Big 12 Football

Oklahoma wide receivers coach Cale Gundy announced his resignation after reading a "shameful and hurtful" word displayed on a player's iPad during a team meeting last week.

Gundy, who had served as an assistant coach at his alma mater since 1999, released a statement detailing the incident late Sunday night:

Sooner Nation, thank you. pic.twitter.com/BYBOjObGna

— Cale Gundy (@calegundy) August 8, 2022

"It's with sadness that I accept Coach Gundy's resignation. He's dedicated more than half his life to Oklahoma Football and has served our program and university well," coach Brent Venables said in a statement. "We're thankful for that commitment. We also acknowledge that in stepping aside he's placed the program and the welfare of our student-athletes first. In coaching and in life, we're all accountable for our actions and the resulting outcomes."

Venables said in a subsequent statement on Monday that Gundy read a "racially charged word that is objectionable to everyone" out loud multiple times:

Monday statement from head football coach Brent Venables: pic.twitter.com/grSwj3YlPC

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) August 8, 2022

Venables announced L'Damian Washington will replace Gundy as wide receivers coach on an interim basis.

According to the statement released by Gundy, he picked up the player's iPad after noticing he was distracted in the film session and then read a message aloud to the room. The message included an undisclosed word, which he read verbatim.

Gundy said he "did not even realize" what he was reading until the words came out of his mouth.

Joe Mixon, who played under Gundy during his time at Oklahoma, released a lengthy statement defending the coach early Monday morning. The now-Cincinnati Bengals running back said Gundy never displayed any form of racism during his time in Norman.

Sooner Nation This Ain’t Right‼️ @OU_Football pic.twitter.com/2WoKGrxcXX

— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) August 8, 2022

“I know racists,” Mixon said in the statement. “I have witnessed both obvious and discreet forms of racism and have known and detested even more actual racist. Coach Gundy is the farthest thing from this type of person. I spent every day for the 1,000 days I was in Norman with him. And I never saw anything that would lead anyone to believe this or think this."

Gabe Ikard of SiriusXM reported speaking to multiple Oklahoma players who said a "vast majority" of the team wanted Gundy to stay on. However, in the aftermath, Gundy felt it was best for him to walk away from the program.

Texas continued its momentum on the recruiting trail by landing 5-star receiver Johntay Cook, per Mike Roach of 247Sports.

The DeSoto, Texas, product is considered the sixth-best wide receiver in the 2023 class and No. 36 player overall in 247Sports' composite rankings. He chose Texas over finalists Oregon and Michigan, crediting head coach Steve Sarkisian and receivers coach Brennan Marion with helping him make the decision.

"Honestly, I'm ready to come home," Cook said. "It's just the right fit for me. I couldn't go wrong. Coach Sark is an offensive genius. Texas has been loving me since day one. Since the new staff got in there, it's been constant love. As soon as coach Marion got in there, it was like I've known him for two years. It's the best situation for me."

Cook is the third 5-star recruit in the 2023 class for Texas, joining top quarterback Arch Manning and safety Derek Williams.

The addition of Manning has seemingly been a major draw for recruits:

How important is a commitment from someone like Arch Manning? Texas has added nine commits since Manning announced for the Longhorns last week.

QBs are often the pied pipers of a class, and the Arch Manning effect is real. https://t.co/JENPetRuaW

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) June 29, 2022

Cook said Manning called him before committing to encouraging him to also join the Longhorns. The receiver showed his excitement about the quarterbacks he will be working with in Austin.

"With Arch Manning, nobody is going to be able to fool with me and him," Cook said. "Freshman year I'll have Quinn Ewers, so I'm arguably going to have the best two quarterbacks in college football."

The 6'0", 175-pound wideout has been a big-time playmaker during his high school career. In 2021, he had 19 receiving touchdowns on just 38 catches.

Woods could provide a significant boost to Texas coming off a 5-7 season in the first year under Sarkisian.

Texas landed one of the most high-profile recruits in years in Arch Manning, but the top quarterback prospect won't necessarily see the field early in his college career.

Manning, considered the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports composite rankings, announced Thursday he will play his college ball in Austin:

Committed to the University of Texas. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/jHYbjBaF5K

— Arch Manning (@ArchManning) June 23, 2022

The issue is the Longhorns will have a loaded quarterback room by the time Manning arrives on campus.

