I am Fish....I am an addict. I am addicting to football. I hate to admit this but I have pretty much watched every bowl game. Yesterday, I had three games going at one time. I was watching the Bengals vs. the Broncos, watched Army vs. La Tech and looked into the BYU vs. Colorado game. For all of its faults, I can't get enough of college football. For all its flaws these games allow a lot of young players shine.
For the bits....FSU is looking into bringing in another running back. If there is one thing that FSU is going to do in 2025 is run the football. Rahsul Faison is the top target. He is supposed to take a visit next week to FSU. With his ties to the Juco ranks it is not surprise that Faison is an option. Coach Mike Norvell and OC Gus Malzahn have had a history of recruiting Juco players. Faison rushed over 1,100 yards this past season.
Another name to Makhi Hughes of Tulane. He entered the portal this past week. The Tulane running back had 1401 yards this past season and 15 touchdowns. He would be my number one back. Faison may be a cheaper option so they may end up trying to go that route.
If you watched UNC vs. UCONN yesterday the best player on the field for UNC was Caleb LaVallee. He had 9 tackles for UNC. The freshman linebacker was easy to spot out. He was basically wearing shorts on the football field. I am really surprised this kid hit the portal. He is the type of player Bill B likes. He would start for FSU next year. If FSU can get traction with Caleb it would be a huge get for the Seminoles.
Tru Edwards - I had watched Louisiana Tech play this year and had no idea that his father was Troy Edwards who played in the NFL. First off - Major props to the kid. He entered the portal and still played in his bowl game. He went out and recorded 8 receptions for 92 yards. If FSU can add Tru, we can start talking about FSU having one of the best offenses in the ACC next year. Tru would be FSU best WR. He is what many of us hoped and felt Destyn Hill would be at FSU. Very good route runner. Very good after the catch. DUCE + TRU = a very good offense in 2025.
On the OL - FSU has ten returning players from their current roster returning. They added Mario Nash and Sean Porot from their 2025 recruiting class. From the portal they added C-Luke Petibon, OT Micah Pettus, OT/OG Adrian Medley, OT Gunnar Hansen to the mix. That puts you at sixteen players. I would think that FSU would like to get that number between 18-20. You had to think there is a chance that some other players on the current roster could hit the portal at some point.
FSU is definitely not done on the DL - Jayson Jenkins from Tennessee is next up. The 6'6 -280 pound DL would give FSU another Big Bodied DL. If you see one new trend on both lines of scrimmage is FSU is trying to get bigger.
2026 Class - It is way early but FSU has gotten a good jump on the class of 2026. One potential early commitment is Amari Clemons-Marianna HS - really like this kid’s film. He gives you another guy with speed and quickness. FSU needs to get more difference makers on offense and Clemons would provide that. If you are looking for a back with more power look no further than Javian Mallory of West Boca HS. His team won a state championship this past season. He reminds me of Alex Collins who FSU recruited awhile back and lost out to Arkansas on NSD.
On the OL Micah Smith (Vero Beach), Samuel Roseborough (Clearwater HS), Emanuel Tucker (New Albany HS -Mississippi), Grant Wise (Pace HS) will be some of the names to remember. We like the early take of Xavier Payne from Orlando Jones. He is someone that we don't feel the prior OL coach would have taken.
On the DL - My top guy would be Tyler Atkinson out of Grayson. Probably going to be a tough pull but would be a player FSU should go all in for. He is an elite pass rusher. Jake Kruel is another kid I could see possibly pulling the trigger early. He has been on the recruiting radar since his freshman season. Kendall Guervil out of Fort Myers is someone I expect FSU to go all in on. The HC at Ft Myers and Odell still speak and even though he moved off the field I like where FSU sits in his recruitment. Jermaine Kinsler (Bergen Catholic). Yes a NJ kid but he played most of his high school career at Trinity Catholic.
LB - Adam Balogoun Ali (Benjamin HS), Jordan Campbell (Carol City), Malik Morris (Lakeland) will be the guys FSU will try and get on campus again and go hard at early next year.
DB-Chancey Kennon (Booker) Justice Fitzpatrick (STA), Zech Fort (IMG) Dorian Barney (Carrollton), Jaydin Broadnaux (West Boca) - All have offers and each of them are major targets. Hopefully the relationship between Charles Letser and Kennon give FSU the inside track for this talented DB.
College football - Bowl Games - As I stated I have watched a ton of college football....
The ACC is 1-9 in bowl games. Miami and NC State were the latest victims yesterday. Miami played a very good half of offense and Cam sat down in the second half and their defense somewhat showed up and lost by one point. Cam was a special talent. His impact at Miami helped them go from a .500 program to one that went on to win ten games. Their defense was SPECIAL bad. I watched the game yesterday and while their talent especially on the back end is not very good those types of break downs is coaching. Something is off with that defensive staff and those players.
Miami next year is going into the season with Emory Williams. I think their run game will be elite with Fletcher and Lyles, they will have the best OL in the ACC along with what FSU has done, their DL will be very good. Their DB situation is one that has been upgraded through the portal. Their season in 2025 comes down to who their signal caller is. The rest of the team is stacked. They need a QB. That will be the difference between 6-6 and making another run at the ACC.
Miami knows that QB is an issue and that is why they were trying to get traction with Beck (NFL), Ewers and now Syracuse QB.
The rest of the ACC- Why I have optimism - Not sure who watched NC State. That is a bad football team. I like their QB CJ Bailey (FR), RB Hollywood Smothers (FR), and WR Noah Rogers (FR). Their top three players on offense are all freshman. Defensive wise they are downright terrible. They could not tackle yesterday to save their lives.
You look at Pitt, VT, Wake (New Coach), Stanford, UVA. Pitt, VT, NC State and UVA will all have coaches on the hot seat in 2025. FSU plays two easy games (East Texas and Kent State). They have a schedule where a turnaround is very easy to believe.
Texas A&M - LOL -They paid Jimbo to leave and gave him 75 million to do so. They hire Mike Elko. Good DC but do you really fire Jimbo for Elko and think that is an upgrade. 8-5....I went to sleep the other night and USC was down. They had 7 points and looked lifeless. Why Lincoln is still a very good coach. That USC team went on a run and scored 28 points in the second half and pulled the upset. A&M is what they are always going to be....A program with a ton of money who will never win squat. The one advantage they had was Texas being in the Big 12...now they are both in the SEC....Good luck, A&M won’t win. Went on their message boards the next day and they want to fire Elko. Their fans are delusional.
BYU - It is a program that I have always respected. I remember when they won the NC back in the 80's. Lavelle Edwards was one of the best coaches ever in college football. If not for some injuries this year they are a playoff team. Next year that is going to be a top 10-15 team pre-season and favorites to win the Big 12. Crazy but BYU is a Mormon school. Most of their players go on a two year mission. So when you play them there is a good chance that many of the guys on the team are 24-25-26 years old. Their starting QB Jake Retzlaff is Jewish. You want to talk about one of the oddest recruitments. He had zero offers out of HS. He went the juco route and ended up at BYU. Who would have ever thought a Jewish kid from Northern Cali would end up the QB at BYU.
Colorado - They finished 9-4 and got blowout by BYU. Not a real surprise. Deion has turned a once terrible program around and they won 9 games. That is impressive. The season did not finish how they would like but Shadeur and Travis never quit. For that I am going to give them major props. The two of them could have easily opted out. Both played till the end. Many have doubted Deion and said he could not win at Jackson State - he did. Many said Deion could not win at Colorado -he did. Many have said he can’t recruit another stud QB - he has (Salters/Juju). Many said once his sons left Colorado - he did not. There comes a point you can doubt someone until you can't any longer. Maybe just maybe the guy can coach.
Name to remember - Josh Hoover TCU - 20-32 252 Yards - 4 TD and 1 interception - 3949 yards 27 TD - 11 INT. Hoover is going to be the guy who pro scouts are talking about next year. He has the tools to be special. I really like Hoover and what I saw from him in their bowl game yesterday.
TCU - Scoring offense - 26th, 8th (passing offense) 31st rated (Total Offense) I watched TCU yesterday and was like man I like this offense. I looked up their OC - Kendal Briles - I don't know how many offenses he needs to turn around but Kendal needs to be hired as a HC. If he is good enough to coach as an OC and that is not an issue with colleges than it is time. Guy is an elite OC.
TCU, BYU and Kansas State will all have shots at the playoffs next year. Would not shock me to see 2 of the 3 make it in next year.
Army- Jeff Monkin is one of the best coaches no one talks about. Watching them run their offense is a thing of beauty. Yesterday they had a drive before the half where they had a drive for 13 plays. They come out in the second half and have a drive for 21 plays. The poor defense for Louisiana Tech who only 6 healthy DL had had to be on the field for 20 minutes on two drives.
If there ever was a GUN Malzahn type QB it is Army’s Bryson Daily. He ran 27 times for 127 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is Tyson Hill. There is no doubt that he will get drafted.
ARMY YES ARMY is not immune to the Portal. What is crazy is I did not know you could transfer out. Army RB Kayne Udoh hit the portal. For those who don’t know Udoh, he is one of the best backs in the country. He is going to transfer out and go and be the heir apparent to ASU RB. I remember when David Robinson was at (Navy) and Chad Henning’s (Air Force) both were drafted and needed to get waivers to even consider playing professionally right away. There was a guy who was at Army a few years back who wanted to leave early for the NFL Draft and it was a big deal. Army has allowed a kid to transfer out. Unreal...and you would have thought the service academies would be safe. I was wrong.
The Playoffs
5-Texas
4-ASU
8-Ohio State
1-Oregon
6-Penn State
3-Boise State
7-Notre Dame
2-UGA
Texas and Penn State both have the easiest paths to winning this week. I just think Penn State vs. Boise will be similar to SMU vs Penn State. I have watched a ton of Boise State games. They are not real big up front. While Jeanty is elite...Penn State has faced Elite RB's this year. Boise State QB is not a good passing QB. Boise could win but this looks like a potential blow out. ASU vs. Texas will be close ONLY if Sark decides to be Sark. I have no idea if there is something off with Sark but he has not coached well this year. I would not consider Ohio State an upset over Oregon as they have the most talented team. I still don't trust Ryan Day.
ND vs. UGA - If Smart somehow pulls this game off it will be one of if not his best coaching jobs. Beating Texas twice was impressive. Beating ND while their DL went out is relatively healthy for this game. ND has the better QB, the better run game, the better OL. They have the better defense this year. ND pulling the upset would not shock me. I also won't count out Kirby...but if there was ever the year to knock them off...this is it.
For the bits....FSU is looking into bringing in another running back. If there is one thing that FSU is going to do in 2025 is run the football. Rahsul Faison is the top target. He is supposed to take a visit next week to FSU. With his ties to the Juco ranks it is not surprise that Faison is an option. Coach Mike Norvell and OC Gus Malzahn have had a history of recruiting Juco players. Faison rushed over 1,100 yards this past season.
Another name to Makhi Hughes of Tulane. He entered the portal this past week. The Tulane running back had 1401 yards this past season and 15 touchdowns. He would be my number one back. Faison may be a cheaper option so they may end up trying to go that route.
If you watched UNC vs. UCONN yesterday the best player on the field for UNC was Caleb LaVallee. He had 9 tackles for UNC. The freshman linebacker was easy to spot out. He was basically wearing shorts on the football field. I am really surprised this kid hit the portal. He is the type of player Bill B likes. He would start for FSU next year. If FSU can get traction with Caleb it would be a huge get for the Seminoles.
Tru Edwards - I had watched Louisiana Tech play this year and had no idea that his father was Troy Edwards who played in the NFL. First off - Major props to the kid. He entered the portal and still played in his bowl game. He went out and recorded 8 receptions for 92 yards. If FSU can add Tru, we can start talking about FSU having one of the best offenses in the ACC next year. Tru would be FSU best WR. He is what many of us hoped and felt Destyn Hill would be at FSU. Very good route runner. Very good after the catch. DUCE + TRU = a very good offense in 2025.
On the OL - FSU has ten returning players from their current roster returning. They added Mario Nash and Sean Porot from their 2025 recruiting class. From the portal they added C-Luke Petibon, OT Micah Pettus, OT/OG Adrian Medley, OT Gunnar Hansen to the mix. That puts you at sixteen players. I would think that FSU would like to get that number between 18-20. You had to think there is a chance that some other players on the current roster could hit the portal at some point.
FSU is definitely not done on the DL - Jayson Jenkins from Tennessee is next up. The 6'6 -280 pound DL would give FSU another Big Bodied DL. If you see one new trend on both lines of scrimmage is FSU is trying to get bigger.
2026 Class - It is way early but FSU has gotten a good jump on the class of 2026. One potential early commitment is Amari Clemons-Marianna HS - really like this kid’s film. He gives you another guy with speed and quickness. FSU needs to get more difference makers on offense and Clemons would provide that. If you are looking for a back with more power look no further than Javian Mallory of West Boca HS. His team won a state championship this past season. He reminds me of Alex Collins who FSU recruited awhile back and lost out to Arkansas on NSD.
On the OL Micah Smith (Vero Beach), Samuel Roseborough (Clearwater HS), Emanuel Tucker (New Albany HS -Mississippi), Grant Wise (Pace HS) will be some of the names to remember. We like the early take of Xavier Payne from Orlando Jones. He is someone that we don't feel the prior OL coach would have taken.
On the DL - My top guy would be Tyler Atkinson out of Grayson. Probably going to be a tough pull but would be a player FSU should go all in for. He is an elite pass rusher. Jake Kruel is another kid I could see possibly pulling the trigger early. He has been on the recruiting radar since his freshman season. Kendall Guervil out of Fort Myers is someone I expect FSU to go all in on. The HC at Ft Myers and Odell still speak and even though he moved off the field I like where FSU sits in his recruitment. Jermaine Kinsler (Bergen Catholic). Yes a NJ kid but he played most of his high school career at Trinity Catholic.
LB - Adam Balogoun Ali (Benjamin HS), Jordan Campbell (Carol City), Malik Morris (Lakeland) will be the guys FSU will try and get on campus again and go hard at early next year.
DB-Chancey Kennon (Booker) Justice Fitzpatrick (STA), Zech Fort (IMG) Dorian Barney (Carrollton), Jaydin Broadnaux (West Boca) - All have offers and each of them are major targets. Hopefully the relationship between Charles Letser and Kennon give FSU the inside track for this talented DB.
College football - Bowl Games - As I stated I have watched a ton of college football....
The ACC is 1-9 in bowl games. Miami and NC State were the latest victims yesterday. Miami played a very good half of offense and Cam sat down in the second half and their defense somewhat showed up and lost by one point. Cam was a special talent. His impact at Miami helped them go from a .500 program to one that went on to win ten games. Their defense was SPECIAL bad. I watched the game yesterday and while their talent especially on the back end is not very good those types of break downs is coaching. Something is off with that defensive staff and those players.
Miami next year is going into the season with Emory Williams. I think their run game will be elite with Fletcher and Lyles, they will have the best OL in the ACC along with what FSU has done, their DL will be very good. Their DB situation is one that has been upgraded through the portal. Their season in 2025 comes down to who their signal caller is. The rest of the team is stacked. They need a QB. That will be the difference between 6-6 and making another run at the ACC.
Miami knows that QB is an issue and that is why they were trying to get traction with Beck (NFL), Ewers and now Syracuse QB.
The rest of the ACC- Why I have optimism - Not sure who watched NC State. That is a bad football team. I like their QB CJ Bailey (FR), RB Hollywood Smothers (FR), and WR Noah Rogers (FR). Their top three players on offense are all freshman. Defensive wise they are downright terrible. They could not tackle yesterday to save their lives.
You look at Pitt, VT, Wake (New Coach), Stanford, UVA. Pitt, VT, NC State and UVA will all have coaches on the hot seat in 2025. FSU plays two easy games (East Texas and Kent State). They have a schedule where a turnaround is very easy to believe.
Texas A&M - LOL -They paid Jimbo to leave and gave him 75 million to do so. They hire Mike Elko. Good DC but do you really fire Jimbo for Elko and think that is an upgrade. 8-5....I went to sleep the other night and USC was down. They had 7 points and looked lifeless. Why Lincoln is still a very good coach. That USC team went on a run and scored 28 points in the second half and pulled the upset. A&M is what they are always going to be....A program with a ton of money who will never win squat. The one advantage they had was Texas being in the Big 12...now they are both in the SEC....Good luck, A&M won’t win. Went on their message boards the next day and they want to fire Elko. Their fans are delusional.
