Tulane has suspended transfer quarterback TJ Finley following his arrest for possession of stolen property.

• New Orleans police arrested Finley, 23, near the university on Wednesday.

  Finley was booked for illegally possessing a stolen car valued at more than $25,000, according to court documents obtained by WVUE. He told authorities he recently had purchased the vehicle in Atlanta.

  Finley since has been released from jail and suspended by Tulane, the quarterback's fifth school in six years.

  "We are aware of a situation involving TJ Finley," Tulane officials said in a statement. "He has been suspended from the football program pending the outcome of the case."

  Finley, a Louisiana native, previously played at LSU (2020), Auburn (2021-22), Texas State (2023) and Western Kentucky (2024). He has completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 6,128 yards, 37 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in 34 career games.

  --Field Level Media

The parents of a Bucknell freshman football player who died following a workout last summer have filed a lawsuit against the school and members of the administration and coaching staff.

• The suit claims the university knew about their 18-year-old son's sickle cell diagnosis but did not have protocols in place to protect him, calling his death "completely avoidable."

  Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr. died on July 12, two days after collapsing in his first workout with the school in Lewisburg, Pa. He was 18 years old.

  "We do this for CJ, for every young man on that team, and anyone who comes after him, and anyone at any university," Dickey's mother, Nicole, said Wednesday. "This is a longer, harder path, and I am ready for it. My boy is worth it."

  An autopsy determined Dickey died from a sickle cell-related condition called rhabdomyolysis, family attorney Mike Caspino told ESPN.

  The lawsuit claims there were no trainers present when Dickey and other freshmen were performing up-downs "as punishment" after they "messed up" during the workout.

  "Students who were present at the workout have reported that CJ was clearly in distress during the 100 up-downs," the lawsuit states. "He was falling behind the rest of the group and could not keep up."

  The Cleveland Clinic's webpage says anyone with rhabdomyolysis who is attempting to exercise can reduce the risks by: "Starting an exercise program slowly, and listening to your body. If you feel especially sore or tired during a workout, stop and rest. Don't push yourself beyond safe limits. ... Take breaks in the shade if you're doing physical activity in the heat."

  Bucknell released a statement to ESPN saying the school is aware of the lawsuit.

  "The death of a student is always a tragic loss," Bucknell said in the statement. "While the University will not comment on pending litigation, we again extend heartfelt sympathies to CJ's family, and we will continue to focus on our most important priority -- the health and safety of all Bucknell students."

  The family is accusing the school of negligence and wrongful death and seeking unspecified compensation.

  "We don't want another athlete, another family, brother, cousin to go through this type of agony and pain and death, especially when it's not necessary or completely avoidable," Dickey's father, Calvin Sr., said Wednesday.

  --Field Level Media

Missouri quarterback Drew Pyne is entering the transfer portal as a grad transfer, several reports said Tuesday.

• Pyne will seek his fourth school in four years, following previous stays at Notre Dame (2020-22), Arizona State (2023) and Missouri.

  Pyne appeared in six games last season, making just one start when first-string quarterback Brady Cook was hurt. Pyne finished the season with 391 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

  Missouri added former Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula in the portal over the winter, and Pribula will battle Sam Horn and true freshman Matt Zollers for the starting job.

  Pyne was able to enter the portal before the sport's spring transfer window opens April 16-25 because of his status as a graduate.

  --Field Level Media

Ohio State landed a commitment Monday from five-star safety Blaine Bradford, plucking the Louisiana native from the grasps of hometown LSU and Texas.

• The 247Sports composite lists Bradford as the No. 1 safety and No. 23 overall prospect in the Class of 2026.

  He made the announcement on social media and told On3 that head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes were the right choice.

  "Ohio State is the best place for my development and for my future," he said.

  Bradford, from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., had offers from throughout the nation -- especially the Southeastern Conference -- and also was considering Oregon, per On3.

  Bradford was among a group of elite prospects to visit Columbus, Ohio, over the weekend.

  Ohio State's 2026 class also includes Chris Henry Jr., the No. 2 wide receiver in the nation from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif.