Here is a projected quarterback depth chart for the team in 2023:

1. Quinn Ewers, Sophomore
2. Arch Manning, Freshman
   
3. Hudson Card, Junior
   
4. Maalik Murphy, Sophomore
   
5. Charles Wright, Sophomore
   

Manning is an obvious talent who comes with impressive pedigree as the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning.

"He does have a big arm," a coach who recruited Manning told Pete Thamel of ESPN. "He's a lot more mobile than everyone thinks. He's not like a Manning who can't move. He can get out of trouble. He's not a statue in pocket. He played basketball and can dunk.

"He's a prototypical kid that sees the field well. He's not going to make bad decisions and not make bad plays worse and will truly run the offense."

The 6'4", 215-pound Louisiana prep star will join a team that already has an elite prospect at the position:

Y’all do know that Quinn Ewers gets to start an entire season before Arch Manning steps foot on campus, right? Ewers, like Arch, had a perfect 1.0000 rating on the 247 sports composite. He too was a “can’t miss” prospect. He’s not transferring, Arch is gonna have to wait.

— Julian Council (@JulianCouncil) June 23, 2022

Ewers was the No. 1 overall prospect in 2021, initially committing to Ohio State before transferring to Texas. The redshirt freshman has yet to see the field for UT, but he is expected to take over as the Longhorns' starting quarterback in 2022.

As long as he reaches even modest expectations, it doesn't seem likely Texas would bench its incumbent starter for a true freshman. Ewers, not Manning, would likely be the key in getting the program back on track after a 5-7 finish in the first year under head coach Steve Sarkisian.

The rest of the depth chart also features some exciting options, including Card. The Austin native is the only returning player with college experience, appearing in eight games last season while making two starts.

The sophomore totaled five touchdowns with just one interception during his time on the field, completing 61.4 percent of his passes. As a former 4-star recruit who was considered the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in his class, Card represents another strong option for Texas.

Murphy is another high-upside quarterback who was a 4-star recruit in 2022, committing to the Longhorns over Alabama.

It means snaps won't just be given to Manning—they will need to be earned.

The most likely scenario is Manning redshirts as a freshman or sees limited playing time behind Ewers. If Ewers leaves for the 2024 NFL draft, it will be up to Manning to beat out the more experienced Card and Murphy for a starting role in his second year with the program.

Will Randle, a 3-star tight end from Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, has committed to the Texas Longhorns, per multiple reports.

Texas lands a commitment from 2023 TE Will Randle, according to Nelson Stewart, his coach at Isidore Newman.

Randle, a 3-star prospect, earned an offer from the Longhorns last summer during camp season.

He is teammates with No. 1 overall 2023 prospect Arch Manning.

— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) June 19, 2022

Randle has been catching passes at Isidore Newman from the top prospect in the class of 2023, quarterback Arch Manning.

Randle confirmed his commitment on Twitter:

Something in the orange. #commited 🤘🏻 pic.twitter.com/ah7C8VDhki

— Will Randle (@WillRandle87) June 19, 2022

According to 247Sports' composite rankings, Randle is considered the No. 670 player in the class of 2023, the No. 34 overall tight end and the 25th-best player in the state of Louisiana.

"His route-running is good. He goes in and out breaks well, and he hasn't even reached his top speed [yet]. He's a three-sport athlete," Isidore Newman head coach Nelson Stewart told Jason Suchomel of Orangebloods. "As much as Arch, [Will] has redefined our offense. And you know, obviously we build things off Arch, but the structure of what we do and how we do it is go to Will Randle. I can't say enough good things about him."

Breaking: Will Randle commits to Texas, sources tell @On3Recruits @InsideTexas https://t.co/aynJueCzrD pic.twitter.com/XJko9N2z0Q

— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) June 19, 2022

Here’s a story I did last summer on new #Longhorns commit Will Randle. The Newman TE is now a member of the 2023 recruiting class for Texas.

https://t.co/eTrcfXgopo

— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) June 19, 2022

Randle has also played basketball and baseball for Isidore Newman. Alongside Texas, he received offers from Alabama, Florida State, LSU and Miami, among others.

