College Fantasy Update

A note to share with most teams having started fall practice or starting very soon, but games still 4-5 weeks away – early on in fall if a player misses a practice (especially if there is no reason given as it may be something very minor or covid-related) I do not too highly focus on those absences, but you can find some of those notes below. As we get closer to the season and missed practices could potentially impact game-participation I will be more likely to highlight those absences.

In the biggest QB updates, D’Eriq King (Miami) was active and appeared full-speed as practice started, Jabari Laws (Army) is healthy after missing last season, and Dylan Morris (Washington) was called the starter.

In RB news, Kevin Harris (South Carolina) had a minor back procedure that he has not been fully cleared from but is expected to be ready for the season, John Emery (LSU) was active in practice after offseason shoulder surgery, and Israel Abanikanda (Pitt) was described as RB1 going into the fall.

In WR & TE updates, Justyn Ross (Clemson) has officially been cleared but is out for a week due to covid protocols, Erik Ezukanma (Texas Tech) and Troy Omeire (Texas) are full-go for the fall, JJ Holloman was not able to transfer from Fla International to Liberty, and TE Jalen Wydermyer (Texas A&M) is active after offseason finger surgery. Jake Smith (USC) will have his foot evaluated and may need surgery.

Notables entering the transfer portal were TE Daniel Moraga (Pitt).

Announcing transfer destinations were WR Mekhi Stevenson (UNLV to Idaho), RB/DB Devan Barrett (Auburn to Troy), RB/FB Clay Markoff (Washington State to Arizona), WR Charles Njoku (UCLA to Nevada), & TE Evidence Njoku (UCLA to Nevada).

Also of note according to SunDevilSource.com is that Arizona State will not travel players this season who have not been vaccinated, which could potentially lead to some unexpected absences, although word is that nearly all of ASU’s scholarship players are vaccinated. Reports are that the policy may have led top punter Michael Turk to enter the transfer portal. I haven’t seen much reporting on whether other programs may have similar policies, but something to look out for.

Updates from Aug 5-6:

QBs:

• Cade Fortin, South Florida – very early in camp was taking first team reps, with Jarren Williams next
• Jacob Free, Troy – participated in spring practice but decided to take a high school coaching job so is not back this fall
• Tristan Gebbia, Oregon State – not yet 100% but working way back (hamstring), at media days said he was expected to be healthy by the start of fall camp, so either way he sounds close
• Connor Genal, New Mexico – is at fall practice after wrist surgery the end of last season
• Ryan Glover, Cal – will miss the first few workouts with an excused absence
• D’Eriq King, Miami – was active and practicing to start fall (knee)
• Jabari Laws, Army – is back and healthy after missing last season
• Tate Martell, UNLV – appeared to be cleared to practice on Friday after being at practice Thursday but on the sidelines after transferring from Miami, has also been rehabbing from a thumb surgery he had earlier this summer so is being eased into practice
• Dylan Morris, Washington – described as the starter by Coach Jimmy Lake
• Lowell Narcisse, UTSA – back for fall practice (leg)
• Aidan O’Connell, Purdue – back for fall practice (foot surgery)
• Taisun Phommachanh, Clemson – making a quick recovery and is expected back before the season is over, observed in practice without a brace (Achilles injury in spring)
• Will Rogers, Miss State – took majority of first team reps on first day of practice, Chance Lovertich backed up, Jack Abraham warmed up but was not active in drills for undisclosed reasons
• Dom Shoffner, Charlotte – suffered a torn meniscus in the spring game, out of practice until early October
• Texas Tech – QB competition is ongoing between Tyler Shough and Henry Colombi
• Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA – remained “unavailable” at practice

RBs:

