CFB DeptHITS: Thursday, November 28

Our Thanksgiving version of the HITS includes more player availability/status updates, including a primer on what you need to know from the SEC availability reports. We also have GAME CARDS! Feast...

Nov 28, 2024

We make hundreds of edits and updates to our 134 live depth charts at CFBDepth.com — this feature is designed to get you up to speed on what you need to know. Today, we’ll continue with some player updates and availability as we move into the final week of the regular season. We’ll also get you caught up with the one game tonight and the Friday slate with ‘game cards’ … Enjoy!

Iowa ::: WR Reece Vander Zee's absence will be extended through week 14 as he is ruled out for the finale against Iowa State. Vander Zee burst on the scene and provided the Hawkeyes with a real threat in the passing game, at least until he was hurt in week nine. He has not played since. Maybe he will be able to return for a Bowl game?

Florida Atlantic ::: One of the bright spots in a down season for the Owls, RB CJ Cambell Jr. has announced he plans to enter the portal following the season. Campbell was originally a signee with Florida State before moving to the Owls. He was recruited as a wide receiver and does chip in nicely as a pass catcher out of the backfield. He has 740 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground this season, adding 36 catches for 349 yards. He's a threat and will be sought after this off-season. TE Zeke Moore has also announced his intentions to enter the portal.

Ball State ::: Leading WR Justin Bowick will sit the remainder of the season and take a redshirt. Bowick didn’t make an appearance until week eight due to injury. He’s played his four games and now will sit out the finale to ensure he can keep his redshirt. Chances are that he’ll also take a look at the portal to see if there are any other intriguing options for him in 2025. He put up 20 catches for 383 yards and three scores in the limited action and that is enough to get some coaches at bigger schools to take a look.

Virginia Tech ::: WR Da'Quan Felton is not a 'full go' at practice and is now looking questionable to play in the finale against UVA. This a new name popping up on the report. He’s right up there with Jaylin Lane and Ali Jennings as the top options in the passing attack. His availability would be beneficial to whoever ends up playing quarterback for the Hokies, as Kyron Drones and Collin Schlee also work back from injuries.

|||||| SEC AVAILABILITY REPORT PRIMER

Texas A&M ::: RB Reuben Owens was moved to 'doubtful' last week and now is listed as 'questionable' as he looks to make his season debut in the biggest game of the season for the Aggies. We may see him in a limited role. A couple of impact CBs are added as 'questionable' and is something to track heading into this one. Both Will Lee III and Jaydon Hill are a bit banged up and both are important pieces, especially Lee who is a full-time player and had his last appearance cut short. Both are considered 'minor' according to head coach Mike Elko.

Texas ::: The Longhorns are healthy heading into the showdown with A&M for the right to show in the SEC Championship, their first year in the conference. There is one big name on there, though, and that is QB Quinn Ewers, who had an ankle issue pop up in week 13. He's listed 'probable' and is fully expected to go, but if this limits his mobility in-game, it could be impactful.

LSU ::: LG Garrett Dellinger is moved to 'questionable' and may be making a return for week 14 after being missing since an injury suffered back in week nine. That would be a nice boon to this offensive line. WR CJ Daniels remains slightly banged up, enough to include on the report, but he is 'probable' and gives QB Garrett Nussmeier his full contingent of receivers to look to against the Sooners in the finale.

Oklahoma ::: Finally some good news for the Sooners as it appears they will be getting RB Jovantae Barnes back to provide some help in the backfield. He's been battling injuries off-and-on this second half of the season. A new name that popped up is DE Caiden Woullard, who is a role player on the defensive line and will be missed against LSU. Most of the wide receivers are back as 'out', but Andrel Anthony and Brenen Thompson show up as 'questionable' and it would be a boon to have them in the finale.

Alabama ::: The overall health of the Tide continues to be a wonder. Though, the addition of star LB Deontae Lawson to the list as a season-ending injury certainly is impactful. No other nicks or cuts to mention though as Alabama looks to bounce back from the loss to Florida with a better performance in the Iron Bowl.

Auburn ::: The Tigers should get WR Caleb Burton III back as an option, though he's a bit buried behind some other emerging talents in the receiver room. S Caleb Wooden also falls off the report after missing week 13. He's a rotation player in the secondary and will be a nice to have available back there to re-join the mix. TE Rivaldo Fairweather, their starting tight end is banged up a bit and listed 'questionable' going into this final showdown with Alabama.

Missouri ::: Nothing crazy to report here for the Tigers. A few new names are all reserves and the one that is a role player in the backfield, RB Kewan Lacy, is listed 'questionable' and is likely able to give his few carries if needed. Jamal Roberts could handle that role behind the 1-2 punch of Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll.

Arkansas ::: CB Jaylon Braxton remains out for the finale against Mizzou. DL Anton Juncaj, who contributes about 20 snaps per game when healthy is listed 'doubtful' and RB Braylen Russell is back on the list as 'questionable' as he continues to battle injuries. He was relegated to backup duties with the the return of both Ja'Quinden Jackson and Rashod Dubinion. Nothing else of note to report for the Razorbacks.

Vanderbilt ::: Not a lot happening new on the 'Dores report with just a few new names popping up on there. Backup RB AJ Newberry will miss the game and two back of the rotation defensive players - LB Prince Kollie and DL Christian James - are listed as 'questionable' to go against Tennessee.

Tennessee ::: A couple of names falling off the injury report are RB DeSean Bishop and LB Edwin Spillman. Both appear to be available for week 14 against Vandy. Neither is expected to play a huge role, but Bishop gives another option to keep legs fresh in the backfield. Spillman is a reserve player on the fringe of the rotation. The main notable addition would be S Christian Charles, who plays about 1/4 snaps listed as questionable on the initial report.

Ole Miss ::: A new name on the Rebels availability report is S Yam Banks listed 'out'. He's a usual 1/2 snap player and certainly a solid contributor in the secondary. RB Henry Parrish Jr. remains out as well for the Egg Bowl. A few impactful names pop up as 'probable' including DE Princely Umanmielen, TE Dae'Quan Wright, WR Jordan Watkins and starting C Reece McIntyre. All are expected to play.

Mississippi State ::: No surprises on the initial Bulldogs availability report with the usual suspects all listed as 'out' including RB Keyone Lee, DL Kalvin Dinkins and WR Trent Hudson.

|||||| THURSDAY AND FRIDAY GAME CARDS

If you are not yet familiar with our ‘Game Cards’ — we attempt to pull in all of the important information from around our site to display in a friendly ‘side-by-side’ view for your pleasure. This should provide you with all of the information to be informed and deploy however you see fit. Here is tonight’s (one game) and Friday’s (14 games) links to the ‘Cards’ —- you can see them all as they populate for Saturday by clicking this button:

Week 14 Game Cards >>

Click the image to be taken to the full card: