stepped onto the iconic West Point campus, he knew.

The Andover High star saw the chance to not just fulfill his lifelong dream — to play bigtime college football — but also embark on a journey greater than himself, of selfless sacrifice, to defend his country with honor, as a member of the United State Army.

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“I’m sacrificing many things to better my future and make a name for myself and to serve my country,” said Ilsley. “I knew West Point was the place for me the moment I stepped on campus. I love everything it has to offer, from a top tier football program and brand new facilities, to prestigious historical landmarks on campus.”

Ilsley has committed to play football for Division 1 FBS Army West Point, before embarking on a career as an officer in the US Army.

“I’m extremely excited about choosing West Point,” he said. “Army is known as a tough, hard-nosed football team, which if you asked my Andover teammates they would tell you it’s a perfect match for my playing style. West Point is known as a Leadership institution, and I’d like to consider myself a leader not only on the football field but in the community.

“Then I will graduate from West Point as a second Lieutenant where I will serve my country as an officer in the United States Military. I’m a proud American and have always been patriotic. I’m looking forward to where this route takes me in life.”

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Ilsley delivered a breakout senior season for Andover this past fall. After moving from cornerback to safety, Ilsley grabbed a team-best four interceptions, knocked down five passes and made 39 tackles. As a receiver he caught 20 passes for a team-high 360 yards and five touchdowns. That all while leading the Golden Warriors to a 7-4 record and earning All-MVC honors.

“This is a…

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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Michigan fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Last season, the College Football Playoff expanded from four to 12 teams, but what will the field expand to in the future?

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The field will be 12 for the 2026 season, but expansion is inevitable in 2027 and beyond.

The SEC favors a 16-team format with 11 at-large teams and five conference champions.

ESPN’s Heather Dinich says there is overwhelming support for a 16-team playoff, but the Big Ten will only agree to that if the field expands to 24 three years later.

In this edition of SB Nation Reacts, we want to know how many teams you feel should be in the College Football Playoff.

A four-team CFP isn’t coming back, a 12 team CFP doesn’t seem like it’s going to last, thus 16 or 24 are the most likely number of teams in the near future. It can be argued that 12 is even too many, especially with lackluster performances from James Madison and Tulane, and even Alabama and Oregon got embarassed (by Indiana). A 24 team field seems like an absurd cash grab that will result in far too many blowouts and also hurt other bowl games even more than they already are. The SEC and Big Ten to seem at a standstill about expanding the playoffs to 16 or 24 teams — but which conference will ultimately get their way?

How did you vote this week? Let us know in the comments and come back on Friday when we reveal the results.

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If you’re looking for quarterbacks, running backs or tight ends outside of the first round, chances are you’re going to be disappointed. If you want offensive linemen or receivers, you’ll have a much higher chance of success.

The 2026 NFL Draft class is one where evaluators will have to work overtime to stack their boards. It won’t be like 2021 or 2024, when you could throw a dart in the top 10 and hit a future All-Pro.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t future All-Pros to be had, but rather that they aren’t as obvious on tape.

Quarterback

USATSI
Fernando Mendoza, IndianaTy Simpson, AlabamaGarrett Nussmeier, LSUCade Klubnik, ClemsonDrew Allar, Penn State

There’s a clear tier after No. 1 in this class and then another clear tier after No. 2. Heck, No. 3 on this list was benched last season. That’s how thin this class is. 

Fernando Mendoza won’t be confused for Andrew Luck as a prospect anytime soon, but I’d argue his floor is higher than even last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Cam Ward. Mendoza has the size, arm strength, quick processing and calmness under pressure to excel in the league. His intangibles are also off the charts after leading Indiana to a Cinderella national title.

Ty Simpson will be the most debated quarterback in this class for a couple of reasons. First, he has only one year of starting experience. Second, he dealt with a back injury down the stretch and then cracked a rib against Indiana that ultimately forced him out of the game. There are plenty of high-end throws and performances on his tape to get excited about, but also enough ugly ones to give evaluators pause. In a weak…

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In today’s college football landscape, commitments don’t always feel final.

Official visits get lined up.

Rumors start swirling.

Social media reads into every little move.

But when it comes to Trent Seaborn, there’s no mystery and no drama.

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He’s not visiting anywhere else this summer.

“There’s no reason to schedule other OVs when I’m staying back and recruiting every weekend and every chance that I get,” Seaborn said.

That’s not normal in 2026 recruiting.

That’s old-school.

Seaborn committed to Alabama back in October, giving Kalen DeBoer his word early.

And since that moment, he hasn’t blinked. No testing the waters. No backup plans. No “just in case” trips to see what else is out there.

Instead, he’s doing something that should fire up every Alabama fan, he’s recruiting for the Tide.

Think about that mindset.

Most quarterbacks in his position would take every visit they’re allowed.

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They’d enjoy the attention.

They’d keep their options open.

But Seaborn is wired differently.

He believes in his decision.

He believes in the staff.

He believes in where Alabama football is headed.

That kind of loyalty matters.

Because Alabama isn’t just rebuilding a roster, it’s reinforcing a standard. And that standard has always been built on players who are bought in, not halfway in.

Seaborn isn’t treating his commitment like a placeholder.

He’s treating it like a promise.

On the field, he’s already done more than enough to earn respect. A consensus four-star quarterback, Seaborn will finish his high school career at Thompson as one of the most decorated quarterbacks this state has ever produced.

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The numbers back it up.

The wins back it up.

The accolades back it up.

But what separates him right now isn’t just production.

It’s conviction.

It’s confidence in saying, “I…

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There are lots of ways to score points, but usually quarterback play, offensive line strength and dynamic playmakers are essential to building an explosive offense in college football. 

Indiana featured all three last year, riding the nation’s No. 3 scoring offense all the way to a historic College Football Playoff National Championship. The weren’t alone, though, with seven CFP teams ranking No. 32 or better in points per game in 2025. 

So while it’s not a guarantee of success, fielding an offense that can score points at will provides a difiniitive advantage and a leg up in a landscape growing more competitive by the day. Coming out of the 2026 recruiting and transfer portal cycle, some teams appear better equipped than others to light up the scoreboard next season.

Here’s a projection of which college football teams could field the most explosive offenses in 2026:

1. Texas

Texas added Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman along with running backs Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State) to help reshape the offense for 2026. The Longhorns won bidding battles for Coleman and Smothers, who combined for 12 touchdowns at their previous stops last season.

Arch Manning is coming off the best outing of his career after outdueling Michigan’s Bryce Underwood in the Citrus Bowl, a postseason showing that mirrored the second-half surge that accelerated his development. If Manning takes another step, this Texas offense could rival the best of the Sarkisian era on…

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The Georgia Bulldogs have 10 players invited to the 2026 NFL combine. Two Georgia transfers are also invited to the predraft event.

Former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who led the Miami Hurricanes to the national championship, is invited to the combine, as expected. Beck is a mid-round quarterback prospect with six years of college experience that could help ease his transition to the NFL game.

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Beck’s 2025 season featured a magical College Football Playoff run that included a game-winning rushing touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels in the semifinals. Beck’s season ended in heartbreak with an interception in the nation championship.

Beck finished the 2025 season with 3,813 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He showed good mobility in the playoff, but will need to clean up some of the interceptions to succeed in the NFL.

Carson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football Playoff

In addition to Beck, Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Xavian Sorey also received a combine invitation. Sorey projects as a late-round linebacker prospect and had some productive years at Arkansas after starting his career at UGA.

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The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker has good measurables and speed. Sorey was part of an Arkansas defense that really struggled in 2025, but he still has NFL draft hopes. As a senior, Sorey posted 81 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, three pass deflections, a forced fumble and an interception for the Razorbacks.

Sorey will look to join his former Georgia teammate, linebacker CJ Allen, in being drafted. Part of the reason why Sorey transferred was because of Allen’s strong freshman season in 2023.

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more college football coverage!

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 2…

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Newly minted FBS school North Dakota State found itself in a position similar to Alabama fans during the heyday of Nick Saban’s dynasty: It simply won too much. The school has captured 10 national championships in 15 years. Within the fan base, the expectation is not just success, but success at the highest level.

Attendance for early-round home playoff games that NDSU is expected to win handily has suffered. This year’s loss to Illinois State drew an official attendance of 10,464 to the 19,000-seat Fargodome, roughly half full. Despite five interceptions from Redbirds quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, the No. 1 Bison lost. It marked the first time NDSU had fallen before the quarterfinal round since 2009 and the first time a No. 1 seed lost its playoff opener since 2004.

Few knew it at the time, but it was NDSU’s final game at the FCS level. A process that began ramping up in late fall accelerated in January, when athletic director Matt Larsen began to believe the program was moving up from the division it had dominated since 2004. For a segment of the Bison fan base, the move to FBS will provide a new challenge.

“I do think there’s an element of our fan base of what’s next we’ve had great success, is there a next iteration at a higher level for Bison football?” NDSU AD Matt Larsen told CBS Sports. “And so I think that’s where, if you would ask me, six or seven years ago, where the fan base was, they probably weren’t there yet, right? But four national championships later, and I think the majority of Bison nation would tell you that this is the right next step, and it’s the right time to do it.”

To compete in the FBS, North Dakota State has to be up to par not only on the field, but also financially. NDSU will pay $5 million to the NCAA to…

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