Moore is expected to miss the Wolverines’ third and fourth games — home against Central Michigan on Sept. 13 and at Nebraska a week later —and all athletic-related duties during those weeks, they said.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the school’s proposed self-imposed sanction has not been announced. It has also not been finalized, according to a third person with knowledge of the situation, also speaking on condition of anonymity because the case is ongoing. ESPN was the first to report the expected suspension.

The NCAA investigation into impermissible in-person scouting and sign stealing by Michigan hung over the second half of the team’s unbeaten season in 2023 and is still looming over college football’s winningest program.

The NCAA does not have rules against stealing signs, but it does prohibit schools from sending scouts to the games of future opponents and using electronic equipment to record another team’s signals. Records from other Big Ten schools showed former staffer Conor Stalions bought tickets to games involving future opponents, sending people to digitally record teams when they signaled plays.

Stalions initially was placed on leave by the school and later resigned. He did not participate in the investigation.

Last August, the NCAA alleged in a notice relating to its sign-stealing investigation that Moore violated rules as an assistant under Harbaugh, who served a three-game suspension in exchange for the Big Ten dropping its own investigation into the allegations after the two wound up in court.

Moore was accused of deleting text messages with Stalions before they were recovered and provided to the NCAA. Moore has said he has and will continue to cooperate with the NCAA’s investigation.

Moore served a one-game suspension during the 2023 season related to recruiting infractions and filled in as head coach for four games last year when Harbaugh was punished by the school and the Big Ten.

The NCAA previously put Michigan on three years of probation, fined the school and implemented recruiting limits after reaching a negotiated resolution in a recruiting case and banned Harbaugh from coaching college football for four years.

Michigan opens the season on Aug. 30 at home against New Mexico State and at Oklahoma, where Moore was an offensive lineman.

Davis and Jackson are the 2025 Mr. and Ms. Basketball of Illinois winners, as voted by coaches and media statewide.

Davis, a 6-foot-1 guard, is the first sophomore to win Mr. Basketball in the award’s 45-year history. Jackson, a 5-6 senior guard who has signed with Illinois, is the first player from the powerhouse Young program to win Ms. Basketball.

The historic nature of their accomplishments is not lost on either player.

“It feels amazing just to know that nobody had ever done this,” Davis said. “There are so many big names who have won this award, so just knowing that I’m in good company of people who won it and knowing I’m the first one to do it as a sophomore is really exciting.

“It makes me feel like I have a bright future ahead. But I just know I have to stay in the gym.”

Jackson said she looks up to several past Young stars and knows how tough it is to become the first person to do anything in a program with so much history of success — the Dolphins have won three state championships and 10 state trophies. She mentioned Linnae Harper and E.C. Hill “and so many more.”

“There’s so much talent that came before me,” Jackson said. “There are so, so many greats. Being the first one to win this award, it’s just really nice knowing that my name is going to be in those conversations as one of the best to play at Whitney Young.

“My biggest thing was leaving some type of legacy at my high school.”

The prestigious awards, given to the top boys and girls players in the state, are presented by the Chicago Tribune in conjunction with the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Mr. Basketball has been handed out since 1981 and Ms. Basketball since 1986.

Davis, who averaged 19.5 points, 4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.8 steals while leading Warren (27-11) to a runner-up finish in Class 4A, ran away from the field in Mr. Basketball voting as his tremendous postseason undoubtedly left a strong impression.

He received 41 first-place votes and was named on 87 of 150 ballots, finishing with 315 points to easily outdistance another sophomore, Bolingbrook’s Davion Thompson, who took second with 140 points. Docker Tedeschi of Benton was the top senior vote-getter, placing third.

Davis, who scored 27 points in a state semifinal win over Rich Township and 17 in a heartbreaking 55-54 loss to Benet in the championship game, certainly was proud of his playoff performances.

“I feel like in the playoffs I became way more efficient and consistent,” he said. “My shooting was up and down all year, but when the playoffs came around, I feel like I consistently hit timely shots for us. Knowing that my team needed me to hit those shots, it clicked for me in the playoffs.”

Ms. Basketball voting was much closer, with Jackson narrowly defeating Loyola senior Aubrey Galvan 230-219. Jackson received 28 first-place votes and was named on 68 of 129 ballots, while Galvan received 29 first-place votes but was named on five fewer ballots. Kenwood senior Ariella Henigan was third.

Players received five points for a first-place vote, three for a second and one for a third.

Jackson averaged 21.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals while leading the Dolphins (25-9) to their fourth straight city championship and a spot in the Class 4A Sweet 16.

“This year I was able to step into more of a leadership role, knowing my teammates were looking up to me,” Jackson said. “Then it was just being consistent. Those were my two big things this year.”

Jackson is preparing to start her college career at Illinois and will continue to chase big dreams.

“I can’t wait to get down there and bring great things to Champaign and great things back to my home state,” she said. “I want to go to Illinois, have a great career, win Big Ten championships, build up toward getting a national championship and then playing professionally in the WNBA would be the ultimate goal.

“I just have to be consistent, stay in the gym, knowing I have a goal that I’m very passionate about.”

