But it’s not that simple for Porter regarding where he ends up next season. According to League Ready’s Sam Kayser, the 6-foot-11 forward has also applied for a waiver just to be eligible for next season.

Porter appeared in just 12 games for the Tigers this past season, averaging 6.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest. He’s already had a whirlwind collegiate career, playing on the West Coast at Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine, but for Porter to extend that time in college and join a 4th program, he’ll have to be granted another year of eligibility via a medical redshirt.

The Columbia product who came home to play at Mizzou this past season doesn’t automatically qualify for that medical redshirt because he played in 36.3% (12 of 33) of the Tigers’ games this past season. That’s slightly above the automatic requirement level to earn a medical redshirt, with players needing to participate in less than 30% of their team’s games to automatically qualify.

Porter had to sit out all of SEC play, along with Mizzou’s loss to Illinois, because of a leg injury he sustained in practice before that game against the Fighting Illini.

Mizzou has now had 2 players enter the transfer portal with the hopes of being granted an additional year of eligibility, with Porter joining forward Jacob Crews.

Porter transferred to Mizzou for his senior season after spending the first 3 years of his college basketball career out west, and he’s also part of a Missouri basketball legacy. Two of Porter’s older brothers, Michael Porter Jr. and Jontay Porter, also played for the Tigers.

Mizzou reached the NCAA Tournament this past season, but the Tigers want to make their stay in the Big Dance a little longer next March. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the odds for those top teams who want to be the last team standing in 2027:

Prediction Markets

2027 College Basketball Champion

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Michigan

15%

Duke

12%

Illinois

9%

UConn

8%

Florida

6%

Arizona

5%

St. John's

3%

Tennessee

2%

Alabama

2%

Saint Mary's

0%

Predict

The post Missouri forward enters transfer portal, will seek waiver for another year of eligibility appeared first on Saturday Down South.

So, Mangum is well-versed in the fact that it’s the fans who are a very important part of what he gets to do for a living, playing a kids’ game. And on Sunday afternoon, while his Pittsburgh Pirates hosted the Tampa Bay Rays, who just happen to be the team that Mangum made his major-league debut for just last year, it was the Pirates’ starting left fielder who endeared himself to some young kids forever.

During a break in the action, Mangum just happened to have a baseball in his possession as he noticed a young fan in the stands well beyond the left-field wall who was wearing a Jake Mangum jersey. But Mangum didn’t just acknowledge the fan. He gave that young fan the gift she’ll always remember by gently tossing that baseball up in her direction.

The MLB social media account captured the tender moment with this post, with a young boy catching Mangum’s toss and then passing the ball along to the girl next to him, who was the one wearing the Pirates’ No. 28 Mangum jersey.

Apparently, there was a twist to this heartwarming moment that made it even sweeter. About an hour after MLB posted the moment on social media, there came another social media post by this woman, who claimed that the young boy and girl were her niece and nephew.

Assuming this is true, then the nephew made the nice catch and then made the even kinder gesture of giving the ball to the niece, who had the Mangum jersey on. And if that wasn’t enough of a tear-jerker, then how about the boy and girl embracing in a hug after the ball got to its proper destination.

Mangum and the upstart Pirates are one of the surprise stories so far in the young season, with a 13-9 record after Sunday afternoon’s victory over the Rays. There’s still a long way to go before we get to October, but here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the top teams in the mix to be holding the World Series trophy this fall:

Prediction Markets

Pro Baseball Champion

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Kalshi

Los Angeles D

33%

New York Y

10%

Seattle

7%

Atlanta

6%

Philadelphia

4%

Detroit

3%

New York M

3%

Toronto

3%

Boston

3%

Chicago C

3%

Predict

The post Jake Mangum, former Mississippi State OF, shares adorable moment with young Pirates fans appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Richardson is a 4-star prospect who hails from Friendswood, Texas, which is located about 75 miles southeast of College Station between Houston and Galveston. The 6-foot-1 point guard recently took an official visit to College Station on April 10. He later visited Nebraska (April 12) and Purdue (April 17).

McMillan and Texas A&M (like many other college programs) have yet to claim a commitment in the Class of 2027, but Richardson is definitely a top target for the Aggies. Richardson is considered to be the No. 72 overall prospect in the Class of 2027, as well as the No. 17 PG and No. 4 prospect out of the state of Texas.

Texas A&M basketball had a solid first season under McMillan, who will bring a new roster to the court in 2026. The Aggies have already added commitments from former Tennessee F Cade Phillips, former Radford guard Lukas Walls and former Kansas State guard PJ Haggerty.

Prediction Markets

2027 College Basketball Champion

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Michigan

15%

Duke

12%

Illinois

9%

UConn

8%

Florida

6%

Arizona

5%

St. John's

3%

Tennessee

2%

Alabama

2%

Saint Mary's

0%

Predict

The post Texas A&M basketball lands in top 5 for in-state PG prospect appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Instead, it has everything to do with the 2027 season and one of the top safety prospects in the class. Four-star safety Junior Tu’upo is a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder who isn’t just 1 of the top safeties available for next season, he’s an Alabama product, currently starring at Thompson High School in Alabaster.

On Sunday night, Tu’upo told On3’s Hayes Fawcett that he’s narrowed his list of collegiate choices to 5 schools, with Alabama being 1 of them, so Tu’upo is obviously in the mix for the Crimson Tide, who hope to keep the top talent in-state. But Alabama will not only have competition for Tu’upo within the SEC, it’ll be pressed by its bitter in-state rival, too.

That’s because Tu’upo also has Auburn as 1 of his final 5, so the Tide and Tigers will be fighting for the current 23rd-ranked safety in the Class of 2027, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

But Tu’upo might just leave the state of Alabama but still land in the SEC, with Texas also among his final 5 collegiate choices. If Tu’upo does leave SEC country and the state of Alabama, it would seem he would end up in the Big Ten, with defending national champion Indiana and fellow Big Ten powerhouse Oregon filling out his final 5 list.

Tu’upo is currently the 246th-ranked player overall in the Class of 2027 and he’s the No. 11 player in the state of Alabama, according to those 247Sports Composite rankings.

While SEC programs like Alabama and Texas scramble to sign Tu’upo for the 2027 season, the Tide and Horns will also be battling each other for the SEC crown in 2026. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the odds for Bama, Texas and the rest of the conference’s elite to capture the SEC trophy in December:

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

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Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Alabama, Texas listed among SEC favorites for elite Class of 2027 safety appeared first on Saturday Down South.

The SEC-turned-NBA roll call is headlined by former Kentucky star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the reigning NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA championship last June.

Gilgeous-Alexander, a 4-time NBA All-Star who’s trying to power the Thunder to a repeat this spring, was joined as a finalist for the clutch award by fellow former Kentucky standout Jamal Murray, who has an NBA title ring himself after helping the Denver Nuggets capture the championship in 2023.

And joining Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray as a finalist on Sunday is former Georgia standout Anthony Edwards, who like Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray has established himself as one of the top guards in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In a sign of the times, all 3 ex-SEC stars were only with their chosen SEC program for 1 season. Gilgeous-Alexander was a second-team All-SEC selection during the 2017-18 season, Murray was a first-team All-SEC pick during the 2015-16 campaign, and Edwards was a second-team All-SEC selection in the 2019-20 season.

All it took was 1 season in the SEC for the trio to launch themselves into the NBA, and the results have been spectacular in Oklahoma City, Denver and Minnesota. The trio are in each other’s way this spring as they fight to get their teams out of the Western Conference and into the NBA Finals. Turns out they’ll also be fighting each other for the NBA Clutch Player of the Year award.

The trio of former SEC stars is making the conference proud by owning the finalist list for NBA Clutch Player of the Year, but somebody has to win. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about who has the inside track on capturing the clutch award:

Prediction Markets

NBA Clutch Player of the Year?

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Kalshi

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

96%

Jalen Brunson

8%

Anthony Edwards

7%

Predict

The post Trio of former SEC stars named finalists for NBA Clutch Player of the Year appeared first on Saturday Down South.

The Aggies did all of their damage in the first four innings. Caden Sorrell’s home run with one out in the top of the first staked A&M to a 1-0 lead. Bear Harrison made it 2-0 in the second on a sacrifice flyout to left field before Chris Hacopian stretched it to 4-0 with a two-run home run in the third. Gavin Grahovic’s RBI single in the fourth upped the lead to 5-0.

That was more than enough for the Aggies as Weston Moss went 4.1 innings, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out five and walking two. Gavin Lyons pitched 2.2 innings of hitless relief and got the win while striking out two batters and walking two. Clayton Freshcorn (2.0 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K) finished it out, allowing LSU’s only runs of the day to score in the eighth inning on a Cade Arrambide home run and a passed ball with two out.

Sunday was the latest example of what’s been a disappointing season for the Tigers. The defending College World Series champions are 23-18 overall and 6-12 in SEC play. Barring a late run, they’re in danger of missing Regionals altogether a year after the program’s eighth title.

Meanwhile, the Aggies — who have taken their last four series — moved to 31-7 while moving to 12-5 in league play, putting them a half-behind Georgia for the conference lead with one month to go before the SEC Tournament.

Can Texas A&M finally bring home the program’s first national title? Here’s the latest Kalshi market for who will end up with the trophy in Omaha in June.

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College Baseball D1 Champion?

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Kalshi

UCLA

17%

Georgia Tech

12%

Texas

11%

North Carolina

6%

Georgia

6%

Mississippi St.

5%

Arkansas

4%

Auburn

4%

LSU

2%

Tennessee

2%

Predict

The post No. 10 Texas A&M finishes off sweep of LSU, extends winning streak to six games appeared first on Saturday Down South.

The Commodores, who dropped the series opener on Friday before winning the next two, improved to 24-17 overall and 9-9 in the SEC. The Wildcats, who have now dropped five straight conference series, fell to 26-12 for the season and 8-10 in league play.

Vanderbilt trailed 3-1 after five innings before turning the tables on the Wildcats in the sixth, sending 11 men to the plate while scoring six times with the benefit of just two hits. After Brodie Johnston was hit by a pitch, Colin Barczi stepped up and hammered one over the wall in left field to tie it at 3-3.

Later, with the bases loaded and two out, Hampton ran the count full before launching a grand slam to right — his first career home run — to make it a 7-3 Commodores lead.

After a sacrifice flyout in the bottom of the frame cut the Vandy Boys’ lead to 7-4, Kentucky pulled within 7-6 on a pair of two-out RBI singles from Scott Campbell and Carson Hanson. But Johnson’s leadoff homer in the ninth touched off a six-run ninth inning that included run-scoring singles by Max Jensen and Rustan Rigdon, an RBI sacrifice groundout and flyout, and a wild pitch.

Aiden Stillman (2-1) picked up the win in relief, going 2.0 innings and allowing two runs on a hit and three walks while striking out three. Connor Mattison, the Wildcats’ starter, lasted 5.1 innings, yielded four runs on five hits and a walk, and struck out five. Meanwhile, the Wildcats ended up leaving 16 men on the plate while hitting just 3-of-17 with runners in scoring position.

Both teams are back at it on Tuesday. Vanderbilt faces Xavier while Kentucky travels to take on in-state foe Louisville.

The post Vanderbilt uses big 6th and 9th to beat Kentucky 13-6, win weekend series appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Grimmer was especially great for the Volunteers on Sunday, driving in 6 total runs with 3 home runs. He’s the first Vol to hit 3 home runs in the same game since Christian Moore did it during the Vols’ 2024 national title season.

Clark wasn’t far behind, hitting 2 home runs of his own as well as a double for a total of 4 RBIs on the day. Ford, not to be outdone, recorded 4 hits with 1 home run and 3 RBIs. The 3 Vols mentioned above accounted for all 13 runs the Vols put on the board Sunday evening.

The Volunteers, as mentioned earlier, fell in Games 1 and 2 to a strong Ole Miss lineup. The Rebels took Game 1 by a score of 7-4 before blitzing the Vols in Game 2, 8-1. Tennessee’s Game 3 win ended the Rebels’ 8-game winning streak, which included a series-clinching win over Florida and a series sweep of LSU last week.

The Vols will face Lipscomb on Tuesday before their next weekend series against Alabama at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville.

Prediction Markets

College Baseball D1 Champion?

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

UCLA

17%

Georgia Tech

12%

Texas

11%

North Carolina

6%

Georgia

6%

Mississippi St.

5%

Arkansas

4%

Auburn

4%

LSU

2%

Tennessee

2%

Predict

The post Blake Grimmer’s 3 home runs power Tennessee baseball past No. 25 Ole Miss, 13-5 appeared first on Saturday Down South.

It looks as if he won’t be headed to Chapel Hill after all. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Sunday, English has instead “decided not to pursue an assistant coach position” with the Tar Heels.

English was 48-52 at Providence, including a 23-37 mark in Big East play. After a 21-14 record and an NIT berth in 2024-25, the Friars won a combined 27 games over the next two seasons. He joined Providence after a pair of seasons at George Mason, where he was 34-29.

The former Mizzou standout turned to coaching after a brief professional career. He began as an assistant at Tulsa from 2015-17 and Colorado from 2017-19 before joining Rick Barnes’ staff at Tennessee. After a pair of seasons at Rocky Top, he was named head coach at George Mason before landing at Providence.

Though English was reported as hired by North Carolina, the move was never officially announced. That’s also the case of the reported hiring of former SEC assistant Chuck Martin as Malone’s associate head coach at UNC. The pair coached at Manhattan during the 1999-2000 season.

Sean May, who served on both Williams’s and Hubert Davis’s staffs, has been retained by Malone as an assistant.

The post Kim English reverses course on North Carolina assistant coaching role, per report appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Branch was released on bond shortly after being booked, but a police report was not immediately available. Later on Sunday, more details emerged surrounding his arrest.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero posted a portion of the report from Athens-Clarke County (Ga.) police on social media. Branch was arrested while standing on a public sidewalk for not moving far enough when a police officer asked him to move:

A male, later identified as Zacharia [sic] Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk. Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business.

Branch faces charges of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer, both misdemeanors. After being held for over two hours, he was released after posting bonds totaling $39.

Branch was back in Athens for Georgia’s annual G-Day game. His younger brother, Zion, a Bulldogs safety, is entering his second year with the program.

The post Details emerge surrounding arrest of former Georgia WR Zachariah Branch appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Shane Blakeney, who was a second-team All-CAA performer at Drexel in 2025-26, has committed to the Gamecocks. His agents relayed the news to DraftExpress’s Jon Chepkevich on Sunday afternoon.

Blakeney, from Rock Hill, S.C., was a member of Drexel’s 2023 recruiting class. After 22 games as a freshman, he emerged as a consistent bench option in 2024-25, averaging 7.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 24.6 minutes.

He broke out in 2025-26 as a junior, leading the Dragons in scoring with 14.2 points while starting all 33 of their games. He also posted 5.1 rebounds as he was named second-team All-CAA.

South Carolina was always going to be in for a busy offseason. Seven players entered the portal, including fourth-leading scorer Elijah Strong (10.0 ppg) and top bench option Eli Ellis (8.6 ppg in 26.7 minutes). Meanwhile, the Gamecocks’ top three scorers — Meechie Johnson (17.2 ppg), Mike Sharavjamts (10.9 ppg), and Kobe Knox (10.8 ppg) — have exhausted their eligibility.

Blakeney joins three other portal commitments for the Gamecocks: power forward Aleksas Bieliauskas (Wisconsin), small forward Camden Heide (Texas), and point guard Kory Mincy (George Mason).

The post South Carolina adds transfer commitment from former second-team All-CAA guard appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Bangot Dak, who just completed his third season at Colorado, has committed to the Commodores. Dak revealed his decision to On3’s Joe Tipton on Sunday afternoon.

Dak, who is 7-foot-1, averaged career highs with the Buffaloes in 2025-26 as he started all but three of their games. The Lincoln, Nebraska, product averaged 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. His 50 blocks ranked just outside of the top 10 in the Buffs’ single-season record books. After entering the transfer portal, he’s opted to wrap up his college career in the SEC.

It’s a major presence in the paint for Mark Byington and the Commodores, who continued their ascent on the national stage during the 2025-26 campaign. Vanderbilt‘s 27 wins ranked as the second most in school history. Tyler Tanner was a first-team All-SEC selection and made the conference’s all-defensive team after the season.

Dak is the third player to commit to the Commodores during this transfer cycle. Berke Buyuktuncel (6.5 ppg, 5.8 ppg) is set to join the program from Nebraska. Vandy will also add Ace Glass, a second-team All-WCC performer who led Washington State in scoring in his freshman season.

The post Vanderbilt lands transfer commitment from former Big 12 big man appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Former Auburn forward Elyjah Freeman has committed to Texas coach Sean Miller. The 6-foot-8 wing announced the decision on his personal Instagram page. Freeman will have 2 seasons of eligibility remaining to use with the Longhorns.

The addition is a major coup for Texas and a bit of a sting for Auburn.

Freeman started 21 games for the Tigers last season — his first with the program — and appeared in 38. He averaged 9.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 26.9 minutes a night. He also led the team in total steals, with 29.

Flashes of brilliance could be seen throughout the year. He scored 21 points in a November win over Wofford. He had 14 points and 5 assists in a game a week after that. He scored 19 points off the bench in a mid-December victory. He scored a career-high 27 points weeks later in a win over Queens.

“I would love for him to be here next year because he’s going to be a really good player,” Auburn coach Steven Pearl said in March after Freeman scored 15 points and played all 40 minutes in a win over Nevada.

After Auburn won the NIT, Freeman said he was “locked in” with the Tigers.

Five days later, he hit the portal.

Freeman spent his freshman season at Lincoln Memorial University playing D2 ball. In 28 starts, he averaged 18.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists while earning a South Atlantic Conference first-team nod.

He is 1 of 4 transfers to publicly pledge to the Longhorns during this portal cycle, joining guard Isaiah Johnson (Colorado), forward David Punch (TCU), and guard Amari Evans (Tennessee).

The post Texas basketball lands another intra-conference transfer appeared first on Saturday Down South.

As far as firsts go, major milestones are still ahead. Nevertheless, Saturday offered a tease at what is to come for Stein.

“I got emotional running out of the tunnel,” Will Stein said after his unofficial debut at Kroger Field for the Wildcats’ spring game. “I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely felt it. It was, like, a lot, like a wave running over me.”

The Blue team offense beat the White team defense in the exhibition, 23-18. With several projected contributors either held out or sporting non-contact jerseys, Stein said the goal of the scrimmage was to get out clean.

For the most, that’s what happened. But the lack of theatrics didn’t seem to dull the experience for the Louisville native.

“I’ve never ran out of that tunnel like that, so that was really cool and unique,” he said. “When the fight song plays, it literally got me emotional. It was just a really cool moment for me.”

The first of many.

