Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[The JZA]

Time to reload & continue the process A.J. couldn't finish

[ShireNiner]

Minnesota brings back top receivers and a deeper running back room

Minnesota announces April 11 open practice and Offensive Roster

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler | March 28, 2027
@AidensFake


MINNEAPOLIS— Four months after losing to Ohio State in the Semifinal of the college football playoffs, Mick Smith and the Gophers are ready to reload and go again.

Minnesota announced an open practice on April 11, 2027 with the spring game to follow one week later. The same day Minnesota announced the practice dates, they released the list of offensive players including new recruits and transfers.


Quarterback
AJ Brand, SO - Charlotte, NC | 84 Ovr, 85 Spd, 89 Acc, 91 Agi, 90 Cod, 72 Awr, 87 THP, 77 SAC, 79 MAC, 83 DAC, 87 RUN
Dylan Wittke, SR - Buford, GA | 77 Ovr, 81 Spd, 86 Acc, 88 Agi, 87 Cod, 74 Awr, 96 THP, 84 SAC, 81 MAC, 73 DAC, 79 RUN
Jackson Kollock, SO - Modesto, CA | 73 Ovr, 83 Spd, 87 Acc, 91 Agi, 89 Cod, 77 Awr, 89 THP, 81 SAC, 79 MAC, 77 DAC, 80 RUN
Max Shikenjanski, SR - Stillwater, MN | 72 Ovr, 83 Spd, 88 Acc, 87 Agi, 85 Cod, 69 Awr, 83 THP, 79 SAC, 72 MAC, 71 DAC, 82 RUN
Josh Bobo, FR - Cocoa, FL | 70 Ovr, 81 Spd, 85 Acc, 84 Agi, 85 Cod, 68 Awr, 88 THP, 79 SAC, 73 MAC, 60 DAC, 79 RUN - Transfer from Penn State. 1 GP, 137 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 11/17 passing

Running Backs
Fame Ijeboi, JR - Folcroft PA | 84 Ovr, 89 Spd, 92 Acc, 91 Agi, 92 Cod, 75 Str, 70 Awr, 82 Car, 80 Bcv
Xavier Ford, SO - Leesville, LA | 79 Ovr, 89 Spd, 92 Acc, 87 Agi, 86 Cod, 80 Str, 75 Awr, 87 Car, 84 Bcv
Grant Washington, SR - Avon, OH | 78 Ovr, 89 Spd, 92 Acc, 90 Agi, 89 Cod, 67 Str, 73 Awr, 89 Car, 79 Bcv
Kaden Shields-Dutton, JR - Orland, FL | 75 Ovr, 85 Spd, 88 Acc, 81 Agi, 79 Cod, 77 Str, 75 Awr, 80 Car, 75 Bcv
Jordan Clemons, JR - Boynton Beach, FL | 74 Ovr, 89 Spd, 91 Acc, 86 Agi, 82 Cod, 56 Str, 72 Awr, 72 Car, 77 Bcv
Liangelo Provo, FR - Sarasota, FL | 74 Ovr, 85 Spd, 91 Acc, 81 Agi, 78 Cod, 80 Str, 71 Awr, 86 Car, 68 Bcv - 4* recruit
Darrell Smith, JR - Picayune, MS | 71 Ovr, 91 Spd, 90 Acc, 86 Agi, 85 Cod, 65 Str, 58 Awr, 71 Car, 71 Bcv -Transfer from Louisiana - 0 carries last season

Fullbacks
Matt Boone. SO - Mobile, AL | 60 Ovr, 65 Spd, 68 Acc, 66 Agi, 65 Cod, 73 Str, 61 Awr, 64 Car, 58 PBK
Imani Ebiketie, FR - Olive Branch, MS | 60 Ovr, 75 Spd, 73 Acc, 74 Agi, 63 Cod, 74 Str, 58 Awr, 71 Car, 60 PBK - 2* recruit