Davis, meanwhile, has two years of high school basketball ahead. Simeon’s Jabari Parker in 2012-13 and Belleville West’s EJ Liddell in 2018-19 are the only other non-seniors to have won the award and the only players to win Mr. Basketball twice.

Beyond the opportunity to join that exclusive group, Davis will be fueled by the pain of narrowly missing the ultimate prize.

With his team down by one point in the final seconds of the 4A championship game, Davis lost his footing and had to call timeout from the floor. Warren had one last chance, inbounding the ball with three-tenths of a second left, but the pass was knocked away.

“I’m probably going to be thinking about those plays forever,” Davis said. “But I know I’m going to have my brothers from this team forever, and we can always think about what we accomplished and know we’re going down as one of the best teams in Warren history.

“But you don’t ever want to have that feeling in sports, so it’s going to motivate me to keep going.”

Davis and Jackson will be honored at an IBCA luncheon Saturday at Illinois State University in Normal.

2025 Mr. Basketball of Illinois voting

150 ballots cast, first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 vote total

Top 10

• 1. Jaxson Davis, Warren, 315 points (41)
• 2. Davion Thompson, Bolingbrook, 140 (15)
• 3. Docker Tedeschi, Benton, 133 (20)
• 4. Ian Miletic, Rolling Meadows, 106 (9)
• 5. Devin Cleveland, Kenwood, 96 (10)
• 6. Phoenix Gill, St. Ignatius, 82 (8)
• 7. Bradley Longcor III, Quincy, 70 (9)
• 8. Marcos Gonzales, Brother Rice, 69 (5)
• 9. Dietrich Richardson, Manual, 59 (5)
• 10 Tyreek Coleman, Waubonsie Valley, 51 (5)

Others receiving multiple votes: Matthew Zobrist, Metamora, 41 points (3); Leshawn Stowers, Peoria, 36 (5); Blake Fagbemi, Benet, 18 (2); Al Brooks Jr., Rich, 10 (1); Ross Robertson, South Beloit, 9 (1); Vince Buzelis, Hinsdale Central, 8 (1); Makai Kvamme, DePaul Prep, 8 (1); Daniel Pauliukonis, Benet, 5; Jayden Tyler, Homewood-Flossmoor, 4.

Receiving one vote: Aleks Alston, Kenwood, 5 points (1); Grant Best, Mount Carmel, 5 (1); Marquis Clark, Young, 5 (1); Dierre Hill Jr, Belleville Althoff, 5 (1); Christopher Kirkpatrick, New Trier, 5 (1); Konnor Reynolds, Nokomis, 5 (1); Alex Stell, Waterloo, 5 (1); Jayden Taylor, Fenger, 5 (1); Kobe Walker, Normal Community, 5 (1); Christian Cummings, Rockford Christian, 3; Sam Donald, Columbia, 3; Bryden Gryzmala, Althoff Catholic, 3; EJ Mosley, St. Laurence, 3; Carson Peters, Pana, 3; Cameron Thomas, Mount Carmel, 3; KeShaun Thomas, Quincy, 3; Cole Tripp, Goreville, 3; JC Anderson, Mount Zion, 1; Dontae Bell, Leo, 1; AJ Chambers, DePaul Prep, 1; Amir Danforth, Rockford Auburn, 1; Cooper Hoffman, Pecatonica, 1; Tyjuan Hunter, Hope, 1; Cooper Knowles, West Hancock, 1; Isaiah Lintker, New Athens, 1; Brendan Loftus, Loyola, 1; Will Nohren, Shelbyville, 1; Maddox Ritzel, Nashville, 1; Lincoln Williams, Kankakee, 1; Zach Winkeler, Belleville Althoff, 1.

2025 Ms. Basketball of Illinois voting

129 ballots cast, first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 point total

Top 10

• 1. Destiny Jackson, Young, 230 (28)
• 2. Aubrey Galvan, Loyola, 219 (29)
• 3. Ariella Henigan, Kenwood, 107 (17)
• 4. Ella Todd, Fremd, 93 (7)
• 5. Nikki Kerstein, Montini, 89 (7)
• 6. Nora Ezike, Lyons, 74 (6)
• 7. Reganne Reardon, St. Ignatius, 64 (6)
• 8. Paityn London, Freeport, 58 (8)
• 9. Danyella Mporokoso, Waubonsie Valley, 39 (2)
• 10. Kiyoko Proctor, Alton, 19 (1)

Others receiving multiple votes: Summer Brinkmann, Nashville, 10 points (2); Gracie Furlong, Galena, 10 (2); Avery Tibbs, Washington, Ill., 9 (1); Samantha Brinkmann, Nashville, 8 (1); Emma Pierson, Belvidere, 8 (1); Elaina Rager, Pecatonica, 7 (1); Lauren Miller, Camp Point Central, 5; Gina Davorija, Glenbrook South, 4; Reese Ramsey, Pittsfield, 4; Coco Urlacher, Fremd, 4; Emma Behrmann, Nashville, 2; Stella Sakala, Nazareth, 2.

