A pair of Penn State tight ends have landed on the John Mackey Award watch list.Seniors Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle were among more than 40 players highlighted as potential winners for the year-end honor given to the top tight end in the country. The list was released Aug. 5.Both players transferred to Penn State from Iowa State this offseason, opting to follow coach Matt Campbell from Ames. Campbell was hired to replace James Franklin as Nittany Lions coach on Dec. 8, 2025.Required reading: College football rankings are out. What you need to know about every Top 25 teamBrahmer was a semifinalist for the award in 2025, when he caught 37 passes for 446 yards and six touchdowns. Burkle added 26 catches for 302 yards and a TD for the Cyclones.Former Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds also appeared on the list after following Franklin to Virginia Tech. The junior caught 26 passes for 257 yards for a Nittany Lions team that dropped to 7-6 in 2025 despite a No. 3 preseason ranking.Tyler Warren won the award as a senior for the Lions at the end of the 2024 season. He totaled 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns to lead Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals. And he caught 76 passes for 817 yards and four scores as a rookie with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts in 2025. Penn State is ranked No. 17 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, released Aug. 4, and opens its season at home against Marshall on Sept. 5.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Penn State TEs Benjamin Brahmer, Gabe Burkle land on John Mackey Award watch list

New York Giants defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris celebrates with pass rusher Brian Burns after sacking Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith | Getty ImagesThe New York Giants made four roster moves prior to practice on Wednesday, 8/5. The Giants announced that theyve placed defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris on the injured reserve, as well as waiving wide receiver Beaux Collins with an injury designation. Those two moves create a pair of needed roster openings after the team signed cornerbacks David Long and DJ James. Long was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams out of Michigan in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has adequate size and speed, at 5-foot-11, 196 pounds, with a 4.45-second 40 at the 2019 Combine, though he does have elite quickness, agility, and explosiveness. Longs 3-cone drill (6.45 seconds) and short shuttle (3.97 seconds) were by far the best among corners at the 2019 Combine. Long bounced around the NFL after his first four seasons with the Rams, spending time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers (twice), and Indianapolis Colts. This is, in fact, Longs second stint with the Giants, after he spent the 2024 off-season with the Giants before being waived in that years final roster cuts.DJ James was originally drafted out of Auburn in the 6th round of the 2024 draft by the Seattle Seahawks. James started his collegiate career at Oregon before transferring to Auburn and was a highly regarded corner at both schools. Hes undersized at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, but has very good agility and short-area quickness, and he showed a good feel for both man and zone coverage in college. James was waived in the Seahawks final roster cuts and signed with the New England Patriots practice squad in 2024, which is where he also spent 2025. The Giants had previously hoped that DT Roy Robertson-Harris could return late in the season after suffering a torn Achilles early in the off-season. However, that hope has been put to rest and the Giants officially ended his season by placing him on the injured reserve prior to the start of the season. Robertson-Harris was a starter for the Giants in 2025 and was in line to compete for a starting job this year.WR Beaux Collins was competing for a spot as a reserve wide receiver and special teams player. He signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame following the 2025 NFL Draft, and was the only undrafted player to make the team last year. Collins struggled with route running last year, but also became a favorite among fans after he generated highlight reel plays in camp and preseason games.

With the 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony taking place this weekend, the football world has spent the past week reflecting on the greatness of this year's five inductees and everything they gave to the game. Listing every accolade, record, and statistic from each player's career would be a lengthy task, considering the incredible resumes they've built over the years. But because we cover the New Orleans Saints here at Saints Wire, we're going to take a different approach that's a little less tedious and a bit more intriguing for Saints fans.Rather than revisiting every career accomplishment, we're going to look back at what each Hall of Famer achieved against the Saints franchise. Division rival linebacker Luke Kuechly played a major role in Carolina's success throughout the 2010s, making NFC South titles that much harder for New Orleans to capture. The same can be said for Larry Fitzgerald and Roger Craig, two longtime NFC stars who routinely made their presence felt against the Saints during their careers. Even Drew Brees, before becoming a franchise icon in New Orleans, had his own history against the Saints during his time with the San Diego Chargers.While we celebrate the greatness of all five inductees this Saturday, let's take a look back at what each player accomplished against the New Orleans Saints during their career.LB Luke KuechlyTeams: Carolina PanthersRecord: 7-8Stats:141 total tackles (87 solo)1 interception1 fumble recoveryWR Larry FitzgeraldTeams:Arizona CardinalsRecord: 3-4Stats: 32 receptions397 receiving yards 1 receiving touchdownRB Roger CraigTeams: San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Minnesota VikingsRecord: 12-5Stats:797 rushing yards62 receptions444 receiving yards 5 rushing touchdownsQB Drew BreesTeams: San Diego ChargersRecord: 1-0Stats: 22 completions257 passing yards 4 passing touchdownsK Adam Vinateri Teams: New England Patriots and Indianapolis ColtsRecord: 4-2 Stats: 6/7 on field goals19/19 on extra pointsThis article originally appeared on Saints Wire: How each 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee fared vs. the Saints