  --Field Level Media

Stanford hired former NFL head coach Frank Reich to be the Cardinal's interim coach for the 2025 season Monday.

• Reich replaces Troy Taylor, who was fired last week amid allegations of bullying and belittling female staff members.

  Reich, 63, has never coached at the college level. The former NFL quarterback was head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-22, posting a 40-33-1 record with two playoff appearances. Reich took over the Carolina Panthers in 2023 but was fired after a 1-10 start.

  Stanford football general manager Andrew Luck was the Colts' starting quarterback during Reich's first season with Indianapolis.

  "I could not be more excited for our coaches, staff and players to have Frank as our head football coach for the 2025 season," Luck said in a news release Monday. "I have experienced first-hand the incredible impact Frank has demonstrated as a leader and have full confidence he is the perfect steward for this season of Stanford Football. Frank is a teacher, a winner and a coach of the highest caliber. Frank's values align seamlessly with our vision for this program and I firmly believe in his ability to maximize the on-field potential of our student-athletes while serving as a role model in all aspects of their personal growth."

  Reich will be introduced at a news conference on Tuesday. Stanford's announcement specified that he will be the interim coach "for the 2025 campaign," with the presumption that the school will continues its search for a full-time football leader.

  Reich, Luck and the Colts finished 10-6 in 2018 and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional playoffs before Luck unexpectedly retired ahead of the 2019 campaign at age 29.

  "I am thrilled to be working with Andrew again to help take an important step in establishing his vision for the Stanford Football program," Reich said. "Andrew is an elite leader and competitor, and those traits, along with his genuine passion for this university, resonated in every way and inspired me to accept this role. The unique responsibility to mentor the best student-athletes in the world, to be the absolute best in what they aspire to do, is an opportunity I will fully embrace."

  Taylor, 56, was fired last Tuesday, less than a week after an ESPN report outlined allegations by staff members.

  "After continued consideration it is evident to me that our program needs a reset," Luck said in a statement announcing Taylor's dismissal. "In consultation with university leadership I no longer believe that Coach Taylor is the right coach to lead our football program. Coach Taylor has been informed today and the change is effective immediately."

  Per ESPN, Stanford also is promoting tight ends coach Nate Byham to offensive coordinator. He also will call the plays.

  Reich previously spent time on the West Coast as quarterbacks coach (2013) and offensive coordinator (2014-15) for the then-San Diego Chargers. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' OC from 2016-17 before being hired to lead the Colts.

  Stanford has posted four straight 3-9 seasons, the last two under Taylor. The Cardinal's last postseason appearance was the Sun Bowl in 2018.

  --Field Level Media

Deion Sanders will remain the head coach at Colorado through the 2029 season under terms of a contract extension announced Friday.

• He will earn a base salary of $10 million in 2025, making him the highest-paid football coach in the Big 12 and among the top 10 highest-paid head football coaches in the country, the university announced.

  ESPN reported that his total compensation over five years will be $54 million, with his pay rising to $11 million annually in 2027 and $12 million in 2029.

  Last season, he earned $5.7 million, according to the USA Today coaches' salary database. Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State earned $7.75 million to top the Big 12, per the database.

  Sanders took over a team that was 1-11 in 2022 and saw an improvement to 4-8 in his first season. In 2024, the Buffaloes were 9-4 and earned an invitation to the Alamo Bowl.

  In a news release, the school called Sanders' two seasons as head coach as "transformational" and credited his leadership for turning the Colorado football team into one of the "most-watched teams in sports," citing 54 million viewers in 2024 as evidence.

  "Coach Prime has revolutionized college football and in doing so, has restored CU football to our rightful place as a national power," athletic director Rick George said. "This extension not only recognizes Coach's incredible accomplishments transforming our program on and off the field, it keeps him in Boulder to compete for conference and national championships in the years to come."

  Campus leaders also said Sanders' presence and visibility has influenced the academic side of Colorado, which has seen a 20 percent increase in applications, including an increase of 50.5 percent from students who classify themselves as Black/African American. He also speaks in classes and special campus events.

  "I'm excited for the opportunity to continue building something special here at Colorado," said Sanders, 57. "We've just scratched the surface of what this program can be. It's not just about football; it's about developing young men who are ready to take on the world. I'm committed to bringing greatness to this university, on and off the field. We've got work to do, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here, making history with these incredible players and this passionate fan base.

  "Lastly, anybody got at least a five-bedroom home with acreage for sale?"

  Sanders played 14 seasons as a defensive back in the National Football League, won two Super Bowls and was named a first-team All-Pro six times. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

  Concurrently, he played nine Major League Baseball seasons, retiring with a career average of .263 with 186 stolen bases and 43 triples in 641 games.

  Immediately before accepting the Colorado job, Sanders spent three seasons as the head coach at Jackson State, finishing with a 27-6 record.

  --Field Level Media

Kent State has placed head football coach Kenni Burns on administrative leave.

• The school announced the move Thursday but said "no further comments on this personnel matter will be provided."

  Offensive coordinator Mark Carney was placed in charge of the Golden Flashes' on-field activities with spring practices set to begin this weekend.

  Burns, 41, has compiled a 1-23 record in two seasons with the Mid-American Conference program, including 0-12 in 2024.

  --Field Level Media

Former Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt filed a lawsuit this week against the NCAA seeking $100 million over the fallout from his firing four years ago for recruiting violations.

• The lawsuit filed on Wednesday in DeKalb County, Ala., claims that the NCAA conspired with the university to make him "the sacrificial lamb for conduct that long preceded his tenure at UT."

  Tennessee hired Pruitt in December 2017, replacing Butch Jones. Pruitt was fired for cause in January 2021 after going 16-19 in three seasons and did not receive any of his $12.6 million buyout.

  In July 2023, Tennessee learned that all 11 wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons had been vacated as part of the punishment for the alleged violations during Pruitt's tenure.

  The NCAA also issued a six-year show-cause penalty and one-year suspension against Pruitt, who has not coached in college football since. He is currently helping to coach at Alabama's Plainview High School, his alma mater.

  Pruitt's lawsuit claims that Tennessee was paying players before he was hired. He said he informed then-athletic director Phillip Fulmer of the payments and Fulmer told Pruitt "he would handle it," per the lawsuit.

  In the lawsuit, Pruitt, 50, claims that he has suffered damages including lost wages, future lost wages, damage to his reputation, emotional distress and mental anguish.

  Pruitt's attorneys issued a statement to USA Today.

  "We stand wholeheartedly behind Coach Pruitt's claims as detailed in the complaint," the statement read. "While we appreciate the public's interest in this matter, we do not intend to try Coach Pruitt's case in the media. Coach Pruitt's claims deserve to be evaluated by an Alabama jury. We intend to give Jeremy the fair and impartial forum that the NCAA would not allow."

  The NCAA released a statement in response to the lawsuit.

  "NCAA rules are proposed and adopted by member schools and penalties for violations are imposed by a committee of representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences as well as individuals from the public who have legal training," the statement read. "In this case, the Committee on Infractions found violations and assigned penalties, both of which were affirmed by the Infractions Appeals Committee."

  Tennessee issued a statement saying it is "confident in the actions taken in the Pruitt case. We will continue to prioritize our student-athletes and winning with integrity."

  --Field Level Media

Five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds committed to Alabama on Wednesday in the Class of 2026.

• Edmonds is considered the top CB in the class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and ranked as the 27th best player overall.

  The 6-foot-2 Edmonds, out of Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Ga., picked the Crimson Tide over Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas and Auburn among 43 offers.

  "The culture is great," Edmonds told On3. "It feels like family for me at Alabama. The coaches bring their families around, I feel very comfortable around everyone and it makes it easy for me to be there," adding, "it is a top program, too."

  Edmonds is considered the fourth best player out of the state of Georgia in 2026, according to the 247Sports composite.

  --Field Level Media

Stanford fired Troy Taylor on Tuesday, less than one week after an ESPN report outlined instances in which he had allegedly bullied and belittled female athletic staffers during his two seasons as the Cardinal's football coach.

• Former Stanford star quarterback Andrew Luck, now the program's general manager, announced the move.