• Israel Abanikanda, Pitt – is RB1 going into fall
• Devan Barrett, Auburn – transfers to Troy, also has played DB
• Kaedric Cobbs, UTSA – cleared to practice (injured in bowl game) – 11/56-1
• John Emery, LSU – back in practice after offseason shoulder surgery
• Mike Epstein, Illinois – not practicing, slowly working way back after offseason injury
• Pat Garwo, Boston College – is back for the fall after offseason surgery – 33/122-0
• Kevin Harris, South Carolina – had a minor surgical back procedure this summer, is not yet fully cleared but is expected to be ready for the season opener
• Clay Markoff, Washington State – FB transfers to Arizona – 4/12-0
• Trey Sanders, Alabama – expected to be fully back and healthy this fall, practiced on Friday
• Elijah Turner, Charlotte – did not practice Thursday, undisclosed
• Virginia Tech – Jalen Hampton & Jordan Brunson will have to sit out of first weeks of fall practice due to VT being over the 110 player limit, will be able to begin practice August 23 when school starts
• Gabe Watson, Texas – limited going into fall practice, not expected to be serious – 7/34-0
• Craig Williams, Baylor – back at fall practice (ACL)

WRs & TEs:

• Dominick Blaylock, Georgia – not yet fully cleared (ACL)
• Stephan Bracey, Wisconsin – out for start of camp (right leg)
• Dashon Bussell, Western Michigan – moves to CB – 2/25-0
• TE Maliq Carr, Michigan State – in a walking boot
• Beau Corrales, UNC – will be limited to start camp (lower body)
• Chase Cota, UCLA – limited to sideline work during practice
• TE Cole Dakovich, Wisconsin – is out for the season
• Demond Demas, Texas A&M – working out on side (concussion in spring)
• Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech – is full go for fall (broken arm) – 46/748-6
• Dahu Green, Arkansas State – back at practice, wearing small knee brace
• Da’Jon Harrison, Texas – back for fall camp after missing time in the spring
• TE John Holcomb, Texas Tech – retires from football – 6/42-0
• JJ Holloman, FIU/Liberty – the FIU transfer apparently will not be able to transfer to Liberty – coach quote “Unfortunately that’s not going to happen for us”, sounds like there was an academic issue between Holloman and FIU
• Kearis Jackson, Georgia – at practice but not full-speed yet
• TE DJ Johnson, Oregon – not at practice, hopefully returning soon
• TE Ryan Jones, East Carolina – is practicing after a spring suspension for a DUI
• TE Brayden Liebrock, Texas – back after missing time in the spring (shoulder)
• TE Cam McCormick, Oregon – appeared to be a full-participant in practice
• Cole McGowan, Houston – career is finished due to a knee injury – 1/12-0
• TE Daniel Moraga, Pitt – enters portal – 4/42-1
• Charles Njoku & TE Evidence Njoku, brothers from UCLA – transfer to Nevada
• TE Mike O’Laughlin, West Virginia – out with a minor injury, not long term – 15/137-1
• Austin Ogunmakin, Liberty – reports in March that he transferred to Liberty from North Texas but is not on the Liberty roster, his twitter bio says Stephen F. Austin
• Troy Omeire, Texas – good to go for fall after being limited in the spring (ACL)
• Jeremiah Payton, Miami – no longer listed on the roster, “not in a place right now where playing football is what he wants to do” – 5/35-0
• Jaylon Redd, Oregon – at practice but working on the side
• Demetris Robertson, Auburn – Georgia transfer did not report on Thursday, is still finishing up a few things academically and is expected to arrive Friday or over the weekend
• TE Jay Rose, UConn – is now healthy after surgery for a torn pectoral muscle last December
• Justyn Ross, Clemson – has been cleared to return (neck) but is in covid protocol until next Friday
• Jake Smith, USC – Texas transfer was not dressed at first practice, will have his foot evaluated and may need surgery
• Mekhi Stevenson, UNLV – transfers to Idaho, previously was committed to Albany
• TE Nick Storz, LSU – has a medical issue and may not be able to play football again, team is doing additional research
• Texas A&M – TE Jalen Wydermyer (finger) and TE Baylor Cupp (shoulder) are active as practice resumes
• Russell Thompson-Bishop, Syracuse – no longer with the team
• Jaden Walley, Miss State – active in first fall practice after possible spring game injury
• Trevon West, Oklahoma – withdraws from the transfer portal and is back with the team – 4/59-0
• Kobay White, Boston College – is back this fall
• Wisconsin – Kendric Pryor and Danny Davis return from injuries and are healthy for the fall
• Ma’jon Wright, Arizona – has not reported to Arizona yet but is still expected to re-join the team

A note to share with most teams having started fall practice or starting very soon, but with games still 4-5 weeks away – early on in fall I won’t necessarily share every time a player misses a practice (especially if there is no reason given as it may be something very minor or covid-related), but you can find some of those notes below. As we get closer to the season and missed practices could potentially impact game-participation I will be more likely to share those absences.