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

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Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Will Stein reflects on his Kentucky debut at Kroger Field appeared first on Saturday Down South.

On3 reported Sunday that Hill, one of the top shooting guards in the current transfer portal cycle, had committed to Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. Tennessee’s official social media account reposted that report on Twitter, seemingly confirming the news.

Hill averaged 15.0 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds this past season for VCU despite starting only 2 games and averaging 25.1 minutes.

In all, Hall – an unranked prospect out of high school – played in 59 games for the Rams in 2 seasons. He has 2 seasons of remaining eligibility.

Hill joins a Tennessee squad that went 25-12 and earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament this past season. The Vols made a third consecutive Elite Eight run in their sixth straight March Madness appearance under Barnes.

The 15-day NCAA transfer portal window opened on April 7, and Hill declared his intention to hit the portal on April 3. Thousands of players entered the portal this cycle in search for their next program.

Hill is one of 5 new Vols by way of the portal, joining guards Dai Dai James (Cal), Tyler Lundblade (Belmont), and Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame), and forward Miles Rubin (Loyola-Chicago).

Amari Evans, Jaylen Carey, Bishop Boswell, JP Estrella, Clarence Massamba, and Cade Phillips departed the Tennessee program via the portal.

The post Tennessee lands transfer pledge from former VCU guard appeared first on Saturday Down South.

That effort vaulted him into serious NFL consideration, one Brazzell and hundreds of others hope comes true during next week’s 2026 NFL Draft.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is so high on Brazzell that he lists the former Vol, along with Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, as his two favorite wide receivers available in his pre-draft breakdown of the players at each position who will outperform their draft slots.

Here is what Kiper said about Brazzell:

Brazzell might come off the board slightly after Branch — think late Round 2 or sometime during Round 3. But he has all the traits coaches want. He’s 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds. He runs a 4.37-second 40. He has a wide catch radius and knows how to adjust to poorly thrown balls to still make the grab. And the stats spell out all that: Brazzell caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine TDs last season, averaging 16.4 yards per reception.

Brazzell finished 2025 with 62 receptions for 1,017 yards. His 4-year total, which included 2 seasons at Tulane, featured 136 catches for 2,072 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday (8 pm ET, ESPN/ABC) in Pittsburgh and runs through Saturday.

Prediction Markets

Who will be drafted in Round 1?

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Kadyn Proctor

94%

Jermod McCoy

88%

KC Concepcion

82%

Keldric Faulk

75%

Colton Hood

66%

Ty Simpson

62%

Cashius Howell

23%

Caleb Banks

17%

Christen Miller

16%

R Mason Thomas

15%

Predict

The post Mel Kiper Jr. highlights Chris Brazzell II as one of favorite WRs appeared first on Saturday Down South.

According to arrest logs, Branch was booked shortly after 1 a.m. local time Sunday morning. He was released on bonds totaling $39 hours later.

A full police report of the incident had not yet been released at the time of publication.

The standout receiver was back in Athens this weekend for the Bulldogs’ spring game. He is hoping to hear his name called early in the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins next Thursday.

Branch led the Bulldogs with 81 receptions for 811 yards and 6 touchdowns last season. It was his first and only season with the program after spending 2 years with USC prior.

In Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft for ESPN, Branch was projected to be taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 53rd overall pick in the second round. Most projections list Branch as a Day 2 selection.

Georgia declined to comment on the incident when reached by DawgNation. It’s unclear if or how the incident will impact his draft stock so close to the start of the event.

The post Former Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch arrested in Athens appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Among the draft hopefuls is former Florida center Jake Slaughter, who was a Rimington Trophy finalist in 2025, along with earning All-SEC first team and second-team All-American honors while starting all 12 games for the Gators.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is so high on Slaughter that he lists the former Gator as his favorite center in the class in his pre-draft breakdown of players who will outperform their draft spots.

Here is what Kiper said about Slaughter:

I like everything about Slaughter’s game. He has a lot of experience – 33 starts and over 2,000 snaps at the pivot – and comes battle-tested, having played in the SEC. And he has allowed only six pressures and three sacks over all that time. At 6-foot-5 and 303 pounds, Slaughter can drive defenders out of the way to open rushing lanes, and he shows good lateral agility and footwork. I really love his awareness on stunts. Overall, Slaughter is just a really good, consistent football player, and I’d expect him to go in Round 4.”

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday (8 pm ET, ESPN/ABC) in Pittsburgh and runs through Saturday.

Prediction Markets

Who will be drafted in Round 1?

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Kadyn Proctor

94%

Jermod McCoy

88%

KC Concepcion

82%

Keldric Faulk

75%

Colton Hood

66%

Ty Simpson

62%

Cashius Howell

23%

Caleb Banks

17%

Christen Miller

16%

R Mason Thomas

15%

Predict

The post Mel Kiper Jr. labels Florida’s Jake Slaughter his favorite center in 2026 NFL Draft appeared first on Saturday Down South.

“I don’t know how long he’s out. You never know how long it is with the ACL,” Smart said to reporters after the G-Day festivities in Athens. “George [Pickens] was able to come back and play – he had a similar injury. You never put a timetable on it. He doesn’t want to put a timetable on it. He wants to do what he can to recover and get better.”

Williams was injured toward the end of a Georgia’s April 14 workout, a setback that typically costs the player between 6 and 9 months. Williams recovering on the aggressive end of that timetable could put his return smack in the middle of the Bulldogs’ rigorous 2026 SEC slate.

Williams transferred from Auburn just months ago, where he piled up six tackles for loss and two sacks in his sophomore campaign. The Bulldogs were counting on Williams to bolster a lackluster pass-rushing attack that ranked dead last in the SEC in tackles for loss per game (4.21) and sacks per game (1.43).

Georgia opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 at home vs. Tennessee State and begins the SEC journey Sept. 19 at Arkansas.

The post Kirby Smart gives update on injured pass rusher Amaris Williams appeared first on Saturday Down South.

The Wildcats coach talked after Saturday’s spring game about wanting to engage more with Big Blue Nation – revamping how the team takes the field before Saturdays in the fall.

Currently, the team arrives at the nearby Joe Craft Football Training Center amid celebratory Wildcats fans. But Stein, who replaces Mark Stoops at the helm of the program, wants to turn that tradition into one that happens inside the 61,000-seat stadium itself.

“I want to get dressed in our locker room over there, you know? Before the game,” Will Stein told reporters Saturday. “Come off the field, run all the way up into the crowd center, have their space in there. And have a nice long Cat Walk through the crowd then come in the tunnel and run out. Be able to dab up some fans, some young kids. Engage the fans and players that way.

“That’s on my mind. So I’m going to ask for that.”

Stein played collegiately at Louisville and was the offensive coordinator at Oregon for three seasons before Kentucky tapped him for the job. The Wildcats open the 2026 season Sept. 5 at home against Youngstown State before opening SEC play at home Sept. 12 against Alabama.

RELATED: The 2026 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. Bet on the first-round action using this BetMGM bonus code.

The post Will Stein wants to revamp Cat Walk before Kentucky games appeared first on Saturday Down South.

This week, former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson gave Indiana’s defense a backhanded compliment. Indiana’s defensive coordinator responded to that perceived slight on social media, which then angered Alabama fans and prompted another (snarkier) response from the IU assistant.

Indiana beat Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl last season. Simpson completed just 12 of his 16 passes for 67 yards before exiting with an injury. Yet, on the Downs 2 Business podcast this week, Simpson said Indiana’s defensive gameplan was as basic as can be.

“I was like, they don’t do much. I was like, they do the same thing every down,” Simpson said. “When I got the ball, I knew exactly what was going to hapen. They just didn’t mess up, bro. They were in the exact same spot they were supposed to be. They were so well-coached. It was so much different than the SEC. The SEC will play man, they’ll do these unorthodox coverages because that’s kind of how it is.

“That game was crazy to me, of course I got hurt so that was a bummer. I just knew what they were going to do. We couldn’t really run the ball. We didn’t really throw. It was so crazy to me how it happened.”

Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines saw the clip floating around social media and took exception with the characterization of IU’s defense.

“Adorable,” he said Friday night. “We also, saw everything they were doing, on every single snap… It’s just that we exploited those cues. And didn’t get frozen and crushed by them.”

After waves of Alabama fans jumped into Haines’s mentions to say Simpson was simply complimenting the Hoosiers, Haines doubled-down on Saturday evening.

“That’s all it took to break your entire fanbase? Wow.. maybe I should’ve just said ‘Boo.’ No apologies, no compliments,” Haines tweeted. “Grow up folks. He had a bad take and I said the painful truth. Bounce back better.”

Can we get a nonconference game on the docket between these two programs? Soon? That might get in the way of IU playing powerhouses UMass, Indiana State, and Kennesaw State, though.

Like our coverage? Make SDS a preferred source in your searches!

