Category: College Football

The 2027 recruiting class is in full swing, with a few players already setting official visit dates for the early summer. So far, just like in our late February and early March recruiting updates, Rutgers only has one commitment from the 2027 class, Tight End Sydney Padilla from West Orange High School. They are working towards adding to that list as they hope to round out the class with high-end talent that fills areas of need.

Since our last recruitment update, several more prospects have scheduled official visits on May 29th, June 5th, and June 12th.

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Those visiting on May 29th include unranked Liverpool (NY) Tight End Okley Keegan, Stillwater (NY) 3-star IOL James Cocozzo, Lake Worth (FL) 3-star ATH Zion Vilma, McKeesport (PA) 4-star wide receiver Javien Robinson, Wilmington (DE) 3-star wide receiver Jamar Taylor, Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 3-star wide receiver Isaiah Alvarez, Durham (SC) 3-star safety Lance Henderson, and Woodruff (SC) 4-star running back Aiden Gibson.

Those visiting on June 5th include unranked Spartanburg (SC) running back Trenton Lynch, unranked Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, NY) tight end Saleh Atariwa, unranked Johnstown (PA) safety Arnold Mugerwa, 3-star Williamsburg (VA) wide receiver Anthony Henderson Jr, and Padilla, who has already committed to the program.

The lone visitor scheduled for June 12th so far is Ponte Vedra Beach (FL) offensive tackle Sean Hassan Jr.

Many of these announcements came after Rutgers hosted its junior days on March 8th-9th.

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According to Rivals/On3, Rutgers is the heavy favorite (over 50%) to secure commitments from several prospects, including unranked Staten Island running back Kory Brown, 3-star Durham (SC) running back Kamari Holloway, Taylor, Atariwa, Hassan Jr, and Vilma.

The Knights are in the lead for several other prospects; however, they have a…

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The targeting rule in college football has long been a subject of discontent among coaches, and finally, change is coming to the penalty structure. 

The Division I FBS Oversight Committee approved a one-year trial rule on Thursday that fundamentally reshapes targeting penalties. Now, first-time offenders will be allowed to participate in the next game, regardless of which half the foul occurs. Previously, players charged with targeting in the second half were booted from the game and suspended for the first half of the next game.

A player disqualified for targeting a second time during a season will be required to miss the first half of the next game. A third targeting penalty triggers a full-game suspension. No player in the FBS was charged with three targeting penalties in 2025.

Conferences will now also have the option to file an appeal for second offenses. The appeal can also include the player’s first targeting foul. If the NCAA’s national coordinator of football officials overturns the targeting foul, the player will not have to sit out the next game.

The baseline, in-game penalties remain. Players charged with targeting will be ejected for the remainder of the contest, and a 15-yard penalty will be assessed to the offending team. The NCAA implemented the targeting foul in 2008, and the ejection penalty was added in 2013. Conference offices have been allowed to appeal disqualification decisions made in the second half of games, further fueling coaches’ campaign against the penalty structure. 

The American Football Coaches Association proposed a two-tiered targeting system in 2019, with egregious hits to the head resulting in ejection and less-serious infractions drawing only a 15-yard penalty. The proposal never gained…

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The Senior Bowl has always been a pivotal part of the draft process for the entire NFL. Each year, we see tons of players go through the rigors that Mobile, Alabama, can present, and each year, we see players come out on the other side prepared to make an impact in the NFL.

On Wednesday night, the Senior Bowl announced its newest class of Hall of Famers, and within that, there was a former Bucs player in the midst of it all. Former defensive lineman and Super Bowl champion, Booger McFarland, will be a part of the 2026 class.

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Senior Bowl director Drew Fabianich shared in a press release, “We are thrilled to welcome the 2026 Senior Bowl Hall of Fame class back to the Mobile area. It is a privilege to celebrate the lasting impact of the late Harry Agganis, Jason Campbell, Roman Harper, Booger McFarland, and Norv Turner – five individuals whose careers exemplify the tradition and excellence of the Senior Bowl. . .”

