CFB DeptHITS: Tuesday, December 3
Lots of player status updates for this weekends Conference Championship games; transfer portal entries and coaching movement. Get all caught up.
We make hundreds of tiny tweaks and edits to our 134 live depth charts at CFBDepth.com — this feature is designed to get you up to speed on the ‘big ones’ you’ll want/need to know. Today, we’ll get you some player availability updates and look at the biggest transfer portal announcements and coaching movement that is lighting up the news cycle…
|||||| PLAYER AVAILABILITY UPDATES
Oregon ::: The Ducks have been careful with DL Jordan Burch and worked him back into the mix week 14, playing 26 snaps against Washington in the regular season finale. He should be close to 100% for the Big Ten Championship game against Penn State this weekend.
Penn State ::: WR Harrison Wallace III missed the week 14 finale against Maryland after starting 11 straight overcoming pre-season injury concerns. He's the number two threat in this offense - behind only TE Tyler Warren - and his status is listed as 'questionable' heading into the Big Ten Championship game against Oregon. This looks like a precautionary move to hold him out in order to be fully healthy for this weekend.
Marshall ::: There was an impactful list of inactives for the Herd in week 14 against James Madison. They came out on top by two points, but not having LB Landyn Watson, CB Josh Moten and LG Bryce Ramsey were a big deal. We will wait to see if we can get some updates as the Herd now prepare for the Sun Belt title game against Louisiana. These players would certainly impact this result.
Texas ::: We will be tracking closely two injuries for the Longhorns. QB Quinn Ewers is still a bit hobbled with an ankle injury but should be considered likely to be ready for the SEC Championship (read: he isn't missing it). Also, LT Kelvin Banks Jr. as coach Sarkisian says that his injury situation is similar to Ewers. They have a process they must go through but that it was off to a ‘good start’ on Monday.
Ohio ::: WR Coleman Owen is a big part of this Bobcats passing attack and he was banged up pretty good in the week 13 game, enough to be a 'game-time call' for week 14. He was able to play and was (again) a game changer, catching five passes for 142 yards and two scores against Ball State. Ohio now preps for the MAC Championship game and Owen's full health is a very good sign.
Georgia ::: RB Branson Robinson has been dealing with an MCL injury for most of the second-half of the season. They are not giving up on him as Kirby Smart says they are still "hopeful" to have him back for this post-season run. His role would be in flux as they also try to work back in starter Trevor Etienne, who has been sidelined since week 12.
|||||| TRANSFER PORTAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The official transfer portal window opens on Sunday, December 9th, but we are hearing a lot of big names who are submitting their paperwork to officially enter. Here are the ones you’ll want to know from the last 24 hours:
Texas Tech ::: WR Micah Hudson, the highest rated recruit in Red Raiders history, has announced he plans to enter the portal after this season. He was making waves early in camp and was thought to be on track for a huge freshman season. He ended up getting off to a slow start and then was sidelined since week 11. This is big news and Hudson will be a top target for schools looking for a young, playmaking wide out with four years of eligibility remaining.
USC ::: QB Miller Moss won the Trojans starting job and was off to a solid start in 2024 but things went south rather quickly in LA and was replaced as the starting quarterback. He has announced he will spend his final year of eligibility elsewhere and will enter the portal.
Liberty ::: A pair of offensive linemen announce their intentions to leave the Flames in 2025. Starting left guard Jordan White is a big one. He is rated 15.1 at CFBDepth and is an impact player in the trenches. Additionally, Xavior Gray started at right tackle before injuries struck. They both will enter the portal and look for new homes.
UCLA ::: RB T.J. Harden will enter the portal this off-season. He was the leader in the Bruins' backfield in 2024 but found it tough sledding at times, netting 505 yards on 124 carries this season. He was sharing carries with Michigan State/Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger, who appears now in line to take over as the front-line back for 2025 in Westwood.
