Jim Tressel was nominated as the next lieutenant governor of Ohio on Monday, and it drew a reaction from one of his former star players while he coached at Ohio State.

Terrelle Pryor, who was the quarterback for the Buckeyes from 2008 to 2010, had a two-word show of support for Tressel.

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"My guy," he wrote in a post on his Instagram Stories on Monday.

Pryor passed for 2,772 yards and 27 touchdowns in his final season with the Buckeyes in 2010. It proved to be Tressel’s last season with the Buckeyes as well.

Tressel and Pryor were both caught up in an improper benefits scandal. The NCAA, after an investigation with the FBI and the Justice Department, determined Tressel, Pryor and other Buckeyes players violated the organization’s policies over impermissible benefits. Players were accused of receiving tattoos or cash for autographs.

Tressel was accused of withholding information in the investigation and resigned before the start of the 2011 season. Pryor left the school before his final year.

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Pryor went on to play wide receiver in the NFL and put together a solid career. Tressel never coached in the collegiate ranks again. Instead, he served as Youngstown State University’s president from 2014 to 2023.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine nominated Tressel for lieutenant governor after Jon Husted replaced Vice President JD Vance in the U.S. Senate.

"Jim Tressel is Ohio values. He’s a hard worker and shares that vision (I have) for the future of Ohio," the Republican governor said Monday at a news conference. "He has the ability to pull people together. He has the ability to lead. He will enable me to be assured that if something happens to me, he can walk in and be governor that day and that would be seamless."

Tressel expressed his admiration for DeWine.

"I want to study a little bit about what Jon Husted has going on, and so I want to learn the business, if you will," he said. "And then it’s up to when you sit down with the team and the staff and everyone else trying to figure out who plays what position best. And I’d be more than happy to help wherever I can."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Bill Belichick has found a way to win over students at the University of North Carolina long before he makes his debut as the Tar Heels' new head football coach. 

The former New England Patriots coach is catering a pizza night for UNC fraternities as they watch the men’s basketball team take on second-ranked Duke Saturday night, according to an email shared on social media. 

"Coach Belichick wants to get your fraternity pizza for the UNC vs. Duke game tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.," the email, sent by UNC director of football operations Alex Kerr, said. "With that being said, our plan is to deliver the pizzas on behalf of Coach Belichcik to your house." 

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The generous offer by Belichick comes a week after the former NFL coach signed a contract to become UNC’s new football coach, formalizing last month’s hiring. 

BILL BELICHICK'S NORTH CAROLINA CONTRACT DETAILS SHOW STAGGERING SALARY, INTERESTING CLAUSES

Belichick’s contract is a five-year deal that includes $10 million guaranteed for each of his first three seasons with another $3.5 million available in bonuses. News of the signing followed rumors Belichick might still return to the NFL. 

But UNC's general manager, Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive, quickly shut down speculation in a post on X, saying, "His focus is on North Carolina football, hiring staff members and developing the team. The NFL isn't an option so please stop making it one. Thank you."

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Belichick will make his college football debut when UNC hosts TCU on Labor Day at 7:30 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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After playing six years at Indiana University, Mike Katic has decided to put his NFL dreams to the side.

After initially declaring for last year's NFL Draft, then returning for his final year of eligibility, the former center has decided to join Barstool Sports as a media personality and analyst.

"I’m pumped. This is what I think I was born to do," Katic said on "The Yak" with Dan "Big Cat" Katz. "Football’s great, but I think this is my thing. So, I’m super excited to move in here."

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Katic doesn't start officially working until March 1, but he paid a visit to Jon Gruden, who was recently hired by the site, at Barstool's offices. And they had about as much of a greeting as one would predict from a Super Bowl champion coach and a six-year college star.

"Barstool’s got our new center and I already love him!" Gruden said on X while posting a video of their first interaction.

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Immediately after shaking hands, Gruden asked Katic to get into his lineman stance, and the two shared another handshake and hug.

"When [Gruden] tells you to get in a stance, you get into a damn stance!" Katic posted on X.

Katic seemed to hint his playing days were over after the Hoosiers' College Football Playoff loss to Notre Dame when he posted on X, "Thank you Indiana University. Thank you Football."

Katic was likely to be a late-round selection if he had been taken at all. Pro Football Focus graded Katic as the 10th best center in the Power Four conferences.

Katic said he was hired quickly after Dave Portnoy saw him in "three clips doing media" after being connected through a member of the Hoosiers' men's basketball team.

The Pittsburgh native will work out of Barstool's Chicago office after playing in 50 games for the Hoosiers.

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In the days following Ryan Day walking off the field in Columbus following Ohio State's loss to Michigan to end the regular season, his family’s safety was the main priority after they received death threats from a lunatic fringe of Buckeye fans. 

There was obviously a monster fallout in Columbus after the loss, with fans calling for Ryan Day to be fired after Ohio State lost its fourth straight game to the Wolverines. But what some folks have not heard is how everything spiraled out of control from a safety standpoint for Ryan Day and his family. 

