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4-Star WR Vernell Brown III Commits to Florida

Consensus high 4-star Vernell Brown III committed yesterday to Florida over Florida State, Miami, and Ohio State.

The near 5-star Brown mentioned that other programs could not match the connection Brown had with Gainesville having grown up there.

Brown is ranked in the top 38 nationally by 3 of the 4 major recruiting services with an On3 composite ranking of 33rd nationally and 6th at the WR position.

This is only Florida’s 10th commitment in the 2025 class, which now ranks 31st nationally and 13th in the SEC.

Biggest Storylines Heading Into Big Ten Media Days

On3’s Nick Schultz put together a handful of storylines for Big Ten Media Days coming up shortly from Indianapolis.

Among them include how the 4 new programs of Oregon, USC, Washington, and UCLA factor into the conversation of the conference, who appears to be the #3 team in the conference between Michigan, Penn State, and USC behind the clearly separated (at least from a roster talent perspective) of Ohio State and Oregon.

There are also plenty of new coaches for the Big Ten Media Days. As mentioned, the new programs of Oregon, USC, Washington, and UCLA all have never participated in Big Ten Media Days, so all four coaches – and especially coaches new to their program in UCLA’s DeShaun Foster and Washington’s Jedd Fisch – are new. As are Michigan’s Sherrone Moore, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, and Michigan State’s Jonathan Smith.

Finally, the QB competitions will be something to focus on. Nebraska’s will likely be the most high profile after landing 5-star Dylan Raiola. There’s also a competition going on with the reigning National Champion Michigan Wolverines, plus USC finds itself looking to replace the No. 1 overall pick in Caleb Williams.

Biggest Storylines Heading Into ACC Media Days

On3’s Pete Nakos put together a list of some top storylines for the ACC heading into ACC Media Days, which are coming up shortly in Charlotte.

The top storyline in the ACC for the foreseeable future is the ACC’s ongoing legal battle with Clemson and Florida State.

As for the actual Media Days event, there are also questions if Commissioner Jim Phillips will address Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark’s comments about the Big 12 being a Top 3 conference and the fundraising efforts the Big 12 is making (e.g., private equity, naming rights to the conference).

4-Star DL Kade Pietrzak Commits to Nebraska

Composite 4-star DL Kade Pietrzak committed yesterday to Nebraska over Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Wisconsin.

A little on the lighter side for a defensive lineman at 240 pounds, Pietrzak is unanimously the top prospect from the state of North Dakota.

According to On3’s industry composite ranking, Pietrzak ranks 319th nationally and as the 27th ranked DL.

This is Nebraska’s 17th commitment in the 2025 class, which ranks 27th overall and 9th in the Big Ten.

Utah State CB Andre Seldon Jr. Passes Away

Utah State announced late Saturday night that CB Andre Seldon Jr. passed away in an apparent cliff-diving accident at the Porcupine Reservoir in Utah.

Utah State interim coach Nate Dreiling described him “as an incredible person and teammate” and that the “football program is heartbroken to have to endure the loss of one of our own.”

Seldon spent two seasons with Michigan before transferring to New Mexico State, where he spent some time with Coach Dreiling. This past offseason, Seldon transferred to Utah State where he was expected to be a key contributor to the Aggies.

LSU CB Javien Toviano Arrested and Suspended from Team

LSU CB Javien Toviano has turned himself in to police on criminal allegations Sunday afternoon, arrested on charges of video voyeurism.

The Tigers CB is accused of secretly filming himself having consensual sex with a woman who did not consent to being recorded. The woman discovered two videos on Toviano’s iPad that were recorded with a discrete, built-in camera from a clock near the bed.

Toviano has since been suspended by LSU, and the team has released a statement saying “[w]e will not have further comment out of respect for the legal process.”

Toviano appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman for the Tigers last season after being a high 4-star prospect.

Dabo Swinney’s Update on QB Cade Klubnik

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik is going into his 2nd year as the full-time starter of Clemson, and Coach Dabo Swinney believes Klubnik is taking all of the steps he needs to for the sake of his development.

Swinney said “[h]e, in our eyes, has taken the next step that we need to see to this point. Now it’s going to go happen on the field. That’s what you want to see. That’s what it’s all about, you know.” Swinney believes he’s got all of the key characteristics for a top QB: talent, character, football character, work ethic, and a will to prove.

Klubnik started all 13 games last season for Clemson where he threw for 2,844 yards en route to Clemson’s first season with fewer than 10 wins since 2010.

Kentucky LB D’Eryk Jackson Believes UK Football Has Reached UK Basketball

Senior Kentucky LB D’Eryk Jackson shared that he believes Kentucky‘s football team has built a brand “to where basketball is.” Jackson shared that believes both programs are good and that it benefits everyone for both to continue working on the respective brands.

This comes after some back-and-forth from then-basketball Coach John Calipari called Kentucky a basketball school, which still current football Coach Mark Stoops took exception to.

Florida’s RB Montrell Johnson Jr. Expects More Touches

One of Florida’s running backs, Montrell Johnson Jr., shared during SEC Media Days that he expects to get the ball more coming into the 2024 season. He believes he can hold the load on his own and play mistake-free football.

After being Florida’s leading rusher each of the last 2 seasons, the context of this story is now-Georgia RB Trevor Etienne transferred from Florida’s program as one of the top running backs in college football that made up one of the top duos, with Johnson, in college football.

Dabo Swinney Shares Adversity of ‘23, Momentum Entering ‘24

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney shares that Clemson was doing enough late in the season, in the spring, and in the summer to feel optimistic about the Tigers’ momentum heading into this upcoming season.

Clemson was 4-4 at the start of November, but managed to rattle off 5 straight wins over some talented teams, including a ranked win over Notre Dame and wins over both North and South Carolina and Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.

Swinney looks at how the season ended and says that this has put some good wind in their sails as they head into the new season.

Other Commitments/Decommitments

2-Star IOL Jeremy McDowell commits to Army