College Football

Jackson State cornerback Travis Hunter is following Deion Sanders to Colorado, he announced Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.

It didn't take long for the former No. 1 recruit to make a decision on his next destination as he revealed just two days ago that he would be entering the transfer portal.

Hunter said in a YouTube video posted to his channel, per Sam Cooper of Yahoo Sports:

"I committed to Coach Prime at Jackson State when he was there and I want to honor my commitment and stay with him. I felt like I learned a lot with him at Jackson State so I'm going to stick with him so I can continue to grind, continue to show love, continue to put the work in so I can get to the next level."

Colorado announced the arrival of Sanders as its next head coach earlier this month, and the Pro Football Hall of Famer indicated that he planned to bring other top-tier talent with him to revive a Buffaloes squad that finished 1-11 this season.

Hunter joins quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the son of Deion Sanders, as the latest former Jackson State Tiger to commit to Colorado. Shedeur Sanders also made his transfer decision official on Wednesday.

Hunter, who was listed as the No. 1 recruit in the 2022 class, initially committed to Florida State as a high school prospect before flipping his commitment to Jackson State.

As a true freshman in 2022, the 19-year-old proved to be impactful on both sides of the ball. He posted two interceptions, 10 pass breakups and one fumble recovery while playing as a defensive back. The 6'1" star also caught 18 passes for 188 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver.

It's reasonable to believe Hunter will play a similar role under Sanders in Colorado given his speed and talent.

Before committing to Colorado, Hunter was also considering Georgia, per 247Sports recruiting analyst Rusty Mansell. He added Miami and USC were looking to get in the mix for the speedster.

Damon Wilson, a 5-star edge-rusher, announced Wednesday that he has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs.

He chose to join the Bulldogs over Ohio State and Alabama:

Wilson is a 5-star prospect in the class of 2023 out of Venice, Florida. He is ranked as the 13th-best prospect in the country and the second-best edge rusher, per 247Sports' composite ratings.

The only edge-rusher ranked above him is Keon Keeley, who signed his letter of intent with Alabama on Wednesday.

247Sports' Southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins provided a scouting report on the 6'4", 230-pound edge rusher out of Venice High School:

One of the best pure pass rushers in the class of 2023. Can not only win with his initial burst, but is also skilled at chopping, dipping and ripping his way around the corner. ... Has what it takes to emerge as an impact player for a College Football Playoff contender. Might not be the longest cat, but testing profile (4.5 in the short shuttle to go along with a broad jump over 10 feet) and high success rate when it comes to getting home likely to have NFL talent evaluators buzzing one day.

Georgia has had one of the best defenses in the nation over the last several seasons. Wilson will now join a talented Bulldogs 2023 class that includes 5-star cornerback AJ Harris and number of 4-star recruits.

Wilson should hit the ground running in his freshman season at Georgia..

James Smith, a 5-star defensive lineman out of Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama, has chosen to play collegiately at Alabama.

Smith announced his decision Wednesday alongside high school teammate Jaquavious Russaw:

He's ranked 18th overall on the class of 2023 247Sports' composite rankings and second among defensive linemen.

The 6'3" Smith had 21 offers, including ones from powerhouses such as LSU, Ohio State and Georgia, but chose Alabama.

"I like the school," Smith told Chad Simmons of On3. "I like the coaching staff. I have a great relationship with the coaching staff. I felt like it was home for me."

Gabe Brooks, who is 247Sports' Midlands Region recruiting analyst, predicted that Smith would be a future Power Five starter and compared him to South Carolina's Zacch Pickens in his Aug. 5, 2020, scouting report:

"Physical young defensive lineman who could fit multiple fronts, but likely projects best to 3-tech in an even look. Possesses requisite size/frame. Consistently flashes vs. the run and as a pass rusher. Bull in a china shop who made plays as a freshman with size, strength, tenacity. Impressive closing speed relative to size.

"Physicality really stands out for such a young prospect. Technical development and improved body control could make for truly elite front-line defender. Early returns suggest impact high-major potential with early-round NFL Draft ceiling."

Per 247Sports, Smith has played at both defensive tackle and defensive end during his freshman year at Carver, where he spent his first two prep years. He transferred to IMG Academy after his sophomore year but returned to his home state and now plays for Carver again.

Alabama will now welcome him aboard as part of what is currently the No. 1 class in 2023, per 247Sports. Smith and Russaw alone create an elite tandem on the defensive line, joining other proven players to help compete for more national championships.