He'll add to an incoming 2023 recruiting class for Texas that currently ranks 23rd in the country, per 247Sports' composite rankings, though one that lags behind Big 12 foes Texas Tech (No. 2), TCU (No. 15), Baylor (No. 16), West Virginia (No. 18) and Iowa State (No. 19).

Rival Oklahoma has the No. 31-ranked prospect haul, although Lincoln Riley's defection to USC has seen several Sooners recruits decommit to follow him to Los Angeles.

The Longhorns are believed to be one of the top contenders for Manning, which would dramatically prop up their ranking. While the Longhorns don't boast a 5-star recruit in their 2023 group, they do have five 4-star players in wideout Ryan Niblett, safety Jamel Johnson, defensive lineman Dylan Spencer, linebacker S'Maje Burrell and running back Tre Wisner.

Randle is one of two incoming tight ends for Texas, joining fellow 3-star recruit Spencer Shannon out of California's Mater Dei.

The Big 12 will add four new schools in the summer of 2023.

Central Florida, Cincinnati, Houston and BYU will officially join the conference next summer.

American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco announced Friday the AAC has reached early-exit agreements with UCF, Cincinnati and Houston that will take effect July 1, 2023, and allow them to move to the Big 12.

UCF, Cincinnati and Houston are officially headed to the Big 12 in 2023. pic.twitter.com/70XfFtxuZQ

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) June 10, 2022

The Big 12 announced in September that all four schools would join the conference "no later than the 2024-25 athletic year."

Per ESPN's Heather Dinich, AAC bylaws require schools to give a 27-month notice before they leave in addition to paying a $10 million buyout fee. The earliest exit date for the schools if they abided by those rules would have been July 1, 2024.

Aresco told Dinich the AAC was willing to negotiate a higher exit fee that would allow UCF, Cincinnati and Houston to leave early:

"We typically do, because it's not a great situation when you know somebody's leaving. Often you can mitigate some of that by just again getting a larger exit fee and having them leave earlier so we'll certainly be willing to negotiate that as we've done in the past and as other conferences have done in the past, but I can't tell you precisely yet at this point, nobody's indicated what year."

Per Brett McMurphy of the Action Network, the three schools are paying $18 million apiece to leave early after the AAC initially sought $45 million.

All of these moves come after Texas and Oklahoma accepted invitations in July to join the SEC from the Big 12.

Per Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman, the 2024-25 athletic year is "still a more realistic target date" for the Longhorns and Sooners to leave.

If that ends up being the case, the Big 12 will have 14 members for the 2023-24 athletic year.

Cincinnati, Houston and UCF are reportedly in talks with the American Athletic Conference about a settlement that would allow them to leave for the Big 12 in 2023 instead of 2024.

Brett McMurphy of the Action Network reported Tuesday the schools are discussing an agreement worth in the "$17 million to $20 million range" after AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco sought a $35 million early-exit fee.

Sources told McMurphy the three programs are "fully confident" a deal will be finalized this month.

A whirlwind of movement started last July when Oklahoma and Texas accepted offers to join the SEC no later than 2025, which jump-started a battle between the conferences to remain viable once the dust settled from the realignment.

Losing OU and UT, its two most valuable programs, led the Big 12 to seek an expansion to 14 teams that it will achieve with the addition of the three AAC schools and BYU, which will give up its independent status in football.

Now, with most of the conference changes having been agreed to, schools are beginning to seek early departures to avoid the multiyear wait times before the switch.

A fee of up to $20 million is no small thing. In November, Russ Heltman of Sports Illustrated noted Cincinnati spent $74 million on athletics during the 2020-21 school year. So, all other things being equal, adding the settlement on top would represent a 27 percent increase in spending.

The television deal is the equalizer, though. Cincinnati will go from $6 million per year from that revenue stream to $26 million annually following the Big 12 move, per Heltman.

In other words, the early-exit fee could pay for itself in year one and then turn into pure profit from that point forward.

Meanwhile, the timing of the AAC departures is going to have an impact on other changes.

There are six Conference USA programs waiting to join the AAC—Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UT San Antonio—and three other C-USA teams heading to the Sun Belt—Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Miss.

