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Tulane QB TJ Finley Arrested & Suspended from Team, QB’s Attorney Claims Finley Victim of Scam

Tulane QB TJ Finley was booked Wednesday for illegally possessing a stolen item worth more than $25,000, per WVUE-TV in New Orleans. He has since been released from jail.

He told authorities he bought the vehicle in Atlanta.

Tulane released a statement and said that Finley is suspended from the team, pending the outcome of the case. Head Coach Jon Sumrall shared, “legally, I can’t. I’m not in a position to be able to dive into it. When things happen off the field, it’s unfortunate. And I’ll let the statement say for what it is. But, when guys make mistakes, then they have to have accountability.”

Finley’s attorneys, David Courcelle and Scott Stansbury released the following statement, claiming Finley was the victim of a Facebook Marketplace scam:

“TJ Finley was a victim of a Facebook Marketplace scam. He purchased a used pickup truck from an individual who presented himself as John Spillway, representing Mountain Adventures, LLC. Spillway presented TJ with both a bill of sale and registration, giving TJ every reason to believe the purchase was legitimate. Within three days of the purchase, Tulane police informed TJ that the truck had been reported stolen. TJ looks forward to continuing to cooperate fully with the authorities in hopes of recovering the funds he lost, bringing the criminal(s) to justice, and clearing his name and reputation. TJ is hopeful that this process will be completed quickly so that he can move forward with his academics and athletic career.”

Finley transferred to Tulane after spending 2024 with Western Kentucky, which would make the Green Wave his 5th collegiate program, having gone from LSU (2020) to Auburn (2021-22) to Texas State (2023) to Western Kentucky (2024).

Florida QB DJ Lagway Injury Update

Florida QB DJ Lagway has not been particularly active this spring as he deals with recovering from some injuries in the past.

That being said, Coach Napier shared that he thinks Lagway is still plenty involved, sharing, “today, he played every play from behind. He stood back there with me. Got the play call.”

It is not clear if or when Lagway is going to ramp up with throwing. But he’s been doing just about everything else, according to Coach Napier, “So, yeah, I think we’ve given him some leadership assignments. We’re doing a ton of walkthrough rooms in the Gator Room and the Heavener Center. So, overall, um, he continues to get a little bit better each day.”

Grambling State Coach Mickey Joseph Wants to Get Paid for Players Transferring Up

Grambling State Coach Mickey Joseph made a fairly bold statement that caught the attention of some people yesterday, sharing that he believes players transferring up should receive some compensation from the program they go to:

“I think the kids understand if they’re here and they’re sophomores and they have a big year and a Group of Five or Power Five approaches them, and they have the finances to pull them out of here, and I can’t match the finances, then you know what, they’re going to go. That’s part of it. Coaches have been doing it for years. So we shouldn’t get mad as coaches when these kids make decisions to take care of their family. But I also think there needs to be a buyout. If they move up from and go to the Group of Five or the Power, I should get kind of a compensation for that. So, NCAA, if you’re listening to me, I need a buyout.”

Dan Lanning Does Not Answer Question About Daylen Austin, Keeps Comment About the Position Vague

Oregon’s Daylen Austin was arrested and charged with a felony after a fatal hit-and-run, but he’s been competing for a role in Oregon’s secondary since, even though his spot on the team may be in legal jeopardy.

Coach Dan Lanning was asked about the nickel corner spot, in a question where Austin’s named was referenced, but Coach Lanning kept it vague and did not share much about the depth chart, either: “Yeah, we’ve got a lot of guys competing out there. You know, we had one practice today. So, that’s the great thing about spring practice is you use all the spring. We’ll use all of fall camp. We’ll continue to compete.”

Austin finished the 2024 season as a redshirt freshman with 10 tackles and 2 TFLs.

Georgia Transfer QB Jaden Rashada Visiting Western Kentucky

Pete Thamel of ESPN is reporting that QB Jaden Rashada is planning to take an official visit to Western Kentucky this weekend.

Rashada has had quite the journey, having spent time committed to both Miami and Florida before going to Arizona State, starting 2 games in 2023 as a true freshman. He then transferred to Georgia for one season, and is now looking for another home for 2025 and it appears Western Kentucky could be the place. He has 3 years of eligibility remaining.

Michigan State Reportedly Being Investigated for Older Recruiting Violations

University President Kevin Guskiewicz shared with The Detroit News that the NCAA is investigating Michigan State for alleged recruiting violations under former Coach Mel Tucker.

Guskiewicz did not share what the severity of the alleged violations are, but he did share that he has a meeting with the NCAA next week to make the case on behalf of new Coach Jonathan Smith.

An NCAA spokesperson shared with The Detroit News it could not comment on current, pending, or potential investigations.

Michigan State Associate Athletics Director Matt Larson shared that the school cooperated with the NCAA in its investigation and reaffirmed the University would keep doing so.

The school parted ways with Tucker in 2023 following an investigation amid a sexual harassment claim filed by a survivor and activist, Brenda Tracy.

Consensus 4-Star S Simeon Caldwell Commits to Ohio State

Consensus 4-star S Simeon Caldwell committed to Ohio State yesterday after visiting the Buckeyes last month.

Not only does his uncle, Tim Walton, coach for the Buckeyes, but Caldwell also shared that, “the academics, the football team, the community, and relationships are all there at Ohio State.”

Caldwell was also strongly considering Miami, Notre Dame, USC, and others. He ranks as high as 34th nationally and 4th at the S position (ESPN), but the On3 industry composite has him 108th nationally and 8th at the safety position, largely because of a “poor” (relatively speaking) ranking of 235th nationally and 19th at the S position.

For Ohio State, this is the 7th Blue Chip commitment and 9th commitment total for a class which ranks 3rd nationally and 2nd in the Big Ten.

3-Star WR Tyren Wortham Commits to UCF

3-star WR Tyren Wortham committed to UCF yesterday over offers from Ole Miss, Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, and dozens of others.

Wortham only has ratings from 247 and Rivals so he does not have an On3 industry composite rating. But both 247 and Rivals have him close in their rankings, with 247 ranking him 59th at his position and Rivals a slightly more modest 63rd.

This is the 5th commitment for UCF, a class which only has one composite-rated commit, which is much of the reason why UCF ranks 66th nationally in the On3 team rankings.

3-Star QB Darnell Kelly Commits to Colorado State

3-star QB Darnell Kelly committed to Colorado State yesterday over offers from Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tulane, and others.

Kelly ranks 1,208th nationally and 91st at the QB position according to the On3 industry composite, but On3 has him ranked 57th at the QB position.

Kelly is Colorado State’s first commitment for the 2026 class, a class which will help usher in Colorado State’s first season in the Pac-12.

3-Star WR Parris Vernon Commits to San Jose State

3-star WR Parris Vernon committed to San Jose State yesterday.

Vernon committed to San Jose State over a dozen offers, including UNLV and Hawaii. He shared with On3 the staff was a large reason for his commitment, saying, “I love the staff, it’s everything I was looking for. They made me feel like family and I felt like I was home when I was out there. Coach Stutzmann is everything I want in my receivers coach and I can’t wait for him to mentor me. I love the offense, too.”

Vernon does not have an On3 composite rating or ranking, but he ranks as the 210th WR according to 247 and the 55th ranked player in CA according to Rivals.

With Vernon’s commitment, this is San Jose State’s 2nd commitment for the 2026 class.

Other Commitments/Decommitments

3-Star (86) WR Gavin Waddell commits to Louisville

Unrated RB Jordan Thompson commits to USF