Receiving one vote: Laney Cahoon, Orangeville, 5 points (1); Dalia Dejesus, Deer Creek-Mackinaw, 5 (1); Grace Lizak, Willows, 5 (1); Addison Lucht, Cissna Park, 5 (1); Nyanna Payton, Manual, 5 (1); Kamaree Pollard, Mount Vernon, 5 (1); Jarius Powers, Alton, 5 (1); Sam Schmuke, Columbia, 5 (1); Kazaria Smith, Romeoville, 5 (1); Sage Stratton, Quincy Notre Dame, 5 (1); Lexi Baer, Peoria Notre Dame, 3; Lauren Flowers, Carrollton, 3; Talesha Gilmore, Collinsville, 3; Breyasia Grayson, Manual, 3; Lauryn Hamrick, Cissna Park, 3; Alexa Jamison, Salt Fork, 3; Arianna Labeau Belvidere, 3; Peyton Biekert, Cahokia, 1; Danielle Brooks, Kenwood, 1; Diann Jackson, Kenwood, 1; Alli Linke, Prospect, 1; Julia Mingus, Peoria Notre Dame, 1; Lily Sizemore, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, 1; London Sommerville, Richwoods, 1; Caroline Smith, Lincoln-Way West, 1.

Mr. Basketball of Illinois winners

• 2025: Jaxson Davis, Warren
• 2024: Morez Johnson Jr., Thornton
• 2023: Brock Harding, Moline
• 2022: Braden Huff, Glenbard West
• 2021: No award (COVID-19)
• 2020: Adam Miller, Morgan Park
• 2019: EJ Liddell, Belleville West
• 2018: EJ Liddell, Belleville West
• 2017: Mark Smith, Edwardsville
• 2016: Charlie Moore, Morgan Park
• 2015: Jalen Brunson, Stevenson
• 2014: Jahlil Okafor, Young
• 2013: Jabari Parker, Simeon
• 2012: Jabari Parker, Simeon
• 2011 (tie): Ryan Boatright, East Aurora, and Chasson Randle, Rock Island
• 2010: Jereme Richmond, Waukegan
• 2009: Brandon Paul, Warren
• 2008: Kevin Dillard, Homewood-Flossmoor
• 2007: Derrick Rose, Simeon
• 2006: Jon Scheyer, Glenbrook North
• 2005: Julian Wright, Homewood-Flossmoor
• 2004: Shaun Livingston, Peoria
• 2003: Shannon Brown, Proviso East
• 2002: Dee Brown, Proviso East
• 2001: Eddy Curry, Thornwood
• 2000: Darius Miles, East St. Louis
• 1999: Brian Cook, Lincoln
• 1998: Frank Williams, Peoria Manual
• 1997: Sergio McClain, Peoria Manual
• 1996: Ronnie Fields, Farragut
• 1995: Kevin Garnett, Farragut
• 1994: Jerry Gee, St. Martin de Porres
• 1993: Rashard Griffith, King
• 1992: Chris Collins, Glenbrook North
• 1991: Howard Nathan, Peoria Manual
• 1990: Jamie Brandon, King
• 1989: Deon Thomas, Simeon
• 1988: Eric Anderson, St. Francis de Sales
• 1987: Marcus Liberty, King
• 1986: Nick Anderson, Simeon
• 1985: Ed Horton, Springfield Lanphier
• 1984: Brian Sloan, McLeansboro
• 1983: Marty Simmons, Lawrenceville
• 1982: Bruce Douglas, Quincy
• 1981: Walter Downing, Providence

Ms. Basketball of Illinois winners

• 2025: Destiny Jackson, Young
• 2024: Kloe Froebe, Lincoln
• 2023: Lenee Beaumont, Benet
• 2022: Sophie Swanson, Barrington
• 2021: No award (COVID-19)
• 2020: Angela Dugalic, Maine West
• 2019: Brea Beal, Rock Island
• 2018: Brea Beal, Rock Island
• 2017: Brea Beal, Rock Island
• 2016: Kathleen Doyle, Benet
• 2015: Haley Gorecki, Fremd
• 2014: Tyra Buss, Mount Carmel (Ill.)
• 2013: Tyra Buss, Mount Carmel (Ill.)
• 2012: Morgan Tuck, Bolingbrook
• 2011: Ariel Massengale, Bolingbrook
• 2010: Tricia Liston, Fenwick
• 2009: Morgan Tuck, Bolingbrook
• 2008: Sarah Boothe, Warren
• 2007: Brittany Johnson, Olney East Richland
• 2006: Theresa Lisch, Belleville Althoff
• 2005: Lindsay Schrader, Bartlett
• 2004: Candace Parker, Naperville Central
• 2003: Candace Parker, Naperville Central
• 2002: Candace Parker, Naperville Central
• 2001: Cappie Pondexter, Marshall
• 2000: Cappie Pondexter, Marshall
• 1999: Molly McDowell, Nokomis
• 1998: Allison Curtin, Taylorville
• 1997: Courtney Smith, Carlyle
• 1996: Tauja Catchings, Stevenson
• 1995: Tamika Catchings, Stevenson
• 1994: Michelle Hasheider, Okawville
• 1993: Kim Williams, Marshall
• 1992: Tammy Van Oppen, Bartonville Limestone
• 1991: Megan Lucid, Mother McAuley
• 1990: Courtney Porter, Hume Shiloh
• 1989: LaTonia Foster, Marshall
• 1988: Nancy Kennelly, Maine West
• 1987: Cindy Kaufman, Seneca
• 1986: Doris Carie, Teutopolis

That identity changed Thursday afternoon when the 6-foot-3, 190-pound sophomore quarterback announced he had committed to Nebraska.

