CFB DeptHITS: Wednesday, January 29
Getting you caught up on the news that matters from the past 24 hours around college football. We'll also take a closer look at the "five-in-five" rule being floated.
Today, we’ll continue our focus on getting you up on the impactful transfer portal movement and some other news on the fringes of our sport. This includes a quick primer on reports gaining steam (again) surrounding the “five-in-five” rule and how likely it is to make it on the docket for consideration this summer.
|||||| THE HITS
Virginia ::: The Cavs add another pass catcher as WR Jayden Thomas [12.4] heads over from South Bend. He saw his role diminish a bit this season, finishing with just 18 catches, but he is a former 4-star recruit and has 64 career grabs with seven touchdowns. The upside is there. Thomas joins Cam Ross (James Madison) and Jahmal Edrine (Purdue) as incoming wide receiver transfers.
Texas ::: DL Hero Kanu [11.8] is going to continue his career at Texas as he announced his intention to join the Longhorns for 2025 and beyond. A curious choice for Kanu, a 4-star and top-120 recruit in the 2022 class, as he looks to get on the field to show what he can do. He was buried at Ohio State and now joining the Longhorns defensive line room that is going to be equally as stacked. If nothing else, a solid depth addition here.
Connecticut ::: Jim Mora Jr. continues his raid on the portal to try to keep the Huskies' momentum going after a really good 2024 season. This time, they get a commitment from former Penn State LB/S Tyrece Mills [13.7]. Mills played limited snaps this season in a reserve role for the Nittany Lions (89 snaps) but that opens the door for more playing time at UConn. He came to State College after making a name for himself at the JUCO level.
UNLV ::: DL Alexander Whitmore [13.9] is a name to know after his recent entry into the portal. He'll look for a new school after a season that saw him rack up 28 quarterback hurries and six sacks for the Rebels in '24. He came to Vegas from Austin Peay. He has one year of eligibility remaining and Purdue tops the list of likely desitnations.
Also, starting RG Mathyus Su'a [12.9] has entered the portal and it leaves just one starter remaining for the Rebels and new head coach Dan Mullen. Su'a has developed into a solid contributor on the line after being a rather unknown recruit out of the class of 2020. It's possible Mullen has other plans for the position and that prompted the move. Only RT Tiger Shanks [13.9] remains from the starting offensive line here in 2024. LT Jalen John has committed to following Barry Odom to Purdue, as has two backups. Two other starters remain uncommitted and could potentially return under Mullen.
Washington ::: Former Tulane QB Kai Horton [10.3] will finish up his career as a backup at Washington. He lost out on the Tulane starting gig after a heated battle with Darian Mensah in 2024. Mensah won the job and flourished; now heading to Duke to replace Maalik Murphy. Horton has attemped 125 passes as a backup in his career in New Orleans. He has signed with UW but the chances of his taking the starting job over Demond Williams Jr. is non-existent at this point.
|||||| FIVE-IN-FIVE (POTENTIAL) RULE
Once again, Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger gets us up to speed on a potential eligibility rule that is being discussed. While this rule would certainly make things easier to track/follow for our depth charts; there is a lot that has to happen to make it a reality and it doesn’t appear very close to the top of the priority list for the Board of Governors.
This has been in discussions off-and-on for years, in fact, it was first proposed back in the 1990’s. This rule would essentially rid us of all of the injury waivers and “redshirt” seasons, allowing players to play five years, regardless of roster status or injuries. Simply, if you can stay healthy, you can play a full five years. They hope to avoid more of the Diego Pavia-style law suits surrounding eligibility. This would simplify things, right? Well, the detractors, including ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, need to have questions answered before it becomes a serious possibility.
Usually when rules are made to try to avoid legal actions, it simply invites other/different legal actions. That appears to be the biggest hang-up for this proposal.
View Ross’ full article from two weeks ago here »
|||||| MORE NEWS / RUMORS
Georgia QB Jaden Rashada [10.6] is in the portal (again) but word is that he’ll wait a bit before making a decision on his next landing spot. He will work out with a personal trainer and coach to build up his stock before likely going down a level to find a starting gig somewhere.
The battle for Notre Dame transfer OL Rocco Spindler [13.9] has been narrowed to three, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. A trio of Big Ten schools are vying for his services and they include Michigan, Nebraska and Indiana. He was the starting right guard for the Irish in 2024.
Houston defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge is set to be hired at Miami (FL) to fill the open DB role for the Hurricanes. This would be the second time Etheridge has left the Cougars. He did so back in 2021 when he left to take the secondary job at Auburn. He returned this year to Houston and appears to be on the move again as the 37-year old has now held roles with seven different schools. The role opened up as Chevis Jackson left to join Jake Dickert’s first staff at Wake Forest.
Speaking of Hurricanes coaches, former defensive coordinator Lance Guidry is going to take a role on Brian Kelly’s LSU staff. He has deep Louisiana roots/connections and this is believed to be a good move for the Tigers in recruiting. The exact role has not been determined.
Graham Harrell has found his next job. He’s been named the offensive coordinator at FCS Abilene Christian. He takes over a solid unit as the Wildcats finished 16th in scoring offense at the FCS level in 2024. He was let go from his role as Purdue’s play caller this past season and held the OC/QB title at both USC and West Virginia before his stop in West Lafayette.
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