The post Indiana defensive coordinator spars with Alabama fans over Ty Simpson comment appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Kalshi Promo Code SDS Overview

Key Terms and Conditions for the Kalshi Promo Code SDS:

• Promo Code: SDS — must be entered during registration
• Bonus Amount: $10 sign-up bonus
• Minimum Deposit: $1 first-time deposit required
• Unlock Requirement: Make $10 in cumulative trades on the platform
• Eligibility: New Kalshi customers only
• Age Requirement: Must be 18 years or older
• Location: Available in all 50 US states
• Platform: Kalshi is a fully CFTC-regulated prediction market

Gearing up for this 2025 NBA Postseason clash between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics is simple when you have the details of the latest welcome offer. Scheduled for April 19, 2026, at 1:00 PM EDT, this matchup brings intense playoff basketball to the 18,624-seat TD Garden in Boston, MA. Before the national ABC broadcast tips off, you can review the essentials of the promotion in the table above. Simply enter the promo code to unlock your $10 sign-up bonus and start trading on the postseason action, provided you meet the required terms and conditions

To take advantage of this promotion ahead of the 2025 NBA Postseason, new Kalshi customers need to understand the straightforward mechanics of the welcome offer. By registering an account and making a first-time deposit of at least $1, you qualify for a $10 sign-up bonus. This promotional credit is then fully unlocked once you have successfully made $10 in trades on their prediction markets. As a fully regulated platform, Kalshi is uniquely available in all 50 states, and users must be at least 18 years old to play.

Once your account is funded and your $10 bonus is unlocked, you can dive straight into the playoff action between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. Whether you are trading on the outcome of this national broadcast or exploring other postseason storylines, your bonus funds can be applied directly to the prediction markets surrounding this highly anticipated matchup.

Use Kalshi NBA Promo Today on Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Trading your $10 bonus on the moneyline offers two drastically different potential payouts depending on your preferred level of risk. A $10 trade on the heavily favored Boston Celtics at -794 would yield approximately $1.26 in profit (for a total payout of $11.26) if they successfully defend their home court. On the flip side, backing the underdog Philadelphia 76ers at +543 with a $10 trade would return a lucrative $54.30 in profit (a $64.30 total payout) should they pull off a massive postseason upset at TD Garden.

How to Activate Your Kalshi Promo Code

Getting started ahead of today’s Eastern Conference clash between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers is incredibly straightforward. To begin, new Kalshi customers will need to download the Kalshi app and create an account. During the registration process, you will be prompted to provide standard personal information and submit proof of identification to securely verify your identity. Crucially, make sure to enter the promo code SDS when registering to ensure you are opted into the exclusive welcome offer.

Once your account is successfully set up and verified, the next step is to fund your wallet by making a first-time deposit of at least $1. After your deposit clears, you will need to make $10 worth of trades on the platform’s prediction markets in order to activate the offer. It is important to note that you do not have to make any single trade worth $10—a cumulative sum of $10 in total trades is all that is required before the $10 sign-up bonus becomes available in your account.

As soon as that $10 trading threshold is met and your bonus unlocks, you will be fully equipped to use those promotional funds on today’s April 19, 2026, postseason matchup at TD Garden, or explore any of the other event markets available on the Kalshi platform.

The post Kalshi Promo Code SDS: Claim $10 Bonus for NBA Playoffs, NHL Playoffs, MLB Trades appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Pick your favorite NFL mock draft — whether it be Todd McShay, Daniel Jeremiah… any of them, really — and you’ll probably find they have 8 or sometimes 9 SEC guys taken in the first round. There are no guaranteed top 10 picks among those 8 or 9 players, and the majority of them are projected to be selected in the 20s.

For reference, last year’s draft saw 15 SEC players taken in the first round, and the past 5 first rounds have averaged 12 SEC picks. (And if you’re wondering, LSU‘s Mansoor Delane has the best odds to be selected in the top 10, hovering around 58% on Kalshi.)

Prediction Markets

Players Drafted Top 10 in 2026?

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Fernando Mendoza

99%

Arvell Reese

98%

David Bailey

97%

Jeremiyah Love

96%

Sonny Styles

92%

Carnell Tate

80%

Caleb Downs

80%

Rueben Bain Jr.

63%

Francis Mauigoa

62%

Mansoor Delane

53%

Predict

Even the SEC’s biggest draft storyline is a little tired at this point. Ty Simpson could go in the first round, sure, but it appears much more likely that he’ll be selected on Day 2 with Fernando Mendoza being the clear QB1 in this draft and a strong class coming up on the horizon in 2027.

But even with the first-round headcount down and only a few elite names being thrown around, there’s a ton of value coming out of the SEC this year — in the first round and beyond. Here are 5 SEC sleepers who aren’t getting enough love heading into draft week, in no particular order.

Brenen Thompson — WR, Mississippi State

• Best Fit: Kansas City Chiefs

This is an Andy Reid guy if I’ve ever seen one. Despite the fact that speedsters like Thompson don’t always work out in the NFL, I think this Mississippi State product will be different.

Thompson ran a combine-leading 4.26 in the 40, which should come as no surprise whatsoever if you’ve seen him play. Not only is he fast, he’s an excellent route runner (underrated, I may add) and proved he can match up with physicality at the line of scrimmage by putting up numbers against SEC secondaries. He had 6 receptions for 76 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Texas and fellow future 2026 draftee Malik Muhammed, and averaged 85 yards receiving against Georgia and Ole Miss.

The knock on Thompson is his size. He’s 170 pounds soaking wet and stands at 5-foot-9, which has him listed as a consensus Day 3 prospect. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kansas City targets him at No. 109; that is, assuming someone doesn’t like him enough to take him earlier.

KC Concepcion — WR, Texas A&M

Best fit: Carolina Panthers

Yes, I realize KC Concepcion is (correctly) considered a first-round prospect in many NFL mock drafts. I wouldn’t really call the Texas A&M standout a sleeper, admittedly, but I’ll stand by the notion that he’s getting nowhere near the love he should be.

There are so many teams that could use a player like Concepcion that I’d be shocked if he got to 24, where several (here’s an example) mock drafts have him going to Cleveland. The Panthers immediately come to mind, not only because Bryce Young could desperately use some help on offense, but because Carolina could use his talents as a returner. The Panthers managed the 2nd-fewest kick return yards and 6th-fewest punt return yards in 2025.

Some win-win potential there for whoever ends up drafting him.

R Mason Thomas — Edge, Oklahoma

Best fit: New England Patriots

R Mason Thomas’s draft stock is all over the place. I’ve seen him as high as the teens and as low as Round 3, but I’d be ecstatic if my my team drafted him with a late first-round pick.

On the surface, I understand the hesitation. The Sooners standout has very short arms and, as a result, there are worries about his abilities as a run defender against NFL athletes. What some haven’t considered, however, is that R Mason Thomas is a junkyard dog and a game-wrecker who will gladly pin his ears back and go to war every single snap. Don’t overthink this, NFL GMs.

The Patriots and Seahawks both need a violent rusher off the edge, and I could see either grabbing Thomas off the board at 31 or 32.

Oscar Delp — Tight End, Georgia

Best fit: Denver Broncos

Using college statistics as a gauge to assess NFL-readiness is ill-advised, but I wouldn’t blame you for taking pause with Oscar Delp’s underwhelming 20 receptions and 1 touchdown throughout all of 2025. It begs the question: Why did Delp not get the ball considerably more than he did his last year at Georgia?

A lot of folks are picking Eli Stowers as their TE2 in this draft, but I can’t help but think Delp will have a better NFL career. He’s further along as a blocker and has some impressive speed for a guy who stands at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds. Delp is a sneaky gifted athlete. Better yet, the Broncos are in need of a strong TE to make Bo Nix’s life easier, and Delp fits Denver like a glove.

Jalon Kilgore — Safety, South Carolina

Best fit: Chicago Bears

It’s hard not to let out a hearty “football guy” when watching Jalon Kilgore light dudes up at South Carolina. He can guard tight ends and receivers and plays about as physical as any player in the 2026 class.

Kilgore is flying under the radar because of this year’s excellent safety class. Caleb Downs is considered the jewel of the cycle, but Dillon Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are projected first-round guys as well. Kilgore is likely to fall to Day 2, and he fits perfect for a Bears team looking to replace Kevin Byard and JaQuan Brisker from a year ago. Philadelphia at No. 54 makes a ton of sense, too.

The post 5 SEC sleepers and their best (realistic) fits entering the 2026 NFL Draft appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Ellis joins John Groce’s first unit in Charleston after Cougars head coach Chris Mack accepted the South Florida job in March. It’s a solid grab for Groce and a good landing spot for Ellie, a former 4-star prospect in the Class of 2025.

Ellis had an up and down first year in the SEC, averaging 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game while riding the bench for a struggling Gamecocks squad. While he showed some flashes, it’s obvious that he wasn’t quite ready for the grind of an SEC schedule — that was shown especially by his shooting splits. Ellis was great at the free throw line but poor everywhere else, averaging 27% from 3 and 38,6% from the field overall. He entered the portal following South Carolina’s 13-19 season.

The Hickory, North Carolina native is the second South Carolina transfer to announce their commitment to another school. He joins fellow 2025 freshman Abu Yarmah, who recently committed to Longwood.

Prediction Markets

2027 College Basketball Champion

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Kalshi

Michigan

15%

Duke

12%

Illinois

9%

UConn

8%

Florida

6%

Arizona

5%

St. John's

3%

Tennessee

2%

Alabama

2%

Saint Mary's

0%

Predict

The post Eli Ellis, former South Carolina guard, announced transfer destination appeared first on Saturday Down South.

This is an intriguing move for the SEC because the Giants have need for a cornerback this offseason, and the top 2 cornerbacks in the draft are both from the SEC — LSU‘s Mansoor Delane and Tennessee‘s Jermod McCoy. Like the Giants could be now, Cincinnati was also a popular pick for a first-round cornerback at No. 10.

As for Lawrence, this deal moves him to Cincinnati after 7 years with the Giants. Lawrence posted 9 sacks in 2024 despite playing in just 12 games, but he had a down year as a pass rusher in 2025, totaling just 0.5 sacks. The 3-time pro bowler requested to be traded and he got his wish.

