The Indiana Fever’s season has been over for a week. And, for now, guard Sophie Cunningham is taking a break from basketball. Cunningham said on her ‘Show Me Something’ podcast that she went back to her parents’ house in Missouri after the Fever exit interviews.

‘I haven’t watched a lick of the WNBA (Finals),’ said Cunningham, who is officially a free agent after her one-year deal with the Fever ended. ‘I don’t know what’s going on.

‘I need a cleanse. I’m booking vacations.”

Cunningham’s season ended with an MCL tear in her right knee on Aug. 17. She was one of five players on the Fever, including All-Star guard Caitlin Clark, to go down with season-ending injuries.

‘In the past, I’ve watched the Finals, but I just think this year, with literally all the injuries and all the s— our team went through, I really do just need a break from it,’ she said. ‘Good luck to whoever is gonna win. Like, I honestly don’t care who wins this Finals.”

When Cunningham’s co-host, West Wilson, told her that the Las Vegas Aces were up 2-0 on the Phoenix Mercury, Cunningham, who spent the first six seasons of her career in Phoenix, laughed.

The duo then transitioned to her exit interview. Cunningham said she did not get fined for her remarks but did have one regret.

Cunningham took aim at WNBA officials and leadership in a 12-minute session on Oct. 1. Cunningham said the quote she’s seen highlighted most since then is about WNBA leadership: ‘I think that there are a lot of people in position of power. They might be really great business people, but they don’t know s— about basketball.’

In hindsight, Cunningham said she might have worded it differently if not in the heat of the moment.

‘I’m not going back on what I said, but I might have been a little harsh on how I said it,’ Cunningham said. ‘But you know what? It’s also me, you know, but it’s fine.’

When pressed if she was apologizing, Cunningham was clear that the only apology she was making was for her language, saying: ‘What I said was valid and a lot of people agree with it. … I just maybe shouldn’t have cussed.”

Look no further than the latest episode of ‘New Heights,’ Kelce’s weekly podcast with his brother, Jason. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end and former Philadelphia Eagles center got right to business discussing their thoughts on ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ in Wednesday’s episode.

Given the album’s frequent references to Travis, who became Swift’s fiancé when he proposed to her in August, his opinions of the record were a central part of the ‘New Heights’ conversation.

Here’s everything Travis Kelce had to say about Swift’s album on the latest episode of his podcast:

Everything Travis Kelce said about ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

• On the album’s release: ‘Let’s just give it up for Taylor,’ Kelce said while starting his applause. ‘She’s done it again. She’s put the world on tilt. It’s been so fun to see everybody’s reactions, and we’ve had an absolute blast watching her go through all of her press tour, her radios and all these talk shows. … She’s looked amazing, sounded amazing, and this album is absolutely amazing.’
• On listening to the album with Swift: Jason asked Travis if it was weird to be listening to the album while in the room with the artist who made it. Travis said, ‘It’s a different feel for sure, but I got used to it real quick. You get used to it. I just listened to it wholeheartedly because it’s her creation. You just want to appreciate it for what it is. I think that’s the biggest thing is to make sure that the person that you’re in the room with knows that you’re being open to what they’re creating.’
• On the album and its public reaction: ‘It was fun to hear all of these come together, knowing that a few of them, as she’s mentioned, have been about our life together. And it’s just been fun to see everybody depict them and all the videos online and people dancing and smiling and having a blast with this.’
• On whether he heard songs before their final version: ‘Oh, yeah. 100%. Which makes you really appreciate the whole, like, (‘The Life of a Showgirl’ producer) Max Martin, and the mastering of the sounds – hearing the first version versus the final version. Like, I’m listening to these songs still in my car to work and back and forth from home every single day, like, ‘Man, they (expletive) crushed it.’ … 10 out of 10, they all (expletive) killed it.’
• On ‘Actually Romantic’: ‘That’s become my – I wouldn’t say new favorite – but yeah, that’s the one I catch myself going to whenever I look at the list. It’s got that alternative rock, like ’90s rock. Yeah, I love that (expletive). She makes talking (expletive) sound so sweet.’
• On ‘Wood’: ‘It’s a great song. Any song that she references me, it’s very, like, I don’t know. I love that girl, so any song that she would reference me in any way or form…’
  • Jason cut in saying the song was not referencing Travis but ‘an appendage.’ Travis said sarcastically, ‘What? I think you’re not understanding the song.’
• On the album’s successful opening weekend: ‘It was the most streamed album after the first day. ‘Fate of Ophelia’ was the No. 1 streamed song, and the most streamed single after the first day of all time, maybe?’
• On the Kelce family’s reaction: ‘Mama Kels and Uncle Don, Aunt Joan, they all went to the official release party of ‘Life of a Showgirl’ at the AMC Theatres. The theaters dropped, I believe a little over an hour special on all the songs and Taylor’s first music video from the album. … Over the weekend, they had a bunch of release parties at the AMC Theatres and Mom, Uncle Don and Aunt Joan all went and then stopped by the hotel to tell me happy birthday.’
• On Easter eggs: ‘I think the fun of the Easter eggs is to always keep it just a little, like, ‘Was that intentional?’ You know what I mean? I think that’s the fun of it.’
• Final thoughts on the album: ‘I’m just the lucky man that gets to be the support system for Taylor while she drops one of the coolest albums that I’ve ever listened to, that the world’s seeing. I’m excited for her. I’m happy for her. Everything seems to have gone perfectly. All this planning – and you see it from start to finish, like she started this thing in the middle of her tour in Europe. To see it all unfold and come together and her connect the dots from the planning to the strategic planning to how the album was all going to look. And then to listen to the music and everything come together, and her finally getting that 12th song and being like, ‘I think it’s done.’ And then from that point on, it’s like her and her label are just working their ass off to make this one of the biggest releases of all time. And I’m just happy as hell for her because she’s happy with it. She’s proud of this, and obviously I’m proud of her for going through the hoops to live out her dreams.’

