Texas takes top spot in USA Today preseason coaches poll, leading nine SEC teams
Arizona State is the highest-ranked Big 12 team at No. 11. Boise State, at No. 25, is the only Group of Five team in the poll.
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USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Travis Dye in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 26 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at former USC running back Travis Dye. Position: Running back Years played at USC: 2022 Career highlights: Dye spent the first four years of his college career at Oregon—even scoring the game-winning touchdown in the 2020 Pac-12 Championship Game against the Trojans. Prior to the 2022 season, Dye transferred to USC for his final year of college eligibility. It did not take him long to make an impact with the Trojans rushing for over 100 yards in five of his first eight games in Cardinal and Gold. Unfortunately, Dye's USC career came to a premature conclusion when he suffered a leg injury during a November game against Colorado that ended his season. Without Dye, the Trojans took down rivals UCLA and Notre Dame, before falling to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game and Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. Despite playing in just ten games for USC, Dye had a massive impact on the program, as his leadership played a key role in helping the Trojans improve from four wins in 2021 to 11 in 2022. Following his departure, USC was not the same caliber of team the following season. After USC: Unfortunately, Dye's injury prevented him from being able to work out at the NFL Combine, which likely hurt his draft stock. He was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Dye signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, but was waived prior to the start of the regular season.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Cowboys Headlines: Parsons drama continues while underdogs rise in Oxnard
La'el Collins is back in the fold, rookie Phil Mafah is earning praise, and undrafted defenders are making their case to stick in Dallas. Under the cloud of contract drama, the Dallas Cowboys are quietly holding one of the most fascinating training camps in the league. Micah Parsons' hold-in remains the story of the summer. Every day he stands on the sideline, every time fans chant 'Pay Micah,' the tension thickens. But if one looks past that they'll find a camp buzzing with real competition, genuine comeback stories, and a handful of young players forcing their way into the conversation. La'el Collins, leaner and hungrier than he's been in years, is back in the building. Seventh-round pick Phil Mafah, fresh off a 1,000-yard season at Clemson, has turned in one strong rep after another. This is what training camp is supposed to be: high-stakes, high-energy, and full of guys trying to prove something. And it's not just the drafted or the decorated vets making noise. Undrafted names like Hunter Luepke, Mike Smith Jr., and Alijah 'Cinco' Clark are doing what they always have, finding ways to matter. Luepke's become the offense's second Swiss-Army knife, lining up everywhere from fullback to tight end and doing all the little things that win football games. Smith, a ballhawk from Eastern Kentucky, keeps showing up at the right time in the right place. Clark, the safety out of Syracuse with a sizable guarantee, looks like he belongs and then some. There's a reason Will McClay's scouting department earns its praise, because every year, someone like this breaks through. Forget the noise for a minute. These are the stories worth watching. Micah Parsons changes his wardrobe, but not his stance, as 'Pay Micah' looms over Cowboys camp - CBS Sports Link Micah Parsons is continuing his training camp hold-in while contract talks with the Cowboys remain at a standstill, sparking loud 'Pay Micah' chants from fans in Oxnard. Parsons briefly stopped wearing his No. 11 jersey at practice following a formal trade request, though he was back in uniform, albeit still on the sideline, by Monday. Teammates and coaches have voiced support for him, but his absence is being felt, especially when it comes to missed reps for the offense against one of the NFL's premier pass rushers. Despite the growing drama, Dallas' staff is treating Parsons as part of the plan, insisting they're preparing like he'll be on the field once things are resolved. Every option for Cowboys Micah Parsons, from $2.6 million grievance to sitting out '25 - Cowboys Wire Link Contract talks between the Cowboys and Micah Parsons have reached a boiling point, with several options now in play, including a potential NFLPA grievance over his fifth-year option designation. Parsons could escalate his current 'hold-in' by leaving camp entirely, which would trigger fines and game check losses, but that might not be his first move. If he opts to sit out the season past Week 