“I’ll wake up tomorrow and go through my normal routine,” Trae Taylor said. “Before, I was known as the kid who was being recruited, and maybe now I’ll be known as the kid who’s committed to Nebraska. I imagine it’ll be a little easier because no one will be wondering where I’m going.”

Trae Taylor, who passed for 3,061 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first season as a starter for the Corsairs (4-7), chose the Cornhuskers over a who’s who of college football powers, including three other finalists — Illinois, LSU and Texas A&M — as well as reigning national champion Ohio State.

He most recently was on Nebraska’s campus last weekend and privately committed to the Big Ten program at the time. The Cornhuskers (7-6) beat Boston College 20-15 in the Pinstripe Bowl in December.

In the typical recruiting cycle, Trae Taylor’s announcement is on the early side. But he said that after making about 70 campus visits since middle school, he believed the time was right.

“Once I knew where I wanted to go, I figured there wasn’t any reason to wait any longer this year or until next year,” he said. “It will be nice to not have to plan any more trips.”

Throughout the recruiting process, Trae Taylor was given the latitude to formulate opinions of schools on his own, with the understanding that his parents, J.R. and Hilary, were always available as sounding boards. J.R. Taylor was a standout running back at Eastern Illinois from 1999 to 2002 and was inducted into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.

“It could be ‘this campus feels too big’, or ‘this school doesn’t have my degree,’” J.R. Taylor said.

Prominent in Trae Taylor’s mind were the relationships he developed with coaches. He cited the extreme comfort he felt with Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas and running backs coach EJ Barthel, and ticked off a few other key considerations.

“I feel confident that this staff and program will get me the most NFL-ready,” Trae Taylor said. “No. 2, how I’ll develop on and off the field as a person, and someplace I can focus on football and school.”

Going full throttle in the recruiting process was a conscious decision by Trae Taylor and his family, and that also gave a huge advantage to college coaches who were involved with him early. It became a hill too steep to climb for late comers, even national powers like Alabama and Georgia.

“They came in so late, and Trae didn’t feel like they could ever catch up relationship-wise to some schools who had been with him for years,” J.R. Taylor said. “We went everywhere, and that allowed him to see everything and allowed him to make his decision and be comfortable with it.”

J.R. Taylor said Trae wasn’t privy to any discussions about NIL money.

“He was never involved in the money talks,” J.R. Taylor said. “Our big thing was, literally, ‘Let mom and I do all of that stuff, and you find your ideal school.’”

To that end, the first time Trae Taylor met with Nebraska football general manager Pat Stewart was on his final visit, coming after he had already committed to the program.

Further underscoring the family’s approach is J.R. Taylor’s disclosure that Nebraska’s financial offer was not the highest.

“I learned how to not fall in love with the recruitment process,” Trae Taylor said. “Nebraska football is the biggest thing in the state. Every time I was there, it was an awesome environment.”

Making an early decision is a relief, but the timing likely will expose Trae Taylor to inevitable questions about whether his commitment will stick. He knows how quickly things can change on the college football landscape.

“Two years is still a long time, and any of the coaches could leave at any time,” he said. “I’ll talk to coaches as much as they want to talk, but I won’t take any visits. When I commit, I’m really committed. I don’t see any school flipping me.”

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.

The six-time Super Bowl-winning coach and first-time college coach issued a statement through the school Wednesday, which followed an appearance on “CBS News Sunday Morning” to promote his upcoming book on his coaching life.

In the interview, Hudson objected to a question about how the two had met while Tony Dokoupil referred to her during the segment as being a “constant presence” in the interview.

“The final eight-minute segment does not reflect the productive 35-minute conversation which we had, which covered a wide range of topics related to my career,” Belichick said in his statement. “Instead, it presents selectively edited clips and stills from just a few minutes of the interview to suggest a false narrative — that Jordon was attempting to control the conversation — which is simply not true.”

Belichick also said he told his publicist with book publisher Simon & Schuster that any promotional interviews would “agree to focus solely on the contents of the book.” But CBS News pushed back in its own statement Wednesday.

“When we agreed to speak with Mr. Belichick, it was for a wide-ranging interview,” the statement said. “There were no preconditions or limitations to this conversation. This was confirmed repeatedly with his publisher before the interview took place and after it was completed.”

The awkward interview added to the attention and curiosity that has followed the 73-year-old Belichick, hired as the Tar Heels coach in December after his ultra-successful run with the New England Patriots, and the 24-year-old Hudson, who has frequently posted glimpses into their relationship with social media photos.