Speaking with the Columbus Dispatch, Nina Day, the wife of Ryan Day, spoke about the terrible events that came in the aftermath of the Michigan loss. The situation behind the scenes for the family had turned, in a dangerous manner. 

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"The time between the Michigan game and the Tennessee game was as low and dark as you could possibly imagine. Extremely negative. Unprecedented hate," Nina Day explained. 

When Ryan Day was eight years old, his father died by suicide. So, when fans somehow got hold of Nina Day's cell phone number in the days following the Michigan loss, unfathomable messages started to pour in at a constant rate, before Nina decided it was best to just disconnect her phone. 

"They told me multiple times to have Ryan follow in his father's footsteps and kill himself," Nina noted to the Dispatch. 

On the outside, Ryan Day continued to push forward, holding his weekly press conference, while waiting to see who his team would play in the first round of the college football playoff. But inside the family, things were starting to get out of control when it came to their safety. 

According to Nina Day, their 16-year-old son, RJ, started to receive death threats on social media, while the family’s address was also posted, leading to Ryan Day hiring armed security guards to protect his family at their house. There was also a thought from Nina that she should take her kids and leave Columbus during this time, not knowing what the next month could bring. 

"I think he, at times, second-guessed his decision to get into this and be in the spotlight that we're in. He felt responsible and just felt bad that he had put us in this position. He promised us he'd get us out of it," Nina Day mentioned about the conversations with her husband. 

There are fans across all sports that take things way too seriously, and this is another instance of something that could not be controlled. There was no reason that the Day family needed to fear for their lives over a football game, I don’t care how much you’re paid, or what your job title is. 

This is obviously the ugly part of sports, and it's not as if this is the first time we've heard of coaches having to deal with these types of situations, and it won’t be the last. 

"He fought like hell and got us out of a very dark place that we were in five weeks ago because of his resilience, because I don’t think anybody really thought this was going to end the way it did," Nina Day mentioned. "Everybody thought the season ended in November. 

"All he kept telling me was ‘I want to bring you guys peace. I just want to bring you guys peace.’ And he knew that for us to feel any type of peace, he had to win it all."

All of this over a football game. A family fearing for their lives, needing armed security to guard their house, just to get a peaceful night of sleep and feel safe. 

While Nina Day mentioned that you cannot label an entire fan base as the ‘lunatic fringe’, there are certainly a number of people who should be held accountable for their actions towards the Day family. 

As I watched Ryan Day celebrate with his family on the field Monday night, hugging each member of the family, there was certainly more to the story than just a head coach who was dealing with outside noise. 

Bill Belichick has already been on the recruiting trail, but it’s officially official that he’s North Carolina’s next head football coach after he signed his contract. 

And it’s a contract with eye-popping numbers. 

The Tar Heels released Belichick’s deal, which continues through the end of 2029, Thursday. The 72-year-old will be making $10 million per season, though his official base salary is $1 million. 

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The other $9 million will be coming from what is described as "supplemental income."

Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, immediately becomes one of the top 10 highest-paid head coaches in college football. Seven coaches made $10 million or more in 2024, according to USA Today. 

The highest-paid coach in the country is Georgia’s Kirby Smart at over $13 million per season. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney ($11.13 million), Texas’ Steve Sarkisian ($10.6 million), USC’s Lincoln Riley ($10.043 million) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($10.021 million), fresh off a national championship win, round out the top five. 

NORTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL GM MAINTAINS BILL BELICHICK WILL STAY AT SCHOOL, SAYS NFL CAN GET TOO POLITICAL

Like many other contracts, Belichick's has incentives that would trigger massive paydays if they’re met, including a $750,000 bonus if the Tar Heels reach the College Football Playoff. If they win a national title, Belichick would receive a $1.75 million bonus. 

Other incentives include a $150,000 bonus for reaching a bowl game as well as a $350,000 bonus if the team makes an "elite" non-playoff bowl. Those would include the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Gator Bowl, Duke’s Mayo Bowl and a few others. 

Finally, a top 25 ranking at the end of the regular season would also trigger a $250,000 bonus for Belichick. And he'd like get his $350,000 bonus for an elite bowl game if the Tar Heels finish in the Top 25.

There is also confirmation that Belichick does have a buyout clause, which was widely reported as North Carolina’s stipulation if he were to leave for a job in the NFL. If Belichick leaves UNC before June 1, the university is owed $10 million. After June 1, the buyout drops to $1 million. 

However, despite multiple NFL teams reportedly reaching out to Belichick, he said during his introductory press conference he's in Chapel Hill to stay. 

He’s already showing his commitment to the program by hitting the road and talking to recruits as he aims to build a playoff roster through the new NIL system. 

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North Carolina Tar Heels football general manager Michael Lombardi doubled down on the position that Bill Belichick has no intention of leaving the program for the NFL.

