RALPH D. RUSSO
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, left, and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney smile after concluding the NCAA Cotton Bowl football coaches' news conference in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. Notre Dame is scheduled to play Clemson in the NCAA Cotton Bowl semi-final playoff Saturday. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Cotton Bowl: Can Notre Dame measure up to No. 2 Clemson?

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 28, 2018 03:02 PM EST
DALLAS (AP) — The question was about sustaining high-level success in college

Alabama head coach Nick Saban coaches Alabama defensive back Josh Jobe during an NCAA college football practice on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in Miami Shores, Fla. Alabama plays Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
College Football Playoff teams go national to stock rosters

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 28, 2018 02:49 AM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Notre Dame has always cast a wide net to find football

File-This Oct. 6, 2018, file photo shows Wake Forest's Sam Hartman (10) looking to pass under pressure from Clemson's Christian Wilkins (42) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C. Wilkins is here to put a smile on your face, whether you like it or not. For four seasons, Wilkins has been bringing the jokes, zingers and sneaky pinches on the bottom at Clemson. The 300-pound All-America defensive tackle famously celebrated the Tigers’ 2016 national championship with a split and flashed a Heisman pose after a touchdown run this season. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Wilkins leaves legacy of laughter and leadership at Clemson

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2018 05:11 PM EST
DALLAS (AP) — Christian Wilkins is here to put a smile on your face, whether you like

Alabama's defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi runs plays with his team during an NCAA college football practice on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in Miami Shores, Fla. The Tide is also on its third defensive coordinator in three years as Tosh Lupoi was promoted after last season to replace Jeremy Pruitt, who is now Tennessee’s head coach. Pruitt got the job when Kirby Smart left to lead Georgia in 2016. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Toughest job in college football: Defensive coordinator

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 26, 2018 05:43 PM EST
DALLAS (AP) — Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables began his coaching career

Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence stretches during team practice at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. Clemson is scheduled to play Notre Dame in the NCAA Cotton Bowl semi-final playoff Saturday. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert)
Clemson preparing to face Notre Dame without DT Lawrence

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 26, 2018 12:44 PM EST
DALLAS (AP) — No. 2 Clemson is preparing to be without star defensive tackle Dexter

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2018, file photo, Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray holds the Heisman Trophy after winning the award in New York. The latest statistical surge has been led by the quarterbacks who will play in the Orange Bowl semifinal on Jan. 29, when No. 1 Alabama faces No. 4 Oklahoma. Both Heisman Trophy winner Murray (205.72) of Oklahoma and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa (202.30) are on pace to break the record for passer efficiency rating set by former Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (198.92) last season. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)
Kyler, Tua and 'Generation Z' QBs take over college football

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 25, 2018 02:01 AM EST
Trent Dilfer has been head coach for the national high school quarterback competition

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2018 file photo West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. Holgorsen can earn a $50,000 bonus if West Virginia beats Syracuse next week in the Camping World Bowl, a game the Mountaineers will play without star quarterback Will Grier and left tackle Yodny Cajuste. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
Some players skip bowls with bonuses at stake for coaches

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 21, 2018 03:57 AM EST
Dana Holgorsen can earn a $25,000 bonus if West Virginia beats Syracuse next week in

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 file photo, Georgia quarterback Justin Fields (1) tries to escape from Georgia Tech linebacker Victor Alexander (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga. Georgia quarterback Justin Fields is on the transfer market. The move could have a huge impact on and off the field. On the latest AP Top 25 College Football Podcast, USA Today’s Dan Wolken join AP’s Ralph Russo to discuss why Fields is looking to move on and why the freshman might have a good chance to receive a waiver to play immediately for another team. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Power Transfer: Why Georgia QB Fields could make big move?

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 19, 2018 05:09 PM EST
Georgia quarterback Justin Fields is on the transfer market, a move that could have a

University of Oregon football head coach Mario Cristobal smiles as he talks about the Ducks fifth-ranked recruiting class during a press conference at the Hatfield-Dowling Complex Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018 in Eugene, Ore. (Andy Nelson/The Register-Guard via AP)
Ohio State gets first big W for new coach on signing day

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 19, 2018 02:45 AM EST
Zach Harrison is one of the most highly touted recruits in the country, and he goes

AP source: Georgia's Fields listed in NCAA transfer database

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 18, 2018 07:19 PM EST
Georgia freshman quarterback Justin Fields was listed Tuesday night in the NCAA's

