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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.

Due to travel and moving, CFB Roundup may miss a day or be shortened as needed from January 29th to February 3rd.

Chris Ash Accepts Notre Dame DC Position

Earlier this week, Chris Ash accepted the job offer to become Notre Dame’s next Defensive Coordinator, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Thamel shared on Twitter that “Ash brings a blend of coordinating experience, NFL experience, and high-end results as a collegiate coordinator,” and that, “a deal is expected to be finalized in the near future.”

ESPN to Exercise Option to Retain ACC Media Rights Through 2036

Per David Hale and Andrea Adelson of ESPN, ESPN is picking up its option with the ACC to retain the media rights through 2036.

“Additionally, the league is working toward a new rev distribution model to reward biggest brands that would keep Clemson & FSU in the fold,” shared Hale.

The plan would be for the biggest brands, like Clemson, Florida State, Miami, and North Carolina at the top of the pyramid so that they would have their revenues brought within a similar range to SEC and Big Ten programs.

ACC Commissioner Publicly Addresses ESPN Exercising Option for ACC Media Rights

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips publicly addressed the league’s ongoing media distribution partnership with ESPN in a press release, sharing:

“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with ESPN and their enduring commitment that further solidifies the ACC as a premier league in all facets. The extension showcases the importance of our long-standing relationship, and I want to personally thank the entire ESPN team for their leadership and dedication to our collective future.”

“In addition, I want to thank our ACC Board of Directors who have been involved throughout this entire process. The resolve from both parties to further enhance the partnership through innovation and creativity to continue to drive additional value remains our top priority.”

Colorado State Hiring Former Steelers GM as Consultant

ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting that Colorado State is hiring former Steelers GM Kevin Colbert as a consultant.

On Twitter, Thamel wrote: “Colbert will help Coach Jay Norvell and the school’s player personnel department set up systems for building a football front office. The partnership is with Colbert and Altius Sports Partners, and it will include Altius chairman and veteran administrator Oliver Luck. Colorado State AD John Weber and assistant AD Scott Sidwell’s are aiming for an innovative approach for the next iteration of college athletics. CSU officials view the sport becoming more like the NFL, and this is a way to more effectively spend money.”

2026 Consensus 4-Star IOL Tyler Merrill Commits to Notre Dame

2026 Consensus 4-Star IOL Tyler Merrill committed to Notre Dame during his junior day visit recently and recently shared it on the On3 YouTube channel.

For Merrill, how iconic and authentic Notre Dame is as a program really stood out to him.

Merrill ranks as high as 57th nationally (ESPN) but ranks 82nd nationally and 5th at the IOL position designation according to the On3 industry composite rankings.

For Notre Dame, Merrill is the 5th Blue Chip commitment and 7th commitment overall for a class which currently ranks 8th nationally.

2026 Consensus 4-Star S Zech Fort Commits to Georgia

2026 Consensus 4-star S Zech Fort committed to Georgia yesterday after naming Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and, of course, Georgia as his final 6 programs.

For Fort, one thing that really stood out to him was the coaching staff and the impact the coaching staff has had on past players: “they are top coaches, they produce top players, and Georgia is a top program that will compete for national championships every year. Who wouldn’t want to go to Georgia?”

Fort ranks as high as 39th nationally (ESPN), but the On3 industry composite ranks him more modestly at 102nd nationally and 11th at the S position.

For Georgia this is just the 3rd Blue Chip commitment and 5th commitment overall for the 2026 class, a class which currently ranks 10th nationally and 5th in the SEC.

2026 4-Star CB Jamarion Vincent Commits to Baylor

2026 4-star CB Jamarion Vincent committed to Baylor yesterday over offers from Texas, Kansas State, Houston, TCU, and Nebraska, among others.

For Vincent, he shared that “Baylor is doing something special and I’m ready to be a part of it.”

Vincent ranks highest on 247, ranking 139th nationally and 14th at the CB position, but he ranks more modestly according to the On3 industry composite (292nd nationally, 19th CB).

For Baylor, this is the 3rd Blue Chip commitment and 6th commitment overall for the 2026 class, a class which ranks an impressive 16th nationally and 1st in the Big 12 thus far.

Georgia WR Colbie Young Reaches Plea Deal in Domestic Violence Case, Has Charge Dropped

Georgia WR Colbie Young reached a plea deal in his domestic violence case, as confirmed by DawgsHQ and Jake Rowe.

As part of an agreement with the Athens-Clarke County solicitor general’s office, Young had a charge dropped. He pled no contest to an altered charge of disorderly conduct and received 12 months probation.

Young will also pay a $500 fine and complete a program focused on family violence intervention. None of the original charges in the case stood (domestic battery, causing harm to an unborn child).

Ohio State Defensive Quality Control Coach Joe Lyberger Placed on Leave

Joey Kaufman of The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that Ohio State defensive coach Joe Lyberger is being investigated by the university after complaints were levied against him.

Lyberger was placed on administrative leave last month amid an investigation by the university office which handles complaints of harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct. A letter to Lyberger from HR on December 27th said his leave was to take effect immediately would be pending the Office of Institutional Equity’s investigation, according to Kaufman.

Lyberger’s attorney shared that, “my client and I take any allegation of wrongdoing very seriously. We respect the process whereby those who are accused have the opportunity to defend themselves, and we look forward to the opportunity.”

Other Commitments/Decommitments

2026 4-Star (90) ATH London Smith commits to Baylor

2026 3-Star (89) ATH Chris Hewitt Jr. commits to Rutgers

2026 3-Star (87) ATH Brandon Smith commits to San Diego State

3-Star (84) QB Dalton Anderson commits to Washington State

3-Star (82) DL Ezra Funa commits to Arizona

3-Star (82) RB Christian Collins commits to Northern Iowa

3-Star (80) K Owen Simpson flips from UCF to UAB

2-Star (79) LS Justin Schmidt commits to Purdue

2-Star (77) RB Elijah Jones commits to Brown

Unrated IOL Siale Uluave commits to Arizona