College Football Live - CFB LIVE - QUARTERBACKS TO WATCH FOR

Episode Date: August 24, 2026

Join our crew Harry Lyles Jr., Sam Acho, and EJ Manuel on another episode of College Football Live. Max Olson joins to explain NCAA eligibility rules in the aftermath of Dae'Quan Wright's decision to return to college football. Hear from the guys how TCU North Carolina's Week 0 game in Dublin presents a unique set of challenges for the athletes. Get the inside scoop on the newest QB1's around FBS, including Sam Acho's Top 5 ACC Quarterbacks. All this and more on College Football Live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I mean, isn't this crazy? I mean, I don't even know what to say. I wondered why Lane Kippen reached out a week ago. Now I know. I mean, shit, I didn't know. Now I know. I didn't call them back. Now, I guess I should have.

There's some inaccuracies in that story, but I don't know. Maybe someone else called him and said they were me, you know? So I actually don't know, Todd. So I guess somebody left him a text or called that was me because I don't know where I have his number. So while we can't get into the phone tag of it all, we will get into the college football of it all. This is college football live. I am your host, Terry Lous Jr. I will be joined later by Sam Macho and E.J. Manuel.

But we need to get into the news of the day, which you saw Todd Munkin and Lane Kiffin talking about there. Dayquan Wright. He is going to be potentially playing for LSU the season. The Cleveland Browns waived him. He has an agreement in place to return to play college football for LSU if he clears waivers. here's Lane Kiffin on the situation involving his former and soon to be player. You know, in general, should NFL players come back to college? I believe it doesn't matter necessarily what I believe.

That answer would be no. The judge found that these players should have been told and should have known that they were going to be eligible for a fifth year, which every player moving forward, every athlete moving forward in all sports has. and so they should have known that in December when they were making decisions. Had they known that, they would have stayed. At the end of the day, you know, because of these rulings, they're either going to play for you or they're going to play somewhere else around the country.

So we've made decision to recruit them like probably most people are. Incredible. We welcome in our reporter, Max Olson. Max, what is the latest on this situation with AQUAN rights attempt to play college football? all this upcoming season. Yeah, Harry, unprecedented situation of an NFL player actually wanting to be waived so they could go back to college. But Daekwon White, Wright, officially waived today.

And as Adam Schefter has reported, he's planning to go to LSU. Declan Wright is one of more than a dozen former FBS players that are currently in the NCAA transfer portal and exploring this chance to go back for a fifth year, thanks to temporary retraining orders. And there are several more covered by the Louisiana suit that Wright was a part of, who are currently battling for roster spots in the NACA. NFL. The players who have been able to enter the portal are quickly finding new homes, but not everybody is thrilled about this. I think Oregon coach Dan Lending spoke for a lot of folks this

weekend when he said he thinks NFL rookies coming back to college. It's unfair to their new teammates and he thinks it's unfair to the sport. What are the next chapters in this story, whether that pertains to right or even other players that might be trying to play college football again this upcoming season? Yeah, the NCAA was able to get a legal victory on Friday in Colorado where they were able to get a stay on a federal judge's decision that basically opened the door for all these players, these athletes in the class of 2022 to come back and explore a fifth year at their previous school. Now, what that's likely going to mean over the next week here, Harry, is that a lot more players are going to run to lawyers and try to file suits here so that they can get the green light to play college football this season. The NFL cut day deadline is on Sunday. And so I think for these NFL rookies who only played four years of college football and did not redshirt,

I think for them and their agents, there's fascinating discussions to be had here about their future. And clearly they are in demand right now. A lot of discussions, a lot of lawsuits. And it's only Monday. Max Olson, we appreciate you joining us. It perhaps will not be the last time we see you this week. Thanks, Eric. Let's get into Dayquan Wright.

He played the 2025 season at Ole Miss. he was at Virginia Tech before then. So obviously this is a young man that has experience with Lane Kiffin over the last couple of years was really effective for this Ole Miss offense. And now we welcome in our guys here, Sam Ocho and E.J. Manuel. And E.J., I'm going to start with you here. What is just your reaction to this news, again, that we have not seen before? Well, Harry, there's two reactions here.

One, you know, this is a huge pickup for Lane Kiffin in this offense. I mean, Descartes right was a great player at Ole Miss. You know, you think about over 600 reception yards, I think the fifth leading receiver on that football team. So to bring him back to this LSU offense, you know, now that's going to streamline things. You also have Trey-Daz Green there at Tide-in. So 12 personnel, one running back, two tight-ins,

is going to be fantastic for the Tigers. But the other part to this is just crazy. I'm just going to be honest. This is absolutely wild because now you have a guy that just clear waivers and is coming back to LSU. That just sounds diabolical, to be very honest. And so now that he's going to be playing college football for one more year, it's pretty wild.

biggest thought goes to the young players that decided to go to LSU, the freshman, or even the sophomores that came over in the transfer portal, that played the same position? Are we going to have to now take away scholarships? Is Lane Kippen going to have to have a hard discussion with one of these players and say, hey, but I know you've been here for about six months or three months or however long, you got to go back home in gray shirt. You know, the old ad is gray shirting a guy when he would stay at home and still come and commit there. So I don't know how you frip a scholarship for the young man, but ultimately, you know, congratulations to him. He gets another at bat at bat at this. And I would imagine also another abat of the draft

after the season. I have no issues with Dayquan Wright returning to college football. We're not talking about a player who's been in the NFL for three, four, five years and now I was thinking, oh, let me go back to college. We're talking about a guy who was undrafted, who was essentially trying out to make the NFL. He got picked up as an undrafted free agent to the Philadelphia Eagles. In August, he got cut by the Eagles, meaning he wasn't good enough for the Eagles. All of a sudden, he signs with the Browns, hasn't played.

Likely isn't going to make it in about a week from now, about 1,200. players are going to get cut. Their football dreams are going to be over. Now, some of those will sign the practice squad, which says, okay, you're on the practice squad. Well, if you're on the practice squad for the entire season in the NFL, that salary, 13,000 or so a week,

it's $247,000 for the year. Most likely Dayquan Wright is getting double, if not triple that in college. And oh, by the way, it's not like he's some 27-year-old guy who's been in the NFL. He's 22 years old. He was the class of 2022. So he's played his four years and all the other guys who were in

that class, or at least who have played four years, they're saying, look at the rules left and right. Everyone else gets five. And so for me, this is not a situation of a player who's this dominant NFL player. It's a guy who was in college last season, who was a good college player last season. And now he's trying out for the NFL, likely not going to make it, and going to be a good college player this season as well. It's going to be interesting to see the fuel to the fire that this adds when LSU and Ole Miss play in Oxford in week three. And we'll stay in the SEC here with Tennessee, who named True. freshman Faison, Brandon, their starting quarterback on Monday, sources told ESPN's Pete Thammel,

Brandon, who was ESPN's number 14 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, beat out second year quarterback George McIntyre for the starting gig. Here's Josh Hypole on the quarterback decision. Faison gets the nod week one, the expectation at the quarterback position, just like at every position as guys continue to grow, work and compete. We break in May for a few weeks of vacation and he's in the building, you know, whether that's in the wait room, whether that's in the video room, walking through things on the turf and our indoor, working on fundamentals. That type of mentality attitude is a tribute to him and his growth. That's why he's continued to grow as fast as he has. Sam, we've got a true freshman starter here for Josh Heifle and this Tennessee team.

what are your expectations for them heading into this season? I love this opportunity for Faison Brandon. The reason why is those first three weeks, he has a relatively easy chance to understand what it's like to play in college. Week 1 versus Furman, week three versus Kennesaw State. Now, week two, he does play Georgia Tech. But last year, Georgia Tech was in the bottom half of the FBS in college football. This year, Georgia Tech has a new defensive coordinator.

That D.C. was a Southern Miss last year. They were 101st overall in defense. Now, here's the problem. Week 4, when you play Texas, you're hosting Texas. But that could be an issue for Faison Brandon, but he was 35 and 1 as a starter in high school, number two overall quarterback. And so the talent is obviously there and I'll have a couple weeks to get ready for the true SEC. Yeah, well, usually when a younger player or a freshman, you know, fresh out of high school gets the nod compared to an older guy. It's because, look, if they're even, you just go with the younger guy because now the upside is much larger.