• Fernando Mendoza is the new No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports’ 2026 NFL mock draft, with the Indiana QB sizing up as a possible good fit for the Jets.
• Oregon QB Dante Moore is building a case to be one of this draft class’ top prospects if he decides to declare.
• Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami (Fla.) earns the title of first defensive player off the board at No. 3 to the Ravens.

With college football marching toward midseason, preseason narratives surrounding the 2026 NFL Draft have given way to actual on-field insights about the upcoming class.

A group of prospects light on stars – and any sense of certainty – has already seen quite the shake-up, with Texas quarterback Arch Manning now looking far more likely to be a 2027 entrant than the savior of this draft class some expected him to become. And while no passer has fully taken command of the top spot, there have been several promising performers who have helped their cause in the first handful of games.

With the October slate rolling, here’s USA TODAY Sports’ latest 2026 NFL mock draft projection, with the order estimated based on current records and opponent winning percentages:

2026 NFL mock draft

1. New York Jets – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey might not want to pull the trigger on a high-investment quarterback in a perceived down year at the position, but the NFL’s only winless franchise is coming up empty on providing any semblance of progress. Mendoza, the Cal transfer who has thrown for 16 touchdowns with just one interception, can offer just that. The 6-5, 225-pound signal-caller has drawn parallels to Jared Goff as a rhythmic distributor who excels within structure. The Jets might be a long way off from giving him any consistency on that front, but a staff largely imported from the Lions should find that package plenty appealing.

2. Cleveland Browns – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Maybe it’s foolish to plant your flag in an October mock draft, but here it goes. Moore hasn’t been the same fixture of these exercises that other quarterbacks have been, but he’s as promising as it gets when it comes to draft-eligible passers in this class. While the 6-3, 206-pounder only has five starts with the Ducks under his belt after an underwhelming freshman campaign at UCLA, he’s dazzled by balancing downfield strikes with layered passes all over the field. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the distinct sense of composure he’s radiated in piloting the Ducks’ high-powered offense. That quality might prove mighty enticing to the Browns, who likely will need more of a true catalyst behind center than Dillon Gabriel, Moore’s predecessor with the Ducks.

3. Baltimore Ravens – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

Hard to believe a franchise that has been knocking on the door of the Super Bowl the past two years could find itself this early in the draft order. But regardless of where Baltimore ends up, there’s little question that a unit surrendering a league-worst 35.4 points per game would relish bringing aboard college football’s most dominant defender. The 6-3, 275-pound Bain has answered every question about his letdown sophomore season with a junior campaign in which he’s repeatedly blown up plays before they got started. With Tuesday’s trading away of Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy on the final year of his contract, the Ravens’ underperforming pass rush looks ripe for a reset.

4. Miami Dolphins – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

A safety hasn’t gone in the top five of the draft since the Chiefs nabbed Eric Berry in 2010. Downs, however, amounts to far more than his listed position, as the Buckeyes’ do-it-all defender leaves his imprint all over the field. A Dolphins defense giving up 6.4 yards per play – the second-highest mark in the NFL – would stand to benefit greatly from the addition of a versatile coverage piece who also does some of his best work in stuffing the run.

5. New Orleans Saints – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Many early mock drafts have linked the Saints to several passers, which is only natural given the franchise’s ties to Manning and Garrett Nussmeier, whose father, Doug, is New Orleans’ offensive coordinator. But a franchise that hadn’t selected a quarterback in the first two rounds for more than 50 years before taking Tyler Shough on Day 2 this April might not be inclined to rush another sizable investment at the position. Woods hasn’t been the game-wrecking force many expected him to assert himself as this season, but the high-end flashes are enough to entice a team that’s woefully short on true difference-makers.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

Preparing to jettison Geno Smith after a mere five-game sample sure seems hasty, especially given the rampant deficiencies elsewhere on a roster not ready to compete with the rest of the AFC West. Still, can the Raiders afford to ride things out with 74-year-old Pete Carroll and the NFL’s interception leader if things don’t drastically change down the stretch? Sellers’ development as a passer still leaves a good bit to be desired, and Las Vegas’ troubles up front make this a suboptimal setting to bring along a young signal-caller who holds onto the ball for too long and gets overconfident when he does pull the trigger. But his elite rushing ability and superlative arm strength make him a tantalizing project, and his improving precision suggests he might not be far off from taking the reins to an offense.

7. Tennessee Titans – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

An across-the-board lack of support for Cam Ward has done severe damage to the No. 1 pick’s acclimation to the NFL. To stem the tide of mounting offensive mishaps, Tennessee would be wise to equip the quarterback with something more substantive in the receiving corps beyond the occasional bursts it has gotten from Cam Ridley and fourth-round rookie Elic Ayomanor. Tyson continues to stand above all other pass catchers in college football, and his knack for working deep and securing contested catches could help prevent Ward from pressing too often.

