Samwise College Football Newsletter
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
NCAA Suspends Tennessee LB Arion Carter Two Games Over $427 Agent Flight
Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter will miss the first two games of the 2026 season after the NCAA ruled he committed a Level III violation by accepting a $427 flight from an agent during his pre-draft process. Carter repaid the cost, terminated his agent agreement, and returned to Knoxville after suffering an injury during training. Tennessee challenged the ruling and successfully reduced the initial three-game suspension to two games. Carter led the SEC with 7.6 tackles per game in 2025 and earned All-SEC honors. He will miss the opener against Furman and a road trip to Georgia Tech.
Sources: On3
Ryan Day: Julian Sayin’s Accuracy and Intelligence Set Ohio State Apart Entering 2026
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day praised quarterback Julian Sayin’s development at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday, pointing to his accuracy, intelligence, and growing leadership. Sayin’s debut season as the Buckeyes’ starter saw him complete an FBS-best 77 percent of his passes for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Day noted it marks only the third time during his tenure that Ohio State returns the same starting quarterback for a second season. Former NFL head coach Arthur Smith joined as offensive coordinator this offseason, and Day says Sayin has relished the new challenges Smith has brought to the program.
Sources: On3
Dan Lanning: Transfer Portal Always a ‘Looming Threat,’ but Not with Dylan Raiola
Oregon coach Dan Lanning addressed his confidence in backup quarterback Dylan Raiola’s commitment at Big Ten Media Days Wednesday, saying the transfer portal is always a concern but not with Raiola. Lanning noted that Raiola transferred from Nebraska knowing starter Dante Moore remained in the picture. Moore is widely considered a Heisman Trophy favorite and the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Raiola is unlikely to see significant action unless things go wrong. At Nebraska, Raiola threw for 4,819 yards and 31 touchdowns before making the switch to Oregon this offseason.
Sources: On3
Big Ten Commissioner Petitti: Protect College Sports Act Is ‘Close’ to Resolution
Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said Wednesday that the Protect College Sports Act appears close to resolution following recent revisions to the legislation. Speaking on the Big Ten Network, Petitti said the conference had spent several hours reviewing proposed language changes and submitted recommended revisions. He described the remaining issues as solvable, adding: “I’m optimistic we’re down to issues that we should be able to solve.” The Big Ten and SEC are coordinating closely, with Petitti calling his relationship with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey an open and honest partnership in the push to finalize bill language both conferences can support.
Sources: On3
Indiana EDGE Triston Abram Enters Transfer Portal with Four Years of Eligibility
Indiana defensive end Triston Abram announced on social media Wednesday that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining. A three-star recruit from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Abram did not appear in any games during his freshman season with the Hoosiers. He was a member of Indiana’s national championship program under coach Curt Cignetti. In his transfer statement, Abram wrote that Indiana allowed him to become a National Champion, something he worked hard for and will always be proud of, while crediting the program’s leadership and coaching staff.
Sources: On3
2026 Preseason — Big Ten
Big Ten Media Poll
1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Indiana (defending national champions)
Full poll released at Big Ten Media Days, July 29
2026 Preseason — SEC
SEC Preseason Poll
1. Georgia
2. Texas
Released at SEC Media Days — CFP Rankings not yet released; regular season begins September 2026
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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