ORLANDO UCF's defense could get an unexpected boost following the recent injunction granted by the U.S. District Court of Colorado, adding an extra year of NCAA eligibility for Class of 2022 high school graduates.Cole Kozlowski attended practice in street clothes on Aug. 5, the school confirmed in a social media post. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker started nine of the Knights' 12 games last fall, earning All-Big 12 third-team honors with 82 tackles (48 solo), 7 TFLs, two sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.Rivals' Brandon Helwig reported Aug. 4 that Kozlowski arrived in Orlando and mutual interest of a return existed. pic.twitter.com/a0up06vg0c UCF Football (@UCF_Football) August 5, 2026A native of Spring Lake, N.J., Kozlowski played three seasons at Colgate University, suiting up for 32 games, before joining the Knights in 2025.Kozlowski sought a fifth year of eligibility in January, but his request was denied. He took part in UCF's pro day but did not sign an NFL contract or receive any rookie minicamp invitations.The NCAA, which recently adopted theage-based "five-for five" eligibility model, is expected to appeal the injunction. Sweeney clarified Aug. 2 that athletes granted a fifth year of eligibility do not override current transfer rules,roster limitsor revenue-sharing totals, according to court documents.In a document shared by The Athletic's Chris Vannini, NCAA Chief Legal Officer Scott Bearby wrote, "As a general matter, individuals who leave college sports to pursue professional opportunities are ineligible to return. Schools seeking to roster such players are expected to comply with all NCAA rules."Asked Monday about the situation, Knights head coach Scott Frost said he would explore the possibility of adding talent either players from last year's team or those who entered the portal despite believing to have exhausted eligibility."It's got to be the right guy," Frost said. "We have such a good culture and such a good thing in the building. It looks like, even if anybody is able to come back, it's got to be a guy that was on our team or is in the portal. But, again, we're trying to figure all that out like everybody else right now."The only thing you can be sure of is if you hold your breath long enough then the rules will change before you breathe again."If Kozlowski is back in the fold, UCF's defense would return seven starters. The Knights already possess strong depth at linebacker with Lewis Carter, Jayden Jennings, Old Dominion transfer Jahleel Culbreath, Wisconsin transfer Tackett Curtis and UMass transfer Rashad Henry on the squad.Two other players from UCF's 2025 team fit the injunctions description: defensive end Nyjalik Kelly and safety Phillip Dunnam.Kelly signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent and is in training camp with the team. Dunnam attended rookie minicamp with the Tennessee Titans but did not sign. His return to Orlando would appear less likely after he tweeted Aug. 4, So if our previous school doesnt have a roster opening for us, we reap no benefit of the ruling? Correct?This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: He's back? Former UCF football linebacker attends practice amid return rumors