In the biggest QB updates, Myles Brennan (LSU) is out indefinitely after having surgery for a broken bone in his left arm, Quinn Ewers (Ohio State) will enroll early and skip his senior year of high school, Tevaka Tuioti (New Mexico) sounds like his career is over due to concussions, Justin Tomlin (Georgia Southern) is ineligible the first two games this season, and Bailey Zappe (Western Kentucky) is QB1.

In RB news, Bentavious Thompson (UCF) is no longer with the program, Markese Stepp (Nebraska) appears to be 100% after foot surgery, & Tayvon Ruley (Temple) is healthy for the fall.

In WR & TE updates, Bru McCoy (USC) has been removed from the team after being arrested, Reggie Roberson (SMU) is healthy going into the fall after a knee injury last season, & Jamarye Joiner (Arizona) is targeting a week 3 or 4 return.

Announcing transfer destinations were QB Andrew Brito (UMass to UCF as a walk-on).

Updates from Aug 2-4:

QBs:

• Seth Boomer, Tulsa – is dealing with a recent injury (undisclosed), suffered a knee injury last December
• Myles Brennan, LSU – had surgery on Tuesday (“surgery went really well” he tweeted) for a broken bone in his left arm, he has a metal plate and screws for a compound fracture, since it is his left arm he may be able to begin throwing in a couple weeks but he is out indefinitely, Max Johnson will be the starter
• Andrew Brito, UMass – transfers to UCF as a walk-on, reports in the spring previously had him transferring to St Francis (PA)
• Quinn Ewers, Ohio State – top recruit will skip his senior season of high school in Texas and enroll early at Ohio State
• Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA – was not at practice Tuesday/Wednesday, described as unavailable, QB Parker McQuarrie was also absent
• Justin Tomlin, Georgia Southern – ineligible the first two games of the season due to academics
• Tevaka Tuioti, New Mexico – was not cleared for fall camp due to numerous concussions, will become a student assistant coach, was their second leading passer last season
• Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky – Houston Baptist transfer is the starting QB going into the fall

RBs:

• Quinton Cooley, Wake Forest – will miss at least part of fall camp
• Keegan Jones, UCLA – not at practice, “unavailable”
• Tayvon Ruley, Temple – healthy for fall camp (knee) – 73/306-1
• Markese Stepp, Nebraska – appears back to 100% in practice (foot)
• Bentavious Thompson, UCF – no longer listed on the official team roster, confirmed to no longer be with the team – 73/382-5

WRs & TEs:

• Izayah Cummings, Kentucky – WR is moving to TE this season, perhaps a response to Keaton Upshaw’s injury
• Micaleous Elder, Charlotte – appears to transfer to MTSU based on his twitter, not yet on team roster online so something to monitor- 22/264-2
• Emeka Emezie, NC State – did not practice on Wednesday, was present for part
• Donavon Greene, Wake Forest – clarification that his season-ending offseason injury happened running routes, so sounds like it may have been lower body
• Jamarye Joiner, Arizona – targeting a week 3 or 4 return (foot)
• Bru McCoy, USC – removed from team activities following an arrest for allegations of a felony domestic violence type charge, scheduled to appear in court in November – 21/236-2
• Reggie Roberson, SMU – feels amazing going into fall camp (knee)

Notables announcing transfer destinations were Tyrie Jackson (East Carolina to Prairie View A&M), & Kim Aiken (Eastern Washington to Arizona). Mason Faulkner appears to be back in the portal after decommitting from Colorado after a transfer from Western Carolina.

