And just like that, we’ve got football. 

I can’t wait to see what the SEC and Big Ten — among many other conferences — have in store this season. With that, here are my five best futures bets for the college football 2026-27 season.

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Alabama Over/Under 8.5 Wins

I think there’s a bit of denial in the SEC as a whole that nearly everyone in the league is going to fall in that 8-4/9-3 slot. Obviously, that’s where the Tide figure to be and most people I’ve heard seem to fall on the side of Bama being a solid Over team. 

I’m not quite there. 

Alabama has had a non-existent running game the past two years and I have to see it to believe it this year with regard to improvement. There’s inexperience — and great potential — at quarterback with Keelon Russell, but last year, with Ty Simpson, there was experience and a guy who went in the top 15 of the NFL Draft. We also saw Bama survive four one-possession wins and get blasted by a terrible Florida State team in Tallahassee, and the lasting impression of Bama was them getting manhandled by Indiana in the Rose Bowl. 

There are a lot of questions to ask of this Tide roster and staff entering 2026, and while on paper it looks like Bama should open 5-0, can we say with great confidence it will? Outside the Chattanooga game, any of the remaining seven games are losable. 

Find the best price on the Under and bet accordingly — and with confidence.

Fallica’s Pick: Alabama Under 8.5 Wins (+110)

North Dakota St. Over/Under 8.5 Wins

Everyone’s favorite FCS power has made the jump to FBS, and I’m curious to see how it goes. It’s a bit different being the plucky FCS underdog taking on a Power 4 in a one-off game than it is playing an FBS slate. 

Granted, the new-look MWC isn’t the greatest league out there, but the Bison have just nine returning starters — with QB not being one of them — and couldn’t do much in the portal. NDSU projects to be solid underdogs at UNLV and New Mexico and in virtual toss-up games at Air Force and Hawaii. It could lose all four and certainly isn’t immune to being picked off as a favorite either.

Fallica’s Pick: NDSU Under 8.5 Wins (+134)

Texas Make/Miss CFP

I think 9-3 feels like a pretty common landing spot when you go through Texas’ schedule. 

Sure, the Longhorns have one of the top rosters in the country, but there are at least five games where the spread projects to be within a touchdown. This is what Steve Sarkisian was talking about when comparing the slate Texas Tech faces in comparison to Texas. How would the CFP handle a 9-3 Texas? There’s a chance the Longhorns might face Ohio State without star tackle Trevor Goolsby, which wouldn’t be great. 

If Texas is 9-3, there could even be a chance to grab some plus money on the yes during the season, which would put you in a position to lock in a profit.

Fallica’s Pick: Texas to Miss CFP (+180)

John Mateer Over/Under Passing Yards

I know John Mateer would have gone Over this total last year even with the injury, but off the schedule are Illinois State, Temple and Kent State (which Mateer DNP), and now OU adds a ninth SEC game, along with a road trip to Michigan. 

I think we could see a lot more running from both Mateer and OU in general this year and that would keep Mateer’s passing total in check. Between Georgia, Texas and others, OU will face some pretty salty defenses.

John Mateer Under 2,560.5 Passing Yards

LaNorris Sellers Over/Under Passing Yards

LaNorris Sellers would have gone Under this total each of the last two years and, while there was a coordinator change with Kendall Briles, which in theory should help Sellers’ numbers, the Gamecocks are going to have to be a lot better on the offensive line. 

I think the improvement in Sellers’ numbers will come in the running game, which made him so dynamic in 2024 — rushing yards fell by 400 yards last year — and the talk of him being one of the top QB prospects out there. It could be a little sweaty, but I always feel like there are more ways to win an Under, whereas if you’re betting Overs, essentially everything has to go right.

LaNorris Sellers Under 2,525.5 Passing Yards

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San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York used an alias when he sent text messages over two days to a woman he believed to be a prostitute before he was arrested in a sting operation in Ohio, according to a police incident report obtained Tuesday.

The report from the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force had more than two pages redacted but provided more details about what led to York’s arrest and ultimately to him pleading no contest Monday to two misdemeanors.

York initially responded to an advertisement placed by police on a known prostitution website on Saturday, according to the report, sending two messages that went unanswered and saying his name was “Joe” and that he wanted to visit the woman.

York texted again Sunday morning and said he wanted to see the woman. He said he was staying nearby and asked for her address. He asked how much the woman charged and was told it was $160 for “full service sexual activity,” the report said.

York took a rental car to a mobile home park in East Palestine, Ohio, where he was given a fictitious lot number. He texted when he arrived at the mobile home park. He was then directed back to the main road, where he was stopped by marked police units. Police found York had $160 that was seized and they sent a text to his phone to determine it was the same one used to arrange the meeting.

He was booked into jail and was released after posting a $5,000 bond. York was initially charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. He pleaded no contest Monday to that charge and to possessing criminal tools for using his phone to respond to the ad.

He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest. He also was fined $1,150. The $160 that was seized from him was given to the human trafficking task force as part of the plea. York also completed an online course.

York has been in Ohio, where he grew up near Youngstown, for most of the summer. He had filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle, in May, according to court records.

The NFL issued a statement saying the league is aware of the arrest and will review it under the personal conduct policy. Owners are subject to possible fines or suspensions for violating the policy.

The team said that the “legal matter” had been resolved and that it would have no additional comment.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he has talked to York the past two days and doesn’t believe the arrest will have any impact on the team.

“Obviously, it’s a very tough situation,” Shanahan said. “The views for the organization going forward are the same as usual. There won’t be any difference in that. But I know it’s extremely fresh. I think it’s a very, very personal situation. I got a lot of respect for Jed. I got lot of respect for Danielle. The family does mean a lot to me. With it being this personal, I’m trying as hard as I can to keep it that way.”

Shanahan said he doesn’t expect any change in York’s involvement with the team, saying he has always allowed Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to make the football decisions.

Shanahan said he doesn’t feel the need to address the situation with his players.

Star linebacker Fred Warner said the players were aware of it but that he didn’t believe it would be a distraction.

“We all have social media, so we see things,” he said. “But at the same time, I got a lot of love, a lot respect for Jed, and don’t feel the need to comment on the situation. I think the team is kind of the same way. It really wasn’t a conversation being had in the locker room. Of course, yeah, you notice it, but at the time, we were so hyper-focused in this building of trying to prepare for Week 1. A lot of guys are on the bubble trying to make the team. So we’re just trying to get better as a football team and that’s a personal situation, and letting it stay personal with him.”

Reporting By The Associated Press.

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We’ve ranked the top 10 players at the most important positions in the NFL. Now, it’s time to find out who is the best player in the league entering the 2026 season. 

Several players have a reasonable claim to be considered the NFL’s best player ahead of the new year. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is the reigning MVP, while his new teammate, Myles Garrett, just broke the NFL’s single-season record for the most sacks. 

There are also other quarterbacks to consider, like Josh Allen. The Buffalo Bills star has consistently played at an elite level since the turn of the decade and won MVP in 2024. Of course, there’s also Patrick Mahomes, who has widely been viewed as the NFL’s best player for several years.

So, who is the NFL’s best player ahead of the 2026 season? Here are our top 10 players in the league. 

Micah Parsons has recorded at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

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Ben Arthur: We’ll have to wait to see Parsons this year, as he’s expected to miss at least the first few games of the season recovering from an ACL tear.  But a healthy Parsons is one of the NFL’s best players — a complete edge rusher with speed that elicits fear from opposing offensive linemen. Despite missing three games in 2025, he still registered 12.5 sacks and 81 pressures in his debut season with the Green Bay Packers en route to Pro Bowl honors. The former first-round pick has recorded at least 12 sacks in each of his five NFL seasons. 

The quicker Parsons returns to form, the faster the Packers become a Super Bowl contender. He’s that much of a force multiplier on defense. 

Penei Sewell has been named a Pro Bowler four times in his first five seasons. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

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Greg Auman: Sewell is the oddsmakers’ favorite to win the Protector of the Year award, given to the NFL’s top offensive lineman, and he’ll do that as he tries to shift from right tackle to a new home at left tackle. It’s the same move the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs has made successfully, and if it takes, it solidifies Sewell at the top of his position. Sewell has four straight Pro Bowls, three straight first-team All-Pro nods and he’s still only 25 years old. 

We didn’t rank offensive linemen in our individual position rankings, so he’s making the overall top 10 here much like a write-in candidate, showing the strength of his value at his position.

Will Anderson has already emerged as an elite playoff performer early in his career. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)

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Auman: What’s it like to be the best player on the best defense in the NFL? Anderson already has 30 sacks in three years and he hasn’t turned 25 yet. Give Houston credit. The Texans gave up a 2024 first-rounder and more to move all the way up from 12 to 3 to grab Anderson in the 2023 draft.

Anderson and Danielle Hunter are one of the most dangerous edge-rush pairs in the league, and Anderson’s even better in the playoffs. He’s got eight career sacks in six playoff games, with three forced fumbles in two playoff games last year. As Houston’s offense improves and they lead late in games more often, don’t be surprised if he takes another step to the 15-plus sack level in 2026.

Bijan Robinson had nearly 2,300 yards from scrimmage last season. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Vacchiano: Here’s the crazy thing about the Atlanta Falcons running back: He had a combined 2,298 yards from scrimmage last season (1,478 rushing, 820 receiving) with 11 touchdowns and he touched the ball 366 times — 21.5 times per game. And there were still times he felt underused in the Falcons’ offense. It’s probably too much to ask new coach Kevin Stefanski to use him more, but it’s a good bet he’ll use him better.

 Robinson, still only 24 and entering his fourth NFL season, will have to be the workhorse in Atlanta as the Falcons sort through their quarterback mess, but Stefanski will surely find more creative ways to use him and get him into open space, where his moves, acceleration and breakaway speed make him one of the most dangerous weapons in the league. With his rushing ability and his receiving skills, he’s the closest thing the NFL has to Christian McCaffrey in his prime. And if the Falcons were ever good again, he’d be in the chase for MVP.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards in 2025, winning Offensive Player of the Year. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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Eric D. Williams: One of the best route runners in the league, Smith-Njigba showed he’s much more than a slot receiver in 2025. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett no longer on the roster, Smith-Njigba leveled up, engineering one of his best seasons as a pro. Just 24 years old, the Ohio State product set franchise single-season records for receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,793) last season, taking home the league’s Offensive Player of the Year award.

The Seahawks rewarded Smith-Njigba by signing him to a lucrative contract extension that made him the highest-paid receiver in the league, with an annual salary of $42.15 million. With Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker Jr. signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency and a new offensive coordinator Brian Fluery, taking over for the departed Klint Kubiak (now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders), Smith-Njigba will be counted on to shoulder even more of the offense. Smith-Njigba accounted for 44% of Seattle’s receiving yards, the highest percentage by any player in the league. He led Seattle in receiving yards in 16 of 17 games this year, the most in a regular season in NFL history. 

Matthew Stafford won MVP after leading the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2025. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Vacchiano: What Stafford did at his age in 2025 was just ridiculous, especially considering the season began with a mysterious back injury that threatened to derail everything. He threw for career-highs in yards (4,707) and touchdown passes (47) while tossing just eight interceptions — the fourth quarterback ever to throw for more than 45 touchdowns with fewer than 10 interceptions — and he did it all at age 37. And with the Rams still loaded, there’s no reason to think he’ll be any different at age 38. 

It helps that Stafford’s in a perfect system for his talents, but he brings plenty of skills. His arm is still remarkably strong; he’s got picture-perfect mechanics, and no one is better at placing throws in perfect spots for his receivers. Put his mind and arm together in the Sean McVay system and you’ve got a quarterback who could win a Super Bowl and make a run at becoming just the sixth player to ever win back-to-back MVPs. He just needs his body to hold up.

Ja’Marr Chase won the receiving Triple Crown in 2024. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

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Arthur: Chase is the most dominant wide receiver in football today. After winning the receiving triple crown in 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals superstar again led the NFL in receptions last season (185). The 26-year-old has recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first five NFL seasons.

The fifth overall pick in 2021, Chase is a high-volume target who possesses a unique blend of speed and physicality. He’s ranked in the top two in yards after the catch in each of the last two seasons. He’s been a near-unstoppable force since entering the league despite facing constant double teams.

Patrick Mahomes is looking to bounceback in 2026 after missing the playoffs for the first time in his career last season. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Williams: Returning from season-ending knee surgery after a disappointing 6-11 campaign in 2025, Mahomes is under a lot of pressure to show last year was a fluke. Mahomes should benefit from the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and the addition of Kenneth Walker III, implementing a more bullish rushing attack to create more balance on offense.

