March 23, 2026
According to ESPN's Bill Connelly's research, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rank No. 1 in the country in total returning production (72%). Marcus Freeman's squad returns 67% (19th) of its offensive production and 77% (2nd) of its defensive production. The departure of running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price leaves the biggest shoes to fill, but the Irish will have tons of experienced players back in the starting lineup in 2026. Notre Dame is viewed as one of the favorites to win the College Football Playoff National Championship after ripping off 10 straight wins to close the 2025 campaign. There were notably left out of the 2025-26 CFP despite being ranked ahead of Miami for many weeks leading up to the final rankings.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
March 18, 2026
After losing starting quarterback Haynes King and backup Aaron Philo after the 2025 season, Georgia Tech targeted and landed Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza early in the offseason process. The brother of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza attempted just 24 passes last season, completing 18 for 286 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Despite his limited action, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key was confident in his ability, and he hasn't disappointed thus far in Atlanta. "We found a guy that's literally the first in the building every day, will not be beat in the building," Key said. "Once we're done with football in the morning, he goes to class and gets straight A's. He's going to be the last one to leave. It's Saturday, it's Sunday. He's just coming in, 'Hey, can I come hang out? Sit with y'all and listen?' He is ball all day long." Mendoza will be tested early in his starting career in a matchup with Jim Knowles' defense and Tennessee in Week 2, but all reports have been positive out of the program so far.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3
March 18, 2026
After the departure of two-year starter Dylan Raiola, former UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea is the favorite to handle QB1 duties for Nebraska in 2026. Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey initially committed to the Huskers before flipping to Kentucky, but Colandrea could end up being the better immediate option for Matt Rhule. According to On3's Pete Nakos, Colandrea has impressed in spring practice and is separating himself from TJ Lateef and Daniel Kaelin. Colandrea comes to Lincoln after two seasons at Virginia and one year with the Rebels. In 33 career games, he has completed 627 of his 983 passes for 7,542 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions. He added 1,151 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground. He led UNLV to 10 wins and an appearance in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game in 2025. He'll look to lead the Huskers to their first season of at least eight wins since 2014.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3.com
March 16, 2026
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr has the shortest odds to win the Heisman Trophy (+800) via FanDuel Sportsbook, and ESPN ranked Carr the No. 1 Power 4 quarterback entering 2026. This aligns with Notre Dame being one of the favorites to win the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship. After a shaky first game as a starter against Miami in Week 1, Carr was excellent in 2025. Overall, he tallied 2,741 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and six interceptions en route to a 10-2 debut record. While the Irish will have to replace key offensive weapons, Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, Eli Raridon, and Malachi Fields, the program has been among the best high school and transfer portal recruiters in the country. Notre Dame is expected to be one of the premier teams in college football next season after just missing the College Football Playoff last year, and if that plays out, Carr's chances to be in New York at the end of the regular season are high.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: FanDuel Sportsbook
March 16, 2026
Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Aaron Philo followed his former offensive coordinator, Buster Faulkner, to Florida following two seasons together in Atlanta. While many view Philo as the favorite to win the Gators' starting quarterback job, it is an open competition, and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. is a threat to win the job. In eight game appearances with the Yellow Jackets, Philo completed 59 of his 102 passing attempts for 938 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He tallied 95 yards and one touchdown on the ground. He primarily backed up Haynes King, but he showed a few flashes in limited action. Jones Jr., a former three-star recruit brought in by Billy Napier, appeared in two games for the Gators last year and completed 21 passes for 191 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Florida's offense has been a disaster for most of the last few years, but it remains loaded with talent. Whoever wins Florida's quarterback job will work with stud running back Jadan Baugh and a fantastic trio of wideouts in Eric Singleton Jr., Vernell Brown III, and Dallas Wilson. With Faulkner calling plays, the offensive turnaround in Gainesville could be a quick one.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3.com
March 16, 2026
After it was announced that Joey Aguilar would not be able to return as Tennessee's starting quarterback in 2026, attention turned to redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon as key players in the Volunteers' starting quarterback battle this Spring and Fall. Tennessee added Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub in the transfer portal, but it would be a surprise if he were named the starter over the two blue-chip recruits. MacIntyre, a four-star prospect in the Class of 2025, completed just seven passes for 69 yards in his first year in Knoxville, serving as the third-string quarterback. Brandon, a consensus five-star and top-three quarterback in the Class of 2026, is on campus and is set to compete right away when Tennessee begins spring practice on March 24. Neither player has meaningful college football experience, but MacIntyre likely has a leg up after a full year learning Josh Heupel's system, which has been known for taking some time to master. The Vols have consistently had one of the top offenses in the SEC under Heupel, but his 2026 starter figures to have the least experience of any of his quarterbacks on Rocky Top.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Joey Petersen - Tennessee Football Talk
March 16, 2026
Alabama began spring practice on March 13, and the biggest story to watch is the starting quarterback battle between redshirt junior Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell. Whoever wins the job has big shoes to fill after Ty Simpson led the Crimson Tide to the SEC Championship Game and a College Football Playoff win behind 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He thrived for most of the season despite Alabama lacking a true rushing attack. Mack has more experience and has worked under Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb for longer, dating back to his time at Washington, but Russell is a former big-time recruit with elite athleticism. Mack might be the safer play, but Russell is viewed as having a higher ceiling. Alabama once again has one of the most talented rosters in college football, so DeBoer nailing the starting quarterback decision could be the difference between legitimately contending for a national championship or just being a fringe CFP contender.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Nick Kelly - AL.com