That has included her role in Belichick’s transition to college coaching, such as a March public records report by The Assembly about Belichick’s request for an athletic official at UNC to copy Hudson on emails sent to him.

In his Wednesday statement, Belichick said he shares “both a personal and professional relationship” with Hudson and that he expected the interview would focus solely on the book release instead of his personal life. He said Hudson had “stepped in to reiterate that point to help refocus the discussion” in an effort to “ensure the interview stayed on track.”

He also said the couple has “been open about the fact that Jordon and I met on a flight to Palm Beach in 2021.”

During the CBS interview, Belichick shrugged off attention on his relationship with Hudson, saying: “Never been too worried about what everybody else thinks. Just try to do what I feel like is best for me and what’s right.”

When Dokoupil asked how they met, Hudson — sitting at a nearby table — said flatly: “We’re not talking about this.”

In a statement Tuesday, InkWell Management — a literary agency working with Belichick on his upcoming book — said the interview “veered” into a discussion of Belichick’s personal life and resulted “in a raft of hostile social media posts about his personal life.”

“Bill has written an authoritative and entertaining book about success that should be judged by its contents, not by the clicks generated by the segment,” the agency said.

Illinois

TE Cole Rusk was expected to be a starter last year, but a major knee injury ended his season before it began. He could make an immediate impact at a position that needs to be more productive. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder was one of the top tight ends in the FCS at Murray State in 2023, catching 39 balls for 507 yards and six touchdowns.

Indiana

WR Omar Cooper Jr. was mostly a backup to Myles Price last season and averaged 21.2 yards on his 28 catches. His seven touchdowns were second among receivers behind star Elijah Sarratt’s eight. Indiana brought in the productive Makai Jackson from Appalachian State, but Price and Ke’Shawn Williams are gone and that should give Cooper an opportunity to increase his numbers.

Iowa

WR Jacob Gill stands to benefit greatly from the addition of South Dakota State transfer QB Mark Gronowski, easily the best pure passer at Iowa since three-year starter Nate Stanley (2017-19). Gill had 35 catches for 411 yards last season, modest numbers but still the best among Iowa receivers. Now the ball will be delivered by one of the most prolific quarterbacks in FCS history.

Maryland

S Lavain Scruggs has appeared in 23 games mostly as a backup the last two seasons and entered spring as the leading contender to take over for three-year starter Dante Turner at strong safety. Scruggs started in place of an injured Turner against Southern California and had six tackles and a 51-yard interception return to set up a touchdown in a 29-28 win.

Michigan

TE Jalen Hoffman did not catch a pass in his first two seasons behind Colston Loveland, but he looks like a potential security blanket for Bryce Underwood. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Hoffman had several catches in the spring game, including a scrimmage-ending, 88-yard touchdown reception from Underwood on a reverse flea flicker.

Michigan State

CB Joshua Eaton transferred from Texas State for his sixth season, and he’ll be given an opportunity to win one of the two open cornerback spots. Eaton was a four-star recruit coming out of high school but played sparingly in three years at Oklahoma. He started 20 of 25 games at Texas State and, at 6-1 and 187 pounds, gives the Spartans some size at the position.

11 Big Ten teams have their starting QBs. The other 7 will carry competitions into the fall.

Minnesota

Listing Koi Perich as a safety is a limiting exercise the Gophers aren’t engaging in, with plans to expand on his Swiss Army knife role spawned during an impressive debut that earned him a first team All-Big Ten selection by the AP. Perich will return kicks and take turns on offense, too, as the Gophers look to get the ball in his capable hands.

Nebraska

RB Emmett Johnson is in line to be a workhorse. He’s by far the most experienced player in a running back room that lost more than 60% of its production. Johnson averaged 5.1 yards per carry and 46 yards per game as the backup to Dante Dowdell. Matt Rhule demands a physical run game, and the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Johnson is built to thrive in it.

Northwestern

CB Ore Adeyi was on track to be a starter last year before sustaining a season-ending injury late in fall camp. He is in line to get the job back if he can beat out Jacksonville State transfer Fred Davis II and Braden Turner in the fall. In 2023, Adeyi played in all 13 games with one start and made 20 tackles, including a career-high four against Penn State.

Ohio State

DE Logan George transferred from Idaho State in January and has made a big impression in a short amount of time. He saw time on the second team during the spring, but with the defensive line’s struggles, could compete for a starting spot. “He’s got strong hands. He’s got physicality,” coach Ryan Day said after the spring game.

Oregon

WR Dillon Gresham is considered one of the Ducks’ top young players and he showed this spring he’s ready to compete for significant playing time come fall. Gresham was a four-star recruit who did not appear in a game last season while redshirting. He caught three balls for 96 yards in the spring game, including a 56-yard touchdown.

Penn State

WR Devonte Ross is among the newcomers to a group of wideouts that made no catches in the College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame. Ross was an All-Sun Belt Conference first-team pick after leading the league with 11 touchdown catches to go with 1,043 yards on 76 receptions. He has 116 catches over the past two seasons. He also is an accomplished kick and punt returner.