In turn, C-USA has added Jacksonville State, Liberty, New Mexico State and Sam Houston State with discussions to also bring in Eastern Kentucky and Tarleton State, though the latter discussions have been tabled for now, per McMurphy.

So, while the wheeling and dealing continues, college sports fans can expect a lot of new rivalries no later than 2025 and possibly as soon as 2023.

When Hue Jackson was head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2016, he invited Art Briles to training camp, saying he would "learn from anybody if they can help us," according to the Monroe News-Star's Ethan Sands.

Briles had just been fired as head coach of the Baylor Bears for mishandling reports of sexual assault against members of the football team.

"I've gotten to know Coach Briles," Jackson said two years ago, according to Sands. "I'm always looking for different ways of doing things. What happened at Baylor's at Baylor."

Jackson added:

I respect what you're saying [about character] and understand that trail, but, at the same time, everybody deserves an opportunity to do what they do. I respect everybody's feeling and I don't condone anything ... but that's not for me to judge. Again, the opportunity to pick his brain ... and get to know him outside of all of that in a different capacity is what was important to me.

Jackson's tenure with the Browns ended in 2018, and in December he was hired as head coach of the Grambling State Tigers.

Briles is set to join the program as offensive coordinator, but, according to Koki Riley of the Monroe News-Star, Grambling State hasn't told the University of Louisiana System that it plans to hire Briles. A majority of the 16-person board must approve the hiring.

Briles has not coached since he was fired by Baylor.

Caleb Williams has landed his first NIL deal since transferring from Oklahoma to USC, signing with Beats by Dre, the company announced Friday. 

Thank you @beatsbydre ✌🏽 https://t.co/yfXnbno0Qy

— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) February 5, 2022

Williams announced his decision to transfer to USC earlier this week after spending just one season with the Sooners. He followed new Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley, who coached him at Oklahoma in 2021, to California. 

✌🏽 #FightOn pic.twitter.com/vBSwi86gpb

— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) February 1, 2022

Williams served as the Sooners starting quarterback in 2021, replacing Spencer Rattler, who was inconsistent. He completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns against four interceptions in 11 games. He also rushed for 442 yards and six scores. 

Devon Campbell is going to provide a big boost to the Texas offensive line in 2022 after committing to the program on Wednesday. 

Campbell announced his decision to play for the Longhorns on CBS Sports HQ.

BREAKING: The top-ranked offensive line prospect in the country in Arlington (Texas) Bowie five-star Devon Campbell has committed to the #Longhorns adding to the best OL class in America in the 2022 cycle: https://t.co/oPToLYPsIC pic.twitter.com/j5ZuBKLmnj

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) February 2, 2022

An elite high-school athlete from Texas, Campbell played both basketball and football at Bowie High School. The Arlington native will turn his attention full-time to the gridiron when he arrives on campus. 

Listed at 6'3" and 310 pounds, Campbell has all the makings of developing into an elite offensive lineman. He's a 5-star prospect who is ranked as the top-ranked interior lineman and No. 9 overall player in the 2022 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. 

Gabe Brooks, midland regions recruiting analyst for 247Sports, raved about Campbell's athleticism in his scouting report:

Adequate height with enough space to get to the 300-pound plateau. Lack of context in the length department. Terrific functional athleticism that manifests in pulling ability and second-level blocking. Nimble athlete who looks natural at full gallop in space. Heavy-handed and flashes promising punch power. Terrorizes second-level defenders and looks for extra work after eliminating first target. Blocks to the ground when able.

One thing that is essential to succeeding as head coach at the University of Texas is being able to recruit well within the state. 

Head coach Steve Sarkisian, who took over the program from Tom Herman in January 2021, landed 15 of his 23 recruits last year from the state of Texas. 

Heading into his first full recruiting cycle, Sarkisian is proving to be quite adept at keeping players in Texas. Nineteen of his 27 recruits for 2022 hail from the Lone Star State.

The next step for the Longhorns will be developing all of this talent, including Campbell, to bring them back to national prominence. They have finished under .500 four times in the past eight seasons after having just one losing season from 1998-2013. 

Caleb Williams may have shifted the balance of power in the 2022 College Football Playoff race by announcing his transfer to USC, where he'll reunite with former Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley.

