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Will Texas avenge last season’s loss to Ohio State? Can Michigan bounce back against Oklahoma after a shocking and controversial near-upset? Which teams will prove that their Week 1 performance wasn’t a fluke, but a trend to rely on? The college football season rolls on, and Week 2’s lineup is looking strong with some big cross-conference games, from Texas-Ohio State to Michigan-Oklahoma to Illinois-Duke and so many more. So before Week 2 kicks off, we’ve got some picks of the week, along with answers to those questions and more. We’re breaking down our straight-up picks for Week 2 and which matchups to keep a close eye on this weekend. Let’s get into it. When: Friday, 8 p.m. ET (FOX)Where: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KansasLine: Missouri -5.5 RJ Young: MissouriThe Tigers have the better quarterback, and their run game is still rather awesome even without Ahmad Hardy in the backfield. Laken Litman: MissouriMizzou takes down Kansas in an old rivalry game as former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons lights up the Jayhawks with another multi-touchdown performance. Michael Cohen: MissouriAs a new face in a new place, Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons gave the Tigers plenty to be excited about in Week 1 with four touchdowns and only two incompletions. He keeps it rolling against the Jayhawks. Ben Portnoy: MissouriI’m in on Austin Simmons being a difference maker for the Tigers, even with a depleted run game. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has largely handled business as a favorite during his tenure, and I think he does it again this week. When: Saturday, noon ET (FOX)Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MichiganLine: Oklahoma -5.5 Young: Oklahoma The Sooners have the edge at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive line. This could get ugly for Michigan if Bryce Underwood doesn’t show a tremendous leap in development. Litman: OklahomaThe biggest question for me is how Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood will look after last week’s near disaster against Western Michigan. You know Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables will put together a defensive game plan that makes it as hard as possible for the young signal-caller to succeed. Cohen: OklahomaMaybe the Wolverines will bounce back a bit following last week’s controversial win over Western Michigan. But the safer bet is that Oklahoma’s terrific defense can cause even more problems for Bryce Underwood, whose time as the starter feels like it’s dwindling. Portnoy: OklahomaRecency bias has me incredibly down on the Wolverines, but there’s nothing I saw in Saturday’s win (?) over Western Michigan that makes me think they can beat a team of Oklahoma’s caliber. I think the Sooners are a legit dark horse to win the SEC this year, and I love what a healthy John Mateer brings. Give me the Sooners, big. When: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OklahomaLine: Oregon -22.5 Young: OregonOregon is coming off of an embarrassing win, still has one of the best rosters in the sport and is about to play an Oklahoma State team that got beat by Tulsa, the smallest FBS school in the country. Name the number, Ducks. Litman: OregonThe Ducks had their “wake-up call” last week vs. Boise State, who could end up being the Group of Six College Football Playoff representative. While Stillwater is a tough place to play, Dan Lanning will have his team ready to go, while the Cowboys are in a transition year. Cohen: OregonThere will certainly be a response from Oregon’s defense after the highly-touted unit was gashed by Boise State in a surprisingly close opener. The Ducks should roll against an Oklahoma State team that looked quite rough in an upset loss to Tulsa. Portnoy: OregonOregon got a scare from Boise State last week, but there’s no way that’s happening two weeks in a row. Oklahoma State looked atrocious last week in Eric Morris’ debut at Tulsa. I’d be shocked if the Ducks don’t roll in this one. When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UtahLine: BYU -7.5 Young: BYUI trust the BYU defense more than I trust quarterback Noah Fifita and the Arizona offense. Litman: BYUQuarterback Bear Bachmeier and the Cougars have to win their first Big 12 game to keep pace with the likes of Texas Tech and Houston, and will take care of business against Arizona. Cohen: BYUThis is an important early-season mile marker for BYU in its quest to supplant Texas Tech in the Big 12 hierarchy. A controlled win over Arizona should give the Cougars plenty of confidence at the start of conference play. Portnoy: BYUIf BYU is really going to challenge for the Big 12 title, this is the kind of game the Cougars need to win. Arizona was much improved last year and Noah Fifita is back, but I think BYU’s talent advantage outweighs that. When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)Where: Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IllinoisLine: Illinois -5.5 Young: DukeThe defending ACC champs — Duke! — have a bona fide star at running back in Nate Sheppard and the Illinois defense gave up 24 first downs and 194 rushing yards to UAB in its opener. Litman: IllinoisQuarterback Katin Houser builds on his four-TD performance against UAB in Week 1 against the Darian Mensah-less Duke Blue Devils. Cohen: IllinoisHow popular is Illinois football right now? Illinois sold out Memorial Stadium for this week’s non-conference tilt against Duke. A crowd like that should push head coach Bret Bielema’s squad to a win. Portnoy: IllinoisKatin Houser put up huge numbers at East Carolina and his Big Ten return is off to a nice start. I like what Bret Bielema and this staff did with Luke Altmyer and Houser feels like a nice replacement. Duke has some talent, but Illinois is the better team here. When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (USA Net)Where: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, New YorkLine: Syracuse -3.5 Young: SyracuseHead coach Fran Brown has his quarterback in Steve Angeli, and his quarterback is healthy. Angeli can be as good as Kyle McCord was at ‘Cuse if he stays healthy, and I like this matchup for a veteran head coach against a rookie one, in Cal’s Tosh Lupoi, coming off a loss and traveling across three time zones. Litman: SyracuseAn early season classic ACC matchup! Orange quarterback Steve Angeli keeps up momentum from a strong Week 1 performance as Cal falls to 0-2 in the Tosh Lupoi era. Cohen: CalFool me once (as the Bears did last week), shame on you. Fool me twice (as I back the Bears again this week), shame on me. They should bounce back with a win. Portnoy: CalTosh Lupoi’s team didn’t exactly help my case for the Golden Bears as potential ACC contenders with their loss to UCLA last week, but I’m riding with the “Calgorithm” again. Fran Brown’s team should be much improved with Steve Angeli, but I think Lupoi’s bunch bounce back after a tough opener. When: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET (USA Network)Where: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, IdahoLine: Boise State -8.5 Young: Boise StateI saw enough from the Broncos to believe they’re one of the two best teams in the Group of Six. Sadly, Memphis is not one of those two teams. Litman: Boise StateComing off an impressive performance from Week 1 where they almost knocked off then-No. 2 Oregon in Eugene, the Broncos get into the win column. Cohen: Boise StateThe Broncos played incredibly on the road at Oregon last week to establish themselves as legitimate CFP contenders from the Group of Six. Memphis wants to be viewed in that same category after knocking off UNLV in its season opener. Boise State is a cut above. Portnoy: Boise StateI’m rolling with the Broncos until proven otherwise. This team is as experienced as any in the Group of Six, and they looked the part last week at Oregon. Could there be a letdown? Sure, but I think Boise State will be able to run the ball more effectively against Memphis, and that gives the Broncos the edge. When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX)Where: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TexasLine: Texas -1.5 Young: Ohio StateThe Buckeyes’ weakness is on the offensive line. However, the cheat code exists. Quarterback Julian Sayin doesn’t have to punch up the “Konami code.” Just press four. Jeremiah Smith will beat the game. Litman: TexasArch Manning and the Texas defense aren’t about to let Ohio State beat them a third straight time in less than two years. Cohen: Ohio StateA year ago, new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia put the clamps on Texas’ offense. This time, new Ohio State offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will unleash a few wrinkles the Longhorns aren’t ready for. The Buckeyes get it done. Portnoy: TexasIf not now, when? That’s how I feel about Texas and its national title aspirations. Saturday’s game is a chance to cement the Longhorns as the top team in the country. I’m still skeptical of Arch Manning, but I think the talent drain on Ohio State’s defense shows up in Austin, and the home team gets a major résumé boost.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Julian Sayin’s family group chat was blowing up. A video of Sayin went viral after one of his classmates recorded him introducing himself during the discussion portion of an online sports marketing class in the first week of school. The students had been asked to share their wellness habits. Instead of identifying himself as Ohio State’s starting quarterback or a Heisman Trophy candidate, Sayin kept it as low-key as possible. He tried to be a normal college student. “My name is Julian Sayin, I just prefer Julian,” he began. “My major is sport industry. I wouldn’t really say I want to change too much about my physical activity — I feel like I have a pretty good routine, I’m pretty active, I play sports. And one interesting thing about me is I love to play golf and I love playing pickleball.” The video spread quickly across social media, in part because of how casual Julian was, but his family wasn’t surprised by it. “It’s very Julian,” his older brother, Aidan Sayin, told me with a chuckle. “He’s not going to give you much detail, but just be humble and to the point. We all had a good laugh. “The ‘I prefer Julian’ line was hilarious, but that’s just him. We joke that [his humor is] similar to Larry David. We always watch ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ and say he sort of emulates that same character.” Julian’s no-ego personality might be the opposite of what you’d expect from someone at the center of the college football universe. He tries to fly under the radar and never tells anybody who he is if they don’t already know. Fans loved the video and plenty of them flooded the comment section on the social media post. “The video itself encapsulates a lot about him,” Aidan said. “He’s not concerned with the spotlight. To be honest, he doesn’t even like it. Whenever we’re out and about in Columbus, he keeps his