Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
Sanders flips Hunter
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders is best known for his exploits on the football field and baseball diamond that earned him the nickname Prime Time, but he is now known for his recruiting prowess too after flipping the No. 1 overall prospect in the country, cornerback Travis Hunter, from Sanders’ alma mater Florida State.
Its OFFICIAL #jsu #gotigers @jacksonstatefb pic.twitter.com/UTyzMPgVH6
— Travis Hunter (@TravisHunterJr) December 15, 2021
The Tigers were unable to capture the Celebration Bowl championship on Saturday, falling to South Carolina State 31-10 and snapping their nine-game winning streak, but landing Hunter still reverberates as one of the biggest recruiting wins ever.
Transfer portal heats up
The transfer portal keeps filling up with big-name FBS quarterbacks, like former Auburn starter Bo Nix, Texas A&M starter Zach Calzada and USC starter Kedon Slovis. Former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler signed with South Carolina this week, while former Nebraska signal-caller Adrian Martinez is headed to Kansas State. (Update: Nix announced Sunday he is transferring to Oregon.)
Meanwhile, in Austin, the effects of Quinn Ewers’ decision to transfer to Texas are already being felt:
Texas quarterback Casey Thompson, who started 10 games and passed for 24 touchdowns this season, has entered the transfer portal. https://t.co/ZxCNO5CRZu
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) December 18, 2021
With many top quarterbacks still in the portal, there’s still plenty of drama to unfold in college football‘s version of the hot stove.
Pickett, Walker both of Peach Bowl
The Peach Bowl features two top-12 teams in No. 10 Michigan State and No. 12 Pittsburgh, but both squads will be without their biggest starts. Pitt quarterback and third-place Heisman finisher Kenny Pickett has opted out to begin his preparation for the NFL draft, as has Michigan State running back and Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III.
Forever a Pitt Man #H2P pic.twitter.com/fq0Sw06dIa
— Kenny Pickett (@kennypickett10) December 17, 2021
— (@Kenneth_Walker9) December 16, 2021
ICYMI
A Rose by Any Other Name
Johnny Ginter beautifully shares the nostalgia of The Granddaddy of Them All while accepting that it isn't the same as it once was, especially for Ohio State. And that's okay. It's a must-read before the Bucks take on Utah in Pasadena.
Buckeyes Respond to Michigan Trash Talk
Beat writer Griffin Strom will get your mind right for next year's edition of The Game, in 342 days by the way, sharing some quotes from Ohio State’s players responding to Michigan’s trash talk after the Wolverines’ first rivalry game win in 10 years.
Signing Day Central
Garrick Hodge has you covered on all of Ohio State's incoming 2022 signees from the early signing day.
Up Next
- Saturday, Jan. 1: Rose Bowl vs. Utah, 5 p.m.
