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CFB Roundup – July 18, 2024

Good morning, and welcome back to CFB Roundup from CFB Home – the first daily newsletter that’s all college football, all the time with no bias, no slant, and no fluff.

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Consensus 5-Star CB DJ Pickett Commits to LSU

Consensus 5-Star CB and On3 composite 6th ranked recruit in the 2025 class, DJ Pickett, has committed to LSU over other finalists Oregon and Miami.

For Pickett, the decision came down to where he was happiest both on and off the field. Being able to be developed by Coach Corey Raymond at LSU, while also getting to go somewhere he believes he can excel off the field was what ultimately sealed the deal for the Tigers.

Pickett is ranked as the #1 CB according to On3, ESPN, and Rivals, with 247Sports ranking him as the 3rd best corner in the class. On3 is also the highest on him overall, placing him 3rd in the entire class, with his composite ranking, as mentioned being 6th nationally and 2nd at his position (2 spots behind Ohio State commit CB Devin Sanchez).

This is LSU’s 15th Blue Chip commitment and 17th commitment overall for a 2025 class which now ranks 3rd nationally – after jumping Georgia and Oregon – and 2nd in the SEC.

LSU now also has the class with the highest average rating.

ACC To Give ESPN Contracts to Florida Attorney General

Similar to Florida State, the Florida Attorney General, Ashley Moody, released a statement that she has gained access to the ACC documents.

Per the agreement Moody and the ACC have, the ACC shall produce all documents no later than Aug. 1, but has the right to redact exempt or confidential information.

There was a hearing scheduled for next week, but the expectation is that Moody’s lawsuit against the ACC will now be dropped.

Georgia Tech S Khari Gee Withdraws from the Portal

Georgia Tech safety Khari Gee has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal and has decided to stay at Georgia Tech.

Gee redshirted at Notre Dame in 2021, played all 12 games with Georgia Tech in 2022, and only played sparingly in a couple games last season.

Georgia Tech already had lost 3 CBs in Kenyatta Watson II, Kenan Johnson, and KJ Wallace to the portal this offseason, so Gee’s return helps with the Yellow Jackets’ secondary.

Steve Sarkisian’s Plan for Texas’ WR Rotation in 2024

After losing some incredible WRs in Xavier Worthy, AD Mitchell, and Jordan Whittington, Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian reflected on what he was going to do at the WR position.

For one thing, he expects more WRs to see the field. There are currently 7 WRs which Sarkisian sees as the most likely to make an impact in 2024.

The makeup of that group is three transfers – Silas Bolden, Isaiah Bond, and Matthew Golden, three 2nd year players – Johntay Cook (pictured above), DeAndre Moore, and Ryan Niblett, and true freshman Ryan Wingo.

There will end up being some pecking order or hierarchy, but Sarkisian believes more players will get to play than they would normally rotate.

Billy Napier: Florida Is on Schedule in Year 3

Billy Napier recently acknowledged that the results have not necessarily been there, but he believes that timing is everything, change does not happen overnight, and the Gators program is on schedule to where Napier and Co. thought it would be.

From a system and process standpoint, Napier believes that the Gators have made steps in the right direction. For Gators fans and Napier’s job security both, they’re hoping Napier is correct, because this is the first time since World War II that Florida has had 3 consecutive losing seasons. And you’d have to go back to the 1930s to find 4 consecutive losing seasons, which is a fear made worse considering Florida appears to have the toughest schedule in the country.

Billy Napier Dispels Cormani McClain Rumors

After some rumors had swirled on the Internet for a couple days regarding if former #1 recruit Cormani McClain were still with the Gators, Coach Billy Napier took some time at SEC Media Days to address the rumors.

Napier pointed out that with Florida, there’s structure, routine, discipline, and accountability, and that a lot of things are being blown out of proportion.

Napier also said that McClain has put on 10-pounds (of good weight) since joining the program and that’s he learning the expectations and the culture of the Gators program.

Mississippi State Coach Lebby: QB Blake Shapen is Right Guy

Mississippi State’s new coach, Jeff Lebby, took some time on SEC Media Days to talk about his transfer QB, Blake Shapen.

Lebby was looking for someone who can get it done, and right away. With Shapen, Lebby and the Mississippi State staff believe that they have the sort of guy who can do that and get the offense up to the standard Lebby wants to set.

Lebby acknowledged the work that needs to be done, and how it starts at the QB position, but based on what Lebby has shown in terms of talent and leadership, he’s got the experience and ability to do what needs to be done.

Billy Napier Praises Character, Development of Freshman QB Lagway

Florida HC Billy Napier took some time on SEC Media Days to praise the development and character of true freshman, 5-star QB DJ Lagway.

Despite being one of the top QB prospects from this past year, Napier said that Lagway has taken sitting for a year in stride, and understands that potentially sitting behind incumbent QB Graham Mertz is best for Lagway’s development.

Napier also highlighted the intangibles which Lagway brings to the QB position, on top of the obvious athletic talents everyone could see in high school.

Oklahoma State Announces Sean Snyder is New Coach of Kickers and Punters

Son of legendary Coach Bill Snyder, Sean Snyder, has been announced as Oklahoma State’s new coach for kickers and punters.

Snyder spent time with Kansas during the 2023 season, with prior stops at Illinois and USC coaching special teams. Before that, Snyder spent decades working alongside his father at Kansas State.

SEC Again Considering 9 Conference Games

The SEC is once again considering adding a 9th conference game for SEC members.

No decision would be expected until early 2025, so there’s at least one more full season before any sort of decision would be made.

Due to the added financial benefit of a ninth conference game, school administrators who were previously lukewarm to the idea are now more strongly considering it.

The SEC plans on seeing how the first 12-team College Football Playoff shakes out before any sort of determination is made.

Other Commitments/Decommitments

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