You can scratch one quarterback off the list as a potential 2025 draft pick.
Drew Allar announced on Monday that he will return to Penn State next season for his senior year.
Allar, who turns 21 in March, could have declared for the draft as he’s coming to the end of his junior season with the Nittany Lions.
“This season has been the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life playing football and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team,” Allar said in his announcement released on social media. “I know there’s still more work to do, which is why I look forward to making more memories with my teammates this year and beyond. But right now we are solely focused on the opportunity we have as a team in front of us.”
By returning to Penn State, Allar will potentially be one of the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 draft.
In 13 games so far this season, Allar has completed 69.1 percent of his throws for 2,894 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also rushed for 279 yards with six TDs.
Allar will have at least one more high-profile game in 2024, as No. 6 seed Penn State will host No. 11 SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday afternoon.
Bill Belichick is headed to the college level.
Various reports throughout the day have indicated an agreement was close, and now a report from ESPN notes Belichick is finalizing a deal to become the head coach at North Carolina.
Belichick, 72, has never coached in college before. But he said earlier this week that he plans to build “an NFL program at the college level” if hired for one of the opportunities.
Belichick did not return to the Patriots in 2024 after 24 years as the team’s head coach. He has 302 wins as an NFL head coach with New England from 2000-2023 and Cleveland from 1991-1995. He is No. 3 on the all-time wins list behind Don Shula (328) and George Halas (318).
Belichick has won six Super Bowls as a head coach and two more as an assistant with the Giants.
Is Bill Belichick headed to college football?
Apparently, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
According to Grant Hughes of InsideCarolina.com, Belichick interviewed for the head coaching vacancy at North Carolina this week.
The Tar Heels fired Mack Brown on Nov. 26 and Belichick is among a group of candidates to speak with the university about becoming its next head coach.
Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall and Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann are also under consideration for the role, Hughes reports.
This is the first known interview Belichick has taken in this coaching cycle. It would be a clear surprise if Belichick were to ultimately head to the college ranks, especially as there are already three NFL head coaching vacancies, with more surely to come after the season — if not before.
While Belichick’s father, Steve, was a coach at the Naval Academy, the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach has not coached at the college level himself.
Another offensive line prospect is on the board for teams next spring.
Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Simmons, 21, suffered a season-ending knee injury during Ohio State’s Oct. 12 loss to Oregon. But, via Adam Schefter of ESPN, Simmons is already ahead of schedule with his rehab.
“Josh will be fully cleared for practice by the start of NFL training camp and he will be a high first-round pick,” agent Drew Rosenhaus said, via Schefter.
Simmons spent his first two collegiate seasons with San Diego State before transferring to OSU in 2023. He started all 13 games for the Buckeyes at left tackle last year.
One of the expected top receivers in the next draft class has officially made himself available for the next level.
Mizzou receiver Luther Burden III declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Monday.
A projected first-round pick, Burden was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2023 when he caught 86 passes for 1,212 yards with nine touchdowns. He also rushed for 31 yards on seven attempts.
In 12 games this season, Burden caught 61 passes for 676 yards with six TDs and rushed nine times for 115 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
Burden will not participate in Mizzou’s bowl game.
“I feel like this is the best time to enter the draft,” Burden said, via Pete Thamel of ESPN. “I’m confident in myself and what I can do at the next level. I’m ready for the next step.”
Burden, a St. Louis native, will finish at No. 4 on the program’s all-time list in receptions (192), No. 5 in receiving touchdowns (21), and No. 6 on the receiving list (2,263 yards).
“The ultimate goal was to come here and make a difference,” Burden said. “I feel like I met my goal with everything that I set out before I got here. It was a pleasure being here. I will love Mizzou forever.”