hat on, his head down, and just wants to get his açaí bowl.” Julian has been that way for as long as those closest to him can remember. It’s part of what makes him so effective on the field. He’ll need to keep that level head as he enters his second season as a starter at Ohio State, where a talent-laden roster is chasing its second national championship in three years. The top-ranked Buckeyes have a challenging schedule ahead with their first major test coming Saturday when they visit Arch Manning and No. 4 Texas in one of the biggest games on the Week 2 slate. ‘It Always Came From Within’ Julian is the baby in a family of high achievers. He’s the starting quarterback on the No. 1 team in the country and is a front-runner to win the Heisman after finishing in fourth place last season. But he’s striving to be as accomplished as his three older siblings. “I think he was always kind of scrappy and trying to follow along,” Sayin’s mom, Karen Brandenburg, told me. “I don’t know how to describe it — it’s kind of like, ‘Don’t think you’re all that.’” Julian’s eldest sister, Bailey, played soccer at the University of Chicago before attending the Cambridge School of Art in England. His sister Jocelyn attended the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where she earned a degree in data analytics. After returning to the United States, Jocelyn took an interest in her youngest brother’s career, joining him on several college visits to LSU and Ole Miss. Now, alongside their mom, Jocelyn helps manage Julian’s NIL and marketing deals. She also earned a master’s degree in sports management from Ohio State and is pursuing her doctorate. Aidan played football at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with honors from Wharton. He went on to play for the Columbus Aviators of the UFL and is now considering continuing his football career in Japan or Europe. When asked whether the household she and her husband, Dan, created while raising their children influenced their ambition, Brandenburg paused for a moment. She’s Type A; Dan is more laid back. Maybe, she thought, it started with Bailey, who from a young age was determined to play on the best soccer teams. That drive might have trickled down to the rest of the siblings. “I don’t know,” Brandenburg said. “But it always came from within. We didn’t have to push. We never had to say, ‘You’ve gotta go to practice.’ They just always sought after things on their own, which made parenting really easy. We’ve been really lucky that they push each other.” With success comes praise, and the Sayin kids aren’t particularly comfortable with compliments or being celebrated. When Jocelyn was finishing her master’s program, Brandenburg suggested they attend her graduation. Her daughter immediately pushed back: “No, no. When I get my doctorate, we’ll go to graduation.” Julian is much the same way. The only feedback he really wants to hear — positive or negative — comes from his coaches and teammates. Even an email from an Ohio State fan in Dayton simply wanting to tell Julian that he had played great didn’t feel right to him. ‘On To The Next’ Thadd MacNeal — who was both Julian and Aidan’s coach at Carlsbad High School outside of San Diego and is close with the Sayin family — was at Ohio State’s 38-14 win over Penn State last year and sat in on the post-game press conference. He remembers reporters asking Julian about his passing percentage — 87% on a near-perfect 20-of-23 passes — in addition to 316 yards and four touchdowns. “And he literally said, ‘Well, that’s because I have great protection, because my receivers catch every ball, and they’re so productive,” MacNeal told me. “It’s always deflecting to other people. That’s just how he operates.” When Julian won Elite 11 — a premier high school quarterback competition — in June 2023, his mom wanted to take him out to dinner. He had beaten out Dylan Raiola, the top-rated quarterback recruit in the 2024 class at the time. But Julian declined. There was a tournament about 30 minutes away, and he wanted to go play in it instead. This story came up during one of Julian’s visits to Alabama while he and his family were sitting in Nick Saban’s office. Julian enrolled at Alabama early in January 2024, but on his first day of classes, Saban announced his retirement, prompting the quarterback to enter the transfer portal and head to Columbus. “Nick [Saban] said, ‘Hey, I heard you won Elite 11,’” Brandenburg recalled. “And Julian’s like, ‘Yeah.’ And I said, ‘I tried to take him out to dinner and celebrate.’” “Nick just looked at Julian, and Julian goes, ‘On to the next thing.’ And Nick Saban’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s one thing. On to the next.’” That attitude, Brandenburg said, is part of what makes Julian different. “I don’t know what made him that way,” Brandenburg added. “But it’s good. It keeps us grounded, too. There’s always the next thing. “I’m really trying to learn from him.” ‘Calm And Locked In’ Those traits serve Julian well on the field. He’s calm in big moments and doesn’t let the stage get too big. He’s already off to a fast start this season, completing 21-of-25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns before coming out midway through the third quarter in Ohio State’s season-opening 56-3 romp of Ball State. Julian also scored his first rushing touchdown of his collegiate career on a fourth-and-goal to make it 21-0 early in the second quarter. “He seems even more relaxed and confident this year,” Brandenburg said. “He’s very calm and locked in.” Last year, his first as a starter at Ohio State, Julian completed 77% of his passes and averaged 27.9 attempts per game, the best mark in the country. He threw for 3,610 yards with 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions, leading the Buckeyes to a 12-2 record and impressive wins over Texas and Michigan. They lost to eventual national champion Indiana in the Big Ten title game and runners-up Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. The year before, Julian played in four games as Will Howard’s backup, completing 5-of-12 passes with one touchdown on an Ohio State team that ultimately won the national championship. Those experiences have helped Julian grow and develop into an even better player. Transforming his body during the offseason, he’s stronger, more poised, and Ohio State coach Ryan Day said this summer at Big Ten Media Days that he’s carrying himself with “a different look in his eye.” Buckeyes center Carson Hinzman has seen it too. “I mean, that dude can roll now,” Hinzman told reporters last month. “When he’s talking in the huddle, the confidence he has. Being able to zip that ball, you hear it literally whistle behind your ear, and it gives us confidence to have a quarterback who can go out there and have a little bit of swagger about him.” No matter what happens this season — whether Julian wins the Heisman, Ohio State falls to Texas on Saturday or the Buckeyes run the table — his mindset will remain the same. It always has. “I think sometimes bravado or being the star quarterback works, too,” Aidan said. “But for the most part, teammates want to see someone who is about the team and isn’t all about themselves. He’s just about playing football. He doesn’t care what else goes along with it. He just wants to play football and do his best this week.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

As Week 1 is in the books, Week 2 of the college football season is set for a top-10 matchup and early conference competition. FOX Sports’ lead college football analyst Joel Klatt shared his picks ahead of the Week 2 slate on Thursday’s edition of “The Joel Klatt Show.” Klatt’s thoughts: “I could go either way. I really, really like both of these teams. This is going to be a different team for each of these head coaches than they brought into this matchup a year ago. You got experienced quarterback play now. This is no longer an unknown. I don’t expect this to be a low-scoring game…I think it’s going to be different this year. I could see both of these teams scoring in the twenties. I don’t anticipate one of these teams running away from the other… this is as heavyweight as heavyweights get. “Do we have bigger brands in college football than Ohio State and Texas? Do we have teams that are better equipped from a resource perspective? Do we have more talented rosters than Ohio State and Texas? Any time these two teams and programs go anywhere, they are the big dog. They finally play eye to eye, and they get to walk into this one and go ‘that looks like us,’ that’s why I love this game… this difference in this game is going to be the five guys in front. This is a dependent game… the defenses will have to adjust.” Klatt’s pick: “I think Ohio State wins it. I think they kick a field goal in a tie ball game in walk off fashion. 27-24.” Klatt’s thoughts: “These two teams played an absolute thriller last year. This year, the game is in Provo, which I think is a very formidable place to play. Noah Fifita is experienced enough not to be intimidated. From an Arizona perspective, that’s great. The question is can Arizona hold up against what I think is going to be a very physical, run-oriented offense for BYU, led by Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin. LJ Martin was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year ago, and Bear is just… he’s a bear to deal with. There’s no doubt. “Arizona is trying to replace a lot of guys, particularly on the secondary, from last year’s defense, which was very effective. Can Arizona move the ball? Probably. Are they going to score points? Yeah. At the end of the day. Is BYU better than they are? Probably. And they’re at home. To me it’s close. I think Fifita is too experienced, they’ve got enough on the outside. I really don’t know who is going to be their go-to guy. So can they run and hide from Arizona? No.” Klatt’s pick: “I like BYU to win this, I think they win 24-20.” Klatt’s thoughts: “I think this one will be more interesting than a lot of us realize. Keelon Russell played pretty well for his debut at Alabama. I’m a little concerned that he had to scramble so much. That offensive line struggled a year ago for Alabama. They need to run the ball better, they need to protect the passer better, we all know that: 95% of those rush yards that Russell had came on the scramble. That’s worrisome for me. Although, he looked dynamic doing it… and now you know why he won that job for Kalen DeBoer. “Kentucky, they got a brand-new kind of everything. Will Stein comes in as the head coach, he was the former offensive coordinator at Oregon. What I think Will did a nice job of is he brought in some really experienced guys at coordinators, including Jay Bateman from Texas A&M a year ago. What Bateman did best was put pressure on the quarterback, rush the passer. They were not great against the run. Kenny Minchey transfers in from Notre Dame… Minchey had 300 yards and four touchdowns [last week]. Kentucky’s got the former Texas running back CJ Baxter, who I thought a lot of before he got injured. “I just come down to this: the Bama