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02/16/23 - WR Traeshon Holden, rSr/2025, Oregon + More +

Former Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden was dismissed Wednesday by Oregon after being arrested earlier in the day. Holden appears in Lane County, Oregon online jail records with three charges after a Wednesday morning arrest by Eugene police: menacing, unlawful use of a weapon and coercion. The menacing charge is a misdemeanor, while the other two charges are felonies.

Ducks coach Dan Lanning issued a statement to On3 Sports about Holden's arrest and dismissal. "We are aware of the incident involving Traeshon Holden, and he has been dismissed from our team," Lanning said. "We have high standards for the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in our football program, and we are disappointed when these standards are not met. We will continue to hold everyone in our program accountable for meeting our expectations." Holden transferred in December to Oregon after three seasons with the Tide. The junior finished sixth on the team this past season with 331 yards on 25 catches, including six touchdowns. Holden began the 2022 season as a starter but saw his role decrease later in the regular season. - Birmingham News

WR Traeshon Holden, rSr/2025 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 3* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 4* (37)

+ Oregon Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Oregon Player News & Notes

News Source: Birmingham News, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/16/23 - WR Caleb Medford, rJr/2026, New Mexico + More +

Standing on the sideline, cornerback Donte Martin shook his head and laughed when asked about the receivers he just spent the last two hours working to stop. "Their speed, how they came out of the breaks - way different than what we had last year," he said. And head coach Danny Gonzales? If he didn't share the laugh, he at least had the same thought. "The secondary around here has not had to work as hard, I guess," he said. "That's no longer. They've got to come every single day because there's some guys on the outside that can run by them; there's some guys that can make some competitive catches."

Caleb Medford is one of those guys. The TCU transfer and former three-star recruit shined in his first day out for the Lobos, working a 6-foot-3, 205 pound frame up to head-turning speed for some of the cleanest routes of the day. Maybe it was having some familiarity going up against a 3-3-5 (the Horned Frogs and New Mexico share the same base defense) or maybe it was simply the defense seeing him live for the first time. But there's a smoothness to his play and production that pairs well with an easygoing personality. If anybody generated some hype on day one, it was Medford. - Albuquerque Journal

WR Caleb Medford, rJr/2026 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 3* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 3* (00)

+ New Mexico Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
New Mexico Player News & Notes

News Source: Albuquerque Journal, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/16/23 - RB Alton McCaskill, rJr/2026, Arizona State + More +

The Cougars' offense will look different this season with the graduation of Tune and early departure of Dell to the NFL draft. UH signed former Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith from the transfer portal, added several receivers, among them four-star signee Mikal Harrison-Pilot, and will welcome back star running back Alton McCaskill from a knee injury that sidelined him last season. - Houston Chronicle

RB Alton McCaskill, rJr/2026 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 3* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 3* (37)

+ Arizona State Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Arizona State Player News & Notes

News Source: Houston Chronicle, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/15/23 - WR Nick Mardner, rSr/2024, Auburn + More +

In transferring to Auburn as part of the Tigers' impressive haul during the first transfer portal window, Nick Mardner reunites with the position coach under whom he had his most productive season. Mardner comes to Auburn with 81 career receptions for 1,488 yards and 11 touchdowns, with the majority of that production coming during Davis' lone season as an assistant at Hawaii, which was also his first as a full-time on-field coach.

During their 2021 campaign together, Mardner finished with career highs in receptions (46), receiving yards (913) and touchdowns (five). He had three 100-yard performances, and he was also 10th among all qualifying FBS receivers in yards per reception that season, averaging 19.8 yards per catch. "What I think he brings is the combination of size and speed," Davis said. "He's every bit of 6-5, and he can run." Mardner's experience will be welcome at Auburn, which doesn't return another wide receiver on the roster whose career production compares to Mardner's best season at Hawaii. - Birmingham News

WR Nick Mardner, rSr/2024 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 3* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 0* (489)

+ Auburn Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Auburn Player News & Notes

News Source: Birmingham News, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/15/23 - WR Seth Anderson, rJr/2026, Iowa + More +

Seth Anderson committed to Iowa via the transfer portal after two years at Charleston Southern. Anderson, the son of former NFL wideout Willie "Flipper" Anderson, led the Buccaneers with 612 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions in 2022. - The Gazette

WR Seth Anderson, rJr/2026 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 0* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 0* (301)

+ Iowa Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Iowa Player News & Notes

News Source: The Gazette, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/15/23 - RB Trent Battle, rJr/2026, Texas Christian + More +

TCU's elite ground game was crucial in the Frogs' run to the national championship in the 2022-2023 season. Running back Kendre Miller led the way, tallying 1399 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging a whopping 6.2 yards per carry. Miller was consistent, scoring a touchdown in every contest until leaving the Fiesta Bowl with a knee injury. The star Frog running back tallied over one hundred yards against seven teams: SMU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, West Virginia, Texas Tech and Texas. With Miller declaring for the NFL draft, there is a huge opportunity up for grabs in head coach Sonny Dykes' offense. Will the ground game continue to dominate with new faces involved?