Purdue

OL Bradyn Joiner was named to the SEC’s all-freshman team after taking over as Auburn’s starting left guard the second half of the season. The 6-foot-2, 328-pound Joiner is a key addition as the Boilermakers try to upgrade their offensive line, which allowed 32 sacks to rank 14th in the Big Ten. Joiner allowed two sacks on 192 pass-blocking plays over the last five games, according to Pro Football Focus.

Rutgers

RB Ja’shon Benjamin, under the radar the last two seasons, is up for a more prominent role now that star Kyle Monangai has moved on. Benjamin has appeared in 13 games over two seasons and has run for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Antwan Raymond, whose 457 rushing yards led Big Ten freshmen, went into the spring as the projected starter, but coach Greg Schiano told reporters “don’t sleep on” Benjamin.

Southern California

TE Walter Matthews, at 6-6 and 272 pounds, is in the mix for significant playing time after redshirting his first season. He was the No. 2-ranked tight end prospect by ESPN in 2023 and could easily be confused for an offensive tackle. He is advanced as a pass-catcher and route-runner, and he’s hard to bring down. The Trojans also might use him as a sixth offensive lineman in the red zone.

UCLA

DB Jadyn Marshall enters his fourth season yet to find his niche. He was a top-30 receiver as a four-star recruit but moved to defensive back in 2023. He played mostly on special teams last year. Coach DeShaun Foster said Marshall could see action on both sides of the ball as a receiver and defensive back, and he also could return kicks.

Washington

LB Jacob Manu transferred from Arizona, where he played two seasons for current Huskies coach Jedd Fisch. Manu was an All-Pac-12 first-team pick in 2023 when he led the conference in tackles with 116, including 6.5 sacks. Injuries cut short his 2024 season. A healthy Manu could significantly benefit a defense that ranked 98th nationally with 20 sacks and recorded none in five of the last six games.

Wisconsin

RB Dilin Jones was a revelation this spring and will compete with Darrion Dupree for carries now that 2024 rushing leader Tawee Walker has transferred. Jones had just 16 carries last season, all against South Dakota, Purdue and Rutgers. He got more exposure after Dupree injured his ankle April 10 and impressed coach Luke Fickell with his effort and attitude.

AP Sports Writers Dave Campbell in Minneapolis, Andrew Destin in Seattle, Larry Lage in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Steve Megargee in Madison, Wisconsin, Anne M. Peterson, in Eugene, Oregon, and Joe Reedy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report

Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles, Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, Penn State’s Drew Allar, Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis, Southern California’s Jayden Maiava and Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. are returning starters.

Indiana, Iowa, UCLA and Wisconsin brought in transfers who will go into the fall as No. 1s — the Hoosiers’ Fernando Mendoza (California), the Hawkeyes’ Mark Gronowski (South Dakota State), the Bruins’ Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee) and the Badgers’ Billy Edwards Jr. (Maryland).

Julian Sayin appears to have an edge over Lincoln Kienholz at Ohio State, where coach Ryan Day is waiting until August to name his starter. Sayin, a dual-threat rated as a five-star prospect out of high school, has been the presumed 2025 starter since he left Alabama when Nick Saban announced his retirement in January 2024.

Dante Moore is favored to beat out Austin Novosad for the Oregon job. Moore was a five-star who transferred from UCLA after the 2023 season and played 29 snaps over five games last year. Novosad played a total of 16 snaps over three games.

Heralded freshman Bryce Underwood has the inside track at Michigan against Mikey Keene and Jadyn Davis. Keene, who started 23 games at Fresno State the past two years, missed the spring game because of injury. The Wolverines hope to have more of a vertical passing game with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.

No starter has been named at Minnesota, but it would be a surprise if it weren’t Drake Lindsey following the transfer of Zach Pyron two weeks ago. Max Shikenjanski and Dylan Wittke also are in the mix.

Northwestern has a three-man race between SMU transfer Preston Stone and holdovers Jack Lausch and Ryan Boe.

Malachi Singleton looked like the guy at Purdue until Ryan Browne, who started two games last season, transferred back after going through spring practice at North Carolina. Singleton, Browne and Washington State transfer Evans Chuba will compete for the job.

Freshman Malik Washington appears to be the front-runner at Maryland, where UCLA transfer Justyn Martin also is competing.

Odom’s odyssey

Barry Odom takes the momentum of leading UNLV to its best back-to-back seasons in its Division I history into his new job at Purdue, which was 5-19 overall and 3-15 in Big Ten play in two years under Ryan Walters.

Odom has signed 44 players out of the transfer portal to help replace the 56 who left. Leading rusher Devin Mockobee and defensive lineman Jamarius Dinkins are the only returning starters.

Walters, fired on Dec. 1, is now defensive coordinator at Washington. Purdue visits the Huskies on Nov. 15.

18 Big Ten football players to watch next season, including Illinois’ Cole Rusk and NU’s Ore Adeyi

Portal prizes

Oregon brought in the top-ranked group of transfers in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports. Among the incoming players were OL Isaiah World (Nevada), S Dillon Thieneman (Purdue) and OL Emmanuel Pregnon (USC).

