• USC, LSU, Oregon, and Texas Tech are highlighted as winners of the recent college football recruiting cycle.
• Penn State, Baylor, and Auburn are listed as losers, facing challenges from coaching changes and decommitments.
• The transfer portal and NIL era have significantly changed roster management, making it difficult to retain recruiting classes.

Signing a great college football recruiting class is one thing. Keeping that class together for multiple years of development is another.

Based on how roster management has changed in the portal and NIL era, Bowl Subdivision programs will struggle to keep half of their signees in any given class on campus for the duration of their college eligibility.

In fact, a 50% hit rate would be superb. More than 4,000 players entered the portal this winter, representing about a quarter of the FBS.

But even as Indiana bucks history to win a championship behind a transfer-heavy roster, the key to success in the Power Four is to use transfers to augment a roster largely built and developed through traditional recruiting.

With this year’s recruiting cycle complete, let’s break down the biggest winner and losers from the second national signing day:

Winners

Southern California

USC signed the nation’s third-largest class with 35 traditional signees. Leading the way are a pair of five-star recruits in edge rusher Luke Wafle and tight end Mark Bowman. While over half of the class hails from California, the Trojans also inked two of the top four prospects out of Texas and two of the top eight prospects from Ohio. There are multiple freshmen in this group capable of adding immediate depth or even grabbing starting roles from the start, which should help USC climb the ladder in the Big Ten and compete for a College Football Playoff berth in 2026.

LSU

The Tigers’ transfer haul featured some of the best prospects in the portal in quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton and edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen. That’s only increased the hype heading into Lane Kiffin’s debut. The past month has also seen LSU add bodies up front via a pair of junior college linemen in Adrian Lamb and Jakolby Jones, completing a rapid overhaul of the offensive front. Lamb chose the Tigers over offers from SEC rivals Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina.

Oregon

No team signed more five stars than the Ducks’ quartet of offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho, tight end Kendre’ Harrison, pass rusher Anthony Jones and wide receiver Jalen Lott. All four should find early playing time; Iheanacho is expected to start and Lott should land in a supporting role behind established starters Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart. The second signing period included two new additions in running back Brandon Smith and three-star defensive lineman Anthony Jones. Smith joins fellow four-star recruit Tradarian Ball in adding even more juice to an already impressive backfield while Jones will help replenish a defensive front that lost significant depth to the transfer portal.

Texas Tech

While known more for dominating the transfer portal, Texas Tech also signed the top-rated recruiting class in the Big 12, led by a pair of key signings – five-star edge rusher LaDamion Guyton and offensive tackle Felix Ojo. While Ojo should land on the two-deep as a freshman, Guyton is destined for a meaty role given the Red Raiders’ offseason losses on the defensive front – though Guyton won’t arrive in Lubbock until after the spring, shortening his adjustment period before the start of the regular season. Another newcomer capable of stepping right into the mix is wide receiver Chase Campbell, a key local recruit who joins a crowded but somewhat unproven rotation.

Losers

Penn State

James Franklin’s firing, Matt Campbell’s arrival and Franklin’s move to Virginia Tech combined to keep this transition class near the bottom of the Big Ten. And signing a smaller group isn’t a huge deal given the Nittany Lions’ transfer haul, which includes some high-profile carryovers from Iowa State in quarterback Rocco Becht and safety Marcus Neal. Campbell also pulled off a late recruiting coup in defensive lineman Elijah Reeder, who blossomed into one of the top edge rushers in this cycle. But the class is still short on star power with just a pair of four stars and no recruit who seems assured of playing a major role in 2026.

Baylor

Baylor was one of the big losers of the early signing period after losing offensive tackle Kole Seaton to Oklahoma State, four-star receiver Jordan Clay to Washington, four-star defensive lineman Jamarion Carlton to Texas and four-star defensive backs Jamarion Vincent and Jordan Deck to Michigan. That left the Bears around the top 70 nationally and near the bottom of the Big 12. They rallied to add two in-state recruits this past month in running back HD Davis and linebacker Jahiem Porter, but both are developmental prospects who combined for just one additional Power Four scholarship offer.

Auburn

Auburn and new coach Alex Golesh did sign five four-star recruits, more than five teams in the SEC. Leading the way is local edge rusher Jaquez Wilkes, who stuck to his commitment through the coaching change despite offers from many of the top programs in the Power Four. But the Tigers also suffered a rash of high-profile decommitments, losing safety Bralan Womack to Mississippi State, wide receiver Jase Matthews to Mississippi, edge rusher Hezekiah Harris to Tennessee and receiver Devin Carter to Florida State.