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 31-Aug 3:

• Austin Hutcherson, Illinois – healthy and working out with the team (missed last season with a back injury)
• Sean Sutherlin, Minnesota – New Hampshire transfer is fully cleared after missing last season with a labrum injury

Transfer Updates from July 31-Aug 3:

• Kim Aiken, Eastern Washington – recommits to transfer to Arizona after decommitting from Washington State, had originally committed to Arizona in the spring prior to the coaching change, the report was that he was not admitted to his specific grad transfer program at Wash. St – 11.3 ppg
• Mason Faulkner, Colorado – recent Western Carolina transfer (16.9 ppg) decommits from Colorado to be closer to family in Kentucky, presumably will be back in the portal, one report said he took an unofficial visit to Louisville
• Bruce Guy, Maryland-Eastern Shore – transfers to Wallace State CC – 4.8 ppg, ’19-20
• Tyrie Jackson, East Carolina – transfers to Prairie View A&M – 4.5 ppg
• Quentin Jones, North Carolina A&T – transfers to LSU Shreveport (NAIA) – 7.1 ppg
• Anthony Thomas, Tennessee-Martin – transfers to Tallahassee CC – 9.0 ppg

In the bigger QB updates, Tristan Gebbia (Oregon State) will be healthy going into fall practice, and Anthony Brown (Oregon) was confirmed to be QB1 going into the fall.

In RB news, Ja’Veon Marlow (Vanderbilt) has left the team after being their second leading rusher last season, Noah Cain (Penn State) and Donald Chaney (Miami) should be good to go for fall camp, and Sean Dollars (Oregon) was confirmed to miss the start of the season, with a possible midseason return.

In WR & TE injury updates, Michael Wilson (Stanford) is expected back after dealing with a foot injury, Maurice Bell (Colorado) will miss the season due to a torn Achilles, Jamarye Joiner (Arizona) and TE Teagan Quitoriano (Oregon State) will not be ready for the start of fall practice, and TE Austin Pope (Tennessee) ended his career due to ongoing injury issues.

Notables entering the transfer portal were RB Trivenskey Mosley (Southern Miss, re-entered the portal).

Some of those announcing transfer destinations were RB Jamale Carothers (Navy to Western Kentucky), WR Trevon Sidney (Illinois to San Jose State), QB Jason Shelley (Utah State to Missouri State), RB Jawhar Jordan (Syracuse to Louisville), & WR Malachi Wideman (Tennessee to Jackson State).

Updates from July 26-Aug 1:

QBs:

• Anthony Brown, Oregon – as was stated at the end of spring practice, will go into fall as QB1
• Tristan Gebbia, Oregon State – will be healthy by the start of fall camp (hamstring) and in a QB competition with Sam Noyer and Chance Nolan
• Sam Johnson, Boston College – transfers to Shippensburg
• Jason Shelley, Utah State – transfers to Missouri State

RBs:

• Trey Benson, Oregon – back to full-strength for the fall
• Noah Cain, Penn State – appears ready to go for fall camp
• Jamale Carothers, Navy – transfers to Western Kentucky – 97/358-2, was a FB at Navy but expected to be a RB for Western Kentucky
• Donald Chaney, Miami – will be ready for the start of fall camp (shoulder)
• Sean Dollars, Oregon – remains out indefinitely (leg), potential mid to late season return
• Jawhar Jordan, Syracuse – transfers to Louisville – 29/72-0
• Ja’Veon Marlow, Vanderbilt – has left the team – 46/186-0
• Trivenskey Mosley, Southern Miss – re-enters the transfer portal after recently withdrawing from it in early July- 10/51-0 in 2019
• O’Maury Samuels, New Mexico State – ready to go after being limited in the spring (groin)
• Utah – right now no leading candidate, may be RB by committee to start

WRs & TEs:

• Will Barnard, Nevada – arrested and hospitalized after a DUI car accident – 1/3-0
• Maurice Bell, Colorado – will miss the season with a torn Achilles tendon – 10/115-1
• Jamarye Joiner, Arizona – is not expected to be ready for the start of fall camp (foot)
• TE Cam McCormick, Oregon – “has made tremendous progress” (foot) but does not sound 100%
• Dyelan Miller, Arizona – is no longer with the team
• Jaden Mitchell, Arizona – will be ready for the start of fall camp (ACL)
• TE Austin Pope, Tennessee – decided to end his career due to injuries
• TE Teagan Quitoriano, Oregon State – will miss some of preseason camp with a foot injury, it does not sound too serious as he is expected to be ready to go by the end of camp
• Azende Rey, Florida A&M – transfers to Georgia Tech
• Trevon Sidney, Illinois – transfers to San Jose State – 16/123-1 in 2019, began his career at USC
• USC – Bru McCoy (hamstring), Gary Bryant (hamstring) and Kyle Ford (ACL) are all expected to be active in fall camp (Update – on Aug 2 reports came out Bru McCoy has been removed from team activities following an arrest)
• Malachi Wideman, Tennessee – transfers to Jackson State to play football and basketball
• DeAngelo Wilson, Austin Peay – transfers to Western Kentucky
• Michael Wilson, Stanford – is back from a foot injury

Notable names in the transfer portal included LaDavius Draine (Southern Miss), Kim Aiken (Eastern Washington) is back in the portal after re-opening his recruitment, Bryce Laskey (Saint Francis (PA)), & Mike Peake (Austin Peay).

Announcing transfer destinations were Yuat Alok (Coppin State to New Mexico State), Xavier Green (Old Dominion to Maryland), Diego Willis (NJIT to Stephen F. Austin), & Jalanni White (Canisius to Penn State). Most of these players who committed in the last couple days just entered the portal since mid-June.

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 28-30:

• Julian Champagnie, St John’s – had right wrist surgery, expected back by October

Transfer Updates from July 28-30:

• Kim Aiken, Eastern Washington – back in the portal and re-opening his recruitment after decommitting from Washington State – 11.3 ppg
• Yuat Alok, Coppin State – transfers to New Mexico State – 9.5 ppg, has previously been at JuCo, TCU, UCF, and Southern Utah
• LaDavius Draine, Southern Miss – enters portal (GT) – 8.5 ppg
• Xavier Green, Old Dominion – transfers to Maryland – 6.7 ppg
• Shakem Johnson, Tennessee State – withdraws from the portal – 11.8 ppg
• Bryce Laskey, Saint Francis (PA) – enters portal – 7.5 ppg
• Mike Peake, Austin Peay – enters portal – 10.7 ppg, began career at Georgia
• Jalanni White, Canisius – transfers to Penn State (GT) – 3.7 ppg
• Diego Willis, NJIT – transfers to Stephen F. Austin – 5.9 ppg

Many of the player updates early in the week centered around transfers being eligible this upcoming season, (many of which were two-time transfers and/or grad transfers, credit to Jon Rothstein for sharing most of them). That said, between the new one-time free transfer rules and the ease with which waivers have been given to transfers (first-time & multiple-time) and grad transfers in recent seasons, it appears the general expectation this season will be that players who announce transfers will be granted waivers for eligibility.

While it is helpful to have confirmation of transfer eligibility, I don’t really see that as “breaking news” unless there has been a complicating factor around the transfer creating concern about their eligibility. So as a general rule I likely won’t tweet out transfer waiver eligibility approvals unless the climate shifts, but you can see a list of those whose transfer eligibility was recently confirmed in the update section below.

Some of those announcing transfer destinations were Kevin Osawe (Western Kentucky to Little Rock) & Talin Lewis (USC to Corban University).

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 26:

• Teddy Allen, New Mexico State – Nebraska transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Nysier Brooks, Ole Miss – Miami transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Terrell Brown, Washington – Arizona transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Jason Carter, Ohio – Xavier transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Jalen Coleman-Lands, Kansas – Iowa State transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Rasheem Dunn, Robert Morris – St. John’s transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• KeyShawn Feazell, Creighton – McNeese State transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Ferron Flavors, Robert Morris – Oklahoma State transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Michael Flowers, Washington State – South Alabama transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Jamir Harris, Seton Hall – American transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Vance Jackson, East Carolina – Arkansas transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Hayden Koval, Cincinnati – UNC Greensboro transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Te’Jon Lucas, BYU – Milwaukee transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Koby McEwen, Weber State – Marquette transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Charlie Moore, Miami – DePaul transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Pauly Paulicap, West Virginia – DePaul transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Mark Smith, Kansas State – Missouri transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Patrick Tape, San Francisco – Duke transfer confirmed to eligible this season
• Chris Vogt, Wisconsin – Cincinnati transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Michael Weathers, SMU – Texas Southern transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Bryson Williams, Texas Tech – UTEP transfer confirmed to be eligible this season
• Holland Woods, Grand Canyon – Arizona State transfer confirmed to be eligible this season

