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Fresno State HC Jeff Tedford Stepping Down

Fresno State HC Jeff Tedford is stepping down due to health concerns, and LBs Coach Tim Skipper will serve as the interim coach.

Tedford released an official statement announcing that his most recent medical check-up revealed that he was no longer in a position to be able to be the coach of Fresno State.

Coach Tedford became an incredibly well respected voice in the coaching landscape as he did a great job accruing a 45-22 record in the 5 seasons he spent as Fresno State’s head coach from 2017-19 and 2022-23 (taking time away in the middle due to heart issues).

LSU’s, Brian Kelly’s Plan to Replace WRs Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.

LSU’s offense has to replace elite production from the WR position this upcoming season, as it lost a pair of first round WRs in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.

At SEC Media Days, LSU coach Brian Kelly shared his plans for how the Tigers plan to replace the production from Nabers, Thomas, oh – and last year’s Heisman winner Jayden Daniels.

Kyren Lacey is a player Coach Kelly plans for the Tigers to lean on. Garrett Nussmeier is likely going to be the QB1.

Coach Kelly pointed out WR Chris Hilton showed an ability to be a downfield threat during their bowl game against Wisconsin. Coach Kelly also mentioned the transfer WRs of CJ Daniels and Zavion Thomas as hopefully being the right mix of transfer talent to infuse a WR room which is looking to replace a lot of lost talent.

4-Star TE Nick Townsend Commits to Texas

Consensus 4-Star TE Nick Townsend committed to Texas yesterday over the likes of LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M, and others.

Townsend is one of the highest ranked TEs in the country, ranking no worse than 6th at the position, as high as 3rd (247Sports).

On the On3 composite rankings, Townsend ranks 124th nationally and 6th at the TE position.

This is Texas’ 15th commitment for the 2025 class, which currently ranks 14th overall and 7th in the SEC, recently jumping Missouri.

4-Star WR Tanook Hines Commits to USC

4-Star WR Tanook Hines has committed to USC over Texas, Notre Dame, and Arizona State, among others.

Hines took visits to each of those 4 schools in June, but ultimately decided to commit to USC and the Lincoln Riley offense.

Both 247Sports and Rivals have Hines listed as a 4-star, with On3 and ESPN giving him a rating that puts him just below 4-star status.

On the On3 composite rankings, Hines ranks 329th nationally and 52nd at the WR position.

This is USC’s 14th commitment, which places them 18th nationally and 5th in the new look Big Ten.

Greg Sankey: SEC Focused on Only Having 16 Teams

Greg Sankey addressed some of the speculation that expansion might not be over for the SEC by stating that the SEC is not actively engaged in this round of recruiting wars.

Sankey said “16 is our today, and 16 is our tomorrow,” and then later reiterated, “[w]e’re focused on our 16, period.”

This is in stark contrast to Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark who recently boasted about his conference having members spanning from Arizona to West Virginia, as well as Florida and Utah, making it nearly a national conference that is also rumored to be looking to snag Florida State and/or Clemson.

Sankey said that Texas and Oklahoma are not the only 2 phone calls he’s ever had, but he’s not involved in recruitment because it’s not like he has to – the SEC and Sankey have already created a super league.

Lane Kiffin Addresses Quinshon Judkins’ Transfer

Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin addressed RB Quinshon Judkins’ transfer from Ole Miss to Ohio State during SEC Media Days.

Kiffin described Judkins as a great player, but that we’re living in the free agency era so sometimes it means the knife cuts both ways, and you lose players to other programs while you also add players from other programs..

Greg Sankey: I Pay Attention to Unrest in ACC

At SEC Media Days, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey shared some thoughts in regards to the constant chatter over the state of the ACC.

As covered above, Sankey’s focus is on the 16 teams currently in the SEC, but he did admit that he pays attention. But ultimately, Sankey sees his job as paying attention and delivering results to the teams in his conference, not as a recruiter trying to deliver more teams to the conference.

Sankey also said that the Presidents of the universities have made it clear to him that the SEC is not interested in the cost of litigation for expansion. Sankey also sees speculation about the ACC as counterproductive.

3 Freshmen Brian Kelly Thinks Will Make Impact

LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly also shared at SEC Media Days a few freshmen who he believes have the chance to make an instant impact for LSU’s team.

Coach Kelly listed DT Dom McKinley, DE Gabe Reliford, and WR Jelani Watkins as the three freshmen he believes are most likely to make immediate contributions for an LSU team who is going to need some unexpected help at all of those positions if it wants to have a chance at winning the SEC and making the playoff.

McKinley was a 5-star in the most recent class, with Reliford and Watkins being rated as 4-stars.

What Greg Sankey Has Learned About Texas, Oklahoma in SEC

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey addressed one of the most talked about topics at SEC Media Days this year: Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC.

For Sankey, the fanbases of both Oklahoma and Texas represent the SEC’s motto and made this expansion a natural fit. As far as the “It Just Means More” test that the SEC Athletic Directors and Greg Sankey have, Oklahoma and Texas passed with flying colors.

Brian Kelly: Being #1 Offense Was Not Good Enough

LSU Coach Brian Kelly also shared at SEC Media that having the #1 offense is not going to be enough to be a contender in the SEC and the playoff.

Coach Kelly emphasized the need for offensive and defensive balance. It’s not an uncommon thought amongst fans and the media alike that moving Harold Perkins (pictured above) back to some sort of edge rushing position is going to be key in getting some pressure and allowing the defense to, hopefully, see an uptick in production.

Other Commitments/Decommitments

3-star RB Cornelius Warren commits to UNLV

3-star LB Donovan Darden commits to South Carolina

3-star QB Chanston Crosby commits to NC Central

3-star OT Brayden Walton commits to Washington State

Unranked TE Carter Kuchenbuch commits to Boise State