The former Bucs defensive lineman also released a statement, saying, “I was fortunate enough to play almost a decade in the NFL, and it all got started in Mobile, Alabama. I am truly blessed to be recognized by the Senior Bowl and everything that it represents for guys starting their journey to the NFL.”

McFarland played for the Bucs for eight season after being drafted 15th overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played his college football at LSU and came to a Bucs team that was close to winning a Super Bowl and would help them achieve that three seasons into his career.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Booger McFarland to be inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame

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Kyle Whittingham knows what it takes to build a championship team, but he’s never had resources like those at his disposal at Michigan. As the Wolverines open spring practice, Whittingham feels particularly confident about the quarterback position.

The last major hire of the 2025-26 coaching carousel, Whittingham is charged with pushing Michigan forward amid unexpected turbulence while maintaining elite expectations at a blueblood program loaded with talent.

“I would expect at Michigan, you challenge for the Big Ten title every single year. That should be a given,” Whittingham told 247Sports Tuesday. “Every single year, you should be in the hunt. And deep in the season, you should be right there with the top teams. Playoffs, obviously, is a lofty goal, but you can’t get there, most likely, unless you do well in the Big Ten, so you’ve got to take things a step at a time. But at Michigan, I would say if you’re not thinking Big Ten championship every year, then something’s wrong.”

Whittingham confirmed that returning quarterback Bryce Underwood is Michigan’s unquestioned starter, noting positive momentum in his development this offseason. Underwood was Whittingham’s top priority after accepting the job in December. He traveled to Florida to the former five-star, top-rated player prior to Michigan’s bowl game last season.

Underwood’s only losses as a true freshman came against Oklahoma, USC, Ohio State and Texas. He totaled 2,820 yards of offense and 17 touchdowns, helping Michigan remain in Big Ten title and at-large playoff conversations through rivalry weekend.

“He has performed very well in the workouts and not only with his athleticism but leadership-wise,” Whittingham said of Underwood. “He was voted one of our team captains, and so…

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Texas A&M’s 2026 spring practice season officially begins on Friday afternoon, and for coach Mike Elko, his third season at the helm might be his most important after leading the Aggies to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, only to come up short at home against the eventual national runner-up Miami Hurricanes.

This offseason, after losing 20-plus players to the transfer portal and the 2026 NFL Draft, Elko and his revamped coaching staff added 17 transfer additions and 26 signees from the 2026 recruiting class, including four SEC starting offensive linemen, who will likely replace four O-line starters from the 2025 season.

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Among the offseason changes, Elko promoted five coaches to new positions, including new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins, who, after two seasons as the program’s wide receiver coach, will now call plays for the first time in his career. While this change was rumored just weeks after the 2025 season ended, Elko’s steadfast trust in his coaching staff has never wavered and has mostly panned out.

On Tuesday, Elko, along with Holmon Wiggins and first-year defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill, spoke to the media for the first time before the spring season begins, and for those unfamiliar with Wiggins’s background, his impressive resume, including several seasons serving as former Alabama coach Nick Saban’s assistant head coach, should help avoid significant issues as the playcaller.

“I’ve had the luxury of working hand-in-glove with some really good playcallers… We’re looking to build on what we’ve done really well. I’m a kid from South Central Los Angeles, so I coach with an edge and want us to play with an edge.”

After serving as Elko’s wide receiver coach the past two seasons, Wiggins will now call plays for starting quarterback Marcel Reed, who, after…

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Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died over the weekend, the football program announced on social media Monday. He was 28 years old.

“Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange. Appearing in 30 games, Rex played football as fierce as he lived life.

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“Our hearts are with the Culpepper family & all those who loved him,” the football program said in a statement.

Culpepper “died as the result of injuries suffered in a dirt bike accident Saturday,” the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Culpepper appeared in 30 games for the Orange from 2017-2020. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in March 2018 but won his battle and went on to appear in six games for Syracuse that fall, earning the team’s Jim DaRin Courage Award, per a bio that remains on the school website.

Culpepper’s father, Brad Culpepper, played nine seasons in the NFL. His father and mother, Monica, have made multiple appearances on the reality show “Survivor.”

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Rex Culpepper’s fiancée, Savanna Morgan, shared a post about Culpepper on her Instagram account.

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