Before coaching, Nix was a legend in college football as a player, earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors at Southern Miss in 1998, rushing for 1,180 yards and nine touchdowns. Although talented enough to make it to the NFL, health issues stemming from kidney disease forced Nix to cut his playing career short and move into coaching.

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables offered an update on John Mateer's surgically-repaired right hand Wednesday, saying the quarterback was able to practice without a wrap on it ahead of Friday's matchup against Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

The Miami Dolphins are benching sixth-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday, one day after coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that "everything's on the table" after his team's 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.

Alabama State football quarterback Andrew Body announced that he plans to enter the transfer portal in January.