NCAA

Urban Meyer just shut down rumors that he's considering leaving the Jaguars for USC ... telling reporters Wednesday "there's no chance" he's bolting from Jacksonville now.

The Trojans just fired their head coach Clay Helton on Monday ... and with Meyer always being linked to huge college football program openings, it didn't take long for his name to circulate as a possible Helton replacement.

Plus, after the Jags looked bad losing to the Texans on Sunday ... the idea of the Jacksonville headman moving to Southern California didn't seem too far from the realm of possibility.

But, Meyer quickly squashed the idea of all of that ... saying emphatically, "I'm here, committed to try to build an organization."

Meyer added he's ignoring all of the speculation, rumors and criticism that's come with the newfound SC opening.

"I learned about 6 years ago when I read something that was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, I said, 'I'm good, I'm done. I'll never read again,'" Meyer said.

The first-time NFL coach went on to say his only focus right now is on the Jaguars' home-opener Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Julian Lewis ain't even in high school yet ... but the Univ. of Florida already knows it wants him on its football team, extending a scholarship offer to the 8th-grade QB on Wednesday.

The middle schooler -- who's not set to graduate from high school until 2026 (!!!) -- announced the move on his social media page ... and later told 247 Sports that Gators head coach Dan Mullen personally extended the full-ride.

"He told me he watched my film and he likes it a lot and he wants to start recruiting me now," said Lewis, who added, "[The offer] is unreal."

Of course, schools recruiting kids who have yet to play a down of varsity football has happened in the past -- but it's extremely rare they get a committable offer THIS early.

Lewis, though, has become known as a bit of a prodigy in the college football recruiting world -- lighting up events both in his hometown of Carrollton, GA and nationally.

He's already 5-foot-11, 175 pounds ... and his tape shows he's got a big arm despite his age.

And, seems other big programs will follow in Florida's footsteps soon ... 'cause the kid's already being courted by schools like LSU, Alabama, Clemson and Georgia.

Clay Helton is getting the axe -- the University of Southern California has fired its head coach just 2 games into the season.

The 49-year-old had a 46-24 record with the Trojans ... but a 42-28 loss to Stanford on Saturday appeared to be the last straw for fans, boosters, alums ... and now, school officials.

USC AD Mike Bohn released a statement Monday ... saying, "This afternoon I informed Clay Helton of my decision to make a change in the leadership of our football program."

"Clay is one of the finest human beings I have met in this industry, and he has been a tremendous role model and mentor to your young men. We appreciate his many years of service to our university and wish him nothing but the very best."

USC legend Keyshawn Johnson tweeted his frustrations with Helton on Saturday ... saying, "I’m so pissed, I can no longer FIGHT ON for Him ….. Period  embarrassing."

But, it wasn't all bad for Helton's Trojans -- he led USC to a 2017 Rose Bowl win over Saquon Barkley and the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Trojans won the Pac-12 South 3 times in Helton's time with USC.

So, why uproot the program early into the season?? Bohn says he felt interim HC Donte Williams is the best coach for the team this season.

"Donte is an experienced and well-respected coach is renowned for this ability to develop relationships with student-athletes, and I appreciate his willingness to take on this challenge."

Bohn says the decision puts 1-1 USC one step closer to winning a national title ... which is the ultimate goal for the organization for years to come.

"With our storied history, our talented young roster, and the major investments we've made in the infrastructure of our football organization, I'm optimistic that we are better positioned right now than we have been at any other time in the past decade to recruit the best and right leader for us."

Famed college basketball coach Mark Few -- who's led Gonzaga to two Final Fours -- has been cited for DUI ... after he allegedly drove with a BAC of .120 in Idaho on Monday.

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department said in a report, obtained by TMZ Sports, that officers pulled over the 58-year-old after he was "driving erratic and speeding" in a Cadillac Escalade.