March 3, 2026
Former Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops is joining Steve Sarkisian's coaching staff at Texas, according to On3's Chris Low. He will work as a special assistant to Sarkisian in 2026. The 58-year-old was let go by the Wildcats after 13 seasons, in which he tallied a 72-80 record. Stoops led Kentucky to eight straight bowl berths before failing to qualify in each of the last two seasons. Stoops is well known for his work with defensive backs, which will likely be his area of focus while working with new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. While his time in Lexington came to a rough end, Stoops has had success on defense in the SEC, and he's a high-caliber coach for an assistant role.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
February 25, 2026
Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris is seeking a seventh year of collegiate eligibility. The 25-year-old is suing the NCAA, arguing that he's only had the chance to play three meaningful seasons of college football. Morris started in just three games through his first three seasons at Oklahoma and TCU, and he participated in just 26 snaps with the Horned Frogs in 2022, as part of a medically prescribed mental health treatment plan, which was counted against him as a full season of eligibility. Morris, who threw for 3,000-plus yards in 2024 (North Texas) and 2025 (Virginia), is just the latest quarterback looking to find a loophole and another season of college football. If he can return to Virginia in 2026, he'll be viewed as one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC after leading the Cavaliers to an 11-3 record. This situation will likely take time to play out.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3
February 23, 2026
Four-star Fairhope, Alabama, quarterback Gunner Rivers has committed to North Carolina State. Gunner is the son of eight-time NFL Pro-Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers, who starred in college for North Carolina State. Philip Rivers started all four of his seasons at North Carolina State from 2000-03. He threw for a school record 13,484 yards and 95 touchdowns. Philip led the ACC in passing in 2002 and 2003 and led the conference in touchdown passes in 2003. He was the ACC Player of the Year in his senior season of 2003. The elder Rivers led North Carolina State to a bowl game in each of his four seasons, winning three of them. Gunner is the oldest son of Philip and wife Tiffany. Gunner is the 12th-ranked quarterback in the 2027 class. He chose his father's alma mater over offers from Georgia, Auburn, Boston College, and Miami.
--Mike Marteny - RotoBallerSource: On3 Sports
February 20, 2026
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has agreed to a new deal with the school that will pay him $13.2 million annually through 2033, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Cignetti signed an eight-year deal worth $11.6 million per year in October, but he has since led his team to an undefeated season and won a College Football Playoff National Championship. The program is being aggressive in keeping Cignetti long-term after a historic two-year run in Bloomington. Since taking the job in 2024, the 64-year-old has tallied a 27-2 record, with his only losses coming against the two participants in last year's National Championship Game, Ohio State and Notre Dame. After being widely unknown before taking the Indiana job, he has established himself as one of the elite coaches in college football, and he's now set to earn a similar salary to Kirby Smart.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
February 12, 2026
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is expected to play for the Rebels in 2026 after he was granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, barring them from stopping Chambliss from being eligible for a sixth collegiate season. The preliminary injunction hearing took place in Pittsboro County, Mississippi, on Thursday. He is now eligible until the lawsuit is fully litigated, which will likely be after the 2026 college football season. This is a major development for Ole Miss, which will now get back its veteran who threw for 3,937 yards, rushed for 527 yards, and scored 30 total touchdowns en route to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. With Chambliss expected back, freshman Deuce Knight will presumably take on the backup role, and Ole Miss should be a contender in the SEC once again under first-year head coach Pete Golding.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
February 12, 2026
BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston was charged with first-degree felony rape, the Washington County, Utah Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday. This charge stems from an accusation from February 23, 2025, when a woman told officers that Kington sexually assaulted her. After a yearlong investigation, Kingston was arrested and is being held without bail. He is scheduled to appear in Utah's Fifth Judicial District Court on Friday. Last season, Kingston hauled in 66 receptions for 924 yards and five touchdowns in his fourth year with the Cougars. Needless to say, his future with the program is rightfully unclear moving forward.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
February 6, 2026
South Dakota head coach Travis Johansen is leaving the program to become the defensive coordinator at Rutgers, according to On3's Pete Nakos. Johansen spent just one season with the Coyotes, posting a 10-5 record and a trip to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. He has nine years of collegiate experience as a defensive coordinator at Grand View and South Dakota. Last season, the Scarlet Knights ranked last in the Big Ten in total defense (432.8 YPG) and tied for second-to-last in points per game allowed (31.8). Johansen will be tasked with turning the defense around in a hurry to help Rutgers be more competitive in the conference next season.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
February 6, 2026
Oklahoma football is hiring former NFL defensive tackle DeShawn Williams to an analyst role, according to George Stoia III of SoonerScoop. The 33-year-old played for Clemson from 2011 to 2014. He went undrafted in 2025, but put together a solid career with 164 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one interception, and 13.5 run stuffs in 78 career games with the Bengals, Broncos, and Panthers. He was coached by Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables for three seasons with the Tigers. This will be Williams' first coaching gig since retiring from the NFL, where he'll learn from one of the sport's greatest defensive minds.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: George Stoia III - SoonerScoop
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