NCAA Football News

Call them skills camps. Or, perhaps you prefer the term minicamp. Maybe you want to slap a school-specific name or advanced, elite or senior on them to dress them up. No matter what you call them, they exist across the collegiate football landscape: one-day camps for college coaches to truly interact with the players they are recruiting.

At around $40 a pop, these camps are not the big business that the sleepover youth camps have grown into. Rather, these are sessions where schools look to pack in the best of the best for a chance to watch the players compete.

Compete is what the kids do, hoping to earn offers, and many times coaches walk away with commitments pledged to their school.

College coaches cannot attend the regional and national 7-on-7 events that have risen to prominence in recent years. Nor can they go to the combines that try to help kids learn skills and compete against elite competition.

Enter the one-day camp. It is a cost-effective means to get the kids onto campus that coaches have checked out during the spring evaluation period and have been watching on film, hearing about on the 7-on-7 circuits and working to contact.

The increasingly aggressive nature of recruiting, the fact that offers come out earlier as coaches get more focused and that players are taking more interest in first offers and longer recruiting relationships work together in this instance. What used to be exclusive events for rising seniors have now expanded to include limited juniors (Ohio State), 10th and 11th graders (Texas A&M and Penn State) or everyone from rising freshmen to rising seniors (Auburn).

The message is clear: Get to know who these kids are. Get to work them out yourselves. Get in on that proverbial ground floor with them in the recruiting process.

And if they show you something you like, get them a scholarship offer.

If the kid you offered is only a rising junior, then so be it. As Penn Live said about Minkah Fitzpatrick, the 2015 defensive back who earned an offer at Penn State's Advanced Skills camp: He is out at the one-day camp working against the seniors you want in your program and he is not only competing, he is winning. A rising sophomore that shows true promise? Perhaps you do not offer him now, but you certainly put a pin next to his name with a blue chip so that you can start to build his interest in your program.

One-day camps are Junior Days where coaches actually get to watch the kids do more than walk around campus. The coaching staff coaches them up. Coaches get to see how they take coaching, how they react to competition and rebound from another athlete besting them.

Those are the circumstances that matter to collegiate coaches. Those are the circumstances that make up some of the daily life of the collegiate athlete. When players succeed under those circumstances, they earn rewards. Rewards like offers and interest.

Camp season is heating up on the college football landscape. Most schools have already had at least one of their one-day sessions and are looking forward to getting even more talent on campus soon. More kids are going to go to camp, more kids are going to get offers, and coaches are going to sit back and hope their offer is the one that their prized rising star decides is right for him.

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Despite a berth in last year's BCS National Championship Game, the Notre Dame Football program stands to have some turnover for the upcoming season. With the losses of players like Mant'i Teo, Tyler Eifert and Theo Riddick to the draft, as well as Everett Golson to academic suspension, some new faces could make an immediate impact in South Bend. 

Greg Bryant, RB

With the departure of the aforementioned Riddick and Cierre Wood, the ND backfield is young and untested. Enter Bryant, the second-ranked running back in the nation.

Standing at 5'10" and 210 pounds, the incoming freshman is a power runner who could immediately step into the lineup, wearing down defenses with his tackle-breaking ability and good hands. With uncertainty at quarterback, he could be instrumental to the Irish's success. 

John Montelus, OG

Guard isn't exactly the most glamorous position in football, but it sure helps to have a good one. Montelus is a massive young man, measuring in at 6'5" and 295 pounds. Praised for his feet, flexibility and size, he will most likely be the guy blocking for Bryant from day one. The only thing that may hold him back is a shoulder sprain that he is currently rehabbing from:

Max Redfield, S

With Zeke Motta leaving Notre Dame for the NFL, this No. 5-ranked safety recruit has the inside track to the starting job. Known for his elite athleticism and superb ball skills, Redfield has a lot going for him. Though he could improve his tackling ability, this freshman has very big upside for the Notre Dame defense.

Unfortunately for Notre Dame, there is a lot of uncertainty after a very successful 2012-13 campaign. Still, the Irish managed to reel in the fourth-ranked recruiting class according to ESPN, so the future remains bright.

These three players are guaranteed nothing in terms of a starting job, but Brian Kelly and his staff will have a difficult time overlooking their sheer talent. Only time will tell if these three make an impact in their freshman year, but it appears that each of them has every opportunity to do just that.

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Da'Shawn Hand, the 5-star strong-side defensive end from Virginia, has announced his top three. It's an exclusive list that features three of the best recruiting programs in the country.

Hand recently did an interview on the Smashmouth Radio Network. During said interview, he talked about his top three programs. Kevin Scarbinsky of AL.com and Smashmouth tweeted the news:

The most notable program missing from this list is Virginia Tech, who appeared to have quite the "home-state advantage" with Hand during the early goings of his recruiting. The other school from his top five that didn't make the cut was South Carolina. Here's what he had to say about both schools, per Scarbinksy:

Judging from those quotes, it would appear that education is a huge draw for Hand. Out of the three schools on his newly minted top three, that's the best news for Michigan.

Michigan is a traditional college football powerhouse, but it also has world-class academics. To that point, Scarbinsky tweeted that Hand really liked a sports marketing professor he met in Ann Arbor:

Brady Hoke and Co. are putting together a great recruiting class in 2014, and Hand could be one of the marquee players in it. Michigan already landed 5-star athlete Jabrill Peppers, and he along with Hand could be major additions to Michigan's defense. Those two alone could very well take the Wolverines to the next level in the Big Ten.

Final point for Michigan, check out this Tweet from Tom VanHaaren of ESPN.com:

At least for now in this recruiting race, Michigan has to feel great about it's chances of landing the nation's top strong-side defensive end, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Don't be naive enough to count out Alabama, though, as Nick Saban is the best recruiter and coach in college football right now. Hand would have to put on some weight to play defensive end in the 3-4 scheme, but that's something that's not impossible, especially considering he's only a rising senior.

Alabama would provide him with the best chance to win a championship, and Saban's history of sending players to the NFL is unquestioned.

Florida may seem like the outlier on this list, but Will Muschamp and his staff have been great on the recruiting trail themselves. Florida's 2013 class was elite defensively, and the addition of Hand could eventually put its 2014 class in the same category. Overall, Florida's defense of the future will be extremely good, and the Gators should be contenders in the SEC. Contending in the SEC means contending for a national title, so Florida has a great pitch as well.

These three programs all have a lot to offer Hand, and he would bring just as much to the table for them.

