Today: Miami advances, new Transfer Portal buzz, Ole Miss looks to the future, and portal drama, resolved.

~9.5 minute read (2,048 words)

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

Miami's special season a year late, but Canes closing in on national title

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Miami coach Mario Cristobal confided to me at last year's ACC spring meetings how special he thought the Hurricanes would be in 2024. That afternoon in Amelia Island, Florida, Cristobal spoke with quiet confidence that his Hurricanes would make the same ascension his former Oregon team did by winning the Rose Bowl in his second season with the Ducks

It turns out Cristobal was wrong. He was a year off.

The Hurricanes' magical season came this year.

Behind quarterback Carson Beck's arm and legs, Miami continued its march through the College Football Playoff by outlasting Ole Miss 31-27 Thursday at the CFP semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl.

What does reaching Miami's first national title game in 25 years mean to Cristobal?

"I don't think about it until the end of the season, dude," Cristobal told On3. "I'm not wired that way. I'm a boring son of a bitch."

Boring or not, Cristobal has the Hurricanes on the cusp of the school's sixth national title. Just a few weeks ago, there was a real chance Miami wouldn't even get into the playoff. Who would be the last team in the 12-team field: Miami or Notre Dame? It was college football's national debate. Now, the Hurricanes are 60 minutes from winning their first national title since 2001.

Beck's 3-yard touchdown scamper, after he patiently checked off four covered receiving targets in the end zone, was the difference with 18 seconds remaining.

"I went through my progressions and next thing you know I started moving," Beck said afterward in a boisterous UM locker room. "I just saw green grass. I can't remember a more memorable run. I literally started celebrating before I got to the end zone. It was one of the best moments of my life. I just blacked out at that point."

The victory not only moved the ACC one win closer to its first national championship since Clemson in 2018, but it also eliminated the SEC from the national title game for a third consecutive season, an SEC first in 23 years. It also cost Lane Kiffin $250,000, as the Ole Miss coach would have earned a bonus with a win. He's still due a solid payday, though.

Despite Miami dominating much of the game statistically, the Hurricanes nearly unraveled in the fourth quarter with turnovers and penalties, including this controversial targeting call on Xavier Lucas.

"We shot ourselves in the foot a lot," Cristobal said. "Here's the good thing. We won the game. We have a lot to improve on. We turned the ball over. We committed penalties."

Ole Miss took a 27-24 lead with 3:13 remaining, giving Miami one final chance.

"We're sitting there on the sideline, I'm telling the guys to just stay in it, stay in it," Beck said. "Man, this is what we worked for… This is why you play the game of football… Are we going to respond or are we not?"

The Hurricanes did, despite Booger McFarland's criticism of Beck. Miami converted four consecutive third downs and moved to the Ole Miss 8-yard line with seconds remaining.

"I think just looking at the look in everybody's eyes, I kind of felt what was about to happen," Beck said.

What happens next is Miami will play for a national title in its home stadium.

"We have a lot to fix and get better off of," Cristobal said. "That's a good thing."

Read more from Brett McMurphy.

TRANSFER PORTAL

Transfer Portal Intel: Updates on Cam Coleman, Sam Leavitt & more

Chaz Coleman, John Henry Daley, Cam Coleman

With nearly 3,500 players in the transfer portal, commitments are coming in at a rapid rate. Like, really rapid. But many of the top players are still available, wrapping up visits and closing in on decisions. On3 has the latest intel as the transfer portal hits the seven-day mark.

Auburn WR Cam Coleman

Sources tell On3 that Cam Coleman has departed Lubbock and his visit with Texas Tech has wrapped up. He's expected at Alabama sometime today (Friday). Outside of the Red Raiders and Crimson Tide, Texas, and Texas A&M are the two other major players in this recruitment. Sources have told On3 that a decision could be made by Coleman this weekend, at the earliest. At this point, the trip to Tuscaloosa is expected to be his final visit.

Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt

Currently on his Tennessee visit, sources tell On3 that the Arizona State transfer is expected to have dialogue about his financial package at some point Thursday night. Miami remains a school to watch.

Penn State EDGE Chaz Coleman

The top pass rusher in the transfer portal is coming off a visit to Ohio State. LSU remains a top team to watch in this recruitment. Sources tell On3 that South Carolina held an in-home visit and is working hard to get Coleman on campus.

Mizzou EDGE Damon Wilson II

Sources have continued to indicate that Miami is a top school to watch in this recruitment. Wilson is expected to command well over the $1 million mark on the open market.

Auburn QB Deuce Knight

The current expectation is that the Auburn transfer quarterback will arrive on an Ole Miss visit at some point this weekend. An exact time has not been finalized, but the Rebels are squarely the team to beat.

Yale OL Mikey Bennett

With Oregon a factor in this recruitment, sources tell On3 that the Ivy League transfer offensive lineman is expected to be on Texas' campus on Friday.

Get all the intel from Pete Nakos.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

Despite heartbreaking loss, Ole Miss' players say they're just getting started under Pete Golding

Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from a longer feature by Chris Low.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The end for Ole Miss was as heartbreaking as the season was improbable, chaotic, and remarkably entertaining.

