Today: Dabo Swinney vs. Ole Miss, composite Top 25, bracketology projections, and most impactful portal additions.

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TRANSFER PORTAL

Dabo Swinney accuses Ole Miss, Pete Golding of 'blatant tampering' with transfer Luke Ferrelli

In the aftermath of Luke Ferrelli's transfer flip, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney detonated one of the most forceful public rebukes of the modern transfer portal era.

Less than 24 hours after Ferrelli flipped his commitment from Clemson to Ole Miss, Swinney delivered a 19-minute, uninterrupted explanation that laid out a detailed timeline of alleged tampering by the Rebels. The two-time national champion accused Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding of continued contact with Ferrelli after he had signed with Clemson, including a text that read, "I know you're signed, but what is your buyout?" Swinney also alleged Ole Miss sent Ferrelli an image of a $1 million contract offer that later escalated to $2 million over two years.

"There's tampering. And then, there's blatant tampering," Swinney said. "Tampering 101 is when you're talking to kids who aren't in the portal. Tampering 201 is when you've already negotiated the deal with kids who aren't in the portal. Tampering 301 is when you've got a kid who's going in the portal to sign somewhere, move there, going to classes, and you're texting them while they're in class. That's like a whole 'nother level of tampering."

According to Swinney, Clemson believed it was done recruiting linebackers after Ferrelli committed and signed his financial aid agreement Jan. 7. Days later, Ferrelli's agent informed Clemson that Ole Miss had been "coming hard," even while Ferrelli was enrolled and attending classes. Clemson reported Ole Miss to the NCAA, a decision publicly backed by athletic director Graham Neff, who said the school felt compelled to act not just for Clemson, but for the integrity of the sport.

Swinney takes aim at the CFB calendar

Swinney's frustration, however, went beyond one recruitment. He described the current portal landscape as a broken system driven by pressure, secrecy, and leverage.

"Quite frankly, what we're dealing with right now is flat-out extortion, in some cases," Swinney said, citing agents and programs pushing players into rushed decisions with little financial transparency.

That chaos, Swinney argued, is a direct result of college football's calendar. With the transfer portal, coaching carousel, and postseason overlapping, players are being forced to make life-altering decisions mid-playoff run. Swinney compared the two-week portal window to a reckless impulse.

"It was like meeting somebody at a bar and going across the street eight hours later and getting married in the Elvis wedding chapel," Swinney said. "It was crazy. … A calendar change would create a cooling off period for everyone."

Swinney proposed moving the portal window to late February or early March and rethinking spring practice to align roster movement with development. While some criticized him for airing grievances publicly, others praised the transparency. ESPN analyst Booger McFarland called the level of detail "unprecedented," suggesting many similar stories exist across the sport.

Swinney made his stance clear. This wasn't about losing a linebacker. It was about drawing a line and forcing college football to confront what it has become.

Read the full timeline on the Ferrelli saga here.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Way-Too-Early Top 25 Composite: Sports outlets, experts predict College Football rankings for 2026

Curt Cignetti, Ryan Day, Steve Sarkisian, Kirby Smart

With the 2025 college football season officially in the books, attention has already turned to the 2026 campaign. Way-too-early Top 25 rankings are beginning to surface across the sport, and On3 has compiled predictions from nine outlets and experts to form a composite look at the early hierarchy.

The composite includes rankings from On3, Crain & Cone, ESPN, CBS Sports, USA Today, The Sporting News, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and The Athletic. A weighted point system was used, awarding 25 points for a No. 1 ranking, 24 for No. 2, and so on.

1. Ohio State (210 points, 2 first-place votes)

Ohio State tops the Way-Too-Early Top 25 Composite despite a quarterfinal exit in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes bring back quarterback Julian Sayin, star receiver Jeremiah Smith, and running back Bo Jackson, giving them one of the most talented returning offenses in the country. Ohio State also made a splash by hiring former NFL head coach Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator.

2. Indiana (204 points, 4 first-place votes)

Fresh off a perfect 16-0 season and the program's first national championship, Indiana finished second in the composite, just six points behind Ohio State. Curt Cignetti's turnaround has produced a 27-2 record over two seasons, and the Hoosiers remain aggressive in the portal, highlighted by former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and the No. 1-ranked transfer class.

3. Texas (203 points, 1 first-place vote)

Texas narrowly missed the Playoff in 2025 but closed the year strong with a Citrus Bowl win. Arch Manning returns for another season as the starter, and Steve Sarkisian has reloaded through the portal with a Top-10 class led by former Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman.

4. Georgia (200 points)

Georgia won the SEC Championship and earned a Playoff bye before falling in the quarterfinals. With quarterback Gunner Stockton back, a strong recruiting class arriving, and key contributors returning on both sides of the ball, expectations remain high in Athens.

5. Oregon (193 points, 2 first-place votes)

Oregon tied Ohio State for the second-most first-place votes after a 13-2 season. Quarterback Dante Moore's decision to return gives the Ducks momentum, paired with the nation's No. 3 recruiting class and a portal group led by former Minnesota safety Koi Perich.

6. Notre Dame (182 points)

Notre Dame narrowly missed the Playoff at 10-2 but remains firmly in the national picture. Quarterback CJ Carr returns, and the Irish supplemented a strong recruiting class with key portal additions, including former Ohio State receiver Quincy Porter.

7. Texas Tech (171 points)

Texas Tech followed up a Big 12 title with another aggressive portal haul. Joey McGuire landed the No. 2-ranked transfer class, headlined by quarterback Brendan Sorsby, positioning the Red Raiders for another run.