  "After continued consideration it is evident to me that our program needs a reset," Luck said in a statement. "In consultation with university leadership I no longer believe that Coach Taylor is the right coach to lead our football program. Coach Taylor has been informed today and the change is effective immediately."

  Luck said a search for the next coach has begun, and an acting coach may be named for the 2025 season.

  Taylor, 56, received a warning by the university in February 2024, with ESPN reporting that he signed a letter acknowledging that he could be fired if the conduct continued.

  A few months later, he was cited in second investigation for "an ongoing pattern of concerning behavior."

  "I willingly complied with the investigations, accepted the recommendations that came out of them, and used them as a learning opportunity to grow in leadership and how I interact with others," Taylor said in a statement released through Stanford following ESPN's report.

  "I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively and collegially with my colleagues so that we can achieve success for our football program together."

  Under Taylor's watch, Stanford posted consecutive 3-9 seasons.

  Taylor built a 30-8 record over three seasons at Sacramento State before joining the Cardinal after David Shaw -- the winningest head coach in school history -- stepped down following the 2022 season.

  Luck, who became the Stanford GM on Nov. 30, was with the Cardinal from 2008-11.

  --Field Level Media

Rutgers transfer Jett Elad is challenging the NCAA's eligibility rules and hoping to cash in on a lucrative NIL deal.

• The Canadian-born safety filed a lawsuit last week in federal district court in New Jersey, seeking an injunction that would block the NCAA from enforcing its so-called "five-year rule."

  The eligibility rule requires student-athletes to play four seasons within five years, including junior college.

  Elad, who turns 24 next month, began his journey at Ohio University, where he redshirted in 2019 before playing in three games in 2020 and nine in 2021. He then spent the 2022 season at Garden City Community College in Kansas before transferring to UNLV for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

  "The eligibility rule at issue is unlawful because it has substantial anticompetitive effects on two-year or junior colleges and universities that are excluded from NCAA membership," states the lawsuit filed by Elad, according to a copy obtained by Sportsnet.

  "... This five-year period includes time spent at a two-year or junior college. The effect of this rule (the "Five-Year Rule") is to discourage student-athletes from attending junior college to prepare for four-year college and to punish those who do so, even though junior colleges may provide such student-athletes with necessary academic and other opportunities. And just as the student-athletes are deprived of the junior-college experience that may so benefit them, the junior colleges are deprived of elite athletes, reducing their ability to compete with NCAA schools."

  Elad hopes to be on the field for coach Greg Schiano's Scarlet Knights this season, with spring practice starting this week in Piscataway, N.J.

  In addition to the opportunity to play in a major conference like the Big Ten, at stake is a reported $500,000 name, image and likeness deal.

  The NCAA rule will "permanently deprive (Elad) of a once-in-a-lifetime" NIL deal "and the opportunity to enhance his career and reputation by playing another year of Division I football," the lawsuit argues.

  In a statement to Sportico, an NCAA spokesperson said the association "stands by its eligibility rules, including the five-year rule, which enable student-athletes and schools to have fair competition and ensure broad access to the unique and life-changing opportunity to be a student-athlete."

  U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi has scheduled a hearing for April 3 in Trenton, N.J.

  --Field Level Media

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day told reporters Monday that his team will visit the White House on April 14 to be honored for their national college football championship.

• "It's an honor to be invited. We were formally invited and it's customary," Day said. "I remember growing up and watching the national championship teams go to the White House. I always looked at that, like, ‘Man, what an honor that would be.' So, it's part of the celebration of our team ... Looking forward to getting that all planned out."

  The Buckeyes will be the second team to celebrate a championship at the White House since President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term. The Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers were the first, back on Feb. 3. The Philadelphia Eagles plan to visit the White House on April 28 in recognition of their Super Bowl LIX title.

  The Buckeyes won four straight games in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff to capture the title. They defeated Notre Dame 34-23 in the championship game after first defeating Tennessee, top-seeded Oregon and Texas.

  It was the program's first national title since 2014.

  Vice President JD Vance graduated from Ohio State and was a senator from the state before joining Trump's ticket.

