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USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Tennessee running back 'has done an elite job' since transferring ahead of 2025 season
No. 18 Tennessee kicked off fall training camp on July 30. Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Vols held their first scrimmage on Aug. 9 at Neyland Stadium after seven practices at Haslam Field. Following Tennessee's first scrimmage in fall camp, fifth-year head Josh Heupel discussed Duke senior transfer running back Star Thomas and his progression from spring practices. 'He's a dramatically different player,' Heupel said. 'Just his body, his movement, explosiveness, his physicality with the ball and without the ball. Some of the details and fundamentals that it takes in pass protection, special teams as well, he has done an elite job from the end of spring ball to where we are through practice eight.' The 6-foot, 210-pound running back recorded 871 yards and seven touchdowns on 213 rushing attempts in 2024 for the Blue Devils. He also totaled 20 receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown. Thomas transferred to Duke after playing at New Mexico State from 2022-23. He recorded 1,173 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 34 receptions, 351 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns at New Mexico State. Thomas began his collegiate career at Coffeyville Community College in 2021. More: Top quotes from Tennessee football's first scrimmage in fall camp Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Fox Sports
2025 Duke Football Predictions: Blue Devils Ranked 42nd in RJ Young's Ultimate 136
College Football 2025 Duke Football Predictions: Blue Devils Ranked 42nd in RJ Young's Ultimate 136 Published Aug. 10, 2025 9:09 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link This isn't your average college football ranking. My Ultimate 136 is a set of rankings that is fluid, but it's my job to look ahead and make a claim for all FBS teams based on what I know and why I know it. Here are the three pressing questions I started by asking when putting together this list: Who do I think is good? Why do I think they're good? What are the chances they will finish above or below my expectations? Here is a look at where Duke lands in my Ultimate 136. Team ranking: 42 Last year's ranking: 51 Top player: QB Darian Mensah: Fourth in the AAC last season in total offense at 2,855; threw for 22 TDs last season, one of just 10 QBs in Tulane history to eclipse the 20 mark. [Duke's 2025 schedule] RJ's take: Manny Diaz finished 9-4 in a year that would've been for rebuilding in the Before Times. But in the modern era you can flip on the transfer portal and NIL switch and put together a winner. ADVERTISEMENT Diaz aims to do that again with the signing of an $8 million QB Darian Mensah, former Oklahoma wide out Andrel Anthony and the retention of four defenders in Chandler Rivers, Wesley Williams, Vincent Anthony Jr. and Aaron Hall who combined for 34 tackles for loss in 2024. Outside a Week 2 matchup with Illinois and then a Week 3 clash at Tulane, the schedule is manageable. If Duke walks into Death Valley on Nov. 1 as a one-loss team, they'll be in the mix to hunt for the CFP. Duke Win Total Odds: Over 6.5 (-200) Under 6.5 (+160) Have an issue with my rankings? Think your alma mater is too low, or your school's rival is too high? Get at me on X, @RJ_Young , and I'll select my favorite tweets and respond to them in a future article. RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him at @RJ_Young. [ Check out RJ Young's Ultimate 136 College Football Rankings here ] FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience College Football Duke Blue Devils share
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Fox Sports
2025 Oregon State Football Predictions: Beavers Ranked 65th in RJ Young's Ultimate 136
College Football 2025 Oregon State Football Predictions: Beavers Ranked 65th in RJ Young's Ultimate 136 Published Aug. 10, 2025 8:47 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link This isn't your average college football ranking. My Ultimate 136 is a set of rankings that is fluid, but it's my job to look ahead and make a claim for all FBS teams based on what I know and why I know it. Here are the three pressing questions I started by asking when putting together this list: Who do I think is good? Why do I think they're good? What are the chances they will finish above or below my expectations? Here is a look at where Oregon State lands in my Ultimate 136. Oregon State ranking: 65 Last year's ranking: 79 Top player: QB Maalik Murphy: Went 9-3 as a starter at Duke last season, setting a single-season school record for TD passes with 26; led Duke to four wins when trailing in the fourth quarter. [Oregon State's 2025 schedule] RJ's take: Last year, the Beavers needed to run the ball really well to win ball games. They were 1-7 when they didn't rush for at least 230 yards. That's a tough trick to turn every week unless your last name is "Academy." ADVERTISEMENT Enter Duke transfer Murphy, who threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns last year. Now, Inglewood's finest, at 6-foot-5, a grease bucket of chicken short of 250 pounds, is going to try to help Oregon State air it out without throwing it to folks who aren't wearing the house colors; Murphy threw 12 picks last year. The Beavers better be eager. They have to start fast and keep the pedal on the floor with a schedule that looks a lot like Stormbreaker bombing at Thanos' neck: Cal, Fresno State, Oregon, and Houston. And that's just the first five weeks. There's just one FCS opponent on Oregon State's schedule (Lafayette). Well, two if you count Tulsa — and I do. [ Check out RJ Young's Ultimate 136 College Football Rankings here ] Oregon State Win Total Odds: Over 6.5 (-178) Under 6.5 (+144) Have an issue with my rankings? Think your alma mater is too low, or your school's rival is too high? Get at me on X, @RJ_Young , and I'll select my favorite tweets and respond to them in a future article. RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him at @RJ_Young. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience College Football Oregon State Beavers share