T-8. Texas A&M (153 points)

Texas A&M earned a Playoff berth in 2025 and brings back quarterback Marcel Reed after a strong finish. The Aggies also upgraded the roster with portal additions like receiver Isaiah Horton and cornerback Rickey Gibson.

T-8. Miami (153 points)

Miami came up just short of a national title, but Mario Cristobal's program continues to build. The Hurricanes added former Georgia EDGE Damon Wilson and remain active in both recruiting and the portal.

See the full Top 25 rankings here.

MARCH MADNESS

2026 NCAA Tournament Predictions: Bracketology projections shift with new No.1 overall seed

This past weekend brought meaningful movement across the Bracketology board, offering a clearer early picture of where teams sit as conference play ramps up. With the NCAA Tournament selection committee relying heavily on the NET Rankings and quadrant results, this weekend's wins and losses carried outsized weight.

On3's latest Bracketology update reflects those shifts as conference play begins to define separation at the top and congestion near the cut line. While the full field remains fluid, the top seed lines and bubble groups are beginning to take shape.

Projected 1-seeds

The projected 1-line features Arizona, Michigan, Duke, and UConn, each of which continues to separate itself through a combination of strong metrics and signature wins. Arizona remains undefeated and firmly in the chase for the No. 1 overall seed. Michigan has held steady atop the Big Ten picture, while Duke and UConn continue to stack quality victories and reinforce their status as national contenders.

Last four byes

Just behind the protected seeds sit UCF, Miami, New Mexico, and Indiana. These teams are currently positioned safely in the field without needing to play in Dayton, but the margin is thin. Each has done enough to avoid the bubble for now, though upcoming conference matchups will determine whether they can climb toward the 5–6 seed range or slide back into danger.

Last four in

The bubble remains crowded, with UCLA, San Diego State, Texas, and Santa Clara occupying the final at-large spots. These teams are doing just enough to stay alive, but a single bad week could flip the script. Consistency and road wins will be critical as the pressure builds.

First four out

On the outside looking in are USC, Virginia Tech, TCU, and LSU. All four remain very much in the mix, but missed opportunities and résumé gaps have left them chasing the field. Strong conference wins could quickly change their outlook.

See the full projected bracket.

🚨Headlines

TRANSFER PORTAL

Most impactful transfer portal additions for 2026 season

Drew Mestemaker, Cam Coleman, Jordan Seaton, Damon Wilson

The college football transfer portal has reshaped the sport in recent years, with four consecutive transfers now winning the Heisman Trophy. But it's not just at the quarterback position.

On3 is breaking down the most impactful college football transfer portal additions of the 2026 January window. Here's the breakdown.

Texas WR Cam Coleman

Texas set out to land a true difference-maker for Arch Manning, and it delivered. The Longhorns beat out Alabama, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech to secure Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, the No. 1-ranked player in the portal per On3. Coleman brings proven production and highlight-reel ability, totaling 93 career catches for 1,306 yards. His ability to win contested balls and stretch the field gives Texas a top-tier weapon to pair with Ryan Wingo, instantly elevating one of the nation's most talented quarterback situations.

Georgia Tech RB Justice Haynes

With Haynes King departing, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key leaned further into his run-first identity. Adding Justice Haynes gives the Yellow Jackets one of the most explosive backfields in the ACC. The former Alabama transfer rushed for 857 yards while averaging 7.1 yards per carry in just seven games last season. Paired with Malachi Hosley, Haynes adds speed, vision and home-run ability to an offense designed to control games on the ground.

LSU QB Sam Leavitt

Lane Kiffin made Sam Leavitt his top quarterback priority in the portal and never backed off. The Arizona State transfer's recruitment took several twists, but Kiffin's persistence paid off. Leavitt arrives after a season-ending injury, leaving his spring availability uncertain, but his upside is undeniable. He has thrown for 4,652 career yards with 46 total touchdowns against just 11 interceptions, and he led Arizona State to a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff berth in 2024. If developed properly, Leavitt could be a long-term answer at quarterback in Baton Rouge.

Indiana WR Nick Marsh

Indiana will be without Fernando Mendoza in 2026, but Curt Cignetti is still upgrading his offensive skill positions. Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh gives the Hoosiers a true No. 1 option at receiver. The 6-foot-3, 203-pound wideout has posted 100 career catches for 1,311 yards and provides new quarterback commit Josh Hoover with a reliable, physical target. Marsh also serves as a direct replacement for Elijah Sarratt, who departed for the NFL draft.

LSU OT Jordan Seaton

LSU's win in the Jordan Seaton sweepstakes may prove just as important as landing Leavitt. The Colorado transfer earned All-Big 12 second-team honors in 2025 and allowed only one sack across nine starts before an injury ended his season. At 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, Seaton gives LSU a cornerstone tackle capable of stabilizing the offensive line and protecting its new quarterback. His addition immediately raises the floor of the Tigers' offense.

Read Pete Nakos breakdown on the top 10 portalers.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I started my career at Kentucky as a quarterback, earning SEC All-Freshman honors while scoring touchdowns as a passer, runner, and receiver.
By my sophomore and junior seasons, I became the ultimate Swiss Army knife, lining up at wide receiver, returning kicks, running Wildcat QB, and at one point scoring a TD in eight straight games.
I went on to have a long NFL career highlighted by multiple 1,000-yard seasons, a Super Bowl ring, and being one of Aaron Rodgers' most trusted targets in Green Bay.

Answer at the bottom.

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