Transfer Updates from July 26:

• Trevell Cunningham, Grambling – transfers to Southern Indiana – 6.9 ppg
• Isiah Kirby, Southeastern Louisiana – transfers to Tallahassee CC – 7.3 ppg
• Talin Lewis, USC – transfers to Corban University
• Kevin Osawe, Western Kentucky – transfers to Little Rock – 2.2 ppg

Many conferences had their preseason media days this past week, which led to a number of injury updates as well as some depth chart news, which means a LOT more updates this week. See some of the highlights in the opening sections with full lists below, so dig in!

In the biggest QB updates, Cameron Rising (Utah) is 100% while D’Eriq King (Miami) & Michael Penix (Indiana) sound close to 100%, and Carson Strong (Nevada) sounds close to back after minor offseason knee surgery. QBs going into their fall camps as QB1 include Luke Doty (South Carolina) and Cade McNamara (Michigan).

In RB news, Jerrion Ealy (Ole Miss), & MarShawn Lloyd (South Carolina) should be ready for their seasons after injury recovery, while Markese Stepp (Nebraska) is not yet 100% but sounds on track to be ready.

In WR & TE updates, Donavon Greene (Wake Forest) was a surprise announcement that he’ll miss the season due to an offseason injury, Renard Bell (Washington State) will miss the season after surgery for a torn ACL, and TE Keaton Upshaw (Kentucky) is also out indefinitely due to injury which required surgery. In more positive news, Arik Gilbert (Georgia) was confirmed to be eligible this season. Justyn Ross (Clemson) has not yet been officially cleared but is hoped to be soon.

Entering the transfer portal was RB Chris Lovick (Tulsa).

Some of those announcing transfer destinations were QB Cade Fennegan (Boise State to BYU), WR Dennis Smith (Duke to Eastern Michigan), WR Casey Washington (returning to Illinois after brief stop at Wake Forest), WR Penny Baker (TCU to UTEP), & QB Tate Martell (Miami to UNLV).

Updates from July 19-25:

QBs:

• Luke Anthony, Louisiana Tech – setback in recovery and had to have recent scope, unclear if he will be 100% for the start of the season
• Luke Doty, South Carolina – is QB1 going into fall camp
• Cade Fennegan, Boise State – transfers to BYU
• Florida State – McKenzie Milton and Jordan Travis are in competition, Milton is full-go
• D’Eriq King, Miami – says he is close to 100%, expects to be ready for start of fall camp
• LSU – will be an open competition between Max Johnson and Myles Brennan
• Johnathan Lewis, Rutgers – transfers to South Dakota, has played QB as well as TE
• Trey Lowe, Southern Miss – sounds like the leader in the QB competition going into practice
• Tate Martell, Miami – reportedly will transfer to UNLV – began career at Ohio State
• Cade McNamara, Michigan – is QB1 going into fall camp
• Michael Penix, Indiana – says he’ll be 100% by the season opener
• Cameron Rising, Utah – is 100% for fall (shoulder)
• Carson Strong, Nevada – not yet 100% but is throwing after January knee clean-up surgery, spoke at media day and is expected to be ready for the season
• Justin Tomlin, Georgia Southern – confirmed to be QB1 going into preseason camp

RBs:

• Demarkcus Bowman, Florida – Clemson transfer will be eligible this season
• Steele Chambers, Ohio State – is working at both RB and LB, he will decide where he wants to play
• Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss – fine and working out after off-season shoulder surgery
• MarShawn Lloyd, South Carolina – is full-go after ACL injury caused him to miss last season
• Chris Lovick, Tulsa – enters transfer portal – 9/47-0
• Miami, Ohio – Jaylon Bester & Tyre Shelton are expected back this season after missing last year with injuries
• Nick Orekoya, UMass – transfers to Valparaiso – 20/120-1 career from 2016-2020
• Abram Smith, Baylor – former RB was playing LB, moves back to RB
• Markese Stepp, Nebraska – working out but not full-speed yet, sounds expected to be ready for the start of the season
• Ronald Thompkins, Nebraska – announces he will retire from football, was in the transfer portal
• TJ Wisham, Louisiana – ready for fall practice (wrist)

