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Clemson got off to a slow start when it came to the 2026 recruiting cycle, but that changed in a heartbeat following their Elite Retreat weekend when the Tigers dominated headlines with high-profile prospect after high-profile prospect committing to the program.
That's a good sign for Dabo Swinney and his staff.
While they have been able to land elite players in recent years, they haven't been at the top of recruiting rankings consistently like they were when they competing for national championships.
So to get back to that point, winning recruiting battles is important.
Unfortunately, they have started to slow down a bit recently.
Clemson lost out on an in-state offensive in target, with him committing to South Carolina over the Tigers.
Now they have lost another battle, with four-star running back Javian Mallory staying in the ACC with the Miami Hurricanes.
BREAKING: Four-Star RB Javian Mallory has Committed to Miami, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 22, 2025
The 5’11 205 RB from Boca Raton, FL chose the Hurricanes over Clemson, Florida, & Alabama
“It’s been a journey, but the decision is made. 100% locked in! #GoCanes”… pic.twitter.com/Vg0DGDjPR2
Ranked as the 269th player in the 2026 class and No. 27 at his position per On3's Industry Ranking, the 5-foot-11 ballcarrier from Boca Raton decided to stay home.
"One of the biggest reasons that I chose Miami was because that is the school I believe I will be able to come in and compete day one at for a very impactful role on the team," he said, per Chad Simmons of On3.
Perhaps the immediate emergence of star freshman Gideon Davidson played a role here.
Swinney has had rave reviews for the class of 2025 star since spring practices have gotten underway. And with the running back roles open for competition, there's a chance Davidson could be the starter for three or four years.
How that impacts Clemson's efforts at this position in recruiting cycles going forward will be seen.
They currently have no running backs committed in the 2026 class, and while it's still early and they could secure some of their other targets, the need isn't pressing during this cycle.
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The Big 12 is a Power 4 conference in name only
When it comes to the Power 4 conferences in major college football, there is one conference that isn't like the others. No, it's not the SEC or the Big Ten. It's the Big 12, and the difference between that league and the rest is the ability to win at the highest level of college football. The Big Ten has won the last two college football national championships. Before that, the SEC won four in a row. Since the inception of the College Football Playoff, the SEC has won six national championships, followed by the Big Ten with three and the ACC with two. The Big 12 has zero. The league hasn't had a team reach the national championship game, and based on current trends, it's not likely to anytime soon. To put it bluntly, there isn't a single national title contender in the entire conference, unless something crazy happens. Bud Elliott of CBS Sports released the "Blue-Chip Ratio," a list of teams that Elliott says "can actually win the national championship." In what Elliott calls the "modern" era of college football, no team has ever won a national championship with a blue-chip ratio (percentage of four and five-star recruits on a roster) below 50 percent. Michigan won with a 54 percent blue-chip ratio in 2023. Clemson was at 52 percent in 2016. Last season, Ohio State's number was 90 percent. The number can vary. Having an elite quarterback is essential. So are culture and development. But no program has won a national championship in this era without more than 50 percent of the roster being made up of blue-chip recruits. According to Elliott, transfers don't move the needle. High school recruiting is the name of the game, and on that front, the Big 12 just can't compete. 18 teams were rated by Elliott, citing the 247 Sports composite ranking, as having the minimum talent required to win the national championship this season. Not a single one resides in the Big 12. Here's a quote from Elliott that explains perfectly how college football's Power 4 is actually a Power 3. "The Big 12 is nowhere close. I thought this was interesting, considering the recent playoff model floated where the Big 12 and ACC are given two auto-bids each. Texas Tech could get there in three or four cycles if it continues to spend like crazy. The Big 12 likes to argue that it is the deepest league, but it has zero national title contenders." That's what happens when you put together a league without a single elite program. Kansas State, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona State are nice programs, but they aren't blue-bloods. This is the collection of teams left at the altar that weren't big enough brands for the other three, and it's painfully obvious. There is a lot of talk about how the Big Ten and SEC are head-and-shoulders above the rest of college football. But there should be more conversation about how the Big 12 is a Power 4 conference in college football in name only.
