CFB DeptHITS: Saturday, December 21
With the CFP and bowls now in full swing, we are tracking the news for the games that remain in 2024, while keeping an eye on the news impacting the 2025 version of our favorite sport.
The Irish are moving on as they handle the Hoosiers in South Bend last night. The CFP is underway and we have three more first round playoff games today. What a treat. At the end, you’ll see our ‘quick previews’ and full-on ‘Game Cards’ for each of those games. We’ll start with some player availability/status updates and transfer portal ‘need to knows’ …
Note: the number in the [ ] is our player rating out of 20.
|||||| PLAYER AVAILABILITY AND STATUS UPDATES
Iowa ::: While most of these updates are about players NOT playing, the Hawkeyes are getting news that two key players ARE playing against Mizzou in the upcoming bowl game. QB Brendan Sullivan [11.9] is healthy and will lead the offense at quarterback. Meanwhile, WR Reece Vander Zee [12.8] will rejoin the action having not played since week nine. While his numbers are modest (14 catches for 176 and 3 TD), he does garner the most looks for non-tight ends when in the game at 18.5% target share.
Arkansas ::: Who is going to catch passes for the Razorbacks in their bowl game next Friday? Word came out that Jordan Anthony [10.9] is doubtful as he attends to a family matter. Tyrone Broden [10.7] is not with the team. Assuming Isaiah Satenga [12.9] doesn't play after having already committed to OU for 2025, they join Anthony Armstrong [17.1] (opt out; NFL draft) and tight ends Luke Hasz [13.8] and Var'Keyes Gumms [10.9] as unlikely to go. We will get to see some new faces in the Liberty Bowl.
Nebraska ::: WR Isaiah Neyor [12.3] announced he will sit the bowl game and focus on preparing for the NFL Draft. He is out of eligibility following this season but wants to avoid injury in this game. He finished with 34 catches for 455 yards and five touchdowns.
Stanford ::: WR Elic Ayomanor [14.6] is headed to the NFL. One of the few dynamic players on the Stanford roster is headed to the next level, leaving two years of eligibility on the table. He compiled 125 catches for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns in his two seasons for the Cardinal after a redshirt in 2022.
|||||| TRANSFER PORTAL NEED TO KNOWS
The portal news doesn’t stop and we’re pulling out the biggest news from the bunch - including some that may sneak under the radar. Here is a quick look at the numbers we are tracking:
Check out the full “Portal Tracker” with all 1,883 players ranked and rated. You can sort and filter by old/new team and get a good idea of how each squad is faring early in the portal window. More team-by-team insights are on the way next week…
Kansas State ::: The Wildcats get a big potential defensive pickup as LB Gabe Powers [15.5] is heading to Manhattan from Columbus. Powers played in six games this year before falling out of the Buckeyes rotation with so much talent in that room. He rates out high and K-State is likely getting a breakout candidate when he has time to really show what he can do on the field more exclusively. He was a 4-star recruit in the '22 class.
Florida State ::: The defensive overhaul in Talahassee is well underway. They added another piece as WKU transfer Deante McCray [14.3] is headed to the Seminoles. The talent infusion, paired with new defensive coordinator Tony White appears to be a recipe for a turnaround.
Oregon ::: DL Bear Alexander [12.4] is on the move again. He will now head to Eugene after things haven't quite worked out at both Georgia and now USC. He's making his rounds at the biggest programs but his on-field performance have yet to match the hype that surrounded him as a recruit.
Oklahoma State ::: A big defensive pickup for the defensive line for the Pokes as they get a commitment from EDGE Kyran Duhon [14.3] from UTEP. Duhon burst on the scene as a true freshman and racked up seven sacks. He should figure prominently in their rotation after leveling up for 2025 and retains three more years of eligibility.
West Virginia ::: WR Hudson Clement [14.5] has risen from a 0-star recruit to a respected option on the outside and leading receiver for the Mountaineers. He now hits the portal looking for a new home for his last two years.
Georgia Tech ::: The Yellow Jackets are losing another of their key receivers as Malik Rutherford [14.5] is hitting the portal. He joins Eric Singleton Jr. [14.7] as leaving Georgia Tech. The loss of their top two (who combined for 45% of the targets) will hurt. However, they have already added two potential replacements, both from FIU, as Dean Patterson [14.0] joins Eric Rivers [15.3] heading to Atlanta.
Kentucky ::: Mark Stoops and company continue to load up on talented running backs. With the Chip Trayanum deal not quite working out, they get Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell [16.0] to sign on board. They like having multiple options and assuming Demie Sumo-Karngbaye [15.8] is coming back for his final year of eligibility and Jamarian Wilcox [16.0] returns, they have quite the stable of horses. Of course, a lot can change in this portal season.
Charlotte ::: Here's one that may fall under the radar a bit. Duke QB transfer Grayson Loftis [14.6] is headed to Charlotte. He backed up both Riley Leonard and Maalik Murphy the past two years but was forced into action due to injury and showed well. New 49ers coach Tim Albin has had success with similar style quarterbacks and we would not be surprised if Loftis wins this job and becomes a name to know.
Southern Miss ::: Charles Huff brings a really solid, veteran quarterback with him from Marshall to Southern Miss. Braylon Braxton [15.0] will dawn the black and gold in 2025 after accounting for nearly 2,300 yards, 23 touchdowns and just two interceptions for the Thundering Herd in 2024. He has prior experience also at Tulsa and is one of the first dominoes to fall as Huff builds up this Eagles roster.
Louisville ::: The Cardinals have added five offensive linemen already this portal season. None of which were rated very highly until they just landed FAU left guard Jordan Church [13.4].
Virginia Tech ::: With the impending departure of Bhayshul Tuten from the Hokies backfield, the staff worked quickly to find a new potential bellcow in Bowling Green's RB Terion Stewart [15.2]. Stewart has been very impressive at the group of five level and now will make the jump to the ACC in 2025.
Utah ::: The Utes refresh on offense continues with a pair of portal commitments from both New Mexico RB NaQuari Rogers [14.8] and former Washington State Cougar Wayshawn Parker [14.7]. With starter Micah Bernard [14.8] headed out next year, they get not one, but two, replacements at the same level with growth potential. It's possible that knocks Mike Mitchell [12.2] to the portal, but we'll have to see.
Memphis ::: The Tigers are looking ahead to the post-Seth Henigan era in Memphis. They moved quickly to identify their next quarterback and it's former Nevada (via Colorado) Brendon Lewis [16.4]. He had a breakthrough 2024 with the Wolfpack and now join a dynamic, successful offense under Ryan Silverfield and OC Tim Cramsey.
|||||| CFP GAME PREVIEWS + GAME CARDS
Three games today/tonight in one of the (new) best days of the calendar…check out our ‘quick’ previews and full-on ‘Game Cards’ for each of the matchups.
That’s our show for today. Thank you for following along. We appreciate the support and hope that you find this newsletter worthy of your time. More insights coming…