8. New York Giants – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Safe to say that little has gone to plan for the Giants, who ditched their plan to keep Jaxson Dart away from the starting role as long as possible and instead turned to the rookie in Week 4. A more comprehensive plan will be required to set up Dart for more success in Year 2, and that effort will have to start up front. Fano could slide into the right tackle spot and team with blindside protector Andrew Thomas to help prevent Dart from regularly reverting to scrambling in the face of pressure.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

No matter how a rapidly disintegrating season pans out, the Bengals will be under plenty of pressure to safeguard Joe Burrow in 2026 after the quarterback’s toe injury shelved him for the bulk of the current campaign. A pivot at left tackle could be ahead given that Orlando Brown Jr. turns 30 next May and hardly is on solid ground entering the final year of his contract. The Bengals have shown a fondness for jumbo-sized offensive tackles in recent years, and the 6-7, 366-pound Proctor more than fits the bill. After some struggles to start the season, he’s evened things out and put on several displays of his punishing power.

10. Kansas City Chiefs – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

The odds of Kansas City having the franchise’s first top-10 pick since trading up for Patrick Mahomes in 2017 are vanishingly small. In this exercise, however, the Chiefs add some serious heft to a front that has left George Karlaftis to do all of the heavy lifting off the edge. At 6-6 and 285 pounds, Faulk is capable of wreaking havoc along the line and opening plenty of possibilities for Steve Spagnuolo’s various blitz packages.

11. Carolina Panthers – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

This might seem high for a player who wasn’t on the first-round radar to begin the year – and one who operates at a position where many NFL teams have skimped in recent years. But Panthers general manager Dan Morgan was a standout linebacker himself, and Carolina has a rich history of defenders at the second level who made a massive difference. Reese has proven himself up to the task of handling almost any assignment, as the 6-4, 243-pounder has thrived whether chasing down ball carriers in the backfield, spying quarterbacks or even matching up with running backs and tight ends in coverage.

12. Houston Texans – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

Two games against languid pass rushes have eased the concerns facing the Texans’ offense after its early-season stumbles. Don’t be fooled, though: This offensive front remains as problematic as ever. Mauigoa has continued his steady ascent in his third season starting at right tackle, providing solid protection for Carson Beck while making his biggest mark paving lanes in the run game. His frame might prompt some teams to view him as a guard, though the 6-6, 335-pounder boasts more than enough overall athleticism to hang at tackle. Regardless of where he lands, Houston should covet a blocker with his steadiness given how pervasive its problems up front have been.

13. Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Something is decidedly off with an attack that ranks 27th in yards per play, and it’s not just the absence of the team’s top two running backs. A larger reworking of the offense might be in store, but fortifying the front in the draft couldn’t hurt. Lomu’s run blocking still lags behind his pass protection, but pairing Paris Johnson Jr. with another fleet-footed blocker would serve this unit well.

14. Dallas Cowboys – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

Jerry Jones refuses to admit defeat in the Micah Parsons trade, but Dallas’ dull pass rush warrants a substantial talent infusion this offseason. While no one will mistake Parker for Parsons, the 6-3, 265-pounder has a solid track record of jolting blockers to make plays in the backfield (18 ½ career sacks, 36 ½ career tackles for loss). And yes, Jerry, he can stop the run, too.

15. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) – Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

Picking up an extra first-rounder via this spring’s deal with the Falcons put Los Angeles in prime position to find a successor for Matthew Stafford. While the Rams don’t have to force the issue if they choose to stay the course and lock in $40 million in guarantees by keeping Stafford on the roster in mid-March, there still could be options worth considering. A gunslinger whose hyperaggressive style might surprise those who judge him for his modest build (6-1, 205 pounds) and background as a coach’s son, Nussmeier has encountered some early turbulence this season while shouldering a disproportionate load for the LSU attack. But the Rams surely want to make the most of Puka Nacua after Stafford calls it quits, and Nussmeier could blossom under Sean McVay if he learns to become a bit more discerning.

16. Chicago Bears – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

When speculation swirled last spring about whether the Bears would use their top selection on a running back, it seemed like a potential case of a franchise getting ahead of itself with a luxury pick. But Ben Johnson’s offense is due for a dose of dynamism after the current collection of ball carriers has repeatedly failed to capitalize on the opportunities afforded to them in the ground game. Like the Raiders and Ashton Jeanty last year, expect this to be a popular pairing in the coming months given how Love’s electric style has helped position him as the top back in this class.

17. Washington Commanders – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Marshon Lattimore’s stay in D.C. so far has been trying for both him and the team, with a rough start to this season only exacerbating concerns stemming from his injury-marred 2024 campaign. The prospect of cutting him next offseason and saving $18.5 million against the cap could be alluring – so long as Washington can find another corner opposite promising rookie Trey Amos. Unlike many of his Clemson teammates, Terrell has met the lofty expectations set for him this season by consistently staying glued to opposing receivers and making a handful of big plays operating downhill in the run game and as a blitzer. The brother of Falcons standout cornerback A.J. Terrell could give Washington a reliable and physical presence on the back end.

18. Rams – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

With the second of their two first-round picks, the Rams can afford to take a gamble on a player who once appeared on track to be considered one of this class’ top overall talents. McCoy still has yet to make it back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in January, and his return timeline and medical exams will surely weigh heavily in his draft evaluation. Still, the appeal of a sticky 6-0, 193-pound cover corner who recorded four interceptions and nine pass breakups last year should be readily evident, especially for a Los Angeles secondary that’s been reeling since losing Ahkello Witherspoon to a broken clavicle.

19. New England Patriots – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Even after New England’s concerted offseason effort to surround Drake Maye with the proper level of support, the second-year quarterback too often has had to make magic on his own rather than simply let his skill-position players take over. A hybrid weapon at 6-3 and 245 pounds, Sadiq terrorizes defenses when he’s given the ball in space. But he’s not merely a jumbo wide receiver, as his run-blocking would be an immediate asset to a Patriots ground game that still hasn’t found its footing.