Steelers have 'connection' issues between Aaron Rodgers and receivers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are seeing some concerns surface in training camp on offense. Per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, the Steelers defense has been the dominant unit in camp so far, as new quarterback Aaron Rodgers becomes accustomed to the new scheme. Pittsburgh has had issues with running the ball and with deep passes. One of the major concerns with the offense is the lack of connection between Rodgers and any wide receiver not named DK Metcalf. "The most noticeable receiver not named Metcalf? Scotty Miller," DeFabo wrote. "The 28-year-old, 5-foot-9 receiver had another strong day Sunday, winning several two-on-two reps during a competitive receivers-on-DBs period. "While that’s good news for Miller, it’s not so much for an offense that was counting upon development from Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. On Sunday, Rodgers looked for Wilson on a corner route. The uncatchable ball skipped well in front of the receiver. Either the throw was errant or they weren’t on the same page. "It was a similar story last week, when Rodgers looked for Wilson along the sideline and threw it well out of bounds. After that misfire, Rodgers walked Wilson through how to run his route the way the QB wants. Meanwhile, Austin missed his second consecutive practice with an injury. If defenses game plan to shut down Metcalf, someone needs to step up and start forming chemistry with Rodgers." The Steelers took a risk when they traded away George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. They knew the No. 2 receiver would be a significant downgrade from the team's leading pass-catcher in 2023 and 2024. So far this summer, the Steelers have not had a No. 2 receiver who is on the same page with Rodgers. To make the all-in season with Rodgers work, Pittsburgh should try and be aggressive in adding another veteran receiver before Week 1. General manager Omar Khan should call the Washington Commanders about Terry McLaurin and see if a deal could be struck.
Illegal tackle causes Colts RB to suffer 'severe leg injury'
The Indianapolis Colts had a scary moment on Sunday when a running back went down during an 11-on-11 team period. Per James Boyd of The Athletic, practice had to be stopped for 10 minutes while trainers attended to running back Salvon Ahmed, who suffered a "severe leg injury" after he was brought down via an illegal tackle by safety Trey Washington. "The injury occurred when Ahmed broke a long run during an 11-on-11 period," Boyd wrote. "He was tackled from behind by undrafted rookie safety Trey Washington, but when Washington grabbed Ahmed, who kept his legs churning, Washington used a hip-drop tackle to bring Ahmed down and landed on his lower right leg. Ahmed immediately grabbed his lower right leg and screamed in agony. "Steichen said the players in the developmental periods (essentially third-stringers and players lower than them on the depth chart) were instructed to tackle during 11-on-11. However, Steichen emphasized, Washington’s hip-drop tackle was obviously the wrong way to bring Ahmed down." Steichen said the coaching staff doesn't encourage hip-drop tackles, and claimed Washington is "down in the dumps" after his tackle led to Ahmed's injury. The unfortunate incident highlights how difficult it can be for NFL defenders to make a tackle. The league made the hip-drop tackle illegal to try and curb injuries, as offensive players thought it was a dirty hit. In Washington's case, the undrafted rookie free agent from Ole Miss wasn't trying to make a dirty hit but trying to make a football move in a competitive environment to keep his job. Before the injury, Ahmed was trying to make a case for the practice squad, where he spent time on during 2024.
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Brock Lesnar makes shocking return at WWE SummerSlam
It's feeling like 2012 all over again. SummerSlam 2025 ended with shock and nostalgia when Brock Lesnar returned unannounced and dropped John Cena with a thunderous F5, just as Cena was addressing the crowd during his retirement tour. The moment felt poetic, mirroring the night after WrestleMania 28 in 2012, when Lesnar returned to WWE for the first time in eight years and F5’d Cena, launching a brutal and unforgettable rivalry. This attack wasn’t just for show. With Cena’s farewell tour expected to end in December, the timing of Lesnar’s return feels intentional. WWE is known for delivering emotional, high-stakes finales for its legends and this could be the setup for one last epic clash between two of the most iconic figures in company history. Their rivalry has always delivered, from their battles in 2012–14 to the infamous “Suplex City” beatdown at SummerSlam 2014. Now, with both men nearing the end of their in-ring careers, fans may be getting a final chapter in this storied feud. Whether it culminates at the Royal Rumble or on the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania 41, the anticipation is real. Lesnar has been off WWE TV for nearly a year, making this return even more impactful. For Cena, who has been embracing his final run with open arms, a showdown with Lesnar is a fitting, full-circle moment. It’s the kind of storytelling WWE thrives on — legacy vs. legacy, pride vs. redemption.
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