Bucknell sued in football player's death last summer
The suit claims the university knew about their 18-year-old son's sickle cell diagnosis but did not have protocols in place to protect him, calling his death "completely avoidable."
Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr. died on July 12, two days after collapsing in his first workout with the school in Lewisburg, Pa. He was 18 years old.
"We do this for CJ, for every young man on that team, and anyone who comes after him, and anyone at any university," Dickey's mother, Nicole, said Wednesday. "This is a longer, harder path, and I am ready for it. My boy is worth it."
An autopsy determined Dickey died from a sickle cell-related condition called rhabdomyolysis, family attorney Mike Caspino told ESPN.
The lawsuit claims there were no trainers present when Dickey and other freshmen were performing up-downs "as punishment" after they "messed up" during the workout.
"Students who were present at the workout have reported that CJ was clearly in distress during the 100 up-downs," the lawsuit states. "He was falling behind the rest of the group and could not keep up."
The Cleveland Clinic's webpage says anyone with rhabdomyolysis who is attempting to exercise can reduce the risks by: "Starting an exercise program slowly, and listening to your body. If you feel especially sore or tired during a workout, stop and rest. Don't push yourself beyond safe limits. ... Take breaks in the shade if you're doing physical activity in the heat."
Bucknell released a statement to ESPN saying the school is aware of the lawsuit.
"The death of a student is always a tragic loss," Bucknell said in the statement. "While the University will not comment on pending litigation, we again extend heartfelt sympathies to CJ's family, and we will continue to focus on our most important priority -- the health and safety of all Bucknell students."
The family is accusing the school of negligence and wrongful death and seeking unspecified compensation.
"We don't want another athlete, another family, brother, cousin to go through this type of agony and pain and death, especially when it's not necessary or completely avoidable," Dickey's father, Calvin Sr., said Wednesday.
Reports: Missouri QB Drew Pyne enters transfer portal
Pyne will seek his fourth school in four years, following previous stays at Notre Dame (2020-22), Arizona State (2023) and Missouri.
Pyne appeared in six games last season, making just one start when first-string quarterback Brady Cook was hurt. Pyne finished the season with 391 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Missouri added former Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula in the portal over the winter, and Pribula will battle Sam Horn and true freshman Matt Zollers for the starting job.
Pyne was able to enter the portal before the sport's spring transfer window opens April 16-25 because of his status as a graduate.
Ohio State reaches into SEC turf, gets commitment from S Blaine Bradford
The 247Sports composite lists Bradford as the No. 1 safety and No. 23 overall prospect in the Class of 2026.
He made the announcement on social media and told On3 that head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes were the right choice.
"Ohio State is the best place for my development and for my future," he said.
Bradford, from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., had offers from throughout the nation -- especially the Southeastern Conference -- and also was considering Oregon, per On3.
Bradford was among a group of elite prospects to visit Columbus, Ohio, over the weekend.
Ohio State's 2026 class also includes Chris Henry Jr., the No. 2 wide receiver in the nation from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif.
Reports: Stanford hiring Frank Reich as interim coach
Both sides have agreed that it will be a one-year deal as Stanford conducts a national search to replace Troy Taylor, who was fired last week after allegations of bullying and belittling female athletic staff members.
Reich, 63, has never coached at the college level. The former NFL quarterback was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-22, posting a 40-33-1 record with two playoff appearances. Reich took over the Carolina Panthers in 2023 but was fired after a 1-10 start.
Reich previously spent time on the West Coast as quarterbacks coach (2013) and offensive coordinator (2014-15) for the then-San Diego Chargers. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' OC from 2016-17 before being hired to lead the Colts.
Per ESPN, Stanford also is promoting tight ends coach Nate Byham to offensive coordinator. He also will call the plays.
Taylor, 56, was fired last Tuesday, less than a week after an ESPN report outlined allegations by staff members.
"After continued consideration it is evident to me that our program needs a reset," Stanford general manager Andrew Luck said in a statement announcing Taylor's dismissal. "In consultation with university leadership I no longer believe that Coach Taylor is the right coach to lead our football program. Coach Taylor has been informed today and the change is effective immediately."
