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Big Ten Commissioner on Hopes for Expanded Playoff

During Big Ten Media Days, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti addressed what success would look like for his conference in the expanded, 12-team playoff.

Petitti wants to see more Big Ten teams rewarded with Playoff spots (obviously), which is understandable given the strength of the conference and the fact that, in spite of that strength, only three Big Ten teams have made the Playoff: Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State.

Having expanded to 12 teams in that same time frame, five more teams would have made it: Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin, USC, and Indiana.

“Being able to earn [a spot] based on your conference play and your record, I think, is a really critical part of what the playoffs should be. I think this format will allows us to do it.”

Michigan’s Sherrone Moore Embracing NIL: “It’s Part of the Game”

During Big Ten Media Days, Michigan coach Sherrone Moore took some time to share that it was his interest in supporting the player’s future financial benefits the best he and the University can, whether that be revenue sharing, NIL, etc.

Much like Jim Harbaugh wanted to do, Moore has plans to embrace revenue sharing however is possible. And as for NIL, the Michigan collective – Champions Circle – and the University have ramped up their efforts to keep Michigan at the top of college football.

“[Champions Circle has] done an outstanding job. They’ve just realized what we have to do … We continue to be aligned as an administration and collective to get there.”

4-Star TE DaSaahn Brame Flips from Oregon to Tennessee

Consensus 4-star TE DaSaahn Brame flipped yesterday from Oregon to Tennessee. Brame originally committed to Oregon after almost originally committing to Tennessee.

Josh Heupel and Tennessee kept the pressure on Brame and were able to get Brame to change his mind.

Brame ranks 101st nationally and 4th at his position according to the On3 composite ranking.

Brame is Tennessee’s 12th Blue Chip commitment and 20th overall commitment of the class, a class which ranks 7th overall and 4th in the SEC.

James Franklin: Transfer OT Nolan Rucci Thriving

After transferring from Wisconsin, after not making much of an impact in three seasons, Penn State coach James Franklin shared that transfer OT Nolan Rucci has been thriving in the strength program and is competing for a starting job.

In the 2021 recruiting class, Rucci was a 5-star and ranked as the 18th overall player in the entire class. In three seasons for the Badgers, Rucci redshirted as a true freshman and then saw time in just three games as a reserve over the next two seasons.

“I thought he did enough this spring to give himself a ton of confidence and also give us a ton of confidence as [a] coaching staff that he’s got a chance to play for us and play at a high level, allow us to win games in the Big Ten,” Franklin said.

Purdue’s Ryan Walters Anticipates Hudson Card Makes Jump in 2024

Second-year Purdue coach Ryan Walters spoke at Big Ten Media Days this past week, sharing that he believes QB Hudson Card is poised to take a big step forward in his 2nd season in the Purdue offensive system.

When considering Card’s development, last season was his first being a full-time starter for an entire season while learning a new system in a new environment. Walters sees Card’s second year in the system as an opportunity to make a big leap on the field in terms of production and overall leadership.

Ryan Day Happy with Focus of Ohio State’s Roster

Ohio State coach Ryan Day recently shared that he’s been impressed with Ohio State’s resolve and focus towards accomplishing the team’s goals this offseason in spite of the sky high expectations and pressure.

Day’s Ohio State teams are 51-1 in games not against Michigan and not in the postseason, and the Buckeyes are going to have to remain nearly perfect if it wants to accomplish their three goals of beating Michigan, winning the Big Ten, and winning the National Championship.

Day said, “There’s a great energy around this team. You know, they want what they want. There’s an urgency, there’s a purpose and they’ve come together. You can just see it.”

Purdue’s Ryan Walters on Being Ranked Last in Big Ten: “Large Chip on the Shoulder”

Purdue is projected to finish last in the Big Ten according to the Big Ten Media Poll, and coach Ryan Walters took some time to address that fact when asked.

Walters shared that he tries not to consider it, best he can, but obviously something like that will get back to him and his players in some way.

Walters said that being picked 18th out of 18 in the Big Ten is a large reason why the Boilermakers feel like it has a large chip on the shoulder.

With non-conference matchups against Notre Dame and at Oregon State to go with conference matchups against Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, etc., the chip may have to be mighty large to keep Purdue from the bottom portion of the Big Ten standings.

2026 4-Star CB Brody Jennings Commits to Michigan

2026 fringe 4-star CB Brody Jennings committed to Michigan yesterday while also holding offers to Florida, Arkansas, Duke, and others.

Jennings attended the BBQ at the Big House, Michigan’s marquee summer recruiting event, which evidently served to benefit the Wolverines in landing the cornerback’s commitment.

Rivals rates Jennings a 4-star, with On3 and 247Sports narrowly rating him a high 3-star. According to On3’s industry composite, Jennings is a 4-star who ranks 271st nationally and 20th at his position.

This is Michigan’s 2nd commitment for the 2026 class, where Jennings joins fellow Floridian 4-star QB Brady Hart.

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz Complimentary of TE Luke Lachey

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz took some time to share positive thoughts on TE Luke Lachey, whose season ended last year with a season-ending injury early in the year against Iowa State.

Going into 2024, Lachey is anticipated as being a key piece of the Iowa offense, which Hawkeye fans hope will look at least somewhat new and improved under new OC Tim Lester.

Ferentz shared that he believes Lachey is “one of the nice people I’ve ever met.” How Lachey remained a leader and personally handled such a devastating leg injury last year was also very impressive to Ferentz.

That’s why Lachey was selected by his teammates as one of the leaders despite career totals of 46 catches, 662 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns over the course of 4 seasons.

Colorado Transfer OL Ethan Boyd Won’t Be Joining Team

According to Brian Howell of Buffzone and the Boulder Daily Camera, transfer OL Ethan Boyd will not be joining the Buffaloes after Boyd originally planned to transfer.

Boyd has decided to retire from football, which means Colorado has only been left with 77 scholarship players, and 109 players on the roster overall.

Other Commitments/Decommitments (247Sports Rating)

3-Star (88) WR Giyahni Kontosis commits to Cincinnati

3-Star (86) Edge Justin Lee commits to UTEP

2026 3-Star (86) IOL Jalan Chapman commits to LSU

2026 3-Star (85) QB Owen Lansu commits to Minnesota

3-Star (85) RB AC Walters commits to Troy

3-Star (85) RB Elijah McCoy commits to UTEP

3-Star (81) CB Ryder Keplar commits to Air Force

Unranked OT Gary Jefferson III commits to Air Force

Unranked P John Alan McGuire commits to Auburn

Unranked RB Josh Bell commits to UTEP

Unranked CB Darien Fantroy commits to UTEP