RALPH D. RUSSO
FILE -Julie Cromer Peoples, interim athletic director for the University of Arkansas, talks about the decision to fire Arkansas coach Bret Bielema following a Razorbacks NCAA college football game against Missouri, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Fayetteville, Ark. From court losses to political pressure to questions about how — and if — athletes should be compensated, the NCAA and college sports have faced all sorts of potential existential threats for more than 100 years. Greg Sankey has been appointed co-chairperson of the NCAA's Division I Transformation Committee, along with Ohio University athletic director Julie Cromer. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
For NCAA, year of upheaval leads to need for transformation

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 30, 2021 01:06 PM EST
From court losses to political pressure to questions about how — and if — athletes

FILE - Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh stands on the field as players warm up for an NCAA college football game against Nebraska on Oct. 9, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Harbaugh is The Associated Press college football coach of the year after leading the Wolverines to their first Big Ten title in 17 years and a berth in the College Football Playoff. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)
Harbaugh: Michigan DB Hill questionable for Orange Bowl

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 30, 2021 10:59 AM EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday that defensive

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (left) and offensive lineman Xavier Truss walk to team practice for the Orange Bowl at Barry University on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in Miami Shores, Fla. Georgia plays Michigan at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., in the Orange Bowl CFP Semifinal. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Smart: Stetson to start at QB; Daniels health still unclear

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2021 06:06 PM EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — If there was any doubt left about who will be starting

FILE - Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle makes a catch against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. College teams haven't quite unlocked the full potential of the position as effectively as the pros, but Friday, Dec. 31 College Football Playoff with No. 1 Alabama facing No. 4 Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl will put players with potential to be part of the next wave of dominate tight ends on display. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Tight ends take center stage in College Football Playoff

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2021 02:17 PM EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Too big to be covered by the fast guys and too fast to

FILE -Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson, left, tackles Georgia wide receiver George Pickens during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Athens, Ga. Georgia wide receiver George Pickens still has a chance to be a major contributor for the Bulldogs this season. The junior who was expected to be third-ranked Georgia's go-to receiver before he tore the ACL in his right knee during spring practice will be available Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 for the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl against No. 2 Michigan. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
After knee injury, Georgia WR Pickens ready for Orange Bowl

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 28, 2021 06:16 PM EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Georgia wide receiver George Pickens still has a chance

FILE - Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh stands on the field as players warm up for an NCAA college football game against Nebraska on Oct. 9, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Harbaugh is The Associated Press college football coach of the year after leading the Wolverines to their first Big Ten title in 17 years and a berth in the College Football Playoff. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)
Being Harbaugh: Quirky, competitive, ingenious, disruptive

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 28, 2021 03:06 PM EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Working for Jim Harbaugh, sometimes it is hard to know

Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) runs from Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris (27) during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Double duty: Lanning leads Georgia D, preps for Oregon job

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2021 05:26 PM EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning is leading a

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs from Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell (31) during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Blueprint: Can 'Bama's success help Michigan vs. Georgia?

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2021 03:45 PM EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Georgia's defense was nearly invincible for three months

Signage for the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game is shown outside Daily's Place and TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday Dec. 11, 2021. No. 23 Texas A&M won’t play in the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest on Dec. 31 because of COVID-19 issues and season-ending injuries. The 8-4 Aggies were scheduled to leave for Jacksonville on Sunday before announcing Wednesday that they wouldn’t be able to participate in the bowl game. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP)/The Florida Times-Union via AP)
Rutgers to replace Texas A&M in Gator Bowl vs. Wake Forest

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 23, 2021 12:57 PM EST
Rutgers will replace Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest after an

FILE - The College Football Playoff logo is shown on the field at AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Alabama in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 1, 2021. If a team is unavailable to play in College Football Playoff semifinals on Dec. 31 because of COVID-19 issues, the game will be forfeited and the available team will advance to the championship game. With COVID-19 cases spiking across the country due to the omicron variant, the CFP announced Wednesday, Dec. 22, contingency plans for the semifinals and national championship game, which is scheduled for Jan. 10 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)
No makeups for CFP semis if team can't play due to virus