Lawrence is a great veteran player, but this is still a bit of a puzzling move by the Bengals. There is a lot of defensive talent set to be available at No. 10, and Lawrence is nearing 30 years old with a notable asking price. Still, the Bengals needed a stud interior defensive lineman and that’s what they now have.

Prediction Markets

Players Drafted Top 10 in 2026?

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Fernando Mendoza

99%

Arvell Reese

98%

David Bailey

97%

Jeremiyah Love

96%

Sonny Styles

92%

Carnell Tate

80%

Caleb Downs

80%

Rueben Bain Jr.

63%

Francis Mauigoa

62%

Mansoor Delane

53%

Predict

The post New York Giants trade Dexter Lawrence to Bengals, snag second top 10 pick appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Indeed, No. 5 Georgia was on one Saturday night — especially in the final innings. The Bulldogs scored an incredible 26 runs to down the Razorbacks 26-14, including 11 runs in the 9th inning alone.

Michael O’Shaughnessy had himself a truly special outing on Saturday, accounting for 8 RBIs by himself with a pair of home runs, including a Grand Slam in the 9th inning. Ryan Wynn also finished as a member of the two-shot club — blasting a 2-run shot in the 3rd with the cherry on top, the 26th run, added in the 9th. But as great as O’Shaughnessy and Wynn were, Dan Jackson was even better.

The Georgia star tied a Bulldogs record with 3 home runs on the day, accounting for 6 RBI with 4 total hits. Jackson’s bat directly contributed Georgia’s first 4 runs of the evening.

Georgia’s win on Saturday smashed an SEC record with 9 home runs across a single league contest. In doing so, the Bulldogs collected the series victory over the Razorbacks after losing Game 1 Thursday and evening the score in Game 2 on Friday.

If you’re wondering, the last time Georgia played Arkansas in football (2021) ended with a final score of 37-0, which is less than the combined score of this matchup.

The post Georgia baseball catches fire, scores 26 runs to down No. 16 Arkansas appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Lamons is a good one, too. He hails from Brooks County high school in Quitman, Georgia, which is located just north of the Florida state line, and stands at 6-4, 215 pounds. Lamons ended up choosing the Tigers over the likes of Florida, Alabama and Florida State, to name a few.

Interestingly, Lamons was previously committed to Texas A&M before stepping away from the Aggies pledge in July of 2025.

Recruiting services are divided regarding Lamons, perhaps because they can’t quite decide what position he’ll play in college. Despite being rated as the No. 11 TE in the 2027 cycle by 247Sports’ composite rankings, Lamons was also heavily recruited as a wide receiver. 247Sports composite also ranks Lamons as the No. 244 overall prospect and the No. 27 prospect out of Georgia.

As mentioned earlier, Auburn now holds 2 commitments in its Class of 2027. Alongside Lamons, the Tigers have secured a pledge from 4-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore.

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

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Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Auburn receives A-Day commitment from 4-star TE out of Georgia appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Rivals reported that the 6-foot-4 Fields chose Texas over offers from Ole Miss, Tennessee, Miami and Georgia. He is the nation’s No. 196 overall athlete in the 247 Sports Composite rankings and the 20^th-ranked edge rusher in the 2027 class.

Fields, who plays at Brookhaven (Miss.) High School, recorded 45 solo tackles and 26 tackles for loss as a junior in 2025. Of those 26 TFL, a team-best 16 went for sacks as the Panthers went 12-3.

Fields is the ninth hard commitment for Texas in the 2027 cycle and second edge rusher, joining 4-star edge Cameron Hall.

The Longhorns entered 2025 with College Football Playoff aspirations but finished 10-3 and just out of the 12-team CFP field. Texas did finish strong, notching an 27-17 upset victory over rival No. 3 Texas A&M in the regular season finale and a 41-27 win against No. 18 Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Texas begins the 2026 season Sept. 5 at home against Texas State and welcomes Ohio State to Austin for a huge rematch on Sept. 12. The Longhorns’ SEC schedule begins Sept. 26 at Tennessee.

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Texas adds commitment from 4-star edge out of Mississippi appeared first on Saturday Down South.

The former USF standout, who transferred to Auburn to join his former coach Alex Golesh, wasn’t exactly sharp – going just 7-of-14 for 85 yards with two interceptions. In fact, Brown was outshined by Oregon State transfer Tristan Ti’a, who finished 15-of-20 for 179 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception.

“I didn’t think Byrum saw it great today,” Golesh said to reporters after the workout at Jordan-Hare Stadium. “Where his game has come in the last 15 practices, he was efficient in what he had to do, but he didn’t see it great today… Mentally, he was fine. Composure, he was fine. Didn’t see it well.”

Brown passed for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns last season for USF and transferred from Tampa to Auburn following a Bulls tenure that included 7,690 passing yards, 2,265 rushing yards and 92 total touchdowns.

Auburn fired Hugh Freeze in midseason en route to a 5-7 record before hiring Golesh. The Tigers open the 2026 season with four straight home games – beginning Sept. 5 with Baylor. The SEC slate starts Sept. 19 at home vs. Florida.

The post Alex Golesh offers critique of Byrum Brown’s spring game performance appeared first on Saturday Down South.

The SEC battle between the 13th-ranked Tigers and 20th-ranked Gators came down to Saturday’s rubber game after Auburn dropped Thursday’s series opener. And therein lies the history that the Tigers made 2 days later, after Friday’s 5-3 victory was followed by Saturday’s win.

It was the first time an Auburn baseball team had won a series in Gainesville after dropping the first game since 1997, so it hadn’t happened in almost 3 decades but it happened on Saturday.

Auburn improved to 27-12 overall and 10-8 in the rugged SEC, while Florida dropped to 28-13 overall and now has the same 10-8 conference record after losing the home series.

When Eddie Madrigal snagged this line drive to end Saturday’s comeback victory, Auburn had its third straight series win and secured the program’s first series victory in Gainesville in 13 years.

Auburn starting pitcher Alex Petrovic allowed a 3-run homer by Florida’s Blake Cyr in the first inning, but the sophomore remained unflappable, responding by blanking the Gators in his final six innings of work.

A pair of Florida miscues paved the way for the Tigers to pull ahead in the 9th inning. Auburn tied it with a run in the 8th, then scored 5 times in the 9th to go up 8-3 before holding off a Florida rally in the bottom of the frame.

Auburn’s 9th-inning eruption was highlighted by a 2-run double from Brandon McCraine. After one McCraine brother did his damage, it was time for younger brother Mason McCraine to do his, as he belted his third homer in the past 2 games to put the finishing touches on the Tigers’ late rally.

Here’s a look at the latest odds to win the College World Series, per Kalshi:

Prediction Markets

College Baseball D1 Champion?

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Kalshi

UCLA

17%

Georgia Tech

12%

Texas

11%

North Carolina

6%

Georgia

6%

Mississippi St.

5%

Arkansas

4%

Auburn

4%

LSU

2%

Tennessee

2%

Predict

The post Auburn secures series win over No. 20 Florida, 8-5 appeared first on Saturday Down South.

On3 reported that Hannah’s agency Seros Partners confirmed the 6-foot-6 freshman and former top 50 recruit is seeking a new program after appearing in 10 games – all before the calendar turned over – and delivering 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per outing in 2025-26. He averaged 12.7 minutes per game played and shot 46.2 percent from the field.

Hannah last played for Alabama on Dec. 17 before coach Nate Oats said a reported medical condition would sideline him for the rest of the season. Oats also confirmed that the Milwaukee product would seek a medical redshirt, which would maintain Hannah’s four full years of remaining eligibility.

A 4-star prospect coming out of Branson (Mo.) Link Academy, Hannah was the No. 46 overall player in the 247 Sports Composite rankings. Oats praised Hannah’s defensive ability in the offseason, saying he would be a valuable contributor early as a result.

“I think Davion Hannah is maybe as good a perimeter defender as this program has seen since maybe Herb Jones,” Oats said. “He’s elite. He moves. He’s 6-foot-6, athletic, tough, can guard one through four.”

Hannah is the fourth Alabama player to hit the portal this cycle, joining forwards Taylor Bol Bowen and Aiden Sherrell along with guard Jalil Bethea.

Prediction Markets

2027 College Basketball Champion

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Michigan

15%

Duke

12%

Illinois

9%

UConn

8%

Florida

6%

Arizona

5%

St. John's

3%

Tennessee

2%

Alabama

2%

Saint Mary's

0%

Predict

The post Alabama guard, former top-50 prospect, to enter transfer portal, per report appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Alex Wilkins told On3’s Joe Tipton on Saturday afternoon that he was heading to the SEC and Kentucky after leaving tiny Furman and the Southern Conference. The All-Southern Conference Second Team selection joins Washington transfer point guard Zoom Diallo, who announced earlier this week that he was heading from the Pacific Northwest to Lexington.

Suddenly, in a matter of days, Kentucky has some prime transfer guard talent on the way after earlier missing out on top transfers like Rob Wright III and Jeremiah Wilkinson. Wilkins’ commitment is a much-needed win for head coach Mark Pope.

The 6-foot-5 Wilkins averaged 17.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game this past season, when he earned those postseason honors at Furman. Now comes a much bigger challenge as the Massachusetts product comes to a blue blood program in the SEC.

Wilkins will have 3 years of eligibility left when he arrives at Kentucky after his standout freshman season in the Southern Conference.