defense was great.. the real strength of this team and the real identity of this team is the defense. I just don’t know if Kentucky is going to be able to move the ball and sustain enough drives to sit there and cover the 10.5 [spread].” Klatt’s pick: “I got Bama on the road 28-17, Russell gets his first road win in the SEC.” “This could be a really interesting one. Texas A&M is actually favored by 14.5. I think this has to do with the fact that there are so many transfers into Arizona State. Having to replace 18 starters, including Sam Leavitt who just set the world on fire at LSU, including Raleek Brown, who transferred to Texas… and Jordan Tyson, who went to the draft. So you’re replacing some very good football players. They did get a really nice start from his quarterback, Cutter Boley. He was a Kentucky transfer. Kenny Dillingham did a really nice job with their schematics. “On the A&M side… they were a bit slow in the first half against Missouri State, but they ended up winning it 50-0. They just have a third-year starting quarterback which I really like. Marcel Reed is in his third year as starting quarterback… they’re in college station. This comes down to, to me, Kenny Dillingham. I think he’s going to put pressure on the new coordinators at Texas A&M. He’s going to make them defend the entire field. I like what ASU has on the outside. I’m not going to pick them.” Klatt’s pick: “I see A&M winning this ball game 30-17.” “Boise State is favored by 7.5… I think that this juncture in the year, these are two of the very few handfuls of teams that I think could actually be the Group of Six representatives for the College Football Playoff… I really like Charles Huff, the head coach at Memphis. I really do. There’s some buzz around Memphis right now, and they played like it [in Week 1]. “Meanwhile, Boise goes up there and goes toe-to-toe and throws haymakers with Oregon. Listen, say what you will about Oregon’s struggles in the first few weeks of the last couple of years. That’s a real roster. Boise hung in there. Is it easier for a Group of Six team to hang in there earlier in the season? Yes… that best effort was a very good effort. I love what Spencer Danielson has built there… it’s a continuation of everything that’s been built up there in Boise. They’ve shown they can play at the top Power Four level. “They have an experienced quarterback in Maddux Madsen. He played well against Oregon, he had three touchdowns. Quarterback from Memphis is Marcus Stokes… he played really well. They’ve got a running back, Jaylin Carter, coming off a huge game last week… The problem for Memphis is, what I saw from Boise against Oregon was just too impressive.” Klatt’s pick: “I’ve got Boise winning this ball game… Beating Memphis at home 35-21.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

With millions to be made via NIL and an open transfer policy, projecting who will enter the NFL draft in a given year is more complicated than ever. This is especially true at quarterback. With that said, it is impossible for scouts not to fantasize about the talent potentially available in the 2027 NFL Draft — a class that could include a handful of franchise-altering QBs (and several stars elsewhere). Everyone knows about Arch Manning and Dante Moore, but this class will offer a lot more than just those two superstar passers. That’s why I’ve tiered my 16 favorite draft-eligible quarterbacks below and will be updating this list all season long. DAY 3 PROSPECTS There are a handful of quarterbacks across the country firmly on scouts’ radars who have not yet shown the consistency to project as future NFL starters. UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) and Oklahoma’s John Mateer (6-1, 224) are already well known by a lot of college football fans and play for prominent programs that will help them generate plenty of buzz, should they play well this season. Both are gifted athletes with strong arms and NFL-caliber size, but questions linger about their accuracy and decision-making on and off the field. A pair of current Day 3 prospects have already squared off in a Week 0 ACC showdown. North Carolina State’s CJ Bailey (6-6, 218), a true junior with a whip of an arm, struggled in a 31-8 loss to Virginia. Beau Pribula (6-2, 209), meanwhile, led the Cavs with 110 rushing yards and completed nine of 11 passes, including two long touchdowns off of play-action. He is a fifth-year senior who began his college career at Penn State. His 11 touchdown passes (against nine interceptions) for Missouri last season were a career high. The 2026 season opener was just the 11th start of his college career. DAY 2 PROSPECTS In this era of eye-popping statistics, LaNorris Sellers (6-3, 238) and his 60.8% completion rate with 13 touchdowns against eight interceptions last year hardly look like the stuff of an early-round draft pick. But the South Carolina star is among the biggest of this year’s quarterback prospects and has the strongest arm. And Sellers’ best traits may be his intangibles. He was voted a team captain as a redshirt freshman. No freshman at South Carolina had ever earned that distinction before. Like Manning, Sellers needs to do a better job in the quick game. His accuracy is actually worse on short throws. Improving in this area could vault him into the first-round conversation. But if he doesn’t make gains in this area — in his third season as a starter — Sellers could drop into the Day 3 “project” zone. And that brings us to Brendan Sorsby (6-3, 235), who, of course, is an unprecedented case. He has the physical talent to warrant first-round consideration, but he’ll enter the draft following a one-year layoff after being ruled ineligible for sports betting. The NFL’s opinion of his off-field decision-making was made obvious when the league opted not to hold a supplemental draft this summer after Sorsby had declared for it. A QB-starved league actually shut the door in the face of a first-round-caliber quarterback. Folks, the NFL just doesn’t do that. In a piece full of juicy quotes from anonymous NFL scouts and executives, FOXSports.com’s Ralph Vacchiano and Eric Williams did a fine job of breaking down the unique talent and concerns with Sorsby. The 2027 NFL Draft is still seven-plus months away. With that amount of time to repair his image, I think Sorsby’s talent wins out and — pardon the pun — a team “gambles” on him on Day 2. Jayden Maiava (6-4, 230) is a redshirt senior with excellent size and a very strong arm. A year ago, Maiava showed a tendency to spray the ball when his feet weren’t settled, and he struggled to loft the ball between defenders. Few are better at developing quarterbacks than Lincoln Riley, and Maiava has the traits worth investing in. But he’ll have to prove himself this season without the luxury of throwing to Makai Lemon and J’Kobi Lane. Maiava, Sorsby and Sellers are all relative wild cards. Teams prioritizing consistency over traits might like Mississippi’s Trinidad Chambliss (6-0, 210) and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin (6-1, 214) more. As the only national champion of the bunch, Chambliss demands a close look despite the fact that he’s shorter and older (25) and was the backup to begin three of his four collegiate seasons. He led Ferris State to the DII crown in 2024 and then transferred to Ole Miss, where he began last season as the backup to Austin Simmons. However, when Simmons injured his foot in Week 2, Chambliss seized his opportunity, emerging as SEC’s Newcomer of the Year by completing 66.1% of his passes for 22 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Chambliss is also a legitimate scrambling threat, showing impressive vision, elusiveness and acceleration to scoot for eight touchdowns on the ground. The season prior at Ferris State, he ran for 25 scores. Chambliss may be short, but he’s got a compact, well-developed frame similar to Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson. Like them, Chambliss is a gifted passer who throws with better vision and arm strength than one might expect given his height. The biggest question shouldn’t be about his size but how well he can acclimate to a pro-style offense. I hope he attends one of the prominent All-Star games to ease that transition. The biggest question with Sayin might be how much scouts are willing to overlook the fact that his receiving corps at Ohio State will likely be better than the ones he inherits in the NFL. With all due respect to Fernando Mendoza, Sayin was the most accurate passer in the Big Ten last year, completing a staggering 77% of his throws for 32 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. Critics will point out that it’s considerably easier to produce when one is throwing to the likes of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, perhaps masking an average arm. I disagree. National championships are the expectation at Ohio State, and Sayin showed impressive poise in his first year as a starter. While he lacks elite size and isn’t the scrambling threat of many others on this list, he sees the field well and rarely puts the ball in harm’s way, showing impressive diagnostic skills for a player beginning his true junior season. He demonstrated as much all the way back in the 2025 season opener, against Texas in what was Sayin’s first career start. Finally, let’s acknowledge two very young quarterbacks more likely to be in play in the 2028 or 2029 NFL drafts but have already shown enough to excite scouts. After all, it has become almost an annual tradition of at least one breakout quarterback ascending from “sleeper” to one of the most exciting prospects of the draft. The most compelling breakout superstar this year might be Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker (6-3, 215), a strong-armed gunslinger who transferred to Stillwater earlier this year to continue playing under head coach Eric Morris. Last season at North Texas, Mestemaker led the country with 4,379 passing yards. It’s worth noting he was a late-blooming prep who didn’t start in high school and walked on at North Texas. He’s just a redshirt sophomore but is already creating buzz in the scouting community. Another redshirt sophomore, Minnesota’s Drake Lindsey (6-5, 230), is another QB to watch. He completed 63.2% of his passes with 18 touchdowns against six interceptions while leading Minnesota to eight wins last season. Lindsey is one of the few quarterbacks in this article with experience playing under center, and he throws deep balls with excellent trajectory. DAY 1 PROSPECTS The next three quarterbacks on my board lack elite physical traits, but they are accurate and instinctive passers whose games translate easily to the NFL. The flashes for each are bright. But they need to prove that previous breakout campaigns were not a fluke. I’m eager to see how CJ Carr (6-2, 215) progresses in his junior year, with Notre Dame’s offense no longer being funneled through first-round running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Their presence undeniably made things easier on Carr, but he showed a savvy and poise last year that was