One last tweet from Scarbinsky. He reports that Hand will take five official visits:

USC and LSU could be outliers in this race, so even though Hand has a top three without those two mentioned, keep an eye out for them—especially after those official visits.

Where he commits is anybody's guess right now, but one thing is for certain: Wherever he does end up, Hand projects to be a game-changer. 

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The college football offseason is cruel, relentless and determined. Although the absence will live on a little bit longer, the Golden Nugget is here to make a trying time slightly more tolerable. 

In what has become offseason tradition, the Las Vegas sportsbook has again released its ‘Games of the Year’—248 point spreads scattered throughout the 2013 college football regular season.

If it seems a little early for point spreads, that's because it is.

These games do more than just generate buzz and business for a sportsbook eager for its yearly flurry of free marketing, however. The evaluation process is a sign of things to come, and Vegas is one of the game’s most respected faceless prognosticators. More than just a means to gamble, expectations are taking shape. 

From September to November, the Golden Nugget has unveiled more games than it ever has. These odds are telling, and a few glaring trends stand out.

Alabama is Redefining What the Favorite Looks Like

Of course Alabama is the chalk heading into the fall. Outside of the offensive line—which appears to be coming along swimmingly—and a few holes on defense, this is without question the most talented team in the country. Again.

Being the favorite is one thing. Being labeled head and shoulders above all others, including hopefuls in the nation’s premier conference, is another. It's a label Nick Saban is becoming more familiar with each season.

On average, Alabama is a 22.5-point favorite in the 10 games posted at the Golden Nugget. The largest point spread comes against Colorado State in Week 3 where the Crimson Tide is a monstrous 41-point chalk. The smallest number comes the week prior, where Alabama will travel to Texas A&M as a six-point favorite.

Other notable spreads include Alabama as a 17-point favorite against Ole Miss and an 11.5-point favorite against LSU. Both of these games will be played at Bryant-Denny Stadium. For rivalry buffs, Alabama is a robust 24-point favorite against Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

The opener in Virginia Tech will mark the 42nd game in which Alabama is favored. Unless key injuries surface, it’s likely that this streak will eclipse the 50-game mark late in the 2013 regular season. That's hard to fathom.

While this by no means guarantees an undefeated regular season, it throws an exclamation point on something you already know; Alabama is approaching a level of unknown dominance, and Vegas is having to reach new thresholds in order to close the gap between Nick Saban and everybody else.

Even Without Its Starting QB, Las Vegas Loves Notre Dame

No Everett Golson? No problem. This appears to be the stance Vegas is taking when it comes to Notre Dame's 2013 potential.

Sportsbooks always love Notre Dame because the betting public loves Notre Dame. It doesn’t matter whether it's warranted, the Irish are evaluated differently because of the interest that follows. It's hard to factor in what influence this has, but it is real.

Still, the Nugget clearly has confidence in a team whose offensive identity and outlook remains a mystery. The defense, despite the loss of linebacker Manti Te'o, has a chance to be special again.

Notre Dame is favored in 10 of the 12 games listed. The only exceptions include a road trip to Michigan early on in the season, which opened at pick ‘em, and the November 30 season finale at Stanford where ND is a five-and-a-half-point underdog.

Outside of these two games, the Golden Nugget believes Notre Dame has the upper hand—at least on paper—with the rest of its schedule, a path loaded with talented teams. This includes matchups against Michigan State, Oklahoma, Arizona State and USC.

Is this Vegas simply giving the nation’s biggest football brand its yearly boost, or is this Notre Dame team poised to surprise for the second consecutive year? The answer is probably somewhere in the middle.

Florida’s Challenging 2013 Comes into Focus

After a dazzling (and surprising) 2013, the Florida Gators were given a gift from the schedule gods. And by “gift,” I mean the kind of gift that ends up on your doorstep in a bag smothered in flames shortly after the doorbell wakes up the dog.

The Gators are a two-and-a-half-point favorite in their game at Miami in Week 2, a slightly surprising line given the recent history of both. Las Vegas, however, is high on the Hurricanes as well, which means a difficult schedule will start earlier than Will Muschamp anticipated.

Florida is a double-digit favorite over Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas early on, although gimmies are tough to come by as the season progresses. LSU is listed as a four-point favorite over the Gators at home, and Missouri is a six-point underdog playing Will Muschamp’s group in its building the following week.

As for the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party—and yes, you should still refer to it as such regardless of what they tell you to call it—Georgia is listed as a four-point favorite. Florida is also an underdog on the road at South Carolina and at Florida State to end the season.

Schedules don’t get much tougher than this.

Despite key losses on defense and uncertainty on offense, Vegas still likes the Gators. The problem? They also like the other teams on Florida's schedule quite a bit. There are land mines everywhere, and matching the success from a year ago would be a tremendous (and albeit unlikely) accomplishment.

Looking For a Sleeper? How About Oklahoma State?

Perhaps “sleeper” isn’t the most appropriate term. After all, Oklahoma State will be a buzz pick by many to win the Big 12. Especially those who aren't buying Texas.

They are talented, experienced and Mike Gundy has proven to be one of the nation’s finest offensive generators over the past few seasons. Still, the Cowboys are flying comfortably under the radar.

Although the starting quarterback remains unknown, Vegas doesn't seem the least bit concerned. It won’t be Wes Lunt, this much we know, but the competition between Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh will likely wage on into fall camp.

Most teams with a quarterback controversy on its hands won’t get the red carpet treatment from the oddsmakers. It’s become quite clear that Oklahoma State isn’t receiving the same treatment.

Mike Gundy’s group is at least a touchdown-favorite in seven of the nine games listed. The only game where Oklahoma State is listed as an underdog is the big November 16 road showdown against Texas. The Longhorns are a six-and-a-half-point favorite.

OK State is a two-touchdown favorite over Mississippi State in Week 1, a 10-point favorite against TCU on October 19, an 11-point favorite over Baylor—a team garnering buzz as the season closes in—on November 23 and a three-point favorite over rival Oklahoma during the final week.

It’s not just that Oklahoma State is favored in the majority of its games. It’s the size of some of these lines that really makes you wonder if this is one to look out for.

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Players like Herschel Walker, Garrison Hearst, Knowshon Moreno, Rodney Hampton and Robert Edwards have all made their way through the Georgia program to various degrees of success, establishing a tradition of fine running backs between the hedges.

Is it "Running Back U?"

Auburn may hold that title in the SEC, and Alabama is certainly making a strong case to unseat the Tigers with its latest string of running back success. But don't look now, because the Bulldogs may have something to say about that.

