To be clear there is not a lot of definitive information that I can offer at this point but will try to be as open as possible about what I ahve heard so far:

BACKGROUND INFO:
- While the official news came as a surprise to Greg Byrne around 2PM EST today and the players were told at 4 PM, the reality is that the speculation began back in late August that this might be the last go around for Saban.
- That speculation was not just hopeful Auburn fans but people with some knowledge of Sabans's thoughts heading into the season.
- Greg Byrne is not giving a single speck of information to ANY reporter about his top candidates until a deal is done.
- Alabama had a players led, players only meeting and all of them are trying to keep what is there in tact for the same 72 hours that Byrne asked the team for in the earlier meeting.
- That means Byrne is fairly confident that a hire is annouced within that time frame.
- That also means that Byrne has been calling around and working the backchannels since September just in case this came around
- Do I know whon Byrne's top choice is? No. I know what agents have told reporters and it will always be the 'hot names' out there that are the shiny new object - and that includes Lanning.

OREGON INFO:
- Not a ton yet, but a couple of thoughts. First, the Bama job opening at the end of the season was a known commodity by agents a few months ago. I.E., if agents knew, coaches knew. Since Jimmy Sexton is the BSD of agents, and is Lanning's agent, that means Lanning probably knew this was coming a while ago.
- Don't believe the reports about Lanning being in Tuscaloosa. He was in Nashville today at the AFCA Convention that got over at 3PM.
- Lanning has a son about to enter high school, another in 6th grade, and another in grade school.
- People with ties to the athletic department indicated tonight that they truly believed that Lanning meant what he said about not wanting to move again. These were not AD personnel, but people with some connection.
- Alabama is an elite job where the resources go a long way and will be enticing to a lot of coaches. I know Byrne has talked to Lanning's agent, but I cannot confirm how much of that was about Lanning and how much was about the plethora of other coaches Sexton has as clients.
- It seems a stretch to think Alabama has Lanning as their number one only because he has literally two years of HC experience and does not have the depth that others might present.
- That doesn't mean he is not a candidate and not near the top of the list. What he has done at Oregon - turning the Ducks into an SEC style recruiting maching - is impressive and it shows a LOT about his ability to be the CEO; but are the Crimson Tide brass ready to go that direction? No one really knows.
- Anyone who says they know for sure Lanning is gone is probably being highly disengenuous. They are making a bet and will use a correct guess to say 'see I have sources' and a wrong guess to say 'fell apart at the last minute.'
- Some people inside Alabama circles think that there is an unwillingness by some power brokers to take on a $20 million buy out when there are other candidates (cough: DeBoer) who have a significantly lower buyout ($4.5 million).

I think we will know one way or another very quickly. The positive here is that a couple of players have already said that Lanning is not leaving (Jahlil Florence first) and so has JPJ's dad. May not be proof of anything, but was interesting to see both say essentially the same thing.

Kalen says no to Bama?

Lanning is OUT

Sark is OUT

Norvell is OUT

If Kalen says no, it seems to me that at the very least it would be a great embarrassment to Alabama. They would be down to their 5th choice (theoretically).

I guess they would revisit Debo, Locksley, and, maybe, Lane.

This could turn out to be fun!

Login to view embedded media
But didn’t Bama already hire a new head coach?

Pretty funny. I wonder if he saw it on X and just passed that on?

Login to view embedded media

Kalen.

I can't imagine having to tear myself away from all of the fascinating BAMA Blab to watch a Duck basketball game tonight.

All we have this week is the Cal game Saturday evening (night for me) before heading off to the mountains next week. It would be nice if Dante or Biddle were back by then, considering all the trouble Oregon has winning in Colorado.

Way too early poll but I think I'll repost this before 24starts and see if outlooks change.

Barring injury ... How will Oregon fare in it first B1G season

No. 2 LB Elijah Melendez says he is hearing from UO into the New Year and an offer could go a long way for the Colorado native (now prepping in FL)

Now is the time to maximize all of this positive exposure!

I'm sure DL will do just that.

The latest:

Broncs land 2023 #1 QB Malachi Nelson.

https://www.espn.com/college-footba...lachi-nelson-no-1-recruit-2023-picks-boise-st

This was likely worked out in advance with Greg Byrne, and Greg is likely working a very short list, with a somewhat longer list in reserve.

Oregon picked up some good transfers. The women picked up two transfers from academic powerhouses Duke, and Stanford. With the addition of Alexis Rossum from Stanford, the women’s sprint team is now set. The relay team should be competitive if not outstanding. I’d put them in the top five in the NCAA and second in the PAC 12. The distance group is loaded. The middle distance looks good.

The men picked up several sprinters that look to be walk-ons as well as some some pretty good transfers. I see all of the above as badly needed depth to a strong group of starters on the 4x100 team.

One men’s incoming freshman of note is Jamaican thrower Kobe Lawrence. He has impressed In international Juniors competition in the shot and discus. However, the strength athletes develop late, so he is a bigger story for the future than the present.

I love the roster. The program is expanding into getting more field talent, while still excelling in the mid to long distance events. Both the men and women will be unusually well rounded. This will be a treat for the Oregon partisans! Our team will play a part in the entire show!

Oregon’s rivals will be competitive. American college track and field recruits internationally. It promises to be a great show! I have bought my tickets and booked my hotel room for the NCAA Championships in Track Town USA.

Remember,NEVER COUNT THE DUCKS OUT! This is Oregon’s sport and we are in it to win it. Go Ducks!

I want to highlight that Kam Alexander is, in my evaluation, the best cover corner in the portal cycle, excluding Decamerion Richardson, the cornerback transfer from Mississippi State.


Evan Stewart still seems to be a heavy lean to Oregon.


The top running back on the Oregon recruiting board, Davison has been to Oregon multiple times.


Delane is set to visit on the last weekend of January – and as you would expect, a top 15 player in the nation from the East coast

OK, we've been done with the college football season only one day, and I am already wondering when spring practice begins? And when is the spring game?
Anybody have any insight on these?
Honor, Duty, Pond,
JtheK