Samwise College Football Newsletter
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Texas A&M Lands Five-Star LB Kaden Henderson, Building Nation’s Top 2027 Class
Texas A&M secured a major class of 2027 recruiting win Thursday when five-star outside linebacker Kaden Henderson committed to the Aggies on The Pat McAfee Show, choosing them over Notre Dame and LSU. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Tampa, Florida native attends Jesuit High School, where he has compiled 219 tackles across three varsity seasons. Henderson is ranked No. 24 overall in the SC Next 300. With the addition, Texas A&M is positioned to sign three of ESPN’s top 10 outside linebackers in the 2027 cycle and holds the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class under head coach Mike Elko.
Texas Lands Five-Star CB John Meredith III, Nation’s No. 1 Cornerback in 2027 Class
Texas secured a prime class of 2027 recruiting commitment Friday when five-star cornerback John Meredith III, ESPN’s No. 1-ranked cornerback in the cycle, chose the Longhorns. The in-state prospect picked Texas over in-state finalist Texas A&M following official visits with both programs in recent weeks. Meredith’s commitment further elevates Texas’s already-prominent 2027 recruiting class and delivers a blow to Texas A&M, which had been competing for the top-ranked corner. With the class of 2027 official visit period winding down on June 22, Texas and Texas A&M remain the state’s fiercest recruiting rivals.
Sources: ESPN
Protect College Sports Act Clears Senate Commerce Committee, Sets Up Floor Vote
The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act passed the Senate Commerce Committee by a 19-9 vote Thursday, marking the first time a college sports reform bill has advanced this far in the Senate. Introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, the bill would grant the NCAA antitrust protections covering athlete transfers, eligibility, and the compensation cap, while barring schools from circumventing revenue-sharing limits through NIL deals with associated entities. The SEC and Big Ten remain opposed, issuing a joint statement saying their revisions had not been accepted. Sen. Cruz said Senate Majority Leader John Thune intends to bring the bill to a floor vote in July.
Sources: CBS Sports
Clemson WR Tristan Smith Wins 5th-Year Eligibility; NCAA’s Baker Calls for Congress to Act
Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith was cleared for a fifth year of eligibility Friday when a South Carolina judge granted his injunction against the NCAA, citing the recent Sorsby v. NCAA ruling. Smith, who had played two years at junior college, one season at Southeast Missouri State, and one at Clemson, had his NCAA waiver denied before courts intervened. NCAA president Charlie Baker responded Saturday, publicly renewing his call for Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act. Baker said the ruling was the latest example of why the NCAA urgently needs antitrust protection to enforce consistent eligibility standards across college football.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Big 12 Keeps Lawsuit Against Texas Tech as Sorsby Pivots to NFL Supplemental Draft
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby applied for the 2026 NFL supplemental draft ahead of the June 22 deadline, ending his college football career amid ongoing legal battles. Sorsby, who admitted to placing more than 9,000 bets on sports while enrolled at Indiana, Cincinnati, and Texas Tech, had a Texas court injunction reinstating his eligibility before ultimately choosing the professional path. Despite Sorsby’s departure, the Big 12 is in no rush to withdraw its pending lawsuit against Texas Tech related to the eligibility dispute. Sorsby has tentatively scheduled a Pro Day for July 10 at Southlake Carroll High School outside Dallas.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
2026 Preseason Power Rankings
Off-Season Analyst Projections
1. Ohio State
2. Texas
3. Oregon
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgia
6. Indiana (Def. Natl. Champion)
7. LSU
8. Penn State
9. Miami
10. Clemson
AP Preseason Poll releases August 2026
2027 Recruiting Class Leaders
Off-Season Rankings (Early)
1. Texas A&M
2. Texas
3. Notre Dame
4. Ohio State
5. Oregon
Rankings shift daily as official visits conclude
Curated by JD · samwise.agency