Head coach Mark Richt got good news Tuesday when the Bulldogs secured the commitment of Nick Chubb, a 5'11", 216-pound running back from Cedartown, Ga. Chubb is rated as a 4-star prospect in the 247Sports.com composite index and the top running back in the state.

He rushed for a mind-boggling 2,697 yards and 38 touchdowns for Cedartown last season and has the size and speed to be an instant-impact player for the Bulldogs if and when he arrives on campus.

But judging from the stable of running backs headed to the program, he may not have to be an instant-impact player.

Chubb joins another top running back in Georgia's class of 2014, Fort Lauderdale (American Heritage), Fla. running back Sony Michel. The 5'11", 205-pound Michel is rated as a 5-star prospect in the 247Sports.com composite and is rated as the No. 1 player in the state of Florida.

Recruiting classes don't matter until recruits sign on the dotted line in February, but having the top running back in Georgia and Florida committed before the 2013 season even starts is a "rich man's problem."

It's also a sign that Georgia has intentions of becoming the SEC's true "Running Back U."

Todd Gurley burst on the scene last season with 1,385 yards and 17 touchdowns as a true freshman, adding 117 receiving yards and 243 return yards in the process. He not only was named to the SEC's All-Freshman team but was a first-team all-conference selection from The Associated Press.

Not a bad debut.

But his running mate in the Georgia backfield wasn't too shabby either. Fellow true freshman Keith Marshall rushed for 758 yards and eight touchdowns himself. Serving as more of a changeup back, Marshall showed major big-play ability, leading the SEC with four rushes of 50 or more yards.

Assuming Chubb and Michel do wind up signing, you're talking about a potential six- or even seven-year span of ultra-talented running backs taking handoffs in Athens, depending on whether or not they redshirt .

That's pretty strong. 

Plus, the future looks bright moving forward. The No. 1 all-purpose back in the class of 2015, according to 247Sports, Taj Griffin, hails from suburban Atlanta and is high on Georgia, and the school is after a couple of running backs in the state of Florida as well.

It looks like "Uncle Mo" is on Georgia's side when it comes to running backs lately, and that bodes well for the future.

Will it be enough to claim the title of "Running Back U?" That's impossible to answer right now, and Alabama and Texas A&M will certainly have something to say about it. But it certainly looks like a legitimate possibility.

Follow @BarrettSallee

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In a statement issued to Warchant, 5-star linebacker Matthew Thomas says that he will make the decision to enroll at Florida State, honoring his national letter of intent. From Warchant:

After meeting with coach Fisher and his staff and gathering all the information I have decided to honor my commitment to Florida State. I also want to be close to my family and I want be part of what they are building at Florida State. I'm looking forward to winning games at Florida State and building towards my future.

The statement and eventual enrollment brings an end to the drama that has surrounded Thomas' commitment.

Sort of.

Now is really when the interesting part for the team, and Thomas, starts. This is a kid who spent a good amount of time trying to force his way out of going to Florida State. This is a kid who said in relatively public fashion that he would rather be elsewhere. This is a kid whose father stated that he would be enrolling at the University of Southern California.

Once he enrolls, Thomas will be a kid who has to earn the respect of his teammates, prove he's all in with them and do the same for his coaching staff.

Every freshman that enrolls has to prove their worth. You do that in the weight room, you do that on the field and, ultimately, you earn that respect through your interactions with your teammates. The difference between Thomas and the other kids? He let a lot of people know that this is not where he wanted to end up.

To be fair, Thomas is not the first kid who ended up at a school that was not his first choice. It happens more often than most fans want to admit. While Thomas' signing day and ensuing fiasco was somewhat unique, going somewhere that was not your first choice is not.

The team transition will likely be the easy part. As long as the 5-star linebacker comes in and works, gives all he has to his team and shows that he is dedicated to getting those wins he mentioned, he can be accepted into the flock. Essentially, prove that you belong, just like the other freshmen, and you shall be welcomed.

For Thomas, the hard part is going to be convincing himself, on the inside. Perhaps the incoming freshman is already at piece with the decision, hence the release and moving to enroll with the rest of his classmates.

If he is not convinced, not just in his head but in his heart, that this is the right thing to do, he could be in for a rough ride. Halfhearted football is not an endeavor many would recommend. The energy-draining workouts, lung-burning runs and grueling physical practices lose the inherent joy when the heart is not into the ordeal. It just becomes work, a miserable chore that weighs on the individuals.

A painstaking exercise that is not worth nearly as much as sitting out a year to be at the place that makes you happy.

College football is not easy, especially for freshmen attempting to carve out their niche on a roster. Thomas has a unique case, and that means he'll have to bust his behind just a little more to prove that he is all in on Jimbo Fisher and the team's missions. It is something that can't be done with words; it has to come with your actions in the weight room and on the field.

But it is something that certainly can be done. If Thomas wants it, he can get it. The kid is good enough to gain that respect and then some through his actions. The most interesting part of the process to watch now, and going forward, will be how bad he wants it.

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Every fanbase takes pride in creating a hostile environment for opposing teams; and in the SEC, there are plenty of hostile environments to go around.

According to Athlon Sports, at the top of the heap was LSU's Tiger Stadium, which was voted as the No. 1 stadium in the conference—ahead of Georgia's Sanford Stadium, Tennessee's Neyland Stadium and Texas A&M's Kyle Field.

Is that accurate? 

Judging stadiums is incredibly subjective, but by virtually any metric, Death Valley rises to the top.

Decibel level? Check.

Tiger Stadium is widely known as one of the loudest stadiums in the country. The 92,542-seat college football cathedral has a massive lower bowl which traps noise in. That noise, especially during traditional night games, is generated from a raucous fanbase that thrives on hours of pregame "prep time." 

It's so loud in Tiger Stadium that LSU's game-winning fourth-down touchdown pass from Tommy Hodson to Eddie Fuller in 1988 registered as an earthquake on a campus seismograph. 

Fans in attendance know they're part of what makes Tiger Stadium a tough place to play, and thrive on it.

Home-field advantage? Check.

The Tigers are 50-7 at Tiger Stadium since head coach Les Miles took over in 2005, and have posted home winning streaks of 19 games (2005 to 2007) and 22 games (2009 to 2012) in that time. Whether it's due to the fans, a schematic advantage or simply more talent, LSU is tough to beat in Death Valley.

"That was the place where opponents' dreams come to die," Miles said after extending the streak to 22 games in a 23-21 win over South Carolina in 2012. "It started early and it ended late. I recognize the great advantage that the team has in this stadium."

Tradition? LSU has that, too.