You got more time with them there at school. But the other part, think about the great quarterbacks that Coach Hypo has really had a chance to give his tutel You think about Henning Hooker there at Tennessee, who turned out to be a great college football player. Then you think about his time, even at Oklahoma with Sam Bradford. Then go back to Tennessee, Joe Milton. You saw Joey Aguilar have a really good season last year. Nico Imaliaba, who was young there for the volunteers as well. So I do think Faison Brand is going to be in a great situation.

A big key, though, you've got to run the football. And you bring back an excellent running back. And Deshaun Bishop, you also bring back your leading pass receptor. So Tennessee's offense will roll. There's going to be some bumps in the road because he's young. He's an experience. But six foot four, two and thirty pounds sounds fine. me. I would also imagine he's going to command that offense and be really good in that RPO

run game as well. You mentioned the weapons and hey, usually if you're a quarterback in Josh Heifel system, you end up doing pretty well. So we will see how things unfold for this Tennessee squad. Up next, we're going to see some ACCC action this weekend. So Samacho is going to give you his top five quarterbacks in the conference this season. You won't want to miss it. It's good list. Mysteries unravel and stunning truths are revealed when 2020 investigates. Follow the clues. the evidence, the breaking new details. ABC's 2020 means true murder mystery. Shocking.

If you follow true crime in 2020, then you've got to listen to this. Subscribe now to 2020 True Crime Plus. Add free exclusive true crime content. Search 2020 True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts and start for free trial. Terms apply. Welcome back to college football live. UNC opens up their season in Dublin. You see her there on Saturday at noon on.

ESPN against TCU, a rematch of last year's season opener. Here's and always excited, of course, Bill Belichick on the trek the tar heels will have to make. In terms of travel, I mean, it's not going to Australia or, you know, someplace like that. It's a little bit different than that. So we'll take our usual, you know, the things that we usually do in terms of preparing the players for the, you know, the travel, trying to get them on as much of a schedule as we can once we get over there, try to get things back to normal. It's a five hour difference. we'll make the adjustment, but it's, yeah, it's a little bit different.

But again, not that much different from the reverse of the Cal trip last year. So, yeah, this is not exactly these two teams playing in Chapel Hill. The horn frogs will travel the second longest distance of any team this season in one weekend behind Arizona State who will be playing Kansas at Wembley in London on September 19th. But either way, the Tar Heels and the Horn Frogs going a long way to play a little American football. EJ, I'm going to start with you here. You played internationally when you were in the NFL. What's it like preparing for a game that you're having overseas?

Well, the big difference is the time zone change. And this is a game that I believe is played. I was trying to look at, I think we've got a 3.30 Eastern time. So that would then put it at, what, earlier in the morning over there in Ireland? I don't know how to compute that. But either way, that is something that can be a distraction for both teams. And the big key in this one is you just want to make sure that you're prepared. And ultimately, the practice is going to be really interesting.

And when I was in NFL, we went the week before the game, so we were able to get acclimated to the time. The other part about this, too, the field conditions. Keep this in mind, this is either a soccer pitch or a rugby field. And sometimes that is a little bit different when you're walking on that grass. So you want your receivers, you want your corners, your secondary, to go out there and make some hard cuts to make sure when they get in the game, they're not slipping on that surface.

I remember being there two years ago, a few players from that Florida State and Georgia Tech game were slipping all over the place. So that's definitely something that both teams are going to be, for sure, making sure they clean up before they start the game. Well, I love the fun that these players are also going to have while they travel. I was at Arizona State last weekend chatting with head coach Kenny Dillingham, and they have an overseas game. They play A&M week two. Week three, they go over to London to go and play Kansas.

He said, man, the first two days, he's going to let the guys explore. Go see Big Band. Go to Westminster Abbey. I was in London this last summer. I got a chance to go see some of these sites, which was awesome. But then he'll get back to work and back to business. Of course, there is a time difference. There's a time change.

But I think about even in recruiting the opportunity for these young men to go and see a part of the world they've never seen before. Some of these young men, the first time going to a new state is when they're going on these recruiting visits. So now you're getting a chance to go to Ireland or to England. I think it's a great opportunity, but I do understand different coaches handle it differently. I love the fun that ASU is going to have when they take their trip. Ireland always does a great job with this game. Really excited for both the folks at North Carolina and at TCU. It should be a fun one.

College football goes international for Week Zero. tune in for a triple header on Saturday, starting with North Carolina versus TCU at Dublin, then NC State visits Virginia, followed by Alabama A&M versus Howard in Atlanta at 730 Eastern on ABC. With some ACC football action this weekend, we thought what better way to get you ready for it than having Sam Ocho's top five ACC quarterback. So Sam, let's get into it, five through one. Who do you got? We'll start with C.J. Bailey, the 6-6-215-pound quarterback out of NC State. He's only 20 years old, he's super athletic, has a nice arm, but he's learning how to use his legs more. When he runs, you almost feel like he's like this big deer.

But at the same time, he's somewhat of a pocket passer. So this dynamic quarterback that's growing into who he is, for me, is absolutely in the top five. You see the numbers on your screen, but the talent is obvious. Going to number four, another young player, Mason Heinzsche, who stepped onto the scene last season. Obviously, there was a different quarterback, Eli Holstein, who was starting at Pitt. Then there were some situations that had to happen, and Heinzsche stepped in. And he really took over. The thing about Mason Hyshow's ability to create.

Yes, he can use his legs, but he loves to throw the ball on the run. There's the excitement in his game and a high level of confidence when he plays the game of football. So Mason Hyshal is my number four. Going to number three, I got Kevin Jennings from SMU. Talk about dynamic. That's exactly who Kevin Jennings is. Yes, he has a recovery center named after him, but more than that, it's his ability to use his legs. Number one.

Number two, it's also arm angles. Anytime you watch Kevin Jennings play the game of football, he throws a ball for many different arms slots and arm angles. Guy from Dallas plays football in Dallas, put the team on his back, extremely athletic, should be talented. Number two, go to Cal, Jaron Kiowai Sangapalatelle, JKS as he's sometimes zoned by. He was almost my number one. Accuracy, throw on the move, high level of confidence.

The stats are there, but the ball placement is what stands out to me more than anything else. JKS as a freshman last season was outstanding from beginning to end. And so he could easily be number one. Deep ball is outstanding. Intermediate ball is great as well. So that's my number two quarterback. And number one, Darian Mensa, the transfer from Duke. He wasn't the ACC last year.

He was number one last year. Now we're still in Miami this season. Darren Mensa, what stands out to be the most about him again is his accuracy, especially down the field. Deep ball accuracy is outstanding on outbreaking routes, on deep corners, on posts, et cetera. led the ACC in passing yards. Not a lot of interceptions thrown.

So he's my number one quarterback when it comes to rankings in the ACC. It's a great list here. We got a lot of talent, a lot of potential, too, with some of these guys and just, you know, specimens, especially when it comes to J.K.S. and C.J. Bailey. But your number one, Darian Mensa, we're going to take another look at this guy. He is going to be an interesting watch this season for Miami, a guy that has improved at every single level he has played at thus far in his college career. He started off at Tulane before transferring and starting at Duke.

where you see here he threw for almost 4,000 yards last year and leading the blue devils in a big way. He's also bringing his number one receiver with him. And I'm bringing in my quarterback E.J. Manuel here. E.J., I know it was killing you watching a linebacker ranked quarterbacks, man. But let's go to his number one, Dary and Mentson. Tell me more about him. What are we going to see out of Derry in this season with the Miami Hurricanes?

Yeah, Harry, I went to a Miami practice about two weekends ago, and Derry Minson is the real deal on and off the field. I just love the conversation I had with him. But when you look at him on the field, man, the big thing that jumps off the board is just his ball location, specifically down in the red zone. That's where the defensive covers doesn't have to back up too much. You know, things happen a lot faster within the pocket.

But watch him find balance and also space in his pocket and put the ball up on a shelf. And look, really, this is great coverage by the DB, but it doesn't matter when you have Cooper Barque, who also is now in that Miami offense with him to make a catch like this. Good run-face action right there. And watch them by time, get the defenders to retreat toward him and then put it right at a spot.

In the back line of the end zone, and the red zone, we always say, put that ball on the shelf where only the receiver can make the catch. Another red zone opportunity. You're going to get the corner to almost play up under this corner route by the receiver, but again, it doesn't matter.

Excellent coverage, but better throw. You put it right up there on the top of the shelf where Landon King can go up and make a huge catch. Now, this is one of my favorite plays. You get the tight split right here off the motion by a Duke on offense, which triggers a corner blitz. Dary Minson gives a nice run fake,

And he doesn't panic. He gets his ball off quick and fast enough to his open receiver down the field. So now imagine this is a guy who already led the ACC in passing yards last year. Now he's on a Miami offense with Malacott Tony and some of his old receivers from in the past. I'm just expecting a huge year and not just an ACC title potentially, but maybe a national title because of Darian Minsa. They're a quarterback for the Kings. Transfer to Miami. It worked out for Cam Ward.

It worked out for Carson Beck. Hard to believe it's not going to work out for a guy like Darian Mensa as well. EJ, we appreciate it. Still ahead. BAMMA named their QB1 over the weekend. Find out what EJ says the tide must do differently this year to help their first year signal caller. It's here, baby. Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Fylo was named the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators.

Well, he'll be partnered with his old offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech in Buster Falkner. Here's head coach John Summerall earlier today on his new quarterback. As we prepare for game one, Aaron Filo, we are preparing for him to be the starter for week one. There will not be some crazy big hoopla around in our building. It's just how we're moving forward. I think we're able to operate the full offense at a little bit higher level right now with Aaron. Being able to maybe get us into the right call, out of the right wrong call,

check things, alert things, kill things off of defensive pictures. But that's probably been the biggest difference. It's just operation. Sam, what are you expecting from? the Florida gators now that Aaron Philo has been named the starter. Yeah, I expect a clean operation, but the one thing I do want to see

improve from Aaron Filo is just to protect the football. In the limited reps that he had last year, Georgia Tech behind Haynes Kings, there was a couple, you saw interception, you saw fumble, and of course, some of those reps were behind, you know, in a tough situation, maybe not playing with the ones per se, but with the John

Summerall coach team, with his defensive background, defensive mind, the focus has to be on protecting the rock. So yes, getting the right play. Yes, audible, kill, all those things, but you have to be better with the football specifically in the pocket if you're in Philo for this Florida team. From one SEC team to another, Alabama named Keelan Russell, their starter. ESPN's number two overall recruit in the class of 2025. He'll be leading an Alabama team that went to the college football playoff after an 11 and four season last year. Here's Kaylin DeBoer earlier today. Keelan's just already had that presence. And so the belief has built And the guys, I think, just pretty much knew we had to make a decision and they were totally good with it.

You know, again, I just, I don't want to diminish Austin, but I also want to sell and tell you that these guys really, really believe in what Keelan's going to do and what his playmaking ability is and how he can move our offense and our team forward and go compete for a championship. E.J. Keelan Russell is a talented quarterback. but a young quarterback. How does Kaelin DeBore in this Alabama offense help him succeed this season? Well, Harry, he's not just a talented quarterback. I mean, this is probably the highest rated recruit out of Alabama ever. Like, this dude is really unbelievable.

You turn the film on from his high school, and I believe he only lost one game in his high school career. But what he brings to this offense is creativity, like you heard Coach DeBore say, but also that ability to stretch out plays. And you think about an offensive line that's going to be turned over there, Alabama. And also keep this in mind, too.

Alabama was one of the worst in the SEC running the football last. year. Only averaged 116 rushing yards per game. So now you bring in a young quarterback who can run the football, obviously as a howitzer, as an arm to push the football down the field. You think about the upside of this young man. He's going to be there for another three years, potentially. Solid move. And I think Keel and Russell is the right guy. And ultimately for Austin Mack, make sure you stay ready because you're still one play away for potentially leading this offense as well. And that is going to be important for Alabama because Austin Mack does have that familiarity with Kalin DeBore, but really going to be exciting to see how he develops this.

this young quarterback into this offense. He's had success with a ton of different guys. Keelan Russell's probably going to be the next one. We will see you guys tomorrow here again on college football live.