10, his contract would toll into 2026, putting both sides right back in the same situation next year with nothing gained. While Parsons risks a year of his prime, the Cowboys face the greater cost: losing their best player, derailing staff plans, and watching a championship window fade. La'el Collins ready for newest stint with Cowboys: 'This is where my heart is' - Link Back in Oxnard, La'el Collins is home again, rejoining the Cowboys after a successful workout and a long road back from a major knee injury. Though he hadn't played since 2022, Collins never wavered in his belief that he could still contribute, and now, he's down to 300 pounds and feeling the best he has in years. His return comes at a critical time for Dallas, with injuries piling up along the offensive line and familiarity playing a big role in his fit. For Collins, this is more than a comeback, it's a personal mission to finish strong where it all began, protecting Dak Prescott and proving he's still got plenty left in the tank. UDFA, Cowboys' 2nd swiss-army knife could threaten depth charts of two different positions - Cowboys Wire Link Versatility is becoming a calling card in Dallas, and Hunter Luepke is embracing that identity as a do-it-all weapon on offense. The third-year undrafted fullback is lining up at multiple spots, fullback, H-back, and even tight end, giving the Cowboys a movable chess piece who can shift defenses pre-snap and open up the playbook. His role could shake up depth charts at both running back and tight end, especially with competition heating up behind Jake Ferguson. Paired with Kavontae Turpin, Luepke offers a different flavor of unpredictability, giving Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams creative flexibility that could prove vital to Dallas' offensive evolution. Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer sings praises of rookie running back - Sports Illustrated Link Rookie running back Phil Mafah is quickly earning praise at Cowboys training camp, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer highlighting his consistent impact and playmaking in practice. Drafted in the seventh round, Mafah faces an uphill climb in a crowded backfield that includes veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, along with fellow rookie Jaydon Blue. Despite the depth chart, his strong finish at Clemson and early flashes in Oxnard suggest he could carve out a role sooner than expected. With joint practices against the Rams on deck, Mafah has a chance to build on the momentum and push for meaningful reps in his rookie season. UDFA defensive back hopes to parlay clutch performances into NFL career with Cowboys - Cowboys Wire Link Undrafted rookie Mike Smith Jr. is looking to become the latest hidden gem in the Cowboys' rich UDFA history, bringing a track record of clutch playmaking from Eastern Kentucky. The former team captain led his conference in interceptions last season, including two game-sealers, and earned All-American honors along the way. Now in camp with Dallas, he's hoping his physical frame, ball skills, and special teams potential earn him a spot on the 53-man roster. With a thinner-than-usual UDFA class this year, Smith's blend of leadership and late-game instincts could help him stand out in a crowded defensive backfield. How the Micah Parsons dispute embroiled Jerry Jones, Dez Bryant, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj - The Athletic Link Micah Parsons' contract standoff with the Cowboys reached a breaking point when he publicly requested a trade, prompting a bizarre string of reactions involving Jerry Jones, Jay-Z, Dez Bryant, and Nicki Minaj. Jones' comments about past negotiations with Jay-Z and Dez sparked a social media clash, with Bryant and Minaj each jumping in and escalating tensions. Minaj used the moment to reignite her own feud with Roc Nation, eventually clashing directly with Bryant in an increasingly personal and hostile exchange. What started as a player's frustration with team management quickly spiraled into a chaotic culture crossover driven by ego, loyalty, and unresolved beefs. Cinco de Buy Low: UDFA looks to show Cowboys the draft isn't the only place to find a star - Cowboys Wire Link With no safeties taken in the draft and no veterans added in free agency, the Cowboys are banking on internal development, and undrafted rookie Alijah 'Cinco' Clark could be a key part of that plan. A former top New Jersey recruit who transferred from Rutgers to Syracuse, Clark brings versatility to the secondary, having played multiple DB roles and flashed promise with a standout bowl game performance. His $234K in guaranteed money was among the highest for any UDFA league-wide, signaling strong interest and belief in his potential. While he still has to prove he can consistently make plays on the ball, his special teams value and positional flexibility give him a real shot at cracking the 53-man roster.