Whether it's Mike The Tiger rolling on the field in his cage surrounded by LSU's cheerleaders, Miles holding his players back as they rush on to the field or known (and loud) cheers for each specific defensive situation, LSU has tradition by the boat load.

Functionality? Well, that's where it's lacking.

If you've ever been to a game at Tiger Stadium, you know navigating the concourse is like trying to navigate a concrete gauntlet. But that's due in part to the stadium's initial purpose, which was also as a residence hall. In fact, according to LSUSports.net, LSU's football players lived in the stadium while the athletics dorm was being renovated in 1986.

It's also undergoing a massive renovation and expansion project that includes the enclosure of the south end zone, the addition of 60 suites, 3,000 club seats, 1,500 general public seats and expanded plaza spaces in the north end zone, according to The Daily Reveille.

Take nothing away from the other stadiums in the SEC. The size of Neyland, Bryant-Denny and Sanford is imposing; the noise at The Swamp and Jordan-Hare is deafening; and when it comes to tradition, nobody comes close to the 4,098 that Texas A&M boasts (only a slight exaggeration). 

But Tiger Stadium is the whole package. When it comes to SEC power, it rises to the top.

Follow @BarrettSallee

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"I hated it."

Those are the words of a young man talking about college football. A man who plays quarterback at an elite school. A man who broke his school's single-season total offense record of 3,415 yards which had been previously set by quarterback Bernie Kosar in 1984. 

Miami quarterback Stephen Morris hated football? He really, truly hated it.

Baseball was his sport.

"My dad always took me to this park next to our house called Cagni Park in North Miami, and that's where I first started playing baseball," he said.

Across the field he noticed boys practicing football. At around six or seven years old, he "hinted" to his father that he would like to play the sport.  

Morris joined an organized football league the next year. "I hated it...I hated it," he said. He recalled his youth football experiences with a touch of self-deprecating humor.

"I wasn't used to the contact, the conditioning...I was out of shape. It was terrible. I remember growing up... hating it. In my first two years playing it I was skipping conditioning, coming to practice late. I missed all the conditioning and everything. I hated it."

Morris wasn't done with his rant. It was almost comical.   

"I watched football all the time but it is different when you're watching football and when you're playing it."

Morris wanted to play football because all of his friends were. But he could not find a position that, well, he didn't hate.  

"They tried me out at different positions," he explained.

"I think my first position that I played was center. When I was on the [offensive] line, I was uncoordinated. Then I moved over to defense. I played linebacker and safety. And then I finally moved back to the offense again. I played running back. I didn't like that because I'm not much of a runner. I wasn't that fast."

He finally tried out at the quarterback position in his second year. He liked it, and he never looked back.

At Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Morris threw a career 3,536 yards. He was a dropback passer and admitted he "wasn't really much of a runner."

Head coach Alvin Slaughter got him out of his comfort zone and changed his way of thinking. 

"A lot of times [Slaughter] called defenses just to make sure no one would be open and he would force me to run," Morris recalled with a chuckle. 

That no guts, no glory philosophy worked. The Florida native got his offer from Miami and Slaughter joined the special teams staff at LSU in 2012. And the kid who didn't think he could run was clocked at 4.55 in the 40-yard dash.

Morris comes from a very successful family. His mother and father own a public relations firm and his sister recently graduated from the University of South Florida. "The way my parents brought me up—they always made sure we were in school, getting good grades and doing the right thing," he said. "I think it is very important." 

Yet there is definitely a playful side to Morris. 

When I asked him where he was born, he answered "in the hospital' without hesitation. "I love to have fun," he admitted. "I'm probably the biggest goofball you could ever imagine." Right now, he is having a lot of fun. 

In his three years at Miami, Morris has had a total of 17 starts. He started all 12 games last year throwing for 3,345 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Against Georgia Tech he went 31-of-52 for 436 yards. He threw for 566 yards against North Carolina State and 413 yards against South Florida. And he broke Kosar's record.  

"I was humbled by it," he said.

"When you think about all the great quarterbacks that have come through here, the amount of talent that this school has produced, to have your name still above everyone else's on the record board, that means a lot to me. That definitely means a lot to my family, to my friends, and especially to the O-line for the way they protected me all season. It is really a tribute to everybody on the offensive side of the ball."

But Morris isn't satisfied. 

"We can do so much better," he said. "There were a lot of opportunities that we lost. I'm definitely going to break my own record this season."

Morris says he wants to focus on making better decisions this season. He also believes the team's goals should stay in the locker room—he won't divulge what the Hurricanes are shooting for this year. Despite the pending NCAA sanctions hanging over the school like a dark cloud, Morris thinks the fans will be happy this year.

"The best is yet to come," he said.

"We appreciate the fans that do come out. As far as the fans that don't come out, that doesn't hurt us, that doesn't bother us." 

The team has bonded. The Hurricanes have endured a two-year self-sanctioned postseason ban in hopes of appeasing the NCAA's final punishment over an investigation of multiple players reportedly receiving impermissible benefits. Head coach Al Golden has kept the players focused by looking ahead. He has also amused fans with his sideline attire.

Golden has been called "The Tie" due to his constant wearing of white dress shirts and bright-colored ties. 

"I think it has definitely become a fashion statement with the fans and the students around campus," he said. "I think it's a great statement." 

So too is Morris' final verdict on college football, the sport he once hated.  

"It's the love of my life."

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Mark Richt and Georgia have slowly but surely been putting together a solid recruiting class, and that class looks even better now that 4-star running back Nick Chubb has committed to the Bulldogs.

Chubb is considered to be one of the best recruits from the state of Georgia and he's a big-time running back. For a program that has had it's fair share of struggles in regard to landing elite in-state recruits as of late, the importance of Chubb's commitment cannot be overstated.

Radi Nabulsi of ESPN.com reported on the commitment:

The Peach State’s top running back last year in rushing yards was actually a junior. Nick Chubb of Cedartown (Ga.) High School had over 2,700 yards and scored 38 touchdowns for his squad in 10 games. Now as he prepares for his senior season, the four-star tailback has decided to commit to the in-state Georgia Bulldogs. 

“Georgia is a place I feel comfortable, where I feel like I want to raise my family and live the rest of my life,” Chubb said. “So going to the university will help me out with that.” 

Chubb goes on to talk about how Georgia recruited him, per Nabulsi:

“They talk to me almost every night there on twitter or they tell me to call them,” the four-star prospect said. “They recruited me probably the best. If they use the same thing with me that they use with everybody then I’m sure they’ll get [other recruits], because they are real smooth.” 