  --Field Level Media

Damon Evans has been named the new athletic director at SMU, the school announced.

• This will be Evans' third AD post. He previously led the athletic programs at Georgia (2004-10) and Maryland (2017-25).

  "Our goal was to find a leader who shared our vision for the future of SMU Athletics -- one of continued and even greater national prominence," search committee co-chair David B. Miller said. "We found that in a world-class athletic director with experience leading in both the Big 10 and SEC conferences, and who will bring bold, innovative ideas to our campus."

  Evans is a member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. He also is a member of the NCAA Transformation Committee and has served as chair of the NCAA Leadership Council.

  "While it is never easy to leave an institution that has become part of your family, the opportunity to come to SMU was too great to pass up." Evans said. SMU has tremendous momentum in all aspects of its athletics program, but I believe we can push to even greater heights. I am honored to join the University and to be a part of something truly special."

  Evans was a four-year starter on Georgia's football team, playing in three bowl games under coach Vince Dooley.

  -Field Level Media

Georgia wide receiver Nitro Tuggle faces charges of reckless driving and speeding following his arrest on Thursday morning.

• Athens-Clarke County Police booked the rising sophomore on the two misdemeanor charges just before 2 a.m. ET and released him on a $20 cash bond an hour later, according to online records.

  Tuggle caught three passes for 34 yards in two games for the Bulldogs as a 2024 freshman. He initially announced plans to enter the transfer portal in December before electing to stay at Georgia.

  The school has not yet released a statement on Tuggle's arrest. It's the latest incident for a program that has seen more than two dozen arrests or citations for speeding, reckless driving or racing since a fatal crash in January 2023 that killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.

  The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Tuggle was ranked as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024 out of Northwood High School in Nappanee, Ind.

  --Field Level Media

Former NFL quarterback and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is joining the coaching staff under Deion Sanders at Colorado, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported Wednesday.

• The reports come a day after Leftwich was spotted at practice holding a clipboard and wearing Colorado football gear. Sanders said on Monday Colorado would make "a couple more huge moves" this week but has not confirmed Leftwich's hiring.

  It's unclear what Leftwich's role will be on Sanders' staff.

  Leftwich interviewed with the New England Patriots for their head coaching post in January.

  Leftwich, 45, most recently worked as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019-22, a stint that included a Super Bowl win in the 2020 season.

  Leftwich was fired by Bucs head coach Todd Bowles after the 2022 season, which saw Tampa Bay slip from the top 3 in scoring the previous three seasons to No. 15 in yards and No. 25 in points in 2022.

  A quarterback and first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2003 NFL Draft, Leftwich had a 24-26 record with 10,532 passing yards and 58 touchdowns in 60 games with the Jaguars (2003-06), Atlanta Falcons (2007), Bucs (2009) and Steelers (2008, 2010, 2012).

  He also worked in various roles including the interim offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals from 2016-2018.

  --Field Level Media

College football players are reportedly getting a raise for appearing in EA Sports' next video game.

• The name, image and likeness payments will increase from $600 to $1,500 for Football Bowl Subdivision players who are included in the upcoming "College Football 26" release, per multiple reports.

  Players will also receive a Deluxe Edition of the game, and some will earn additional revenue for appearing in any promotional materials.

  More than 14,000 players across the country opted into "College Football 25" and ultimately nearly 11,000 were used in the game, or about 85 players per team, according to The Athletic. The game went on to become one of the best-selling sports video games of all time.

  The higher payments mean that EA Sports will spend more than $16.5 million for the NIL rights of the players.

  The licensing company OneTeam Partners, which facilitated the players' deal, told Front Office Sports that it is continuing to negotiate for the possibility of additional royalties.

  --Field Level Media

Bill Belichick continues to make a big impression as North Carolina's head football coach, and he's showing no signs of slowing down.

• Belichick landed his highest-rated recruit since taking over the Tar Heels' program when home-state defensive lineman Trashawn Ruffin flipped his 2026 commitment from Texas A&M to North Carolina on Monday.

  He attends North Duplin High School in Mount Olive, N.C.

