The Royale Report: College Football Camp Season Edition

The TDR team updates you on the latest news from CFB camps!

Fall camp is in full swing, and with injuries starting to pile up alongside the usual depth chart battles, staying informed is more important than ever. With so many teams and storylines to follow, we’re cutting through the noise to bring you only what matters. Instead of a team-by-team breakdown, this article series spotlights the biggest headlines, key injuries, and under-the-radar developments you need to know from around the country. From surprising breakout names to crucial position battles and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. No one else is delivering this kind of curated, actionable college football camp content as we head toward Week Zero. Let’s get into it.

20 Storylines You Need to Know From Fall Camp

With that out of the way, let’s dive into the latest from around the country — the injuries, breakout performances, and position battles that are shaping rosters as Week Zero approaches.

#1. Alabama RB Jam Miller sidelined

Alabama took a tough hit over the weekend when senior running back Jam Miller went down with an upper-body injury in the team’s scrimmage. Kalen DeBoer confirmed that Miller already underwent a procedure, and while he’s expected to make a full recovery, his timetable remains unclear. Early word points to a dislocated collarbone, which will at least keep him out of the season opener against Florida State and potentially longer.

For the Tide, Miller’s absence isn’t just about losing last year’s leading rusher (668 yards on the ground and another 155 through the air). He’s also their most reliable back in pass protection, which is critical with a first-time starter under center. That puts extra pressure on transfer Dre Washington, who has the most game experience in the room, and gives guys like Richard Young and Daniel Hill a shot to carve out early-season roles.

The one to circle here is Richard Young. He flashed last season before his injury, averaging 5.6 yards per carry on limited touches, and the staff has been vocal about their trust in him. If he seizes this opening, he could lock himself into a bigger slice of the pie even when Miller returns — and for devy/dynasty purposes, that’s exactly the kind of window you want to pay attention to.

#2. Oklahoma RB Tory Blaylock making noise

Oklahoma has no shortage of depth in its backfield, especially after landing Cal transfer Jaydn Ott, but true freshman Tory Blaylock has forced his way into the conversation this camp. With a handful of veterans banged up, Blaylock has taken advantage of extra reps and looked every bit like the four-star prospect he was billed to be. At 5’11” and 203 pounds, he’s already added the size and strength needed to handle snaps at this level, and Brent Venables has gone out of his way to praise his explosiveness, durability, and maturity.

Blaylock isn’t just flashing in camp, he’s been stacking days since January. His background as a track athlete shows up in his speed, but what’s stood out most has been his ability to hold up physically while adapting quickly to the program. Coming off a senior year of 1,200+ rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in Texas high school ball, he looks like a player who could contribute earlier than expected.

For devy purposes, this is one to file away. While Ott and Gavin Sawchuk project to handle most of the work this season, Blaylock is proving he belongs, and he has the long-term tools to be the next featured Oklahoma back down the road.

#3. Ole Miss WR Caleb Cunningham already flashing

Ole Miss freshman wideout Caleb Cunningham has quietly started to make waves in camp. After beginning in a black jersey as he settled in, he’s now running with the rest of the receiver group and showing why he was one of the gems of the Rebels’ 2025 class. Cunningham wasn’t an early enrollee, which usually slows a freshman’s development, but his athleticism and polish are already standing out.

At 6’3” with explosive speed and natural body control, Cunningham has all the traits of a future mismatch weapon. He’s a run-after-catch threat who can stretch defenses vertically or turn a quick slant into a house call. His basketball background shows up in contested-catch situations, and he has the kind of layered athletic profile that programs bet on becoming high-level NFL talent.

While he’ll need to climb a depth chart full of veteran options, it’s hard to ignore the early buzz. Long term, Cunningham has the highest ceiling of the group — and for devy players, this is exactly the type of profile worth stashing early.

#4. Tennessee RB room takes shape

Tennessee doesn’t have a single back on the roster who can replicate what Dylan Sampson gave them last year, but they might not need one. Josh Heupel came out of the team’s second scrimmage saying this is “probably as deep as we’ve been” at running back, and it looks like the Vols will lean on a committee to replace last season’s SEC Offensive Player of the Year. The trio of DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis, and Duke transfer Star Thomas has emerged as the core rotation, with freshmen Daune Morris and Justin Baker also pushing their way into the conversation.

Bishop, still technically a former walk-on, feels like the frontrunner. He quietly put up 455 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last season while averaging 6.1 yards per carry, one of the best marks in the conference. His breakout came against Kent State, where he ripped off 120 yards and two scores on just seven carries, including touchdown runs of 53 and 57 yards. He’s explosive, efficient, and tough enough to grind out carries when needed.

This backfield is deep, but if you’re looking for the most upside, Bishop is the one to watch. His combination of burst and efficiency already caught the staff’s attention last year, and now he gets a shot to prove he’s more than just a complimentary piece. For dynasty/deep formats, this is the kind of profile that can sneak up on people if he locks down the lead role.

#5. Texas WR Kaliq Lockett easing his way in

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