Probably need to throw historic in there too.

Fittingly, perhaps, it came down to one final play, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss heaving a pass to the left corner of the end zone to De'Zhaun Stribling with Miami defensive back Ethan O'Connor tugging onto him.

The ball fell to the ground. A penalty flag did not. Lane Kiffin certainly didn't agree with the no-call.

Ole Miss' season for the ages was over, a 31-27 loss to Miami in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, a loss the players said in unison late Thursday night would sting for some time — but also a loss that would set the tone for Pete Golding and this program moving forward, a program they insist is built to last.

"This is just the beginning, and I think next year we're going to come back even stronger," said Ole Miss kicker Lucas Carneiro, who booted four field goals, including two more from 50 yards plus after making a 56-yarder and 55-yarder in the quarterfinal win over Georgia.

"We're just going to go from here."

Golding said he couldn't be prouder of the team and everything it weathered, going all the way back to freshman defensive lineman Corey Adams' tragic shooting death last summer. Golding, the defensive coordinator when the season started, was coaching in only his third game as HC after being promoted since Lane Kiffin bolted for the LSU job two days after the Egg Bowl win over Mississippi State. That Sunday was chaotic on Ole Miss' campus with Kiffin trying to talk his way into coaching Ole Miss throughout the playoff, a Sunday that culminated with a contentious meeting between Kiffin and the players' leadership council. Kiffin then boarded a plane bound for Baton Rouge later that day.

Several assistants went with Kiffin to LSU, and a handful bounced back and forth between their LSU duties and coaching Ole Miss throughout the rest of the playoff. The only two that were allowed by LSU to come back for Thursday's Fiesta Bowl were offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith.

"A lot of teams would have fallen apart," senior safety Kapena Gushiken said.

But not this team and not with everything that was at stake.

Among many things, Golding said what he would remember most about this team was the way the players embraced each other.

"I mean, there was a lot over the last month or so, or however long it's been now, to where somebody could have not been a good dude," Golding said. "Somebody could have not worked hard. Somebody could have not showed up on time, and I can't recall one issue. That's just who these guys are."

Golding said memories were made that will last forever.

"They're going to be talking about this for a long time," Golding said.

Read the full story from Chris Low.

🚨Headlines

TRANSFER PORTAL

Demond Williams saga ends with decision to remain at Washington

The Demond Williams saga took another dramatic turn this week before finally settling, at least for now, with the Washington quarterback announcing he will return to Seattle for the 2026 season.

Just days after news emerged that Williams was attempting to get out of his NIL contract with the Washington Huskies, his representation situation changed rapidly. Doug Hendrickson, president of Wasserman Football, announced he had dropped Williams as a client "due to philosophical differences."

Shortly after, attorney Darren Heitner confirmed he had taken on Williams in a legal capacity, offering "no public comment at this time."

The situation stemmed from a one-year revenue-sharing agreement Williams reportedly signed with Washington on Jan. 2, worth approximately $4 million. According to Yahoo Sports, the deal was a Big Ten–approved contract designed to prevent portal entry once signed and restrict NIL usage with another school. As a result, Washington declined to enter Williams' name into the NCAA transfer portal, effectively blocking communication with other programs. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti was heavily involved, and the conference backed Washington's stance.

Washington also suspected Williams had already been contacted by another school and was prepared to submit evidence of potential tampering. LSU was believed to be the most interested program at the time.

After several days of uncertainty and ongoing dialogue, Williams reversed course Thursday night, announcing he would stay at Washington.

"After thoughtful reflection with my family, I am excited to announce that I will continue my football journey at the University of Washington," Williams wrote. "I am deeply grateful to my coaches, teammates, and everyone in the program… I am fully committed and focused on contributing to what we are building."

Williams also apologized for the timing of his announcement, which coincided with the memorial service for Mia Hamant, a member of the UW women's soccer team.

Washington head coach Jedd Fisch confirmed the return and acknowledged that trust must be rebuilt.

"Over the last few days, Demond and I have engaged in very honest and heartfelt conversations," Fisch said. "We will work together to begin the process of repairing relationships and regaining the trust of the Husky community."

AD Pat Chun echoed those sentiments in his own statement, while emphasizing the importance of honoring contracts in the post-House, revenue-sharing era.

Williams is coming off a standout sophomore season, throwing for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding 611 rushing yards. For now, one of college football's most closely watched sagas has reached a resolution, with Washington expecting Williams to be its quarterback in 2026.

Read the latest on Demond Williams.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I arrived on campus in the SEC and immediately threw 17 touchdowns as a true freshman, breaking a freshman mark previously held by Peyton Manning.
In the 2007 season alone, I completed 325 passes, still the most in school history, and finished my career with nearly 8,700 passing yards.
My legacy includes an SEC single-game record that still stands: seven touchdown passes in one game, and when I left Tennessee, only two quarterbacks in program history had thrown for more yards than me.

Answer at the bottom.

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