Field-level media
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston and running back Kendre Miller, who helped Max Duggan lead the Horned Frogs to the national championship game, both signed up for the 2023 NFL draft on Monday.
Johnston is considered one of the top prospects in his position. Miller is a mid to late round pick. Both were juniors in 2022.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Johnston caught 60 passes for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns in 2022, including a six-catch, 163-yard performance with a 76-yard touchdown against Michigan in the Horned’s semifinal win Frog’s Fiesta Bowl.
In three seasons at TCU, Johnston had 115 receptions for 2,190 yards and 14 touchdowns. He added two rushing touchdowns.
Miller, a 6-foot, 220-pound back, started TCU running back in 2022 and amassed 1,399 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while finishing third and second in the Big 12, respectively. A knee injury prevented him from playing in TCU’s national title game loss against Georgia.
“Our locker room was special and a big reason this season was legendary,” Miller said in a video posted to Instagram. “We will always be brothers and one team. We will forever be remembered as champions.”
Harbaugh staysAfter another fling with the NFL, Jim Harbaugh will return to the Michigan coach in 2023.
“I just got off the phone with Coach Harbaugh and Jim shared the great news that he will remain the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines,” University President Santa Ono tweeted Monday. “This is fantastic news to share with our sporting director, Warde Manuel.”
“I love the relationships I have in Michigan — coaches, staff, families, administration, President Santa Ono, and especially the players and their families. My heart beats for the University of Michigan. I once heard a wise man say, “Don’t try to be happy, happy.” Go blue!” Harbaugh said in a statement.
It was the second time this month that Michigan Harbaugh publicly celebrated honoring the basic terms of their agreement.
On Jan. 5, Harbaugh released a statement saying he was “aware of the rumors and speculation” surrounding his future. “While no one knows what the future holds, I expect to be excited to coach Michigan in 2023,” Harbaugh said.
Michigan Football retweeted this statement with the caption “Michigan through and through.”
Harbaugh reportedly had a conversation — not an interview — with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper about coaching that team. He was also expected to draw interest from the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, with The Athletic reporting that Michigan’s Harbaugh was all but gone if he received an offer from an NFL franchise.
Harbaugh signed a five-year contract extension worth $36.7 million last season after intense talks with the Minnesota Vikings. He twice discussed opening with the Vikings, including meeting owners in person on National Signing Day, eventually returning as Wolverines head coach.
Michigan first hired Harbaugh as head coach in 2015. The Wolverines are 74-24 under Harbaugh with five straight bowl game losses since winning the Citrus Bowl in 2015.
The former Michigan quarterback, who played in the NFL from 1987 to 2001, last coached in the NFL from 2011 to 2014 and led the San Francisco 49ers to five playoff wins, a 44-19-1 record and an appearance in the Super Bowl XLVII.
CEPHAS TO PENN STATE
Former Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas, who is considered one of the transfer portal’s best players this offseason, signed for Penn State Sunday night.
Cephas was a first-team All-MAC selection in both 2021 and 2022. He had 82 receptions for 1,240 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 and 48 catches for 744 yards and three TDs last season and played just nine games while battling an injury.
The Nittany Lions have sent multiple receivers to the NFL in recent years, including Chris Godwin, KJ Hamler and Jahan Dotson. Penn State wideout Parker Washington will likely be a draft pick in April.
Cephas’ decision came on the same day that Penn State surprisingly parted ways with receiver coach Taylor Stubblefield.
Addison went to the NFL
Southern California wide receiver and 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison declared the underclassmen decision deadline for the 2023 NFL Draft Monday.
Addison, 20, caught 59 passes for 875 yards and eight touchdowns in his only season with the Trojans. He joined from Pitt ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Addison made the announcement on social media.
“To all my Pitt boys and my West Coast men, thank you for making this trip one to remember forever,” Addison posted on his Instagram page. “See you on Sundays.”
Addison caught 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 TDS at Pitt in 2021, earning him the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s top receiver. He has 29 career TDs in 36 games at Pitt and USC.
Addison is widely considered one of the top three draft prospects at the wide receiver position and is likely to be selected in the first round.
DOMINECK TO COLORADO
Former Arkansas pass rusher Jordan Domineck is making the move to Colorado.
The 6-foot-3, 251-pound senior defense lineman announced his decision on social media on Sunday.
Domineck recorded 7.5 sacks and 34 tackles (9.5 for losses), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 13 games in his freshman season with the Razorbacks in 2022.
He played at Georgia Tech from 2018-21 and had 9.0 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 54 games.
First-year Colorado coach Deion Sanders has hit the transfer portal hard since inheriting a 1-11 team and has added at least 21 players so far, according to 247Sports.