UCLA landed the No. 1 transfer in Iamaleava.

Other notable transfers: TE Max Klare (Purdue) to Ohio State, CB Tacario Davis (Arizona) to Washington, WR Dane Key (Kentucky) to Nebraska, DL Williams Nwaneri (Missouri) to Nebraska, DL Keeshawn Silver (Kentucky) to USC, RB Justice Haynes (Alabama) to Michigan, OL Phillip Daniels (Minnesota) to Ohio State and OL Elijah Pritchett (Alabama) to Nebraska.

Season openers

Aug. 28

• Nebraska vs. Cincinnati, at Kansas City, Missouri
• Miami (Ohio) at Wisconsin
• Ohio at Rutgers
• Buffalo at Minnesota

Aug. 30

• Texas at Ohio State
• Montana State at Oregon
• Old Dominion at Indiana
• Nevada at Penn State
• Western Illinois at Illinois
• Albany at Iowa
• New Mexico at Michigan
• Missouri State at Southern California
• Colorado State at Washington
• Western Michigan at Michigan State
• Utah at UCLA
• Northwestern at Tulane
• FAU at Maryland
• Ball State at Purdue

AP Sports Writers Dave Campbell in Minneapolis, Andrew Destin in Seattle, Larry Lage in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Steve Megargee in Madison, Wisconsin, Anne M. Peterson, in Eugene, Oregon, and Joe Reedy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report

The 18-year-old son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas was removed from an induced coma last Friday, a day after the crash in the Reseda section of the San Fernando Valley.

“Happy to announce that Alijah is doing much better,” Josiah Johnson, a host of the elder Arenas’ podcast, said Monday. “Just got off the phone with Gil. … Alijah’s doing better, walking, talking, progressing very well, should be released from the hospital very soon. No major injuries as a result of the car accident.”

Johnson said the younger Arenas was returning from the gym when he “lost control” of the Tesla Cybertruck he was driving.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the vehicle crashed into a tree and/or fire hydrant. The LA Police Department responded to the scene shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday.

An official cause of the crash has not been released.

Arenas committed to the Trojans in January. The five-star prospect attends Chatsworth High, where he became the first boys player in the area to score 3,000 career points.

And it makes no difference that college hockey wasn’t on his radar growing up in North Vancouver and regularly attending WHL games with his younger brother Macklin, the NHL’s draft’s No. 1 pick last summer.

“We didn’t know much about college hockey,” Celebrini said during the Frozen Four championship in St. Louis. “Going to Vancouver Giants games, that was always kind of our dream to play in the WHL and then eventually play in the NHL.”

It’s a dream Macklin has already achieved in completing his rookie season with the San Jose Sharks and after one year at BU. Aiden could well follow after being drafted by his hometown Canucks in 2023.

Last fall, the NCAA made a landmark eligibility decision to allow Canadian Hockey League players to compete at the college level. The ruling frees today’s players from the either-or choice the Celebrinis faced to either join the CHL team that drafted them or preserve their college eligibility as they did by playing at the Canadian Junior A or USHL levels — Aiden in Alberta and Macklin in Chicago.

“I’m kind of jealous,” Aiden Celebrini said. “I think it’s awesome that guys can experience both now because I think the WHL is a top league, and obviously the NCAA is also. It’s great to have that kind of pipeline now.”

While players will benefit most, the NCAA ruling has the potential to dramatically tilt North America’s junior hockey developmental landscape toward U.S. colleges in a fundamental altering of how prospects reach the NHL.

Paths to the NHL

The route for many has traditionally run through the CHL’s three leagues, the WHL, OHL and QMJHL.

The CHL remains the clear leader in having 839 players drafted from 2015-24, with the NCAA’s 74 a distant seventh. And yet, of those 74 college players, 63 were chosen in the first round, including two Canadians selected first overall (Celebrini and Michigan’s Owen Power in 2021).

College hockey players now make up about a third of NHL rosters, up from 20% in 2000, with Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf envisioning that number growing.

“I don’t think it’s that complicated. There’ll be an increasing number of NHLers that come from college,” Metcalf told The Associated Press at the Frozen Four. ”(The CHL and USHL) will feed players up into college hockey. And college hockey will feed the players up to the NHL.”

College money

College sports awaits the final approval of a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement that will change the economics across the NCAA and its hundreds of member schools by allowing revenue sharing. That, and the availability of NIL endorsement money, will provide college programs beyond football and basketball different resources to attract recruits.

A hot topic of discussion at the Frozen Four was the potential of hockey programs making six-figures offer to lure top-end CHL players, such as Medicine Hat forward Gavin McKenna, already projected to be No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Ryan Greene aimed to ‘soak it all in’ during NHL debut — but ‘it’s pretty nerve-wracking’

“The better talent we can get into college hockey, the better it is for college hockey. So access to a new talent pool is a good thing,” said Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae, whose Broncos won their first title.