Highly touted edge defender Qua Russaw made his decision, committing to Alabama on Wednesday.

"It was a long thought process, and I just had to make a decision at the end," he said of his choice to On3's Chad Simmons. "And I think I'll put myself in the best situation by going to Alabama. Everybody loves Alabama in the state, and I've just always come back to Alabama."

The Montgomery, Alabama, native is the No. 22 overall recruit and ranks third at his position in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2023 class.

247Sports' Cooper Petagna evaluated Russaw in January and wrote the 6'2", 230-pound defender is likely to see time as both a pure pass-rusher and an off-ball linebacker:

"Quick twitch explosive off the line of scrimmage. Compensates for lack of length on the edge with play strength and ability to play with power. Demonstrates heavy hands at the point of attack. Shows the ability to generate consistent pass-rush with initial quickness, play strength, and motor. Plays with excellent range and closing speed off the ball, displaying a violence at the point of attack."

Russaw is one of two notable defensive standouts at Carver High School.

Defensive lineman James Smith sits 18th overall in 247Sports' composite rankings. On3's Peter Warren noted in June the pair were "taking many of their visits together and may end up as a package deal at the next level."

Smith is joining Russaw in Tuscaloosa.

Despite sharing the same field as Smith, Russaw didn't have much trouble commanding the spotlight. He finished with an eye-popping 130 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks during his junior campaign.

Not surprisingly, Russaw wasn't lacking for interest from elite Power Five programs. Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, Florida, Clemson, USC, Ole Miss and LSU were all among the schools to offer him a scholarship.

Early on, his versatility should go a long way toward getting him on the field regularly with the Crimson Tide. Head coach Nick Saban will feel comfortable inserting him in a few different roles on defense, and Petagna noted special teams is an area in which he can contribute, too.

Right now, Russaw doesn't profile as an Aidan Hutchinson or Will Anderson-style pass-rusher who wreaks havoc on seemingly every passing down. But his sack total from 2021 at Carver speaks for itself. He should grow into a valuable linebacker in Alabama's scheme.

The next Uiagalelei knows where he will play college football.

Matayo Uiagalelei, who is the younger brother of former Clemson and current transfer portal quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, announced he will join the Oregon Ducks as part of their 2023 recruiting class on Wednesday.

The news came after another 5-star recruit, safety Peyton Bowen, also announced his commitment to Oregon.

Uiagalelei, who checks in at 6'5" and 265 pounds, is a 5-star prospect, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He is also the No. 31 overall player, No. 5 edge rusher and No. 4 player from the state of California in his class.

He was recruited by the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson and Texas, which is a who's who list of some of the best programs in all of college football. In December, he trimmed his list to the Buckeyes, USC and Oregon.

It is no surprise the Tigers initially drew interest given his family's connections, but the fact the other annual College Football Playoff contenders were also in on his recruitment hints at his potential.

Uiagalelei played tight end and defensive end at the high-school level, even though he projects to play on the defensive side in college.

The athleticism that helps him run routes as a pass-catcher also allows him to blow past offensive tackles off the edge on defense. Throw in the strength to bulldoze his way through blockers and throw off the rushing attack or passing game, and it is easy to envision him as a defensive game-changer for the Ducks.

He stood out at multiple camps featuring some of the best prospects in the country while showing off that combination of physicality and explosiveness.

Uiagalelei figures to only get better as he enters a college program and adds even more strength while honing his game.

If he does, he can become one of the country's most dominant defensive playmakers early in his career for Oregon.

The Ducks looked like possible Pac-12 title contenders at times during head coach Dan Lanning's first year in 2022, but the defense proved to be a problem at times. It allowed 49 points to Georgia, 37 points to Washington and 38 points to Oregon State in its three regular-season losses, which prevented it from competing for a conference crown.

Consistently landing defensive playmakers like Uiagalelei is the best way to avoid such performances in the future.

'Tis the season for winners.

No matter what the calendar tells us, that is always the goal. And once again, we're celebrating a solid performance.

A solid regular season carried over into our first bowl installment. Our initial round of picks went 5-2 against the spread, pushing our overall season tally to 79-53-4. With many games still to be broken down and bet on, we're not stopping now.

Our second chapter from bowl picks will take us from December 23rd to December 29th. After we're done here, we'll turn our attention to the major bowls and, of course, the College Football Playoff.

Until then, here are more winners.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings and accurate as of Wednesday.

