Pac-12 Football

In one of the more surprising moves of this year's offseason, former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly left the Bruins to take over as Ohio State's offensive coordinator.

Kelly, who has been a head coach for several different collegiate and NFL teams since 2009, explained his decision in an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show Thursday.

He explained that the change in responsibility for a collegiate head coach had him longing for the days when he could focus solely on football. In his new position with the Buckeyes, he believes he'll be able to return to that role.

"I say it all the time, but the best part of football is football," Kelly said. "As the game has changed at the collegiate level, we've talked about that, I think the head coaching role has turned a lot more into being a CEO than a coach. And I understand that and that comes with the territory. But I was at a point in time where I could make a decision about what I wanted to do."

"The best part of football is football and the head coaching role has turned a lot more into being a CEO than a coach..

The opportunity to come to Ohio State and coach football really appealed to me"

Chip Kelly #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/EzZjOePXih

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 7, 2024

For Kelly, a distinctive moment last season made him want to change roles. While preparing for the Bruins' bowl game against Boise State, Kelly took over quarterback coaching duties after Ryan Gunderson left to be Oregon State's new offensive coordinator. Being in that role reminded him of his love for simply coaching, rather than managing like he did in his head coach role.

"I got the chance to coach our quarterbacks in the bowl game because our quarterbacks coach is a great football coach and left to be the offensive coordinator at Oregon State," Kelly said. "So I coached the quarterbacks and I was in the meeting room daily for two weeks leading up to our bowl game against Boise State and I almost forgot about how fun that portion of it is. As I thought about it, I was at a point where I can say, here's an opportunity to go be a coach again, not a CEO."

The decision to leave UCLA, where he had been the coach since 2018, wasn't easy. He said the right place would have to pull him away, and Ohio State was that place.

"It would have taken a real special place to get me to leave UCLA, cause I love the players there, I love the coaching staff we had there," Kelly said. "We had a great situation, but the opportunity to come here and just coach football, and not have to do the things that a head coach is asked to do now in college football appealed to me."

Now Kelly will begin his first non-head coaching role since 2008 when he was the offensive coordinator at Oregon. Kelly served as Oregon's head coach from 2009 to 2012, led the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013 to 2015 and was the San Francisco 49ers head coach in 2016. He spent six seasons with UCLA.

He joins an Ohio State team that's coming off an 11-2 season, but fell short of reaching the College Football Playoff. While the Buckeyes have been one of college football's top teams for several years, they haven't won a national championship in a decade.

With Kelly now on the staff, the Buckeyes will be looking to bring a championship back to Columbus.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders believes two-way phenom Travis Hunter will have to continue being himself in the NFL if the team that drafts him wants him to excel.

During a behind-the-scenes video (12:45 mark), Sanders said Hunter, who plays both wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes, should play both offense and defense at the professional level.

"NFL got a problem. What you gonna draft him as? And... he's gotta play both ways. 'Cause he has value on both sides of the ball," Sanders said.

In his first year at Colorado, Hunter was a consensus All-American and won the 2023 Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football. He appeared in nine games for the Buffaloes and recorded 57 catches for 721 yards and five touchdowns on offense and 22 total tackles, five passes defended and three interceptions on defense.

Hunter is eligible to declare for the NFL draft after his junior season. Whether he's drafted as a receiver or cornerback will have ramifications on his future earnings, as the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL makes $21 million per year while the highest-paid receiver makes an annual salary of $30 million.

Still, it's clear that the team that drafts Hunter will be getting a unique talent who can impact the game in a variety of ways.

As USC star quarterback Caleb Williams gears up for the 2024 NFL draft, he reportedly will be entering the league with a large chunk of change already in his pockets.

Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that "between NIL money and endorsements, Caleb made millions in his final two seasons at USC, with multiple sources putting the number around $10 million."

Kahler noted that Williams "signed endorsement deals with Dr. Pepper, Nissan, Wendy's and others, so he already had a business team assembled, including a team of attorneys who will handle his NFL playing contract." It was reported last week that Williams will not hire an agent for the NFL draft, as his experience at USC has already prepared him for life at the professional level.

"It wasn't like having a college quarterback on your roster," a source close to USC said of Williams. "It was like having an NFL starting quarterback on your roster."

Williams has long been considered a lock to be selected with the No. 1 pick in this year's draft. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is regarded as a generational prospect who can be a cornerstone for any franchise.

The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 pick thanks to last year's trade with the Carolina Panthers, and they still have to make a decision as to whether they will keep incumbent quarterback Justin Fields or draft their signal-caller of the future.

Williams recently told ESPN's Pete Thamel that he's not too concerned about where he lands in the NFL, saying, "If I get drafted by the Bears, I'll be excited. If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I'm just as excited."

Wherever he ends up, it's clear that Williams will not be a typical rookie quarterback in the NFL, both on and off the field.

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 266

HAND: 9¾"

ARM: 32¾"

WINGSPAN: 79⅛"

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40-YARD DASH: 4.69

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: 33.5"

BROAD: 9'6"

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POSITIVES

— Has some good movement skills and twitch to grow as a pass-rusher down the line.

— Has a decent burst off the line of scrimmage to get penetration or help win with speed around the edge when he times up the snap.

— Has the ability to turn speed to power as a pass-rusher, especially when using a long-arm move. Keeps his feet moving through contact to help collapse the pocket against weaker offensive tackles.

— Can be an effective looper in line games with his change of direction and agility. Can gain ground vertically while moving laterally to put pressure on guards.

— Physical at the point of attack as a run defender.

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NEGATIVES

— Inconsistent with timing up the snap count, often leading to a subpar get-off.

— Poor use of hands. Plays with his hands down by his waist against the run and pass, allowing offensive linemen to consistently make the first significant contact.

— Poor block recognition as a run defender. Struggles to put himself in a good position to take on blocks against outside runs and ends up ducking inside, losing contain and blocking himself.

— Plays with a narrow base and lacks the lower-body strength to hold ground against offensive linemen, especially against down blocks.

— Ankles and hips are a little stiff to turn a tight corner at the top of the rush.

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2023 STATISTICS

— 12 G, 57 TOT, 8.5 SK, 12.5 TFL, 3 PD, 4 FR, 1 FF, 3 fumble return TDs

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NOTES

— 3-star recruit in the 2018 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: 2018 (Torn ACL, missed season), 2019 (Broken foot, missed 11 games)

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OVERALL

Brennan Jackson is a toolsy prospect with a good frame and impressive movement skills for his size. He shows some twitch and good athleticism to develop a few pass-rush moves he can win with in the NFL. He's also solid at turning speed to power and gets his hands up to bat passes at the line of scrimmage.

However, Jackson's use of hands is a major work in progress. He often gets caught with his hands down by his waist, allowing offensive linemen to make the first significant contact and negate his pass-rush moves. He has the same problem against the run as well. He frequently uses his head to take on blocks and ends up chest-to-chest with offensive linemen.

While that's a fixable issue, it's concerning that the sixth-year senior is an older prospect and still has this problem. He's reliant on his movement skills and being physical as a run defender, so defensive tackles who can absorb contact or have good athletic ability will be able to stay in front of him and keep him in check.

Overall, Jackson is a project pass-rusher who could be a good Day 3 pick for a team that's looking for a standup outside linebacker who can contribute on third downs.

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GRADE: 6.2 (High-Level Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 146

POSITION RANK: EDGE15

PRO COMPARISON: Dorance Armstrong

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

HEIGHT: 5'10"

WEIGHT: 184

HAND: 9⅛"

ARM: 30¼"

WINGSPAN: 72⅜"

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40-YARD DASH: 4.54

3-CONE: 7.05

SHUTTLE: 4.32

VERTICAL: 34.5"

BROAD: 10'5"

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POSITIVES

— Very quick feet and reaction in press coverage. Shows very good lateral movement skills, with the ability to use his hands and squeeze receivers downfield.

— Good vision and spacing in zone coverage. Able to identify and understand route development. Reads quarterback's eyes well and sees threats.

— Stays calm when out of position with the ball in the air. Plays through hands with very good timing.

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NEGATIVES

— Lacks ideal length and size for an NFL outside cornerback.

— Does a great job of locating the ball, but lacks hands to capitalize on turning most opportunities into turnovers.

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2023 STATISTICS

— 7 G, 35 TOT, 2 TFL, 6 PD

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NOTES

— 20 career starts

— 3-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2022 All-Pac-12 honorable mention

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OVERALL

Chau Smith-Wade is an ultra-athletic cornerback with two years of starting experience for Washington State. Although he's slightly undersized cornerback, he was very productive throughout his career.

Smith-Wade looked like one of the top cornerbacks at the Senior Bowl this year. He was able to show off his quick feet and fluid hips in coverage, along with his slot corner skills.

Smith-Wade has the versatility to play both man and zone coverages. When in zone, he has the vision and spacing needed to capitalize in coverage. He is able to see routes develop and quickly identify threats while reacting to the quarterback's eyes.

At times, Smith-Wade can get caught gambling or staring at the quarterback too long. When playing the ball, he does a good job of getting his head around to react, but he lacks the hands to capitalize on his opportunities.

He excels in press coverage, where he is able to show off his footwork, lateral movement skills and twitch. He does a very good job of using his hands while in coverage, but he can be too handsy downfield at times.

Smith-Wade has shown great twitch and explosiveness when driving on the ball. However, his high pad level can cause sloppy or hesitant footwork and transitions in off coverage at times.

Although he lacks ideal size for an NFL cornerback, Smith-Wade shows up in the run game. He is quick to identify runs or screens and comes downhill with good aggressiveness. He often uses his quickness to beat blocks in space, combined with good hand usage when in limited space.

However, his lack of overall size can show up at times in run defense. When matched against bigger blockers, Smith-Wade can get walled off and forced to run around blocks. As a tackler, he does a great job of getting the ball-carrier down on the ground. He often runs through the legs or does a great job of securing the wrap tackle.

At the Senior Bowl, Smith-Wade was able to show his versatility in coverage from the outside and nickel positions. Due to his lack of length, the nickel position may be the best fit for him, although he provides more than enough skills to be a depth player as a high-level backup.

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GRADE: 7.1 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 75

POSITION RANK: CB10

PRO COMPARISON: Troy Pride Jr.

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

It would appear as though Shedeur Sanders would like to be the cover athlete for EA Sports' College Football 25 when the popular video game returns after an 11-year hiatus.

Here's what Sanders posted to social media on Wednesday:

https://twitter.com/ShedeurSanders/status/1760456823067303984

In the past, the game would feature a player who had since gone pro, but the new NIL rules would allow for a current player to grace the cover. Sanders, who had an excellent 2023 season despite Colorado's overall struggles, would make sense as a cover athlete.

Other logical possibilities, were the game to go with current college athletes, would include his teammate Travis Hunter, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, among others, would also make for viable options.

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham doesn't have much time for coaches who bristle at adapting to the current landscape in college athletics.

"I literally spent nine years of my life doing anything to become a coffee boy," he said on Bickley & Marotta Mornings on Arizona Sports. "So, don't give me the, 'Oh, it's hard to be a coach right now.' Yeah, it's hard. Then quit."

Do not feel bad for Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham for having to navigate a new era of college football. He appears to enjoy it.

Full interview with @Bickley_Marotta: https://t.co/j8nuoip2Vq pic.twitter.com/HlvDcr1k7R

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 21, 2024

Oklahoma State men's basketball coach Mike Boynton was similarly dismissive of complaints about how the job has evolved thanks to NIL and the transfer portal. He recounted the painstaking process of recruiting Cade Cunningham to the Cowboys and contrasted that with how an NIL deal can fast-track things.

"Recruiting wasn't really a challenge, until recruiting didn't become recruiting anymore."

"What I did to get Cade Cunningham here was way more difficult than what it takes now."

Much more from #OKState HC Mike Boynton on the state of NIL and recruiting in college athletics. pic.twitter.com/6hX4Ztdn7W

— TJ Eckert (@TJEckertKJRH) February 16, 2024

Plenty of notable coaches have expressed their dissatisfaction with how NIL or the portal has made their lives more difficult and changed the player-coach dynamic.

Few are more symbolic of that archetype than Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney. Swinney not only famously said he'd ponder quitting if athletes started to be compensated but has also resisted embracing the portal.

Because of that, Swinney is also an example of how quickly a coach's fortunes can turn if they fail to change with the times. The Tigers were once a mainstay in the College Football Playoff and now look well behind the curve relative to their peers.

The transfer portal and NIL aren't going anywhere, and if anything, the trend could accelerate based on how much external pressure the NCAA is receiving.

To Dillingham's point, if you're a head coach, you can either stop grumbling about it or choose a different profession.

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 198

HAND: 10"

ARM: 32⅛"

WINGSPAN: 77⅜"

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40-YARD DASH: 4.47

3-CONE: 6.94

SHUTTLE: 4.18

VERTICAL: 37"

BROAD: 10'7"

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POSITIVES

— Good speed. Comfortable acceleration with fairly threatening top speed.

— Great flexibility and body control. Quick, fluid mover.

— Great route-running ability. Shows ability to mix up releases, manipulate DBs at the top of routes and play through contact.

— Very good stop/start ability. Can throttle up and down throughout his routes with ease.

— Good hand-eye coordination. Can make catches outside his frame in space.

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NEGATIVES

— Not a creative or strong YAC threat. Most of his damage is done when he can just stride out.

— Ability to win the ball above the rim and in traffic comes and goes.

— Below-average play strength overall.

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2023 STATISTICS

— 11 G, 45 REC, 559 YDS (12.4 AVG), 5 TD

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NOTES

— Born Dec. 7, 2001

— 4-star recruit in 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Also had D1 scholarship offers as a baseball player

— 24 career starts

— Battled a knee injury on and off in 2023

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OVERALL

Jalen McMillan is a slot/Z hybrid who checks every box for the position.

McMillan spent a lot of time in the slot at Washington, but more out of necessity than anything else. Rome Odunze and Ja'Lynn Polk often took the snaps outside, but when asked to fill in for those two, McMillan looked plenty capable of beating press and running routes outside the numbers.

McMillan's route-running in general is his selling point. He has a dangerous blend of explosiveness and smooth body control. It's easy not only for McMillan to keep DBs guessing at the line, but also at the top of routes. He does so well to bait and manipulate DBs into opening their hips one way, only to cross over and beat them the other way.

McMillan also has impressive speed control. He can come to a sharp stop at the top of certain routes, such as curls and dig routes. But McMillan can also kick into high gear and pick up speed in a hurry when need be. He may not be an elite deep threat this stage, but he has plenty of juice to stride out and be a problem.

McMillan is a reliable catcher as well. Though his ability to win the ball in the air is up and down, McMillan excels when playing the ball elsewhere. He so comfortably catches the ball away from his body and makes sure to attack it at its earliest point. Drops are rarely an issue.

The main downside with McMillan is his YAC ability. Although he's fast and relatively explosive, McMillan is not a natural ball-carrier. He doesn't have that sixth sense in space to shed tacklers and fight for extra yardage. McMillan's best use with the ball is when he simply gets to outrun defenders.

McMillan should contribute right away in the NFL. His well-rounded athletic profile, route-running chops and reliable hands will allow him to be productive from day one, both from the slot and outside. McMillan's alignment flexibility and balanced skill set make him a fit for any offense.

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GRADE: 7.5 (Potential Impact Player - 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 40

POSITION RANK: WR6

PRO COMPARISON: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

USC head coach Lincoln Riley believes improving the continuity within the roster is the best way forward for the program to achieve its lofty long-term goals.

The Athletic's Antonio Morales wrote that Riley "wants to emulate Michigan's build," which means more emphasis on player development and less of a focus on the transfer portal.

"The only way that model works — you go get the best developers of talent, and you give the best high school players a reason for why they would want to sign with USC," Riley said.

He added that Michigan "did it the right way" with how it constructed a national championship winner.

Riley wanted to spark an immediate turnaround, particularly on offense, when he first joined the Trojans.

USC ranked No. 1 in 247Sports' team rankings for the 2022 transfer portal. Caleb Williams, Jordan Addison, Mario Williams and Travis Dye were among the headliners who made their way to Los Angeles.

The gambit paid off as the Trojans were one win away from making the College Football Playoff, a massive improvement from going 4-8 in 2021.

The trouble with leaning heavily on the portal is that a coaching staff can find itself in an annual cycle of turning over the roster because upperclassmen move on. Riley and his staff have learned the hard way the portal can cut both ways as well.

USC had the No. 8-ranked group in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2023 class. Quarterback Malachi Nelson, one of the crown jewels, has already transferred to Boise State, and he's not the only notable recruit who has bid adieu with college eligibility remaining.

To Riley's point, Michigan didn't reach the top of college football by beating every rival school on the recruiting trail. Here's where the Wolverines ranked from 2020 to 2023: 10th, 13th, ninth and 17th.

Former head coach Jim Harbaugh consistently attracted talent to Ann Arbor, Michigan, but what put the team over the top was having an experienced squad all pulling in the same direction.

Given Riley's sizable salary, Trojans fans aren't wrong for expecting results. Going 8-5 when you have the reigning Heisman Trophy winner isn't going to cut it.

But Riley is equally justified in preaching a level of patience.

After nearly three years in the role, George Kliavkoff is out as Pac-12 commissioner.

According to Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic, the Pac-12 board of directors announced Friday that Kliavkoff and the conference mutually agreed to part ways, and Feb. 29 will be his final day on the job.

Kliavkoff presided over a tumultuous time in Pac-12 history, as USC, UCLA, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, California and Stanford all decided to leave the conference within the past year.

With the Pac-12 struggling to find a significant media rights deal, USC and UCLA were the first schools to announce they were leaving, opting to make the move to the Big Ten.

Later, Oregon and Washington opted to join the Big Ten as well, while Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah all chose to make the move to the Big 12.

Finally, longtime rivals Cal and Stanford announced a move to the ACC, leaving Oregon State and Washington State as the only remaining Pac-12 member schools.

Since the new alignment will be in place for the 2024 college football season, Oregon State and Washington State reached a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West Conference.

While Oregon State and Washington State won't be official members of the Mountain West and won't be eligible to win the conference in 2024, the in-conference portion of their schedules will be against MWC teams.

The agreement could also set the stage for Oregon State and Washington State to join the Mountain West Conference officially in the future, provided the Pac-12 is unable to rebuild.

The Pac-12 was founded in 1915 as the Pacific Coast Conference, was renamed the Athletic Association of Western Universities from 1959 through 1968 and then the Pac-8 from 1968 to 1978, the Pac-10 from 1978 to 2011 and the Pac-12 ever since.

Now, the Pac-12 has until 2026 to satisfy NCAA conference requirements, or else it could be officially dissolved.

As the Pac-12 searches for answers and potentially attempts to expand back to 10 or 12 teams, it will be under new leadership.