Michigan QB Mcnamara enters transfer portal
ANN ARBOR, MICH.— Michigan quarterback Cade Mcnamara has entered the transfer portal, team spokesman Dave Ablauf confirmed on Monday.
Mcnamara had a season-ending injury to his right knee on Sept. 17 against Connecticut, one game after J.J. Mccarthy won the starting job.
Mccarthy will lead the second-ranked Wolverines against Purdue on Saturday night in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis, needing a win to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Last year, Mcnamara helped Michigan end an eight-game losing streak to rival Ohio State and go on to win the conference championship for the first time since 2004. The thirdteam All-big Ten player in 2021 threw for 2,576 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Mcnamara, who is from Reno, Nevada, can potentially play at another school for two seasons. He redshirted as a freshman in 2019 and the NCAA has given any student-athlete from the 2020-21 school year an extra year of eligibility.
Coach Jim Harbaugh allowed Mcnamara and Mccarthy to start a game this season before deciding who would be the firststring quarterback. That did not sit well with the returning starter.
“I would definitely say it’s pretty unusual,” said Mcnamara, sounding surly, after a win over Colorado State in his last start. “It was kind of a thing that I wasn’t expecting. By the end of camp, I thought I had my best camp and put myself in a good position.”
Earlier this month, Mcnamara posted a picture of himself in a wheelchair with a brace over a protective wrap on his right leg after being under the care of Los Angeles Rams and Dodgers team doctor Neal Elattrache.
“Turns out I have been dealing with a serious injury since the middle of last season,” Mcnamara wrote on Instagram. “Then after suffering another serious knee injury this season, my goal was to get back on the field as soon as possible. Sadly I was unable to heal properly but thanks to Dr. Elattrache he was able help me determine exactly what I needed to do to come back the best version of myself. What lies ahead is a lot of work and rehab but I will come back better than ever!”
Auburn hires Liberty’s Freeze
Auburn is hiring Liberty coach Hugh Freeze to take over the football program, more than five years after his resignation from SEC Western Division rival Mississippi amid both personal and NCAA scandals.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday that Freeze has signed a memorandum of understanding with the school. .
Sports Illustrated was first to report that Auburn was finalizing a deal with Freeze.
Freeze went 34-15 in four seasons at Liberty. He replaces Bryan Harsin, who was fired on Oct. 31 after going 9-12 in less than two seasons at a proud program that has fallen on hard times.
Freeze took over at Liberty in December 2018 and the Flames became the second program to win a bowl game during each of its first three seasons in FBS.
His 2020 team finished 10-1 and ranked No. 17. Liberty (8-4) was upset by New Mexico State 49-14 on Saturday in its regular-season finale.
Freeze is 68-44 in 11 seasons as a head coach.
Sanders: Report of Colorado offer true
Deion Sanders said Monday that a report stating Colorado has offered him its head coaching job is true and he has also received interest from other schools.
The Jackson State coach didn’t say whether he’s considering any of the opportunities, including trying to turn around the Buffaloes’ beleaguered program.
Sanders didn’t specify in a teleconference for the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game participants who else has reached out besides Colorado, saying, “I’m not going to sit here and tell all my business, but they’re not the only ones.”
The university hasn’t commented on any candidates to replace Karl Dorrell, who was dismissed in October.
On Saturday, Fox reported that Colorado had offered Sanders the job.