Gasparilla Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Missouri (Over 59)

It is possible that this game winds up being one of the best of the entire bowl season.

It will take place on Friday evening, just in time for a quality holiday distraction. While I lean Missouri, I lean much heavier toward the over.

Offensively, Wake Forest has a statistical edge. The Demon Deacons were No. 15 in scoring offense this season, and they will have QB Sam Hartman back for one last ride. The Hartman-powered attack scored at least 30 points in all but two games this year, and I expect Wake to cruise past that number.

Missouri, which was up and down offensively, should be able to do the same. Facing a difficult path in the SEC, the Tigers flashed at times. QB Brady Cook might not be on the same level as Hartman, but he's capable. And he should have plenty of changes going up against the nation's No. 93 ranked scoring defense.

Prepare for touchdowns.

Birmingham Bowl: East Carolina (-7.5) vs. Coastal Carolina

Is Coastal Carolina completely cooked? I believe that answer is clear.

Absolutely.

Now, it's not that simple. There are a few moving parts we need to account for, and it starts with the head coach. Jamey Chadwell, who really engineered the Coastal movement, is off to Liberty. That's the bad news.

The good news is that QB Grayson McCall is back from injury. (The not-so-great news for the program is that this will be his final game before he intends to transfer.)

Still, having him back is significant. His absence down the stretch really hurt the Chanticleers, which failed to cover the spread in the final three games.

East Carolina, meanwhile, has had its moments. This program has consistently improved over the past few years, and the Pirates were a problem once again in a solid conference.

ECU also fared well in many big games, beating UCF convincingly and playing tough against Cincinnati. Playing a team undergoing a great deal of change feels like a quality matchup at just the right time.

Pirates by double digits.

Military Bowl: UCF (+3) vs. Duke

The homestretch wasn't exactly pristine for UCF. A loss to Navy followed by an even bigger loss to Tulane in the conference championship put a damper on an otherwise solid season.

Still, the Knights won nine games, beat Cincinnati and Tulane during the regular season and nearly won the AAC. If you're going to give me three points against a team like Duke, I'm going to take them.

Now, that's not a true knock on the Blue Devils. In fact, they were one of the best stories of the year given where expectations started. Duke was also a covering machine, hitting the spread in nine of 12 games.

The Blue Devils also closed out the year winning four of five games, culminating with an impressive win over Wake Forest in the finale.

Still, it feels like UCF is the more explosive group. And while I love what Duke has done, I think the Knights triumph in a high-scoring, supremely fun game.

Liberty Bowl: Arkansas (-3) vs. Kansas

On the topic of good stories, enter Kansas.

In the early part of the season, the Jayhawks were the "it" team in college football. Despite some stumbles along the way, KU still deserves the utmost credit for a rather dramatic turnaround.

Arkansas can relate when it comes to stumbles. The Hogs lost three of their final four games. While there are no excuses, injuries and a brutal schedule certainly played a role in lackluster finish.

Getting KJ Jefferson back healthy for this game and next season will be an enormous lift. When he wasn't banged up this year, Jefferson was a difference-maker. Playing against the nation's No. 119-ranked scoring defense should provide plenty of opportunities for success.

Arkansas lost some quality players to the transfer portal and opt-outs, including linebacker Drew Sanders. But I don't think it matters in this particular game.

Razorbacks pour on the points and win by enough.

Alamo Bowl: Washington vs. Texas (Over 67)

It seems distinctly possible that these two teams will break the scoreboard.

Yes, I want this to happen. Make no mistake about that as we dive into the analysis portion of this matchup. I want touchdowns. I want a five-hour football game. I want very little defense and an abundance of offense.

But it also seems reasonable to believe these things are coming.

Washington finished with the nation's No. 4 scoring offense, and QB Michael Penix Jr., who was a big part of this, will be back for this game and next year.

Texas finished No. 20 in scoring, although it will not have running back Bijan Robinson for this matchup. That last one hurts on the scoring front; let's not sugarcoat it.

Regardless, both of these teams were accustomed to hitting overs this past season, including the last two games for each program. Even without Robinson, QB Quinn Ewers should be able to muster up at least 30 points against a defense that allowed on average nearly 27 points per game this year.

What a fun football game this could be.

Other Games On the Card

Hawai'i Bowl: Middle Tennessee (+7) vs. San Diego State

Oh, I missed this football game. We've lost it for a few seasons, but it is now back. Christmas Eve simply hasn't been the same without it. While San Diego State ultimately wins, Middle Tennessee keeps an ugly football game close enough.