Here’s a look at the latest odds to win the national title in 2027, per Kalshi:

Prediction Markets

2027 College Basketball Champion

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Michigan

15%

Duke

12%

Illinois

9%

UConn

8%

Florida

6%

Arizona

5%

St. John's

3%

Tennessee

2%

Alabama

2%

Saint Mary's

0%

Predict

The post Kentucky basketball adds All-SoCon transfer, former Furman guard appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Saturday’s win, coupled with Friday night’s 10-2 victory over the Crimson Tide, improved Texas to 30-7 overall and 11-5 in SEC play. Alabama (27-12, 8-8) has lost five of its last six games. Game 3 of the series is set for Sunday (2 pm ET, SEC Network+).

Alabama grabbed an early 1-0 lead Saturday in the top of the first when Brady Neal doubled home Bryce Fowler.

The Crimson Tide made that margin stick until the seventh inning – which is when Texas broke open the defensive battle for good. Jayden Duplantier began the rally with an RBI single to right, Carson Tinney added an RBI single up the middle and Adrian Rodriguez lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1.

Prediction Markets

College Baseball D1 Champion?

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

UCLA

17%

Georgia Tech

12%

Texas

11%

North Carolina

6%

Georgia

6%

Mississippi St.

5%

Arkansas

4%

Auburn

4%

LSU

2%

Tennessee

2%

Predict

Aiden Robbins finished 3-for-4 for Texas, which finished with eight hits. Reliever Haiden Leffew (3-1) earned the victory, while Sam Cozart struck out all three Alabama hitters he faced in the ninth for his sixth save. Longhorns starter Ruger Riojas gave up just three hits and struck out 11 in five innings of work.

In all, 19 of the Crimson Tide’s 27 outs came via strikeout. Reliever Matthew Heiberger (2-2) took the loss for Alabama.

The post No. 4 Texas baseball clinches series victory over No. 11 Alabama appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Sanford, who was named a 2026 captain earlier in the week, went down with an apparent lower-leg injury in the first half – with a cast placed on his injury before being carted off the field.

“He got injured, lower body,” Texas A&M coach Mike Elko told reporters after the game. “We will figure it out.”

Fellow Aggies linebacker Noah Mikhail also discussed Sanford’s injury.

“Daymion (Sanford) is a one-of-a-kind type of player. Losing someone like that is really tough on the whole team, especially as linebackers,” Mikhail said. “We went and prayed in the huddle. We are hoping we can get him back as soon as possible.”

Bethel-Roman, on the other hand, departed Saturday’s game in the first quarter with an apparent arm injury, though Elko said post-practice that “Ashton will be fine.”

Sanford has racked up 52 solo tackles and 94 total stops in his Texas A&M career, adding 3½ sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Bethel-Roman caught 24 passes for 503 yards and five touchdowns last season as the Aggies advanced to the College Football Playoff.

The post Mike Elko comments on spring game injuries of Daymion Sanford, Ashton Bethel-Roman appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Whether you want to utilize these bonus funds for this Lakers-Rockets clash or for any other NBA game this week, this promotion provides up to $120 in total bonuses to immediately boost your daily fantasy bankroll. Sleeper is rolling out a great bonus in time for the NBA Playoffs.

Sleeper Promo Code SOUTHXL Offers $120 in Bonuses

Before the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets tip off, ensure you are geared up with the latest daily fantasy welcome offer. Grab this exclusive bonus before the next game gets underway:

Eligible new Sleeper customers looking to enhance their daily fantasy experience can take full advantage of this generous welcome offer. To qualify, you must meet the daily fantasy age requirements and reside in a participating state. Once your new account is registered, you will immediately receive a $20 sign-up bonus. In addition to the flat sign-up reward, Sleeper will match your initial deposit 100% up to $100, giving you maximum flexibility to build your entries.

With a combined bonus potential of up to $120, you will have plenty of extra funds to target the upcoming NBA slate. Put your boosted bankroll into play when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets.

Saturday NBA DFS Preview

If you are looking to utilize your promo on the upcoming slate of games, targeting high-volume scorers in favorable matchups is a strategic approach. Based on the latest Sleeper markets, here is a look at the top five highest player points projections on the board:

Jalen Brunson carries a heavy 27.5 points projection against the Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks guard averaged 26.0 points per game during the 2025-26 regular season. The Atlanta Hawks have a stable of great defenders to throw at Brunson, but he always seems to find a way to get his points in the points.

Meanwhile, LeBron James rounds out the top projections with a 24.5 points mark against the Houston Rockets. The Lakers host Houston, and James, who averaged 20.9 points per game during the 2025-26 regular season, will be crucial for Los Angeles as both teams manage multiple core injuries. Los Angeles will start the series without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves

How to Activate Sleeper Promo Code SOUTHXL

Getting started with your daily fantasy account is a straightforward process. To ensure you receive your full bonus before the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets tip off, follow these steps:

1. Sign Up: Download the Sleeper app or visit the site to create and register a new account. You will need to provide standard personal information to verify your identity.
2. Enter the Code: Promo code SOUTHXL is required during registration to claim this specific welcome offer.
3. Make a Deposit: Deposit at least $10 using one of the secure methods provided in order to activate the 100% match.

Users do not have to deposit the full $100 to get the deposit match. That is just the maximum Sleeper will match. For example, you could deposit $50 and get $50 matched. Choose the amount that best fits your daily fantasy bankroll, and your funds will be ready to use for the upcoming Lakers-Rockets matchup, or any other game during the NBA season.

The post Sleeper Promo Code SOUTHXL: Get $120 Bonus for Lakers-Rockets, NBA Playoffs Picks appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Junior running back Nate Frazier limped off the Sanford Stadium field after the first play Saturday, receiving medical attention before spending the rest of the scrimmage on the sideline.

Following the G-Day festivities, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart discussed Frazier’s injury with reporters.

“Precautionary. He had an ankle injury in the last game,” Smart said, referring to an injury Frazier sustained in the Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss. “He re-aggravated it on the first play and we shut him down after that.”

Georgia’s Red team, consisting of the Bulldogs’ first-team offense and second-team offense, beat the Black team 27-17.

Frazier rushed for 947 yards on 173 carries and six touchdowns in 2026. His two-year stats in Athens include 1,819 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns.

Counting Frazier, Georgia listed 13 players who were either injured Saturday or sustained an injury at some point in spring practice that kept them out of G-Day.

Georgia captured the SEC championship in 2025 and finished the season with a 12-2 record – ultimately falling to Ole Miss 39-34 in the CFP quarterfinals in New Orleans. The Bulldogs begin the 2026 season Sept. 5 at home against Tennessee State and also play a non-conference home game Sept. 12 against Western Kentucky before SEC play opens Sept. 19 at Arkansas.

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Kirby Smart gives injury update on starting running back Nate Frazier appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Lexington native Jasper Johnson became the latest to announce his 2026-27 destination, announcing on social media that he will play for the Oregon Ducks next season.

A 6-foot-5 combo guard, Johnson delivered 4.9 points, 1.6 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per contest across 35 games as a freshman in 2025-26. He played just 20 combined minutes in three SEC Tournament games and eight combined minutes in two March Madness games with just 10 points on 11 total shot attempts in that stretch.

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Johnson was Kentucky coach Mark Pope’s highest-rated recruit at No. 25 overall in the 247 Sports Composite ranks last season. Johnson’s father, Dennis, was an All-SEC pass rusher for Kentucky’s football program from 1998-2001.

The younger Johnson now joins coach Dana Altman’s squad in Eugene, an Oregon unit that finished 12-20 overall and 5-15 in the Big 10 in 2025-26. He will have three years of remaining eligibility.

Oregon now has four incoming players via the portal – as Johnson will be joined by power forwards Pharaoh Compton and Andrew Meadow along with small forward Tyrone Riley.

Prediction Markets

2027 College Basketball Champion

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Michigan

15%

Duke

12%

Illinois

9%

UConn

8%

Florida

6%

Arizona

5%

St. John's

3%

Tennessee

2%

Alabama

2%

Saint Mary's

0%

Predict

The post Former Kentucky guard Jasper Johnson announces transfer commitment appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Thankfully, it appears the parachuter is okay after a rough collision with the video board, which was captured in the video below by a user at the spring game. According to a few reporters on-scene for the game, the parachuter was stuck dangling from the video board for well over 10 minutes.

It appears strong winds made landing more difficult than previously anticipated. Here’s a look at the scene and crash:

Further reports, such as the one below, indicate the individual was indeed rescued safely by the fire department.

Obviously, this is not a fantastic omen for the start of the James Franklin era at Virginia Tech. The Hokies, after years of mediocrity, hired the former Penn State head coach after he and the Nittany Lions parted ways following an anticlimactic 2025 season.

The Hokies have been reeling since Frank Beamer left following the 2015 season. Justin Fuente had a few good years at the start of his tenure, but Virginia Tech has failed to win 8 games in one season dating back to an 8-5 finish in 2019.

Here’s an update from Virginia Tech:

The post Virginia Tech delays spring game after pregame parachuter crashes into video board appeared first on Saturday Down South.

After the scrimmage to conclude Kentucky’s spring session, Stein was asked about why Saturday’s workout wasn’t made available via broadcast.

“You never know who is in the stands. We are close (in proximity) to a lot of (programs),” Stein said. “That’s just a fact. We huddled a lot, we hid our signals, we didn’t do any special teams.

“Because, I mean, shoot, you can go on YouTube and look up spring football games around the country watch what spring ball look like on other schools. … That’s why we wanted to keep it really simple. The playbook was minimal on both offense and defense.”

