Samwise College Football Newsletter
Friday, June 26, 2026
Texas Lands 2028 QB Neimann Lawrence at The Opening Finals
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian secured the Longhorns' first commitment in the 2028 recruiting class Thursday when dual-threat quarterback Neimann Lawrence pledged to Texas at The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Oregon. Lawrence, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound prospect from American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida, is ESPN's No. 2 dual-threat passer in the 2028 cycle. He announced his choice during a live segment on the CBS Sports College Football YouTube channel, selecting Texas over finalists Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame and Texas A&M. Lawrence is the fifth-ranked quarterback among the SC Next 300's class of 2028 passers.
Miami Hurricanes Land No. 25 Overall Prospect Kweli Fielder, Plus 2029 QB CJ Cypher
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal bolstered the Hurricanes' future pipeline with commitments from two Georgia prospects this week. Offensive tackle Kweli Fielder, ESPN's No. 25 overall prospect in the 2028 SC Next Junior 300 and the class's fourth-ranked offensive tackle, pledged to Miami after weighing offers from Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Texas A&M. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman from Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia, cannot formally sign until December 2027. Miami also landed 2029 quarterback CJ Cypher, also from Georgia, giving Cristobal back-to-back commitments from prospects in consecutive future recruiting classes.
FBS Committee Proposes Shorter Transfer Portal Window, Restructured Practice Schedule
The Division I Football Oversight Committee proposed substantial changes to college football's practice and transfer portal structures this week that could take effect in the 2027 season if approved. The proposal would shift to two out-of-season practice sessions totaling 21 practices, neither exceeding five weeks, replacing the traditional spring model. Preseason practices would decrease from 25 to 21 over a 27-day span. The transfer portal window would be cut from 15 to 10 days, opening on the first business day after January 1 each year. A plan to expand off-campus recruiting staff to 17 members is also under consideration. The proposals go to vote in August.
NFL Will Not Hold 2026 Supplemental Draft, Blocking Sorsby from Professional Football
The NFL will not hold a 2026 supplemental draft, the league announced this week, effectively ending Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's bid to play professional football this season. Sorsby had applied three business days before the June 22 deadline, after the Big 12 filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Tech related to his court-ordered eligibility reinstatement. The NFL's letter cited a lack of complete information surrounding the NCAA's gambling investigation, multiple rules violations, and noted Sorsby's petition arrived without supporting documentation. Sorsby admitted to placing more than $90,000 in bets on college and professional sports during his collegiate career. His attorney called the NFL's decision a CBA violation.
NCAA Division I Cabinet Approves Age-Based Five-Year Eligibility Model
The NCAA Division I Cabinet approved a new age-based eligibility model that fundamentally reshapes how student-athletes qualify to compete in college sports. Under the rule, athletes receive five years of eligibility beginning after their high school graduation or 19th birthday, whichever comes first. The model eliminates season-of-competition limits, sport-specific eligibility rules, redshirt rules and most eligibility extension waivers, with exceptions only for pregnancy, religious missions and active military service. For currently enrolled athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year, schools may apply whichever set of rules is more beneficial. Full implementation applies to student-athletes enrolling in the fall of 2027 or later.
Final AP Top 10 — 2025–26 Season
Season Ended Jan. 20, 2026
1. Indiana (16–0) — CFP Champions
2. Miami (13–3)
3. Mississippi (13–2)
4. Oregon (13–2)
5. Ohio State
6. Georgia (12–2)
7. Texas Tech (12–2)
8. Texas A&M (11–2)
9. Alabama (11–4)
10. Notre Dame (10–2)
Off-Season Watch
2027 Recruiting Class
No. 1 — Texas A&M
Transfer Portal
Window Closed (Jan. 2–16, 2026)
Next window opens Jan. 2027
Season Opens
Week 0: Late Aug. 2026
Curated by JD · samwise.agency