Belichick had been rumored to be interested in a few NFL jobs that opened up weeks after he decided to jump to the collegiate ranks for the first time in his career. Belichick replaced Mack Brown as the head coach at North Carolina after decades with the New England Patriots.

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Lombardi, who joined Belichick at the program, had expressed multiple times that Belichick would not be leaving the Tar Heels. He made the proclamation again in an interview on Monday on OutKick’s "The Ricky Cobb Show."

"I think one thing everyone could agree on, whether you’re a fan of what Bill did in New England or you were a foe because he beat you in New England, the one thing we can all agree on is Bill’s really smart," he said. "Bill knows the landscape of the NFL better than most fans do. And if Bill thought there was a job out there that was enticing to him, he would not have made the move to North Carolina.

"He wasn’t looking for a job. He wasn’t collecting unemployment. He wasn’t hoping for someone to hire him. He knew there was great opportunities if he wanted to go into the NFL. What we also knew was the NFL is a slippery slope in the sense that there’s a lot of politicalness that goes on. You’re answering to a lot of different people, there’s an agenda within buildings."

Lombardi used a line from one of the greatest NFL head coaches of all time to describe why Belichick wouldn’t go back to the NFL.

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"Bill Walsh told me in 1984 when there were 28 teams in the National Football League, ‘You know, we’re only competing against eight teams here kid.’ He was right then and he was right today," he said. "And I think that line right there sums up why Bill’s at North Carolina. Not all teams are built to win.

"Not all teams are chasing the Super Bowl. Not all teams want to do it. They want to win their way, not the right way. I think that’s why North Carolina became so appealing to him, because we can build a program here the right way."

Belichick’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, also maintained that the 72-year-old head coach would stay in Carolina blue.

"Pictured: two people who are overtly committed to @uncfootball," she wrote as the caption in an Instagram photo.

Belichick has been on the recruiting trail in recent weeks and landed a top defensive transfer earlier this month.

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Ashton Jeanty nearly captured the Heisman Trophy in 2024 after putting up incredible numbers in his final season with the Boise State Broncos.

Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards, nearly eclipsing Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards for the former Oklahoma State standout. He also had 29 rushing touchdowns. The former Broncos running back had 4,769 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns in 40 career games.

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He accomplished the feat in the midst of college athletics’ name, image and likeness era. The better a college athlete plays on the field, the more money there could be available to him through NIL deals. Jeanty’s NIL valuation was estimated at $1.6 million, according to On3 Sports.

Jeanty had NIL deals with SAXX underwear and the Boise Hawks minor league baseball team. But he made clear to anyone coming out of high school expecting to get paid that they should really focus on their craft on the field rather than the money that comes with it.

"No. 1, don’t chase the bag," he told Fox News Digital when asked whether he had advice for high school athletes coming into the college game. "Chase your goals and dreams. Everybody seems to get away from that. I had a dream of being an NFL player three years ago, one of the best running backs. And I’m here walking in that because I didn’t chase after the bag. There were plenty of guys I’ve seen getting more money than me that I know for a fact weren’t better than me. That was OK, but I knew if I kept putting the work in, I’d get to where I want to be.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL STAR ASHTON JEANTY TALKS POSSIBILITY OF DEION SANDERS COACHING COWBOYS

"You got to trust the process because you can’t expect all that. No entitlement. You got to earn it. That’s the problem nowadays. You might’ve did something in high school, but when you get to college that don’t mean nothing. It doesn’t matter how many stars you got – none of that. I’ve seen five stars who were trash. I’ve seen three stars who were really good, vice versa. But the common thing is just the work ethic and staying focused on the goal."

Jeanty said NIL in college football is kind of the "wild, wild west," so he had to take a professional mindset when navigating the murky waters.

"I think my whole approach was just to be a pro with it," he added. "Obviously, on the next level, I’ll get paid, but I’m not looking for the biggest payday. Honestly, I need a little something, you know what I’m saying? My morals and values – those are No. 1. Wherever I can align that best with, that’s where I’m going to be."

Jeanty declared for the NFL Draft earlier this month. He’s expected to be one of the first running backs off the board.

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Emotions were high for everyone who had their team playing in the college football national championship on Monday night, even on the ESPN broadcast team. 

Kirk Herbstreit, who played his college football at Ohio State as a quarterback from 1989-93, could not contain his emotions after watching his Buckeyes win the school's ninth national title, this time over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. 

The 34-23 victory for the Buckeyes led Herbstreit to be reflective on this resilient group that went on a dominant playoff run following a tough loss to their rival Michigan Wolverines. 

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As Herbstreit was explaining overcoming adversity next to his play-by-play colleague Chris Fowler, his eyes began to well up with tears, and he could not hold them in. 

"Oh, don’t start with me, man," Herbstreit, who grew up about an hour away from Ohio State in Centerville, told his ESPN colleague Scott Van Pelt during the postgame show. "I’m a little emotional. I’m just fired up for these guys.