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 22, 2021 02:12 PM EST
If a team is unavailable to play in College Football Playoff semifinals on New Year's

FILE - Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson rushes in on Maryland during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Maryland and Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md.. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Hutchinson, Milton, Weaver honored for college comebacks

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 21, 2021 01:37 PM EST
Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton

FILE - At left, former NFL and Univ. of Washington NCAA college football player Brock Huard talks on a radio show in New York. At right, former NFL and Univ. of Stanford football player Toby Gerhart watches play on the field from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla. The Pac-12 is tapping into former football stars such as Brock Huard, Toby Gerhart and Lincoln Kennedy as it explores ways to boosts the conference’s fortunes on the field and off. The conference announced Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, the formation of the Pac-12 Football Alumni Council. (AP Photo/File)
Pac-12 taps into former football stars to boost conference

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 20, 2021 11:08 AM EST
The Pac-12 is tapping into former football stars such as Brock Huard, Toby Gerhart

Record-breaking Central QB Hawkins leads D-III All-Americans

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 17, 2021 06:58 PM EST
Record-breaking Central (Iowa) quarterback Blaine Hawkins and North Central receiver

Joe Dolincheck, Morningside football quarterback, speaks at a news conference during fall sports media day at Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Dolincheck, the NAIA player of the year, was selected to The Associated Press NAIA All-America team along with three of his teammates. (Jesse Brothers/Sioux City Journal via AP)
QB Dolincheck leads 4 AP NAIA All-Americans from Morningside

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 17, 2021 04:24 PM EST
Morningside quarterback Joe Dolincheck, the NAIA player of the year, was selected to

In this image provided by Truman State University, Truman State running back Cody Schrader carries the ball during an NCAA college football game against Quincy on Oct. 31, 2021, in Kirksville, Mo. Schrader was selected to The Associated Press Division II All-America first team on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2021.(Tim Barcus/Truman State University via AP)
Shepherd QB Bagent leads AP Division II All-America team

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 15, 2021 03:24 PM EST
Shepherd quarterback Tyson Bagent, a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy as the

Collins Hill High School wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) watches warm-ups before the Class 7A title high school football game against Milton at Georgia State Center Parc Stadium, on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in Atlanta. Hunter, the No. 1 high school football recruit in the country, pulled a signing day shocker Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, deciding to attend Jackson State and play for coach Deion Sanders after being verbally committed to Florida State for months. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Top recruit spurns Florida St to play for Prime, Jackson St

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 15, 2021 01:55 PM EST
The No. 1 high school football recruit in the country pulled a signing day shocker

UTSA running back Sincere McCormick (3) leaps through the hands of Western Kentucky defensive back Miguel Edwards (13) for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Conference USA championship Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Column: Bowl season back to normal, why to watch them all

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 14, 2021 12:52 PM EST
To be frank, last year's bowl season felt a little sad. A bunch of

FILE - East Tennessee State running back Quay Holmes breaks free against Wofford for a first down during an NCAA college football game Oct. 2, 2021, in Johnson City, Tenn. Holmes was selected to The Associated Press FCS All-America team. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)
SE La QB Kelley, ETSU RB Holmes leads AP FCS All-Americans

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 14, 2021 12:04 PM EST
Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Cole Kelley, East Tennessee State running back

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, file)
AP All-America team: Young and Tide lead with 3 1st teamers

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 13, 2021 12:02 PM EST
Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and Alabama teammates Will Anderson Jr. and Jameson

AP source: Former 5-star Ewers intends to transfer to Texas

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 12, 2021 10:11 PM EST
Former five-star recruit Quinn Ewers, who skipped his senior year of high school to