Georgia now has eight commitments with the addition of Chubb, and it also boasts another great running back commit in 5-star back Sony Michel, who committed in April.

Moving forward, Michel projects to be a star running back for Georgia, but Chubb has the potential to be equally important. In fact, Georgia is setting itself up to have another Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall-esque backfield.

Michel is 5'11'', 205 pounds. Chubb checks in at 5'11'', 216 pounds. Both have great size and both feature speed, but of the two, Chubb looks like more of a power runner. Meanwhile, Michel can be the elusive and fast runner on the edges.

That's not to say that Chubb can't beat a defender to the edge with speed or that Michel can't carry it between the tackles, though. Both runners are balanced overall, but Chubb runs with the type of forward lean and aggressiveness that would make him a tremendous short-yardage, power football back at the college level.

Either way, Georgia has two running backs that can be elite.

If both stay committed, look for Michel to work his way into the No. 3 role behind Gurley and Marshall, and Chubb will compete for the spot behind him. Once Gurley and Marshall move on, Michel and Chubb would be Georgia's new one-two punch.

Richt and his staff have proven they know how to utilize multiple running backs, so look for that trend to continue with these two recruits.

Add in 4-star running back A.J. Turman from the 2013 class, and Georgia is setting itself up with a running back corps that will rival Alabama's in the SEC.

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A receiver can be fast with great hands but does he have game-breaking ability on the field? 

247Sports National Recruiting Director JC Shurburtt breaks down the receivers in the 2014 class who have the best game-breaking ability on the field. 

WR Johnnie Dixon may be flying under the radar but he shouldn't be ignored. The 4-star recruit is being heavily touted by Alabama, Florida, Miami and Notre Dame. Dixon has over 1,000 receiving yards going into his senior year and could make some noise in 2014.

Watch the video to see JC break down the other game-breaking receivers in the 2014 class. 

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When you combine tremendous size with speed, you get 4-star defensive tackle Elisha Shaw. 

The 6'5", 295-pound monster is currently the No. 2 defensive tackle in the 2014 class, according to 247Sports.com. 

Shaw had 28 tackles and six sacks in his junior season and has several top offers including Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama and many more. 

Watch the video to see who we compare Shaw with in the NFL. 

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In May, following Everett Golson's departure from Notre Dame, Your Best 11 took a look at the Fighting Irish's quarterbacks through the BCS era. Between the position changes and the transfers, it was not exactly pretty. Add in the changes in coaching philosophy with each new head coach, and the water got even muddier.

Instead of focusing on another school and working through its history, we've decided to look at the top of the heap. Every year since 2002, Rivals has listed position rankings, including both pro-style and dual-threat quarterbacks.

Omitting the 2013 QBs, who have yet to play a game, we took the 11-year window and looked at the top five quarterbacks in both categories. That's 10 players a year, five dual-threat and five pro-style quarterbacks over the last 11 seasons for a grand total of 110 players.

The most basic information reared its head very early: No one is immune to the transfer.

Guys in this group have left school at a 36.4 percent clip and for a myriad of reasons. Some, like Ryan Perrilloux, originally at LSU, have to go because of discipline issues. Others, like Ryan Mallett, have to leave their first choice because of a coaching change that renders them obsolete.

And neither style of quarterback is immune to the issues. Pro-style and dual-threat guys are leaving at the same rate on a quest for success. In fact, both styles of player have years where no one from the top five finished his career at the position and/or school of his original choosing.

The 2010 pro-style top five consisted of Jake Heaps, Phillip Sims, Connor Wood, Brett Notthingham and Jesse Scroggins. All five ended up transferring. Most recently, Nottingham left Stanford for Columbia, and Scroggins wrapped up his JUCO season at El Camino before heading to Arizona.

Meanwhile, on the dual-threat side of things, 2005's haul of Perrilloux, Jake Christensen to Iowa, Ike Whitaker to Virginia Tech, Josh Portis to Florida and Kyle Reed to Cal did not end well either. Everyone transferred, except Whitaker, who battled addiction, went to rehab and ultimately ended up moving to wide receiver as the clock expired on his career in Blacksburg.

In looking at the list of names, the overwhelming theme is just how hard it is to succeed at the quarterback position, regardless of your style or choice of school. Only 25 of the 90 players (the 2011 and 2012 groups were not eligible for the NFL draft) were selected to play at the next level. Of those 25, 11 were first-round picks. Including two No. 1 overall selections, Cam Newton and Andrew Luck.

From looking at the draft to forecasting the future, a look at the most recent classes to enroll and play for their respective schools, the 2011 and 2012 groups. Three players are transferring, another is taking his Latter Day Saints mission trip and the rest are still at the school of their choosing.

Gunner Kiel, now at Cincinnati after starting at Notre Dame, likely the most high-profile transfer from the group, is joined by Jacoby Brissett, who moved from Florida to North Carolina State, and Anthony Alford, who spent a year at Southern Miss but is now enrolled at Ole Miss.

In that same class, Braxton Miller is battling to win a Heisman Trophy in 2013, while guys like Christian LeMay at Georgia, Jake Rodrigues at Oregon and Matt Davis at Texas A&M are hoping to elbow their way into the backup spot.

It all goes back to Top Five quarterback prospects finding a favorable situation and then working to prevail. Luck's smart decision to go to Stanford where playing time was available, and he developed into a No. 1 pick. RGIII headed,to Baylor, where he had a great relationship with the coach which helped him land in the second spot in the same draft.

Meanwhile, Star Jackson, who was ranked right behind Luck, has bounced around from Alabama to Georgia State and North Alabama. The former "next big thing" never found his football home after losing the quarterback competition to Greg McElroy. In that same vein, MarQueis Gray, who was ranked ahead of RGIII, ended up playing some quarterback and wide receiver at Minnesota before going undrafted. He's now trying to hang on as a tight end with the 49ers.

As the numbers show, quarterback is a high-risk, high-turnover position. Quarterbacks are not moved nearly as easily as other position players. Of the 110 players examined, only a handful changed positions, none of whom were successful enough to get drafted at their new position.

Every conference to land some of the big-name quarterbacks has their share of kids who just never materialized. The SEC can certainly look to Alabama's stars who transferred, but also Mitch Mustain at Arkansas, James Banks at Tennessee or Robert Lane at Ole Miss.

Their southeast brethren, the ACC, boasts names like Willy Korn at Clemson, Peter Lalich and Kevin McCabe at Virginia and Mike Paulus at North Carolina. There's Connor Wood and Tommy Grady out of the Big 12 at Texas and Oklahoma respectively. The Pac-12 is looking at Aaron Corp who signed with USC and Kyle Reed who left Cal for San Jose State.

