CFB DeptHITS: Saturday, January 25th
Let's get all caught up on the news from the past 24 hours around the world of college football.
Today, we’ll focus on the news and notes that are the most impactful to our depth charts (The HITS) and the other interesting news and notes that you may want to know and some further reading (Quick Hits). Enjoy!
|||||| THE HITS
Michigan ::: S Rod Moore [15.1] suffered an off-season injury that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2024 season. Many speculated he would leave for the NFL, but instead he is returning to Ann Arbor to play and audition for the 2026 NFL Draft. Good news for the 2025 Wolverines secondary.
New Mexico State ::: The Aggies are getting a veteran in RB Dominic Richardson [13.6] who previously resided in the Big XII at both Oklahoma State (three years) and Baylor (two years). He was limited to four games for the Bears in order to preserve a year of eligibility and he'll spend it in Las Cruces. Over the course of his career, Richardson has 428 carries for 1,676 yards and 16 scores. He also can get involved in the passing game with 52 career catches. He'll likely replace Mike Washington in a split with Seth McGowan in 2025.
Ohio State ::: Star RB Quinshon Judkins [17.4] is heading to the NFL a year early. That means the Buckeyes will not have either of their fearsome duo that also included TreVeyon Henderson [17.3], who has run out of eligibility and will also play on Sundays. That means we will likely see a redshirt freshman James Peoples [14.2] and West Virginia transfer-in CJ Donaldson Jr. [14.4] as the two most likely to take on the role of filling those shoes.
The deadline for Ohio State and Notre Dame players to enter the NFL Draft has now passed and two Buckeye names that are NOT entering and returning for a shot at back-to-back titles are LB Sonny Styles [14.1] and CB Davison Igbinosun [13.4]. Here is a look at the full list of Buckeye early entrants:
RB Quinshon Judkins [17.4]
LT Josh Simmons [13.7]
CB/NB Jordan Hancock [15.4]
Liberty ::: A couple of solid pickups for the Flames defensive unit as DJ Jackson [14.5], the NC State defector, and Markus Clark [11.8] from Appalachian State, both decide to meet up in Lynchburg for 2025. Jackson is the bigger name of the two as he battled through injuries in 2024, limited to eight games, but also received just over 15 snaps in those contests. He looks to get on the field more often and wreak some havoc in the Sun Belt. Clark only played in two games for the Mountaineers this past season. Both have two years of eligibility remaining.
Tennessee ::: As expected, the Volunteers moved quick to get a portal commitment from former Notre Dame OL Sam Pendleton [12.6]. A four-star recruit in the 2023 class, Pendleton joins Wendell Moe as the second primary left guard heading to Knoxville this portal season. He likely gets a shot to start at either guard spot moving forward, starting in 2025.
North Texas ::: RB Zach Evans [11.6] has not found his opportunity to show what he can do quite yet. Since signing with Minnesota back in 2022, he's received just 67 carries. The most was in 2023 with the Gophers when he took 52 totes for 232 yards. He left for North Texas for the 2024 season and was not involved (just nine carries). He re-enters the portal and looks for that opportunity in 2025.
USC ::: The General Manager (GM) position has become a top off-field role for many teams and if you find a candidate who does it well, they may just be worth seven figures. That's the case as USC has poached Notre Dame's top recruiting and personnel staffer Chad Bowden. He'll join Lincoln Riley's staff and work to build up the roster, just as he helped to do in South Bend over the past four seasons. Bowden is just 30 years old.
|||||| QUICK HITS
Here are some more interesting news and notes from around the world of college football:
Charlotte RB/WR Henry Rutledge [9.6] has withdrawn from the portal and will return to the 49ers for 2025.
New Mexico will retain their starting right guard as Richard Pearce [12.9] has also withdrawn from the portal and will return to the Lobos for his final season under the new Jason Eck-led regime in Albuquerque.
Liberty also adds some “upside depth” with the signing of former Michigan LB Micah Pollard [9.9]. It’s the second such signing as Pollard joins former Florida LB Deuce Spurlock [9.1] in the room. Both were low(er) 3-star recruits in the class of 2022 and the bigger programs saw something that they liked. Both are looking for a chance to play but we don’t have a lot of on-field data on them. Thus, the “upside depth” label.
The buzz is in full force surrounding Notre Dame WR Jayden Thomas [12.6] who entered the portal following the National Title game loss. Now, some visits are scheduled as he will head to the Plains to check out Auburn on Sunday and UCLA the following week.
The much anticipated return of Bill Belechick to the sidelines for North Carolina is being moved to Monday Night (before the NFL season starts of course) September 1st as the Tar Heels open their season against TCU. Coach Prime would be proud.
Rumor has it that Michigan is in on two of the three Notre Dame offensive line defectors. Those two being starting center Pat Coogan [14.3] and right guard Rocco Spindler [13.9]. According to 247Sports’ recruiting entries, both took visits to Michigan back in 2019-20 before deciding to sign on board with the Irish.
On3’s Pete Nakos reports that others are coming hard after two Ohio State stars, including WR Jeremiah Smith, who supposedly has a $4.5 Million NIL offer on the table. Fellow WR Carnell Tate is said to have a $1 Million offer from another school. The latest from Smith would indicate he’s staying with the Buckeyes — but they will have to buck up to keep him.
The site of the 2026-27 National Championship game has been announced. Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will be the host on January 25th, 2027. Next year, the game is slated for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.
JMUSportsNews.com reports that former Alabama staffer and Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties coach Colin Hitschler is the leading candidate to replace Lyle Hemphill in the now vacant DC role at James Madison. Hitschler was let go following this season by the Tide.
Alabama hires former North Carolina Cornerbacks coach Jason Jones to the Assistant Defensive Backs role for 2025.
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