Receivers
Kenric Lanier II, SR - Decatur, GA | 83 Ovr, 92 Spd, 93 Acc, 98 Agi, 97 Cod, 90 Str, 76 Awr, 89 Cth, 76 Cit
Jalen Smith, SO - Blaine, MN | 80 Ovr, 94 Spd, 95 Acc, 95 Agi, 95 Cod, 66 Str, 81 Awr, 79 Cth, 82 Cit
Connor Malik, FR - Lees Summit, MO | 79 Ovr, 85 Spd, 91 Acc, 90 Agi, 92 Cod, 63 Str, 73 Awr, 79 Cth, 80 Cit - 5* recruit
Donielle Hayes, SR - Pensacola, FL | 73 Ovr, 90 Spd, 94 Acc, 92 Agi, 92 Cod, 64 Str, 74 Awr, 74 Cth, 74 Cit
James Long, SR - Rio Rancho, NM | 69 Ovr, 88 Spd, 89 Acc, 89 Agi, 88 Cod, 63 Str, 71 Awr, 80 Cth, 79 Cit - Transfer from NM State - 34 rec, 440 yds, 5 TD last season
Russ Bowe, SO - Eden Praire, MN | 64 Ovr, 87 Spd, 89 Acc, 83 Agi, 83 Cod, 60 Str, 61 Awr, 69 Cth, 75 Cit

Tight Ends
Mac Markway, SR - St. Louis, MO | 83 Ovr, 77 Spd, 84 Acc, 81 Agi, 78 Cod, 80 Str, 86 Awr, 82 Cth, 83 Cit - Transfer from Louisville - 12 rec, 103 yds,1 TD
Alan Soukup, JR - Phoenix, AZ | 82 Ovr, 72 Spd, 74 Acc, 71 Agi, 68 Cod, 79 Str, 75 Awr, 74 Cth, 76 Cit
Julian Johnson, JR - Aurora, IL | 76 Ovr, 81 Spd, 87 Acc, 84 Agi, 80 Cod, 74 Str, 68 Awr, 85 Cth, 76 Cit
Jairus Briggs, SR - Franklin, GA | 75 Ovr, 76 Spd, 85 Acc, 79 Agi, 73 Cod, 75 Str, 67 Awr, 85 Cth, 81 Cit - Transfer from UCF - 29 rec, 353 yds, 4 TDs
Pierce Walsh, SR - Downers Grove, IL | 73 Ovr, 77 Spd, 81 Acc, 80 Agi, 77 Cod, 68 Str, 71 Awr, 78 Cth, 79 Cit

Offensive Line
Nathan Roy, JR - Mukwonago, WI | 84 Ovr, 65 Spd, 78 Acc, 90 Agi, 72 Cod, 93 Str, 91 Awr, 84 Pbk, 86 Pbp
Kahilee Tafai, SR - Inglewood, CA | 78 Ovr, 55 Spd, 64 Acc, 77 Agi, 69 Cod, 93 Str, 89 Awr, 75 Pbk, 79 Pbp
Nick Cantrell, FR - Lansing, MI | 60 Ovr, 52 Spd, 59 Acc, 65 Agi, 57 Cod, 78 Str, 65 Awr, 64 Pbk, 68 Pbp - 2* recruit
Reese Tripp, SR - Mantorville, MN | 80 Ovr, 50 Spd, 62 Acc, 75 Agi, 71 Cod, 95 Str, 79 Awr, 76 Pbk, 82 Pbp
Jerome Williams, SR - Osseo, MN | 79 Ovr, 64 Spd, 78 Acc, 71 Agi, 55 Cod, 87 Str, 76 Awr, 81 Pbk, 83 Pbp
Jamal Cheridor, FR - Saint Pauls, NC | 67 Ovr, 57 Spd, 63 Acc, 67 Agi, 54 Cod, 76 Str, 65 Awr, 73 Pbk, 83 Pbp - 2* recruit
Brett Carroll, JR - Olathe, KS | 79 Ovr, 62 Spd, 81 Acc, 70 Agi, 70 Cod, 95 Str, 79 Awr, 77 Pbk, 80 Pbp
Logan Scrivner, JR - St. Charles, MO | 71 Ovr, 57 Spd, 70 Acc, 57 Agi, 53 Cod, 83 Str, 67 Awr, 74 Pbk, 75 Pbp - Transfer from Missouri State
Mark Handy, SO - Albuquerque, NM | 74 Ovr, 62 Spd, 78 Acc, 74 Agi, 52 Cod, 90 Str, 82 Awr, 77 Pbk, 81 Pbp
Phil Beal, FR - Dowington, PA | 68 Ovr, 58 Spd, 74 Acc, 71 Agi, 63 Cod, 90 Str, 61 Awr, 67 Pbk, 72 Pbp
Trumaine Pointer, SR - Harrisburg, SD | 64 Ovr, 63 Spd, 82 Acc, 79 Agi, 55 Cod, 78 Str, 59 Awr, 73 Pbk, 63 Pbp
Jaden Ball, JR - Carroll, OH | 78 Ovr, 71 Spd, 84 Acc, 81 Agi, 57 Cod, 84 Str, 79 Awr, 84 Pbk, 81 Pbp
Robert Herndon, SO - Massillon, OH | 76 Ovr, 67 Spd, 77 Acc, 76 Agi, 54 Cod, 84 Str, 71 Awr, 82 Pbk, 82 Pbp
Joel Eboigbe, SO - St. Petersburg, FL | 71 Ovr, 59 Spd, 77 Acc, 71 Agi, 59 Cod, 83 Str, 71 Awr, 72 Pbk, 83 Pbp
Jaxon King, SR - Placerville, CA | 70 Ovr, 55 Spd, 65 Acc, 69 Agi, 65 Cod, 86 Str, 77 Awr, 76 Pbk, 81 Pbp - Transfer from UMass

