Football Wiretap

Five-star wide receiver Jett Harrison, the younger brother of former Ohio State All-American Marvin Harrison Jr., announced his commitment to the Buckeyes' 2028 class on Wednesday.

Harrison, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound pass catcher from Philadelphia, ranks as ESPN's No. 6 overall prospect in the 2028 cycle. He announced the pledge via social media Wednesday afternoon following two visits with the program in June, though he cannot officially sign until December 2027.

Harrison caught 10 touchdown passes as a sophomore at Philadelphia's St. Joseph's Preparatory School last fall. He becomes the top-ranked of three prospects committed to head coach Ryan Day's 2028 class, joining four-star running back Elijah Newman-Hall, ranked No. 90 overall and committed since June 2025, and in-state defensive tackle Jameer Whyce, ranked No. 17, who committed last October.

Harrison's father, Marvin Harrison, was a first-team All-American at Syracuse in 1995 and won Super Bowl XLI during a 13-year NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. Jett now follows the path of his older brother, who became one of the most accomplished wide receivers in Ohio State history from 2021 to 2023.

Marvin Harrison Jr. was a two-time unanimous All-American and won the 2023 Biletnikoff Award, finishing his college career with 155 catches for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2023 and became the program's first two-time All-American wide receiver before the Arizona Cardinals selected him fourth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Ohio State's wide receiver pipeline remains deep beyond Harrison's commitment. The program signed top-ranked recruit Chris Henry Jr. and pass catcher Jerquaden Guilford in the 2026 class, while five-star receiver Jamier Brown headlines the 2027 class that Harrison will now follow into Columbus.

Former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby said Tuesday he will not pursue litigation against the NFL and is now focused on preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft. The league confirmed the decision in a memo sent to all 32 teams.

The NFL memo stated Sorsby will be classified as a draft-eligible player for the 2027 draft and cannot sign a contract until that process concludes.

"I accept 100% responsibility for my actions," said Sorsby in a statement provided to The Athletic. "I did not have control of my gambling problem and it took getting caught for me to realize that, but it was truly the best thing that could've happened to me. Because of this, I have been able to get the help I need and fully focus on my recovery."

A league source told The Athletic the NFL has agreed not to discipline Sorsby for previously known misconduct, though it retains the right to investigate further and factor past behavior into any future violations.

Sorsby, 22, has been without a clear path forward since April, when he entered a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction. The NCAA later ruled him permanently ineligible after finding he violated several gambling rules, including wagering on his own team while at Indiana. His appeal was dismissed with prejudice on June 18.

Sorsby had pivoted toward the NFL Supplemental Draft after his college eligibility fight collapsed, but the league declined to hold a supplemental draft in 2026, narrowing his options considerably.

According to The Athletic, Sorsby has admitted to betting at least $90,000 across more than 9,000 wagers during his college career at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech, including bets on Indiana football and men's basketball games.

With college football and a 2026 NFL debut both off the table, Sorsby's most realistic near-term option appears to be the UFL, where co-owner Mike Repole has publicly invited him to join. Sorsby has not addressed whether he is considering that opportunity.

The Detroit Lions released cornerback Terrion Arnold on Monday, one week after his arrest on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, the team announced. Arnold had two years and $4.8 million remaining on his rookie contract.

Hillsborough County Judge Christopher Sabella set Arnold's bond at $1 million Monday, declining the state's request for a GPS tracking device after Arnold's attorneys argued the device would prevent him from playing football. Arnold had been in custody since turning himself in last Wednesday.

Sabella imposed several release conditions, including no contact with six co-defendants or witnesses, surrender of his passport within 48 hours, and confinement to his Tallahassee, Florida residence except for team activities and legal appointments.

Arnold, 23, faces four counts each of kidnapping and assault, charges that carry a potential life sentence. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men he suspected of stealing $100,000 in cash and luxury items, including Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton bags, from an Airbnb rental in the Tampa area.

Authorities say Arnold was not present during the attack but set events in motion by identifying the suspected thieves to associates. Two female co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors, with their statements tying Arnold to the alleged conspiracy.

"Our office remains committed to seeking justice for the three victims in the case who were beaten, robbed, and held against their will," said Erin Maloney, a spokesperson for the state attorney's office.

Arnold's agent, Denise White of EAG Sports Management, said the bond ruling "confirms that there is very little evidence to even suggest any criminal involvement by Mr. Arnold."

Selected by Detroit in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Arnold's release leaves a significant gap at cornerback opposite D.J. Reed.