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Georgia announced Wednesday the Bulldogs will debut a new all-white look as an alternate uniform when they play Western Kentucky at home on Sept. 12.Georgia's uniform traditionally emphasizes its primary colors, red and black, with silver trim. The new uniform will feature white helmets, with red and black stripes, white jerseys with black numbers and red trim, and white pants.Georgia players said before Wednesday's first fall practice they were shocked when two veterans, tight end Lawson Luckie and defensive back KJ Bolden, were selected to unveil the new uniform in a team meeting.Honestly, I wasnt expecting that at all, linebacker Chris Cole said. And I was so excited. KJ sits right next to me, and I was like, wait, wheres KJ? Is he late to the meeting? But I remember they popped out with the all-white on, and Im so excited for that.Bolden said he thought it was a prank when he was first shown the uniform. He and other players predicted fans at Sanford Stadium will be energized by the new look.I feel like its going to definitely bring a spark to the stadium that day, Bolden said. The fans are going to love it. Its going to be a magic Week 2 coming for sure.Luckie said being selected to be one of two players to first wear the uniform was dope.At the end of the day, its just a different uniform were wearing, Luckie said. But its cool, especially getting to do it in Sanford Stadium. I think itll bring some extra juice from the guys running out of the tunnel, and I think the fans will love it, and I think thats what its really about, especially with glory for them.Georgia finished No. 6 in the AP Top 25 after winning its second consecutive Southeastern Conference championship last season under coach Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs will open their season with a home game against Tennessee State on Sept. 5.Georgia was the preseason pick to again win the SEC title this season in a poll of voters attending the leagues annual media days event in Tampa, Florida, last month.___AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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Every good football team has a strong kicker. On bad teams, strong kickers can also be the most sure-fire ways for points.In 2025, Rece Verhoff led UNC with 77 points. The Marshall transfer converted 19 of 23 field goals attempts, all 20 extra points and nailed a career-long, 57-yarder in a 28-12 loss at Wake Forest.Verhoff played his final collegiate season last year, leaving North Carolina with another major hole on its 2026 roster. That hole filled in Wednesday, with Verhoff announcing his return via a fifth year of eligibility.Verhoff's extra year stems from a recent injunction against the NCAA, allowing student-athletes who graduated high school in 2022 an extra year of eligibility, as long as they didn't enter the transfer portal.The Tar Heels already have LSU transfer Aeron Burrell on their 2026 roster, but he played primarily as a kickoff specialist for the Tigers. UNC also welcomes in two-time, All-State freshman David Green from High Point (N.C.) Christian Academy.Kicker Rece Verhoff is returning to North Carolina.After courts granted a fifth year of eligibility, the All-ACC Honorable Mention is back at practice preparing to play in 2026. Details: https://t.co/L5oyFXMKmKpic.twitter.com/pu0NGv5ZOH InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) August 5, 2026Having too many kickers to choose from is a good problem to have, particularly with that position deciding so many close games late. Back in 2016, North Carolina marched into Tallahassee and upset Florida State on Nick Weiler's time-expiring field goal.The Tar Heels didn't lose any 2025 games on missed kicks, but instead via blowouts and costly mistakes late. UNC has a significantly tougher 2026 schedule, starting with a TCU rematch on August 29, so Verhoff's kicks could play a significant factor in close games.Follow us@TarHeelsWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinion.This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC's 2025 points leader announces return for 2026 season

LSU football reshaped its wide receiver room in the transfer portal. Tre Brown, an Old Dominion transfer, was among the headline additions. However, Brown missed much of spring with an injury. With fall camp arriving, Brown now has a chance to settle into the offense. Brown posted 762 yards with Old Dominion in 2025, averaging a whopping 20.1 yards per catch and hauling in four touchdowns. LSU was in the market for explosive wideouts and Brown fits that bill. Standing at 6-foot-2, Brown is a prototypical outside receiver, spending 92% of his snaps in 2025 lined up out wide. Jumping to the SEC is a significant step for Brown. Old Dominion's offense put up big numbers in 2025, but now Brown is dealing with a different caliber of defender. He won't just be able to run by SEC corners like he did in the Sun Belt. Still, Lane Kiffin and staff have a strong track record when it comes to scouting Group of Five wideouts. At Ole Miss, Kiffin's hit rate was high when taking a wide receiver from a lesser conference. LSU fans should expect the same in Baton Rouge. Brown can provide a spark to this offense, but he'll need a big fall camp to earn a significant chunk of first-team reps. When Brown was limited in the spring, other LSU pass catchers, like Jackson Harris and Winston Watkins, were emerging. Given the strength of LSU QB Sam Leavitt's arm and the kind of receiver LSU looked for in the portal, I think this offense wants to throw the ball down the field. That's right in Brown's wheelhouse. There's an opportunity for Brown to be among the most explosive WRs in the SEC. Keep an eye on the Old Dominion transfer throughout fall camp as the LSU wide receiver depth chart settles. This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football transfer wide receiver needs to have big fall camp

Duke basketball recently revealed their preseason schedule, which includes three games, two at home versus Belmont and Tennessee and one road matchup against Kansas.Jayhawks head coach Bill Self recently spoke about the game against Jon Scheyer and Duke, saying, "I think from a fan standpoint, getting Louisville and Duke at home, I think definitely adds to the attraction of our schedule immediately.""Those two games aren't the biggest games on our schedule by any means, but the appearance of having them that early in the season, I think people will be pretty amped up to watch them," said Self.As Self mentioned, the high-profile matchup against Duke will be certain to attract fans. For both coaches, it'll offer them a chance to evaluate their rosters and tactics ahead of a November season opener.Over the years, Duke officially holds a 9-7 record against the Jayhawks, with both teams squaring off against one another in each of the last two seasons. The Blue Devils won last year's meeting 78-66 but have lost six of the last nine meetings overall. The game will take place October 25, Duke's final game of preseason action.This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Bill Self discusses importance of preseason matchup vs. Duke