College football’s 2017 offseason is less than two months away from its long-overdue conclusion, but what have we learned thus far about the teams expected to be players on the national landscape?

In some cases, like Clemson’s quarterback battle and Texas’ search for a new running back, well, we haven’t learned much. But for most of the top teams, there has been at least one revelation in the past six months that could have major ramifications on the season ahead.

Admittedly, trying to read the tea leaves from spring-game box scores and summer-opening depth charts can be an exercise in futility, but darn it, something has to hold us over until the fall!

Joshua Dobbs had been a dual-threat staple at QB for the Volunteers since October 2014. Quinten Dormady made a few garbage-time appearances over the past two seasons, but other than that, it was all Dobbs.

And it’s still entirely unclear what Butch Jones plans to do to replace him.

Dormady entered the spring—and will likely enter the fall—as the front-runner for the job. In addition to being the elder statesman of the group, he completed each of his 10 pass attempts in Tennessee’s storm-shortened spring game.

However, spring numbers rarely mean anything, especially when trying to settle a QB battle in which one of the candidates relies more on his feet than the other. It’s tough to gauge the impact of redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano from one outing in which the play was blown dead any time a defender got within 10 feet of him.

As the top players in the 2025 recruiting class finalize their commitments and prepare for spring football, many are stepping into the spotlight at their new schools.

The right combination of skill and scheme can lead to immediate success, and for some, that success could come quickly. One player to watch is Gideon Davidson, ranked No. 59 in the ESPN 300.

The 6-foot, 195-pound running back is headed to Clemson, where his explosive skill set is expected to mesh perfectly with the Tigers’ offensive scheme.

Known for his excellent vision, speed, and ability to excel in zones, split zones, and counters, Davidson brings a dynamic home run threat to the table.

While not as big as previous Clemson stars like Phil Mafah or Will Shipley, Davidson offers a different dimension as a change-of-pace, all-purpose back. His ability to hit the edge and break big plays will complement the Tigers’ offensive attack.

In fact, Davidson’s traits are reminiscent of former Clemson great and current running backs coach C.J. Spiller, who was known for his explosive playmaking ability.

Brock Bradley, a standout prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, has officially committed to the Clemson Tigers. The highly sought-after athlete, a 6’6″ wide receiver from Georgia, announced his decision earlier this week, marking a significant boost for Clemson’s future football roster.

Bradley, who had been heavily recruited by top programs across the country, chose the Tigers over several other prestigious universities. Known for his athleticism, speed, and ability to make spectacular catches, Bradley is expected to make an immediate impact when he steps onto the field in Clemson. He has consistently impressed during his high school career, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and create mismatches against defensive backs.

In addition to his physical attributes, Bradley’s football IQ and work ethic were major factors in his decision to join the Tigers. He has expressed admiration for Clemson’s offensive system and the development of wide receivers under head coach Dabo Swinney. With Clemson’s reputation for producing NFL-caliber talent at the wide receiver position, it was an easy decision for Bradley to join a program with a proven track record of success.

Bradley’s commitment adds to an already impressive 2025 class for Clemson, as they continue to stockpile top-tier talent across multiple positions. His commitment also signals the Tigers’ ongoing dominance in recruiting, particularly in the competitive wide receiver position, which has been a key focus for Swinney’s staff.

With the 2025 season still a few years away, Clemson fans can look forward to Bradley’s arrival, as he aims to contribute to the Tigers’ national title aspirations. This commitment is another important step in building a strong foundation for the future of Clemson football.

Ohio State football has had a rough week.

The Buckeyes, who have one of the best incoming recruiting classes and several five-star players coming to Columbus next season, lost one Wednesday as Na’eem Offord flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Oregon.

Originally from Birmingham, Alanna, Offord is the No. 2-ranked cornerback in the Class of 2025. He is the top player from the state of Alabama and is a top-15 player nationally

Offord took an official to Ohio State on June 21 and was recruited by Tim Walton and Gerran DuHart. He had committed to the Buckeyes back on February 4, 2024, visiting Auburn and Alabama after that.

Thankfully, the Buckeyes still have Devin Sanchez set to bring his talents from Texas to Ohio. He is the No. 1-ranked cornerback in the class and fifth-best player nationally.

