Newsletter: Nico, Gio Lopez, Troy, and More!
CFB Roundup – April 15, 2025
Good morning, and welcome back to CFB Roundup from CFB Home – the first daily newsletter that’s all college football, all the time with no bias, no slant, and no fluff.
Odds for QB Nico Iamaleava’s Next Team
From Tennessee Athletics | Credit to Kate Luffman / Tennessee Athletics
As former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava looks for his new home, BetOnline has produced some odds for people to consider for the QB. Below are the rough percentage odds, after accounting for the vig:
- UCLA: +200 (24.93%)
- North Carolina: +250 (21.37%)
- USC: +300 (18.7%)
- Texas Tech: +500 (12.47%)
- Colorado: +600 (10.69%)
- Arizona State: +700 (9.35%)
- Notre Dame: +900 (7.48%)
- Maryland: +1100 (6.23%)
- Oregon: +1200 (5.75%)
- Cal: +1600 (4.4%)
- Syracuse: +2000 (3.56%)
South Alabama QB Gio Lopez Expected to Enter the Transfer Portal
From University of South Alabama Athletics
South Alabama QB Gio Lopez is reportedly planning to enter the transfer portal after spending two seasons with the Jaguars. Lopez was All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention for his first season as the full-time starter in 2024.
In 2024, he finished with 2,559 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns to just 5 interceptions, while also contributing 465 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. Lopez was South Alabama’s QB for both of the program's bowl wins. Some have speculated online about a connection between Lopez and North Carolina, but it’s unclear where Lopez is officially expected to land.
Productive Troy RB Damien Taylor Expected to Enter Transfer Portal
Troy RB Damien Taylor is reportedly planning to enter the transfer portal to play his final season of eligibility elsewhere. Taylor has 1,386 career rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, including last season’s 1,010-yard and 7-touchdown performance. For his efforts last season, Taylor was named All-Sun Belt Second Team.
Alabama OC Reveals Ty Simpson in Lead for QB Battle
Alabama OC Ryan Grubb revealed to BamaOnline’s Charlie Potter that “if we’re playing a football game tomorrow, Ty Simpson would start.”
Simpson has been in competition with Austin Mack and true freshman 5-star Keelon Russell. Simpson was a 5-star in the Class of 2022 and has appeared in 16 games, completing 29 of 50 passes for 381 yards. He has three rushing scores and 130 yards on 22 attempts.
Mack was a 4-star QB in the Class of 2023 who originally committed to Coach DeBoer and Coach Grubb at Washington before transferring to Alabama. Russell was the most highly touted of the three, ranking 2nd nationally behind only Bryce Underwood.
Stanford Transfer WR Emmett Mosley Signs with Texas
Stanford transfer WR Emmett Mosley has signed with Texas, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Mosley played in 9 games as a true freshman at Stanford, meaning he will have 3 seasons of eligibility remaining.
In his nine games, Mosley finished 2nd on the team with 48 catches for 525 yards and 6 touchdowns. He had a standout performance against then-ranked #19 Louisville, recording 13 catches for 168 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Maxx Crosby Named Asst GM of Eastern Michigan Football
From Eastern Michigan University Athletics
All-Pro EDGE Maxx Crosby was named Assistant GM of the Eastern Michigan football program yesterday.
Crosby shared, “There is no place more important to my personal and athletic development than Eastern Michigan University. It truly is an honor for me to not only be named the Assistant GM of EMU, but together with my wife Rachel, make another donation aimed at creating opportunities for other athletes.”
The University announced that Crosby will assist with evaluating high school and transfer portal prospects and help manage the team’s NIL/revenue share budget.
Purdue LB Hudson Miller Enters Transfer Portal
Purdue LB Hudson Miller announced yesterday his plans to enter the transfer portal after spending three seasons with the Boilermakers. The LB will have 2 seasons of eligibility remaining. Miller appeared in 12 games in 2024, finishing with 42 tackles, 2 passes defended, 1 TFL, and 0.5 sacks.
3-Star LB Tony Williams Commits to Illinois
Tony “Ducie” Williams 4⭐️ (@3kDucie) on X: Let’s go Illinois fans Committed🟠🔵💯 @IlliniFootball @coacharchiemac @CoachEllerbrock @AaronHenry7 @BretBielema @rainesfootball @CHECKNSPORTS1 @JohnGarcia_Jr @Hayesfawcett3 @Recruit2Illini @SteezoDsgn @JWerner247 @On3Recruits @ChiefOskee
3-star LB Tony Williams committed to Illinois yesterday over offers from Miami, Missouri, SMU, and more. Williams is a 4-star according to both On3 and Rivals. For Illinois, this is the 13th commitment for the 2026 class, which currently ranks 18th nationally and 5th in the Big Ten.
3-Star WR Bubba Frazier Commits to Notre Dame
Bubba Frazier (@chris4frazier) on X: IM HOME 🍀 Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3): BREAKING: Class of 2026 WR Bubba Frazier has Committed to Notre Dame... The 5’10 180 WR from Savannah, GA chose the Fighting Irish over North Carolina, Georgia, & Wisconsin.
3-star WR Bubba Frazier committed to Notre Dame yesterday. Frazier visited Notre Dame earlier this month, noting, “Seeing the campus and getting to see and talk to the coaches in person felt better than anywhere else.” Notre Dame now has 11 commitments for a class that ranks 5th nationally.
3-Star LB Joshua Pittman Commits to Virginia Tech
VTScoop247 (@VTScoop247) on X: 🚨 BREAKING 🚨 #Hokies snag a commitment from in-state LB Joshua Pittman!
3-Star LB Joshua Pittman committed to Virginia Tech yesterday over offers from Michigan State, North Carolina, Duke, and Syracuse. For Virginia Tech, this is the first in-state commitment of the 2026 cycle.
Other Commitments/Decommitments
- 3-Star (88) CB Almirian Thomas commits to Illinois
- 3-Star (85) WR Jabarie Thornton commits to Oklahoma State