Reich's first season as head coach of the Colts in 2018 was also Luck's final season as the Indianapolis quarterback. The Colts finished 10-6 and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional playoffs before Luck unexpectedly retired ahead of the 2019 campaign at age 29.
Stanford has posted four straight 3-9 seasons, the last two under Taylor. The Cardinal's last postseason appearance was the Sun Bowl in 2018.
Ex-Tennessee football coach suing NCAA for $100M
The lawsuit filed on Wednesday in DeKalb County, Ala., claims that the NCAA conspired with the university to make him "the sacrificial lamb for conduct that long preceded his tenure at UT."
Tennessee hired Pruitt in December 2017, replacing Butch Jones. Pruitt was fired for cause in January 2021 after going 16-19 in three seasons and did not receive any of his $12.6 million buyout.
In July 2023, Tennessee learned that all 11 wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons had been vacated as part of the punishment for the alleged violations during Pruitt's tenure.
The NCAA also issued a six-year show-cause penalty and one-year suspension against Pruitt, who has not coached in college football since. He is currently helping to coach at Alabama's Plainview High School, his alma mater.
Pruitt's lawsuit claims that Tennessee was paying players before he was hired. He said he informed then-athletic director Phillip Fulmer of the payments and Fulmer told Pruitt "he would handle it," per the lawsuit.
In the lawsuit, Pruitt, 50, claims that he has suffered damages including lost wages, future lost wages, damage to his reputation, emotional distress and mental anguish.
Pruitt's attorneys issued a statement to USA Today.
"We stand wholeheartedly behind Coach Pruitt's claims as detailed in the complaint," the statement read. "While we appreciate the public's interest in this matter, we do not intend to try Coach Pruitt's case in the media. Coach Pruitt's claims deserve to be evaluated by an Alabama jury. We intend to give Jeremy the fair and impartial forum that the NCAA would not allow."
The NCAA released a statement in response to the lawsuit.
"NCAA rules are proposed and adopted by member schools and penalties for violations are imposed by a committee of representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences as well as individuals from the public who have legal training," the statement read. "In this case, the Committee on Infractions found violations and assigned penalties, both of which were affirmed by the Infractions Appeals Committee."
Tennessee issued a statement saying it is "confident in the actions taken in the Pruitt case. We will continue to prioritize our student-athletes and winning with integrity."
5-star CB Jorden Edmonds commits to Alabama
Edmonds is considered the top CB in the class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and ranked as the 27th best player overall.
The 6-foot-2 Edmonds, out of Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Ga., picked the Crimson Tide over Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas and Auburn among 43 offers.
"The culture is great," Edmonds told On3. "It feels like family for me at Alabama. The coaches bring their families around, I feel very comfortable around everyone and it makes it easy for me to be there," adding, "it is a top program, too."
Edmonds is considered the fourth best player out of the state of Georgia in 2026, according to the 247Sports composite.
Stanford fires coach Troy Taylor after report of bullying
Former Stanford star quarterback Andrew Luck, now the program's general manager, announced the move.
"After continued consideration it is evident to me that our program needs a reset," Luck said in a statement. "In consultation with university leadership I no longer believe that Coach Taylor is the right coach to lead our football program. Coach Taylor has been informed today and the change is effective immediately."
Luck said a search for the next coach has begun, and an acting coach may be named for the 2025 season.
Taylor, 56, received a warning by the university in February 2024, with ESPN reporting that he signed a letter acknowledging that he could be fired if the conduct continued.
A few months later, he was cited in second investigation for "an ongoing pattern of concerning behavior."
"I willingly complied with the investigations, accepted the recommendations that came out of them, and used them as a learning opportunity to grow in leadership and how I interact with others," Taylor said in a statement released through Stanford following ESPN's report.
"I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively and collegially with my colleagues so that we can achieve success for our football program together."
Under Taylor's watch, Stanford posted consecutive 3-9 seasons.
Taylor built a 30-8 record over three seasons at Sacramento State before joining the Cardinal after David Shaw -- the winningest head coach in school history -- stepped down following the 2022 season.
Luck, who became the Stanford GM on Nov. 30, was with the Cardinal from 2008-11.