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Aiden “AJ” Wexleris a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Minnesota Gophers Football. He previously covered local high schools in the Minneapolis area. He is based in Minneapolis, MN. Follow AJ on Twitter @AidensFake.

Comments

[redsox907]

85 speed on the 5* recruit?

[djp73]

Fame “Is Ya Boy”

[ShireNiner]

85 speed on the 5* recruit?

I'm going to force feed him early. Probably throw a ton of picks early on..

Fame “Is Ya Boy”

I like it.

[ShireNiner]

Arch Manning visiting ACC teams | USC hosting QB recruits to replace Maiava | Minnesota and A&M talking rematch in 2027.
"If you want to leave to get paid, do it. Just don't lie about the reason."

Strong Safety Kerry Brown was an All-American at Minnesota (ShireNiner PS5 images)

By: Bill Connelly | April 2, 2027
Writer, CFB

In one of the more surprising moves of the 2027 offseason, Kerry Brown has left the University of Minnesota for the University of Kentucky. Brown, entering his senior season, was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference award winner and a 2025 All-American under Mick Smith.

Last season, Brown helped lead Minnesota to the semi-final game against Ohio State before coming up short in the fourth quarter. The safety was second on the team in tackles, third in interceptions, and led with two defensive touchdowns.

"Losing one of our captains is always going to be difficult." Mick Smith said when the transfer was announced. "This one even more so because we did not expect it. KB was happy all season; he was a leader and a wall at the back for us. When he came to me and said he wanted to transfer, I was surprised but understood it. He has one season left and wants to try winning a championship. I'm not sure picking Kentucky was the right choice for that, but money talks."

Smith has been vocal about his concerns with players leaving for more money since last year, when Minnesota lost 18 players to the transfer portal. This season, they have only lost three. "We do not want guys that are here just for money. We want football players. If you want to leave to get paid, do it. Just don't lie about the reason."

Minnesota finished 7th in the standings last season, while Kentucky finished the season unranked but won the Armed Forces Bowl.

What did you think of this story?

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Bill Connelly is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering College Football and Premier League Soccer. He previously worked at ESPN covering College Football, Tennis, and Soccer.

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[ShireNiner]

Minnesota knows the defense has to improve to take the next step

Can Minnesota's 'Chaos Front' Fix a Broken Back End?

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler | April 6, 2027
@AidensFake


MINNEAPOLIS—"We have to step up," Gophers junior edge rusher Emmanuel Karmo told me this week, leaning into the chip on his shoulder that has come to define this program. "We know what people are saying. Top-five in total yards, best rushing attack in the country, but a bottom-five defense. We heard it all last season."

The 2026 data was jarring, a total statistical paradox. Minnesota was a force of nature in the trenches, finishing second in the nation in sacks, yet they were an Achilles heel away from true greatness, ranking near the bottom in almost every other defensive metric. If Mick Smith wants to bridge the gap between "playoff participant" and "national champion," the fix has to start now.

The edge rotation remains one of the nastiest in the Big Ten, headlined by Karmo (12.5 sacks), Jaxon Howard (5.5 sacks), and Payton Jones (4.5 sacks).

But the real story is how Smith attacked the portal to beef up the interior. Minnesota landed a haul of veterans to ensure the pass rush doesn't have to do it alone. The arrival of Tyson Ford and Angelo McCullom (Illinois), Taylor Bennett (Virginia Tech), Blake Herold (Kansas), and Justin Benton (ECU) gives this unit the kind of Big Ten-tested depth that allows a defense to stay fresh in the fourth quarter.

The undeniable star of this unit is Mitch Horan. After a freshman campaign that saw him earn All-American honors, Horan is making the transition from WILL to MIKE linebacker. He is the undisputed leader of this defense, but the supporting cast around him is thin on reps.