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Stein takes over Kentucky’s program after Mark Stoops was let go following a 13-year run in Lexington. It is Stein’s first head coaching job, as he served as offensive coordinator for three seasons in Oregon before landing the UK job.

Kentucky (5-7 overall, 2-6 SEC in 2025) opens Stein’s first season Sept. 5 at home against Youngstown State before beginning conference play Sept. 12 at home against Alabama.

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Will Stein talks secrecy around spring game: ‘You never know who is in the stands’ appeared first on Saturday Down South.

That’s when talented wide receiver Isaiah Horton decided to bolt from Tuscaloosa and transfer to SEC rival Texas A&M. It was a double whammy of sorts for Elko, taking the Nashville native away from the Crimson Tide and bringing him to College Station to add to the offensive mix along with star quarterback Marcel Reed.

There is potential star power for Horton, too, and that was on display Saturday afternoon during the Maroon & White Spring Game at Kyle Field. Horton, who broke out individually last fall at Alabama, catching 42 passes for 511 yards and 8 touchdowns, continued that momentum with his new program on Saturday, with style points.

The 6-foot-4, 208-pounder who launched his college career at Miami made quite the first real impression with the Aggies faithful. On the final snap of the first quarter of Saturday’s spring game, Horton slid along the sidelines to make a phenomenal catch. The pass came from Brady Hart, it was good for a gain of roughly 35 yards, and it served notice that Horton might just be in for a banner fall in College Station.

Elko took notice of the play, of course, and he raved to reporters about Horton’s spring game performance in general.

“Those balls were thrown into tight coverage, and he came down with contested catches over the DB,” Mike Elko said. “He has had a great spring, and we expect him to be a major player for us this fall.”

Adding Horton to the Aggies’ passing game this fall will surely bolster Texas A&M’s ability to contend for an SEC title. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the Aggies’ chances to lift the SEC championship trophy in December:

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Mike Elko lays out big expectations for Isaiah Horton after impressive spring game appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Two days after being ruled eligible for the 2026 season, Heinecke sprinted out of the tunnel at Owen Field with a flourish and a renewed fire, with 50 Cent’s “Many Men” blaring on the stadium loudspeaker, of course.

He received a standing ovation from the Sooner faithful, who now know they’ll have Heinecke back in the fold this fall after his breakout 2025 season. Before Oklahoma fans were treated to the spring game, they had a glorious chance to welcome back a fan favorite who was perilously close to not being able to wear a Sooner uniform again.

In Thursday’s official ruling by Cleveland County judge Thad Balkman, he said the NCAA “failed to consider the totality of the case” when it initially denied Heinecke a chance to return for the 2026 season. That was according to a report by SoonerScoop’s George Stoia, and when Balkman chose to grant Heinecke an injunction, it paved the way for the Tulsa native to be able to return for another season in Norman.

Heinecke can likely be penciled into the starting lineup for the Sooners this fall, after an incredible 2025 season that saw him rack up 74 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and 3 sacks.

On Saturday, all of the joy and relief came to fruition for Heinecke, for his teammates and for the fans, who got to welcome him back during the spring game to those familiar sounds of 50 Cent.

With Heinecke returning to seriously bolster Oklahoma’s defense this fall, the Sooners’ chances to compete for an SEC title are that much better. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently seeing for Oklahoma and the rest of the SEC contenders to raise that conference trophy in December:

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Owen Heinecke makes dramatic entrance at Oklahoma’s spring game after winning eligibility case appeared first on Saturday Down South.

During Saturday afternoon’s Maroon & White Spring Game at Kyle Field, senior Daymion Sanford, one of Texas A&M‘s best returning defensive players and possibly its best returning linebacker, had to be carted off the field with a lower-leg injury. The exact nature of Sanford’s injury wasn’t known yet, but anytime a cart is needed during the otherwise laid-back nature of a spring game, it can’t be considered an innocent situation.

The 6-foot-2, 222-pound in-state product who was born in Katy, Texas, was injured with a little less than 2 minutes left in the 2nd quarter of the spring game. With such little time remaining on the clock, the first half was cut short while Sanford was tended to by medical personnel.

Sanford piled up 57 total tackles, 25 of them solo, during the 2025 season, helping the Aggies reach the College Football Playoff. He added 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception, strong production all over the field that Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko was counting on again for the 2026 season.

At this moment, that prospect depends on just how serious Saturday’s injury was and if Sanford will miss significant time.

While Texas A&M hopes for the best going forward with Sanford, the Aggies will be trying to compete for an SEC championship this fall, with or without Sanford. Here is what the Kalshi market currently thinks of Texas A&M’s chances to raise that SEC title trophy in December:

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Texas A&M linebacker Daymion Sanford carted off the field with lower-leg injury appeared first on Saturday Down South.

On the final snap of the first quarter in Texas A&M’s spring game, Horton made a great sliding catch along the sidelines. The fifth-year senior showed his hands late to prevent the defender from making a play on the ball and hauled in the pass from quarterback Brady Hart for a gain of roughly 35 yards.

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Horton joined Texas A&M, in part, to replace the production of soon-to-be NFL Draft pick KC Concepcion. The departed wideout, who earned All-American honors (All-Purpose/Return Specialist) last season, led the Aggies receptions (61), yards (919) and touchdowns (9). Horton, along with Ashton Bethel-Roman and Terry Bussey, are presumably competing for starting spot(s) beside Mario Craver.

Horton’s strong snare didn’t come on a throw from starting quarterback Marcel Reed, but impact plays like that will help him earn trust in the Texas A&M offense.

The Aggies begin the 2026 season versus Missouri State on Sept. 5.

RELATED: Did you know Underdog is legal in Texas? Here’s an Underdog review to help answer any questions you may have about one of the best DFS sites in 2026!

The post Isaiah Horton makes incredible grab during Texas A&M’s spring game appeared first on Saturday Down South.

The Rebels did it again on Saturday afternoon, getting a commitment from 4-star prize Keysan Taylor, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound EDGE rusher from Rockford, Ill. Instead of staying close to his roots in Big Ten country, Taylor is heading south to Oxford to play for Pete Golding, who will be kick-starting his head coaching stint this fall at Ole Miss.

Taylor told On3’s Hayes Fawcett of his plans to be front and center in 2027 for Golding’s second seasons in Oxford. Not only did Ole Miss continue building that defensive line in its 2027 class, with Taylor already being the Rebels’ third D-line commit for 2027, but Golding also plucked Taylor out of the Midwest at the expense of some SEC rivals.

With Vanderbilt and Kentucky also being in the mix for Taylor, Ole Miss ultimately won out as it tries to build on last season’s trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Taylor can’t help the Rebels until the 2027 season, but he’ll be joining fellow 4-star defensive line recruits Ben’Jarvius Shumaker and Jamarkus Pittman soon enough in Oxford.

Taylor’s commitment on Saturday gives Ole Miss 6 commits for the 2027 cycle. In addition to his 4-star rating, Taylor is the 329th-ranked player overall in the Class of 2027, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Those Composite rankings also put Taylor as the No. 28 EDGE rusher in the class and the 12th-ranked player from the state of Illinois.

While Taylor is sure to help Ole Miss during the 2027 season, the Rebels will be trying to climb the SEC mountain and win a conference crown this fall. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about Ole Miss’s chances to win an SEC championship in 2026:

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Ole Miss lands commitment from 4-star pass rusher in class of 2027 appeared first on Saturday Down South.

I’m placing these bets right alongside you, and having a $200 cushion makes diving into tonight’s matchups a lot more fun. Just keep in mind that your qualifying bets need to settle within 30 days of claiming the offer. If you’re betting from Illinois, you’re looking at a slightly different “bet $10, get $150 in bonus bets” offer.

Meanwhile, our friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey will get the standard $200 bonus plus 50 extra spins for bet365’s online casino.

Bet365 Bonus Code SDS365 for the NBA Playoffs

Whether we are backing the Rockets on the road or the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, grabbing this sign-up promotion is the smartest way to elevate your viewing experience. Before you lock in your picks for the national broadcast, review the breakdown of the welcome bonus below so you know exactly what we’re working with.

Wager $10, Get $200 in Bonus Bets

If you’re ready for a real chance at a nice pay day, activating this offer is your first step. By using the bet365 bonus code SDS365, new users who place a simple $10 wager will receive $200 in bonus bets, win or lose. To successfully qualify, your first wager just needs to carry minimum odds of -500. So, handicapping a -450 moneyline favorite is perfectly fine, but dropping it on a -800 heavy favorite won’t cut it.

The bet must settle within 30 days of claiming the offer. Once those bonus bets hit your account, we have seven days to use them before they expire—plenty of time to build a smart parlay or key in on a specific exotic bet.

As a quick reminder on the regional details: bettors in Illinois qualify for a modified “bet $10, get $150 in bonus bets” promo. If you are registering from Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you get the standard $200 in bonus bets plus an additional 50 spins for the online casino. Understanding the morning line and these terms ensures we can fully maximize our promotional value.

NBA Betting Odds for Saturday

Before we build our betting tickets, let’s look at tonight’s current lines.

Tonight’s marquee matchup on ABC takes us to Crypto.com Arena. The odds heavily reflect some significant injury setbacks for the Lakers, who have ruled out star Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (rib). Because of this, the Rockets are stepping onto the floor as 5.5-point road favorites.

Beyond the NBA: Betting MLB and NHL Playoffs

The beauty of this bet365 welcome offer is that you aren’t strictly boxed into basketball. If you prefer the ice or the diamond, you can absolutely use your bonus bets to chase a nice pay day on other sports.