Everyone has got their players that did not quite live up to the hype of being a top-five quarterback prospect. Top tier teams lose quarterbacks the same way as mediocre and flat out bad teams. 

One of the more interesting finding was not about the quarterbacks' indvidual success. Rather, it was about the success of the teams they led. Only Chris Leak, Tim Tebow and Vince Young were able to hoist the crystal football as starters for their original universities. Phillip Sims and Star Jackson would only watch as the Crimson Tide won national titles early in their careers. LSU's Ryan Perrilloux would see limited action in the Tigers' 2007 BCS Championship season.

And all three, Sim, Jackson and Perrilloux, would transfer soon after.

It is worth noting that Cam Newton also lifted the crystal football, but it was following his transfers to junior college and finally landing at Auburn. Newton is the rare quarterback who blended the norm of transferring with the rarity of big-time success in college.

Most transfers are not so lucky, as Rhett Bomar—a fifth-rounder—and Ryan Mallett—a third-rounder—are the only other two draftees to be the products of transfer in the group. Bomar is out of the NFL and Mallett is currently a reserve quarterback for the New England Patriots.

Whether the quarterbacks stay or go, success often must be assessed on a sliding scale. 27.8 percent of the the eligible quarterbacks got selected into the league. Another good portion, including solid college players like Willie Tuitama at Arizona, Juice Williams at Illinois and Stephen Garcia do not parlay their collegiate runs into draft picks.

But, they can end up on pro football rosters. Tuitama has spent time playing for the Indoor Football League's Nebraska Danger. Juice Williams leads the IFL's Chicago Slaughter, and Garcia with the Montreal Alouettes.

These are not the only players who have advanced to the next level, still hoping to find a place in the NFL. There are other CFL and IFL players, as well as guys who have spent time, as Brian Brohm did 2008-2010, as NFL reserves and practice squad players.

Everyone sees the glory of being named one of the elite quarterback prospects in the nation, those same folks often assume that things will be handed to them or that their path is easy. With all that goes into playing the position, the route to achieving that NFL dream of many is certainly never easy.

Transfers are more likely than superstardom. Average play is more common than the quarterback saving a program. Coaching changes are more common than titles. For the top of the quarterback groups things are just as tough, at times even tougher, than they are for the rest of the college football world.

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Texas A&M has a lot to be hopeful for after the 2012-13 campaign.

The Aggies posted an 11-2 record last season while beating Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, led by Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel.

That included a stunning victory over eventual national champion Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

But how will the Aggies fare this season?

Here's a breakdown of each matchup on the schedule, complete with my predictions.

Rice (Aug. 31)

It would be a surprise if Texas A&M loses to Rice to start its 2013 campaign. The Owls went 7-6 last season, allowing 30 points per game in the C-USA. Considering the Aggies averaged 44.5 points in the big and bad SEC, this one could get ugly.

Sam Houston State (Sept. 7)

Sam Houston State went 11-4 last season. That being said, it was in the Southland Conference. One of those losses was a 47-28 defeat to Texas A&M, in which Johnny Manziel threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 100 yards and two scores. Excuse me if I'm not giving the Bearkats much of a chance in this one.

Alabama (Sept. 14)

Ah, yes. This is more like it. Manziel and the Aggies shocked eventual national champion Alabama in November last year, 29-24. Manziel was truly sensational in that game, throwing for 253 yards and two scores while rushing for 92 yards against arguably the nation's best defense. That being said, it's hard to beat a team like Alabama back-to-back and the Crimson Tide have once again reloaded this offseason. I don't like the Aggies' chances in this one.

SMU (Sept. 21)

SMU allowed 25.7 points per game in the C-USA last season. When the Mustangs faced Texas A&M in September, they got trampled, 48-3. Manziel threw for 294 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 124 yards and another two scores. Sorry, SMU. You lose.

Arkansas (Sept. 28)

Arkansas has taken a bit of a step back as a program in recent years, to say the least. Following the Bobby Petrino scandal, the Razorbacks went 4-8 last season, ranked 91st in the nation in points per game and 83rd in points allowed per game. Texas A&M should be able to pull this one off in Fayetteville.

Ole Miss (Oct. 12)

Ole Miss is a very interesting program right now. Hugh Freeze put in place a dynamic offense (ranked 47th in the nation in points per game) last season and the Rebels showed signs of turning things around. Then the Rebels scored a coup in the offseason, landing the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation, per 247Sports.com. That being said, it's going to be a couple of years before that recruiting class can really help the Rebels soar in the big and bad SEC. Give Ole Miss another year and it should be challenging some top programs. Until then, Texas A&M wins.

Auburn (Oct. 19)

Auburn has taken an absolute nosedive since its national championship in 2010, but it was frankly astonishing that the Tigers landed the No. 13 recruiting class in the nation this offseason. Still, this program has a long ways to go before challenging some of the top teams in the nation. The 49-0 beatdown at the hands of Alabama to end last season was hard to watch. Texas A&M wins.

Vanderbilt (Oct. 26)

While Vanderbilt had a solid bounce-back campaign last season (9-4), it's worth noting the Commodores lost to the only three ranked teams they played: South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The losses to Georgia and Florida were blowouts. Vanderbilt is a decent team, but can't stack up to the Aggies at this point.

UTEP (Nov. 2)

UTEP went 3-9 in the C-USA last season. Need I say more? The Miners ranked 102nd in points per game and 78th in points allowed per contest. They lost to ranked Oklahoma to start the campaign, 24-7. Texas A&M should win this one in a blowout.

Mississippi State (Nov. 9)

Mississippi State isn't getting much love this season after flailing down the stretch last season. The Rebels lost five of their last six games during that stretch, including a 34-20 defeat to Northwestern in the Gator Bowl. The Rebels also lost to Texas A&M in November, 38-13. Call me crazy, but I don't think Texas A&M is going to have any problem with Mississippi State this season.

LSU (Nov. 23)

LSU handed Texas A&M one of its two losses last season. That being said, no one lost more talent on the defensive side of the ball to the NFL draft than LSU, as 11 players declared early. Among those players were defensive ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, inside linebacker Kevin Minter, safety Eric Reid and cornerback Tharold Simon. LSU doesn't figure to replicate its 10-3 season from last year—that includes losing to the Aggies in College Station.

Missouri (Nov. 30)

Missouri ranked 82nd in points per game and 68th in points allowed per game last season while going 5-7. That included a 59-29 loss to Texas A&M in which the Aggies posted 647 total yards. Nothing about Missouri suggests the outcome will be different this season. Expect Texas A&M to go 11-1 before bowl season.