But the 30-year-old Mahomes also must get back to playing more efficient football, relying less on his legs to keep the chains moving and getting more from his receivers on the perimeter. Mahomes has the Super Bowl pedigree, appearing in the game five times and winning three of them. And at 30 years old, Mahomes remains one of the best at his position, with plenty of more years to chase more Lombardi trophies. Mahomes owns an astounding 17-4 record in the playoffs.

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

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McKenna: Allen is football’s version of Atlas, putting the world on his shoulders. It’s been like that for a while now in Buffalo, with Allen being, by far, the only most notable player on offense — but honestly, on either side of the ball. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, tackle Dion Dawkins and running back James Cook are really great players. But receiver? Tight end? Cornerback? Edge? 

There really hasn’t been a big and productive name since Stefon Diggs. And Diggs’ departure coincided with the widespread respect for Allen, because people began to see just how much the QB can do for his team. The only thing he hasn’t done, of course, is win a Super Bowl. If he does that, he’ll be the No. 1 guy on this list — and perhaps even for years to come.

Myles Garrett won Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 after setting the NFL’s single-season sack record. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Auman: Garrett was a unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner last year with the Browns after setting the NFL single-season record with 23 sacks. The thing is, he had only four sacks in his last six games, so now, joining a loaded Rams front, could he break his own record? He got 23 sacks despite Browns opponents being ahead often enough that they only passed 487 times, third-fewest of any team. The Rams, ahead much more, had opponents throw 102 more times than the Browns’ opponents, so that’s a ton more sack opportunities for the NFL’s best. 

Could we see a non-QB, non-offensive NFL MVP? If Garrett has the first 25-sack season in league history and the Rams win the NFC West, he’d have a compelling case to make for that.

 

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Country music icon Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80. The legendary singer-songwriter was best known for her music and acting career in film and television, but was also very involved in the sports world, from the NFL to the Olympics.

Here are some Dolly Parton’s best sports moments:

Thanksgiving Halftime Show

Parton was the halftime show performer for the Thanksgiving game between the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders in Dallas in 2023.

The 11-time Grammy winner performed a memorable halftime show where she some of her most popular hits like “Jolene” and “9-5,” and covers of “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” by Queen. To tie in the Cowboys, Parton donned the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform.

The Dollywood Race Car

Parton also made an impact on the motorsports world, as she sponsored NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick’s car for the 2019 Alsco 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series in Bristol, Tennessee. 

Reddick went along in his Parton-themed car and took pictures in a curly blonde wig to highlight the singer. The No. 2 Chevrolet was a pink and white car that featured Parton’s face on the hood and “Dollywood” on the side, primarily to promote her record company.

(Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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2024 Paris Olympics

Parton found her way to the international sports stage, and collaborated with NBCUniversal for a promo music video ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

The music video featured high-profile athletes like gymnasts Suni Lee and Simone Biles and swimmer Katie Ledecky and a combined rendition of her covers, “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions.”

Dollywood Comes To New York

Parton paid a visit to Yankee Stadium in New York City in 1987, where she met up with players in the Yankee’s iconic pinstripe uniform. The team even presented Parton with an official team jacket and hat. 

Her famous visit and day spent with the team was used later in her television show, “Dolly.” Most famously, Parton posed for a picture with former Yankees stars including Ron Guirdry, Mike Pagliarulo, Dave Righetti and Rick Cerone. 

‘Rocky Top’ At Neyland Stadium

It’s only appropriate that Parton — a Nashville native — sang at one of Tennessee’s most iconic stadiums: Neyland Stadium. Parton performed Tennessee’s famous “Rocky Top” ahead of the Tennessee vs. Georgia rivalry in 2023. 

What made her performance even more Tennessee-like was being escorted out by a Tennessee football legend, Peyton Manning. 

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The latest DraftKings promo guarantees new users $200 in bonuses as the sports calendar gets ready for football and postseason baseball. 

One of Tuesday’s biggest MLB matchups features two National League contenders, as the Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series.