According to the docs, Few showed "several signs of intoxication" during the stop ... and after refusing to complete field sobriety tests, he ultimately blew a .119 and a .120 -- 1.5 times the legal limit of .08.

Police added it all went down at around 8 PM, roughly 30 miles from Gonzaga's Spokane, Wash. campus, on the Labor Day holiday.

Few and Gonzaga both have yet to comment publicly on the incident.

Few has made a legendary run as head man at Gonzaga since taking over the program in 1999 -- piling up a career record of 630-125.

He was named AP Coach of the Year in 2017 and has been named WCC Coach of the Year 14 times.

Sam 'Bam' Cunningham, former USC and New England Patriots star running back, and one of the forces behind the integration of college football in the 1970s, passed away on Tuesday.

He was 71 years old.

Cunningham -- older brother of longtime NFL QB, Randall Cunningham -- starred at the University of Southern California in the early '70s. He was a consensus All-American in 1972 ... the year he helped USC go undefeated and win a National Championship.

But, more important than the accolades was Cunningham's impact on the game. He's credited with helping diversify the Alabama football team -- under legendary coach Bear Bryant -- and college football as a whole.

As a sophomore in 1970, Sam led USC's all-Black backfield in Birmingham ... routing 'Bama 42-21. Cunningham ran for 135 yards and scored 2 touchdowns.

The following year, Alabama's squad featured Black players (they won the National Championship). The USC-Bama game the previous year was said to have expedited the integration in the south.

After leaving Southern Cali, Cunningham was drafted by the New England Patriots with the 11th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft.

Bam played 9 seasons for the Pats ... before hanging up his pads in 1982.

He finished his career with 5,453 rushing yards and 43 rushing TDs.

In 2010, he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame ... and was also named a member of the team's 50th Anniversary squad.

Pats owner Robert Kraft weighed in on Cunningham's passing, saying ... “We are deeply saddened to learn of yet another loss to the Patriots family this week and our hearts ache for Sam Cunningham’s family and all who are mourning his passing today.”

The other former Pat that Kraft is talking about is David Patten ... a 3x Super Bowl champ who died at the age of 47 on Thursday night following a motorcycle accident.

Master P is already predicting his hoops star son, Mercy Miller, is gonna be a baller at the University of Houston -- telling TMZ Sports, he could be just as great as Hakeem Olajuwon!

And, he's only 15 years old ... playing guard at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis but made an early commitment to play college ball for the Houston Cougars.

"His favorite teams was University of Houston and Duke," P tell us, "That was his final choices and to be able to do that as a young kid right now ... he's blessed."

"He was able to win a high school state championship last year as a freshman and now to know what college you're going to, it's just gonna bring all the pieces to the puzzle together."

P expects Mercy to bring that winning spirit to Houston -- telling us his son could end up being one of the greatest to ever wear a Cougar jersey.

"A lot of the greats went to University of Houston," P says.

"Clyde the Glyde, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon and now you got Mercy Miller -- could be on that same wall."

That's some big names to follow ... but, the rapper doesn't want his son to just be great at ball -- he wants him to excel in school.

"He's an A-student. That's what I'm more proud of and education is so important and he'll be able to get that."

"It's a great place for education at the University of Houston."

Mercy's also gonna be able to get some endorsement deals due to the NIL rules ... and his big brother Hercy Miller -- who will play for the Tennessee State basketball team this year -- just signed a $2M deal.

"A lot of brands are probably gonna start coming at him now knowing this is where he gon' be at."

NFL QB-turned-H.S. football coach Trent Dilfer is expressing his regret over a wild blowup on one of his players over the weekend ... saying he was flat-out wrong to shove and yell at the kid.

49-year-old Dilfer -- who won Super Bowl XXXV with the Baltimore Ravens -- went viral for unleashing on Lipscomb Academy star Beau Dawson (yeah, NFL kicker Phil Dawson's son) ... getting in his face and pushing him in an attempt to get him to sit on the bench during a game on Friday.