Forward Artemi Panarin is off the trade market and the free agent market.

The New York Rangers traded Panarin on Wednesday. Feb. 4 to the Los Angeles Kings, who signed the high-scoring winger to a two-year contract extension averaging $11 million a year. The Rangers received prospect forward Liam Greentree and conditional third- (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

Panarin, 34, was the latest player to come off a list of what had been an impressive unrestricted free agent class. Kirill Kaprizov signed a record extension and has been joined by Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, Martin Necas and Adrian Kempe.

Here are some of the top remaining pending unrestricted free agents:

Top remaining free agents

10. Anders Lee, New York Islanders

He has been the Islanders’ captain since 2018 and is good for 20-plus goals. He had 29 last season. Current cap hit: $7 million.

9. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer is 40. He’ll either re-sign with Washington or retire. He hasn’t indicated his plans. Current cap hit: $9 million.

8. Kiefer Sherwood, San Jose Sharks

He was the runaway leader in hits last season and is in second place this season. He also has 17 goals and was traded by the Canucks this season. Current cap hit: $1.5 million

7. John Carlson, Washington Capitals

Carlson is the Capitals’ all-time leader in scoring among defensemen and is a key to their power play. He’s the one who sets up Ovechkin’s one-timers. Current cap hit: $8 million.

6. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers

The goalie has won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and two Vezina Trophies. He’ll be 38 next season. Current cap hit: $10 million.

5. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

The 39-year-old has expressed an interest in playing more and he’s making a case with 43 points in his first 40 games. He missed some time with an injury but has won three Stanley Cup titles in his storied career. Current cap hit: $6.1 million.

4. Darren Raddysh, Tampa Bay Lightning

The defenseman is having a breakout season with 17 goals and 51 points while filling in during Victor Hedman’s two injuries. Current cap hit: $975,000.

3. Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights

The defenseman was traded to the Golden Knights this season by the Flames. He can provide offense with a 50- and a 49-point season. Current cap hit: $4.55 million.

2. Nick Schmaltz, Utah Mammoth

The forward keeps improving every year. The winger usually gets 20-plus goals and 60-plus points, and he’s already at 22 goals and 51 points this season. Current cap hit: $5.85 million.

1. Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres

The forward can score (two 36-goal seasons) and also kills penalties. He wants to stay in Buffalo and new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen wants to keep him. Current cap hit: $4.75 million.

The death of former NFL defensive tackle Kevin Johnson could be connected to three other murder cases of homeless people in the same area of Los Angeles, authorities said on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Johnson, 55, was found dead shortly before 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at a homeless encampment about 10 miles east of Los Angeles International Airport, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. At the time, the sheriff’s department said deputies located an unconscious man, later identified as Johnson, suffering from blunt force trauma.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, and his death was ruled a homicide, the sheriff’s department said. On Thursday, Jan. 22, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Johnson’s cause of death was ‘blunt head trauma and stab wounds.’

In an update on Feb. 3, the sheriff’s department said its Homicide Bureau was investigating a ‘series of homicide cases’ that occurred in the same general location, specifically the ‘1300 block of East 120th Street in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles.’

Four people were killed in the area from October 2025 to January 2026, according to the sheriff’s department. All four victims were unhoused and living in homeless encampments in the area.

‘At this time, investigators are working to determine whether these cases are related,’ the sheriff’s department said in a statement. ‘One of the victims was Kevin Johnson, a former NFL player who played during the 1990’s.’

The sheriff’s department is asking for the public’s assistance in the investigation and has urged anyone with information related to the incidents to contact the Homicide Bureau or the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers.

Who was Kevin Johnson?

Born in Los Angeles, Johnson began his football career at Los Angeles Harbor College and Texas Southern University before being drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft.

After the Patriots released Johnson that August, the defensive tackle made brief stops in Minnesota and Oakland as a practice squad member and training camp participant before the Philadelphia Eagles claimed him off waivers in August 1995.

He played two seasons for the Eagles, appearing in 23 games and starting six of them in the regular season. He also appeared in two playoff games in 1995.

After he missed a practice, the Eagles suspended and then released Johnson in 1996, according to Pro Football Reference and the Philadelphia Inquirer. He signed with the Oakland Raiders the following April and appeared in 15 games, tallying seven tackles.

In 1998, the Raiders released Johnson and he then played four years in the Arena Football League, winning an ArenaBowl with the Orlando Predators that same year.