Mason Carrier showed flashes last year (12 TFLs, 2 sacks), but needs to be more consistent, and Ethan Stendel was a special teams standout who is being thrust into a starting role on the weak side. The Gophers are banking on his athleticism to translate to a high-volume defensive role.

While the front looks elite, the back end of this defense is currently held together by duct tape and high hopes. With only three cornerbacks on the scholarship roster, the depth chart is at a crisis point.

Last season, Minnesota sat in zone coverage nearly 70% of the time—a byproduct of trying to protect a secondary that struggled in space. With a lack of man-to-man specialists, expect that zone percentage to climb even higher. The departure of Kerry Brown removed the veteran "safety net," leaving Trevon Howard and Evan Tolzien to hold the back line. They’ve shown they can play, but they’ve never had to carry a load this heavy.

Minnesota’s defense is going to be a "bend-but-don't-break" experiment. They will likely lead the conference in sacks and tackles for loss again, but can they stop a vertical passing game when they can't afford to play man? If the pass rush isn't home in three seconds, it’s going to be a long season for that thin secondary.


Defensive Ends
Tyson Ford, JR - St. Louis, MO | 86 Ovr, 74 Spd, 87 Acc, 76 Agi, 72 Cod, 88 Str, 89 Awr, 85 Prc, 90 Pmv, - Transfer from Illinois - 49 tkls, 13 TFL, 2.5 sacks
Riley Sunram, JR - Kindred, ND | 85 Ovr, 80 Spd, 89 Acc, 77 Agi, 67 Cod, 90 Str, 73 Awr, 73 Prc, 87 Pmv,
Mo Saine, JR - Eden Prairie, MN | 80 Ovr, 74 Spd, 82 Acc, 73 Agi, 70 Cod, 86 Str, 71 Awr, 71 Prc, 84 Pmv,
Adam Kissayi, JR - Palm Bay, FL | 78 Ovr, 80 Spd, 88 Acc, 80 Agi, 71 Cod, 78 Str, 74 Awr, 80 Prc, 67 Pmv,
Taylor Bennett, SR - Hyatsville, MD | 77 Ovr, 74 Spd, 82 Acc, 75 Agi, 65 Cod, 84 Str, 67 Awr, 63 Prc, 82 Pmv, - Transfer from Virginia Tech - 6 games, no tackles
Steven Curtis, SR - Baker, FL | 75 Ovr, 77 Spd, 82 Acc, 79 Agi, 66 Cod, 79 Str, 80 Awr, 78 Prc, 81 Pmv,
Jaxon Howard, SR - Crystal, MN | 87 Ovr, 81 Spd, 89 Acc, 84 Agi, 68 Cod, 85 Str, 80 Awr, 86 Prc, 83 Pmv,
Emmanuel Karmo, JR - Minneapolis, MN | 82 Ovr, 84 Spd, 90 Acc, 93 Agi, 72 Cod, 69 Str, 78 Awr, 80 Prc, 85 Pmv,
Karter Menz, SR - Horace, ND | 81 Ovr, 77 Spd, 87 Acc, 84 Agi, 69 Cod, 79 Str, 79 Awr, 75 Prc, 71 Pmv,
Enoch Atewogbola, SR - Avon, IN | 80 Ovr, 83 Spd, 90 Acc, 85 Agi, 69 Cod, 69 Str, 69 Awr, 69 Prc, 81 Pmv,
Colin Hansen, SO - Annandale, MN | 69 Ovr, 74 Spd, 79 Acc, 74 Agi, 67 Cod, 79 Str, 72 Awr, 68 Prc, 73 Pmv,
Michael Hughes, JR - Santa Ana, CA | 69 Ovr, 77 Spd, 79 Acc, 78 Agi, 72 Cod, 72 Str, 76 Awr, 78 Prc, 75 Pmv,

