Samwise College Football Newsletter
Friday, July 24, 2026
Arch Manning Calls 2025 ‘a Bummer’ and Vows a New Chapter at SEC Media Days
Arch Manning called his 2025 campaign at Texas “a bummer” at SEC Media Days on Thursday, and immediately made clear he’s done dwelling on it. The Longhorns went 10-3 but Manning absorbed 23 sacks, and early losses to Florida and Auburn clouded what became a 7-1 finish. “Comparison is the defeat of joy,” Manning said, pushing back on expectations tied to his famous name. Texas retooled, adding receiver Cam Coleman from Auburn and running backs Hollywood Smothers (N.C. State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State). Steve Sarkisian said what Manning endured “would have melted or destroyed 99% of people in his shoes.” Texas opens at Ohio State on Sept. 12.
Sources: AP / Click On Detroit Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Lane Kiffin Delivers 18-Minute Opening Monologue, Quits Social Media in LSU Debut
Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut at SEC Media Days on Thursday came with a statement — literally. The new Tigers head coach opened with an 18-minute, 2,807-word monologue that left room for only four media questions. Kiffin, now at his third SEC school following Tennessee (2009) and Ole Miss (2020-25), has also sworn off Twitter and all social media after his son challenged him to delete every app from his phone. Six months into the job, LSU has assembled more five-star signees and commits than in the previous six years combined, Kiffin noted — proof, he argued, the move was right. LSU visits Tennessee on Nov. 21 at Neyland Stadium.
Sources: Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
5-Star CB John Meredith III Reclassifies from 2027, Will Enroll at Texas This Fall
The nation’s top cornerback is heading to Austin a year ahead of schedule. John Meredith III, the No. 1 cornerback and No. 3 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class according to 247Sports, has reclassified to 2026 and will enroll at Texas this fall. A high school transfer ruling had left Meredith ineligible for his senior season, effectively clearing the path for an early departure. Meredith committed to the Longhorns on June 19, and head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed the reclassification at SEC Media Days on Thursday. Texas now adds an elite cornerback to its 2026 roster just weeks before fall camp begins.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Sarkisian Heaps Praise on Former Alabama Colleague Kiffin: ‘Lane’s a Really Good Coach’
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had nothing but kind words for new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin at SEC Media Days on Thursday, calling his former colleague “a really good coach” who “does not look at things traditionally.” The two worked together under Nick Saban at Alabama in 2016. “I’m very proud of Lane. I know he’s made a lot of changes personally. I’m really proud of him, and I think those personal changes have led to on-field success,” Sarkisian said. It won’t be purely collegial for long: Texas travels to Baton Rouge on Nov. 14 in what could be a pivotal SEC matchup with College Football Playoff implications.
Day 4 SEC Media Days Wrap: Sarkisian’s Schedule Gripes, Silverfield’s Notorious B.I.G. Aura
SEC Media Days closed in Tampa on Thursday with coaches making their 2026 pitches. Sarkisian turned heads with a pointed counterfactual: “If we don’t play Ohio State and play Jones Jr. High, we’re 10-2, and our losses are to Georgia and Florida, and we’re a playoff team.” Arkansas’ new head coach Ryan Silverfield answered low expectations with bravado: “I got a hot wife for a reason. I can get down. I can recite Notorious B.I.G lyrics… I’ve got enough aura.” Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby praised defensive coordinator Zach Arnett, a former Starkville head coach: “I coached against him. Didn’t enjoy going against him. I knew what I was getting.”
Sources: Last Word on Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
2026 Early Preseason Rankings
Off-Season — Official Preseason AP Poll Releases Late August
1. Ohio State (defending national champion)
2. Miami (2025 national runner-up)
3–25. Formal rankings to follow late August
SEC Media Days 2026 — Tampa
July 20–23 — Concluded Thursday
Day 4 (Jul 23): Kiffin, Silverfield, Lebby, Sarkisian
6 new SEC head coaches entering 2026 season
12-team CFP continues; Championship Jan. 25 in Las Vegas
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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