Ian Wharton

College Football, NFL Draft, and NFL Analyst at A to Z Sports

CFB + NFL Draft @AtoZSportsNFL. Formerly The 33rd Team and Bleacher Report

Articles

Oregon Ducks and Dan Lanning turn up the heat chasing elite four star recruit just weeks after initial commitment to former rival

1 week ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

The Oregon Ducks weren't the first team to land a commitment from four-star interior offensive lineman Tommy Tofi, but that doesn't mean they're done pursuing him. The Cal Bears commit has only been on the former Pac-12 rivals' verbal list for two weeks, but Oregon might be feeling more confident after figuring out Tofi's priorities. Tofi visited the Ducks this past weekend, surely sending some worrying signs to the Bears' coaching staff about whether they can keep one of their top targets.
Alabama Crimson Tide and Kalen DeBoer steal elite four star recruit from across the country just weeks after initial commitment

1 week ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

After ramping up efforts to land one of three available four-star quarterbacks to headline their 2026 recruiting class, the Alabama Crimson Tide finally has an answer to a looming question. While Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer took a risk in pursuing a quarterback committed elsewhere since April, he notched a big win. Jett Thomalla has flipped from his Iowa State commitment to join the Crimson Tide's class.
Texas earns spot in coveted recruit's top five despite something being not looking right as July 4 decision nears

2 weeks ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

Bessemer City, Alabama, four-star defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin has narrowed his recruitment to a top five, with the Texas Longhorns securing a spot alongside Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, and Georgia. While Texas has earned an official visit from the elite prospect, the Longhorns face an uphill battle to land him, with Alabama and Ohio State emerging as the frontrunners. Ruffin announced via social media that he will make his college commitment on July 4, 2025.
Big 12 team's NIL numbers emerge that make Ohio State's $20 million title-winning roster pale in comparison

2 weeks ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

The Ohio State Buckeyes were routinely annoyed in 2024 when head coach Ryan Day was constantly asked about how his roster spent $20 million. While the eventual National Champions made the most of their investment, it was far from a pay-to-play roster. Homegrown talent like Jack Sawyer, TreVeyon Henderson, and countless others made clutch plays throughout the season.
Elite recruit and brother of NFL All-Pro sends shockwaves with latest decision ahead of Texas visit

2 weeks ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

The Texas Longhorns might've been discouraged last week when elite four-star cornerback Justice Fitzpatrick committed to Georgia, but Tuesday night's news was far more damaging for their efforts. Texas was set to host Fitzpatrick on campus this coming weekend for an official visit. Instead, Fitzpatrick "shut down his recruitment," per On3's Hayes Fawcett. The No. 4 cornerback in the 2026 class is solely considering Georgia now.
Deion Sanders' 'unspecified illness' having a clear negative impact on Colorado beyond on-field preparation for 2025

2 weeks ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

The Colorado Buffaloes are replacing two program stars in Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders in 2025, but their biggest challenge moving forward might be the health of head coach Deion Sanders. The 57-year-old has been dealing with an "unspecified illness" this past week, and has been away from the team. The issue hasn't been revealed yet, but there are signs that Colorado's program could be suffering in his absence.
Ohio State is going to play a key part in making ESPN’s Lee Corso’s last ride a special one

2 weeks ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

Legendary ESPN analyst Lee Corso is retiring this coming fall, but not before he's in Columbus one final time with College Gameday. After donning Brutus the Buckeye's headgear 45 times throughout his career, the network announced that Corso's last show will be in the Horseshoe when the Buckeyes take on the Texas Longhorns on August 30. Most recently, Corso picked against the Buckeyes in the 2025 National Championship against Notre Dame.
Ryan Day's successor at Ohio State is already on the staff, and it's not the former Buckeye player you'd expect

2 weeks ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

The Ohio State Buckeyes may have been looking for a new head football coach if Ryan Day hadn't pulled off a miraculous College Football Playoff in 2024-25. The Buckeyes were loaded on both sides of the ball, but an untimely demise against Michigan for the fourth-straight year left fans bitter and demoralized. A run to his first National Championship victory saved Day and should keep him in Columbus for many more years, unless he decides to pursue the NFL or another venture.
'From booed to blessed': Former Ohio State super star describes difficult NFL journey after early adversity

3 weeks ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

If you grew up in the 2000s and were an Ohio State Buckeyes fan, then Ted Ginn Jr. was likely one of your all-time favorite playmakers. The speedster created big plays out of nowhere, and his incredible knack for clutch moments for a team that had become a major national power was one of the defining tenures for the era. Ginn was drafted much higher than most expected, and the Miami Dolphins took the Buckeyes receiver ahead of Brady Quinn.
Where the Texas Longhorns stand in the race for elite five-star recruit Felix Ojo after he expresses 'real love' after Buckeyes visit

3 weeks ago | atozsports.com | Ian Valentino |Ian Wharton

The start of June marks a massive moment in the recruiting cycle. The Texas Longhorns and all of the programs around the country will host top names on campus over the next few weeks. After that, a slew of early commitments will be made before National Signing Day arrives after the regular season. Texas is in the mix of numerous top names, but one in particular could be on shaky ground. Five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo is from Mansfield, Texas, but his recent trip to Ohio State went well.

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Ian V @NFLDraftStudy

27 Jun 25

RT @FF_TravisM: Our @AtoZSportsNFL College Football crew ranked ALL 68 Power Conference Head Coaches (+Notre Dame)! How did we do? READ:…

Ian V @NFLDraftStudy

25 Jun 25

Beaver Stadium is louder than Ohio Stadium? Not so fast, my friend, says a former Big Ten star- https://t.co/MMfqhsQfvX

Ian V @NFLDraftStudy

25 Jun 25

Steve Spurrier tortured Peyton Manning, and now he's aiming for Arch- https://t.co/faRIb5SwOc

Ian Wharton

Articles

Oregon Ducks and Dan Lanning turn up the heat chasing elite four star recruit just weeks after initial commitment to former rival

Alabama Crimson Tide and Kalen DeBoer steal elite four star recruit from across the country just weeks after initial commitment

Texas earns spot in coveted recruit's top five despite something being not looking right as July 4 decision nears

Big 12 team's NIL numbers emerge that make Ohio State's $20 million title-winning roster pale in comparison

Elite recruit and brother of NFL All-Pro sends shockwaves with latest decision ahead of Texas visit

Deion Sanders' 'unspecified illness' having a clear negative impact on Colorado beyond on-field preparation for 2025

Ohio State is going to play a key part in making ESPN’s Lee Corso’s last ride a special one

Ryan Day's successor at Ohio State is already on the staff, and it's not the former Buckeye player you'd expect

'From booed to blessed': Former Ohio State super star describes difficult NFL journey after early adversity

Where the Texas Longhorns stand in the race for elite five-star recruit Felix Ojo after he expresses 'real love' after Buckeyes visit

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