New York Times
5 hours ago
- New York Times
2025 Heisman Trophy Fantasy Draft: LaNorris Sellers, Jeremiyah Love and 30 more picks for NYC
After Travis Hunter's historic Heisman Trophy victory came by the smallest margin since 2009, the conditions are ripe for another season full of surprises in the race for college football's highest individual honor. Will an up-and-coming passer start a new streak of quarterback Heisman winners, or will another electric playmaker emerge as the engine of a College Football Playoff contender and capture voters' attention? Advertisement The format of this annual preseason exercise remains the same: We arranged writers in a randomized snake draft order and gave them four rounds to take their pick of this season's Heisman candidates. In December, the writer whose four picks have totaled the most points earns 12 months of bragging rights. Our scoring system: Here was the randomized order of our snake draft: 1. Chris Vannini (last year's champion, who snagged Travis Hunter with the seventh pick and never looked back); 2. Ralph Russo; 3. Scott Dochterman; 4. Stewart Mandel; 5. Bruce Feldman; 6. David Ubben; 7. Manny Navarro; 8. Justin Williams. There's no obvious frontrunner for the trophy this season, but people may forget Klubnik had a great 2024 after being held out of the end zone in a season-opening loss to Georgia. Clemson brings back its top three receivers, two of whom were freshmen a year ago. A good Week 1 showing against LSU could put him atop the list early. — Chris Vannini My goal in my first year participating in the Heisman draft is to not finish last. Hence, Smith was No. 1 on my board. Yes, receivers have rarely won the Heisman. DeVonta Smith of Alabama in 2020 was the first receiver to win it since Desmond Howard of Michigan in 1991. Smith could be good enough to buck the trend, but more importantly, his combination of talent and name recognition makes him the most likely player in the country to at least be one of the four finalists. — Ralph Russo Well, here's a gift. You guys just left me with the presumptive favorite, and I'll gladly select him here. Manning has more hype than any player in years, and if he leads Texas past Ohio State in Week 1, he's got the September Heisman wrapped up. If the Longhorns take the SEC crown, then he wins and I win. — Scott Dochterman Advertisement Not gonna lie, I really wanted Jeremiah Smith. Kudos to you, Ralph. But Love has a lot to offer as well. He's the kind of player who makes highlights every week, like we saw in last year's CFP with his 98-yard run against Indiana and ridiculous short-yardage touchdown against Penn State. He plays for Notre Dame, so he'll be in big TV windows every week for a Playoff contender. But I do realize it's bucking recent history to take a running back. — Stewart Mandel I took Nussmeier last year too, and even though LSU has to replace four O-linemen, including top-five pick Will Campbell, expect Nussmeier to put up huge numbers this season. He's got terrific arm talent and playmaking ability, and he's got more speed at receiver than any team in the country. He's also really, really sharp. The Tigers should be a Playoff team this season, and even if Nussmeier doesn't bring home the hardware, I expect him to be a Heisman finalist. — Bruce Feldman Sellers closed 2024 in style, fueling wins over Missouri and Playoff-bound rival Clemson. The tools are obviously there; he looks like an NFL edge rusher. He can improve as a passer, but he put together a special freshman season to build off and has a ton of help around him. There's no ceiling for him this year, and South Carolina could surprise. Am I also influenced by his status as a near-deity on the College Football 26 video game? Who's to say? My colleague Bruce Feldman also wrote a tremendous story about him. If this pick goes poorly, I'm holding Bruce personally responsible. — David Ubben Two players drafted in our first round were not listed among the top 19 players in BetMGM's preseason odds to win the Heisman: Love and Arnold. My approach picking this late in the first round was to select an SEC quarterback with dual-threat ability and the potential to formulate a strong Heisman narrative as a program savior. Hugh Freeze's busy offseason on the golf course convinced me to take a chance on Arnold, who has multiple early road opportunities to put the Tigers' 5-7 2024 season behind them (Baylor, Oklahoma, Texas A&M) and a couple more chances after that to pull off big upsets at home (Georgia, Alabama). — Manny Navarro Allar didn't put up gaudy numbers in 2024, but he ranked top-20 nationally in passing yards, completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating, with a 24-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He does lose tight end and leading pass catcher Tyler Warren to the NFL, but Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton will split the vote at running back. If Allar can continue to improve and boost his numbers, and Penn State lives up to the hype, he could get some Heisman buzz. — Justin Williams Advertisement I'm betting on