Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
The Arch Hype Train Arrives in Earnest
With Ohio State set to open the season against Texas, Bruce Feldman’s profile of Arch Manning couldn’t have come at a better time or send a clearer message: The Arch Hype Train is finally here in earnest.
Manning, now the starting quarterback at Texas after two years of development behind Quinn Ewers, hasn’t done much media. That’s part of what makes Feldman’s piece so revealing. For a player who’s largely stayed quiet and let others do the talking, this glimpse into his upbringing, mindset, preparation, and a bit of hype:
The younger Manning was impressive in limited time, as he completed 68 percent of his passes, going 61-for-90 for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. More impressively, he completed over 78 percent on third downs and 85 percent in the red zone.
The story paints a picture of a quarterback raised for this moment. Arch wasn’t pushed into football, but he was shaped by structure: no cell phones at dinner, no video games, plenty of time outside throwing passes and learning the game. He studied football, not social media. And with the starting job now officially his, all that preparation gets put to the test and quickly, as the Longhorns come to Ohio Stadium to kick off the season.
Not everyone is buying the hype, however. Appearing on Pat Dooley's podcast earlier in the week, legendary hater Steve Spurrier had the following to say about Manning.
"They've got Arch Manning already winning the Heisman. My question is: If he was this good, how come they let Quinn Ewers play all of the time last year? And he was a seventh-round pick!"
Jim Harbaugh, Defendant
Jim Harbaugh is a lot of things. Suspended football coach, man who lies to NCAA investigators, show cause recipient, and now, he's a defendant in a federal lawsuit.
Jim Harbaugh was added Friday to a lawsuit against the University of Michigan and a former assistant football coach who is accused of hacking into the computer accounts of college athletes across the U.S. to look for intimate photos.
Attorneys claim Harbaugh, who was Michigan's coach from 2015 to 2023, and others knew that Matt Weiss was seen viewing private information on a computer in December 2022 but still allowed him to continue working as co-offensive coordinator in a national playoff game roughly a week later.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel and other officials were also added to the lawsuit in federal court in Detroit.
"The university's delay in taking meaningful protective action until after a high-stakes game sends a clear message: Student welfare was secondary," said Parker Stinar, who is the lead lawyer in a class action lawsuit arising from a criminal investigation of Weiss.
Weiss, as you're well aware, has been charged with identify theft and unauthorized computer access from 2015-2023 alleging he accessed cloud storage, email, and social media accounts of more than 2,000 college athletes, as well as 1,3000 other students to find private images of women.
This is worth spelling out again: this suit alleges that Michigan staffers had knowledge of Weiss, the team's offensive coordinator, viewing private information of other students a week before a College Football Playoff game and took no action.
Talk Your Trash, Thomas Castellanos
Alabama opens the season at Florida State on August 30 – a rarity for the Tide who typically avoid true road games and prefer to play neutral site big games to open the season.
If you're not an Alabama or Florida State fan, you've got no dog in this one and probably just want to see a great game. Thankfully, a little-known transfer from Boston College is doing his best to make it the spiciest of opening weekend.
In an interview with On3's Pete Nakos, that transfer, Thomas Castellanos, who was forced out of Boston College and will now take snaps for Florida State, was feeling himself.
Asked about the matchup, he said, "They don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me."
You have our attention, Mr. Castellanos. That's brave talk indeed, given the Alabama's track record of completely derailing the seasons of otherwise good teams in Week 1. He does have a point in that Nick Saban is no longer there, however!
Castellanos wasn't done.
"I feel like I tore the ACC up by my damn self for the last two years, and now I'm with a squad. I hope people don't think that Florida State is going to be the same team it was last year because we have weapons."
Never mind that he was essentially benched last season at Boston College.
Bill O'Brien and I butted heads early in the season. I got banged up a few games. We had a meeting and it kind of blew up in my face," Castellonas said. "I did so much for that program, and I just wasn't repaid the right way."
America clearly needs more Thomas Castellanos interviews.
ICYMI
Angelo Smith Interested in Following Brother Jeremiah's Footsteps
Dan Hope caught up with Angelo Smith, the younger brother of all-world wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Angelo secured an offer to play football for Ohio State after camping as a defensive back prospect in Columbus. In 2024, the younger Smith told Eleven Warriors that he thought he could be even better than his brother.
A “Night and Day” Difference in Jelani Thurman's Leadership
Ohio State tight ends coach Keenan Bailey really likes what he's seeing out of Jelani Thurman in the offseason. Blocking improvement: check. Game knowledge growth: check. Carrying himself like a veteran: check. Expect big things from the massive and talented Thurman this season.
Bruce Thornton, the Consummate Buckeye
It hasn't been an easy last few years for the Ohio State men's basketball program. But through it all, star guard Bruce Thornton has stayed true. Andy Anders goes into what makes Thornton the consummate Buckeye and what to expect from him this season.
What’s Next
- 62 Days: Ohio State kicks off the 2025 football season against Texas
- 125 Days: Jim Knowles returns to Columbus
- 153 Days: THE GAME
Header Image: Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