Who will be the Frogs' starting running back? The Frogs will have a new starting running back, but who will it be? Dykes has a few solid options with redshirt sophomore Trent Battle, senior Emani Bailey, freshman four-star Cameron Cook and Alabama transfer Trey Sanders. Battle was recruited as a quarterback, but his elite speed and athleticism allowed for a position switch. As a running back, he has a better shot of receiving playing time and making an impact on the offense. Battle did not play a single game in 2021, keeping his redshirt status. In 2022, he played in four contests and received a total of nine carries. Is 2023 Battle's year to shine? Time will tell, but he'll still need to compete for snaps with Bailey, an experienced veteran who averaged 8.1 yards per carry on 31 attempts in 2022, and Sanders, 247 Sports' No. 1 running back in the class of 2019. - Dallas Morning News

RB Trent Battle, rJr/2026 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 0* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 3* (54)

+ Texas Christian Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Texas Christian Player News & Notes

News Source: Dallas Morning News, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/14/23 - QB Carson Beck, rSr/2025, Georgia + More +

Mike Bobo reclaimed the offensive coordinator job at Georgia on Tuesday, with Todd Monken leaving the two-time defending national champions for the NFL. Bobo, a former Bulldogs quarterback and longtime assistant coach at his alma mater, also served as offensive coordinator under former coach Mark Richt. The 48-year-old Bobo has some big shoes to fill. Monken accepted the offensive coordinator job with the Baltimore Ravens after serving on a staff that guided Georgia to back-to-back national titles. The Bulldogs averaged 38.6 points per game in 2021 and 41.1 this past season while finishing 15-0, capped by a record-breaking 65-7 blowout of TCU in the national championship game.

Monken's three-season stint with the Bulldogs will be remembered for the stunning rise of quarterback Stetson Bennett from walk-on to Heisman Trophy finalist. "We are extremely thankful and appreciative of the three years Todd and his wife, Terri, have spent with our UGA family," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said in a statement. "We wish them the best as he moves on to the Ravens organization." Bobo, who had head coaching stints at Colorado State and South Carolina after leaving Georgia following the 2014 season, returned to his alma mater a year ago as a quality control analyst for the offense. "Mike was an excellent addition to our staff last year as an analyst, and we are looking forward to his expanded leadership on the offensive side of the ball," Smart said. Bobo takes over an offense with some major holes to fill, most notably at quarterback with Bennett's departure. Carson Beck, who got limited playing time the last two years as a backup, is expected to take over the job. But he'll have to beat out Brock Vandagriff, one of the top-rated QBs in the 2021 recruiting class, and Gunner Stockton, another touted prospect who has yet to play at the college level. - AP College Football

QB Carson Beck, rSr/2025 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 4* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 4* (06)

+ Georgia Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Georgia Player News & Notes

News Source: AP College Football, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/14/23 - QB Kasim Hill, rSr/2024, Rhode Island + More +

Rhode Island quarterback Kasim Hill has been granted an extension of eligibility waiver from the NCAA, meaning he will be back with the Rams for the 2023 season. The ruling officially came on Thursday, giving Hill a seventh season of eligibility. It is a significant development for the program, as Hill has been the team's starting quarterback for each of the last three seasons, appearing in 25 games since transferring from Tennessee. Rhode Island has a 16-9 record since he joined the program, including a 7-4 record each of the last two seasons. Hill needs five wins as a starter to pass the legendary Tom Ehrhardt for the most in program history. Ehrhardt was 20-6 from 1984-85. - Rhode Island Football

QB Kasim Hill, rSr/2024 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 2* (46)
Recruiting Grade: 4* (00)

+ Rhode Island Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Rhode Island Player News & Notes

News Source: Rhode Island Football, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/14/23 - FS Thomas Harper, rSr/2024, Notre Dame + More +

When Thomas Harper decided to transfer from Oklahoma State to Notre Dame, he started watching game film from the Irish 2022 season. There was one defensive play that stood out. Late in Notre Dame's 35-14 upset over No. 4 Clemson Nov. 5, in South Bend, Irish nickelback TaRiq Bracy shot into the backfield untouched on a corner blitz to sack Tiger quarterback D.J. Uaigalelei. That sack, Bracy's lone of the year, peaked Harper's interest. "(Bracy) made a lot of plays," Harper said during his first appearance in front of the Notre Dame media Friday. "I watched that game multiple times and that was a huge play." To Harper, that play was more than 7-yard loss in a game the Irish had firmly in control. It was a vision of what the he could accomplish in Notre Dame's defensive scheme.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound safety/nickleback was more of a cover guy and run-stopper. Watching how Notre Dame, and defensive coordinator Al Golden, used Bracy appealed to Harper's versatility. "(Bracy) excelled at that (versatility), especially perimeter run game," Harper said. "He set the edge, got off blocks. Those are things I had to do at Oklahoma State and feel like I can do (here)." In Harper, who committed to Notre Dame on Jan. 6 as a grad transfer, the Irish are getting a do-it-all player that can be used all over the secondary and has produced at a high level. He's seems like an ideal candidate to step in an emulate Bracy, who is entering the NFL Draft. - South Bend Tribune

FS Thomas Harper, rSr/2024 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 3* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 3* (408)

+ Notre Dame Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Notre Dame Player News & Notes

News Source: South Bend Tribune, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/14/23 - WR Malik Hornsby, rJr/2026, Arkansas State + More +

Texas State football will hold its 2023 Spring Game on Saturday, April 22 as the Bobcats announced their full 2023 spring practice schedule. Starting on Thursday, March 23, Texas State will hold 15 practices over five weeks at Bobcat Stadium. The first week features practice on a Thursday-Saturday schedule followed by three consecutive weeks of Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday. The final week of practice will go Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The start time for the 2023 Spring Game will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2023 spring practices are the first under new head coach GJ Kinne and his coaching staff. Kinne was named the 21st head coach in program history on Dec. 2 after leading UIW to have the nation's No. 1 scoring offense in 2022 and reach the FCS Playoffs semifinals for the first time in program history. The Bobcats return 78 players from last year's roster and feature 25 transfers already enrolled at Texas State for spring practice. - Texas State Football

WR Malik Hornsby, rJr/2026 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 3* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 4* (10)

+ Arkansas State Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Arkansas State Player News & Notes

News Source: Texas State Football, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/13/23 - QB Kyle McCord, Sr/2025, Syracuse + More +

Spring football is right around the corner for the Ohio State football team, and the sessions will conclude with the spring game on April 15. The game will serve as the 15th and final practice that teams are allowed over a 34-day period. Of those 15 practices, on 12 are allowed to involve contact and eight can have tackling. There will be three practices that are dedicated to being 11-on-11 scrimmages, with the spring game being the only one open to the public. The scrimmage will be the first chance for fans to see the 2023 Buckeyes and get a look at the battle between Devin Brown and Kyle McCord to succeed C.J. Stroud as starting quarterback. - Cleveland Plain Dealer

QB Kyle McCord, Sr/2025 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 3* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 5* (05)

+ Syracuse Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Syracuse Player News & Notes

News Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/13/23 - QB Dylan Hopkins, rSr/2024, New Mexico + More +

Dylan Hopkins spent less than 24 hours in the portal before becoming the third graduate transfer quarterback to join the Lobos in as many years. Gonzales said that wasn't quite the plan but Hopkins' addition was a "special case" given his experience and familiarity with new cordinator Bryant Vincent's offense. The numbers aren't bad, either: the former UAB starter completed 136 of 215 passes (63%) last season for 1,913 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. Hopkins possessed sneaky efficiency, finishing ninth in the country in passing yards per completion (14.07 yards) among qualified starters. He remains the early favorite to come out on top in an open competition. - Albuquerque Journal

QB Dylan Hopkins, rSr/2024 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 3* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 3* (134)

+ New Mexico Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
New Mexico Player News & Notes

News Source: Albuquerque Journal, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/13/23 - OLB Abdul Carter, Jr/2026, Penn State + More +

It would be easy for Penn State to take a step back defensively and brush it off to the losses the team had. After all, there are plenty of them. There are vocal leaders gone, like safety Ji'Ayir Brown and defensive tackle PJ Mustipher. There's a likely first round pick gone in cornerback Joey Porter Jr. There are longtime rotational pieces who have moved on, like defensive end Nick Tarburton and linebacker Jonathan Sutherland. Those pieces will be missing at all three levels of the unit, but there isn't much thought to the group stepping back. There are high level replacements for many of those players - like Kalen King for Porter - but the expected performance next year is only partially about players like King who have multiple years of experience and will be stepping up.

The other reason is the team's young talent and the increased impact it could have next season. Players like sophomores Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton could have a massive impact in 2023 and lead yet another elite Penn State defense. Those two will be the cornerstones for at least the next two seasons, with Carter at linebacker and Dennis-Sutton at defensive end. Their talents are evident every snap with both possessing the athleticism that pops whenever they're on the field. And their teammates took note. "It feels amazing," redshirt freshman KJ Winston said about playing with the duo. "Abdul, that's my roommate, building that connection with him. Just knowing that they're gonna do what they gotta do to make things a lot easier for you, they're gonna do their job, it's a blessing knowing that you'll be able to go out and play with guys like that every game." - Centre Times

OLB Abdul Carter, Jr/2026 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 5* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 4* (48)

+ Penn State Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Penn State Player News & Notes

News Source: Centre Times, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/12/23 - QB Joey Yellen, rSr/2025, Transfer + More +

That whistling in the 35 mph wind was Joey Yellen whipping another pass to a University of Hawaii receiver at the Ching Complex's football field. Six months after transferring from Pittsburgh and four months after ceding the starting quarterback's job, Yellen has impressed in the first four practices of the Rainbow Warriors' spring training. Head coach Timmy Chang has likened Yellen to Nick Rolovich, who rebounded from a difficult 2000 season to set several UH passing records in 2001.

"Rolo was one of the best quarterbacks who played here," Chang said of his former teammate. "If Rolo had another two years, three years or so, imagine what he would have done with this offense. I see Joey in (Rolovich). It's his frame (6 feet 3, 215 pounds). It's his demeanor. It's his ability to throw the ball, understand where the ball needs to go on time. He's not going to wow you with his athleticism, but he's going to distribute the ball, and that's what reminds me the most of Rolo." Brayden Schager is atop the six-quarterback depth chart this spring. But Chang, who will call the offensive plays this season, said there is talent - and competition - in the quarterback room. "Schager gets the No. 1 spot, but Joey's right there," Chang said. "He's competing. He's throwing the ball right underneath the chin (of a receiver). He's understanding the standard of distributing the ball. I love where he's at. He's in a good place. He's calmer, confident, and he understands." - Honolulu Advertiser

QB Joey Yellen, rSr/2025 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 2* (00)
Recruiting Grade: 4* (37)

+ Transfer Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Transfer Player News & Notes

News Source: Honolulu Advertiser, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here

02/12/23 - ILB Keenan Pili, rSr/2025, Tennessee + More +

Tennessee's third spring football practice of the Josh Heupel era should be the most appealing one yet for defensive coordinator Tim Banks, who was having to play catch-up with Heupel and all the other assistants two years ago and had to work last spring with a secondary ravaged by injury. "It's exciting," Banks said this week in a news conference. "We just didn't have a bunch of guys in the back end last year, and they were beat up in the fall for the most part before camp started, so knowing that a lot of those guys will be able to participate is obviously a good thing because you invest. We talk about compound interest a lot, and obviously the more reps they can get, the better it is for them and the program. "Do we have everybody ready to go? We don't know, but at this point it seems on paper that we'll have our lion's share of guys who will be able to contribute this spring."

Tennessee had one of the biggest defensive meltdowns in program history last Nov. 19, traveling to South Carolina with the chance of continuing its College Football Playoff hopes only to get humiliated 63-38, surrendering 606 yards and 35 first downs. The Volunteers responded, however, by smothering Vanderbilt 56-0 in Nashville and then thumping Clemson 31-14 in the Orange Bowl to complete an 11-2 season. Edge rusher Byron Young and linebacker Jeremy Banks are among the seven Tennessee players who soon will be heading to Indianapolis for the NFL combine, but the cupboard isn't bare for the defense, which also has three newcomers via the transfer portal. The arrivals have occurred at each level - defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott from Arizona State, linebacker Keenan Pili from Brigham Young University and cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally also from BYU. - Chattanooga Times Free Press

ILB Keenan Pili, rSr/2025 Draft Class
Pro Scouting Grade: 3* (25)
Recruiting Grade: 3* (110)

+ Tennessee Roster/Recruiting/Scouting
Tennessee Player News & Notes

News Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press, Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here