Now, Dilfer is apologizing for the whole incident ... releasing a statement via the team and praising the young player in the process.

"First and foremost, I take full responsibility as the head coach and leader of our team for not de-escalating an emotional situation with one of our players, Beau Dawson," Dilfer said.

"Beau is one of our finest student-athletes and embodies all the characteristics we are looking for in our Mustang players. Beau plays the game with the right kind of passion and is an inspiration to our other players."

He added ... "During a moment of frustration and in an attempt to get our team to play with more discipline, I unfairly singled Beau out."

Dilfer also defends Dawson from public criticism ... saying he should have done a better job controlling his own emotions during the incident.

Rutgers football player Peyton Powell says he's transferring ... claiming it's all 'cause the university has made it mandatory for students to get the COVID vaccine.

The school announced back in March if students wanted to attend classes and play football for the university, they'd have to get the shots.

"We are committed to health and safety for all members of our community," Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway said when announcing the decision.

"Adding COVID-19 vaccination to our student immunization requirements will help provide a safer and more robust college experience for our students."

Powell says after considering the school's choice ... he's now decided to leave the university in search of one that will not make the vaccine mandatory.

"The University of Rutgers has made the COVID vaccine mandatory to attend school and play football," Powell said Tuesday on his social media page.

"Therefore I have no other choice but to enter my name into the transfer portal."

The move will mark the second time in Powell's college football career that he's transferred ... the 6-foot-2, 185-pound DB was at Baylor during his freshman season in 2019 before switching to the Scarlet Knights.

Before that, Powell was a touted 4-star recruit from Permian High School in Texas.

FYI -- Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said earlier this month that 90% of the football team had been vaccinated.

The team is slated to begin its season on Sept. 2.

Here's the best video you'll see all day ... Drew Brees surprised a walk-on Purdue softball player with a special NIL deal -- and her reaction was priceless!!!

Emilee Cox was on the line with Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux CEO Brandon Landry ... when Brees -- who co-owns the Walk-On's parent company -- jumped in to break some great news to the softball player.

The NFL legend and former Boilermakers star helped explain to Emilee she'd be the recipient of this week's "Walk-On of the Week" honor -- and she lost her mind!!!

"Oh, my gosh!" said Cox, a Purdue infielder. "I'm shaking. I'm literally shaking! Oh, my gosh. Can you see how red I just got?!?"

Brees congratulated her on the award -- which is a big deal for a walk-on, 'cause it'll come with cash and other perks that'll help Cox pay her tuition and other school bills.

"Emilee, I've heard so much about you," Drew said on the call. "Congratulations!"

Cox continued to freak out, and it was all amazing to watch.

Landry then explained to Brees that Cox was such a huge Purdue fan, she turned down other schools' offers to take a walk-on spot with the Boilermakers -- something Brees loved.

"Great work, Emilee," Drew told the rising junior. "So happy for you and keep representing everything that's great about Purdue."

Emilee finished the call by thanking Brees again ... adding, "I did not expect this tonight!"

LeBron James is giving high praise to his old teammate and friend, J.R. Smith ... shouting out the ex-NBA hooper as he begins his NCAA golf career ... saying, "So happy and proud of you my brother."

The 2-time NBA champ -- who skipped college for the NBA in 2004 -- was officially cleared to suit up for the North Carolina A&T State University men’s golf team on Tuesday ... paving his way to finally becoming an NCAA athlete.

James is showing serious love for the 35-year-old freshman on Twitter ... saying, "Love you kid! Best of luck you student/athlete ... GO AGGIES ⛳ TEAM."

But, it isn't just a gimmick for Smith -- the guy's even been spotted walking around campus and hitting up classes ... and has said he's serious about bettering himself.

"It was probably one of the most exciting feelings I've had in a while," J.R. told the Undefeated after being cleared to join the golf team.

"I really didn't know how it was going to go ... but to be able to actually call myself a student-athlete is a great feeling."