The Dodgers enter the series on a six-game winning streak, while the Braves are looking to get back on track and get their bats hot against the two-time defending World Series champions. With both teams firmly in the NL postseason picture, this could be a preview of a potential playoff matchup later this fall.

The time of year for football is inching closer. Week 0 of the college football season kicks off this weekend and the NFL postseason rolls on to Week 3.

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MLB: Dodgers at Braves

LA Dodgers	LAD +1.5 (-131)	O 8.5 (-118)	LAD -153
ATL Braves	ATL -1.5 (+109)	U 8.5 (-102)	ATL +142

Week 0 CFB: 

UNC vs. TCU

North Carolina	+7.5 (-105)	O 47.5 (-110)	+240
TCU	-7.5 (-115)	U 47.5 (-110)	-298

New Mexico St at Florida State

New Mexico State	+30.5 (-102)	O 52.5 (-112)	+2200
Florida State	-30.5 (-118)	U 52.5 (-108)	-8000

Memphis at UNLV

Memphis	+4.5 (-110)	O 56.5 (-110)	+164
UNLV	-4.5 (-110)	U 56.5 (-110)	-198

NFL Preseason Week 3

Bills vs. Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers	+3 (-112)	O 35.5 (-110)	+127
Buffalo Bills	-3 (-108)	U 35.5 (-110)	-152

Patriots at Browns

New England Patriots	-2.5 (-115)	O 35.5 (-105)	-150
Cleveland Browns	+2.5 (-105)	U 35.5 (-115)	+125

Rams vs. Chargers

Los Angeles Rams	+3.5 (-108)	O 38.5 (-115)	+153
Los Angeles Chargers	-3.5 (-112)	U 38.5 (-105)	-186

More odds and markets available on DraftKings Sportsbook.

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A day after parting ways with general manager Dana Brown, Houston Astros owner Jim Crane addressed the move and said manager Joe Espada will remain in the role for the remainder of the season.

Before opening a three-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday, the Astros moved on from Brown, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season. The team described the decision as mutual. Houston announced senior adviser Jeff Bagwell and assistant general managers Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff will take over Brown’s responsibilities, while Crane will oversee baseball operations during the transition.

“There’s no good time for any of that, you know, when you let someone go,” Crane said outside the Houston clubhouse. “Just out of respect for Dana, we thought that was a time that would give him a little space to regroup. He’s a great talent. He’s been in the business a long time to get settled and to get back to work somewhere else.”

Brown was hired in January 2023 and succeeded James Click, who was fired six days after Houston won its second World Series title.

“We worked together very closely for three and a half years,” Espada said. “He gave me the opportunity to be manager of this team. It was tough. It was a tough conversation, but he was grateful for the opportunity and I’m grateful for our relationship and how we grind through this together, but it was emotional. It was a lot of emotions behind our conversation.”

Brown helped the Astros reach a seventh straight ALCS, which they lost in seven games to the Texas Rangers. Houston lost in a wild-card series to Detroit in 2024 and last season missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 when it finished three games behind Seattle in the AL West and lost a tiebreaker with the Tigers for final wild-card spot.

“Not everybody’s been able to do it, that’s a good run,” Crane said. “We hope to keep that going. We had a little hiccup last year where we didn’t make the playoffs but we’re right there. I think some few adjustments we can get back to that and some good decisions. Certainly you got to keep working on it but the expectation that I have is that we’re in the playoffs every year. It’s hard to win every year, but to get there.”

The Astros began this year 20-31 but were only 5 1/2 games out of first place in a weak AL West on May 20. Houston (65-66) recovered to win 40 of its next 66 games through a 6-3 win over San Diego on Aug. 7 but entered Tuesday with nine losses in 14 games, including four to the Angels and A’s, though Crane said that performance did not influence his decision to dismiss Brown.

“That didn’t have anything to do with it,” Crane said. “We’re focused on winning the AL, winning the division and that’s our focus but that didn’t have anything to do with it.”

Espada was promoted from bench coach after the 2023 season when Dusty Baker retired. He helped the Astros recover from a 12-24 start to win their seventh AL West crown in eight seasons in 2024 and began Tuesday with a 240-214 record.

“I don’t know where that got mixed up, but that’s the same answer I gave since the first of the year,” Crane said. “We told him we’d deal with that at the end of the season and we’ve never changed that answer all year long.”