Violence against people who are homeless

The deaths of Johnson and the three other unhoused victims mark the latest incident of violence against people who are homeless in the United States. A 2024 report from the National Coalition for the Homeless revealed that the non-profit organization documented nearly 2,000 incidents of violence against people who were homeless over a period of 23 years.

‘At least 588 of unhoused victims lost their lives in violent attacks during this period,’ the report states. ‘These crimes appear to have been motivated by a perpetrator’s bias against people experiencing homelessness, and to have been facilitated by a perpetrator’s ability to target homeless people with relative ease.’

The report noted that many incidents remain underreported and are ‘likely even more gruesome than available reports imply.’ In 2019, the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that less than half — about 44% — of violent incidents against people experiencing homelessness are reported to police, according to the report.

In recent years, multiple incidents across the country have made national headlines. In June 2025, a man was arrested for stabbing 11 people at an Oregon homeless shelter. In October 2024, authorities in Minnesota said three people were killed, and three others were injured in back-to-back shootings at two separate homeless encampments.

Similar incidents also occurred in 2023 and 2022, including ‘serial’ killings of three homeless men in Los Angeles, three men who were stabbed while they slept in New York City, and a string of shootings in New York City and Washington, DC.

The Golden State Warriors’ trade saga with Jonathan Kuminga is officially ending as the team is dealing the 23-year-old forward and guard Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis, ESPN reports.

In another deal, the Warriors are sending Trayce Jackson-Davis to Toronto for a second-round pick, per ESPN.

Kuminga had been in a tumultuous relationship with the Warriors and head coach Steve Kerr over playing time and production dating back to last season. He’s played in just two games since Dec. 18, currently out with an injury.

While Kuminga gets a fresh start in Atlanta, Porzingis gets another in the Bay Area. Availability continues to be a persistent problem for Porzingis, who has appeared in just 17 games for the Hawks following his offseason trade by the Celtics. But if he can get back on the court he can provide needed size and additional scoring as a stretch 5 to Golden State.

This deal also seemingly ends the idea that Giannis Antetokounmpo could land in San Francisco ahead of the trade deadline, with ESPN saying the Warriors have ‘moved on.’

Kristaps Porzingis stats

Here are Porzingis’ average statistics for the 2025-26 regular season.

• Games played: 17
• Minutes: 24.3
• Points: 17.1
• Rebounds: 5.1
• Assists: 2.7
• Steals: 0.5
• Blocks: 1.3
• Field goal %: .457
• 3-point field goal %: .360
• Free throw %: .840

Kristaps Porzingis contract details

Porzingis is set to be a free agent after the season. He’s currently sporting a cap hit of $30.7 million.

How old is Kristaps Porzingis?

Porzingis is 30 years old. The Warriors will be the sixth different team the fourth pick of the 2015 NBA Draft has played on.

Jonathan Kuminga stats

Here are Kuminga’s average statistics for the 2025-26 regular season.

• Games played: 20
• Minutes: 23.8
• Points: 12.1
• Rebounds: 5.9
• Assists: 2.5
• Steals: 0.4
• Blocks: 0.3
• Field goal %: .454
• 3-point field goal %: .321
• Free throw %: .742

Jonathan Kuminga contract details

Kuminga has one year remaining after this season via a club option after signing a two-year, $46.8 million deal with the Warriors on Sept. 30, 2025.

How old is Jonathan Kuminga?

Kuminga is 23 years old. He was drafted by the Warriors with the No. 7 overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft. He’ll be 24 in October.

Jonathan Kuminga highlights

Buddy Hield contract details

Hield is under contract for next season and holds a player option for 2027-28. He carries a modest cap hit that maxes out at $10.1 million in the final year if he opts in.

How old is Buddy Hield?

Hield is 33 years old. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The Hawks will be his sixth NBA team.

Buddy Hield stats

Here are Hield’s average statistics for the 2025-26 regular season.

• Games played: 44
• Minutes: 17.5
• Points: 8.0
• Rebounds: 2.5
• Assists: 1.5
• Steals: 0.8
• Blocks: 0.2
• Field goal %: .433
• 3-point field goal %: .344
• Free throw %: .794

Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes was handed a one-game suspension by the NBA ‘for pushing a Washington Wizards mascot during pregame introductions,’ the league said in a statement on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Hayes shoved the Wizards’ mascot, G-Wiz, during pregame introductions before the Jan. 30 game in Washington. The mascot had been running with a giant flag when Hayes, 25, made contact, sending the mascot careening into cheerleaders running onto the court, video of the incident shows.

The Lakers will be without Hayes for Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

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