uncommon for a first-year starting quarterback. Despite being smaller than many of his peers at the position, many of his best throws were downfield strikes to beat blitzes, showing the combination of pre-snap recognition, courage and accuracy that have scouts excited about where his game is headed. The 2027 NFL Draft will mark 20 years since Brady Quinn was the last Fighting Irish QB to be drafted in the first round. Carr could end that streak. Similar to baseball players working their way to the majors through various levels of A-ball, Darian Mensah (6-3, 205) has spent the past two seasons starring at Tulane (2024) and Duke (2025) and now will be throwing fastballs at the University of Miami. Despite a relatively weak supporting cast, Mensah guided the Blue Devils to an ACC title — its first since 1962 — and could have a bigger title in mind given the current talent at The U. In both size and style, Mensah reminds me a bit of Jayden Daniels. He has a slight build and needs to play with greater game-to-game consistency, but he’s elusive and accurate in the pocket and on the move. After leaving Arizona State for LSU, Sam Leavitt (6-2, 216) is also playing with an entirely new supporting cast. I think that could be a good thing for his development as a passer. Prior to suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury in his right foot last year, Leavitt often relied too heavily on star wideout Jordyn Tyson. Leavitt needs to prove his health first, of course, but also showcase better field vision and ball distribution. It’s why I’m excited about his pairing with Lane Kiffin and all the talent at LSU. Love him or hate him, Kiffin is one of the sharpest minds in football. I think coupling the exciting backyard element of Leavitt’s game with Kiffin’s clever play design is going to light up SEC defenses this year and spark a steady rise up the draft boards. TOP-5 TALENTS The unquestioned top two quarterback prospects to open this season are Arch Manning (6-4, 222) and Dante Moore (6-3, 220), both of whom would have been top-five picks this past spring had they declared. It might surprise some to learn that I’m actually higher on Moore — if the draft were held today. The tape shows that the Oregon quarterback is the more accurate of the two, with Moore especially better than Manning in the quick game — an increasingly important skill in today’s high-tempo NFL. Moore has already earned kudos this summer from scouts who have traveled through Eugene and seen how he’s bulked up from a year ago. That’s significant, as a relatively slight frame was one of the real concerns scouts had last year about him, along with his relative inexperience. He entered this season with 20 career starts, including five at UCLA as a true freshman back in 2023. Last year was his first as a full-season starter, and he starred immediately, completing 71.8% of his throws for 30 touchdown passes with 10 interceptions. Projecting him to the NFL is relatively easy given his arm talent: He’s not only accurate but possesses a snappy release and consistently throws receivers open with both velocity and touch. But, as with a lot of young quarterbacks, Moore’s decision-making and accuracy have waned in the face of pressure. Now bigger, stronger and more seasoned, I think he’s going to demonstrate improvement in these areas and contend for the national championship, Heisman Trophy and No. 1 overall draft pick all in the coming year. With Manning, it is important to recognize his growth amid impossible expectations when trying to project what he can become. No player in college football is under a more intense microscope. Given the attention Manning has drawn over his three-plus years at Texas, it is easy to forget that he has started just 15 games at the college level. Last year, he completed 61.4% of his passes for 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions. By any standard other than being a Manning, this production — again, his first as a starter — would be considered a stellar achievement, especially when you factor in that he ran for another 10 scores. And that’s the point. Manning is already very good. And it is so easy to think this is just the beginning. He blends prototypical size with a rocket arm and excellent mobility. He checks every box and I think he’s going to shatter last year’s numbers and team with Auburn transfer Cam Coleman to rival Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith as the most dynamic QB-WR combo in college football. (Manning, of course, had a rough go last year at Ohio State, but this Saturday in Austin should be an epic clash.) If Manning corrects a few flaws in particular over the next few months, he’ll likely be the favorite to go first overall in the 2027 NFL Draft — if he turns pro.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

LOS ANGELES — It’s the start of practice, and Nate Scheelhaase has some pep in his step. Scheelhaase, the new Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, is bouncing around the field. The 35-year-old pedals back into coverage, simulating a defensive back to give his tight ends a good look as they run routes with the quarterbacks, stopping a player to correct footwork or offer a word of encouragement. Scheelhaase’s energy and enthusiasm are something that doesn’t go unnoticed by his boss, Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay. “He’s done a great job,” McVay told me. “He’s got great organizational skills, great communication skills. He shows great leadership to be able to bring people together. He’s got a great capacity for the game, and he’s continuing to learn the foundation of some of the things we’ve been doing. But he’s been awesome. And I’ve been really pleased with the job he’s done.” The former University of Illinois quarterback is the latest offensive assistant of the McVay coaching tree expected to springboard to stardom as an NFL head coach. Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals), Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers), Mike LaFleur (Arizona Cardinals) and Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings) are all current head coaches who served as offensive coordinators for McVay, while Brandon Staley (ex-Los Angeles Chargers head coach) and Raheem Morris (ex-Atlanta Falcons head coach) are defensive coordinators who moved on to earn head coaching jobs in the league. “You just learn how to communicate with people on a clear and concise level,” Coen told me when asked what he learned from McVay. “Obviously, you learn the schematics and techniques of all three phases. But honestly, I think what makes Sean different is just the way he can connect with people — white, black, purple, green, rich, poor, from here or there — it doesn’t matter. Sean can connect, and I think that’s something you always appreciate about learning from him.” Scheelhaase interviewed for head coaching jobs in Baltimore, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Las Vegas during the last hiring cycle. But he returned to take on the offensive coordinator role in Los Angeles, replacing Mike LaFleur. Scheelhaase understands he’s a work in progress, as he looks to add value to a loaded roster considered to be a heavy favorite to win the Super Bowl. “What doesn’t change in this game and being involved in it is you feel like you’re one piece of the puzzle, and your contribution can make an impact,” Scheelhaase told me. “That was one of the things that excited you as a player to be in the locker room. And a lot of guys stepped into coaching for that reason — to be a part of something bigger than themselves. That’s what I love about coaching, being able to make an impact. And it looks different based on the role that you have or based on the position you play. But it matters. “It matters from our head coach to our backup left guard, to our athletic trainers and to the people that are making our food in the morning. So, being able to own my role and make meaningful contributions is a huge deal to me.” How Scheelhaase’s Coaching Journey Began As A Player Tony Severino, a recently retired legendary head coach at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, told me he saw something in Scheelhaase as an aspiring player at his football camp. “I saw something special in him back then,” Severino said. “He’s one of the first freshmen we ever started. He started in the secondary and at slot receiver because we had a senior at quarterback. Midway through his sophomore year, we put him at quarterback, and he was special, and then whenever we needed him on defense at safety. He was always a great football player.” Scheelhaase told me he got his foundation from playing for Severino. Along with Severino, Scheelhaase said he also got his first football education from his parents, former University of Iowa defensive back Nate Creer and LouAnn Scheelhaase. “My dad was my coach, and my mom was the head video coordinator,” Scheelhaase told me. “She had the video recorder in the crowd. We’d play on Saturday and watch on Sunday after the game. “I learned the behind-the-scenes parts after games could make a huge impact on what you were trying to do on the field. You could learn and become a better player from the behind-the-scenes stuff. So, I think somewhere inside me, it created an appreciation for everything that happened before the snap, and so that carried on. He coached me all the way through eighth grade.” Scheelhaase describes his father as a survivor. Creer grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised by an older sister after losing both parents at 10 years old. From that, Scheelhaase said he learned how to grind and battle through adversity from his parents, who sold their house and moved to Illinois to be closer to him when he played football in college. “He knows how to work,” Scheelhaase told me about his father. “He’s worked warehouse jobs his whole life, freaking third shift. And knowing a little bit of where he comes from, I have a lot of gratitude for where I’m at and what I get to do here. So, I think you learn a lot, not only from the football side but how to work. “My mom is the same way. My mom is a stud. I was able to go to private school that was out of our budget because she freaking took a job that was not her favorite, but she knew she could make enough money to get me through high school at the place that I wanted to go to school. She is meaningful in probably every character piece that I have and still is to this day. I’ve got awesome parents. And certainly, on the human side, but also on the football side, I’m super grateful for them.” A Natural Leader Scheelhaase, who was a four-year starter at Illinois, holds the program record for total yards with 10,634, and while things didn’t always go as he would like, Scheelhaase played his best when the game mattered the most, according to Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, who served as one of the four offensive coordinators he worked with at Illinois. “Nathan was intelligent, very bright,” Brohm told me. “He was a very good teammate, supportive of everybody — even the guys he was going against. To be quite honest, he performed better on game day than he did at practice. He was a guy who always came through in the game, had a lot of grit, toughness and character – and those things always showed up in the game and helped us win.” Brohm pointed to two performances in bowl games by Scheelhaase that were key moments in his rise. He led Illinois to wins over Robert Griffin III in the Texas Bowl in 2010 before a victory over UCLA in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl a year later, earning MVP honors in the latter. As Scheelhaase had a strong college career, he credited his playing days for helping him succeed so far as a coach. Scheelhaase said playing quarterback from youth football to college helped him see and coach the game through a quarterback lens. “Obviously, the quarterback is the trigger man; he’s going to make a meaningful impact on the offense and the team at large,” Scheelhaase told me. “I think anytime you can view things through his lens as a starting point, it’s going to just give you a good barometer of where to go and what to do as far as what should we put into the install? How should we schedule our offseason programming? And what’s going to ultimately be on the third-down game plan? “So, if you’re always viewing things through his lens — as far as are we providing clarity for him and are we putting him in the best position to be successful – it’s the lens in which I view the game.” Severino echoed Scheelhaase’s sentiment, believing the player he once coached in camp was ready to take on the challenge of coaching due to his playing background. “Quarterback is kind of like a catcher,” Severino told me. “A catcher sees the whole game out in front of them, and they make great Major League managers. Quarterbacks, a lot of times, if they’re good people, they make great leaders. And they become good head coaches.” How Scheelhaase Found His Coaching Voice After his playing career was over, Scheelhaase said he earned his first full-time job as a running backs coach for head coach Matt Campbell at Iowa State in 2018 after a few years on Illinois’ coaching staff. Scheelhaase spent six seasons with the Cyclones, coaching running backs and receivers before ultimately being promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, where he helped to groom Brock Purdy and Rocco Becht. Campbell, who is now the head coach at Penn State, remembers how infectious Scheelhaase’s personality was when he was at Iowa State. “No. 1, he galvanizes the players, galvanizes the people around him,” Campbell told me. “There’s a humility and curiosity with how he comes in and really tries to grow himself and the people around him in football. And then I think the second thing I really appreciate about him is he just has a sense of trust and leadership. “He just had this ability to lead in a positive way, and I think everyone around him felt that.” That personality allowed Scheelhaase to form a close bond with Campbell. In fact, Scheelhaase, his wife Morgan and his family went on a vacation with Campbell’s family to Hawaii once. It was moments like those that Scheelhaase shared with Campbell that the new Rams offensive coordinator credited with helping build his foundation as a coach. “He helped to form a lot of who I’ve become as a coach,” Scheelhaase told me about Campbell. “The way to do it, the way to treat people, the way to come to work every day, the way to go about it with the right mindset — which is how you can put players and people in the best position to be successful. And pouring everything you’ve got to help that happen. I learned a whole lot and will forever be indebted to him. He’s the man.” Scheelhaase has continued that building process with the Rams. McVay allowed him to call plays during preseason games the last two years, and he’s constantly working to help Los Angeles find an edge that will help them on game day. An example of that last season included daily work with receiver Konata Mumpfield, which led to the rookie contributing to L.A.’s NFC Championship run last season.”Mumpfield was a rookie receiver who is really talented and has continued to make a great impact for us,” Scheelhaase told me. “But we started utilizing him on third down, and he was really our third receiver on third down. I can remember behind the scenes working with him in walk-through practice just so he had a great idea of the concepts we were running and how he fit in the puzzle before he was even playing. This was probably seven, eight or nine weeks before he may have been out there in those situations, but behind the scenes he was working. “And then seeing him get into a Sunday night game against Tampa and Matthew [Stafford] hit him on a backside in-cut, and you feel like you were able to contribute to help create clarity for him, which is obviously our job as coaches.” Now, Scheelhaase should have even more say in the Rams’ offense in 2026. He’s quickly risen through the ranks of McVay’s staff, going from offensive assistant and passing game specialist in 2024 to pass game coordinator in 2025 before his promotion to offensive coordinator over the offseason. But Scheelhaase said he has already had the freedom to find his role and voice as a coach, crediting McVay as he said that’s one of the Rams head coach’s secret sauces. “There’s so much more to it than the X and Os,” Scheelhaase told me. “The way he builds a culture in the NFL where people matter, and connection matters, is one of our secret sauces, for sure. And the way he brings up leaders and allows them to see behind the curtain, be able to see behind the scenes and learn, to hear his thoughts and how he’s thinking. “How he moves and how he operates throughout the course of a year, I’ve been fortunate enough to just be a sponge and be able to soak up a ton of insight in those situations. That’s a part of it.” McVay still remains the offensive playcaller for the Rams in 2026. That shouldn’t deter teams from pursuing Scheelhaase as a head coach candidate next offseason, though, if everything goes right this year. It certainly hasn’t stopped teams from pursuing McVay disciples in the past, either, as the likes of Kevin O’Connell and Mike LaFleur didn’t call plays under the Rams head coach before getting head coach opportunities themselves. And while McVay still holds onto playcalling duties, it’s the way he leads that Scheelhaase is taking note of as he potentially becomes the next McVay disciple to become a head coach. “He knows what the foundational pieces in this game are always going to be, and he’s willing to double down on those things time and time again,” Scheelhaase told me. “I don’t think he’s trying to chase a different identity. I don’t think he’s trying to chase what maybe somebody else is doing. “But I think he has a great belief in what it looks like to be a successful organization, and what that emphasis looks like throughout the year. It’s not just in the fall, but it’s a 365-day-a-year job, and I think he’s got that mapped out pretty darn well for what’s important.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Lumen Field (Seattle) — The Seattle Seahawks avoided the heartbreak of losing on the night they unfurled their Super Bowl LX banner, scoring 13 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the visiting New England Patriots 13-10 in a Super Bowl rematch. The Seahawks struggled to contain quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots early on. However, Seattle’s potent defense, engineered by head coach Mike Macdonald, showed up in the second half, helping the Seahawks start the season 1-0 on the year, while Mike Vrabel and the Patriots dropped to 0-1. Here are my takeaways: 1. WTF, Drake Maye? Seahawks Darkside Defense Coaxes Nightmare Performance From Pats QB Things started out well for Maye, as Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels provided good answers for the Seahawks’ defensive pressure. Patriots left tackle Will Campbell did a much better job of protecting his quarterback in pass coverage than he did in Super Bowl LX, too, giving New England a chance to win. However, that all changed in the fourth quarter, as Maye threw interceptions on back-to-back drives that led to 10 points for the Seahawks, changing the momentum of the game in Seattle’s favor and serving as a catalyst for Seattle’s comeback win. The interceptions didn’t end there for Maye, either. After Maye got the Patriots down to the Seahawks’ 16-yard line with under 30 seconds remaining, he threw his third interception of the game on an awful throw. He tried to force a pass to Mack Hollins along the side of the end zone, but Seahawks defensive back Josh Jobe made a tremendous toe-tapping pick to seal the victory for the Seahawks. With the interception, Maye now has 11 interceptions in his last five games. He threw that many picks in the 17-game regular season in 2025, as his only multi-interception games since the start of last year came against the Seahawks. On top of that, Maye has already thrown more interceptions on deep balls this season than he did last season. He threw just one interception on passes of at least 20-plus air yards last season, but had two interceptions on such passes on Wednesday night, per Next Gen Stats. Seattle’s defense finished with three sacks, nine tackles for loss and six pass breakups, playing at the elite level it played at last season. 2. If Darnold’s Hip Injury Is Serious, Lock Provides Glimmer Of Hope For Seahawks Just like that, Seattle’s push to repeat as Super Bowl champs took a big hit when Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury and did not return. The USC product suffered the injury on the second drive of the game, when he tried to scramble out of the pocket on third-and-five but was sacked by Patriots linebacker Dre’Mont Jones for a 5-yard loss. Darnold limped to the locker room for further evaluation and did not return. Backup Drew Lock replaced Darnold. While Lock is an experienced backup who knows Seattle’s offensive system, Darnold is the starter for a reason. And if he’s out for a prolonged period, the chances for Seattle to stay within striking distance in the ultra-competitive NFC West will be an uphill climb. However, Lock did lead the Seahawks to a come-from-behind victory in the second half, completing 16-of-22 passes for 187 yards, with a touchdown and no interceptions for a 113.3 passer rating. It was enough to at least show some confidence in Lock in the short term, as the Seahawks await to find out if they’ll be without Darnold for the long run. 3. Need A Big Play? Jaxon Smith-Njigba To The Rescue The reigning Offensive Player of the Year showed why he’s the highest-paid receiver in the league. Facing a fourth-and-short and trailing 10-3 early in the fourth quarter, Lock found Smith-Njigba on a short pass over the middle of the field, and the Ohio State product turned it into a 45-yard touchdown to tie the game. Smith-Njigba finished with seven receptions for 111 yards on eight targets. His teammate Cooper Kupp also made an acrobatic catch in the series before, setting up a Jason Myers 30-yard