Carlos "Scooby" Johnson Jr. -- former Butler University basketball player -- was charged with felony rape and sexual battery ... after a woman claimed the hooper sexually assaulted her in a campus dorm room back in February.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by The Indy Star, the alleged incident went down on February 4, 2021. A police officer was dispatched to a dormitory on Butler's campus around 2 AM. When the cop arrived, a woman told the officer she'd been raped by a man named "Scooby."

When police tracked down 19-year-old Johnson Jr., docs reportedly show he said ... "I should have told that b**** to leave."

Scooby's accuser was taken to the hospital and given a rape kit. The results showed blood on Johnson Jr.'s boxers matched the woman's. Another sample showed a mixture of Johnson Jr. and the accuser's DNA.

An arrest warrant was issued for Johnson Jr. in Marion County, Indiana on Thursday ... but he has not yet been taken into custody.

Butler University addressed the alleged crime in a statement, saying ... "The university takes these allegations very seriously and has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct, violence, and harassment, per our Sexual Misconduct Policy."

The statement continued ... "Our top priority is the safety of our students and campus community, and the university provides support and resources to all students. Out of respect to the students' federal privacy rights and the ongoing criminal process, the university is not at liberty to divulge additional information at this time."

Johnson Jr. was dealing with an ACL injury last season and did not play in any games for Butler. He is no longer listed on the team's roster.

Back in high school, Scooby was a 3-star recruit who received offers from West Virginia and Michigan State. He was also named "Mr. Basketball" in Michigan a few years back.

NBA guard J.R. Smith is gunning to take his talents to the links -- the hooper has enrolled at an HBCU in hopes of making it on the golf team!!

35-year-old Smith -- who skipped college ball for the NBA Draft in 2004 -- is taking full advantage of his newly acquired free time by becoming a student at North Carolina A&T.

Of course, the 2-time NBA champ has not played in the league since winning a ring with LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers in 2020 ... going all last season without a team.

Now, J.R. is looking to join another team -- A&T's golf team.

"Golf is one of those games that can have you feeling really high or it can bring you down to your knees and humble you," Smith told WFMY.

"To have that feeling and knowing that all of the game is pretty much on my own hands and I don’t have to worry about teammates to pass the ball to, receiving passes and playing defense -- I can just play my game and have fun."

Smith says he learned the game from Hall of Famer Moses Malone ... and is waiting on the NCAA to sort out his eligibility, according to ESPN.

After a 5-year investigation, the NCAA says Baylor's actions were "unacceptable" when dealing with football players accused of sexual assault, but the program did NOT violate any rules ... and therefore will avoid any major punishment.

Remember, head coach Art Briles was fired by the university in 2016 after allegedly failing to report numerous allegations of domestic violence or sexual assault from students made against his football players.

Since the scandal blew up, the NCAA Infraction committee launched an in-depth investigation to determine if Baylor violated any NCAA rules with its conduct. On Wednesday, Baylor finally learned its fate.

"Make no mistake, the conduct that occurred on Baylor's campus between 2010 and 2015 was unacceptable. Young people were hurt. They were hurt because the campus leaders they trusted to provide a safe campus community failed," according to the report.

"At times, these failures heavily intersected with Baylor's football program and Baylor football student-athletes. At other times, they did not. And that is perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this case—that a campus-wide culture of sexual violence went unaddressed due to ignorance and leadership failings across campus."

Bottom line ... the football program acted immorally and unethically -- but didn't necessarily violate major NCAA rules.

Baylor isn't escaping totally unscathed ... the Infractions Committee did find the university provided impermissible benefits for a football player and used a "predominantly female student-host program that did not align with NCAA recruiting rules."

For that violation, Baylor was hit with a $5,000 fine and recruiting restrictions ... such as a reduction in campus visits for recruits, as well as other recruiting-based limitations.

Jalen Green is PISSED he didn't go #1 overall in the NBA Draft ... saying he has a "super big" chip on his shoulder for getting passed on -- and he took it all out on the Pistons by dropping 25 points!!