Defensive Tackles
Payton Jones, SR - Bloomington, IN | 79 Ovr, 67 Spd, 79 Acc, 63 Agi, 49 Cod, 91 Str, 70 Awr, 80 Prc, 77 Pmv,
Blake Herold, SR - Shenandoah, IA | 79 Ovr, 69 Spd, 79 Acc, 67 Agi, 56 Cod, 87 Str, 83 Awr, 83 Prc, 85 Pmv, - Transfer from Kansas - 25 tkls, 4 TFL
Justin Benton, SR - Atlanta, GA | 79 Ovr, 63 Spd, 68 Acc, 60 Agi, 56 Cod, 86 Str, 83 Awr, 83 Prc, 86 Pmv, - Transfer from East Carolina - 33 tkls, 5 TFL
Angelo McCullom, JR - Pickerington, OH | 75 Ovr, 80 Spd, 88 Acc, 80 Agi, 71 Cod, 86 Str, 75 Awr, 71 Prc, 79 Pmv, - Transfer from Illinois - 11 tkls, 2 TFL, 1 sack
Timothy Gulley, JR - Pensacola, FL | 74 Ovr, 57 Spd, 70 Acc, 64 Agi, 54 Cod, 79 Str, 75 Awr, 71 Prc, 84 Pmv, - Transfer from Arkansas State - 8 tkls, 2 TFL
Sam Siulai, FR (RS) - Honolulu, HI | 70 Ovr, 74 Spd, 80 Acc, 69 Agi, 66 Cod, 91 Str, 60 Awr, 74 Prc, 73 Pmv,

Linebackers
Ethan Stendel, SO - Owatonna, MN | 74 Ovr, 85 Spd, 85 Acc, 83 Agi, 78 Cod, 69 Str, 73 Awr, 77 Prc, 80 Tak,
Drew Wilson, SR - Mequon, WI | 74 Ovr, 77 Spd, 80 Acc, 76 Agi, 74 Cod, 72 Str, 77 Awr, 77 Prc, 85 Tak,
Nate Cleveland, SO - Lake Zurich, IL | 69 Ovr, 79 Spd, 82 Acc, 71 Agi, 61 Cod, 75 Str, 67 Awr, 71 Prc, 80 Tak,
Mitch Horan, SO - Lakeville, MN | 81 Ovr, 83 Spd, 86 Acc, 81 Agi, 79 Cod, 76 Str, 79 Awr, 79 Prc, 82 Tak,
Matt Kingsburg, SR - Chicago, IL | 75 Ovr, 79 Spd, 79 Acc, 79 Agi, 78 Cod, 72 Str, 81 Awr, 71 Prc, 82 Tak,
Max Carroll, SR - Memphis, TN | 75 Ovr, 80 Spd, 86 Acc, 78 Agi, 76 Cod, 79 Str, 78 Awr, 76 Prc, 76 Tak, - Transfer from Colorado - 11 tkls
Jamerson Nall, SO - Harbor City, CA | 72 Ovr, 77 Spd, 87 Acc, 69 Agi, 80 Cod, 84 Str, 69 Awr, 79 Prc, 79 Tak,
James Hunt, FR - Leesburg, GA | 66 Ovr, 81 Spd, 86 Acc, 78 Agi, 77 Cod, 73 Str, 64 Awr, 65 Prc, 79 Tak, - 3* recruit
Mason Carrier, JR - Detroit Lakes, MN | 78 Ovr, 83 Spd, 89 Acc, 83 Agi, 79 Cod, 97 Str, 71 Awr, 79 Prc, 83 Tak,
Colin Gallagher, JR - Middletown, NJ | 68 Ovr, 76 Spd, 82 Acc, 75 Agi, 74 Cod, 75 Str, 75 Awr, 71 Prc, 76 Tak, - Transfer from Delaware - 4 tkls

Cornerbacks
Vernon Woodward III, JR - DeLand, FL | 82 Ovr, 90 Spd, 93 Acc, 89 Agi, 99 Cod, 64 Str, 73 Awr, 82 Mcv, 84 Zcv, - Transfer from Illinois - 13 tkls
Mike Gerald, JR - Houston, TX | 76 Ovr, 89 Spd, 94 Acc, 89 Agi, 88 Cod, 63 Str, 75 Awr, 72 Mcv, 75 Zcv,
Chris Tooley III, JR - Orlando, FL | 74 Ovr, 91 Spd, 92 Acc, 87 Agi, 83 Cod, 44 Str, 75 Awr, 65 Mcv, 75 Zcv,