20. Denver Broncos – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Any notion of exponential progress for Bo Nix in Year 2 is at least on hold after some early misfires and setbacks. While Sean Payton has shrugged off any concerns about his signal-caller’s ability to work consistently downfield, he’d be doing Nix a major favor by grabbing Boston. A 6-4, 210-pound target who excels at plucking the ball when it’s thrown up high, Boston would make life a lot easier for Nix whenever the quarterback has to look beyond Courtland Sutton.

21. Los Angeles Chargers – Connor Lew, C, Auburn

Even though the collapse of the Chargers’ front began at tackle with injuries to Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, there’s also noticeable rot inside. Savvy and strong, Lew could take over for oft-criticized veteran Bradley Bozeman and help keep Justin Herbert safe from a barrage of defenders barreling down on the quarterback.

22. Minnesota Vikings – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Few players have done more to help their draft stock so far this fall than Delane, a Virginia Tech transfer who has ceded hardly anything in his initial reps with the Tigers. Bringing aboard the 6-0, 190-pound cover man would afford Brian Flores even more flexibility to present different looks and stump opposing quarterbacks.

23. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The outlook at cornerback in 2026 for Seattle is murky, with Devon Witherspoon the only regular contributor at the position signed beyond this year. Still only a redshirt sophomore, Hood has come on strong in McCoy’s stead, notching five pass breakups in his first two games after transferring from Colorado.

24. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The torpid pass rush and error-prone secondary receive plenty of blame for Dallas’ defensive deficiencies, but don’t let the lackluster linebackers off the hook. The latest in a long line of second-level standouts for Georgia, Allen keys in on run plays in an instant and rallies to the ball, though he could be exploited in coverage in the early going.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Finding a quarterback here would be an ideal outcome for Pittsburgh given the likelihood of Aaron Rodgers retiring after this season. While someone like Nussmeier, Oklahoma’s John Mateer or Alabama’s Ty Simpson could figure into the picture here, the Steelers know better than to take an unwarranted leap with an early draft pick at the position after having been through the Kenny Pickett saga. Lemon, who leads all Power Four players with 589 receiving yards, regularly frees himself from coverage in the underneath area and snags passes in traffic, making him a fitting option to work alongside DK Metcalf.

26. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas

Even with several members of its rookie class stepping up as immediate contributors and potential building blocks for years to come, Cleveland needs some sizable payoffs in the upcoming draft to push this roster toward becoming even remotely competitive. Still very raw with only seven career starts to his name, Goosby is the kind of ascendant talent the Browns should be zeroing in on to boost an offensive line that has come undone.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

One year after hitting it big with a Buckeye great in Emeka Egbuka, the Buccaneers could find themselves drawn to another Ohio State standout. With optimal size (6-5, 243 pounds) and straight-line speed, Styles would solidify a linebacker group that has too long been reliant on the perpetually underrated Lavonte David, who turns 36 in January. The son of former NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles Sr. also has drawn rave reviews for his leadership, making him a particularly strong fit for a Tampa Bay front office that places a premium on character.

28. Detroit Lions – Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon

Aidan Hutchinson is all the way back, but the rest of the Lions’ defense isn’t. The gulf between Hutchinson and the rest of Detroit’s edge rushers remains as great as ever, and the unit is long overdue for a proper complementary piece. Solidly built at 6-5 and 272 pounds, Uiagalelei is the type of defensive end who should endear himself to Dan Campbell in a hurry thanks to his dogged pursuit as a rusher and technical refinement.

29. Buffalo Bills – Kamari Ramsey, S, USC

Safety play rapidly emerged as a sore spot for Buffalo’s defense, which encountered trouble at the spot starting in the season opener. Ramsey is adept at putting himself in the right position both in coverage and run support, though he is a work in progress when it comes to finishing plays as a tackler.

30. San Francisco 49ers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

It’s high time to find an eventual replacement for 11-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, but value points San Francisco to a different spot along the line here. Ioane pushes around defenders in the run game with ease, and he’s more than reliable enough as a pass protector to fill the void at left guard.

31. Indianapolis Colts – A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State

One of the few problem areas for Indianapolis in an otherwise stellar season has been at the outside cornerback spot opposite Charvarius Ward. While third-round rookie Justin Walley could bounce back next year after suffering a torn ACL in training camp, the Colts can’t shortchange themselves by ignoring other options in the spring. At 6-1 and 184 pounds with ample speed to carry receivers downfield, Harris can dissuade opposing attacks from taking any deep shots.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech

Replacing Josh Sweat and Milton Williams in the pass rush hasn’t been easy for Howie Roseman, who has thrown a variety of resources into the mix but hasn’t managed to make much stick. A lightning bolt off the edge, Bailey leads the Football Bowl Subdivision with 31 pressures. If Roseman can look past his 6-3, 250-pound frame, the Stanford transfer could be a key weapon as part of a deep rotation.

Stanford football general manager Andrew Luck has landed his most lucrative donation in his short time managing his alma mater.

Luck and the Cardinal announced on Wednesday, Oct. 8 that the football program has received a $50 million gift from philanthropist and former trustee Bradford M. Freeman, himself a former player. It is the biggest individual gift in the program’s history, according to ESPN.

‘With Brad’s incredible gift, we are positioned to win on the field and build a bridge to a sustainable future for Stanford football,’ Luck said in a statement. ‘The ability to support our players through new scholarships and institutional NIL will reinforce Stanford as the preeminent place in the country to be a football scholar-athlete. I believe that Stanford has the opportunity to be a leading program in college football, and we are entirely motivated to field championship-caliber teams.’

As noted by Stanford’s news release, the $50 million gift from Freeman will help support the Cardinal’s NIL efforts and will create five new football scholarships for student-athletes. Stanford will ALSO rename the tunnel where players and coaches enter Stanford Stadium to the ‘Bradford M. Freeman Tunnel.’ The university and athletic department will also rename a highly trafficked entrance gate for visitors as the Bradford M. Freeman Gate.

Freeman graduated from Stanford in 1964 with an undergraduate degree in economics. In 1988, Freeman endowed the nation’s first head coaching position, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, the title that is given to the head coach of Stanford.

‘I remain grateful for the opportunities that my Stanford football scholarship gave me, and for all the ways that the university impacted the trajectory of my life,’ Freeman said in a statement. ‘I hope my gift will herald a new era of excellence for Stanford football and help the university address the new financial demands of competitive college athletics.’

The gift from Freeman is a significant one, especially on the NIL front, as Stanford continues to grow its efforts on that front. The Cardinal have played catch-up in the NIL front compared to other universities and colleges in the country, as it wasn’t until April of 2024 that they announced a change to their NIL collective, Lifetime Cardinal. This change preluded Luck’s hiring as the Cardinal’s general manager in November 2024.

‘We are deeply grateful to Brad for this extraordinary commitment to Stanford football. His generosity comes at a pivotal time and puts us in position to build a championship-caliber program,’ Stanford athletic director John Donahoe said in a statement. ‘Brad’s belief in the future of our program strengthens not only football but the foundation of excellence that defines Stanford Athletics.’

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

AI-assisted summary
• Texas quarterback Arch Manning is considered the most disappointing quarterback in the Bowl Subdivision so far this season.
• Other high-profile quarterbacks, including Florida’s DJ Lagway and Penn State’s Drew Allar, have also underperformed.
• LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has struggled after finishing fourth in passing yards per game last season.

The fuss over Arch Manning was too easy to see coming. It’s all right there in the name: Manning could’ve decided to be an accountant, not a quarterback, but choosing to go into the family business at Texas meant accepting the scrutiny that has followed in the wake of nearly every throw of his first year as the Longhorns’ starter.

But the reverse is true, too.

Manning was at or near the top of every preseason Heisman Trophy list after playing well in limited backup duty as a redshirt freshman. Had he played up to those expectations, there’s every reason to think that he’d be the most celebrated player in college football.

That hasn’t been the case. Instead of a coronation, Manning’s starting debut has been defined by spotty play and the two-loss Longhorns’ shocking plummet out of College Football Playoff contention.

Massive publicity and microscopic assessments of his performance haven’t helped. But after an inconsistent stretch as the new starter, Manning stands as the most disappointing quarterback in the Bowl Subdivision.

He has plenty of competition in the USA TODAY Sports evaluation of high-profile passers who have slumped through the first chunk of the regular season:

1. Arch Manning, Texas

In two games against Power Four teams, Manning is a combined 33 of 59 for 433 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He went 11 of 25 for 114 yards against Texas-El Paso. He’s been solid as a runner, with 160 yards and five scores on 3.7 yards per carry, but has also been far too willing to tuck and run instead of going through his progressions. Manning must also shoulder some of the blame for the Longhorns’ disappointing start.

2. DJ Lagway, Florida

Lagway got back on track with 298 yards in Florida’s win against Texas. But that came after a brutal three-game losing streak that saw the sophomore sputter against South Florida, throw five interceptions against No. 11 LSU and average only 2.7 yards per attempt in bad weather conditions against No. 3 Miami. Lagway’s seven interceptions are tied for the second most in the FBS.

3. Drew Allar, Penn State

Allar has been the face of No. 22 Penn State’s surprising ineffectiveness on offense. In his last two games, he’s tossed a game-ending interception against No. 2 Oregon and then failed to get the Nittany Lions past UCLA in a stunning 42-37 loss. The senior ranks fourth from the bottom in the Big Ten at 6.9 yards per attempt.

4. Cade Klubnik, Clemson

Klubnik is another established Power Four starter who, like his team, has failed to match preseason expectations. The senior was terrible in the opener against LSU, had two key turnovers in a loss to No. 13 Georgia Tech and disappeared in the second half against Syracuse. Klubnik has four interceptions after tossing six in 486 attempts last year.

5. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

Iamaleava had by far his best game since transferring to UCLA in the Bruins’ big upset of Penn State, with 166 yards through the air, 128 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. That came after a terrible start that saw the Tennessee transfer come up short in losses to Utah, UNLV, New Mexico and Northwestern.

6. Gio Lopez, North Carolina

Lopez was Bill Belichick’s handpicked quarterback out of the transfer portal after a solid freshman season at South Alabama. Injuries have played a role and sidelined him for last weekend’s loss to Clemson, but Lopez’s skill set has simply not translated to the Power Four. He had three interceptions without a touchdown in losses to TCU and Central Florida.

7. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Nussmeier’s average play has been one of the most puzzling early-season storylines in the SEC. Seen heading into the year as the top quarterback prospect in the upcoming draft class, the senior is averaging just 6.3 yards per pass with four touchdowns and three interceptions in games against FBS competition. Nussmeier sits 55th nationally in yards per game after ranking fourth in the country last season.

8. Mark Gronowski, Iowa

At just 127.2 passing yards per game overall and zero touchdown passes in three games against the Power Four, Gronowski is just following in the footsteps of recent Iowa tradition. But that in itself is surprising: Gronowski transferred from South Dakota State as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Championship Subdivision history and was seen as the missing piece for a frustratingly incompetent offense. While that has not been the case, he has played better since Iowa got into Big Ten play.

9. Maddux Madsen, Boise State

With Ashton Jeanty off to the NFL, Madsen has taken on a larger role for Boise State with mixed results. The big issue has been turnovers. Madsen tossed six interceptions all of last year, with half coming in the playoff loss to Penn State. But he has five picks already this season, four coming in last week’s loss to No. 16 Notre Dame. Madsen has played very poorly in the Broncos’ two losses when they have managed 14 combined points.

10. Avery Johnson, Kansas State

Johnson is still a work in progress as a second-year starter, and there have been moments that flashed his offseason growth as a thrower and his increasing command of Kansas State’s scheme. But there’s also his late interception to seal Army’s upset. His 88 yards in the loss to Arizona. Against Baylor, Johnson went toe to toe with Sawyer Robertson but tossed a crucial pick-six that sparked the Bears’ win.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul enters the ring with a record of 12 wins and one loss, which includes seven knockouts. He is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June, which moved him into the WBA cruiserweight rankings at No. 14. Paul is known for calling out the opponents he wants to face and has had his sights set on Gervonta Davis for four years.

“Jake has been calling me out for a long time,” Davis told Netflix. “But I’m going to show him that you can’t just come into a sport and be the best. I might be smaller than him, but I will definitely be his biggest test.”

Davis will enter the ring with a record of 30 wins and one draw, which includes 28 knockouts. His only draw in his career occurred in March against Lamont Roach Jr., allowing him to retain the WBA super lightweight title.

Here is what to know as the Paul-Davis fight inches closer.

When is Jake Paul vs. Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis fight?

The exhibition boxing match between Jake Paul and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2025.

Where is Jake Paul vs. Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis fight?

The Jake Paul-Tank Davis fight is set for Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

Jake Paul vs. Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis Netflix details

The fight will be streamed exclusively on Netflix. The platform has stated that the event will be accessible with any subscription plan.

Currently, a standard subscription with ads costs $7.99 per month on Netflix’s website, while an ad-free 4K/HDR plan is priced at $24.99 per month.

How to watch Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis: Time, how to stream Netflix fight

• Date: Friday, November 14
• Time: A time for the fight has not yet been announced.
• Location: Kaseya Center (Miami, Florida)
• TV channel: None
• Streaming: Netflix

Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis fight card

Fight card according to Netflix:

• Jake Paul vs. Gervonta “Tank” Davis
• Alycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin: IBF, WBO, and WBA titles
• Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka;
• Ellie Scotney vs. Mayelli Flores
• Yokasta Valle vs. Yadira Bustillos: WBC strawweight title
• Avious Griffin vs. Cesar Francis

AI-assisted summary
• Louisiana State Police released evidence they say shows former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy triggered a fatal car crash in December 2024.
• Police said Lacy’s reckless driving caused the chain of events leading to the death of 78-year-old Herman Hall.
• Lacy’s attorney had previously disputed his client’s involvement, claiming he was far behind the accident.

This story contains mention of suicide. If you are at risk of suicide, please stop here and contact988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support.

Louisiana State Police have released a video with evidence they say supports the conclusion that former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy’s actions triggered a fatal car crash in December 2024.

The result of the investigation had recently been questioned by Lacy’s attorney, who told a Louisiana television station Lacy was nearly 100 yards behind a fatal hit-and-run accident that killed 78-year-old Herman Hall.

That prompted Louisiana State Police to release additional information related to the incident.

‘Since the incident occurred, the Louisiana State Police never reported that the green (Dodge) Charger impacted any of the involved vehicles,’ the state police said in their video released Tuesday, Oct. 7. ‘However, all evidence collected supports the conclusion that Lacy’s reckless operation of the green Charger in oncoming traffic triggered the chain of events involving the other drivers, ultimately resulting in the fatal crash.’

Police said Lacy ‘recklessly passed multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed by crossing the centerline’ into oncoming traffic in a don’t pass zone on Louisiana Highway 20 on Dec. 17, 2024.

Lacy, 24, turned himself in and posted a $151,000 bond the same day. However, two days before he was set to face an April grand jury hearing, police were called to the home of a family member who had gotten into an argument with Lacy.

He fled, and after being chased by authorities crashed his car. Upon searching Lacy’s vehicle, authorities discovered he had sustained what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the news release. 

State police released additional redacted reports and bodycam footage on Tuesday. Police also said they used 21 separate highway cameras to capture the ‘uninterrupted path of the Charger’ from the crash scene to a business 11 miles away. 

‘While we recognize that external narratives may arise, often based on selective information, we urge the public to rely on the full body of facts,’ state police superintendent Col. Robert P. Hodges said.

Lacy started his college career at Louisiana-Lafayette before transferring to LSU prior to the 2022 season.

At LSU, Lacy had 112 catches for 1,628 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a senior in 2024, he posted a career-high 58 catches for 866 yards and nine scores.

He declared for the NFL draft in December 2024, just two days after the crash, and did not play in LSU’s win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl.

This story was updated to add a video.

Purdue is the overwhelming favorite (picked to win league by all but one voter) and will also be a lot of people’s preseason national No. 1 picks. Is this the year Matt Painter and the Boilermakers finally break through? Dusty May and Michigan’s reloaded squad will have something to say about it. Last year’s Big Ten champion Michigan State brings back an experienced core. And we’ve got new coaches at Indiana (Darian DeVries), Iowa (Ben McCollum), Maryland (Buzz Williams) and Minnesota (Niko Medved).

We polled writers within the USA TODAY Network who cover Big Ten schools for their preseason predictions, all-conference teams and preseason awards.

USA TODAY Network Big Ten basketball preseason poll

1. Purdue
2. Michigan
3. Illinois
4. UCLA
5. Michigan State
6. Wisconsin
7. Oregon
8. Ohio State
9. Iowa
10. Indiana
11. USC
12. Maryland
13. Washington
14. Northwestern
15. Nebraska
16. Minnesota
17. Rutgers
18. Penn State

2025-26 preseason All-Big Ten basketball team

FIRST TEAM

• Braden Smith, Purdue, guard, Sr. (unanimous selection)
• Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue, forward, Sr. (unanimous selection)
• Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan, forward, Sr.
• Donovan Dent, UCLA, guard, Sr.
• Bennett Stirtz, Iowa, guard, Sr.

SECOND TEAM

• Bruce Thornton, Ohio State, guard, Sr.
• John Blackwell, Wisconsin, guard, Jr.
• Nick Martinelli, Northwestern, forward, Sr.
• Nate Bittle, Oregon, center, Sr.
• Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois, guard, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION

• Illinois: Tomislav Ivisic
• Indiana: Tucker DeVries, Lamar Wilkerson
• Michigan State: Coen Carr, Jeremy Fears, Jaxon Kohler
• Oregon: Jackson Shelstad
• UCLA: Tyler Bilodeau
• Washington: Wesley Yates Jr.

Big Ten basketball preseason Player of the Year

Purdue point guard Braden Smith was a near unanimous pick — all but one vote went to the Boilermakers’ floor general. The lone dissenting voice was for Smith’s teammate, Trey Kaufman-Renn. Last season’s Big Ten player of the year, Smith Smith needs just 125 points and 242 assists to become the first player in NCAA history with 1,500 points, 1,000 assists and 500 rebounds.

Big Ten basketball preseason Newcomer of the Year

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg received 46% of the vote. UCLA guard Donovan Dent (New Mexico transfer) and Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz (Drake transfer) also received multiple votes. Lendeborg opted for Ann Arbor instead of the NBA draft. He spending three years in community college before transferring to UAB for two seasons. He averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals last year and was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Big Ten basketball preseason Freshman of the Year

Michigan guard Trey McKenney received 38% of the vote. Purdue’s Omer Mayer and Michigan State’s Cam Ward also received multiple votes. McKenney was Michigan’s Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All American and is the first Flint, Mich., product to commit to the Wolverines since Glen Rice.

AI-assisted summary
• Former Arkansas coach Sam Pittman’s firing highlighted the complex nature of contract buyouts in college football.
• Several prominent coaches, including Penn State’s James Franklin and Ole Miss’s Lane Kiffin, have relatively low buyout clauses to leave for other jobs.
• Clemson’s Dabo Swinney has a unique contract clause that would require him to pay more if he left to coach at his alma mater, Alabama.

The problem for Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman in recent seasons might have been that a clause in his contract was producing more drama than the Razorbacks were on the field. The figure was tied to his performance from 2021 onward, stipulating Arkansas would owe Pittman more money if he had won more than half of his games before being dismissed.

Pittman was fired after the Razorbacks’ 56-13 loss to Notre Dame on Sept. 27 with a 29-27 record under this agreement (he finished 32-24 overall). But in explaining the decision, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek announced Pittman had agreed to a negotiated buyout splitting the difference (and saving Arkansas about $1.5 million).

With that, Arkansas put an end to perhaps the most intricate buyout language in college football over the past few years.

∎ View the entire 2025 college football coach salary database here

Still, there are plenty of contract clauses worth examining now that the 2025 college football season has already produced several notable power conference coach openings. Schools are determining whether to dole out millions of dollars to move on from unpopular or unsuccessful coaches. Successful coaches are wondering if this could be the right time to pursue a better job. This cat-and-mouse game, and the legal documents behind it, will fuel conversations beyond the field for months.

Here’s a look at 10 of the most interesting buyout situations around the country in 2025, including coaches with big (or small) severance packages who could nonetheless be on the hot seat and prominent coaches who don’t have to pay a whole lot to leave their current school for another suitor:

College football’s most interesting buyouts in 2025

Dabo Swinney, Clemson

It’s getting a little awkward for Dabo Swinney in his 18th season as Clemson’s head coach, and the team’s 2-3 start to the season included Swinney alluding to a time when perhaps he is no longer the Tigers’ coach and instead coaches elsewhere. Well, interestingly enough, the amount it would cost Swinney to leave for a school other than Alabama is just $3 million as of Jan. 1, according to his contract.

Swinney and Clemson previously had a personalized clause written into his contract related to becoming the head coach at Alabama. He would owe 150% of his buyout figure to leave Clemson for Alabama (or $4.5 million as of Jan. 1). Swinney was a wide receiver at Alabama (1990-92) and previously served as an assistant coach at his alma mater.

Clemson would owe Swinney $60 million if he were fired on or before Dec. 31. That figure drops to $57 million on Jan. 1, but that’s still a steep price for a coach with a remarkable track record. Whether this relationship ends is likely Swinney’s decision to make — for now.

James Franklin, Penn State

James Franklin’s record against top-10 opponents and inability to win the Big Ten has long led to grumbling among a vocal minority of Penn State fans, and his name is often mentioned in high-profile coaching searches because of his otherwise strong record. But after Penn State suffered a stunning loss at UCLA on Oct. 4, the noise is a lot louder. The Nittany Lions have a quandary.

It just so happens Franklin’s buyout to break his contract at Penn State and leave for another school drops to $1 million on Jan. 1. It would cost the university more than $48 million to fire Franklin as of Dec. 1. If the Nittany Lions indeed don’t live up to expectations this season, as their current course suggests, will it lead Franklin to look elsewhere for a fresh start? He hasn’t yet, but the narrative is already out there and it’s less expensive for him to do so than ever before.

Hugh Freeze, Auburn

The Hugh Freeze era in Auburn appears to be on uneven terrain in Year 3 with an unforgiving SEC schedule just beginning and the Tigers in danger of missing a bowl game for the second year in a row. The Auburn brass hasn’t been afraid to throw large amounts of money around to make coaches go away in the past. They did it with Gus Malzahn and just did it with Bryan Harsin in 2022 before hiring Freeze. The school would owe Freeze less than $15.4 million if it were to terminate his contract as of Dec. 1, to be paid in monthly installments through the end of his contract in January 2029. That figure drops to about $10.5 million after the 2026 season.

Brent Key, Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets are thriving under alum Brent Key and he’s likely to be an intriguing candidate during this coaching cycle given the turnaround he’s orchestrating at Georgia Tech and his Nick Saban ties as a former Alabama offensive line coach. Key’s buyout to leave for another school drops from $4 million to $3 million starting Jan. 1 under his current deal. That isn’t likely to be enough money to keep an SEC team away if it zeroes in on Key, but the date could be part of negotiations if neither side is involved in the College Football Playoff.

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State

Kenny Dillingham got a nice compensation bump with a new extension and will earn more than $7.4 million in 2025, according to a USA TODAY analysis of his latest contract amendment. The deal also now features automatic one-year extensions for surpassing certain win thresholds starting this season. The new contract came following Arizona State’s run to the College Football Playoff last year.

But Dillingham’s deal also includes a revamped buyout package if another school were to try and hire him. Under his previous deal, Dillingham would have owed Arizona State $2.5 million to take another job after Dec. 1. That figure is now $4 million and drops to $3 million on Dec. 1, 2027. It still might not be enough to keep suitors with deep pockets away if the 35-year-old continues to win big, despite his strong ties to the university.

Mark Stoops, Kentucky  

Stoops might be considered a fringe name on college football’s coaching hot-seat list, but given the Wildcats’ start in 2025 and their tough schedule in October, his seat could warm by year’s end. Stoops earns $9 million annually, and his contract lasts through June 30, 2031. Depending on who you ask, he may stay in Lexington for a few more seasons because of the financial implications. 

If Stoops is fired without cause, he is entitled to the entirety of his buyout, which currently exceeds $38 million, within 60 days of his termination. That is a lot of coin for the Bluegrass faithful to come up with, but when Jimbo Fisher was fired from Texas A&M in 2023, he received $19.2 million of his more than $75 million buyout within 60 days and is currently being paid $7.2 million annually through 2031 to sit on the couch.

Dan Mullen, UNLV

Dan Mullen just got back into the college coaching ranks at UNLV and the liquidated damages included in his new contract suggest both sides know returning to a Power Four conference job is Mullen’s end-goal here. The former Mississippi State and Florida coach is a popular candidate for some of the early coaching searches to open up this season, but Mullen or the Power Four conference school attempting to hire him would owe UNLV $7 million on or before Dec. 1. That figure then drops to $6 million on Dec. 2, with an annual $1 million decrease in subsequent years of the contract. The agreement runs through the 2029 season. There are two separate buyout numbers — one if Mullen were to leave UNLV for a Power Four job and another if he were to go to a non-Power Four school — written into the deal.

Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss

Lane Kiffin keeps winning big games at Ole Miss and his $9 million salary is competitive with the upper-half of the SEC, but his name seems to come up in job discussions every offseason and likely will again this year. That’s, in part, because of his contract setup. It would cost Kiffin (or more likely, the school trying to lure him away) just $2 million to leave Ole Miss for another head coaching job as of Jan. 1. Is a desperate school willing to break the bank and make the outspoken and unorthodox offensive guru one of the highest-paid coaches in the country? Kiffin has it rolling so well at Ole Miss right now, it’s going to take a lot to get him to leave.

Matt Campbell, Iowa State

Matt Campbell is in the midst of his 10th season, having never jumped at the temptation to leave Iowa State, and just signed a new contract extension through 2032 after last year’s 11-win campaign. But the Cyclones are off to a fast start again and his consistent track record at a school not used to sustained success will be an attractive option in the coaching carousel, especially when those prospective employers look at the buyout. Campbell would owe Iowa State just $2 million if he were to leave for another FBS coaching job. It’s just not clear at this point if he wants to ever leave Iowa State.

Curt Cignetti, Indiana

Curt Cignetti signed a lucrative extension through the 2032 season after leading Indiana to the College Football Playoff in his first year there, but his new contract is different than those inked by his Big 12 counterparts at Iowa State and Arizona State. It would cost Indiana $56.7 million to move on from Cignetti (why would they right now?). But more importantly, Cignetti would owe Indiana $13 million before Dec. 1. It drops to $10 million on Dec. 1, 2027 and doesn’t fall below $5 million until 2029. That should be a serious deterrent for Indiana, at least for a few years.

USA TODAY reporter Scooby Axson contributed to this story.