WRs & TEs:

• Auburn – Shedrick Jackson, Ze’Vian Capers & JJ Evans expected to be ready to go for fall practice
• Penny Baker, TCU – transfers to UTEP
• Jamal Bell, Louisiana – ready for fall camp (PCL)
• Renard Bell, Washington State – had surgery for a torn ACL, will miss the season
• Dominick Blaylock, Georgia – not yet cleared for contact
• Maliq Carr, Michigan State – Purdue WR transfer now listed as a TE
• TE Marshon Ford, Louisville – will see expanded role as a WR at times this season
• WR/TE Arik Gilbert, Georgia – eligible to play this fall after transfer from LSU
• Donavon Greene, Wake Forest – will miss the season due to an offseason injury – 29/582-2 in 2020
• TE Larry Hodges, Miami – is back working out with the team after being withheld from team activities for a spring arrest
• Kearis Jackson, Georgia – had a knee cleanup procedure, expected to be ready for preseason practice
• Ohio State – Jaylen Harris retired due to medical reasons, Elijah Gardiner “just decided to move on”, Kamryn Babb will not be healthy for the start of fall camp due to a spring injury
• Jaden Payoute, Virginia Tech – has been a full participant in summer workouts (ankle)
• George Pickens, Georgia – making progress, running straight line after ACL tear, still a ways away
• Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Georgia – practicing, expected to be available at start of season (ankle)
• Justyn Ross, Clemson – not yet officially cleared but close to finishing process, hopeful to be good to go (neck/spine)
• Dennis Smith, Duke – transfers to Eastern Michigan – 16/235-1
• TE Keaton Upshaw, Kentucky – reported to be out indefinitely with a practice injury during strength and conditioning, more expected to be known in the coming days, could be season-ending, on Friday he tweeted that “surgery went good”
• De’Vion Warren, Arkansas – doing well this summer (ACL), expected to be healthy going into fall
• Casey Washington, Illinois – returning to Illinois after decommitting from transfer to Wake Forest – 10/106-0
• Everett Wormley, Rutgers – transfers to Central Conn. State

Notable names in the transfer portal were Isaac Kante (Hofstra), & Emanuel Littles (North Alabama) after decommitting from South Alabama.

Some of those announcing transfer destinations included Ed Chang (Missouri to Jacksonville), Sherman Brashear (Panola JC to Western Kentucky), Lenell Henry (Prairie View A&M to Alcorn St), & Frankie Hughes (San Diego to Slippery Rock).

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 22-25:

• Keyontae Johnson, Florida – still undergoing tests, not yet cleared for workouts, no timeline yet
• Makur Maker, Howard – withdraws name from the NBA Draft, will play professionally next season toward goal of 2022 draft

Transfer Updates from July 22-25:

• Dudley Blackwell, Iowa State – transfers to Chipola JC – 1.6 ppg
• Doctor Bradley, Cal State Fullerton – transfers to Salt Lake CC – 5.3 ppg
• Sherman Brashear, Panola JC – transfers to Western Kentucky – 11.0 ppg
• Ed Chang, Missouri – transfers to Jacksonville
• Courtese Cooper, Southern Utah – transfers to Shawnee State – 1.0 ppg, began career at LSU
• Frankie Hughes, San Diego – transfers to Slippery Rock (D2) – 6.0 ppg
• Lenell Henry, Prairie View A&M – transfers to Alcorn State – 7.3 ppg
• Isaac Kante, Hofstra – enters portal (GT) – 12.9 ppg
• Emanuel Littles, North Alabama – decommits from transfer to South Alabama, back in portal – 9.4 ppg
• Festus Ndumanya, Cal State Northridge – transfers to Salt Lake CC – 4.8 ppg
• Montreal Pena, Oklahoma State – transfers to South Plains JC

Notable names in the transfer portal included Jeffrey Gary (Mercer), while Jaden Shackelford (Alabama) withdrew his name from the portal. Shackelford was likely the most high-profile player in the portal prior to withdrawing, although there are still a handful of impact transfers still available, with Keith Williams (Cincinnati) and Tyrece Radford (Virginia Tech) at the top of the list.