Pinstripe Bowl: Minnesota (-10) vs. Syracuse

It was an odd football season for both teams. Each came out of the gate strong, although things fell apart after that. Minnesota feels like the more complete group, and it shows at Yankee Stadium.

Former West Virginia quarterback JT Daniels is transferring to Rice, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

The Owls will be the fourth school of Daniels' college career. He began his journey at USC before moving to Georgia after two years. He was a member of the Bulldogs in 2021 when they won the College Football Playoff national title.

The 6'3" signal-caller then joined the Mountaineers for 2022 and threw for 2,107 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Rice is coming off its fifth straight losing season under head coach Mike Bloomgren, though the school did earn its first bowl berth since 2014. The Owls fell 38-24 to Southern Miss in the LendingTree Bowl.

Bloomgren is clearly counting on Daniels to inject some life into a passing game that averaged 232.9 yards per game. The unit will be losing leading receiver Bradley Rozner and Isaiah Esdale, who combined for 1,420 yards, but retain Luke McCaffrey. The Nebraska transfer had 58 catches for 723 yards and six touchdowns in his first full year as a wideout.

Thamel noted Bloomgren and Daniels have some history. Bloomgren tried to recruit Daniels out of high school was he was Stanford's offensive coordinator and then again when Daniels entered the transfer portal.

You'd expect Daniels to open the 2023 season as the starting quarterback. TJ McMahon, the incumbent, finished with 2,102 yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 10 appearances in 2022.

Assuming Daniels gets the nod, he'll have a stiff test right out of the gate. Rice opens next year on the road against Texas.

Deion Sanders has faced some backlash after leaving Jackson State this winter to take on the job as the Colorado head football coach.

On Tuesday, Sanders said he understood the criticism and where it was coming from.

"I understand because it's love," Sanders told Shannon Sharpe of the Club Shay Shay podcast (3:40 mark). "You fell in love, and I fell in love too. And I felt like we did more than we were expected to do. We just did it so expeditiously that it overwhelmed you and you thought it was easy. Because what would normally take someone several years, we did it in two-and-a-half. That's what was staggering."

Sanders said that when he was hired in Sept. 2020, vice president and director of athletics Ashley Robinson asked Sanders to give him two years. Sanders ultimately spent three seasons at the school, going 27–6 at the school and leading them to back-to-back bowl games.

One of the criticisms Sanders addressed in the interview was why he felt as though he couldn't build up Jackson State into a national powerhouse on par with the Power Five schools.

"Tell me how you build that into a Power Five," Sanders said (10:58 mark). "Because if you go into the Power Five conference, just say the SEC, you know all the other sports have to go too. ... And also, it's criteria that the school has to pass to be in those conferences. And I don't know if that was going to be applicable to what we're trying to accomplish."

At Colorado, he'll be looking to rebuild a program that has had just six winning seasons since the turn of the century. And Sanders said he understood why some of the parting shots from some Jackson State fans weren't kind.

"People are hurt, and when people are hurt, often times their first response isn't the response that should be given," Sanders said. "They say things out of emotion and anger, but I listen. Because when a person says stuff out of emotions and anger, that's how they really feel."

Reggie Bush has made no secret of his desire to get his Heisman Trophy back, and he called out outgoing NCAA president Mark Emmert on Tuesday.

Bush took to Twitter to air out his frustration with the Heisman Trust and Emmert, who is set to cede his position to Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker in 2023.

Bush was infamously stripped of his Heisman Trophy in 2010 after an investigation into the USC football program determined that he received improper benefits during his time at the university. Emmert became NCAA president shortly after the investigation was completed.

After the implementation of name, image and likeness deals allowed players to make money while in college, Bush felt like he was entitled to his trophy being returned.

In July 2021, he released a statement saying that he reached out to the NCAA and the Heisman Trust in an attempt to get his award reinstated along with his college records. An NCAA spokesperson told 247Sports at that time that "previous penalties, including those that are several years old, will not be reevaluated or reconsidered based on the recent changes to NIL rules."

Bush revealed in September that he had not given up on his quest, but the trust had not been amenable to his efforts to get his Heisman back. On Saturday, he posted another tweet calling out Emmert and the NCAA:

In his Heisman-winning season with the Trojans in 2005, Bush ran for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns. He amassed 3,169 rushing yards and 1,301 receiving yards during his collegiate career. After 10 years away from USC, the university welcomed Bush back in June 2021.