CLEMSON — Tom Allen’s voice echoed throughout Day 4 of Clemson football’s spring practice on Wednesday. As Clemson defenders worked on tackling drills, the Tigers’ new defensive coordinator had one challenge for them: to fine-tune fundamentals and technique to be the best tackling team in America. “We got to get this defense fixed,” Allen said. “It’s not been to the …

As the Oklahoma Sooners begin spring football this week, there are several new faces around the program. A program that needed some changes following a 6-7 season in 2024. Perhaps the biggest off-field change was the hiring of new general manager Jim Nagy last week. Nagy, who replaced Curtis Lofton, previously ran the Senior Bowl and was considered a big-time …

NORMAN — John Mateer surveyed the room as he sat Wednesday morning for his introductory press conference as a Sooner. “That’s a lot of cameras,” Mateer said. More than two dozen of them. If the Washington State transfer needed another reminder of the weight he now carries as OU’s quarterback, this was it. He’s not in Pullman anymore. But if Mateer …

Let’s rewind to the peak years of Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty and identify an important truth. Batman worked best with his trusted Robin. Chief lieutenant Kirby Smart helped Saban build an unforgiving defense, turning the Crimson Tide into an unrelenting thresher that ate up opponents and spit out their bones. Don’t misunderstand, Smart didn’t make Saban. Many would say it’s …

LSU football ranked near the top in USA TODAY’s Paul Myerberg’s SEC power rankings ahead of the start of spring practices. Myerberg slotted the Tigers at third behind Texas and Georgia, ranking No. 1 and 2, respectively. Tennessee and Alabama round out the top five. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s announcement to return for a second year as the starter along with …

Kirby Smart hasn’t held court to talk about his Georgia football team since leaving the postgame press conference in New Orleans after a Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame on Jan. 2. So the Bulldogs’ coach never weighed in on the speculation and hot takes about his offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo since the season ended. When former Georgia quarterback Buck …

Hillcrest High School football coach Jamie Mitchell did not have Jayden Hobson for very long. Hobson transferred to Hillcrest from Paul W. Bryant High School as a senior, joining Mitchell’s program in January as an offensive lineman. But Hobson made a large first impression as a “talented kid,” a “pleaser as a worker” and a “good football player” who hadn’t …

Ryan Grubb could have given a one-word answer if he wanted to. The new Alabama football offensive coordinator was given a simple prompt: “How would you describe yourself as a play caller?” “Aggressive,” Grubb said, taking a beat. “We’re going to be aggressive.” Grubb knows what an aggressive offense looks like when it’s at its best. It’s an offense that …

CHAPEL HILL — UNC football enters the Bill Belichick era with questions at quarterback. Following the departure of Drake Maye, the Tar Heels had five players take snaps under center in Mack Brown’s final season. Three of those QBs — Jacolby Criswell, Conner Harrell and Michael Merdinger — entered the transfer portal. The other, Max Johnson, is a senior coming …

IRVING, Texas — Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades will lead the College Football Playoff selection committee next season. Other new members of the 13-person committee will be former Michigan State and Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio, Maryland AD Damon Evans, Middle Tennessee State AD Chris Massaro, former Mississippi tight end Wesley Walls and sports writers Ivan Maisel and Steve Wieberg. The …

Alabama football’s spring practice schedule is just getting started. The Crimson Tide began its slate of spring workouts and scrimmages Monday, ending with the program’s annual A Day spring game at noon April 12 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. While workouts just started, a few aspects of what Alabama could look like in 2025 are already starting to show up. Here’s what …

For the second time in three years, Michigan State football will move its final game of the season to Detroit. The Spartans will host Maryland at Ford Field to close the 2025 season on Nov. 29. It is the third time MSU will play at the home of the Detroit Lions, the last a 42-0 Friday night loss to Penn …

The Colorado Buffaloes have made the top eight for in-state prospect and four-star interior offensive lineman Deacon Schmitt. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Schmitt is the No. 31 OL nationally and the No. 1 overall prospect in Colorado, just ahead of four-star tight end Camden Jensen of Heritage High School. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Jensen’s other top …

The Mid-American Conference announced its 2025-26 football schedule on Wednesday morning, becoming the last Division I football conference to do so. Mike Uremovich’s debut season as the Ball State head football coach will begin with a road game at Purdue — Uremovich’s alma mater. A road game at Auburn, a home opener against New Hampshire and another road game at …

The anticipation and excitement within the Iowa Hawkeyes and their fanbase are palpable as they await transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski’s arrival on the field. He underwent offseason surgery that will keep him sidelined throughout spring ball, but will still see him in meetings and learning a new offense under offensive coordinator Tim Lester. As a two-time FCS national champion, learning …