field goal. 3 ½. What’s Next The Seahawks will look to continue the momentum when they hit the road against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. However, their concentration over the next few days will be on whether Darnold’s injury is severe enough to force him to miss more time. Meanwhile, the Patriots will try to move on from the season-opening loss when they host Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Welcome to West Coast Read, a weekly spin around what’s happening in the NFL on the Left Coast. And to kick things off, we start with a conversation I had with new Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and his plans for Justin Herbert. McDaniel displayed flashes of excellence as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, but things ultimately fizzled in four seasons on South Beach. However, McDaniel was highly sought after this offseason by several teams, both as a head coach and offensive coordinator, because of his reputation for innovation as a playcaller. With plenty of options on the table, McDaniel chose the Chargers because of the vast array of skills Justin Herbert has at his disposal, providing a stark contrast to the limited skill set his previous quarterback in Miami had in Tua Tagovailoa, taken one spot above Herbert at No. 5 overall in the 2020 draft. McDaniel told me his 20 years of coaching in the NFL prepared him for this crossroads moment of his career in coaching the most talented quarterback he’s ever worked with in the league. “It’s as simple as I’m not sure there are many players in my entire career that are more talented to play the quarterback position than Justin,” McDaniel told me in a conversation after practice during training camp. “And so, with those talents, I learned and built offensive systems around players who are not as talented, so it forces you to try and get really high-level play from guys that don’t have those supreme skill sets. “Your offense and problem-solving are at its best, where maybe you don’t have to solve those problems from a coaching perspective [with Herbert]. There’s a certain coverage or a certain defensive issue that’s presented, and your quarterback can scramble and go get the first down. And you don’t have to solve the problem as a coach. That’s the greatest blessing of bouncing around NFL teams as you evolve as a coach, because you get exposed to so many types of talents. So, you’re not pigeonholed.” McDaniel provided this example: if he had landed in New England early in his coaching career working with someone like Tom Brady back in 2007, he would have benefited from one of the best quarterbacks ever at solving pre-snap issues, changing plays and protections that put his offense in the best situations. And maybe that would have stunted his growth as a play designer. “And then, when you don’t have him, what type of coach can you be?” McDaniel told me. “I think as a young coach, I would have really screwed it up. I would have asked for Justin as young as possible, but I’m very much glad I’m finally getting the opportunity to coach him now, after solving problems with guys that can’t throw it as far or overcome a poorly designed play where things are gloved and just scramble for the first down.” McDaniel said he maintained discipline installing the offense, making sure to focus on Herbert’s footwork and improving his ability to get the ball out quick on short completions before getting to the good stuff — how to take advantage of the Oregon product’s otherworldly arm strength. That occurred midway through training camp, and the results of that were evident when Herbert connected a long touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. McDaniel will fix L.A.’s offense, so Herbert plays at an MVP level by making sure he doesn’t get bored with short completions that help move the chains and providing a more consistent running attack led by a healthy Omarion Hampton. But McDaniel needs to accomplish two things to be deemed a successful season for himself and Herbert: No. 1, his quarterback can’t continuously get belted like a piñata, leading the league in sacks and quarterback hits. And second, Herbert’s postseason stat line must improve from a career 54.7 completion percentage, with two touchdowns and five interceptions for a 64.7 passer rating. Herbert is 0-3 in the playoffs and under his direction in the postseason, L.A.’s offenses have averaged 15 points per game. McDaniel believes good things are in store for Herbert and the Bolts, but that must translate into some postseason wins. “It’s been an interesting, very cool process — bucketing all the stuff we’re getting him to work on and then taking some of the stuff that he’s done at a very high level and making sure that isn’t lost in this offense,” McDaniel told me. “That’s why I was front-loaded in watching all the film from his career so that I could build an install that both incorporated the stuff I wanted to work on but allowed for the field to distribute so that later in plays he can make off-schedule stuff happen like he always has. “There’s different parts of the field that he can access that most throwers can’t. So, there’s been some work on just making sure that skill set is utilized. Which, from an offensive perspective, is even a more powerful way to make the defense defend the entire field. Balancing that stuff out — we didn’t work on anything that was big arm down the field until probably the last week — so, really focused on small ball, getting the ball out on plant throws and quick-timing plays. I knew that was the biggest jump he needed to make. I was very proud of myself because I put off all the fun, down-the-field stuff until just recently.” Speaking of the Chargers, they have a chance to pair up with their crosstown rival Rams and achieve something unprecedented in the NFL. Former Raiders CEO and Los Angeles native Amy Trask served as an intern when the Los Angeles Raiders won the Super Bowl after the team’s 1983 season after relocating from Oakland. So, Trask understands what an all-Los Angeles Super Bowl would mean for the city. “I’ve heard a number of discussions about this,” Trask told me. “Some have suggested that would be disappointing for tourism and for the hotels industry because arguably you’d have far less people traveling to the game if neither of the teams were located outside of Los Angeles. “But I have a different view. While I understand the point that is made, I think it could be a tremendous opportunity for the region to showcase itself. The Los Angeles area and the region itself did a spectacular job during the World Cup. We of course have the Olympics coming in a couple years. But with the Super Bowl coming in February, if it is the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams, think about what the region can do to showcase itself.” The Rams are a heavy favorite to win the Super Bowl after executing blockbuster trades for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, along with the return of All-Pro Aaron Donald from a two-year retirement. After back-to-back 11-6 seasons under Harbaugh and quick exits from the postseason, the Chargers have the sixth-best odds to win the Super Bowl at +1700. This year’s Super Bowl is set to take place at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 14. The last time the Super Bowl was played in Los Angeles was in 2022, when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 on their home field. The first Super Bowl in L.A. took place at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1967, with the Green Bay Packers defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10. In all, nine Super Bowls have been played in Los Angeles. Only Miami (11) and New Orleans (11) have hosted more. The Chargers won their only championship in 1963, a 55-10 victory over the Boston Patriots for the American Football League title at Balboa Stadium in San Diego. Along with winning it all four years ago, the Rams also lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Coliseum in 1980 in Super Bowl XIV. Rams CEO Kevin Demoff recently recognized it’s been 10 years since the Rams moved back to Los Angeles. It’s been nine years since the Chargers relocated from San Diego to Los Angeles. During that time, the two teams have combined for 11 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory for the Rams after the 2021 season in the stadium that Rams owner Stan Kroenke built. Yes, the same Kroenke who just bought the Los Angeles Angels. A Rams-Chargers Super Bowl could be kismet. “Having grown up in Los Angeles and living in Los Angeles, you’ve got everything here,” Trask said. “It’s a very reasonable drive from the mountains, which will have snow on them, the desert, which will be very beautiful, and the beaches, which are always beautiful. Exploit the region. Show off the region. That’s what I think can be done if it ended up Chargers-Rams.” Jeremiyah Love, whom the Arizona Cardinals took with the third overall pick in this year’s draft, flashed electric playmaking ability in his first and only action during the preseason, totaling 58 yards on 11 carries in a Week 1 contest against the Raiders. But Love suffered a high-ankle sprain and hasn’t practiced since, making his availability in his team’s season opener on the road against the Chargers a question mark. While most NFL observers consider Love the most talented running back in this year’s draft class, a longtime NFL talent evaluator believes Love’s backup at Norte Dame, Jadarian Price, might be the better player. Scott McCloughan served as San Francisco’s top personnel man for four seasons and Seahawks general manager John Schneider’s right-hand man as senior personnel executive from 2010 to 2013. McCloughan also worked in personnel for the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders and currently serves as a draft consultant for teams and agents that hire him to evaluate NFL prospects. “I think he’s Nick Chubb,” McCloughan told me about Price. McCloughan was in Cleveland when they drafted Chubb. “He’s a big guy who can run downhill. He’s got some speed. He’s got some elusiveness and ball skills. I told Johnny [Schneider] when they drafted him, ‘You just got a hell of a player dude.’” At 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, Price ran a 4.49-second, 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine. And while he doesn’t possess the elusiveness or pass-catching ability of Love, he has a clearer path to a workhorse role for the Seahawks, with Kenneth Walker signing with the Chiefs in free agency and Zach Charbonnet working his way back from season-ending knee surgery, Along with Love’s injury concerns, he’s also in a stacked running back room that includes experienced veterans Tyler Allgeier and James Conner. Love is actually listed as the No. 2 running back on Arizona’s depth chart. But McCloughan believes Price will be a more productive back than Love in their NFL careers. “You know what, it was very close,” McCloughan told me. “I mean, it wasn’t a slam dunk. And don’t get me wrong, Love’s really good. And of course, Love was the