Whether you are handicapping the intense, hard-hitting action of the NHL or looking to string together a parlay on MLB games, your bonus funds are fully eligible. It’s a fantastic way to diversify your strategy and take advantage of all the premium sports action happening right now.

Bet365 Bonus Code Guide for New Customers

Securing your welcome bonus ahead of tonight’s tip-off is a very straightforward process. We’ve all been through complicated sign-ups, but this one is a breeze. Follow these simple steps to claim your reward:

1. Register a New Account: Create your new profile here. You will need to provide standard personal information (like your name, date of birth, and email address) to verify your identity.
2. Enter the Bonus Code: During registration, make sure to enter the bet365 bonus code SDS365 so you are officially entered into this specific promotion.
3. Make a Secure Deposit: Once your account is verified, head over to the banking section and deposit at least $10 using one of bet365’s secure payment methods.
4. Claim the Offer: After funding your account, explicitly claim the welcome offer via the bet365 app.
5. Place Your Qualifying Bet: To activate the offer, place a qualifying wager of at least $10 on any eligible market—like the Lakers vs. Rockets clash.

Once your qualifying wager is placed and ultimately settles, bet365 will credit the bonus bets straight to your account balance, giving us all the extra ammunition we need to attack the rest of the NBA schedule this weekend.

Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns.  New Customers only. T\&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

The post Bet365 Bonus Code SDS365: Get $200 Bonus for NBA Playoffs + NHL Playoffs appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Saturday morning, Jemison — the No. 38 player in the 2025 recruiting class, per 247Sports Composite rankings — announced he will remain at Alabama for the 2026-27 campaign. The Oakdale, CT native averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game as a freshman.

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At this moment, Jemison is the only player from the 2025-26 Crimson Tide confirmed to return for next season. However, Alabama’s roster is far from barren.

Head coach Nate Oats has added three high-major players — Brandon Garrison (Kentucky), Jamarion Davis-Fleming (Mississippi State) and Cole Cloer (NC State) — from the transfer portal and has commitments from three top-40 recruits (Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie).

The biggest domino in the Crimson Tide’s offseason has yet to fall. Aden Holloway, the rising senior guard who missed the NCAA Tournament after being suspended for a felony drug arrest, intends to return to the program, but has only been cleared to resume classes at the time of this article.

How Alabama proceeds before the transfer portal closes will likely give fans an indication of whether or not Holloway will be on the team next year.

Prediction Markets

2027 College Basketball Champion

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Michigan

15%

Duke

12%

Illinois

9%

UConn

8%

Florida

6%

Arizona

5%

St. John's

3%

Tennessee

2%

Alabama

2%

Saint Mary's

0%

Predict

The post Alabama forward London Jemison announces future plans appeared first on Saturday Down South.

According to a report on Saturday morning by On3’s Joe Tipton, Wagner has committed to Maryland for next season, meaning his 3-year run in the SEC would be over. The 6-foot-4 Wagner, who came out of Camden, N.J., as a high-profile recruit, began his whirlwind college basketball career with 1 season at Kentucky in 2023-24 before spending the past 2 seasons playing for John Calipari at Arkansas.

Calipari has had Wagner for all 3 of his collegiate seasons, since his last season as head coach at Kentucky was Wagner’s first season at the college level. But after 3 seasons playing for Calipari in 2 different SEC stops, Wagner is reportedly heading to the Big Ten to play for Buzz Williams, who will be trying to bounce back from last season’s 12-21 disaster in College Park.

Wagner has 1 season of eligibility remaining, and he’ll apparently spend that last season closer to his New Jersey roots.

He was a crucial part of Calipari’s rotation this past season, helping the Hogs capture the SEC Tournament crown and advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Wagner made 35 appearances in all for Arkansas in 2025-26, including 19 starts. He averaged 7.4 points, 2.4 assists and 1.6 rebounds while playing 23.6 minutes per game. Wagner shot a career-best 34.6% from 3-point territory.

Wagner’s scoring average did dip this past season, after he averaged a career-high 11.2 points per game during his first season at Arkansas in 2024-25.

His impact at the college level was felt immediately during that first season playing for Calipari at Kentucky, where he started in all but 1 of his 29 appearances with the Wildcats before following Calipari to Fayetteville. Wagner averaged 9.9 points and 3.3 assists during his true freshman season in Lexington.

Arkansas won the SEC Tournament title this past season, but the Razorbacks have bigger things in mind for next season after advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2025-26. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the top teams in the mix to cut down the nets next April:

Prediction Markets

2027 College Basketball Champion

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Michigan

15%

Duke

12%

Illinois

9%

UConn

8%

Florida

6%

Arizona

5%

St. John's

3%

Tennessee

2%

Alabama

2%

Saint Mary's

0%

Predict

The post Former Arkansas guard DJ Wagner reportedly transfers to Big Ten program appeared first on Saturday Down South.

The SEC powerhouse is looking to get back onto the mountaintop of college football after winning those national titles in 2021 and 2022, and Georgia is also looking to remain on that SEC mountaintop this fall after winning conference crowns in 2024 and 2025.

The road to all of those possibilities truly gets going on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, when Team Black faces Team Red. The scrimmage will be telecast on SEC Network+, and a few hours before kickoff the G-Day rosters were unveiled.

While Smart and his coaching staff are naturally hoping to escape the day without any major injuries, they will also hope for some surprise performances from newcomers as well as some solid showings by Georgia mainstays. Those mainstays are headlined by returning starting quarterback Gunner Stockton, who will lead Team Red’s offensive attack on Saturday.

Standout running back Nate Frazier will line up behind Stockton for Team Red, with the California product hoping to build on a 2025 season that saw Frazier rush for 947 yards and 6 touchdowns. Isiah Canion will also be part of Team Red as the Georgia Tech transfer wide receiver looks to make a strong first impression with the Bulldog faithful.

Meanwhile, Team Black’s roster on Saturday will be headlined by standout safety KJ Bolden. He’ll be joined on Team Black by fellow safety Zion Branch, while defensive back Ellis Robinson also puts on that Team Black uniform to make it a top-heavy roster when it comes to the secondary.

Here are the full Team Red and Team Black rosters for Saturday afternoon:

Smart has led Georgia to 4 SEC titles since he took over in Athens in 2016, and he’ll be trying to lead the Bulldogs to an SEC championship 3-peat after taking the crown in 2024 and 2025. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the odds for Georgia to do just that come December:

Prediction Markets

College Football SEC Championship Winner (2026)

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

Texas

24%

Georgia

23%

LSU

15%

Texas A&M

12%

Alabama

11%

Florida

11%

Missouri

10%

Oklahoma

10%

Arkansas

6%

Vanderbilt

3%

Predict

The post Georgia announces rosters for 2026 G-Day appeared first on Saturday Down South.

According to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, Kentucky has landed 4-star safety Tristin Hughes. The Rocky River, OH native chose the Wildcats over Virginia Tech, Michigan and Penn State.

Hughes, who stands 5-foot-11, 190 lbs., according to 247 Sports, is the No. 351 overall player in 247 Sports’ Composite rankings of the 2027 recruiting class. He’s the No. 21 safety and No. 14 player from Ohio, based on the same rankings.

Stein, in his first offseason as Kentucky’s head coach, now has 10 commitments for 2027. The highest-profile recruit he has landed is QB Jake Nawrot, who was seen as the No. 2 QB in the class before committing to the Wildcats. He is now slotted as the No. 64 player and No. 5 QB in the country, based on 247 Sports’ Composite rankings.

RELATED: Looking join a new sportsbook? Use BetMGM bonus code SOUTH1550 to get access to a first-bet offer when you join!

Kentucky currently has the country’s ninth-best 2027 recruiting class, according to the 247 Sports’ Composite. The Wildcats will face the Youngstown State Penguins in their first game under Stein on Sept. 5.

The post Kentucky beats out multiple top programs for 4-star safety recruit appeared first on Saturday Down South.

After his team dropped Friday’s series opener against the Aggies, head coach Jay Johnson took responsibility for the Tigers’ struggles. He said choices he made in roster construction have plagued the squad.

“It’s a deep-rooted thing… we’re off, and this will never happen again,” Johnson told reporters. “I made some mistakes in constructing the team, in trying to replace 2 guys that were irreplaceable, where we should have looked for replacing them through guys that were already in the program… we won’t make that mistake again.”

Johnson centered his attention on the team’s approach in the batter’s box. He believes there is too much focus from players on exit velocity and the long ball, as opposed to quality, competitive at-bats.

“We have plenty of home runs… if you attached professional at-bats, which is what we’re known for… [and] is why we have 2 national championships, with the power on this team, it would be plenty,” Johnson said. “Texas A&M… won the game tonight because they hit the ball hard and low the other way… the appearance is, we’re trying to do too much. And trying to do too much is not a plan, or a sign of a mature offensive baseball team.”

LSU could take its series versus Texas A&M with wins today (5:30 p.m. E.T., SEC Network+) and Sunday (2:00 p.m. E.T., ESPN).

Prediction Markets

College Baseball D1 Champion?

Learn more about Prediction Markets

Kalshi

UCLA

17%

Georgia Tech

12%

Texas

11%

North Carolina

6%

Georgia

6%

Mississippi St.

5%

Arkansas

4%

Auburn

4%

LSU

2%

Tennessee

2%

Predict

The post LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson admits roster construction mistakes after latest loss appeared first on Saturday Down South.