DJ Uiagalelei
fILE - In this Nov. 13, 2017, file photo, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick attends an NCAA college basketball game between Notre Dame and Mount St. Mary's in South Bend, Ind. Swarbrick tells The Associated Press the school went public with its decision to not be included in EA Sports' new college football video game because the NCAA's proposed rule changes would prevent the names, images and likeness of players from being used in the game. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin, File)
By opting out of video game, ND calls attention to NIL issue

By Ralph D, Russo Mar. 01, 2021 05:36 PM EST

FILE - Clemson co-offensive ordinator Tony Elliott speaks during media day for the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans, in this Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, file photo. Clemson's Tony Elliott has joined college football's club of $2 million assistants. The school's board of trustees approved a $300,000 raise for the team's offensive coordinator, bumping up his total compensation to $2 million. Along with defensive coordinator Brent Venables, at $2.4 million a year, the Tigers are the only program in college football with both coordinators making that much, according to USA Today's database of assistant salaries. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Elliott's raise gives Clemson two $2 million coordinators

By Pete Iacobelli Feb. 04, 2021 11:54 AM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, file photo, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks to his team during their NCAA college football practice, in Columbus, Ohio. As Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Florida prepared to play for conference championships, they signed top-10 recruiting classes for 2021 they hope to fuel their next title contenders..(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Alabama follows up title by finalizing star-studded class

By Steve Megargee Feb. 03, 2021 06:41 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Ohio State running back Trey Sermon (8) runs for the end zone to score past Northwestern defensive back Cameron Mitchell (21) during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame's blowout loss brings A&M into playoff picture

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 19, 2020 08:22 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) is greeted by coach Brian Kelly after coming out of the game during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
ACC Showdown: ND's Book, Clemson's Lawrence on center stage

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 16, 2020 12:48 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney watches during the third quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Notre Dame, Clemson full strength heading into ACC title

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 14, 2020 03:30 PM EST

Louisiana-Lafayette wide receiver Kyren Lacy (2) misses a reception under coverage from Appalachian State defensive back Shemar Jean-Charles (8) during an NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in Boone, N.C. (Andrew Dye/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP, Pool)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Sun Belt continues breakout season

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 14, 2020 02:25 AM EST

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence runs for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Notre Dame, Clemson get extra time to prep for title game

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 08, 2020 02:53 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs the ball during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)c
Healthy, deeper No. 4 Clemson ready for championship run

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 01, 2020 05:13 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) talks to quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) during the first quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Trevor Lawrence returns as No. 4 Clemson resumes title chase

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 17, 2020 03:29 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney signals to his players during the second quarter against Notre Dame in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 4 Clemson still has path to national title, ACC crown

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 09, 2020 03:52 PM EST

Notre Dame safety Shaun Crawford (20) celebrates after Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
After breakthrough vs. Clemson, BC looms for Notre Dame

By John Fineran Nov. 08, 2020 03:19 PM EST

Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) and his teammates react after defeating Michigan in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 38-21. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Could Harbaugh spin coaching carousel?

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 07, 2020 07:50 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Stanford head coach David Shaw, center, leads his team onto the field before an NCAA college football game against California in Stanford, Calif. Shaw could look at it as Stanford and the Pac-12 are behind the rest of the country with a late start to the football season, which will end up being a seven-game, all-conference schedule if all goes as planned. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Week 10: Pac-12 begins in first monster schedule of season

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 06, 2020 03:43 AM EST

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks downfield for a receiver in an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Rams 28-17. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
DJ Uiagalelei latest rising QB star with Polynesian heritage

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 05, 2020 12:12 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) passes against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Latest ACC showdown: No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Notre Dame

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 05, 2020 04:01 AM EST

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, center right, talks to his players during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
Problem for No. 1 Clemson is defensive breakdowns, not QB

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 03, 2020 02:13 PM EST

Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) drops back to pass against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Oct. 31, 2020 09:56 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) looks for a receiver during the first quarter against Penn State in an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Clemson gives scary glimpse into future

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 31, 2020 09:35 PM EDT