starter. But Jadarian, I think he’s going to be a really good NFL running back. I know Nick just recently retired, but when he was in his prime, he was kicking ass. “He’s got a lot of power, but he also has speed.” Rams head coach Sean McVay predominantly used three-receiver sets during his time with the Rams, usually leading the league in that personnel grouping. However, due to injuries and effectiveness, McVay’s Rams led the league by using three tight end personnel groupings on 331 snaps in 2025, averaging 6.2 yards per play. It’s by far the most a team has used that formation over the past decade in a single season. The second-most was 183 by the Cleveland Browns in 2021. League-wide, teams used three tight ends 5% of the time in 2025, up from 3.5% in 2024. Moreover, 21 tight ends were selected in this year’s draft, the most since 2002 (24). The Rams drafted another tight end this year in Max Klare and are carrying five on the active roster, so McVay could be planning to lean on three TE sets again. However, new Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, who served as the San Francisco 49ers tight ends coach before taking his new job, does not expect the Rams to use three tight end sets as often this season. “Last year, I think they caught a lot of people off guard by doing that, especially in those first few weeks,” Fleury said. “When you get into bigger groupings, usually it simplifies the defensive menu. But as they continue to put it on the field, the defensive menu continues to grow as people become more prepared. “Going into this season, while that might seem like an advantageous trend for an offense to do, the entire league has had the entire offseason to come up with their plan for defending their team personnel. So, I don’t think you’re going to see quite the same advantages. We will have some of it available and deploy it when we feel appropriate. But I don’t know that you are going to get quite the level of production that the Rams had out of it league-wide.” A weekly look at the top five teams among the NFC and AFC West: 5. Kansas City Chiefs I’m tempted to put the Chargers here, but even though he’s recovering from a knee injury, I trust Patrick Mahomes more than Herbert. 4. San Francisco 49ers They’re a M*A*S*H unit on both sides of the ball, but Shanahan will figure out how to cobble together enough healthy bodies to play winning football. 3. Denver Broncos They have one of the best defenses in the league and one of the most underrated QBs in Bo Nix. 2. Los Angeles Rams In Sean McVay we trust, unless it’s booking travel arrangements. 1. Seattle Seahawks To be the best, you must beat the best. Showing the defending champs some respect here, unlike the rest of the country. “There’s only three players that I would stand up and watch play: LT (Lawrence Taylor), Reggie White and Aaron Donald. Those are three guys where I would watch every play because I’ve never seen nothing like it. And I think Myles [Garrett] could be that same type of player here, for sure.” Eric Dickerson to me on the impact Myles Garrett could have on the Los Angeles Rams.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Look, LSU. Look, Michigan. College football doesn’t like what you’re doing — or what you’ve been allowed to get away with. You’re paying the malicious compliance tax. That’s the tax where folks are doing just enough to satisfy the rules or the contract, but not enough to make the process a pleasant one. And being right isn’t going to change their minds. College football has spent the last few years changing what it will tolerate. Players can make millions. Transfers can move immediately. The playoff can crown an undisputed national champion. The sport has made room for immediate eligibility upon transferring schools — “free agency” — according to some coaches. But there are still lines that fans, coaches and administrators simply won’t let you cross. LSU and Michigan are the latest high-profile examples of how the sport operates, and it’s on emotion first. Objectively, the Wolverines did nothing illegal in their 13-12 win over in-state foe Western Michigan. They played by the rules enforced by Big Ten officials and scored what — under normal circumstances — would have been a dramatic, game-winning touchdown at home. Michigan fans stormed the field, and head coach Kyle Whittingham made the appropriate remarks about narrowly escaping with a victory. Except they didn’t. The Wolverines didn’t win the game — not in the eyes of the public and not in the eyes of the Mid-American Conference, which lodged an appeal with the NCAA and College Football Playoff seeking to have its loss overturned. Normally, the scoreboard settles these kinds of debates. But the clock is at issue, and to everyone watching the broadcast, the game was over when it struck zero. Then, the replay booth intervened. Its clock showed one second remaining after the play was dead. One second Michigan didn’t appear to have. One second that gave the Wolverines another snap and a chance to turn what looked like a 12-7 loss into a 13-12 victory. The rules said Michigan had time. The audience saw a game that was already over. And in the end, Michigan went on to win a game that most believe is so unfair that they want to see the final result changed. Now, No. 11 Oklahoma comes to the Big House on Saturday (noon ET, FOX), and the fallout from that finish has changed the way people see Michigan. The Wolverines aren’t just viewed as a team that got away with one. They’re viewed as a team that isn’t as good as many of us who cover the sport once thought. In my Top 25 rankings this week, I dropped Michigan from No. 16 to No. 25 despite the fact that it won the game on the scoreboard. And the scoreboard deserves our respect. Heck, even the NCAA does. According to NCAA Rule 1-1-3-5 Winning and Final Score, Article 3, paragraph B: “When the referee declares that the game is ended, the score is final.” But in a move I found utterly shocking, my peers who vote in the AP Top 25 Poll each week saw fit to cast Michigan out of the top 25 entirely. That’s a drastic fall — 10 spots if we’re counting down through the teams that also received votes — and it tells us something: Most AP voters don’t believe Michigan’s win on the scoreboard is valid. And that raises the question of just how much it means to win — or lose — as each week draws us closer to the 2026 College Football Playoff selection. Meanwhile, in Baton Rouge, the SEC is suing one of its own members in federal court. In its amended complaint, the conference alleges “a lack of institutional control” and is seeking a court order that could pave the way for LSU’s expulsion from the SEC. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and his program have continued to not just act against the interests of its conference, but mock it. On Saturday night, Kiffin asked a rhetorical question during a halftime interview while his team was throttling Dabo Swinney’s Tigers. “Imagine if we had pro players,” Kiffin quipped. It’s the kind of joke Kiffin thought was harmless, but the rest of us — notably the SEC — saw as a mockery of one of college football’s core beliefs: Professionals aren’t allowed to play the amateur game. The fact that some college players make more money annually than some NFL players doesn’t incite the same outrage as Kiffin attempting to put men who have signed professional football contracts on his college roster. The SEC wants to make an example of LSU. As of Wednesday, the feud between LSU and the SEC has cooled down, at least now. The Tigers added two players to complete its 105-man roster, eliminating the possibility of bringing in former NFL rookies Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. But emotion, not reason, has long been the guiding hand of college football. This weekend was no different. I believe three things get you and keep you in a job: 1. Be on time. 2. Be good at your job. 3. Have people like you. You must have two of the three to keep your job. That means if people like you, and you’re on time, you can get away with not being excellent at your job. But if people don’t like you, and you show up late, being good at your job isn’t going stop you from getting fired. Right now, the SEC doesn’t believe LSU is on time — look at the timing of adding these players — and doesn’t much like LSU. It really doesn’t matter that LSU stomped a mud-hole in Clemson and walked it dry if you’re not on time and people don’t like you. And that’s why college football is a people business. Managing emotions and irrational expectations is how this sport moves. When you take those emotions for granted or try to talk people out of how they feel with reason, they turn feral in a hurry. They’ll remind you just what is and isn’t kosher. In this chaotic moment for college football, the sport has shown once again it knows what it wants, what it will allow and what it won’t. My advice: Say you’re sorry for winning a game the sport believes you shouldn’t have, Michigan. Apologize to the SEC with both knees on the floor, LSU. I assure you, the juice ain’t worth the squeeze.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The controversy surrounding the ending of the Western Michigan and Michigan game hasn’t slowed down heading into Week 2. Despite formal appeals, statements and lingering concerns the backlash shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. How much time was actually left? That still hasn’t been determined with so much discrepancy surrounding the play and the cannon of an arm that Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood showcased on Saturday night. As things stand now, the call will stand and there will be no action or league involvement. Here’s a timeline of everything that’s happened since the controversial call in Ann Arbor: Saturday Night Michigan entered the matchup as a nearly four-touchdown favorite. However, Western Michigan hung in there and remained competitive until the final whistle, at one point leading 12-6 and standing on the brink of pulling off the biggest upset in program history. However, that lead was put to the ultimate test as the clock hit zero and Underwood unleashed a final Hail Mary. As the ball bounced off multiple defenders in the back of the end zone, the game seemed over… or was it? While the TV broadcast clock showed zero, replay officials came together and confirmed one second remained when the previous pass hit the turf out of bounds. Given one final chance, Underwood this time launched a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown to JJ Buchanan as time expired. The wild final play was only the start of a controversial sequence that would become the talk of the college football world. Later On Saturday Night The controversial call made waves across the sport. Both Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham and Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor shared their thoughts on the final play, which was impactful enough to prompt official statements from both the MAC and the Big Ten. “But as I looked, I knew it was close,” Whittingham said