Samwise College Football Newsletter
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Senate Adjourns Without Vote on Protect College Sports Act; September Vote “Guaranteed”
The U.S. Senate adjourned for its August recess without voting on the Protect College Sports Act, pushing a potential resolution to college athletics’ NIL landscape into September. Senators Ted Cruz and Eric Schmitt, key backers of the legislation, said the vote is “guaranteed” when Congress returns from recess. The bill has drawn significant opposition, including from the Congressional Black Caucus, while President Donald Trump has publicly urged lawmakers to pass it. Multiple amendments and procedural holds have complicated the bill’s path forward, underscoring the contentious debate over how to structure legal oversight of the college sports era.
Texas WR Cam Coleman Makes Highlight-Reel One-Handed Catch at Fall Camp
Transfer receiver Cam Coleman gave Texas fans an early fall camp highlight Saturday, hauling in a spectacular one-handed catch behind his body during practice in Austin. Coleman transferred to the Longhorns from Auburn, where he caught 56 passes for 708 yards in 2025. The grab circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to Texas’s receiving corps as the Longhorns prepare for a demanding 2026 schedule. Coleman immediately projects as a key weapon for a Texas offense that includes several other experienced playmakers. The Longhorns face a marquee early test against No. 1 Ohio State in Week 2 of the season.
Sources: Saturday Down South
LSU True Freshman DT Deuce Geralds Earning First-Team Reps at Fall Camp
True freshman defensive tackle Deuce Geralds is making a strong early impression at LSU fall camp, earning first-team interior defensive line reps just days into practice. The 6-foot-1, 279-pound Geralds, who prepped at Collins Hill High School in Georgia, is working alongside Auburn transfer Malik Blockton on the Tigers’ defensive front. Geralds is the only true freshman positioned to earn a starting role on LSU’s defensive line when the 2026 season opens. The rapid emergence of an unproven first-year player on the interior reflects strong early reviews from the Tigers’ coaching staff.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Deion Sanders Confident Heading Into Year 4 at Colorado: “This Is Football — I’m Really Good at This”
Deion Sanders enters Year 4 at Colorado projecting unmistakable confidence heading into what many view as a pivotal season for his program. The 16-21 Buffaloes head coach dismissed pressure questions at fall camp this week, saying “This is football … I’m really good at this.” Sanders offered a pointed perspective on the concept: “You know how pressure is? That’s a single mama trying to make ends meet and ain’t no man in the house.” Sanders, who went 9-4 in 2024, acknowledged that roster building in the NIL era requires financial investment and said he returns at full health for 2026.
10 Quarterbacks to Watch During 2026 Fall Camp: Hoover, Manning, Lagway and More
With fall camp underway across the country, On3 identified 10 quarterbacks worth monitoring ahead of the 2026 college football season. Indiana’s Josh Hoover headlines the list, along with Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed, Florida’s DJ Lagway, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, Duke’s Darian Mensah, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Minnesota’s Will Hammond, and Arch Manning of Texas. The group spans multiple Power Four conferences and represents programs ranging from playoff contenders to teams aiming to break through in 2026. How they perform in August practices will shape early-season expectations and depth chart decisions.
Ohio State Lands $15M-Per-Year JPMorgan Chase Jersey Patch Deal; Ryan Day: “Ohio State Football Can’t Fail”
Ohio State announced a jersey patch sponsorship deal with JPMorgan Chase valued at $15 million annually — one of the most lucrative arrangements in college football, second only to Notre Dame’s partnership with SoFi. Head coach Ryan Day said the investment reflects Ohio State’s commitment to staying competitive in the NIL era, asserting that the program “can’t fail.” Day credited Athletic Director Ross Bjork and university president Ravi Bellamkonda for adapting to a changing talent-acquisition landscape. He also stressed recruiting players who understand the Buckeye legacy: “guys that understand what this means and not just coming in for money or for what they can get out of the place.”
Rivals No. 1 Quarterback Christopher Vargas Commits to Ohio State’s Top-Ranked 2028 Class
Ohio State landed a major recruiting commitment Saturday when Christopher Vargas, the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the Rivals 2028 class, pledged to the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound signal-caller from St. John’s Preparatory School in Lawrence, Massachusetts chose Ohio State over Georgia, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, and Stanford. As a sophomore, Vargas completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 2,038 yards with 24 touchdowns. “Gifted arm talent who looks like one of the purest passers early on in the 2028 cycle,” said Rivals Director of Scouting Charles Power. Vargas joins what Rivals already ranks as the nation’s No. 1 overall 2028 class.
Sources: On3 / Rivals
Coaches Poll Preseason Top 10
AP Poll releases Aug 17
1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. Notre Dame
6. Indiana (def. champs)
7. Miami
8. Texas A&M
9. Oklahoma
10. Ole Miss
Preseason Conference Favorites
SEC
Georgia (No. 3) · Texas A&M (No. 8)
Big Ten
Ohio State (No. 1) · Oregon (No. 2)
Big 12
Oklahoma (No. 9) · Texas (No. 4)
ACC
Miami (No. 7) · Notre Dame (No. 5)
Source
USA Today Coaches Poll, Aug. 4, 2026
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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