Williams confirmed the decision to ESPN's Pete Thamel on Tuesday.

"I wanted to go somewhere I thought would provide me with the best development both on and off the field. ... Getting to know Coach Riley and gaining familiarity with his offense definitely played a part in my selection, as well as already knowing some [of] the guys on the team," he said.

After closing out the 2021 regular season with a loss to Oklahoma State, Oklahoma experienced an exodus.

Riley left for USC, taking defensive coordinator Alex Grinch with him. Spencer Rattler, a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, transferred to South Carolina. Jadon Haselwood and Austin Stogner departed as well.

That's to say nothing of the recruits who decommitted after Riley took the USC job.

While not unexpected, Williams' announcement Jan. 3 that he was entering the transfer portal turned heads:

pic.twitter.com/8GcVHURSIL

— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) January 3, 2022

The freshman quarterback left the door open to returning to the Sooners, explaining how entering the portal was the only way he could speak with other schools and remain within NCAA rules.

Wide receiver Theo Wease withdrew from the portal in December, opting to remain with Oklahoma.

Still, first-year head coach Brent Venables found himself having to recruit Williams back to Norman. Venables and athletic director Joe Castiglione issued a joint statement saying, in part, "We believe OU provides Caleb the best opportunity to develop as a player and realize his goals for college and beyond":

Statement from Joe Castiglione and Brent Venables on today’s announcement by Caleb Williams: pic.twitter.com/qGHlDqIDp2

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) January 3, 2022

Speaking with Thamel after Williams' announcement, his father, Carl Williams, laid out his son's priorities:

Carl Williams: “Professional development. We want Caleb to be ready to play when he becomes a pro. You go to college to get prepared for your career. His chosen career path is professional football. We want him to be prepared for when that time comes.”

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 3, 2022

With the NCAA's relaxing its transfer rules and allowing players to have one freebie, situations like this are more common. But Williams was something of an anomaly.

Joe Burrow and Justin Fields left Ohio State and Georgia, respectively, because they didn't see a path to the starting role. Jalen Hurts exchanged Alabama's shade of crimson for that of Oklahoma because he had been eclipsed by Tua Tagovailoa.

With Rattler gone, Williams was the entrenched starter for the Sooners. His status for 2022 wasn't in doubt, and QBs don't typically bolt a blue blood when they're poised to run the offense.

Similarly, coaches generally don't get a second bite at the apple when they fail to land a top-ranked prep passer, especially one who has proved himself at the FBS level.

Rather than listing the Power Five programs that were likely to pursue Williams, it was probably quicker to name the ones that wouldn't. 

The only teams that shouldn't be willing to throw their returning/incoming starters overboard if they have a chance to land Caleb Williams are Alabama and Ohio State, end of list.

— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) January 3, 2022

Williams was the No. 2 quarterback in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2021 class, and he lived up to the hype at Oklahoma. He threw for 1,916 yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for 442 yards and six scores. 

Rattler's rapid fall at Oklahoma is a cautionary tale about the folly of preseason expectations, but Williams is as close to a sure thing as the Trojans could get at quarterback. Reaching the playoff is bound to be the bar for success with the 6'1" signal-caller on the roster.

Venables, meanwhile, is left scrambling to find a solution at quarterback.

Nick Evers is a 4-star recruit and the No. 10 QB in 2022, per 247Sports' composite rankings. Oklahoma might have to use the transfer portal for its own benefit to replace Williams since fans will anticipate the kind of results that have been the norm in Norman.

As soon as he entered the transfer portal, USC was the logical destination for Williams if he left Oklahoma. Few coaches are better suited than Riley to prepare quarterbacks for the next level, so a reunion made sense.

Former USC quarterback Jaxson Dart's transfer to Ole Miss was the proverbial canary in the coal mine as well. 

Dart threw for 1,353 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions as a true freshman and seemingly would've thrived under Riley's tutelage. By choosing to leave the program, it stood to reason he questioned whether he had the inside track to start in 2022.

When Riley arrived at USC, many believed it was a home run hire that will return the Trojans to national prominence, albeit in a few years. By adding Williams, they might be a playoff contender right out of the gate.