Before Crane addressed reporters for nearly 10 minutes, he met with Espada.

“Focus on winning today, that’s how I left that,” Espada said. “My responsibility is to lead this team. We have a very important stretch of games here. So I walk out of our office ready to go.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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Following a breakout 2026 FIFA World Cup, United States men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun has been linked to a move away from AS Monaco, which paid a $32.5 million transfer fee to Arsenal for his services in 2023.

Balogun scored 19 goals in all competitions with Monaco last season, and followed that up with three goals at his first-ever World Cup. Now, the 25-year-old is drawing interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Tottenham, Aston Villa and, most notably, FC Barcelona. Monaco 

The reigning champions of Spain are in the market for a new striker after their world-class goalscorer, Robert Lewandowski, signed wth MLS side Chicago Fire FC on a free transfer. Monaco have set a $70 million asking price for Balogun, and our own Stu Holden believes Balogun would be a wise investment for the Blaugrana.

“Would it shock me if Barcelona decided to sign Folarin Balogun? Those numbers that are being talked down today actually aren’t ridiculous by today’s standards,” Holden said on Monday’s State of the Union podcast.

“I think he has a lot of ability on the ball, he’s shown that he can score goals at a high level, he’s played Champions League, he’s got speed, he can create goals for himself, his back-to-goal play is good.”

(Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

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There have only been two American players to suit up for FC Barcelona: Sergiño Dest, who made 72 appearances for the club over two seasons, and Konrad de la Fuente, who appeared in three matches. If Balogun secures a move to Barcelona, he could become the third, and maybe the best.

“I’d be intrigued if he had the opportunity to get a move to Barcelona. I think he could be successful there for sure,” Balogun said.

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The rules surrounding eligibility in college football have a lot of people confused, but one NFL coach had a unique response to a recent court ruling regarding the matter.

“I feel like I took a freakin’ gummy,” Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters when asked about the shifting landscape of college football eligibility. “I can’t even comprehend this stuff. It’s wild.”

McVay made the comments after former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright moved toward joining LSU following a brief stint in the NFL. Wright spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent before joining the Cleveland Browns. 

After being waived by Cleveland, Wright opted to re-enter college football following a court ruling in Louisiana.

Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent before he signed with the Cleveland Browns before being waived in August. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

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A Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order granting a fifth year of eligibility to Wright and several other players excluded from a recent NCAA rule change. The ruling allows athletes who started college during the 2022-23 academic year an extra season and temporarily reopened the transfer portal for plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

However, major college conferences moved quickly to shut down the pipeline. 

The Big Ten unanimously adopted a rule Tuesday prohibiting football players who signed a professional contract, appeared on a professional roster, or declared for the NFL draft without withdrawing from maintaining college eligibility. Big Ten coaches who attempt to field prohibited players face a half-season suspension and institutional fines.

The SEC later followed suit to block former professionals by announcing it will enforce a policy stating that member institutions are not permitted to roster any athlete who previously declared for a professional draft without withdrawing, signed a contract with a professional team or league, or was listed on a professional roster. 

The conference authorized its commissioner to enforce the policy with penalties against member institutions.

The SEC policy directly impacts LSU and coach Lane Kiffin, who had been actively recruiting players cleared by the court order.

“They were granted a fifth year by a judge, saying they were wronged by the NCAA,” Kiffin said prior to the SEC statement. “It’s simply that a judge decided they should have a fifth year, like everyone moving forward will have.”

Public opposition across college football remains strong, with multiple head coaches, including Oregon’s Dan Lanning and Florida’s Jon Sumrall expressing frustration with the legal situation.

With a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for Aug. 31, the legal clash between court orders and conference regulations continues to create uncertainty.

College Football Related Stories

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Some bizarre NFL and college football history could be made soon, and not everyone’s happy about it. 

Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright was on track to become the first player to play college football after being rostered by an NFL team following his release from the Cleveland Browns this week. But as he was set to join head coach Lane Kiffin at LSU, Wright and several other college athletes learned on Tuesday that the SEC would be joining the Big Ten in disallowing players who had already signed an NFL contract from playing in their conferences. 