Also, QB Justyn Martin has announced he will enter the portal. Injuries forced him into limited action this season as Ethan Garbers' backup. What is interesting about this move is that Garbers' eligibility appears to be up and Martin was in line to at least compete for this starting job. He must have received word that won't likely happen and he'll search for a new home in 2025.
Tulsa ::: The exodus from Tulsa is starting on the offensive line as two starters are moving on. Center Kasen Carpenter has already found his new home, committing to Oklahoma State. LG Walter Young Bear has announced he's entering the portal. More names are sure to come from this roster as Kevin Wilson was fired and the Golden Hurricane were a hot mess this year.
Nebraska ::: LB Mikai Gbayor is a force in the linebacking corps for the Huskers. I guess we should say "was" a force for the Huskers, as he announced his intention to enter the portal when it opens December 9th. This leaves a big hole to fill in the defense that just lost its defensive coordinator Tony White. Matt Rhule has some work to do.
Arkansas ::: QB Malachi Singleton will leave the Razorbacks for an opportunity to play more immediately. That opportunity does not appear in front of him in Fayetteville with Taylen Green establishing himself as the starter. Singleton was a four-star recruit in the class of 2023. KJ Jackson now has a path to replacing Green in 2026.
Fresno State ::: DL Gavriel Lightfoot is a name to know going into the portal this offseason. He announced he will be leaving Fresno State. He is a presence in the interior of the defensive line and will be sought after by some big power four schools.
Northern Illinois ::: WR Trayvon Rudolph will enter the portal after a solid season for the Huskies, though it was not a full breakout. He has one year of eligibility remaining and will spend it elsewhere.
East Carolina ::: WR Chase Sowell is on the move again. He came over to ECU from Colorado to get an opportunity to show what he can do. He did that this year, grabbing 34 passes for 674 yards and three touchdowns for the Pirates. He announces that he'll spend his last two years of eligibility with another squad.
|||||| COACHING CAROUSEL MOVEMENT
The coaching carousel is in full swing and we have you covered with our newly added “Coaching Carousel” page at the site:
Here are the latest news and notes to know with this movement:
Appalachian State ::: The Mountaineers have parted ways with head coach Shawn Clark after a 5-6 season in Boone. That is not acceptable at this proud program and they will look for their next up-and-coming coach to return this program to the top of the Sun Belt. Clark was an internal hire after Eli Drinkwitz left for Missouri back in 2021.
Florida State ::: Mike Norvell knows that he needs to get things turned around immediately or he will no longer be employed at Florida State. He has made two all-star hires at the Coordinators, now adding defensive coordinator Tony White, hired away from Nebraska. This, after getting former UCF head coach Gus Malzahn to sign on as offensive coordinator a little under a week ago.
Oklahoma ::: Head coach Brent Venables let go of offensive coordinator Seth Littrell back on October 20th. Joe Jon Finley took over as interim OC and now Venables has identified the new play caller in Norman. It's young, up-and-coming Ben Arbuckle coming in from Washington State. Arbuckle is a rising star and is just 29 years old. There is speculation that he will try to bring Cougar QB John Mateer with him. That remains to be seen.
Nebraska ::: Dana Holgorsen has accepted a two-year deal to become the full-time offensive coordinator at Nebraska. He did a nice job since taking over play-calling duties just two weeks ago in week 13. He clearly has the pedigree and will work to get this offense unlocked for the talented Dylan Raiola at the helm.
Florida Atlantic ::: The Owls have found their next head coach and it's Texas Tech offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Zach Kittley. The 33-year old is known as an offensive wizard and will run fast and fun with the Owls as the they look to bring back the offense to Boca. Kittley has had success as an offensive play-caller at WKU and Houston Baptist.
Washington State ::: Head coach Jake Dickert announced the firing of defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding. The defensive unit struggled in Pullman this season and Dickert will search for a replacement for both coordinator spots.
That’s our jam-packed show for today. As always, please consider subscribing and sharing!
