Samwise College Football Newsletter
Sunday, August 16, 2026
No. 4 Texas Defense Leads the Way in First Fall Camp Scrimmage Despite Flu Outbreak
No. 4 Texas ran its first full fall camp scrimmage Saturday at Darrell K Royal Stadium, with the season opener against Texas State exactly three weeks away. Coach Steve Sarkisian said the defense was “a little bit ahead” on the day. Cornerback Graceson Littleton recorded a 75-yard interception return, and safety Jonah Williams added an end-zone pick to stop a drive. Multiple starters — including linebacker Rasheem Biles, linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith, and receiver Daylan McCutcheon — sat out after a flu outbreak swept through the program. Sarkisian described the starting offensive line as settled and said he was “really encouraged” by what the unit showed.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Alabama Hit with Double Injury Blow: RB Dear Out Six Weeks, 5-Star CB Edmonds Also Sidelined
Alabama endured a punishing first week of fall camp. Running back AK Dear, competing to replace departed starter Jam Miller, suffered an ankle injury in Thursday’s first scrimmage and is expected to miss approximately six weeks, ruling him out for the first month of the regular season. Coach Kalen DeBoer said Dear “was having a real nice scrimmage” before going down. Separately, five-star freshman cornerback Edmonds — rated the No. 29 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class — is expected to miss at least several weeks with a lower-body injury sustained before Thursday’s scrimmage. Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee are expected to hold the starting cornerback spots.
Sources: Saturday Down South
Fall Camp Week One Standouts: Ohio State Transfer McCuin Makes Push to Displace Veteran Innis
With fall camp’s first week complete, several players have separated themselves as early national standouts. At Ohio State, UTSA transfer Devin McCuin — who recorded 152 receptions, 1,696 yards, and 16 touchdowns across three seasons with the Roadrunners — is reportedly pushing ahead of Brandon Innis in the race for the No. 2 receiver role behind Jeremiah Smith. At Alabama, five-star true freshman running back EJ Crowell impressed during padded practices despite being among the youngest players on the roster. At Miami, veteran defensive tackle Justin Scott is taking a featured role after playing the second-most snaps on the team last fall, showing enhanced quickness and tenacity in camp.
Sources: CBS Sports
BYU Offense Wins 102-Play First Scrimmage as Cougars Begin New Pac-12 Era
BYU completed its first intrasquad scrimmage of 2026 fall camp Saturday morning at LaVell Edwards Stadium, with coach Kalani Sitake declaring the offense a slight winner after 102 plays. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier led the offensive unit to the upper hand over the defense. Sitake noted the offensive line was not at full strength, with some players battling concussion symptoms and minor ailments, but described heated competition along the line of scrimmage throughout. The Cougars enter 2026 as members of the relaunched Pac-12 Conference, which began operations July 1 with seven new members joining holdovers Oregon State and Washington State.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Preseason Coaches Poll Top 6
AP Preseason Poll drops Monday, Aug. 17
1. Ohio State (38 of 72 first-place votes)
2. Oregon
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. Notre Dame
6. Indiana (defending champion, 14 first-place votes)
Season Status
Off-Season / Fall Camp
Season opens Aug. 29 (Week 0)
34 FBS programs have new head coaches
Pac-12 relaunched July 1 with 9 member schools
CFP Rankings begin Week 9 (Tuesdays)
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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