Wright was among 16 former college football players who sued the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility and were granted a temporary restraining order that would allow them to play college football in 2026. That order allowed opportunistic college head coaches, like Kiffin, to explore adding players signed to NFL contracts to their rosters in recent weeks. 

While college head coaches and conference administrators are starting to make their feelings known on the matter, how are people around the NFL reacting to players potentially returning to play the collegiate game? Here’s what we learned from some of our conversations with people around the league. 

Scout: NCAA Has To ‘Get Their S— Together’

Ralph Vacchiano: The recent news that some NFL players will potentially be allowed to return to college football this season did not go over well in NFL circles. And it only added to their confusion over what is currently happening in the NCAA.

“They really have to get their s— together,” one NFL scout told me. “It feels like they’re the Wild Wild West and the rules are changing every day.” 

The recent one could be the most confusing. It was sparked by court rulings in Colorado and Louisiana that appear to allow NFL players who entered college in 2022 to return to school for a fifth year of eligibility in the NCAA. To add to the confusion, the Big Ten went against the courts and banned players from returning from the NFL. The SEC announced it opposed the rulings, but wouldn’t stand in the players’ way.

Dae’Quan Wright spent training camp with the Eagles and Browns before agreeing to join Lane Kiffin at LSU. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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It’s unclear if any other conferences will join the Big Ten and the SEC. But the courts probably haven’t had their final say on the matter yet, which is why the NFL is bracing for an even bigger mess.

“All that NIL money was bad enough. It basically wiped out the talent in the later rounds of the draft because too many marginal players could afford to stay in school,” the scout told me. “But now we’re going to have guys who would’ve stayed on the practice squad leaving too? We’ll spend 3-4 months investing in their growth, developing them as a player, only to watch them go back to LSU?”

“It all looks bad,” an NFL executive told me by text. “But we don’t know where all this is going yet. It feels like just the beginning of a really big mess.”

Not Everyone In The NFL Is Sounding The Alarm, Though

Eric D. Williams: The situation surrounding Wright and over a dozen other players has caused some to panic about the future of college football. However, not everyone in the NFL is worried about the recent court rulings and whether this will cause more players to return to college. 

One NFL agent pointed out to me that what’s happening this summer is likely a one-time thing due to the NCAA’s new eligibility rules. 

Former FSU QB Thomas Castellanos is among the former college football players who could benefit from a rules loophole. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

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“It only applies to this tiny group of players this year who made a decision prior to the rule change,” the NFL agent told me. “It would never apply again because any other player in the future would make whatever decision they made after the college season based on the 5/5 rule, if it stays in effect.

“So, this really isn’t a long-term issue. It’s a one-off, so the NFL won’t and shouldn’t care about these few guys who weren’t making teams to begin with. These are the only players the ruling applies to – players who under the new rules would be eligible to play college in 2026 that under the old rules would not have been eligible. That’s it. A player at the end of 2026 who has a fifth year can decide to take it or not, and if he doesn’t and goes to the NFL, why would he get his eligibility back? He made the decision to leave knowing he had a year left. No different than a true junior leaving with two years left.”

Players can regain their college eligibility if they terminate their pro contract and repay any pro earnings. A handful of other players in this year’s draft class could benefit from this new ruling, like Wright. However, that loophole will be closed for the 2027 draft class and beyond.

What To Make Of Players Returning To CFB

Williams: If players wind up returning to college after signing with NFL teams, that also begs the question about what their future draft status will be. 

Jack Pyburn, who is now with the Buccaneers, is among the players considering a return to college. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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No one seems to know what the NFL will do yet about the draft eligibility of those specific players. But an NFL scout told me league evaluators will have to reevaluate the prospects, while proposing an idea for the league on how to handle the situation. 

“You have to reevaluate them because they will be getting more reps to develop and grade, similar to getting reps in the UFL or CFL,” a longtime NFL scout told me. “If they like them, then they should be considered as a street free agent to sign if they were previously in an NFL camp. That’s how the NFL should handle it in my eyes.”

 

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We’re now at the point of the preseason where health is the priority for teams and stars around the league. Tuesday brought a bit of good and bad news in that regard.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to progress in his recovery from his ACL tear, while Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase avoided a potential scare on Tuesday. Elsewhere, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce was on the good side of injury news. 

As we’re just over two weeks away from the start of the regular season, here’s what you need to know from Tuesday’s news around the NFL. 