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Ohio State was able to close with arguably the best recruiting class on National Signing Day last February. Though there was elite firepower throughout the class, one player stands out among the rest—Texas native Dontre Wilson.  

Wilson competed in Texas’ 5A division, the top division for high school football in the state. Facing top-notch competition, he was able to rack up over 1,800 yards on the ground while catching 37 passes for 750 yards. A player like this doesn’t come around too often, and it just so happens that Urban Meyer will now have the opportunity to incorporate Wilson into an already dangerous offense.

There’s been much talk through the offseason about a playmaker emerging—a true playmaker who can catch a five-yard pass and turn it into a 80-yard touchdown. With Wilson, you get that threat every time he touches the ball.

Sure, Jordan Hall will have an opportunity early in the year to prove he’s the man, and hopefully he’ll shine during his last season as a Buckeye—but even if that’s the case, a talent like Wilson cannot be left off the football field. 

Look at the last time Urban Meyer had a player that fits this bill. It was a guy named Percy Harvin who was able to have a decent career, torching any defender he faced. Yes, Wilson and Harvin are two different people, but it’s hard to not make a comparison when looking at high school film and the fact that they were both almost identical in size at this point in their careers. 

Ohio State’s offense had its ups and downs in 2012, and I’m still not convinced we were able to see the whole package. Maybe the coaching staff felt as if they didn’t have the right guys, yet, to run certain things—maybe not. Maybe 2012 was about getting continuity throughout the program and laying a foundation—again, maybe not. 

Whatever the case was, with the amount of talent Urban Meyer has brought in, we should start to see the full repertoire starting this season. Guys like Dontre Wilson just make it easier.

Early on, there should be a learning curve for Wilson as he gets used to the speed of the college game.  Until he’s ready to get the training wheels off, look for Wilson to be an instant factor on special teams.  There’s no doubt the kid knows how to find the end zone, scoring 48 touchdowns as a senior. Again, a talent like Wilson doesn’t come around too often and starting in fall camp, he will develop into a star in this Ohio State program.

Dontre Wilson's senior highlights.  

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It's safe to assume that very few people thought the 2012 Ohio State Buckeyes would have a perfect record. If they don't this year, at least based on what the people in Las Vegas think, it may be a disappointment.

The Golden Nugget Casino has the Buckeyes favored in all 12 of their regular season games, including being a 6-point favorite in their road clash with the Wolverines.

That's nothing new to the Buckeyes, who were favored in each of their games in the 2002, 2007 and 2010 seasons, along with 1998 in which they were double-digit favorites every week.

Looking at OSU's schedule, there's a pretty decent chance the Buckeyes could run the table once again, but this time having a chance to play for a national championship, unlike last year.

The team is also much better, particularly on offense with nine returning starters and a bevy of talented freshmen Urban Meyer can plug in for certain situations.

It also helps having Heisman hopeful Braxton Miller back for his junior season after having a breakout season in 2012, flourishing in Meyer's spread offense.

The defense is definitely a question after being very inconsistent through most of 2012. Losing six starters on the front seven, even with an uber-talented pair of sophomore defensive ends in Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington set to take over, doesn't help matters.

Going perfect will also require passing several big road tests, including trips to Northwestern, Purdue and Michigan, among others.

Navigating the Big Ten is not nearly as difficult as navigating the SEC, where Meyer failed to rack up a perfect season during his time with the Florida Gators.

After doing it in his first year in Columbus with a team that looked slightly deflated after a 6-7 season in 2011, anything less than perfection in 2013 is going to be disappointing.

That's a lot to ask for any team because any number of things can go wrong. Last year, Ohio State caught its fair share of breaks throughout the season and stole some games along the way.

OSU may have been the nation's last unbeaten team, but it probably wasn't the best in the country.

It's asking a lot for a team to find a way to get that many breaks to go their way two years in a row.

But the talent is there, and it may only be getting better as the season nears.

2012 may have been Meyer's least talented team, at least on paper, for as long as he is the coach of the Buckeyes.

If he can find the heart that team had going into this season, perfection is possible once again.

Follow me on Twitter @bielik_tim for the latest college football news and updates.

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Robert Prince was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Broncos last season after returning to Boise State in 2011 as the wide receivers coach.

He was also a member of the Broncos coaching staff from 2001-2003 as the wide receivers coach when Chris Petersen was the offensive coordinator under Dan Hawkins.

Prince then spent the following six years coaching in the NFL, and in 2010 he became the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at the University of Colorado. 

When it was announced that offensive coordinator Brent Pease was leaving for Florida last year, it didn't take head coach Chris Petersen long to name Prince his new OC.

In 2012 it started a bit rough for Prince, but by the end of the season, the offense was looking much better. Of course, Prince had the daunting task of replacing quarterback Kellen Moore, running back Doug Martin and a hand full of other key players.

All things considered, and with the huge challenges he faced in 2012, he did a very good job rebuilding an offense in the shadow of one of the best offenses Boise State has ever fielded.

Fast forward to 2013, and Prince has fewer challenges on his plate. However, the ones he does face are still going to cause him some sleepless nights and long hours of planning and preparation.

Let's look at three of the biggest challenges he may face in 2013.

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The inevitable quarterback controversy awaiting Notre Dame in 2014 just experienced its first significant plot twist. 

DeShone Kizer, a 4-Star quarterback out of Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio, announced his commitment to Notre Dame via his Twitter account. 

I am privileged to say that I will be continuing my Fighting Irish tradition by playing football at the University of Notre Dame! #CCHStoND

Kizer selected the Irish over offers from Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and Louisville, among others. 

The process of Notre Dame's recruitment of the 6'4", 205-pound dual-threat quarterback developed in rapid fashion, as the Irish didn't extend Kizer a scholarship offer until early last week. He and his family then visited campus on June 9, followed by a commitment just two days later. 

Notre Dame's decision to pursue Kizer arrived following the news of incumbent starting quarterback Everett Golson's dismissal from the university, which resulted in the Irish's dire need for a quarterback in the 2014 class. 

And because Notre Dame lost out on coveted pro-style quarterback Kyle Allen—the Scottsdale, Ariz., native was scheduled to visit campus on Monday, but reneged on that visit following his commitment to Texas A&M—head coach Brian Kelly was forced to move quickly on securing the services of a different quarterback. 

Should Kizer enroll at Notre Dame, he would join Malik Zaire and any other quarterbacks who join the Irish's 2014 class in the race for the starting role in 2014. 