potential at the top of the second round. Mateer was the most coveted quarterback in the transfer portal, and he joins an Oklahoma offense in dire need of a refresh, along with Ben Arbuckle, his former OC at Washington State, as well as Cal transfer running back Jaydn Ott. Assuming the Sooners get better injury luck at receiver in 2025, Mateer could be the next Oklahoma QB to hoist the Heisman Trophy, and I will be crowned the Sam Presti of this draft. If this pick flops, Oklahoma has bigger problems. — Justin Williams Sometimes you just have to have faith in the voting system. Ducks quarterbacks Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel finished third in each of the last two Heisman races. Moore, a former five-star recruit from Michigan, has a cast of young unknown receivers who will have to step up with Evan Stewart injured. That should help Moore earn the bulk of the credit if Oregon ends up being really good again. His first real opportunity to make a Heisman statement comes Sept. 27 at Big Ten favorite Penn State. — Manny Navarro Apparently I'm building my team solely out of dual-threat quarterbacks with a ton of potential amid some skepticism. Lagway took over the starting job as a five-star true freshman last year and was a huge reason why Florida rallied late in the season, notching a pair of Top 25 wins to cool off Billy Napier's seat. The Gators are one of the biggest wild cards in the SEC, and their outlook will be closely tied to how much promise Lagway fulfills in his first full season as the starting quarterback. I'm buying stock. — David Ubben I was surprised Beck was still available here. Going into last season, he was the college QB NFL scouts were the highest on because of his quick release, accuracy and ability to read defenses. The Georgia offense struggled in 2024 without Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey, but I think Beck is in for a bounceback this season. Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson will be a great fit for him, just like he was for Cam Ward. — Bruce Feldman I did not love the other options at this range, so why not go for broke? Although a true freshman has never won the Heisman, I don't see any reason it could not happen today. Underwood is already a well-known name due to his multimillion-dollar NIL deal funded by Larry Ellison of all people. Now he takes over a Michigan offense that had abysmal quarterback play last season. If he can lead a resurrection and get the Wolverines back in the CFP, he'll be in the mix. — Stewart Mandel It's time to jump on the Demond Williams hype train. He's got a Charlie Ward type of game to him, and I think Washington is the Big Ten's biggest sleeper. In the Sun Bowl, Williams threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 48 yards and another score. Can he do that against Big Ten defenses? Yes, he can. — Scott Dochterman Last year, I picked Johnson to win the Heisman. Not wrong, just early! Dual-threat quarterbacks usually have the best path to the Heisman. If Johnson becomes a more consistent passer and leads Kansas State to a Big 12 title, I'm feeling good about him being in the mix. Also, I'm fully acknowledging that I could very much regret not taking Arizona State's Sam Leavitt. — Ralph Russo Advertisement Back for a second season leading the Sun Devils, with 1,100-yard wide receiver Jordyn Tyson returning, Leavitt should take another big step forward. He nearly led Arizona State to the CFP semifinal, and with Cam Skattebo gone, the offense will be on Leavitt's shoulders. — Chris Vannini Are you aware of the quarterbacks Jeff Brohm is getting to the NFL? I'm talking guys like David Blough, Aidan O'Connell and (second-round pick!) Tyler Shough. The USC transfer Moss is no less talented than the others, and with receivers like Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy back, Moss is going to put up big numbers for a team that could be a Top 25 outfit. — Chris Vannini Buckeyes quarterbacks have received a ton of Heisman love since Ryan Day arrived in Columbus as Urban Meyer's offensive coordinator in 2017, but it's been a couple of years since one finished in the top 10 in the voting. Sayin is a former five-star with a chance to be the next great Ohio State passer. I concede he'll have to be especially good just to be the leading Heisman contender on his own team over Smith. — Ralph Russo Some young quarterback is going to make a move, and the Pitt sophomore has the perfect schedule to do it, with the Backyard Brawl in mid-September, important ACC matchups against Louisville and Florida State by midseason and high-stakes games against Notre Dame and Miami in November. — Scott Dochterman If you believe Penn State could win the national title this year, then it makes sense to take a Nittany Lion — and Drew Allar was already taken. Singleton is a big-play guy that averaged 6.4 yards per carry last season and also scored five receiving touchdowns. Yes, he will be sharing carries with Kaytron Allen, but Singleton is the more consistent highlight producer. — Stewart Mandel People inside Alabama's