BYU - It is a program that I have always respected. I remember when they won the NC back in the 80's. Lavelle Edwards was one of the best coaches ever in college football. If not for some injuries this year they are a playoff team. Next year that is going to be a top 10-15 team pre-season and favorites to win the Big 12. Crazy but BYU is a Mormon school. Most of their players go on a two year mission. So when you play them there is a good chance that many of the guys on the team are 24-25-26 years old. Their starting QB Jake Retzlaff is Jewish. You want to talk about one of the oddest recruitments. He had zero offers out of HS. He went the juco route and ended up at BYU. Who would have ever thought a Jewish kid from Northern Cali would end up the QB at BYU.
Colorado - They finished 9-4 and got blowout by BYU. Not a real surprise. Deion has turned a once terrible program around and they won 9 games. That is impressive. The season did not finish how they would like but Shadeur and Travis never quit. For that I am going to give them major props. The two of them could have easily opted out. Both played till the end. Many have doubted Deion and said he could not win at Jackson State - he did. Many said Deion could not win at Colorado -he did. Many have said he can’t recruit another stud QB - he has (Salters/Juju). Many said once his sons left Colorado - he did not. There comes a point you can doubt someone until you can't any longer. Maybe just maybe the guy can coach.
Name to remember - Josh Hoover TCU - 20-32 252 Yards - 4 TD and 1 interception - 3949 yards 27 TD - 11 INT. Hoover is going to be the guy who pro scouts are talking about next year. He has the tools to be special. I really like Hoover and what I saw from him in their bowl game yesterday.
TCU - Scoring offense - 26th, 8th (passing offense) 31st rated (Total Offense) I watched TCU yesterday and was like man I like this offense. I looked up their OC - Kendal Briles - I don't know how many offenses he needs to turn around but Kendal needs to be hired as a HC. If he is good enough to coach as an OC and that is not an issue with colleges than it is time. Guy is an elite OC.
TCU, BYU and Kansas State will all have shots at the playoffs next year. Would not shock me to see 2 of the 3 make it in next year.
Army- Jeff Monkin is one of the best coaches no one talks about. Watching them run their offense is a thing of beauty. Yesterday they had a drive before the half where they had a drive for 13 plays. They come out in the second half and have a drive for 21 plays. The poor defense for Louisiana Tech who only 6 healthy DL had had to be on the field for 20 minutes on two drives.
If there ever was a GUN Malzahn type QB it is Army’s Bryson Daily. He ran 27 times for 127 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is Tyson Hill. There is no doubt that he will get drafted.
ARMY YES ARMY is not immune to the Portal. What is crazy is I did not know you could transfer out. Army RB Kayne Udoh hit the portal. For those who don’t know Udoh, he is one of the best backs in the country. He is going to transfer out and go and be the heir apparent to ASU RB. I remember when David Robinson was at (Navy) and Chad Henning’s (Air Force) both were drafted and needed to get waivers to even consider playing professionally right away. There was a guy who was at Army a few years back who wanted to leave early for the NFL Draft and it was a big deal. Army has allowed a kid to transfer out. Unreal...and you would have thought the service academies would be safe. I was wrong.
The Playoffs
5-Texas
4-ASU
8-Ohio State
1-Oregon
6-Penn State
3-Boise State
7-Notre Dame
2-UGA
Texas and Penn State both have the easiest paths to winning this week. I just think Penn State vs. Boise will be similar to SMU vs Penn State. I have watched a ton of Boise State games. They are not real big up front. While Jeanty is elite...Penn State has faced Elite RB's this year. Boise State QB is not a good passing QB. Boise could win but this looks like a potential blow out. ASU vs. Texas will be close ONLY if Sark decides to be Sark. I have no idea if there is something off with Sark but he has not coached well this year. I would not consider Ohio State an upset over Oregon as they have the most talented team. I still don't trust Ryan Day.
ND vs. UGA - If Smart somehow pulls this game off it will be one of if not his best coaching jobs. Beating Texas twice was impressive. Beating ND while their DL went out is relatively healthy for this game. ND has the better QB, the better run game, the better OL. They have the better defense this year. ND pulling the upset would not shock me. I also won't count out Kirby...but if there was ever the year to knock them off...this is it.