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes expressed confidence Tuesday that he is on track to start Week 1 against the Denver Broncos as he continues his recovery process throughout training camp following surgery on his left knee last December.

Mahomes is not expected to play in Friday’s preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks as he awaits final game clearance from team medical staff.

Josh Allen is worst decision-maker of Top NFL QBs Mahomes underrated, Joe Burrow concerns?

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“Being able to go out there, day after day, and have the grind of a camp, that can even be harder than the regular season,” Mahomes said. “Honestly, the more we practice, the better I feel.”

Should Mahomes not play against the Seahawks Friday, it would mark the first time in his 10-year career that he has missed the entire preseason. 

Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy pointed out Mahomes’ presence on the sideline during preseason action.

“With him not playing in the preseason, it could drive you crazy,” Bieniemy told reporters. “He’s like a coach on the sideline. But it’s a good thing because you know he’s itching to get back out there and do whatever he can do to help us win.”

The Cincinnati Bengals got quite the scare Tuesday afternoon when star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase landed awkwardly on a deep route and left practice with a knee injury.

Chase put minds at ease shortly after, appearing on Cincinnati’s ESPN 1530 to confirm he was “fine” after suffering a minor hyperextension. He added that he felt good enough to return and finish practice, but the team held him out strictly as a precaution.

With Joe Burrow declaring a “now or never” mindset for this season, keeping the Bengals’ offensive firepower fully healthy is more important than ever. If Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown can stay on the field, they will have all the tools needed for a deep playoff run.

Chase is coming off another monster season with the Bengals, even with Burrow missing half the year due to turf toe. Despite the quarterback instability, Chase hauled in 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns, featuring seven games with over 100 receiving yards.

The Bengals are set to open up the season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright left practice early Tuesday after medical staff evaluated his right elbow. 

Wright reportedly exited during red zone drills, which led to trainers taking off a brace on his right elbow as he was sidelined.

Wright suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the same elbow last season, playing through the injury with a protective brace as he went on to earn second-team All-Pro honors. 

The team is monitoring the situation with the expectation that the setback will not impact his availability for the regular season.

Fresh off signing a four-year, $114 million extension, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is edging closer to his return. Head coach Shane Steichen announced that Pierce could hit the practice field as early as this week if all goes as planned.

The return marks a major milestone for Pierce, who underwent off-season ankle surgery shortly after signing his deal. Sidelined for months, Pierce has yet to participate in any training camp or team workouts this summer.

With Pierce’s status for the season opener and early in the season, the Colts signed veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. Once healthy, the Colts will have a formidable trio of receivers in Pierce, Allen and Josh Downs, with quarterback Daniel Jones.

Pierce is coming off a breakout season with the Colts. He hauled in 47 receptions, a career-high 1,003 yards, and six touchdowns while recording 50 or more receiving yards in 10 different games. Not only did he have a career year, but he finished with 21.6 yards per reception, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier deep threats.

If the Colts can stay fully healthy, they figure to be in the mix in the AFC South race. 

The Seattle Seahawks have now lost promising TCU rookie safety Bud Clark for the 2026 season. After suffering a broken ankle against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 of the preseason, Seattle is placing Clark on season-ending injured reserve, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald announced on Tuesday.

Clark was selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of TCU and was set to compete for safety reps alongside Julian Love and Nick Emmanwori. With Clark out for the season, Ty Okada is next in line at safety.

The now-injured safety closed out his five-year career at TCU on a high note, leading one of the Big 12’s best run defenses. In his final season, Clark stuffed the stat sheet with a total of 56 tackles, four interceptions, seven pass deflections, a sack and 31 solo tackles.

Injury News & Notes

• Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak gave no update on running back Ashton Jeanty’s ankle injury and says “he’s on the mend.”
• ESPN reported that the Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz split backup reps during Tuesday’s practice.
• Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta returned to practice on Tuesday after dealing with a hip injury.
• San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans missed practice on Tuesday with a groin injury, per The Athletic.
• Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. will start the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions and play the entire first quarter.
• Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley told reporters that third-round pick wide receiver Chris Bell will play in Friday’s preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. Bell, a projected first-round pick before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in November, will play in his first game since the injury.

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