Announcing transfer destinations were Seneca Knight (San Jose State/LSU to BYU), Jason Whitens (Western Michigan to Michigan State), Silvio De Sousa (Kansas to Chattanooga), & Rod Brown (New Mexico to Jacksonville).

(Injuries & Updates in the first section, Transfers down below.)

Injuries and Updates from July 19-21:

• Purdue – Isaiah Thompson will return next week after dealing with a knee issue, Caleb Furst will see a doctor about foot soreness

Transfer Updates from July 19-21:

• Rod Brown, New Mexico – transfers to Jacksonville – 7.4 ppg
• Silvio De Sousa, Kansas – transfers to Chattanooga – 2.6 ppg, ’19-20
• Jeffrey Gary, Mercer – enters portal – 6.7 ppg
• Seneca Knight (San Jose State/LSU – transfers to BYU – 9.3 ppg at San Jose State in ’20-21 before a mid-year transfer to LSU where he never ending up playing
• Michael Peterson, Ferris State – transfers to Michigan State as a preferred walk-on – 9.4 ppg
• Jaden Shackelford, Alabama – withdraws from the portal and will return next season – 14.0 ppg
• Jason Whitens, Western Michigan – grad transfers to Michigan State as a preferred walk-on – 5.4 ppg

In coaching news, Ohio coach Frank Solich unexpectedly retired on Wednesday for health reasons after being at Ohio since 2005, Offensive Coordinator Tim Albin agreed to a four-year contract as the new coach.

In QB updates, Skylar Thompson (Kansas State) is healthy for the start of the season, and an early preseason Baylor depth chart had a 3-way OR at QB with Gerry Bohanon, Jacob Zeno & Blake Shapen all in the mix.

In RB news, SaRodorick Thompson is “cautiously optimistic” to be ready for the season opener as he rehabs from injury, but more will be known in mid-August. Same update about “cautiously optimistic” for Texas Tech teammate WR Erik Ezukanma, who I previously shared back in mid-June had resumed catching balls.

In WR & TE updates, JJ Holloman will transfer to Liberty after stints at FIU and Georgia, Kaylon Geiger is expected to line up at outside receiver for Texas Tech, Chabastin Taylor (Kansas State) should be back to full-speed in August after a torn ACL.

Notables entering the transfer portal were QB Cade Fennegan (Boise State), & WR Mike Wyman (South Carolina).

Notables announcing transfer destinations were QB Kaidon Salter (Tennessee to Liberty) & WR JJ Holloman (FIU to Liberty).

Updates from July 12-18:

QBs:

• Baylor – preseason depth chart shows Gerry Bohanon OR Jacob Zeno OR Blake Shapen
• Cade Fennegan, Boise State – enters transfer portal – 15/28-182-2
• Luke McAllister, Colorado State – transfers to Hutchinson CC
• Kaidon Salter, Tennessee – transfers to Liberty
• Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – is healthy and ready for the season

RBs:

• Bruce Garrett, BYU – enters transfer portal
• SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech – Matt Wells is “cautiously optimistic” he will be able to play in the opener (shoulder), will know more mid-August

WRs & TEs:

• Chancellor Brewington, Northern Arizona – transfers to Nebraska
• TE Logan Christopherson, Missouri – medically retires – 3/47-0
• Chris Coleman, Fresno State – transfers to Cal Poly
• Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech – Matt Wells is “cautiously optimistic” he will be able to play in the opener (arm), will know more mid-August
• Kaylon Geiger, Texas Tech – Troy transfer is expected to be an outside receiver
• JJ Holloman, FIU – transfers to Liberty – 8/108-1
• TE Skylar Loving-Black, Iowa State – transfers to San Jose State
• Chabastin Taylor, Kansas State – working way back from torn ACL, should be full-speed by August (19/293-1)
• Mike Wyman, South Carolina – enters portal