College Football

Madden Iamaleava is following in his older brother Nico Iamaleava’s footsteps and is reportedly committing to UCLA, per ESPN’s Chris Low.

The freshman quarterback began his college career at Arkansas but is heading west to join his brother after entering the NCAA transfer portal.

Madden was previously committed to UCLA in May 2024 before changing course and signing with Arkansas during the early signing period on Dec. 4, per ESPN's Eli Lederman.

His exit from the Razorbacks comes just one day after his older brother, Nico Iamaleava, announced his commitment to UCLA out of the transfer portal. Nico spent two seasons at Tennessee but reportedly had a dispute over NIL compensation with the program.

Just over a week ago, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel confirmed the Volunteers were moving on from Nico after the quarterback missed a Friday practice and team meetings without notifying the staff.

According to ESPN’s Chris Low, Nico had been seeking at least $4 million in NIL earnings after previously making $2.4 million.

Madden will enter the Bruins program with four years of eligibility remaining.

Call it a trade.

UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar left UCLA on Monday after Nico Iamaleava joined the school via the transfer portal, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

His destination? Iamaleava's former school, Tennessee, according to ESPN's Chris Low.

He'll have one season of eligibility remaining.

Pete Nakos of On3 had reported earlier on Monday that Tennessee, Tulane, and Wake Forest were the "early schools to watch" in his recruitment. Ultimately, the Volunteers won out, and quickly.

Aguilar joined the Bruins in December, transferring from Appalachian State, where he threw for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in the past two seasons, completing 60.1 percent of his passes. The Mountaineers were 14-11 in those campaigns.

But with Iamaleava's controversial departure ending with a commitment to UCLA, Aguilar's subsequent transfer made sense. Iamaleava will undoubtedly be the starter next season for the Bruins after throwing for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions last season at Tennessee, completing 63.8 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 358 yards and another three scores.

UCLA had recruited Iamaleava out of high school, when he was a 5-star prospect, though he ultimately chose Tennessee. Given another opportunity to secure his services, however, the Bruins pounced.

With Iamaleava departing Tennessee relatively late in the offseason, the possibility of Aguilar heading in the opposite direction and joining Tennessee always seemed like a distinct possibility real. Certainly, it was the most fun possible result.

The College Football Playoff's management committee will weigh changes to the selection process for the postseason bracket at this week's annual review meeting, according to The Athletic's Chris Vannini.

"The management committee is expected to be presented with more format models and ideas this week, including potentially tweaking the selection process to remove some of the subjectivity," Vannini reported. "Instead of conferences having predetermined automatic bids, leagues could assure some CFP access using performance-based criteria, such as previous playoff results or regular-season nonconference records, according to people involved in the discussions."

It only took one year of the expanded 12-team playoff for people to argue that an evolution was necessary.

Because the four best conference champions are guaranteed a first-round bye, Boise State and Arizona State automatically qualified for the quarterfinals despite the fact they were ninth and 12th, respectively, in the final CFP rankings.

There was also plenty of discussion over SMU earning the final at-large berth over Alabama, Miami, Ole Miss and South Carolina.

Ultimately, there's no perfect way to pick a playoff field. Even in the days of the Bowl Championship Series, searching for supposedly more objective means of selecting just two teams for the national title game ultimately failed in that objective.

Fans and coaches alike derisively talked about the role the "computers" played.

Vannini said Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has floated a 4-4-2-2-1-1 bracket model. The Big Ten and SEC would each get four representatives with two for the ACC and Big 12, one for a Group of Five team, and one final at-large spot. The at-large bid would go to Notre Dame based on whether the Fighting Irish hit a certain benchmark.

That idea is great for the Big Ten and SEC but less so for everyone else because it puts a pretty low ceiling on how many CFP bids they get. Vannini noted the Big 12, ACC and others might struggle to justify getting a bigger share of playoff revenue down the line as well.

Should the CFP management committee ultimately agree on a new format, it's safe to assume there will come a point when further tweaks are considered to remedy new problems.

Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has committed to UCLA after leaving the Volunteers as a result of a reported NIL pay dispute.

Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz previously relayed the news.

Last season, Iamaleava completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 358 yards and three touchdowns while leading Tennessee to a 10-3 mark and the College Football Playoff's No. 9 seed. Tennessee fell to the eventual national champions Ohio State in the first round.

However, Iamaleava is one-and-done in Knoxville. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, he was making $2.4 million on an NIL contract, but Iamaleava's representatives were looking for a raise up to $4 million "the day before the winter portal ended in January."

Iamaleava's camp reportedly reached out to Oregon before spring practice began, but the Ducks weren't interested, per Thamel.

And then things heated up in April, as noted by Thamel, who also relayed reporting from ESPN's Chris Low.

"Iamaleava notified offensive coordinator Joey Halzle late Friday night that he was in the process of filling out his paperwork and planned to enter the transfer portal when it opens Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Chris Low.

"Heupel and other staff members had been trying to reach Iamaleava and his representatives to no avail after he missed practice and meetings earlier Friday, sources said."

Iamaleava missed the practice Friday, and the Vols parted ways Saturday, with head coach Josh Heupel telling reporters that "no one is bigger than" the program.

And with that, Iamaleava's time in Knoxville came to an abrupt end.

However, he can welcome a new beginning with UCLA, which now has a proven winner and a quarterback who excelled in year one and has the potential to build off that success going forward.

Adding a productive and established quarterback was a clear need in UCLA, which went just 3-6 in the Big Ten and 5-7 overall in DeShaun Foster's first year as the Bruins' head coach.

Ethan Garbers was UCLA's last quarterback, but he's now gone onto searching for an NFL career.

However, the Bruins did bring in Joey Aguilar from Appalachian State. In two seasons there, Aguilar completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.

Plans have clearly changed now, though, as Iamaleava is in town and ready to assume the QB1 spot in hopes of leading the Bruins to much better Big Ten success.

UCLA's coaching staff has informed its quarterbacks that Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava is expected to transfer into the program, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Imaleava officially announced the news later on Sunday.

Following the news that the 20-year-old was returning to the West Coast with UCLA, he posted this on social media:

"First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His grace, for continuing to bless my family, and for allowing me to live out my passion each and every day.

"To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there. I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers. I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT.

"My journey at UT has come to an end. This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be.

"Even though, this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun and I am committed to UCLA!"

Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards with the Tennessee Volunteers last season, adding 19 passing touchdowns and three more on the ground.

The rising redshirt sophomore entered the transfer portal last Wednesday after his second season at Tennessee and amid an NIL dispute.

Following the team's spring game on April 12, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel announced the program would be moving on from Iamaleava after the quarterback missed practice and team meetings on Friday without notifying anyone, then cut off communication afterward, per Thamel.

Despite the circumstances, Heupel expressed gratitude toward Iamaleava, calling the situation "unfortunate" but adding, "there's no one bigger than the Power T, and that includes me," per Thamel.

According to ESPN's Chris Low, Iamaleava was seeking at least $4 million from Tennessee after previously earning $2.4 million through Spyre Sports Group. UCLA's offer is reportedly not close to that figure.

UCLA finished last season 5-7 in the Big Ten during head coach DeShaun Foster's first year at the helm following Chip Kelly's departure.

Bruins senior quarterback Ethan Garbers threw for 2,727 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, ranking 14th in the conference. Backup QB and sophomore Justyn Martin appeared in three games, posting 179 yards and one touchdown.

Iamaleava helped lead the Volunteers to a 10-3 record and a College Football Playoff appearance against the eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. He completed 45.2 percent of his passes for 104 yards and added two rushing touchdowns in the 42-17 loss.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders maintained that there was no time like the present to honor former Buffaloes stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders.

The school officially retired Hunter and Sanders' jerseys during Saturday's spring game.

Deion Sanders once again addressed the criticism with celebrating Hunter and Shedeur so soon after they left Boulder.

"The time frame, nobody's going to be happy with. Somebody's always going have something to say," he said. "But the way we are right now, we are a now generation. ... those guys deserve what they deserve right now. So I'm proud of them."

In the case of Hunter, a jersey retirement was inevitable the moment he lifted the Heisman Trophy. He only needed two years to cement himself as one of the greatest players in program history.

Colorado waited more than two decades to retire Rashaan Salaam's No. 19 jersey, and the 1994 Heisman winner was only honored posthumously. There was no need to repeat a similar error with Hunter.

The larger contention from fans was with the decision to immortalize Shedeur's No. 2 jersey as well.

As a senior, Sanders was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner, but few would contend he had a legendary college career.

Colorado went 13-12 over the last two seasons, losing its only bowl game of the Coach Prime era so far. Sanders' individual production (7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns and 13 interceptions) was also very good but far from historic.

Deion pushed back against the criticism by saying "we wouldn't have this discussion" if Shedeur didn't have the Sanders name. The detractors are making the exact same point, albeit in service of a much different argument.

Ultimately, retiring Shedeur's number is a big bet by Colorado that Deion sticks around for a while and doesn't leave in a bitter divorce. Should he depart on bad terms, having a permanent reminder at Folsom Field of the Coach Prime may not be a great thing.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders sent a message to players in the transfer portal at the Buffaloes' spring game on Saturday.

"Anybody in the portal, you know I ain't hard to find," he said in an interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe.

Under Sanders, Colorado has used the portal to add several impact players. Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter followed the head coach to Boulder as transfers and played key roles as part of the Buffaloes' 9-4 finish in 2024.

With both players expected to hear their names called early in the 2025 NFL draft, Sanders is focused on using the portal to fill out the team's roster once again.

He previously explained that he wants to target players at almost every position.

"I want to target every area," Sanders said Thursday, via SI.com's Charlie Viehl. "You don't just sit back and think you got it, you know? I mean, I think the kicking game is set...long snappers as well as kickers and punters, we straight. Everything else is, we need to improve."

Colorado's 2025 transfer class ranks No. 22 in the country, per 247Sports.

The Buffaloes have remained active in the portal, as Illinois transfer cornerback Teon Parks reportedly committed to Sanders' squad on Saturday.

Colorado is also set to host former Florida State wide receiver Hykeem Williams "next week," according to 247Sports' Zach Blostein.

As the Buffaloes look to contend in the Big 12 again in 2025, Sanders made his pitch to players in the portal on Saturday.

Todric McGee, a two-year starting safety for Missouri State, died Saturday at age 21, according to the university.

McGee "passed away at a local hospital from injuries he sustained on Friday at his local residence," according to Missouri State.

Missouri State noted that "details on the incident remain under investigation by local authorities."

McGee was heading into his fifth season with the Bears.

"Our football family is in shock and in mourning at the loss of Todric," Missouri State head coach Ryan Beard said in a statement. "We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and our MoState football team at this time as we begin the healing process. Join us in praying for Todric and the people who loved him."

A three-sport athlete at Wichita Northwest High School, McGee had offers from Army, Air Force and Southeast Missouri before joining Missouri State in 2021.

After redshirting his 2021 freshman year, McGee earned a starting role at the end of the 2022 campaign went on to play a key part in the Bears' defense. He earned Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2023 after leading the MVFC in solo tackles.

McGee finished the 2024 season ranked eighth on the Bears in tackles despite suffering a season-ending injury in the fifth game of the campaign.

Missouri State Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell said in a statement that grief counseling would be made "available immediately" to staff and students.

Shedeur Sanders reflected on his number getting retired by Colorado along with former Buffaloes teammate Travis Hunter.

"It means a lot to me, honestly," Sanders told ESPN's Holly Rowe on the broadcast of Colorado's 2025 spring game. "I remember just being in the end zone after a bowl game in Jackson State and we was like, 'We gotta run it back. We gotta do it again together, forever.' That was the mindset, that was the mentality. And the fact that we're both able to share this special moment together, it's truly amazing."

On Monday, the school officially announced that Sanders' No. 2 and Hunter's No. 12 will be retired at the spring game.

Hunter was also appreciative of Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders.

"It paid off real, real well for me as y'all see from the video and all the accolades that I've got," Hunter said. "But I came in, and I trusted him with everything that I've got. I came in with Shedeur, and for us to get this right here, it means a lot to both of us."

The numbers of the quarterback and two-way standout were unveiled within Folsom Field as part of a ceremony prior to Colorado's spring game.

The elder Sanders coached Shedeur and Hunter at Jackson State University before taking over as Colorado's head coach ahead of the 2023 season, with both players transferring to join him.

The Buffaloes' 4-8 record in 2023 represented an improvement over their 1-11 finish in the year before Deion accepted the job, but they ended the year on a six-game losing streak.

Colorado took a large step forward in 2024, ending the year with a 9-4 record and making a bowl appearance. It also marked the team's second season with nine wins since 2002.

Shedeur thrived at quarterback during his 2024 campaign, setting a new single-season passing record for the school with 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns through the air. He also completed 74 percent of his passes while getting picked off 10 times.

Hunter was stellar at both wide receiver and cornerback, hauling in 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also recorded 11 passes defensed and four interceptions, becoming Colorado's first Heisman Trophy winner since 1994.

Both players are expected to hear their names called early in the 2025 NFL draft. Hunter and Sanders were projected to be off the board with the No. 2 and No. 6 overall picks in the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, respectively.

As they prepare for the draft, their careers at Colorado were honored on Saturday.