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.

QB Nico Iamaleava Expected to Commit to UCLA

According to The Athletic, former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava is anticipated to commit to UCLA.

Iamaleava officially entered the transfer portal yesterday with a “do not contact” tag, and shortly thereafter, FOX Sports host Colin Cowherd took to Twitter to report that Iamaleava to UCLA was a “done deal.”

Cowherd also included that the deal was not about the money, but rather was an issue with Tennessee’s scheme.

Iamaleava is the 2nd rated player in the transfer portal, aftering passing for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions while also adding 358 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground in 2024.

Former Stanford HC Troy Taylor Releases Statement After Firing

Former Stanford HC Troy Taylor was recently fired from his position recently following accusations and investigations of bullying and belittling female staff members.

Coach Taylor released a lengthy statement, posted by Ross Dellenger on Twitter:

“For 30 years, I have been a coach and educator at the high school and collegiate level. I have had great team success with every program that I have coached, without a single issue or complaint around my treatment of others. I applied the same approach and values to a Stanford program dealing with some upheaval.

A private workplace investigation was recently improperly disclosed to local and national media. The investigation that took place in June 2023 was conducted due to a complaint from an athletic administrator that claimed that I tried to remove her as our football administrator for an unfair reason. Although I disagreed with the complaint, I took it seriously and fully cooperated. The investigation, which I still have never seen, concluded that I did not act unfairly. On February 29, 2024, Stanford gave me a contract extension and raise because I was told we were building something special.

Later, in March 2024, a second complaint was made by a member of the compliance office regarding a discussion about the physical speed at which Stanford players could participate in a walk-through. This was resolved in July 2024. Two other witnesses (one male and one female) were present during the initial discussion about the speed at which players could participate in a walk-through. Both told me at the time that my behavior was appropriate.

Nevertheless, I willingly complied with the second investigation, this time based on this brief interaction. Based on the investigator’s conclusion related to this interaction, which I disagreed with, Stanford asked that I forfeit an agreed upon raise and change my tone. I accepted Stanford’s demand last summer for the sake of the team. I was not shown the private and confidential second report that was also improperly disclosed to ESPN recently. I’ve not been the subject of any other complaints or investigations since this investigation ended last summer.

The media’s recent portrayal of me is unfair, wrong, and contrary to my professional track record and the person I am and have always been. The truth is that Stanford terminated me without cause and, as a result, is honoring the original payment terms of my contract. I stand by my effort to lead with integrity at Stanford and elsewhere and to build a winning team and culture that is inclusive and respectful of everyone. I strongly believe in the players, coaches, and staff currently at Stanford. While I am disappointed that Stanford has now decided that I am no longer the right person to lead the football team, I am grateful for my time at Stanford and wish Stanford and the football team all the best.”

TCU QB Josh Hoover Not Going Anywhere

On3’s Pete Nakos wrote a piece yesterday detailing that TCU QB Josh Hoover is not entering the transfer portal and will remain at TCU, per his representatives.

The decision was announced amidst reports that he could be an option for Tennessee as the Volunteers look to move on post-Nico.

Hoover has thrown for over 6,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in his 24 career games as the Frogs’ starter.

TCU Coach Sonny Dykes is previously on the record as saying, “the players love him, believe in him, have a ton of confidence in him. That’s where it starts. When that guy walks in the room and everybody has his back and believes in him and cares about him, you know, that’s a good starting point.”

Texas A&M, Former Texas Tech, WR Micah Hudson Enters Portal

Texas A&M and former Texas Tech WR Micah Hudson is entering the transfer portal again. Hudson spent his true freshman season last year at Texas Tech before transferring in the winter portal window to Texas A&M.

Despite never playing for the Aggies, Hudson is once again in the portal and on the move.

With the Red Raiders in 2024, Hudson caught 8 passes for 123 yards, but part of his limited production was due to being limited by some injuries that he arrived to Lubbock with.

He was a 5-star recruit in the 2024 class, and was one of the top transfer portal prospects when he left for Texas A&M.

Hudson actually entering the portal is unsurprising, though, as Coach Mike Elko revealed earlier this offseason that Hudson was no longer with the team. On3’s Pete Nakos has reported that a return to Texas Tech is a possibility for Hudson.

Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos on How New OC Gus Malzahn Convinced Castellanos

New Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos recently shared with Gramlich and Mac Lain how he ended up going to Florida State instead of Auburn, where he was strongly considering heading.

“I’m not gonna lie, it was kind of shocking, especially after everything that happened and then schools still calling, trying to get me to come to their school and come play for them. Auburn was the school that got me in the portal. They had me really locked on them, to be honest. When I got in, it was kind of crazy. I had visits lined up, but Gus Malzahn gave me a call, man, and there’s no way I could say no. There’s no way I could say no.”

Castellanos had a strong 2023 before 2024 was a bit of a wash and saw him leave the BC program after the Eagles made the change to Grayson James at QB. In 2023, Castellanos had a 57.3% completion percentage to throw for 2,248 yards and 15 touchdowns (with 14 interceptions). He added another 1,113 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.

Notre Dame S Kennedy Urlacher Plans to Enter Portal

Notre Dame safety Kennedy Urlacher is planning to enter the transfer portal after spending one season with the Irish. Urlacher is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher.

Urlacher played in 14 games this season as a true freshman, meaning he will have 3 seasons of eligibility remaining. In his time with the Irish, he finished with 12 tackles, one TFL, and a PBU.

Urlacher’s top 6 when he committed to Notre Dame also included Kansas State, Miami, Illinois, Penn State, and TCU.

Miami WR Ny Carr Plans to Enter Portal

Miami WR Ny Carr is planning to enter the transfer portal according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Carr just finished up his true freshman season, which he redshirted in so he will have four years of eligibility remaining. Carr really only played once the Hurricanes were in its four-minute offense trying to run out the clock in blowouts. His season statline is one catch for 8 yards against Florida A&M.

In the 2024 recruiting class, Carr was highly rated, ranking 76th overall. Auburn, Georgia, and Tennessee were the other programs that were high on Carr’s list when he chose Miami, so Carr likely will be a hot commodity in the portal just one year later.

Oklahoma CB Jocelyn Malaska Enters Portal

Oklahoma CB Jocelyn Malaska has entered the transfer portal after spending one season with Oklahoma.

Before that, he spent two years at Utah. Malaska has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

With Oklahoma, he appeared in one game, and has appeared in 9 career games in his time between the two programs.

Clemson CB Transfer Tavoy Feagin Commits to Ole Miss

Former Clemson CB Tavoy Feagin has committed to Ole Miss out of the transfer portal.

Feagin played sparingly as a true freshman at Clemson, but he preserved a season of eligibility by taking a redshirt this year so he’ll have all four seasons remaining.

Feagin was a 4-star that was ranked 317th nationally and 30th at the CB position with the Class of 2024.

Georgia RB Branson Robinson Plans to Enter Portal

Georgia RB Branson Robinson is planning to enter the transfer portal according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Robinson has been at Georgia for three seasons but did not play in 2023, meaning he will have two more seasons of eligibility.

With his time at Georgia, Robinson has compiled 93 carries for 403 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Other Commitments/Decommitments

3-Star (84) IOL Kingston Fotualii commits to Washington State

3-Star (84) IOL Myles Batesky commits to Harvard

Unrated DL Jeremiah Gray commits to Cincinnati

Unrated ATH Amarion Queen commits to USF

Unrated EDGE Aaden Aytch commits to Northern Illinois