It's extraordinarily early to be contemplating the 2014 season, though the seemingly endless possibilities surrounding the quarterback position is too appealing to ignore. 

At the very least, Kizer will provide a viable option as a backup to Zaire. 

However, that claim relies on the assumption that Kelly will play Zaire in some capacity during the 2013 season (I wrote in support of Zaire last week, though that's a conversation for a different post). 

Either way you frame it, depth at the quarterback position was and continues to be the Irish's most pressing recruiting need. 

For argument's sake, let's assume that Zaire plays in a limited role during the 2013 season, gaining a minimal amount of experience in the process. Should that be the case, Kizer would arrive at Notre Dame as a legitimate contender in the starting quarterback derby. 

Since arriving at Notre Dame, Kelly has stated his desire to have competition within the ranks, even at positions with a perceived established starter. 

Per Scout.com, Kizer is a profoundly cerebral player and leader, which will only aid in his cause. 

"Great sized kid with a good frame. Is mobile, athletic and, while not a burner speed wise, can make plays with his feet. Is very in command on the field, shows good intelligence, leadership, understanding of the game and decision making. Efficient and takes care of the ball. Has to polish up mechanics and shorten release along with continuing to be more consistent with accuracy. Has the arm to make the throws and has good touch as well." 

The signs point to Kizer grasping the playbook and the mental aspect of the game rather quickly, just as Zaire, a fellow Ohio native, has done during his first five months on campus. 

Now, that's no guarantee that Kizer will arrive at Notre Dame as presumed favorite to win the job by any means. It's simply a positive sign that Zaire will be pushed by the freshman-to-be during 2014 fall camp. And should Golson make a return to Notre Dame, another dimension of competition would be added to the fray.

Either way you frame it, the Irish are on the fast track to reestablishing depth at a position that was stocked with a wealth of talent as recently as the most recent Blue-Gold Game. 

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It's official. Five-star linebacker Matthew Thomas will be a member of the Florida State football team this season. 

The news comes courtesy of Gene Williams and D.C. Reeves at Warchant.com:

Matthew Thomas' wild post-national signing day saga will end at Florida State after all.

Thomas, a five-star linebacker and one of the jewels of FSU's 2013 recruiting class, released a statement to Warchant.com that says he will report to Florida State on Saturday.

Thomas, who is rated by 247 Sports' composite rankings as the third-best outside linebacker and the 14th best prospect in the class of 2013, signed a letter of intent with Florida State on national signing day back in February, but it soon became clear he was uneasy at best with his decision. 

In May, he told the Miami Herald (per Williams and Reeves) he was having second thoughts about playing for the Seminoles, and less than 24 hours ago, his father said he preferred USC, according to ESPN's Joe Schad. 

But the bizarre story seemingly took its final twist on Tuesday, with Thomas reaffirming his comment to FSU:

"After meeting with coach Fisher and his staff and gathering all the information I have decided to honor my commitment to Florida State," Thomas said in a statement released to Warchant.com. "I also want to be close to my family and I want be part of what they are building at Florida State. I'm looking forward to winning games at Florida State and building towards my future."

It obviously wasn't an ideal recruiting process for Jimbo Fisher and his staff, but Thomas has the elite talent to make fans forget about this ordeal. 

The Miami native has a terrific blend of size (6'3", 210 pounds) and athleticism, and now that this situation is resolved, he can simply concentrate on maximizing his potential and becoming a force on the Seminole defense. 

Follow @t_keen

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For the first time in his career, Nebraska football head coach Bo Pelini has named permanent team captains for the 2013 season. According to a tweet from Nebraska color analyst Matt Davison, this season Taylor Martinez, Spencer Long, Quincy Enunwa and Ciante Evans will captain the Cornhuskers.

The four players chosen as captains are not a big surprise. All seniors, the four are leading contributors in their areas on the field.

And given how much Nebraska is likely to lean on its offense to start the season, with only four defensive starters returning, it stands to reason that three of the captains would be on offense. Additionally, unless Enunwa is slated to increase his role as a kick returner, it is a bit eyebrow-raising that special teams is not represented in the captaincy.

The timing of the announcement, something new for Nebraska, also makes a lot of sense. As we enter the summer months, most of the coaching staff is prohibited from direct contact with the players. Only James Dobson, the strength and conditioning coach, is allowed regular contact with the team over the summer.

By naming captains now, Pelini puts into place a system of accountability. Hopefully, the captains will help keep the team on the straight and narrow in terms of behavior and offseason conditioning.

Team captains have been a part of Nebraska history for some time. According to Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska has had team captains from 1930 to 1949, from 1954 to 1957, and in 2007 (although that might not be the year most NU fans are looking to replicate anytime soon).

There are a couple of different ways to see the naming of team captains as a positive.

First, and most obviously, it gives a level of responsibility to the team to police itself and provide leadership from within. Last offseason, Nebraska put its players through a mini-boot camp which (according to Dirk Chatelain of the Omaha World-Herald) helped bring the team together and develop a sense of unity last season.

If naming permanent captains helps to create a similar type of team spirit this year, it can do nothing but help.

But a little more subtly, it also demonstrates a flexibility we are not used to seeing from Pelini. In his first five years in charge, Pelini has steadfastly refused to name permanent captains, responding when asked that he thinks leadership on a team develops organically and not through an appointment.

Ordinarily, Pelini is a “my-way-or-the-highway” kind of guy, and you don’t expect a guy like that to reverse course on a position he has so publicly staked out.

So by changing his mind on team captains, Pelini has demonstrated what many (including one particularly smart and handsome analyst) have hoped to see from him during his maturation as a head coach—the ability to be flexible, recognize mistakes and adapt his methods and practices as necessary.

Does that mean we’re seeing a softer Pelini emerge? Unlikely. But it may mean that we are seeing a wiser, more mature Pelini, more confident in his role as a head coach and more able to respond to the ever-changing challenges that face him as head Husker.

If that’s the case, Nebraska fans might really have cause to celebrate.

If you’d like to contact Patrick, send an email to patrickrunge@gmail.com.

Or, you could always...Follow @patrickrunge.

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The offensive coordinator position at any college football program is a tough, tough job. Having the same occupation at BYU is even more difficult, where athletes are required to abide by an Honor Code and many serve two-year missions before seeing the field.

That's why Robert Anae, the new and old Cougar OC, is bound for one heckuva summer by trying to break in a new offense and working with a new crop of athletes. On top of that, a daunting schedule provides extra stress for the veteran coordinator.

There will be plenty of challenges that Anae will have to face, and here are four of them.

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