"When I call these games, I’m incredibly objective. You know, I love all these Ohio State teams, but this team because of what they went through to get to this point, you’re just happy."

OHIO STATE HOLDS OFF NOTRE DAME TO WIN COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

When the cameras cut back to the broadcast booth, Herbstreit was spotted grabbing a handkerchief off camera to wipe tears away as Fowler continued to speak. 

Fans know all too well how it feels when their favorite teams win championships, as tears sometimes flow as a result. The same goes for alumni at schools. 

Herbstreit played football for the Buckeyes after being the school’s first player to commit after the hiring of John Cooper as head coach in 1988. Herbstreit was the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Centerville High School. 

He did not get real action until his junior season, when he was used sparingly over 11 games. However, Herbstreit was the starter throughout his senior season, when he threw for 1,904 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions over 11 games. 

Additionally, while Herbstreit discussed the adversity this team went through this season, he also faced some personal adversity through a big loss in his life. 

Herbstreit's beloved golden retriever, Ben, who was a consistent presence on ESPN’s "College GameDay," was put down after his battle with cancer. 

"This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know. We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Ben's organs and there was nothing left we could do – we had to let him go," Herbstreit wrote back in November. 

On the first "College Gameday" after the difficult decision to put Ben down, Herbstreit could not even speak as emotions poured over him discussing his beloved companion. 

Ben’s brother, Peter, has been along for the ride with Herbstreit as he continues to travel the country with one of his dogs by his side. 

There have been highs and lows for Herbstreit this college football season, and it ends with tears of joy. 

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ESPN on Monday decided to air a message from President Trump during halftime of the college football national championship between Ohio State and Notre Dame.

Trump could not make the game, which took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, as he was celebrating his return to the White House and going to inauguration balls.

His message, however, was clear: "the golden age of America has begun."

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"Hello to my great, fellow Americans. This has been a historic and exciting day for our country. In recent years, our people have suffered greatly, but starting now, we’re going to bring America back and make it safer, richer and prouder than ever before," Trump said.

"We’ll have a nation filled with compassion, strength and exceptionalism. Through our power and might, we will stop wars, and we will bring our world to peace. We will be respected again, and we will be admitted again — admired like we haven’t been in many, many years. We’ll put America first, and by doing so, we’re gonna make America great again.

OHIO STATE HOLDS OFF NOTRE DAME TO WIN COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

"In less than three months since the election, you have already seen it happening. You can feel the excitement, and you can see the confidence and spirit returning to our nation. Together we are going to lead our county to glorious new heights. The golden age of America has just begun.

"To all of the players and fans watching tonight, I know it’s been a long and difficult journey. It’s been a long season, but you have two tremendous teams, and get to the game and go out and fight hard and fight fair and let the better team win. And I’m going to enjoy watching it. Thank you, and good night."

ESPN caught social media flak for deciding to air the message.

Trump has been seen on ESPN at college football games before. He attended the national championship in January 2020 when it took place in New Orleans.

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The Buckeyes are back on top, as Ohio State took down Notre Dame, 34-23, to win the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night. 

Ohio State has now won nine college football titles, tying them with USC for fourth-most ever among NCAA's officially recognized championships. 

This is also the first title since the 2014 season, which was the inaugural College Football Playoff. 

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The Buckeyes have been such a different team since losing to Michigan in their rivalry game. And after convincingly defeating Tennessee (42-17), Oregon in the Rose Bowl (41-21), and Texas in the Cotton Bowl (28-14), Ohio State used their high-octane offense to barrel its way past Notre Dame to win it all. 

But this game wasn’t like previous Ohio State wins during this playoff, as the Fighting Irish really made a statement on an opening drive that lasted 18 plays and killed over nine minutes of first quarter clock. 

And it was all thanks to the hard work by quarterback Riley Leonard and the Notre Dame offensive line. 

NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE MEETING IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH FAITH AT FOREFRONT

Leonard ran nine times for 34 yards and scored after picking up a fourth-and-1 on Ohio State’s five-yard line. ESPN even reported that Leonard ran to the sideline, threw up and stumbled a bit before sitting on the bench. He also appeared to tell teammates that he landed on the ball on one of the runs, which could’ve caused the upset stomach. 

However, the tides of momentum quickly shifted to the Ohio State sideline, as Will Howard and his group of talented weapons didn't just respond, but took over when they had the ball in their hands. 

The ensuing drive went 11 plays and 75 yards, as freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith capped the drive with a perfect play call that saw him act like he was running behind Howard on pre-snap motion but planting in the ground and walking into the end zone with no one in sight. 

Ryan Day’s group not only tied the game, but the defense turned it up a notch as they forced back-to-back three-and-outs on Notre Dame’s second and third drive. And the Buckeyes’ offense used that to their advantage with two more touchdown drives before the end of the first half. 

Quinshon Judkins, the explosive running back that splits time with TreVeyon Henderson, scored both of those touchdowns, the first of which being a nine-yard run where he fought through multiple tackles to get across the line. Then, he was wide open in the end zone on a rolling throw by Howard with 27 seconds left in the second quarter to put the Buckeyes up 21-7. 

And if that wasn’t deflating enough, Judkins scored his third touchdown of the night on the first drive of the second half – a one-yard run that was set up by his 70-yard run on the second play of the half to immediately get the Buckeyes first-and-goal. 

Judkins finished the game with 100 rushing yards on just 11 carries as well as his two catches for 21 yards.

There was some concern for Ohio State, though, when Notre Dame cut it to a two-score game after Leonard found Jaden Greathouse for a 34-yard touchdown and converted the two-point try to make it 31-15. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL STAR ASHTON JEANTY TALKS POSSIBILITY OF DEION SANDERS COACHING COWBOYS

The concern was due to an Emeka Egbuka fumble after going 24 yards on a catch-and-run. It was the first Ohio State fumble since their game against Penn State on Nov. 2. 

Notre Dame used that turnover to drive downfield, and Leonard found himself knocking on the doorstep until an incomplete pass to Greathouse made it fourth-and-goal from Ohio State’s nine-yard line with 9:27 left to play in the game. 

Given the score, one would think head coach Marcus Freeman wanted to try his luck at another touchdown, but kicker Mitch Jeter and the special teams unit ran out onto the field. And the interesting play call backfired, as Jeter’s 27-yard field goal attempt ran off the left goal post – he hooked it. 

The game wasn't over entirely after the defense forced a punt, and Leonard was able to find Greathouse once again, this time on a beautifully thrown ball and an even better catch from 30 yards out. Needing another two-point conversion, Jordan Faison took a handoff and it looked like Ohio State sniffed it out, but he threw it to Beaux Collins for the successful try. 

Now a one-score game, the Buckeyes had to dig deep with the Fighting Irish knowing a stop gave them a chance to make the comeback complete. 

Backed up with third-and-11, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly called a gutsy deep pass from Howard to Smith, and despite the freshman not having a single reception in the second half, he secured the dagger – a 57-yard catch to place the Buckeyes on the nine-yard line at the two-minute warning. 

The Buckeyes could run out the clock at that point with the Fighting Irish using all of their timeouts, and the celebrating ensued.

In the box score, Leonard was 20-for-29 for 240 yards with two touchdowns, while also rushing for a team-high 40 yards on 17 carries with his score on the ground. Greathouse had 11 yards on five receptions as well. 

For the Buckeyes, Smith led the way with his 89 yards on five receptions, while Egbuka had six catches for 64 yards. Howard finished the game 17-of-21 for 231 yards, and he also rushed for 57 yards on 16 carries. 

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The College Football Playoff National Championship Game is set to kick off in Atlanta on Monday night, and the city and state have buffed security measures to ensure everyone at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and its surrounding areas are safe and secure.

Among those with boots on the ground are agents of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, as they posted a picture of two agents on X. 

"GBI agents are in Atlanta today ensuring everyone stays safe during the CFP National Championship game," the post read. "If you see us, come say hi! Please prepare for the weather and stay safe and warm."

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Atlanta’s weather is cold, with an expected low of 17 degrees on Monday night. And the GBI agents reflect just how cold it is, as they are bundled up from head to toe. 

Gov. Brian P. Kemp issued a state of emergency "to ensure appropriate resources are deployed" due to the below-freezing temperatures.

NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE MEETING IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH FAITH AT FOREFRONT

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, as well as Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, highlighted increased security measures for the title game, which is being hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the second time since its inception.

While the city has seen this event before, the tragedy in the early hours of New Year's Day on New Orleans’ historic Bourbon Street led to increased personnel and precautions before Ohio State and Notre Dame kick off. New protocols were incorporated into the extensive preparation for this event.

The terror attack in New Orleans came hours before the Sugar Bowl, which was postponed to the following day as a result. 

"Everyone in the Atlanta Police Department will be out working," Chief Scheirbaum said, per local 11 Alive.

Chief Scheirbaum confirmed that multiple specialized units and visible police presence will be seen at and around the stadium. Specialized units from the Atlanta Fire Department will also be around the city for rapid response situations.

It’s a busy day for Atlanta as their Martin Luther King Jr. Parade to honor the civil rights leader on the federal holiday took place earlier on Monday. It required enhanced security measures as well, with street closures that would eventually transition into the college football festivities.

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Jack Hoffman, a Nebraska Cornhuskers superfan battling cancer who captured the attention of the nation for his spring game touchdown run when he was 7 years old, has died. He was 19.

Hoffman died of brain cancer on Wednesday, Team Jack Foundation Executive Director Kylie Dockter said. He had battled new and more aggressive tumors late last year.

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"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Jack Hoffman, the courageous namesake of the Team Jack Foundation. Jack passed away after a long and hard-fought battle with brain cancer, a journey that inspired countless lives and left a legacy of hope, strength, and resilience," the foundation said in a statement on social media.

"Through his battle, Jack touched lives far and wide. From his unforgettable 69-yard touchdown run during the Nebraska Spring Game that captivated the hearts of millions to the countless families who found solace and support through the work of the Team Jack Foundation, his impact will echo for generations. Jack may no longer be with us in person, but his legacy lives on in the work of the Team Jack Foundation, in the lives of the children and families we've helped, and in the hope he gave to so many."

Hoffman was initially diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011, and his parents helped launch the foundation to support research efforts to end pediatric brain cancer.

OHIO STATE PLAYER, TIKTOK STAR DISMISSED BEFORE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAINST NOTRE DAME

Hoffman’s father, Andy, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2020 and died March 1, 2021. He was 42.

The foundation has raised more than $12.6 million since 2013.

Hoffman went viral during Nebraska’s 2013 spring game after the coaching staff invited him to run a play in the fourth quarter. Hoffman ran for a 69-yard touchdown, and he was the talk of the sports world for several days.

In the midst of all of it, he started up a friendship with running back Rex Burkhead. The two, along with Hoffman’s family, later visited then-President Obama, who presented the youngster with a new football and told him he was proud of him.

"Love you buddy. Tell Jesus we say hello," Burkhead wrote in a post on X.

Hoffman played football at Atkinson High School and graduated in May. He was pre-law at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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After totally turning around the University of Colorado football program, there seems to be some smoke about Deion Sanders potentially moving to the NFL.

The Dallas Cowboys had reached out to Sanders, who all but declined the opportunity — but, he did admit it was "intriguing."

Sanders himself said he would consider coaching the NFL if it meant continuing to coach his sons. Shedeur is in the running to be the top selection of this year's NFL Draft.

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But even though the idea of the family affair continuing sounds appealing, one NFL great says he'd prefer to see Sanders stay in college, for very good reason.

Simply put, Vince Wilfork thinks college kids need Coach Prime more than the professional athletes do.

"He’s more of an asset for college, because he can touch so many young kids," Wilfork said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. "Everybody has their own dream, but outside looking in, he can touch more lives when it matters than having a guy making millions of dollars and you can’t get through to him. They can get to that point with his leadership.

"What he stands for can really help those young guys. I’d rather see him help the kids, because they need it more than the guys making millions of dollars. I just see him as a trailblazer at this level."

PATRIOTS LEGEND VINCE WILFORK SAYS 'BS' JEROD MAYO FIRING WAS A 'SETUP'

Sanders' first coaching gig came with Jackson State, and once he got the Colorado job, several players followed, including his sons as well as Travis Hunter, who went on to become this season's Heisman Trophy winner as a two-way superstar. Hunter, too, is slated to be a top-five pick, just like his quarterback.

When Hunter won the Heisman, he shared a long embrace with his coach, crying on his shoulder.

The Buffaloes controlled their own destiny into the College Football Playoff, but got out of the running of the Big 12 championship game after losing to Kansas in the second-to-last game of the regular season.

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Bubba Thompson, who was a first-round MLB draft pick in 2017, will trade in his glove for a helmet and some shoulder pads as he’s set to join the South Alabama Jaguars football team.

He will join the team as a walk-on for spring practices, South Alabama head coach Major Applewhite told AL.com. He posted a video on his Facebook page of himself throwing a football at the school’s football facility.

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"We back y’all," he captioned the clip.

Thompson, 26, has experience on the gridiron. He played football while attending McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Alabama, leading the school to a state title game in 2017.

He then committed to the University of Alabama to play baseball. However, he never enrolled in the college. Instead, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2017 with their No. 26 overall pick and decided to pursue a Major League career.

UNLV'S DAN MULLEN REVEALS WHY WORKING AS COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANALYST HAD ITS ADVANTAGES

Thompson didn’t emerge as a superstar. He was a speedster on the basepaths, recording 18 stolen bags in 55 games in 2022. He was with the Rangers in 2023, playing in 37 games. He then joined the Cincinnati Reds last year and appeared in 17 games.

Because he never enrolled in college, he has five years of eligibility. Rivals rated him as a two-star quarterback coming out of school.

South Alabama was 7-6 last season in Applewhite’s first year. They ended the year with a win in the Salute to Veterans Bowl.

Gio Lopez and Bishop Davenport played quarterback for the Jaguars last season.

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Ryan Pellum, a former Oregon Ducks wide receiver, was arrested on assault with a firearm charges on Friday for allegedly pistol-whipping a person in California on Christmas Day.

Pellum, whose full name is Ryan Tristan Chance Taylor, was arrested in Springfield over the incident that took place in Long Beach, California, according to The Oregonian. The school declined to comment to the paper because he was no longer a part of the football program.

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He was accused of hitting a person with a 9 mm pistol, the paper reported. The alleged victim reportedly needed stitches from the incident. Pellum was also accused of firing the weapon.

As authorities arrested him, The Register-Guard reported that he told officials he was aware of the warrant for his arrest.

EX-NOTRE DAME STAR FUELS NATIONAL TITLE GAME HYPE WITH HARSH CRITIQUE OF OHIO STATE'S WILL HOWARD

Pellum was a four-star recruit out of Long Beach Millikan. He went viral in June 2023 when he used his son to choose which school he was going to attend. He decided to choose USC at the time but switched his commitment.

He ended up playing four games for the Ducks in 2024 before he decided to enter the transfer portal. He appeared on special teams for Oregon, making one punt return.

Pellum is the nephew of former Oregon Ducks linebacker and defensive coordinator Don Pellum. He chose to play football using his last name instead of his given name, according to The Oregonian.

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Marcus Freeman’s stock has increased as he’s led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to the brink of its first national championship since 1988.

The Chicago Bears appeared to have been watching Freeman closely.

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The Bears want to interview Freeman for their head coach position after parting ways with Matt Eberflus in the middle of the 2024 season, the NFL Network reported Sunday. The Bears have not made a decision on Eberflus’ replacement but have been going through the interview process.

Freeman first will have to game-plan for Notre Dame’s national title game against Ohio State. The Fighting Irish narrowly defeated Penn State to get there.

"Obviously unlikely he would entertain NFL overtures prior to that game – a week from tomorrow against Ohio State," NFL insider Tom Pelissero said on the network. "But the Bears have done extensive research for months on Marcus Freeman. He’s only 39 years old. It would not be a shock that at some point he at least considers going to the NFL."

PATRIOTS AGREE TO MAKE MIKE VRABEL NEXT HEAD COACH

Chicago is still set to interview Minnesota Vikings’ Brian Floires, Washington Commanders’ Kliff Kingsubury, Baltimore Ravens’ Todd Monken and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Arthur Smith for the job, according to the NFL Network.

Freeman was named as Brian Kelly’s replacement at Notre Dame after the former head coach took the LSU job.

He is 33-9 as head coach of Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are 14-1 this season after going 9-4 in his first full year in 2022 and 10-3 in 2023.

The Bears were 5-12 in 2024 with Caleb Williams in his first season under center.

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Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Malik Zaire fueled the hype for the national championship game on Saturday with harsh criticism of Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.

Howard led the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff semifinal victory over the Texas Longhorns, 28-14. Howard was 24-of-33 with 289 passing yards and a touchdown pass. He also had an interception.

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Zaire was unconvinced Howard would be able to do enough to get over the Fighting Irish on Jan. 20.

"All the great QBs Ohio State has had the last 15 yrs and Howard is def the worst one by far and ostate fans are trying to convince me that he’s gonna lead them to the chip?!?! Lmao ok," Zaire wrote on X. "I’d even take the OG Jalin Marshall at QB before Howard!!!!!!!!"

Zaire added that Ohio State’s loss to Michigan before the College Football Playoff started was more questionable than Notre Dame’s early season loss to Northern Illinois.

OHIO STATE HERO JACK SAWYER REVEALS 2-WORD MESSAGE FORMER ROOMMATE QUINN EWERS GAVE HIM AFTER TOUCHDOWN

"Ok let’s be honest, we got beat by NIU that was embarrassing. But yall got beat by Michigan for the 4th year in a row, at home as a 20+pt favorite, got the flag planted in the middle of yall field and beat up after the game while ya head coach watched….. lmao yall have nothing to tell me about this Ohio state team lmao," he added.

Notre Dame will be looking for its first national championship in the College Football Playoff era, but have to go up against a tough defense and an offense that has the ability to explode for big plays.

The Fighting Irish narrowly defeated Penn State in their semifinal matchup.

Howard has 3,779 passing yards and 33 touchdown passes this season. He transferred to Ohio State from Kansas State.

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Police in Louisiana have issued an arrest warrant for LSU receiver and NFL Draft prospect Kyren Lacy for negligent homicide after police allege he fled a deadly car crash last month. 

Louisiana State Police said in a press release issued Friday that Lacy, 24, was driving "recklessly" and speeding past other cars while driving on the highway Dec. 17. 

According to police, Lacy was "crossing the centerline and entering the northbound lane while in a designated No-Passing Zone" when a driver of a pickup truck in the northbound lane swerved to avoid a head-on collision with Lacy. 

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The actions of the pickup truck caused the driver of the vehicle immediately behind it, a Kia Cadenza, to swerve to avoid colliding with Lacy’s car, but the driver instead collided head-on with another vehicle in the southbound lane. 

A passenger in the Kia Cadenza identified as 78-year-old Herman Hall was transported to a hospital before eventually dying, police said. 

In addition to being wanted for negligent homicide, Lacy is facing a felony hit-and-run charge after police say he "drove around the crash scene and fled" without stopping to render aid or call 911. He also allegedly failed to notify law enforcement about his involvement.

RAMS STAR RECEIVER DEMARCUS ROBINSON CHARGED WITH DUI FROM HIS NOVEMBER ARREST, DAYS BEFORE PLAYOFF GAME

Lacy’s warrant also includes a charge of reckless operation of a vehicle. According to Louisiana State Police, the former LSU star has since been in contact with law enforcement. 

Lacy transferred to LSU in 2022. This season, he caught 58 passes for 866 yards and nine touchdowns. He did not play in LSU's win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl Dec. 31. 

Lacy declared for the 2025 NFL Draft just two days after the crash. 

"LSU has truly made a big impact on my life on and off the field, these past 3 years. Playing in Death Valley, for the best fans in the country, was an experience I will never forget. Not too many people get to fulfill a dream like this. I am forever grateful for it," Lacy wrote in his announcement. 

"I want to express my appreciation to all my coaches, support staff, and trainers for helping develop me as a football player, but most importantly as a person. Although, we didn't accomplish our goal of winning a national championship, I promise to take all of those life lessons with me in the next chapter of my life."

LSU did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 

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Carson Beck's time in the transfer portal didn't last long.

The former Georgia quarterback entered the portal Thursday, roughly a month after injuring his elbow in the SEC title game.

Backup Gunner Stockton stepped up, but the Bulldogs fell in the quarterfinals to Notre Dame.

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But now Beck is already committed to his next stop, and he's soon to be a Hurricane.

"Go Canes," he wrote in an Instagram post, which featured a graphic of him in a Miami uniform and the words "Committed" and "305 Bound."

Beck's girlfriend, Hanna Cavinder, and her twin sister, Haley, star for Miami's women's basketball team. Haley is dating Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson.

The Cavinders initially said they were skipping their final year of eligibility, with Hanna completing her playing career and Haley saying she would play this season at TCU. However, they both returned to the Canes.

VIKINGS-RAMS PLAYOFF GAME MOVED AWAY FROM LOS ANGELES DUE TO WILDFIRES

Beck originally declared for the NFL Draft, then entered the transfer portal this week.

Miamia is losing FBS touchdown leader Cam Ward to the NFL Draft, and Ward is in the running to be the top selection of the draft.

Beck spent five seasons at Georgia, the last two as the Bulldogs' primary starter. He has completed 68% of his passes for 7,912 yards, 58 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his college career. He appeared in 39 games for Georgia, 27 of them in the last two seasons.

He now could follow a similar path as Ward, who considered entering the 2024 NFL Draft before deciding to join Miami. Ward rewrote the Miami record book this season, completing 305 passes for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, all new Miami single-season records.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Colorado coach Deion Sanders has made a name for himself in the college football world and is become a Buffaloes icon in just a matter of three seasons, but the former NFL player has also become a polarizing figure to some. And, according to his security team, he’s been subjected to multiple threats because of it. 

In the latest season of the "Coach Prime" docuseries which aired on Prime Video earlier this week, Sanders’ personal security, officer Michael Rhodes, revealed that Sanders received a "very credible threat" before a game during the 2024 season.

"Coach gets a lot of mail every day, a lot of packages — a lot of gifts," Rhodes said in the second episode as he put on gloves in preparation of reviewing Sanders’ mail.  

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"As he stated publicly, he gets a lot of death threats, a lot of hate mail, so just as a precaution, we go through the mail very carefully. Put on these gloves just to ensure that we don’t come into contact with any type of hazardous material."

Rhodes said he served as a member of Jackson State’s campus police for around 10 years when he was asked to be a member of Sander’s security detail during his tenure there. When Sanders was offered the job at Colorado, he asked Rhodes to join him.

Since then, Rhodes has had his hands full.

DEION SANDERS GIVES 1-WORD REACTION TO TITANS FIRING GENERAL MANAGER AS SON SHEDEUR COULD BE TOP PICK

He said in the episode that before a Sept. 14 game against Colorado State, they received "multiple threats concerning people trying to do harm to Coach."

"There was a very credible threat — two individuals trying to possibly tackle Coach either before, during, or after the game," he continued. "So we had to have multiple law enforcement agencies there — SWAT team, CSUPD as well as Boulder PD." 

Rhodes said during games he keeps his head "on a swivel" watching for any potential threats in the crowd and around the stadium. 

"Everybody doesn’t love Coach. With all of the death threats, I don’t know who is who. I’ve got one job, and that’s to make sure that Coach is good, to make sure he’s safe, so that he can go out and coach the team to a victory."

The Buffaloes closed out the 2024 season on a high note despite a blowout loss to BYU in the Alamo last month. 

Colorado made their first Bowl game appearance since 2020 and sold out every home game for the past two seasons — a first in the program’s 134-year history. Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy, and he and Shedeur Sanders are expected to be first-round draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft in April.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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