Samwise College Football Newsletter
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
LSU Locks Up No. 1 Tight End in 2027 Class as Lane Kiffin's Recruiting Machine Rolls On
Lane Kiffin's first full recruiting class at LSU gained a marquee addition when five-star tight end Ahmad Hudson of Ruston, Louisiana, committed to the Tigers over Nebraska. Hudson, the top tight end in the 2027 class and No. 11 overall by 247Sports, accelerated his timeline and cut his list to two finalists before choosing Baton Rouge. Kiffin and position coach Charles Weis Jr. maintained daily communication through the spring, ultimately winning out over the Cornhuskers. The commitment lifts LSU seven spots in the 2027 recruiting rankings to No. 7 nationally and marks the second-highest-rated tight end pledge in program history, trailing only Arik Gilbert's 2020 commitment.
Sources: Last Word on Sports, 247Sports
FBI Could Investigate Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby as NCAA Gambling Case Escalates
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's gambling scandal escalated this week as reports emerged that the FBI may join the NCAA investigation into his alleged sports-betting activity. Sorsby, one of the Big 12's most productive signal-callers, entered inpatient treatment for a gambling addiction and is on indefinite leave from the program. He retained attorney Jeffrey Kessler — known for the Tom Brady Deflategate case — to protect his eligibility. The critical issue: Sorsby allegedly bet on his own team, Indiana, as a 2022 freshman, an offense carrying permanent loss of eligibility under NCAA rules. Georgia's Kirby Smart and Nick Saban have each called the case an expensive lesson for college football.
Sources: Heartland College Sports, CBS Sports
Post-Spring Top 25 Released: Miami and Texas Lead as Indiana Faces Uncertain QB Transition
With spring practices complete, college football analysts released their post-spring Top 25 rankings, offering the clearest early snapshot of the 2026 season. CBS Sports' Brad Crawford places Miami at No. 1 behind Lane Kiffin's Darian Mensah-led offense, while colleague Brandon Marcello puts Texas atop his board with Arch Manning at quarterback. On3's Crain and Cone rank Ohio State and Georgia at the top of their list. Defending national champion Indiana, which lost Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, appears at No. 6 in most rankings as Josh Hoover adjusts to the starting role. Texas Tech fell dramatically across all boards following the Brendan Sorsby gambling scandal.
Sources: On3, Saturday Down South
No. 1 2027 Recruit Jalen Brewster Completes SMU Visit, Texas Tech Commitment Holds — For Now
Five-star defensive lineman Jalen Brewster, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, completed an official visit to SMU over the weekend and left impressed with the Mustangs' pitch. Brewster, who committed to Texas Tech in October 2025, told reporters that SMU made him their top recruiting priority. “I'm No. 1 on their board,” Brewster said after the visit. Analysts still consider the Cedar Hill, Texas, product solidly committed to the Red Raiders, but his string of official visits to Florida, Indiana and now SMU signals real openness. Texas Tech plans a June official visit with Brewster as head coach Joey McGuire's critical retention opportunity.
Sources: On3
The 2026 Portal Blueprint: QBs and Pass Rushers Lead CBS Sports' 26 Most Important Transfers
CBS Sports released its list of the 26 most impactful transfers heading into the 2026 college football season, with quarterbacks and pass rushers topping the rankings as programs fully embrace the win-now portal era. Headlining the group is Darian Mensah, the ACC champion quarterback who left Duke for Lane Kiffin's Miami offense, and Pittsburgh pass-rusher Rasheem Biles, who joins Texas to shore up a depleted defensive front. The report highlights a stark conference divide: the Big Ten and SEC retained nearly all elite portal additions, while the ACC and Big 12 lost more than half their top players to Power Two programs, further widening the resource gap between conference tiers.
Sources: CBS Sports
Post-Spring Consensus Top 10
Off-Season Rankings — Based on Spring Practices
1. Miami (Hurricanes)
2. Texas (Longhorns)
3. Ohio State (Buckeyes)
4. Oregon (Ducks)
5. Georgia (Bulldogs)
6. Indiana (Hoosiers, def. champs)
7. Notre Dame (Fighting Irish)
8. LSU (Tigers)
9. Penn State (Nittany Lions)
10. Alabama (Crimson Tide)
Conference Watch
SEC
Georgia, Texas, LSU, Alabama
Big Ten
Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Penn State
Big 12
Oklahoma, Kansas State, Baylor
ACC
Miami, Clemson, Florida State
2027 Recruiting Leaders
Texas A&M, USC, Alabama, LSU (#7)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency