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The Michigan State Spartans recently earned their fifth commit of the 2026 class and are quickly building a strong freshman class for next season. There is a talented group that has already pledged itself to Spartan Nation, ready to make a splash in East Lansing next year.
Here is a full breakdown of the Spartans' top three commits for the 2026 class and how they will help bring this program back to the top of the Big Ten.
Three-Star QB - Kayd Coffman (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
The Spartans' only quarterback commit of the class is one of the best in the country as the No. 2 overall prospect in Michigan and the 19th-best quarterback nationally, per 247Sports' Composite rankings. He made his commitment back in early February, making massive headlines.
Coffman could be the next quarterback of the future for Michigan State as a hometown kid with untapped potential, entering his senior season at East Kentwood high school. At 6-2, 185 pounds, Coffman has the frame and athleticism to thrive in a Power 4 conference.
Three-Star LB Braylon Hodge (Englewood, Colorado)
Hodge is one of the latest to commit to the Spartans, announcing this past Sunday. He is the highlight piece of the defense as the lone defender to commit. He chose Michigan State over programs such as Iowa, Minnesota, Utah and Boise State. Being a Colorado kid, this is a big land for Michigan State.
Hodge is the No. 10 player in the state and No. 70 linebacker in the country, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. He will be expected to make a heavy impact in the middle of that Spartan defense and may even earn some valuable playing time in his freshman year. He is that good of a player to earn a starting spot as a first-year player.
Three-Star TE Eddie Whiting (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
Whiting committed one day after Coffman did, making February an extremely productive month for the Spartans' recruiting class. Whiting has a chance to become the next Josiah Price, standing 6-6, 230 pounds. The No. 28 tight end in the country, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, is ready to score touchdowns in East Lansing.
Whiting decided on Michigan State over Alabama, Auburn, Colorado, Florida and several other powerhouse programs. He is an immediate starter for the Spartans in 2026 and will be a great reload after the departure of senior tight end Jack Velling following the conclusion of this season.
More must-reads:
- Tennessee's groundbreaking Adidas deal a game-changer for college sports in NIL era
- Former Texas A&M star weighs in on Arch Manning hype
- The 'MLB franchise home run leaders' quiz
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Tennessee's groundbreaking Adidas deal a game-changer for college sports in NIL era
The Tennessee Volunteers are going back to Adidas as its primary apparel provider after a decade of wearing the Nike swoosh. On Wednesday, Adidas announced a $100M, 10-year deal to be the exclusive apparel provider for the school's sports teams. The deal is set to begin on July 1, 2026, following the expiration of the current agreement with Nike. On the surface, it's just another apparel deal between two popular brands, but in the era of NIL (name, image and likeness) in college sports, it's a game-changing agreement. As part of the agreement, Adidas will establish a fund for NIL deals between the University of Tennessee and student-athletes. The German-based company will provide Tennessee with at least $10 million annually for the NIL deals, which, as of now, is about half of the $20.5 million that schools participating in the revenue-sharing model are allowed to give directly to student-athletes. That figure will almost assuredly increase with each passing year, meaning both current and future Tennessee Volunteers will benefit directly from this deal. Adidas will aim to make top student-athletes brand ambassadors by giving them national marketing campaigns and signature shoe lines. With NIL deals becoming a centerpiece of how college athletic departments attract top recruits, this deal is a bellwether for how apparel deals will be renegotiated across the world of college sports. Of course, at the center of this deal is football, as it remains the most popular sport in the country. According to The Athletic, the Volunteers' football program is estimated to be valued at $1.37B, the ninth-highest valuation in college football. It's only natural, then, that Adidas wants to get its logo back on Tennessee football jerseys. Adidas sponsored the team for 20 years before the university switched to Nike in 2014. While some fans were hoping Tennessee would re-up their partnership with Nike, fans who remember the 1998 National Championship team will probably feel good seeing the Adidas logo on the jersey again. Adidas also sweetened the deal by providing assurances that Tennessee athletics can design its apparel in-house, in collaboration with the company. Aside from nostalgia and big business, Tennessee and Adidas both know that for the school to remain one of the top programs in the country, they'll need star recruits. Before the ascendance of NIL deals, recruiting top talent was a mix of promising top-of-the-line facilities and flaunting the pedigree of the program. NIL money has changed that equation and already impacted Tennessee. In April, star quarterback Nico Iamaleava shocked the school by not reporting to spring practice and transferring to UCLA. Reports suggested part of the disagreements between Iamaleava and the school was over his NIL deal. How Iamaleava plays this season will make Tennessee wonder if it should've allocated more NIL money to keeping him happy. If that's the case, it's safe to wonder if Tennessee will tap into this deal as much as possible to keep future stars away from the transfer portal. This deal with Adidas certainly opens new doors for athletes to maximize their branding and will test the NIL distribution system over the next decade. Expect these types of deals to become the norm, too, as universities seek every competitive advantage against one another.
Six Raiders Who Owned the 49ers in Today's Joint Practice
HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders played host to the San Francisco 49ers today for what was a highly productive and intense time of work. It was a good day of work for both teams, but six Raiders in particular owned the field versus their opponent, and I will tell you who they are and what they did. You don’t want to miss this insider take on how the day transpired. The Condor Is Hunting The music was blaring, and the crowd was cheering, but from the first rep of practice against the 49ers, Maxx Crosby was, as always, entirely focused. You could feel his relief at being able to go up against someone not wearing the Silver and Black. Although the practice didn’t allow tackling, this was his territory, and he wanted everyone to know he wasn’t there to entertain. With the ease of a warm knife cutting through butter, Maxx Crosby spent just as much time in the 49ers' backfield as their quarterback, Brock Purdy. He made it clear to everyone on the opposing team that he would do what he wanted, to whom he wanted, whenever he wanted. I’ve said this all camp, and today was no different: he is the best player on the field every time he steps onto it. Kyu Making the 49ers Blu(e) No one on the Raiders team had as much to gain or lose today, especially during the game on Saturday, as Kyu Blu Kelly. Today, he performed outstandingly—no, he was excellent. He played with confidence and fluidity, making multiple plays against the top-tier 49ers. Without any ego, the Raiders' rising star not only looks the part but also plays the part, showcasing a significant improvement from the younger version of himself earlier this year. Carroll couldn’t help but rave about his performance. "I'm glad you noticed it because I'm noticing it, too. He's had plays every day for about the last five or six days out here. Mock Game Two, he's just been really active. Seems like he's really settling in, and his aggressive style of play has really shown up. So, I'm fired up for him. If you've noticed, I don't know if it happened today, but yesterday, he got work with the ones just to see how he fits in and all of that. Just a great example of a guy competing his butt off and try to make a statement." Brock Bowers Doing Brock Bowers Things Brock Bowers, the NFL's best tight end and one of the truly elite players in the game, has somehow managed to improve even further. While the addition of a new quarterback may play a role, it doesn't diminish Bowers' exceptional ability to manipulate defenders, make impossible catches, and perform physically extraordinary feats that leave onlookers in awe during every practice. It's almost as if Bigfoot has a poster of Brock Bowers on his wall; this young man possesses skills that seem practically divine, playing his position at a level never seen before. During today's practice, he once again showcased his talent with several touchdowns and impressive catches, but one play, in particular, stood out as otherworldly. Running full speed toward the sideline with a 49ers defender in perfect coverage, Geno Smith threw an impeccable pass into a six or seven-inch window. Bowers leaped to make the catch, and despite the momentum that would have carried any other player out of bounds, he somehow got his feet down and, defying the laws of physics, burst upfield. Isaac Newton would be turning over in his grave at what Bowers can do. Although he hasn’t even played a game in his second year yet, he is poised to completely redefine his position by the time his career comes to a close. This was just one of the many outstanding catches he made today. Please don’t feel bad, 49ers fans. No one can guard him. No one. Book(er) It Thomas Booker joined the Raiders in a trade for Jakorian Bennett, and John Spytek deserves recognition for successfully acquiring a starting defensive tackle from the Super Bowl champions. With his exceptional motor and drive, Booker has quickly emerged in the desert and is now the second-best defensive tackle on the team, poised to start alongside Adam Butler. His enthusiasm is a joy to watch, and he complements a defensive line led by Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce, alongside the impressive Adam Butler. The Raiders' defensive line is shaping up to be elite with their starting four. Today, Booker particularly stood out against a 49ers team that appeared disorganized. Carroll didn’t mince words praising his new defensive weapon today, "He's done really well. I mean, quick learner. Just pick stuff up right off the bat. He's right now battling to play a lot and that means he's going with ones quite a bit. He deserves to. He's already shown that. I'm really excited about our chance to get him here, and he's an amazing kid. I can't wait for you guys to talk to him, to hear from him; he's really something." Jakobi Meyers, Pay the Man Jakobi Myers is one of the most underrated and, frankly, disrespected wide receivers in the game of football, unlike the drama that surrounded Davante Adams and the success that many expected from him—which ultimately did not materialize—this drama-free superstar knows how to win. Meyers is an egoless talent and the ideal teammate. Every single day, he makes impressive catches and contributes to plays, often selflessly blocking and making the position look easy. In a recent game against some of the best defenders from the 49ers, Meyers truly dominated the field. He executed perfect routes, and when Geno Smith moved, Meyers matched his movements flawlessly, finding open space to make plays. I have no idea where the misguided criticism of Meyers comes from, but knowledgeable football analysts recognize his value and contribution to the team. It's time to put an end to the doubt, Spytek. Pay the man. Carroll praised Meyers today, "He's so sure handed, so steady, so improvisational, that he can get himself open. With he and Brock [Bowers], it's tough to cover those two guys. And so, they complement each other in a great manner, but Jakobi [Meyers] has done a fantastic job every day we've come out here he's making plays." Is Michael Mayer the Incredible Hulk in Real Life? Michael Mayer has had an impressive training camp. Along with his coaching staff, he has found his rhythm and reemerged as the offensive threat the Raiders envisioned when they drafted him as the best tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, during today’s practice against the 49ers, Mayer showcased something we hadn’t seen during camp. He delivered a block on a 49er player that is sure to leave a lasting impression for years to come. Mayer was known for his physicality coming out of Notre Dame, but it hadn't fully materialized in Las Vegas until now. Today, he resembled the Incredible Hulk, demonstrating his comfort in the game with two impressive blocks that showcased his selfless nature in making plays, even when he wasn’t directly involved. Michael Mayer appears to be back to his form from South Bend, and that spells trouble for the rest of the NFL. Geno Smith’s Leadership on Full Display Geno Smith has been, without question, the best quarterback I have covered in my six years as a Raiders Beat writer, and it isn’t close. His ability to spin the ball, throw everyone open, and make every throw has been terrific. On a field with a quarterback on the opposing team making $16 million more dollars per year than him, Geno was without any doubt the best QB on the field. Multiple great throws at this point are taken for granted since he does it every year, but one thing he did shone louder than any of the other amazing things he had done. WR Tre Tucker has had an excellent camp, but started with three critical drops. Plagued during his rookie year with drops, it was the first time we had seen it since, but after the third Geno sprinted down the field, encouraging him. Leadership. All Tucker did was respond with multiple touchdowns and no more drops. It was a terrific example of this team embracing him. It doesn’t matter if you talk to your teammates; if they don’t respect you, they don’t listen. This team doesn’t like Geno; they love him and respect him. Geno Smith owned the field today, but more than what he did to the 49ers was what he did for his teammates. He led, and they followed. He tried to dismiss his actions when asked about his pep talk to Tucker, but the fact is his leadership is impressive. He said after practice about the interaction, “For sure, there's going to be ups and downs in this game, you're never going to be perfect. We strive for perfection, but we're all human. So, the main thing whenever a guy makes a mistake, or anything happens out there that we don't want to happen, it's about showing that we have each other's back. And so, whenever you can go up to a guy and pat him on the back, or give him a word of encouragement, that's what we're here for, and they do it for me as well. So it's not just a one-way street, it's a two-way street. I just want to continue to breathe life into my guys, because we got some really, really good players, and they work extremely hard. So when they mess up, it's okay. We move on to the next play and keep going." We'd appreciate it if you would follow us on X @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr , and let’s talk about the Silver and Black’s training camp and Pete Carroll’s comments.