Safeties
Evan Tolzien, SO - Saint Paul, MN | 78 Ovr, 91 Spd, 92 Acc, 85 Agi, 89 Cod, 65 Str, 70 Awr, 70 Mcv, 83 Zcv,
Zahir Rainer, JR - Richmond, VA | 77 Ovr, 91 Spd, 96 Acc, 92 Agi, 91 Cod, 62 Str, 75 Awr, 74 Mcv, 72 Zcv,
Garrison Monroe, SR - Shakopee, MN | 76 Ovr, 90 Spd, 93 Acc, 87 Agi, 88 Cod, 70 Str, 73 Awr, 73 Mcv, 72 Zcv,
Taron Roland, SO - Minneapolis, MN | 72 Ovr, 87 Spd, 87 Acc, 80 Agi, 80 Cod, 65 Str, 71 Awr, 66 Mcv, 72 Zcv,
Trevon Howard, SR - Saint Paul, MN | 86 Ovr, 85 Spd, 90 Acc, 83 Agi, 81 Cod, 67 Str, 81 Awr, 71 Mcv, 73 Zcv,
Kamaurri McKinley, SR - Lakeland, FL | 76 Ovr, 84 Spd, 87 Acc, 85 Agi, 84 Cod, 63 Str, 77 Awr, 78 Mcv, 80 Zcv, - Tranfser from East Carolina - 12 tkls, 1 TFL
Josiah Davis, JR - Nashville, GA | 75 Ovr, 89 Spd, 92 Acc, 86 Agi, 93 Cod, 65 Str, 67 Awr, 70 Mcv, 76 Zcv, - Transfer from JuCO

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Aiden “AJ” Wexleris a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Minnesota Gophers Football. He previously covered local high schools in the Minneapolis area. He is based in Minneapolis, MN. Follow AJ on Twitter @AidensFake.

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Comments

[Captain Canada]

Hopefully the defense can hold itself together to get through the year

[ShireNiner]

Hopefully the defense can hold itself together to get through the year

It certainly cannot be worse than last season but we really need to improve or else this year will be a regression on the record.

[ShireNiner]

Sooners name Treston McMillan (SO) starting QB | Auburn transfer Kevin Kryspin (2,928 yds, 17 TDs, 7 INTs in 2026) named QB1 in Georgia. | CJ Carr leaves Michigan to become starter for Huskies | Dakorien Moore preseason Heisman favorite along with DJ Lagway (FL), LaNorris Sellers (SC), Marcel Reed (SMU), Dante Moore (ORE)
QB Transfers to Watch

After drama for no reason, Manning stays put in Texas (ShireNiner PS5 images)

By: Bill Connelly | April 6, 2027
Writer, CFB

The 2027 college football offseason has been defined by a "musical chairs" at the quarterback position. As teams report for spring ball, four specific signal-caller storylines are reshaping the Top 25 landscape and shifting the balance of power in the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC.

After a winter of intense speculation and "will-he-won't-he" transfer portal rumors, Arch Manning has officially reaffirmed his commitment to Texas. Following a deep sit-down with Steve Sarkisian and the Manning family, the most famous name in football decided that Austin is the best place to finalize his NFL development.

This move keeps Texas firmly in the top ten. Had Manning left, the Longhorns would have been scouring the portal for a replacement. Instead, they return a refined, veteran starter who knows the system inside out. Vegas has already moved Texas to sixth in the preseason polls despite the poor ending of last season.

Marcel Reed is leaving College Station for SMU. Reed threw for 3,418 yards last season but saw his snaps start to dwindle as the Aggies moved Hawkins Jr into the starting role more and more. SMU was a playoff team a year ago and had Kevin Jennings finishing fourth in the Heisman voting.

With Jennings graduating, SMU looked like a team that could slip down the polls, but with the arrival of Reed, the Mustangs enter the season 16th in the rankings.

With Reed departing, the keys to the Aggies' offense have officially been handed to Michael Hawkins Jr. While Hawkins served as a high-end insurance policy last season, his promotion to the full-time No. 1 spot changes the Aggies' offensive identity. Hawkins is a mobile threat who rushed for almost 400 yards in limited opportunities last season. With Hawkins, the number 1 QB to start the season, the Aggies have a chance to open the playbook and bounce back after a poor season.

In perhaps the most shocking move of the portal cycle, following the graduation of National Championship hero Jayden Maiava, Lincoln Riley has found his next protégé. Bear Bachmeier, who dominated the Big 12 as a freshman at BYU, has officially won the starting job at USC. Bachmeier brings a physical, "linebacker-playing-QB" style that Riley hasn't had since his early days at Oklahoma.

USC enters 2027 as the No. 3-ranked team in the preseason polls. Landing an established, All-American caliber starter like Bachmeier prevents the "title hangover" many expected. The Trojans aren't just defending their crown; they are looking to repeat it.

What did you think of this story?

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Bill Connelly is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering College Football and Premier League Soccer. He previously worked at ESPN covering College Football, Tennis, and Soccer.

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