The Houston Rockets' #2 pick faced off against Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons for the first time in their careers at Summer League in Vegas on Tuesday ... and it didn't disappoint.

Green outdueled the top pick with 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in the 111-91 win ... with Cunningham earning 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block.

Look, we get it -- it's Summer League, not the real thing, but it's exciting to see these guys go at it for the first of, hopefully, many times.

19-year-old Green was asked about his motivation to ball out ... admitting he really does have a grudge for not having his name called first at the draft last month.

"My chip's been super big," the Cali native said. "It started at draft night when I got drafted #2, I felt like I was #1."

"It's just the work I gotta put in. I keep a chip on my shoulder from where I'm from, my family installed it into me. So, Imma just keep getting better every day."

Deion Sanders brought out some Prime guests during his first season as head coach at Jackson State ... with Rex Ryan and Hall of Famer Troy Aikman rolling through to check out his team, a new documentary series revealed Monday.

Coach Prime -- who took the helm at the HBCU in 2020 -- had the cameras rolling during his first season with the Tigers for a 'Hard Knocks'-esque series with Barstool Sports and SMAC Productions ... fittingly titled, "Coach Prime."

The trailer for the series just dropped minutes ago ... showing a passionate Sanders giving motivational speeches to his players ... as well as the big-time names who showed up to get a glimpse of the Tigers during the season.

The clip shows Ryan hyping up the team ... talking about the amount of courage it takes to play the sport. It's pretty intense stuff.

Sanders spoke about the decision to allow the all-access series to happen ... saying, "I am incredibly proud to share the incredible story of Jackson State University, our football program, and our student athletes."

"This docuseries serves as a platform that will help us continue the important work we are doing to level the playing field, create opportunity and raise awareness for JSU and all HBCUs. I BELIEVE!"

The 6-part series is set to debut August 29 and will be available on all platforms.

Bobby Bowden -- one of the greatest college football coaches ever -- died early Sunday morning at the age of 91 years old.

Bowden -- Florida State University's head coach from 1976 to 2009 -- was one of the most acclaimed football coaches of all-time. He won 2 National Championships ('93 & '99) and 377 games -- 2nd most all-time -- during his 40 years as a college football coach.

Bobby spent 34 seasons as FSU's head coach ... and was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Terry Bowden, Bobby's son, confirmed the news to the AP ... issuing the following statement about the passing of his dad.

"My father passed away peacefully early this morning with all six of his children and my mother here by his side."

"I couldn't have asked for a better personal mentor than my father. He was a wonderful husband and father, who relied on his strong Christian faith to provide the foundation for his life."

Terry continued ... "I also was fortunate to be raised by a football coach who had a reputation for coaching the right way his entire career. He was admired by everyone who played for him or coached against him."

FSU issued a statement on social media, writing ... "Today we lost a legend but you never lose a legacy. Rest In Peace Coach Bowden"

Bowden is known for his HOF coaching career ... but he also played ball back in the day. BB was a part of Alabama's football team as a freshman in 1948 ... before transferring to Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham.

Bobby -- who was born in Birmingham -- was a successful college quarterback.

It was just last month that Terry announced Bobby was battling a terminal illness. He later said that sickness was pancreatic cancer.

Deion Sanders, a 2x All-American under Bowden, reacted to his former coach passing, writing ... "God bless the Bowden Family, Friends & Loved ones. My Prayers are with u. I've lost 1 of the best coaches I've ever had."

Some of the top football coaches in the country also weighed in on Bobby's death ... including Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and Dabo Swinney.

On Twitter, Meyer wrote ... "Today, we lost a legend. Bobby was a great friend and mentor to me, and his impact transcended the coaching profession in so many ways. Sending love to Ann and the entire Bowden family. Rest In Peace Coach Bowden."

A public funeral service will be held for coach Saturday on FSU's campus.