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Kent State wide receiver Antwan Dixon (89) dives but cannot make the catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, in Oxford, Miss. Kent State receiver Antwan Dixon, Dartmouth defensive lineman Seth Simmer and Carson-Newman running back Antonio Wimbush are the first recipients of the Mayo Clinic college football Comeback Player of the Year Award. The new award recognizes college football players from FBS, FCS and lower divisions who overcome injury, illness or other challenges to return to the field. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Dixon, Simmer, Wimbush win Comeback Player of Year honors

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 18, 2018 12:01 PM EST
Kent State receiver Antwan Dixon, Dartmouth defensive lineman Seth Simmer and Carson

AP source: Georgia freshman QB Fields plans to transfer

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 17, 2018 10:51 PM EST
Georgia freshman quarterback Justin Fields has informed Bulldogs coaches he plans to

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Central Florida head coach Josh Heupel waves his arms during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Memphis, in Orlando, Fla. Heupel, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly and Alabama’s Nick Saban are the finalists for The Associated Press national college football coach of the year after leading their teams to unbeaten regular seasons. The winner will be announced Monday, Dec. 17. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
AP Coach of the Year: Notre Dame's Kelly wins for 2nd time

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 17, 2018 12:00 PM EST
Notre Dame's Brian Kelly is The Associated Press college football Coach of the Year

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2018, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly reacts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy in San Diego. UCF’s Josh Heupel, Kelly and Alabama’s Nick Saban are the finalists for The Associated Press national college football coach of the year after leading their teams to unbeaten regular seasons. The winner will be announced Monday, Dec. 17. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Heupel, Kelly, Saban are finalists for AP coach of year

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 16, 2018 12:03 PM EST
UCF's Josh Heupel, Notre Dame's Brian Kelly and Alabama's Nick Saban are the

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2017, file photo, Mount Union's Danny Robinson (4) tackles Mary Hardin-Baylor's Markeith Miller (21) during the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl NCAA Division III college football championship, in Salem, Va. Robinson and Miller were named to The Associated Press Division III All-America Team, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Lee Luther Jr., File)
Mary Hardin-Baylor, Mount Union top AP Div III All-America

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 13, 2018 12:10 PM EST
Mary Hardin-Baylor and Mount Union placed three players each on The Associated Press

AP Top 25 Podcast: Recruiting heats up with early signing

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 12, 2018 05:39 PM EST
The early signing period begins next week, when most schools will secure the majority

AP source: Temple hires Miami d-coordinator Diaz as coach

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 12, 2018 04:09 PM EST
Temple has hired Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz as its next head coach, a

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2017, file photo, a North Carolina A&T player celebrates their victory over Grambling State in the Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game, in Atlanta. The fun starts for those who did get into the postseason _ and those who get to watch it _ Saturday with five FBS bowl games and stretches through New Year’s Day. (Andrew Krech/News & Record via AP, File)
Bowl Season! Reasons to watch all 39 games and who will win

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 12, 2018 02:02 PM EST
A moment of silence, please, for Wyoming, Southern Miss, Miami (Ohio) and Louisiana

In this Oct. 13, 2018, photo, Ferris State quarterback Jayru Campbell (7), top, celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against Grand Valley State during an NCAA college football game in Grand Rapids, Mich. Ferris State defeated Grand Valley State 35-31. Campbell, who has led the Bulldogs to the national championship game, highlights The Associated Press Division II All-America team along with two of his teammates. Campbell, a junior, has passed for 2,832 and 26 touchdowns and run for 1,338 and 20 scores, leading Ferris State to a 15-0 record heading into the D-II championship game against Valdosta State on Saturday. (Alyssa Keown/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
Ferris State's Campbell leads AP D-II All-America team

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 12, 2018 12:00 PM EST
Ferris State quarterback Jayru Campbell, who has led the Bulldogs to the national

In this Sept. 29, 2018, photo provided by Dartmouth College, Seth Simmer (96) is flanked by Tommy Ciesla (69) and Niko Lalos (90) during warmups before an NCAA college football game between Dartmouth and Penn in Hanover, N.H. During his freshman season at Dartmouth, Seth Simmer was having trouble hearing the linebackers call signals from his defensive tackle spot just a few yards away. What was first diagnosed as an ear infection brought on by a severe head cold turned out to be a brain tumor that was making him deaf in his left ear. Simmer is one of 30 nominees for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award. (Tom McNeill/Dartmouth College via AP)
Comeback Player: Dartmouth's Simmer back from brain surgery

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 11, 2018 04:07 PM EST
During his freshman season at Dartmouth, Seth Simmer was having trouble hearing the