Pete Thamel
@PeteThamel
College Football Senior Writer for ESPN. Insider for @CollegeGameday. Tips to TipThamel@gmail.com
6.3K Following 416.5K Followers
Sources: Michigan has fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
Sources: Veteran defensive coach Paul Pasqualoni is set to join Florida State next week as an analyst to help the defensive staff. He’s the former head coach at Syracuse and UConn and a longtime NFL coordinator and assistant.
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Sources: Malachi Toney has a high ankle sprain and will have surgery, which will allow him to return for the College Football Playoff. The timeline for return from this injury is typcially at least four weeks.
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Sources: Missouri All-American RB Ahmad Hardy will make his season debut this weekend at Arkansas. He’s not going to start, but he’s expected to get a handful of carries for Missouri. Hardy returned to practice this week after dealing with the injury complications of being struck by a bullet in May.
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Sources: The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams, per sources. The new format will start in 2027 and is expected to come together in the near future, pending final approvals.
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Sources: BYU athletic director Brian Santiago is hiring longtime Kentucky staffer Marc Hill to BYU’s executive team. He’s been Kentucky’s deputy AD since 2019 and spent 27 years there in various roles. He’s been Kentucky’s football sport administrator since 2012.
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NEWS: USC and Notre Dame will renew their rivalry, with the series starting again in 2030. They’ll meet Week 1 in LA that year and play Week 1 in South Bend the next year.
NEWS: Ohio Stare is entering a new corporate partnership with JPMorganChase that includes jersey patches for all 36 OSU teams. Per industry sources, this is expected to yield OSU nearly $17 million per year, an eye-popping number that’s expected to be an industry leader.
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More about the NFL nixing the supplemental draft and blocking Brendan Sorsby’s path to the NFL this season, via @PeteThamel and me.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announces that Mike Boynton has been appointed “head coach in an interim capacity.”
Significant college news
The Division I Cabinet has unanimously voted to approve the age-based eligibility model. Additional details to follow.
The Cabinet’s decision is not final until its meeting concludes Wednesday.
Brendan Sorsby's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, tells ESPN of the NFL's decision to not hold a supplemental draft: "It is a violation of the CBA and the law. We will pursue this immediately with the NFLPA."
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Per the NFL's letter: "As Commissioner Goodell has emphasized, participation in the NFL is a privilege that carries with it significant responsibilities, including accountability. By all accounts, you are a talented player with the potential for future success. We encourage you to focus on preparing for possible entry into the NFL through the 2027 NFL Annual Draft."
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Just in: NFL is declining to hold a supplemental draft this summer, currently leaving the 2027 Draft as the only way for QB Brendan Sorsby to enter the NFL.
A letter is being sent to Sorsby, and to all 32 NFL teams, to inform them of the league’s decision.
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Per the letter obtained by ESPN to Sorsby, which references a supplement draft hasn't been held in several years: “Your Petition—filed three business days before the deadline, without any supporting information or documentation, and only after abandoning your recent litigation efforts to avoid NCAA sanctions—does not provide a basis for the League to alter those plans.”
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Just in: NFL is declining to hold a supplemental draft this summer, currently leaving the 2027 Draft as the only way for QB Brendan Sorsby to enter the NFL.
A letter is being sent to Sorsby, and to all 32 NFL teams, to inform them of the league’s decision.
Show more
Just in: NFL is declining to hold a supplemental draft this summer, currently leaving the 2027 Draft as the only way for QB Brendan Sorsby to enter the NFL.
A letter is being sent to Sorsby, and to all 32 NFL teams, to inform them of the league’s decision.
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Prayers with Matt.
Last week, I was involved in a serious car accident in Missouri and was airlifted to Mercy Hospital. I’m deeply grateful for the exceptional care I have received, from the first responders to the doctors, nurses and medical staff. I’m incredibly fortunate to be writing this.
As a result of the accident, I sustained significant injuries, including multiple fractures and broken ribs. I also underwent a life-saving amputation of my left arm. While I have a long road ahead, I’m focused on my recovery and taking things one day at a time.
Thank you for the overwhelming support, prayers and kind messages — they have meant so much to me and my family during this time.
I look forward to continuing my recovery and getting back to ESPN to talk football, including what should be an exciting 2027 NFL Draft class.
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BLOCKBUSTER: The Milwaukee Bucks are trading franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks (including No. 13), 1 pick swap and 1 second-rounder, sources tell ESPN.
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Big get for @CoachChoateFB here.
Mike Boynton had a flurry of tough circumstances at Oklahoma State. A good look here from @ByPatForde at Boynton who is on cusp of a great opportunity in Ann Arbor.
Second column of the day: On Mike Boynton, who endured a bad ruling, bad timing and bad luck at Oklahoma State. He might get a second chance as a head coach in a better place.
Sources: FAU AD Brian White has emerged as the target in Virginia Tech’s Atheltic Director search. A deal is expected to come together in the near future.