after the game. “When the ball sailed back to the end zone, I glanced up at the clock, and it was just ticking to zero, and somebody had touched it. I didn’t know who had touched it, but apparently it was a defender that had already established an out-of-bounds position. I’m assuming they got it right. They looked at it and their technology that they have is very advanced, I guess.” Even with Whittingham coming out victorious, he offered an honest opinion and backed the officials. Similarly, Taylor focused on why his defense failed to execute as they should have, refusing to make excuses. “I know when I looked up at the clock, it was past zeros before we touched it,” Taylor said. “I knew that they would review it. It was the last play of the game, and because we defended it so well, wasn’t worried or concerned about our guys going out and defending it the second time. Unfortunately, we did not defend it as well the second time.” The MAC and Big Ten both issued statements following the game, and everyone accepted the outcome despite the controversy. Sunday Statement Released On Sunday, NBC Sports addressed the growing controversy on air during the Washington vs. Washington State game. Host John Fanta delivered a statement on behalf of the network regarding a clock dispute from the game. He made sure to remind viewers that the TV graphics don’t dictate official game time. “Now, the official time of the game is kept by the Big Ten,” Fanta said. “Our cameras are not the official arbiter of timekeeping within the game. That is the Big Ten and game officials’ responsibility. After the game last night, the Big Ten released a statement and raw video from its replay process that showed how and why the decision was made.” Monday: Rules and Extra Seconds Continue to Dominate the Conversation When it comes to the rules of the sport and how officials operate, few people are more qualified than FOX Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira. He joined “The Joel Klatt Show” on Monday to break down the latest controversy. His explanation for why Big Ten officials didn’t follow protocol focused on the discrepancy, saying that they needed to rely on the television footage. “The official replay officials have been told that if there is a discrepancy, use the television footage,” Pereira said. “Do not use your footage in the command center. Use the footage that 10 million people are watching, not the one that’s three.” Despite heavy criticism of the call, Pereira defended the officials but criticized the review result, stating that the game crew made the best possible decision in real time with the information they had. “When it’s all said and done, that’s what should have happened, and there shouldn’t have been another play,” Pereira said. “They did not look at the television copy of what was being shown to all of us.” Tuesday: MAC Decides To Appeal Ruling After initially accepting the ruling, the MAC reversed course and decided to appeal. On Tuesday, MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher released a statement indicating that proper replay protocol was not followed. Following a careful review, the NCAA denied the MAC’s appeal, as the Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee stated that it does not have the power to alter the outcome or final score of a game. With that in mind, Michigan remains the winner of the game, even with all the controversy surrounding the result. Both Michigan and Western Michigan will be heading into Week 2 with an outcome that will always be known as the “what-if” game.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Mossing cornerbacks down the sideline. Throwing nasty stiff arms to gain a few extra yards. Juking helpless defenders in space, making them whiff on tackles. The NFL’s best offensive skill players do these things at a higher clip than everyone else. Quarterbacks, of course, are the most important players and franchise faces, but it’s the skill guys around them who create most of the highlights in the open field. So let’s give them some love. Here are my top 20 non-quarterback offensive skill players entering the 2026 NFL season, in descending order: The best fullback of this generation, Juszczyk is pivotal to Kyle Shanahan’s offense due to his versatility. Juszczyk led the NFL with a 78.6% receiving success rate last season and at age 35 is still a tremendous lead blocker for running back Christian McCaffrey. Now entering his 14th season, Juszczyk has been a first-team All-Pro selection in two of the past three years. Walker has always been talented, but he garnered a whole new level of respect with his memorable playoff run for the Seahawks, which culminated with him becoming the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP since 1997. He parlayed that into a big free-agent contract with Kansas City, and with Patrick Mahomes coming off a torn ACL and some uncertainty with the Chiefs’ pass-catchers, Walker could be the engine of the offense this season. With so many elite running backs in the NFL right now and because he plays with one of the best quarterbacks on the planet in Josh Allen, Cook can slide a bit under the radar. But the three-time Pro Bowler led the NFL last season in rushing yards (1,621) and rushing yards per game (95.4). In 2024, he paced the league with 16 rushing touchdowns. One of the NFL’s most dynamic weapons, Achane figures to get plenty of touches in 2026 for the rebuilding Dolphins. He led the NFL last season with 5.7 rushing yards per carry and his 1,838 scrimmage yards ranked sixth. In his first season with the Cowboys, Pickens proved that he’s a true No. 1 receiver, even while playing alongside another star WR in CeeDee Lamb. The former Steeler posted career-highs in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429) and receiving touchdowns (9) as a prime target for quarterback Dak Prescott, and his numbers could be even better in 2026 playing on the franchise tag. After putting together the best rookie tight end season in NFL history in 2024, Bowers saw his second year marred by injury. He missed five games due to a left knee sprain and bone bruise and played through the lingering injury in several others. Now entering Year 3, Bowers is poised to bounce back. He’ll be the undisputed No. 1 pass-catching option for Las Vegas, which will have veteran Kirk Cousins as QB1 to start the season. While Brown has been one of the league’s best wide receivers for years, his numbers the past couple of seasons were impacted by the Eagles’ pass-game struggles. His production could get back to an elite level in New England, where he’s reunited with coach Mike Vrabel — his head coach at the start of his career with the Tennessee Titans — and one of the league’s best young quarterbacks in Drake Maye. Now 32, Henry remains the gold standard for consistent, elite running back play. The five-time Pro Bowler carried the ball 307 times for 1,595 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2025 — his seventh season of at least 1,000 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns. He’s also one of just nine players in NFL history who have rushed for 2,000 yards in a single season. Taylor was a borderline MVP candidate last season before the Colts’ collapse down the stretch. The star running back led the NFL in carries (323) and rushing touchdowns (18) for the first time since 2021, when he was the rushing triple-crown winner. Taylor has registered at least 1,400 rushing yards three times in the past five seasons. Lamb had a down year by his standards last year (75 catches for 1,077 yards and three touchdowns) and missed three games with a high ankle sprain, but he still topped 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth straight season. McBride was the best tight end in football last season, catching a career-high 126 passes on 169 targets (third-most) for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 26-year-old should once again be one of the NFL’s most targeted players in Arizona’s offense, led by first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. Barkley last season was significantly less effective than in 2024, when he became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. But that was due in large part to the Eagles’ injuries on the offensive line and issues with the offense at large. The three-time Pro Bowler still surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in 2025, doing so for the fifth time in his career. The reigning Comeback Player of the Year, McCaffrey was 76 receiving yards short of posting 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season for the second time in his career. The four-time Pro Bowler remains one of the NFL’s most valuable offensive weapons entering his 10th season. One of the most versatile and consistently dominant wide receivers in the league, St. Brown has registered at least 1,100 receiving yards in four straight seasons. The former fourth-round pick has garnered All-Pro honors three years in a row. Jefferson remains on the shortlist for best wide receiver in football, even as bad quarterback play has hurt his production. Despite catching passes from the likes of Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer and J.J. McCarthy, Jefferson has posted six straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career. His numbers could climb back into the elite tier if new QB Kyler Murray turns out to be a hit in coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Last season, Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions and 80 receiving first downs and was second with 1,715 receiving yards despite missing a game. Through three seasons, he’s averaging 95.3 receiving yards per game, which is the highest among qualified pass-catchers in NFL history. Gibbs is the prototype of the modern superstar running back — an elite rusher who can also produce as a borderline WR2 in the pass game. With David Montgomery traded to Houston and Detroit’s limited options in the backfield, Gibbs is poised to be a true bell cow in the Lions’ offense for the first time. Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards last season en route to Offensive Player of the Year honors. The former Ohio State star entered the league as primarily a slot receiver but has become a truly dominant force out wide as well, making him a complete WR. He was one of only two receivers in 2025 with at least 100 receiving yards on eight different route types (the other was Nacua). Robinson was the most dominant running back in football last season, posting 287 carries for 1,478 rushing yards and catching 79 passes for 820 yards for a league-best 2,298 scrimmage yards. He also had the NFL’s longest run last season (93 yards) and earned his first All-Pro nod. Chase is football’s most dominant receiver. The Bengals superstar has led the NFL in catches in consecutive years, and he’s put up at least 1,200 receiving yards in three straight seasons. Quarterback Joe Burrow is talking Super Bowl this season, which could mean even bigger numbers for Chase.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports