Athlete recruiting
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, right, is tackled by Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw Jr.,left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Big Ten back in poll, not on field

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 28, 2020 03:09 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Georgia coach Kirby Smart, center, talks to his players during a timeout in the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Athens, Ga. There will be much interest in possible changes coming to No. 4 Georgia’s offense with a new quarterback, who is expected to be Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman, and a new coordinator, Todd Monken. Still, Smart’s Bulldogs may lean on their experienced defense in the pandemic-delayed season. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Georgia coach Smart, wife donate $1 million to university

Sep. 17, 2020 05:24 PM EDT

North Carolina head coach Mack Brown watches his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)
ACC teams look to fix opening-week miscues for Week 2 games

By Aaron Beard Sep. 16, 2020 12:38 PM EDT

Georgia Tech edges Florida State 16-13

By Bob Ferrante Sep. 12, 2020 09:26 PM EDT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Georgia Tech had not won an ACC road game to open a season since 1996, long before everyone on the roster was born. But the Yellow...

FILE - Bobby Petrino steps to the podium as he is introduced as the new football at Missouri State during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, in Springfield, Mo. The controversial coach will open his first season guiding Missouri State, a Football Championship Subdivision program, on Saturday night, Sept. 12, 2020, at No. 5 Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, FIle)
Petrino in spotlight as Missouri State visits No. 5 Oklahoma

By The Associated Press Sep. 10, 2020 01:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 file photo, Oklahoma quarterback Tanner Mordecai (15) throws in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against South Dakota, in Norman, Okla. Mordecai is competing with Spencer Rattler for the starting spot. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Spencer Rattler named starting QB for No. 5 Oklahoma

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 01, 2020 06:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (10) passes to a teammate during the first half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Thompson is back to direct the offense heading into the opener Sept. 12, 2020, against Arkansas State. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State heads into Year 2 under Klieman with high hopes

By Dave Skretta Sep. 01, 2020 12:28 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2019, file photo, Central Arkansas head coach Nathan Brown walks on to the field before the start of an NCAA college football game against Hawaii in Honolulu. When Central Arkansas and Austin Peay signed up to play in the first game of the college football season, little did they know how notable it would become. The FCS schools will kick off the shortened season Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in the Guardian Classic before a limited number of fans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Brown says “we are the show in Week Zero and the game to really kick off football, not just college football but also professional football." (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner, File)
COVID Kickoff: Central Arkansas-Austin Peay begin the season

By John Zenor Aug. 28, 2020 05:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2017, file photo, a checkered pattern of colors made by fans is seen at Neyland Stadium during an NCAA college football game between Georgia and Tennessee, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee will be selling tickets for approximately 25% of the seats at Neyland Stadium this season, officials announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. The Volunteers’ first home game is Oct. 3 against Missouri and university officials say restrictions could change during the season based on statewide virus data and recommendations from public health officials.(Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, File)
The Latest: USA Luge to look for recruits only in New York

By The Associated Press Aug. 25, 2020 04:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) looks on as Oregon plays Auburn in an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
College football in the spring: When? How much? Who plays?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 12, 2020 03:26 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, the Pac-12 logo is displayed on the field at Sun Devil Stadium during an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State in Tempe, Ariz. As the wealthiest conferences like the Pac-12 lay out plans they hope will protect athletes from contracting and spreading COVID-19, most of the schools in the second-tier of Division I football have given up on trying to play in the fall. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Pac-12 player group 'disappointed' after commissioner call

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 08, 2020 06:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, members of the Miami of Ohio team pose on the field after the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Central Michigan, in Detroit. The Mid-American Conference on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, became the first league competing at college football’s highest level to cancel its fall season because of COVID-19 concerns. A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press the university president’s voted to not play in the fall and consider a spring season. The person spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because an official announcement was still being prepared.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
After MAC surrenders to pandemic, will other leagues follow?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 08, 2020 11:38 AM EDT

Colorado State pauses football after allegations of racism

Aug. 07, 2020 11:17 PM EDT
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Colorado State is pausing all football activities after an investigation started by the president of the university into the program...

FILE - This Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, shows the Pac-12 logo during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State, in Tempe, Ariz. The Pac-12 has set Sept. 26 as the start of its 10-game conference-only football schedule. The Pac-12 announced three weeks ago it would eliminate nonconference games for its 12 member schools. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Next in summer of player empowerment: Pac-12 players unite

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 03, 2020 01:46 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley speaks with his team before the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game against LSU, in Atlanta. Riley already has coached Heisman Trophy winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray along with Heisman runner-up Jalen Hurts. Now, he is hoping to build a new tradition at Oklahoma - pulling top quarterbacks to Oklahoma from the high school ranks. Caleb Williams, the No. 1 quarterback in the 247Sports Class of 2021 and ESPN’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback for that class, has committed to OKlahoma.(AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Oklahoma coach Riley now pulling top QBs from prep ranks

By Cliff Brunt Jul. 10, 2020 02:34 PM EDT

Vanderbilt cuts at least 8 from athletics communications

Jul. 08, 2020 05:20 PM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Vanderbilt has laid off at least two people with six more forced to re-apply for their jobs as the Southeastern Conference's lone...

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher talks with his team as wide receiver Ainias Smith (17) looks on as they play Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. Texas A&M's football program was placed on probation and Fisher given a six-month show cause order by the NCAA on Thursday, July 2, 2020, after the Aggies were found to have violated recruiting and other rules beginning in January 2018. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher handed recruiting penalties by NCAA

Jul. 02, 2020 03:15 PM EDT

Texas Tech again taps SEC for grad transfer in LSU's Monroe

Jun. 29, 2020 05:21 PM EDT
Texas Tech added another graduate transfer from an SEC power Monday by signing former LSU safety Eric Monroe. Monroe joined the Red Raiders...

Football players seek changes before returning to UCLA

By Joe Reedy Jun. 20, 2020 05:38 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA officials say they feel good regarding answering the concerns raised by football players about returning to campus this week. ...

FILE - In this May 1, 2020, file photo, people ride down an escalator at a shopping mall in Oklahoma City as it reopens from its closure since mid-March due to coronavirus concerns. Many businesses are requiring customers and workers to sign forms saying they won't sue if they catch COVID-19. Businesses are afraid they could face lawsuits even if they follow social distancing and other government guidelines as they reopen across the U.S. after coronavirus shutdowns. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
As athletes return to campus, what are they signing up for?

By Ralph D. Russo Jun. 20, 2020 12:22 PM EDT