We’re back with another three and out, and as the season gets closer
there is a lot to talk about. Let’s dive in!
Top Bounce-Back Candidates
1. QB Payton Thorne, RS Senior, Auburn
Coming off a season where he threw for 3,233 yds, and 27tds,
which set the single-season record, while also leading Michigan
State to a Peach Bowl win, much was expected from Payton in
2022. Things fell apart of course, but new scenery and a new coach
in Hugh Freeze at Auburn should do him well.
2. QB DJ Uiagalelei, Senior, Oregon State
Coming out of high school DJ was a can’t-miss prospect, as many
had him as the number one recruit in all the land. In the beginning, he did nothing to change that. As the heir apparent to Trevor Lawrence, things just didn’t quite work out, as he had an up-and-down career at Clemson. Transferring back to the west coast to Oregon State for his last season, I believe he will resurrect his career
and finally live up to his full potential.
3. QB Devin Leary, RS Senior, Kentucky
In 2021 Devin Leary was one of the best QBs in the entire
country throwing for 3,433 yds and 35 touchdowns with only 5 ints.
Coming into 2022 he was voted the ACC’s preseason player of the
year along with being a Heisman darkhorse. That all ended with a
season-ending injury early into the season. Now at Kentucky, he
looks to mesh with OC Liam Coen and have a bounce-back season.
Top Uncommitted 2024 Prospects
1. DL Williams Nwaneri, Lee’s Summit North HS, Lees Summit, MO
- 6’5, 250lbs
- Five-star ranked third nationally
- The highest-rated recruit left in the cycle is a monster in the
trenches. While not the biggest, he uses his superb athleticism
and strength to dominate opponents. Oklahoma looks like the
favorite here.
2. DL David Stone, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
- 6’4, 270lbs
- Five-star ranked sixth nationally
- An explosive difference maker. His best skill at the moment
is his pass rushing, as he has an exceptional get-off while having good use of his hands. Also can fill gaps as well. Oklahoma also is the
team to beat, as he has a commitment date set for August 26th.
More Sports News
3. S KJ Bolden, Buford, Buford, GA
- 6’1, 185lbs
- Five-star ranked seventh nationally
- The do-it-all athlete from Georgia is what we call just a
“football player”. Meaning that wherever you put him on the field it really doesn’t matter. He can burn you on an end around, or take a pick all
the way back for six. He simply makes plays. He is due to commit
soon on August 5th, and by all accounts it seems he will be staying
home to play for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Is PAC-12 in Trouble?
By now everyone has seen the news, but if you haven’t somehow
then buckle up. As of Thursday, July 27th, 2023, Colorado has been
accepted back into the Big 12. It will be official come summer
2024. While it is a great move by the conference along with the
Colorado brass, on the other end of the spectrum it will be a
monumental loss for the PAC-12. With USC and UCLA already
leaving after this season to head to the Big Ten, I really don’t see
them recovering for a while. Those two schools with all of their
tradition will undoubtedly hurt, but the buffs leaving might hurt
even worse at this point in time.
With the hiring of Coach Prime, Colorado has benefited in every
way imaginable since he stepped foot on campus. Not only bringing
in a whole new team through the portal filled with talent but also
the notoriety, NIL, along with a bunch of other things. Colorado is
the talk of all of CFB, and to lose that will be a major loss. A big
reason if not the main, is because of the TV deal. The PAC-12 still
has not gotten a deal in place after the ongoing one ends after this
season. Not only that, but the sense of urgency and nonchalantness from the commissioner doesn’t make it even better. The buffs are to
be owed 31.7 million over the course of the new tv deal starting in
2025.
While the PAC-12 did come out with a statement basically saying
they’re fine with or without Colorado, I just don’t believe it. This
was a major blow to the already changing landscape of not only the
conference but the entire country as well and I don’t see them recovering the way they want to, at least for the
foreseeable future.
