Insider notebook: Florida’s possible coaching-search tightrope, roster worth of Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams

A final offering of news and notes you need to know as Week 6’s slate gets underway. Topics we cover in this week’s college football insider notebook:

• A primer for the next two months as Florida explores a coaching change
• What insiders say about Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams‘ success, monetary roster value
• Clemson offense back on track, but we don’t think any earth-shattering change of plans occured after UGA loss
• Keep your eye on injury to Georgia star linebacker Smael Mondon
• Three questions with Kyle McCord — and yes, we asked him what type of champagne Ryan Day owes Fran Brown
• South Carolina is impressing insiders and tangles with Ole Miss this weekend
• Jalen Milroe’s leap from potential UDFA to possible Round 1 pick in 12 months

The eyes of Florida are on Ole Miss, Penn State — and rooting for losses

There may not be anyone in college football who bears closer watching this season than Lane Kiffin.

Sure there are the antics, shots at opposing coaches and amusing tweets that consistently generate headlines. But far more interesting for this column is how each week can impact his long-term future at Ole Miss.

Kiffin has been far and away one of the most popular names among industry sources as a possible candidate at Florida should the Gators fire Billy Napier. There are plenty of reasons why there’d be mutual interest between Florida and Kiffin, who views himself as a modern-day Steve Spurrier according to those who know him well, but the timing this season created potential complications. 

If Ole Miss made the expanded College Football Playoff, as many expected at the start of the season, Kiffin couldn’t leave until the Rebels’ season ran its course. That’d put Florida in a difficult position to wait on a candidate that couldn’t commit publicly and risk missing out on other immediately available coaching candidates. Kiffin has already come extremely close to taking a job only to back out at the last-minute like he did with the Auburn job that ultimately went to Hugh Freeze in 2022.

“You can have trust both ways, but until something is signed, anything can happen,” one industry source explained. “An AD might say the coach might back out on me, but it’s the same thing the longer you go, is that school going to back out on me? It would take ultimate trust.” 

The good news if you’re a Florida booster desperate to land Kiffin is those Ole Miss playoff hopes took a hit last Saturday in a loss to Kentucky. The margin for error just got razor-thin for Lane and Co. in a season that still includes games against No. 5 Georgia, No. 13 LSU and No. 19 Oklahoma. A road trip to a feisty South Carolina this weekend (more on the Gamecocks later) won’t be easy, either. 

Kiffin is in a great situation at Ole Miss, makes a lot of money (nearly $9 million annually) and has one of college football’s top collectives, the Grove Collective, supporting his efforts. But if an all-in roster approach that netted the Rebels’ the best transfer class in the country for this season doesn’t result in a playoff appearance, greener pastures could look increasingly more appealing. Ole Miss is facing a likely significant roster rebuild regardless next season, too. 

One other coach who continues to generate industry buzz for a potential Florida opening is Penn State head coach James Franklin, who finds himself in a similar situation as Kiffin. If Franklin guides the currently undefeated No. 7 Nittany Lions to the playoff, he’s likely untouchable for any big job that may open this cycle. But should Penn State, which has a huge road trip next weekend at No. 11 USC, loses a couple games and misses the CFP, Franklin could be a very attractive big name for Florida administrations to try to reel in. 

“If James Franklin doesn’t make the CFP and he’s third or fourth on your list, do you just go ahead and do it in December?” asked an industry source. “You still have to be convicted that that person you feel good about for the long haul.”

Just how valuable are Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams?

A week ago, even before the latest ridiculous plays from five-star freshmen Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith, a Power Four general manager had already seen enough to throw out a prediction: That these two will end up being Marvin Harrison Jr.- and Malik Nabers-like figures in the 2027 NFL Draft with both having a shot at being top-five draft picks.

That rare ability was on display once again this past weekend. Not just with Williams, who posted 177 yards and the game-winning touchdown during Alabama’s win over Georgia, but with Smith, too. In his first Big Ten game and first-ever matchup against a Power Four opponent, Smith recorded five catches, 83 receiving yards, two one-handed catches (one for a 27-yard gain and the other for a 19-yard touchdown) and a 19-yard touchdown run during Ohio State’s 38-7 victory over Michigan State. Making it even more impressive is that he did all of that during just the first half. 

Smith is the first Ohio State freshman to have a receiving touchdown in four straight games. 

A Big Ten defensive coach said this week he already views Smith as one of the more talented receivers to come through at the very least the Big Ten in recent years.

“He’s up there in the rare air,” that coach said. “Similar to Marvin Harrison Jr., being the whole package, size/speed/quickness/body control/hands. Not sure he’s there yet in the details but you see evidence of all the tools and traits.”

Like Williams, Smith has scored at least one touchdown in each of his first four college games. And despite there being other high-end talent in the Buckeyes’ receiver group such as early-round draft prospect Emeka Egbuka, it’s Smith who leads Ohio State receivers with 364 receiving yards and six total touchdowns.

Freshmen sensations: How Smith, Williams stack up

Both players hold significant roster value, with NIL potential reflecting their impact, according to multiple sources familiar with the market. The range for rising star receivers like Smith and Williams really depends on a school’s budget and how they prioritize the position’s importance. While collective and personnel sources indicated that it’s uncommon for schools to reach the $500,000 mark for wide receivers, even those seen as surefire stars, talents like Williams and Smith are viewed as outliers that could command potentially well above typical wide receiver money.

Alabama, according to sources, hasn’t traditionally approached that level of spending for receivers, which contributed to the Tide losing standout receiver Isaiah Bond this past offseason right after Nick Saban’s retirement (Bond transferred to Texas). We’ll see how that now progresses or changes under Kalen DeBoer. On the other hand, Ohio State is believed to have one of the most substantial investments in its roster, with a budget exceeding $20 million this season.

Clemson on track, but no wholesale changes after UGA loss

Ever since a 34-3 season-opening loss to Georgia, Clemson has scored at least 40 points in each of their last three games, including 52 points in the first 36 minutes of a 59-35 win over NC State on Sept. 21. 

What changed? Not much, sources say. The Tigers felt good about their offense coming out of fall camp, but they failed to execute the way they were expecting to against a Georgia defense once again stocked with several future NFL draft picks. What’s transpired since has been more in-line with internal expectations for Year 2 of Garrett Riley’s tenure as offensive coordinator. 

After a shaky first season as a starter (with a QB rating that ranked second-worst in the ACC), quarterback Cade Klubnik has produced 16 touchdowns with just one interception in the three games since the loss to Georgia. He’s one of just two ACC QBs with 12 touchdown passes and fewer than three interceptions and is also tied for first among ACC QBs with four rushing touchdowns. In addition, running back Phil Mafah — a potential Day 2 NFL Draft pick — ranks first among ACC running backs with at least 40 carries with an average of eight yards per carry.

“Comparing last year and this year, everything’s improved,” a college personnel source said. “That’s why you’re seeing all these (explosive plays). The quarterback play’s improved. The offensive line’s playing terrific. [Offensive line coach Matt] Luke’s done an amazing job. The receivers are elite and there are a couple of them. The run game now is opening up more because of it. The tight ends are playing really good. So I just attribute it to like: Every single group has improved. And when you get improvement across the whole board, especially at quarterback, that’s why you’re seeing 28 points in the first quarter (against NC State).”

The improvement at wide receiver is a big component. After having elite receiver talent like Mike Williams, Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross during its Playoff and national championship runs, there was a clear drop-off in ability at the position in recent years. Until now.

Among the players contributing to that is actually one of the other talented true freshman receivers aside from Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith already generating buzz around the coaching world: Top-60 recruit Bryant Wesco.

After finishing with just a five-yard catch against Georgia, Wesco has tallied at least 100 yards in two of Clemson’s last three games and is averaging 34 yards per catch for the season. He had an early 76-yard touchdown catch vs. App State, a 70-yard catch against Stanford last week and also a 34-yard touchdown catch vs. the Cardinal.

Fans were furious that Wesco was not involved in the Georgia game, but a deeper dive into the data — thanks to TruMedia — paints a different picture. Wesco ran the same amount of routes (eight) against Georgia as he did against NC State a few weeks later, with a similar number of targets. If his 28 routes-run, six-target showing in the most recent game, Stanford, is any indication, then Wesco is beginning on a trajectory of superstardom.

“He’s just continued to improve,” a personnel source said. “He carries himself not like a freshman and the game just comes easy to that kid. He’s a natural and he’s fun to watch.”

Wesco’s classmate, TJ Moore — a five-star who ranked No. 4 at his position, right behind Ryan Williams — is also coming along after arriving in the summer and is in line to become more of a factor as the season progresses.

Bulldogs without All-SEC LB Smael Mondon, but for how long?

Georgia will be without All-SEC linebacker Smael Mondon vs. Auburn on Saturday and it’s possible the Bulldogs could be without him even longer, although we’re yet to get a definitive answer on a timetable with him.

Georgia listing Mondon as out on its initial availability report this week was a surprise, especially considering the team had made him available to the media just two days earlier. But it sounds like Mondon has issues with a foot that’s been a problem at times for him since last year. The injury, according to a source, flared up again within the last week. After Auburn, Georgia hosts Mississippi State and then treks to Texas. 