Taylor Swift's New Song 'Ruin the Friendship' Sparks Blake Lively Speculation Amid Legal Drama
Swifties are buzzing over Taylor Swift's newly announced song "Ruin the Friendship," with many wondering if it's a nod to a rumored rift between the pop star and longtime friend Blake Lively. The speculation comes as Lively is locked in a high-profile legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. The track, listed on Swift's upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl — set to drop Oct. 3 — was revealed during her appearance on boyfriend Travis Kelce's "New Heights" podcast. According to Yahoo, some fans quickly linked the title to reports that Swift had distanced herself from Lively after Baldoni named her in his since-dismissed $400 million defamation suit. In court documents, Baldoni accused Lively of using Swift's influence to gain creative control of the film and even shared alleged texts in which Lively referred to Swift as one of her "dragons." Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and running a smear campaign against her — claims he denies. Evidence Shows Taylor Swift Wrote Song Before Lively Drama Began While the theory gained traction online, the timeline tells a different story. Swift shared that she wrote The Life of a Showgirl during the summer of 2024, while touring Europe, months before Lively's allegations became public in December. "I'd do three shows, take a few days off, fly to Sweden to record, and then head back to tour," she said on the podcast, ENews said. Adding to the doubt, Swift and Lively were last seen together in October 2024 on a double date with Kelce and Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds. The couple also attended Swift's Eras Tour earlier that year. In January 2025, a source told E! News that rumors of a falling-out were "not true." Swift, who has been friends with Lively for over a decade and is godmother to her four children, has often publicly praised the "Gossip Girl" alum. In past interviews, she even said Lively and Reynolds were among the first to hear her new music. While Swift's lyrics have often drawn from personal experiences, "Ruin the Friendship" could easily be about something else entirely. Neither Swift nor Lively has commented on the speculation.
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth’s honest Aaron Rodgers verdict after joint practice
The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting closer to regular-season form, and tight end Pat Freiermuth is already liking what he sees. After Thursday’s joint practice between Pittsburgh and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium, the fifth-year veteran offered high praise for his new quarterback, while also pointing to strides being made across the offense. Aaron Rodgers’s joint practice performance was under the microscope — and Freiermuth’s take was clear. In an article posted by Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley, she noted that Freiermuth has been encouraged by what the team has shown offensively. He especially liked what he saw from the offensive line and their new signal-caller. “I thought the offensive line played pretty solid. I thought Aaron played really well. I think we came out here and did our job, and I thought we all looked pretty solid as an offense. We have to continue to grow, but I think we’re taking steps in the right direction.” The comments from Freiermuth reflect a broader theme from the day, progress with room for growth. Pittsburgh’s offense reportedly won the majority of the Seven Shots period during Thursday’s session, with strong execution in red-zone situations. The two-minute drill was more mixed, but the exposure to Tampa Bay’s different defensive looks — including four-man fronts — added real value to the day’s work. The Steelers offense update comes as Rodgers continues ramping up in live action after sitting out the first preseason game. Thursday’s joint practice marked his most substantial work of August so far, and his timing with the 2021 draft pick out of Penn State and the rest of the offense appears to be coming together. With a retooled wide receiver group and a revamped offensive line, joint sessions are providing valuable live reps in simulated game conditions. Rodgers is not expected to suit up for Saturday’s preseason matchup, as Pittsburgh continues to manage his workload ahead of Week 1. Freiermuth remains a key target in the red zone and in middle-field route concepts, and his chemistry with the 41-year-old quarterback is already drawing attention. The offensive line, meanwhile, earned a public shout-out — a sign that communication and protection are trending in the right direction. The staff continues to manage preseason usage carefully, meaning Rodgers and other starters may be limited again in Saturday’s exhibition against the Buccaneers. The Steelers and Buccaneers joint-practice offered the kind of controlled but competitive reps that coaches and players value most. No major injuries were reported, and the work helped refine offensive timing, especially in pressure moments. While Freiermuth emphasized that the unit is still building, Thursday’s showing was a positive sign. With Week 1 of the regular season approaching, the offense looks like it’s beginning to click — and the veteran tight end seems confident they’re headed in the right direction.
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