program have been high on Simpson for a long while, and he has been patient for his time. It's here. He has an extremely talented O-line in front of him and one of the most dynamic wideouts in the nation in Ryan Williams. With offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb reuniting with Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide will put up points in bunches. — Bruce Feldman Dampier was special at New Mexico last season, despite not having much around him. He followed offensive coordinator Jason Beck to Utah and will play behind one of the nation's best offensive lines, as part of a proud program that should still be stout on defense and is modernizing its offense. It's a steal to grab the quarterback of my pick to win the Big 12. — David Ubben Advertisement Do we miss Nick Saban yet? It's hard to believe it took until the late third round for an Alabama player to come off the board. I still would've taken Williams ahead of Simpson if both were available. In my eyes, there's no guarantee Simpson will be the Tide's quarterback by season's end. But if Alabama is really good, Williams will play a huge role in it. Yes, he only had two 100-yard receiving games last year as a freshman, including the whopper against Georgia. But there's too much upside to pass up this late in the draft. — Manny Navarro A running back hasn't won the Heisman since Derrick Henry in 2015, but we've had a handful of top-five finishes since then and two runners-up, including Ashton Jeanty last year. Hughes ran for 1,400 yards and 15 TDs at Tulane in 2024, and he joins an Oregon offense with a less-experienced quarterback in Dante Moore. If the Ducks thrive, Hughes could be the catalyst. — Justin Williams I took the only defensive player in the draft. Travis Hunter won the award as a two-way standout, but Aidan Hutchinson and Will Anderson Jr. finished in the top five in 2021, and Chase Young was top-five in 2019, so there is a precedent for edge rushers being in the mix. Parker had 11 sacks in 2024 and is projected as a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Plus, he has a beast next to him in defensive tackle Peter Woods who should help clear some lanes to the quarterback and boost Parker's stats. — Justin Williams I was torn whether to select Georgia's quarterback or running back here – since no one had selected a player off the reigning SEC champions yet. I decided to go with Frazier because I think he's the player with more pro potential and preseason hype. He also has no proven commodity in the backfield to share the ball with this year after Trevor Etienne left for the NFL. Feels like a quality darkhorse bet to me. — Manny Navarro Call it faith in Lane Kiffin. He won a national championship with Jake Coker. Simmons showed a ton of potential in relief of Jaxson Dart last year, and Ole Miss has never ranked lower than 32nd in yards per pass attempt under Kiffin. They've finished in the top 10 three times. Simmons has a lot to prove, but I could do worse with a fourth-round flyer. If the Rebels are in SEC contention, he'll be in the mix. — David Ubben Raiola came in with a ton of hype as a true freshman and went through some expected growing pains, but I like the path he's on. The Huskers added some much-needed help at wideout in the portal after having almost no speed on offense last year, and Raiola has had a full offseason to work with coordinator Dana Holgorsen, who pared down the playbook. Holgorsen knows how to exploit defenses and to put points on the board. — Bruce Feldman I guess I've established a trend now by picking the guys with the biggest NIL deals. But I was extremely impressed with Mensah, then a redshirt freshman, when I watched Tulane's near-upset of Kansas State in Week 2 last year and followed him from there. I'd be lying if I said I have a great grasp of Duke's personnel, but Manny Diaz had a great first year. If Mensah is as advertised, he could bring a lot of attention to himself and the Blue Devils. — Stewart Mandel Advertisement Uh, oh, did Happy learn to putt? Iowa's offense could turn a similar corner if Mark Gronowski replicates what he did at South Dakota State. Gronowski won the FCS player of the year award in 2023, when he led the Jackrabbits to their second consecutive national title. Gronowski has thrown for 10,309 passing yards and 93 touchdowns and rushed for 37 scores. If Gronowski ties in some numbers with victories against Oregon or Penn State, he'll be in contention. — Scott Dochterman I would have felt like a hypocrite not taking Reed after writing about how he might be the most underappreciated quarterback in the SEC. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the other option. I'm surprised he went undrafted. — Ralph Russo Jennings emerged as a star last season, leading SMU to an undefeated ACC season and a CFP appearance. He'll have a new collection of skill players around him, but Jennings will also enter his first season in full possession of the starting job. — Chris Vannini (Illustration photos: Jacob Kupferman, Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