The senior is a three-year starter for Georgia and is regarded by NFL scouts as a Day 2 draft prospect. He has 173 career tackles, including 17 through the first four games of this year. 

Industry sources say the Bulldogs have recruited linebacker as well as anybody the last several seasons. Among those waiting in the wings at linebacker for Georgia is Raylen Wilson, a five-star sophomore whom Bulldogs sources believe has a bright future.

3 questions with Syracuse QB Kyle McCord

A transfer from Ohio State, McCord and Syracuse (3-1) play at No. 25 UNLV on Friday night (9 p.m. ET, FS1)

1. It feels like we’re seeing a freer, looser version of you out on the field this year. Do you feel that and what’s behind that?

McCord: “That’s definitely an accurate statement. A lot of that comes from self-confidence as well as knowing all the coaches and all the guys around me have confidence in me. When you put in a lot of preparation and you watch a ton of film and study the playbook, it allows you to go out in a game and just play free. Trust your eyes, trust what you see and just let it rip.”

2. You’re 3-1 with a big test this Friday against UNLV. People are starting to get on board with Syracuse. Why should people believe in Syracuse this year?

McCord: “It’s the people that we have in the program, starting with the head coach Fran (Brown). He’s had a good track record everywhere he’s been and the guys he’s brought in — the support staff, the other coaches — have been great. The players, too. We’re starting to hit our stride right now. Obviously a big number of guys coming in from other schools or high school guys so there’s not a lot of turnover from last year’s team so we’re really starting to feel like we’re coming together now and playing our best football.”

3. You mentioned Coach Fran and he got a lot of attention for saying he needed to send a bottle of champagne to Ryan Day for being able to get you. Based on how you’ve played so far, what kind of champagne should he be sending?

McCord: (Laughs) “Obviously Coach Fran is a fiery, competitive guy. It was funny to hear him say that, but it’s still early in the season, still a lot to prove. I think time will tell.”

Gamecocks’ bludgeoning of Kentucky continues to age well: Now Ole Miss comes to town

Within its last three games, Kentucky has beaten one top six team (Ole Miss) and come up one point short against another (Georgia).

It’s a credit to Mark Stoops and his Kentucky staff but also says something about an SEC opponent that the Wildcats didn’t fare nearly as well against prior to those two games: South Carolina, which came away with a 31-6 road over the Wildcats in Week 2.

Despite South Carolina entering the season picked to finish fourth-worst in the SEC and narrowly escaping a Week 1 upset in a 23-19 win over Old Dominion, the Gamecocks have continued to earn respect around the conference in recent weeks. If not for having to play the second half against LSU without starting QB LaNorris Sellers (in a game South Carolina led 24-16 at halftime and 33-29 with less than two minutes remaining), the Gamecocks could conceivably be 4-0 heading into this matchup against Lane Kiffin and the Rebels. South Carolina ended up losing that game against LSU 36-33.

“Impressive team physically,” a head coach familiar with South Carolina told CBS Sports. “Size, speed and athletic ability. Two of the best pass rushing (defensive ends) in the country. Excellent running back. And very well-coached.”

That aforementioned Gamecocks’ pass-rushing tandem consists of Kyle Kennard, a player rising up NFL draft boards, and Dylan Stewart, a true freshman more than living up to five-star classification. Kennard, a transfer from Georgia Tech, has 5.5 sacks in four games, good for No. 4 nationally. Stewart’s strip-sack vs. Old Dominion was key in pulling out a close win. He was then dominant against Kentucky. 

Meanwhile, head coach Shane Beamer has quieted any fanbase unrest with a good start to the season. The Gamecocks have a chance for a 2-1 SEC start if they can pull off the upset over Ole Miss (-9.5) on Saturday. That would be South Carolina’s best conference start since 2014. 

Jalen Milroe, first-round pick? 

As recently as a couple months ago, NFL scouts that CBS Sports spoke to about Alabama QB Jalen Milroe shared feedback that ranged from Day 3 prospect to projecting him as a backup or developmental practice squad type player at the NFL level.

A lot’s changed since that point.

Last week, a scout told CBS Sports the dynamic Milroe was already emerging as a legitimate top-three round possibility. Now, coming off Milroe’s 491-yard and four-touchdown performance versus Georgia, the draft outlook for Milroe continues to improve.

Multiple NFL personnel staffers told CBS Sports this week they now believe an NFL team could take a shot on Milroe as early as the first round of the 2025 draft – if he continues to play like he has through the Crimson Tide’s first four games.

“Jalen went out there and basically did everything (against Georgia), throwing the ball to running the ball to making big time plays. Jalen did it all,” an NFL scout said. “I thought he looked really, really good. And to do it against a team like that, even more impressive.”