Samwise College Football Newsletter
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
No. 11 Recruit Tyler Atkinson Commits to Texas Longhorns Over Georgia and Clemson
Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns secured a landmark commitment Wednesday from Tyler Atkinson, the top-ranked outside linebacker in the 2026 recruiting class. Atkinson, a five-star prospect from Loganville, Georgia, is ranked No. 11 overall in the ESPN 300 and chose the Longhorns over Georgia, Clemson, and Oregon. He announced his decision live on The Pat McAfee Show, with the choice widely described as a head-to-head battle between Texas and the hometown Bulldogs. Atkinson made an official visit to Austin on June 20, and the Longhorns’ pitch proved decisive. His commitment immediately elevates Texas’s 2026 class and marks a significant recruiting win over a key SEC rival.
Texas Flips Top-100 Defensive Lineman James Johnson Away From Georgia
Texas completed a second major recruiting victory Wednesday when top-100 defensive lineman James Johnson flipped his commitment from Georgia to the Longhorns, giving the program its second win over the Bulldogs in a single day. Johnson, a four-star prospect who had been committed to Georgia since June 28, 2025, credited Longhorns defensive line coach Kenny Baker as the decisive factor. Baker’s coaching ability and player-development track record proved persuasive. The dual commitments of Atkinson and Johnson on the same day mark a dramatic reshaping of the national recruiting landscape and cement Texas’s rise toward the top of the 2027 class rankings.
Auburn and Aflac Kickoff Game Announce Multi-Million Dollar NIL Deal for Sept. 5 Baylor Opener
In a first for neutral-site college football, Auburn and the Aflac Kickoff Game announced a multi-million dollar NIL partnership ahead of the Tigers’ Sept. 5 opener against Baylor at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Up to 24 Auburn student-athletes will receive compensation through social media posts, public appearances, advertisements, and in-game promotions from July through game day. Auburn AD John Cohen emphasized the importance of third-party NIL opportunities for remaining competitive above the revenue-sharing cap. Peach Bowl CEO David Epps called it “an innovative way to create wins for the teams, programs and student-athletes.” It is the first neutral-site game NIL deal in college football history.
ACC Football Kickoff Opens in Charlotte; National Runner-Up Miami and Darian Mensah Headline Day One
The 2026 ACC Football Kickoff opened Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the conference’s three-day media event launching at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown. National runner-up Miami headlined Day One alongside head coach Mario Cristobal and quarterback Darian Mensah, the 2025 ACC Championship Game’s Most Valuable Player who transferred to Miami from Duke. Florida State, NC State, Stanford, and Virginia also participated Wednesday, with ACC Network airing live coverage from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. Cristobal and Mensah previewed the Hurricanes’ 2026 campaign ahead of their Sept. 4 opener at Stanford. Preseason-ranked Louisville and SMU are scheduled to appear Thursday and Friday respectively.
Big Ten Presidents Hold ‘Productive’ Talks With Senators Cruz and Cantwell on Protect College Sports Act
Four Big Ten university presidents, from Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and USC, met Tuesday with Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell to discuss the Protect College Sports Act, describing the conversations as “productive.” The meetings were notable given the Big Ten’s previous stance opposing the bipartisan legislation in its current form. In a statement, the four schools expressed support for the bill’s intent while calling for key revisions, including a workable NIL and revenue-sharing framework, sufficient liability protection, and preemption of state law. The legislation is on track for a full Senate floor vote after the Commerce Committee advanced it last month by a 19–9 margin.
2026 Early Preseason Rankings
Off-Season — Official Preseason AP Poll Releases Late August
1. Ohio State (defending national champion, post-spring #1)
2. Miami (2025 national runner-up)
3–25. Formal rankings to follow late August
2027 Recruiting Class Leaders
July 15 Update — Early Cycle
Texas — Major day: 5‑star LB Atkinson (No. 11 ESPN) + 4‑star DL Johnson flip from Georgia
Georgia — Lost two top‑100 commitments to Texas in one day
Official composite class rankings update continuously at 247Sports and On3
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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