With five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair also set to join Ohio State next season, there will be an abundance of riches in Columbus. Let’s hope Ryan Day, or whoever is leading the charge, can get the most out of them.

When Shanghai-based designer Guo Qingshan posted a vacation photo on Valentine’s Day and captioned it “Puppy Mountain,” it became a sensation in China and even created a tourist destination.

Guo had gone on a hike while visiting his hometown of Yichang in central China’s Hubei province in late January. When reviewing the photos, he saw something he hadn’t noticed before: A mountain shaped like a dog’s head rested on the ground next to the Yangtze River, its snout perched at the water’s edge.

“It was so magical and cute. I was so excited and happy when I discovered it,” Guo said.

Former Westlake quarterback Cade Klubnik helped the Clemson Tigers end a disappointing season by their standards on a high note, orchestrating a game-winning drive against Kentucky on Friday in the Tax Slayer Gator Bowl.

Clemson scored a touchdown with 0:17 left to win the game 38-35, and Klubnik went 8-for-8 for 71 yards on the final drive before handing it to Phil Mafah for a 3-yard touchdown run. Klubnik finished the game 30 of 41 passing for 264 yards with an interception.

Klubnik bounced back after a mistake to help keep the final drive alive. Klubnik was flagged for intentional grounding, turning a second-and-3 into third-and-18. On the next play, however, Klubnik fired a pass to Troy Stellato for 16 yards to bring up a fourth-and-2 play that Mafah converted with a 5-yard run.

That helped set up Klubnik’s final two completions of the game, an 11-yard pass to Antonio Williams and a 15-yarder to Jake Briningstool to get the Tigers to Kentucky’s 3-yard line. Mafah then gave the Tigers a lead with his fourth touchdown run of the game, tying a Gator Bowl record.

The Tigers finished 4-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play but picked up their ninth win of the season overall to end the year 9-4. Going into the Gator Bowl, Klubnik had thrown for 2,580 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. This season was his first as the full-time starting quarterback but played in 10 games during his freshman year.

This new heartstring-tugger tells the story of Ray McElrathbey, a football player who stepped in to help raise his younger brother while at Clemson University.

The Christmas Caroler Challenge (8 p.m., The CW) – In the Season 2 premiere we meet the 10 competing groups — from the most ultra-traditional virtuoso performers to those with the most unexpected twists on the classic Christmas carol. Celebrity judges Brandon Rogers, Mikalah Gordon and Garry Beers assess each group.

Inn Love By Christmas (8 p.m., Lifetime) – In this new Lifetime movie, a successful young woman living in Miami is climbing her way up the corporate ladder in the hotel industry. Although she doesn’t get back to her small northern hometown often, her grandmother is able to convince her to come home for Christmas.

Keith Morrison provides an update on the case of 23-year-old Kaylee Sawyer, who disappeared after attending her friend’s bachelorette party in Bend, Oregon, in 2016. An intense multi-state manhunt led investigators to her killer, a college campus security guard named Edwin Lara. Tonight’s show has new interviews with Kaylee’s mom and the family’s lawyer after they reached a settlement earlier this year with the killer’s employer. We also get never-before-released deposition tapes with the Lara’s co-workers.

20/20 (9 p.m., ABC) – “20/20” has the story of Rodney Reed, who was granted a stay of execution in his conviction for the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites in Texas. Reed, who is being assisted by The Innocence Project, maintains that he did not kill Stites. “20/20” has an exclusive interview with Stites’ mother, Carol Stites, who talks about the heartbreak of losing her daughter and gives her opinion on the case. We also get interviews with Stites’ sisters, who believe Reed is guilty; and with Barry Scheck, attorney and co-founder of the Innocence Project, who believes they will prove Reed is innocent. We’ll also see an older death row interview by correspondent Deborah Roberts, conducted just weeks before Reed’s scheduled execution.

Craft in America (9 p.m., PBS / UNC-TV) – The new season starts with storytellers — artists who use narrative to communicate personal and universal truths. Featured: Nicholas Galanin, Julie Schafler Dale, Linda J. Mendelson, George Rodriguez and Christina Bothwell. A second episode airs at 10.