  Ruffin, a 6-foot-3, 307-pound player, is listed as a four-star prospect by the 247Sports composite. In a deep class for defensive linemen, he is ranked No. 24 overall at the position.

  He had been committed to Texas A&M since October 2024, declining offers from the likes of Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan and Florida State.

  And he made it clear on Tuesday that he won't be entertaining any more offers, writing on X, "Recruitment is shut down."

  Ruffin made an unofficial visit to Chapel Hill recently, attending a Duke-North Carolina basketball game and meeting with former Tar Heels greats Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers.

  North Carolina's 2026 class currently is ranked No. 22 by the 247Sports composite.

  --Field Level Media

UNLV athletic director Erick Harper told the school's Board of Regents last week that his department does not have enough funds to cover the final three years of football coach Dan Mullen's contract, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

• Mullen signed a five-year, $17.5 million contract in December, and he is preparing for his first season with the Runnin' Rebels. However, at a meeting last Friday, Harper told regents that the athletic department is $26 million to $31 million in debt and could handle only the costs of the first two years of Mullen's contract as things stand now.

  When pressed by one of the regents about how the department planned to pay for the remaining three years, Harper said he hopes to raise money through donations and increased revenue from football games while also seeking additional funding from donors.

  "We have the funds to pay the coach over the next two years," Harper said, per the Review-Journal. "We have been working with our donors to assist with philanthropic dollars. We have one that has already paid their commitment, and that money is in an unrestricted line and that will be utilized in the future to help with the salaries."

  Harper said the football program has sold an additional 970 season tickets since the hiring of Mullen, who has a 103-61 career record that includes stints at Florida and Mississippi State. That brings the total season ticket sales to 5,031 for the upcoming season.

  Harper added that the university is increasing the price for single-game tickets, suite rentals and new VIP ticket holders. He said UNLV has received $2.5 million in revenue from football tickets sales ahead of next season, an increase from $1.8 million at the same time last year.

  UNLV is also expected to received between $19 million and $24.8 million from the Mountain West for agreeing to stay in the conference after five schools departed for the Pac-12.

  Mullen was hired to replace Barry Odom, who left for Purdue after leading the Rebels to a 19-8 record over two seasons and the program's first bowl game in nine years.

  It is another sensitive money-related situation from a program that was accused last September of failing to pay agreed upon name, image and likeness (NIL) funds from the school's collective. That prompted quarterback Matt Sluka to enter the transfer just three games into the season, while UNLV was undefeated.

  --Field Level Media

Former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George is heading back to Ohio after agreeing to a five-year contract to become the head coach at Bowling Green, ESPN reported on Sunday.

• George, 51, has posted a 24-22 record over the past four seasons as the head coach at FCS Tennessee State. He led the Tigers to a share of the OVC-Big South title in the 2024 season following a 9-4 record, marking the school's first league title in football since 1999.

  George was named Big South/OVC coach of the year and was the runner-up for the Eddie Robinson national coach of the year.

  George replaces Scot Loeffler, who resigned from Bowling Green to become quarterbacks coach of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 28. The Falcons were 7-6 in 2024 and 27-41 with three bowl game appearances during Loeffler's six seasons with the team.

  George will return to the Buckeye State, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1995 with Ohio State.

  George continued his success in the NFL, becoming the Tennessee Titans' franchise leading rusher with 10,009 yards.

  A four-time Pro Bowl selection, George rushed for 10,441 yards and 68 touchdowns in 141 career games (136 starts) with the Houston Oilers/Titans (1996-2003) and Dallas Cowboys (2004).

  --Field Level Media

Defensive end prospect Richard Wesley, ranked as the No. 2 overall player in the 2027 class by the 247Sports composite, is reclassifying to 2026, he told ESPN on Friday.

• He recently completed his sophomore season at Sierra Canyon High School in Southern California. He is a 6-foot-5, 250-pound prospect with 99 tackles and 19 sacks in his first two seasons of high school ball.

  The composite lists him just a tick behind its No. 1 2027 player, defensive end LaDamion Guyton, who already has committed to Georgia.

  The top 2026 defensive end is Zion Elee of Baltimore, who is committed to Maryland. Wesley has yet to be ranked in the 2026 class by the composite.

  Wesley holds offers from numerous power programs, and he told ESPN he planned to make unofficial visits at schools that include Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Southern California and Ole Miss before setting official visits.

  "I really can't say what the future holds for me," Wesley told ESPN. "I'm excited for more opportunities to go talk with these coaches and see what they're about. I'm really open to everyone that's offered me and who really wants me in their program."

  --Field Level Media

Oregon and football coach Dan Lanning have agreed on an amended contract that will put him among the five highest-paid coaches in the nation, Yahoo Sports reported Thursday.

• The six-year deal that spans through 2030, which must be approved by Oregon's board when it meets Friday, includes a $2 million annual raise to an average of nearly $11 million per season.

  His buyout will remain $20 million, per the report.

  Before the 2024 season, Lanning was 14th in the nation in salary, according to USA Today's database of coaches salaries. He joins an elite class of coaches with his new salary; the five highest-paid coaches on the list were Kirby Smart (Georgia), Dabo Swinney (Clemson), Steve Sarkisian (Texas), Lincoln Riley (Southern California) and Ryan Day (Ohio State).

  Three of those coaches have won national championships, and Ducks leaders are counting on Lanning to join that group.

  Lanning, 38, was the offensive coordinator at Georgia when Oregon gave him his first head-coaching job ahead of the 2022 season. The Ducks are 35-6 under Lanning and won the Big Ten championship last season in their first year in the Big Ten.

  Oregon was 13-0 and the No. 1 seed in the expanded College Football Playoff but lost to eventual national champion Ohio State 41-21 in the quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl.

  Day received a new contract worth $12.5 million a year after the Buckeyes won the title, moving him to No. 2 on the salary list behind Smart.

  --Field Level Media

The Atlantic Coast Conference's ongoing legal disputes with members Clemson and Florida State were settled on Tuesday with a resolution to implement a new revenue distribution model based on TV viewership.

• The settlement keeps the ACC's 18-member league potentially intact through 2036, when the league's grant of rights contract expires. Penalties for leaving the league before 2036 are reduced significantly -- which was a motivating factor for the initial litigation from the two universities.

  The ACC board of directors approved the settlement, followed by approval from the boards of trustees for Clemson and FSU. The actions led to the dropping of four lawsuits.

  "Today's resolution begins the next chapter of this storied league and further solidifies the ACC as a premier conference," ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement. "As we look ahead to our collective long-term future, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the ACC Board of Directors for its ongoing leadership, patience and dedication throughout this process.

  "The league has competed at the highest level for more than 70 years and this new structure demonstrates the ACC embracing innovation and further incentivizing our membership based on competition and viewership results. The settlements, coupled with the ACC's continued partnership with ESPN, allow us to focus on our collective future -- including Clemson and Florida State -- united in an 18-member conference demonstrating the best in intercollegiate athletics."

  FSU first sued the league in December 2023 followed by Clemson. The ACC countersued both schools. FSU's lawsuit came after the Seminoles failed to reach the then-four-team College Football Playoff despite being undefeated, which the university blamed on the ACC.

  Before the settlement, conference members could be penalized as much as $700 million to leave, according to FSU's attorneys. Under the new terms, the exit fee will be $165 million in fiscal year 2026 and decreased by $18 million per year to a floor of $75 million in 2030-31 and beyond, according to a presentation made at Clemson's board meeting, The Athletic reported.

  The schools also were concerned with league revenues falling too far behind those of the SEC and Big Ten, per media reports.

  The league said in Tuesday's announcement that it will build upon previously announced success or brand initiatives with a component directly focused on annual football and men's basketball viewership. Instead of equal distribution of media rights deals among its members, the league will award bonuses to the most-viewed schools in those sports based on a five-year average of TV ratings.

  "This settlement allows Clemson to remain nationally competitive at the highest levels and also makes our conference stronger," Clemson President Jim Clements said in the statement.

  The ACC's revenue-sharing model aligns with a proposal FSU athletic director Michael Alford made 25 months ago.

  "This is a great path forward that provides every team in the conference the opportunity to reach benchmarks for additional financial distribution," Alford said in a statement on Tuesday. "FSU and the ACC have benefitted from more than 30 years of partnership. This solution, forged collaboratively by FSU, Clemson, and the ACC is a testament to our ability to work together to proactively address necessary actions for future success."

  --Field Level Media

Bill Belichick's North Carolina program will not be the featured team on HBO's upcoming offseason version of "Hard Knocks," an NFL Media spokesperson told CBS Sports on Tuesday.

• That comes on the heels of reports circling last week that NFL Films would feature Belichick and the Tar Heels. Reports, however, swirled that some league owners were not pleased that the NFL-owned platform would showcase Belichick.

  "NFL Films had discussions with Coach Belichick and UNC about appearing on Hard Knocks this offseason but couldn't reach an agreement," an NFL Media spokesperson told CBS Sports.

  The decision to attempt to turn to Belichick, an NFL head coach for 29 seasons with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, came after no NFL team would agree to sign on, per a report Friday from Front Office Sports.

  The New York Giants were featured last season, and it's the filmed conversations that general manager Joe Schoen had regarding the future of free-agent running back Saquon Barkley that reportedly caused teams to shy away.

  Barkley wound up signing with NFC East rival Philadelphia and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl LIX championship last month in New Orleans. In the regular season, he gained 2,283 yards from scrimmage and scored 15 touchdowns.

  Barkley broke the NFL single-season rushing record, postseason included, with 2,504 yards. Terrell Davis had held the mark since 1998.

  Belichick, who won six Super Bowl trophies with the Patriots, never has appeared on "Hard Knocks."

  --Field Level Media

Florida State and Clemson called meetings for Tuesday where university officials are expected to approve an agreement with the ACC to settle four ongoing lawsuits and implement a new revenue distribution model, according to multiple reports Monday.

• The league board of directors as well as the boards of each school must agree to the settlement to move forward, and it's expected that will happen, per the reports. The ACC's board of directors is also expected to vote Tuesday as part of its regularly scheduled meeting.

  If approved, the settlement would keep the ACC's 18-member league through 2036, when the league's Grant of Rights contract expires.

  The deal would address financial penalties for exiting the ACC's grant of rights and establish a new revenue structure based on TV viewership, or brand-based distribution, according to the reports. The penalties for leaving the league would be reduced significantly.

  ACC presidents are expected to vote on the framework of the settlement, with the boards of FSU and Clemson to follow, per the reports.

  FSU first sued the league in December 2023 followed by Clemson. The ACC countersued both schools. FSU's lawsuit came after failing to reach the then-four-team College Football Playoff despite being undefeated, which it blamed on the ACC. The schools also were concerned with league revenues falling too far behind those of the SEC and Big Ten, per the reports.

  The new revenue structure based on viewership would apply to every ACC school, with no carveouts for either Clemson or FSU, but those prominent programs could see an annual increase of up to $15 million based on terms of the proposal.

  ESPN reported that FSU and Clemson would be among the ACC's biggest winners of the new distribution on the strength of deep runs in the College Football Playoff and the NCAA Tournament.

  --Field Level Media

Pittsburgh freshman cornerback Mason Alexander died on Saturday night after a car accident in his hometown of Fishers, Ind. He was 18.

• Per the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Alexander was a passenger in a 2016 BMW. The driver of the car attempted to pass another car and swerved to avoid a collision with another vehicle, resulting in the BMW going off the road and hitting a tree. Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene.

  Alexander, who was part of Pitt's recruiting class, was set to join the team at the start of spring practice this month.

  "I received a call this morning that no parent, teacher or coach ever wants to get -- the news of the sudden loss of a young and promising life," Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement. "Our entire program is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mason Alexander's passing.

  "Mason had just enrolled at Pitt in January following his early graduation from Indiana's Hamilton Southeastern High School. Even during that short time, he made a great impression on all of us. Mason was proud and excited to be a Panther, and we felt the same way about having him in our Pitt family. He will always be a Panther to us. The Alexander family and Mason's many loved ones and friends will be in our prayers."

  --Field Level Media