“We’re going to compete in that space,” he added of an athletic department in the midst of building a $500 million new downtown arena. “We could grow a little bit in the sport of hockey, and we’re planning to.”

A resized talent pool?

Questions include how much college hockey can expand, given the eight-figure price tag to launch a Division I program, and how the CHL and USHL adapt. CHL President Dan MacKenzie doesn’t expect his three leagues to take a back seat to anyone.

“The changes have been monumental, obviously. We’ve all been trying to get an handle on what’s going to happen,” he said. “What we’ve seen in those five months is the CHL basically get stronger.”

For proof, MacKenzie noted that 205 CHL alumni, representing more than 50% of NHL rosters, are currently competing in the playoffs. He also pointed to NHL Central Scouting having 170 CHL players included in their pre-draft rankings, the most ever.

Expansion is on the horizon, with the WHL preparing to launch two teams in British Columbia, which would increase the CHL’s total to 60.

“Every player is going to make a different decision,” MacKenzie said. “All we can do is try to run a whole bunch of great programs across our teams and leagues and let the chips fall, because we feel pretty confident that we’re going to be the destination for that player.”

The challenge for the USA Hockey-backed USHL is somewhat different in staying competitive while maintaining its objectives of growing the game across American and developing U.S.-born talent.

The initial fallout from the NCAA ruling led to two teams, Youngstown and Muskegon, being rejected in their bid to leave the USHL and join the OHL. All 16 teams have since committed to remaining in the USHL next year.

Commissioner Glenn Hefferan dismissed the potential of a lawsuit by noting the USHL has anti-trust protections. He instead foresees a future in which the USHL and CHL forge closer bonds, with the potential of inter-league preseason games on the horizon.

Canada vs. USA

A bigger concern is the NCAA’s change in eligibility rules leading to Canadians potentially displacing Americans on college rosters. Hefferan and USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher both said they’d like to see the U.S. Congress cap the number of international players on college teams.

Hockey East’s Metcalf dismissed that proposal outright.

“My immediate reaction is that’s the opposite direction we’re going in,” Metcalf said. “College hockey is interested in getting the best players they can from where ever they’re from.”

In the meantime, the NHL is monitoring developments and might eventually need to weigh in, with input from the NHL Players’ Association.

Currently, NHL teams retain the draft rights to players for 30 days after they leave college. By comparison, teams hold CHL players’ right for two seasons after being drafted.

One benefit NHL teams have in drafting college players is, once signed those players can be sent directly to the minors. CHL players must be returned to their CHL teams until their eligibility expires.

“The NCAA made whatever decision, and we’re all going to have to adjust,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “We’re going to have to talk to the union and understand how we think it works based on the current rule and what maybe we need to modify to be reflective of the way we think things would flow best.”

AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed

Stojaković, the son of three-time Sacramento Kings All-Star Peja Stojaković, signed with Illinois after a sophomore season at California in which he averaged 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 blocks. The 6-foot-7 guard from Carmichael, Calif., played his freshman season at Stanford and averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds.

ESPN ranked him the 31st-best player in the transfer portal this spring after he received All-ACC honorable mention in the regular season and was selected to the All-ACC Tournament first team. Illinois coach Brad Underwood called Stojaković “a very important addition” because of his experience, high basketball IQ and productivity.

“Andrej is a veteran, proven scorer who does it in all three facets: catch and shoot, off the dribble and post-ups,” Underwood said in a statement. “He has great size on the perimeter, ballhandling skills, playmaking abilities, quickness on the defensive end and knack for blocking shots.

“He has had very good coaching and shows a tremendous understanding for how to play the game on both ends of the court.”

Stojaković is the second transfer addition for the Illini this offseason. Zvonimir Ivišić, the 7-foot-2 twin brother of Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić, transferred from Arkansas earlier this month.

The additions contribute to the Illini’s international flavor one season after they had three international recruits. Stojaković was born in the United States, but his father is Serbian. The Ivišić twins are from Croatia. The Illini also secured commitments from Serbian guard Mihailo Petrović and Montenegrin forward David Mirković.

Illinois, which finished last season 22-13 and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, needed to replace three starters and a couple of reserves. Starting guard Kasparas Jakučionis and wing Will Riley declared for the NBA draft, and guard Tre White transferred to Kansas. Reserve center Morez Johnson Jr. transferred to Michigan.

Guard Kylan Boswell returns to start for Illinois along with Tomislav Ivišić.

The 18-year-old Arenas remains intubated, his family told ESPN, but has “shown significant signs of progress within the last 24 hours.”

The Los Angeles Police Department said officers responded shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday to single-vehicle collision in the Reseda area of the San Fernando Valley. The LA Fire Department further said the vehicle was a Tesla Cybertruck that crashed into a tree and a fire hydrant with fire involved.

The family said Arenas remembered the smoke from the crash and wrote to ask, “Did anyone get hurt?”

No cause of the crash has been released.

The family expressed its gratitude to those who have helped Arenas and said further updates would be shared “as Alijah continues to heal.”

Arenas is a son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas. He attends Chatsworth High School in Los Angeles, where he became the first prep boys player to score 3,000 career points.