A Tampa judge set bond at $1 million Monday for Detroit Lions defensive back Terrion Arnold following his arrest last week on eight charges tied to kidnapping and robbery. Judge Christopher C. Sabella of Florida's 13th Circuit Court declined the state's request to require Arnold to wear a GPS ankle monitor, a device that would have effectively ended his NFL career.

Sabella singled Arnold out from six co-defendants, none of whom were granted bond, citing Arnold's absence during the alleged kidnapping itself.

"So, at this stage, I find probable cause, but I don't find the higher level to grant the state's motion for pretrial detention," said Sabella. "So, I'm going to deny the motion, but it's a serious case. It's serious crimes that I am finding probable cause of."

Prosecutors allege the incident stemmed from an effort to lure three individuals to a Largo, Florida apartment in retaliation for alleged thefts at Arnold's rental property. Co-defendant Boakai Eugene Hilton is accused of planning the ambush alongside Arnold.

"Investigators believe, based on evidence gathered, that Arnold was the primary conspirator," Tampa police wrote in the release announcing Arnold's arrest.

Two co-defendants, Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo, pleaded guilty last week to three counts of kidnapping and three counts of robbery with a firearm, among other charges. Randazzo, 19, accepted a four-year state prison sentence with six years of probation in exchange for her testimony.

The Detroit Lions acknowledged the situation last week but declined further comment out of respect for the ongoing legal process.

Arnold, 23, was selected by Detroit in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama. He started 15 games as a rookie before injuries restricted him to eight appearances last season.

Chris Johnson, the former Tennessee Titans running back who set the NFL single-season rushing record in 2009, has been diagnosed with ALS. The 39-year-old disclosed the illness Monday in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Johnson told co-anchor Michael Strahan he received the diagnosis in 2025 and is currently enrolled in a clinical trial as part of his treatment. He communicated during the interview using a speech-generating device built from recordings of his own voice.

"There's no history of ALS in my family," said Johnson. "My doctors believe my case is what's called sporadic ALS, which is actually how the vast majority of ALS cases happen.

"... That's one of the reasons this disease can be so shocking. It can happen to someone who never expected it."

Johnson spent 10 seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans (2008-13), New York Jets (2014) and Arizona Cardinals (2015-17). He earned the nickname CJ2K after rushing for 2,006 yards in 2009, seventh-most in league history. That season he also broke the NFL's single-season scrimmage yards record (2,509) and was named the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year.

"It's continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined," said Johnson. "I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body. Just over a year ago, I was picking up my 7-year-old daughter so she'd make a wish with her birthday cake. Today, I couldn't do that."

ALS is a progressive neurological disease with no known cure. It attacks the nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body and gained widespread recognition as Lou Gehrig's disease after the Hall of Fame baseball player was diagnosed in 1939.

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk released a statement pledging organizational support, and both the New York Jets and NFL Players Association also issued messages of support.

"I want people to know that I'm still me," said Johnson. "ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn't changed who I am."

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk escalated his public conflict with the franchise Saturday, posting a YouTube video in which he alleged general manager John Lynch recently appeared at his home and declared his relationship with the organization permanently broken.

In the 3.5-minute video, Aiyuk said his former agent, Ryan Williams, has played a central role in the deteriorating situation. Williams has a personal and professional relationship with Lynch. Aiyuk stated Friday via Instagram that he dismissed Williams in November, though Williams remains listed as his representative in the NFLPA agent directory.

"We is not cool," said Aiyuk. "We won't be cool, and I will never be stepping in that building" outside of Oct. 19, referencing the San Francisco 49ers' Monday Night Football home game against the Washington Commanders.

Aiyuk alleged Lynch visited his residence partly to apologize for the conduct of head coach Kyle Shanahan. He offered no supporting evidence for the claim and described the situation as a safety concern for himself and his wife.

The receiver has made repeated public overtures toward Washington, holding up a Commanders-branded football in the video and previously shouting "Go Commanders" in a separate Instagram clip. He told followers Wednesday that he would sign with the Commanders immediately if the 49ers released him. Washington cannot legally express interest in Aiyuk while he remains under contract without violating NFL tampering rules.

The 49ers signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million extension in August 2024. The relationship fractured last July when the club voided remaining guaranteed money after Aiyuk skipped rehabilitation sessions following a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus. He was placed on the reserve/left team list in December after he stopped reporting to the facility.

San Francisco veterans are scheduled to report to training camp July 25, a potential decision point for the franchise regarding Aiyuk's status.

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold was arrested Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, facing four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery stemming from a targeted assault in early February. Each charge carries a potential sentence of life in prison.

Tampa police allege Arnold was the primary conspirator in a Feb. 4 armed robbery, accused of coordinating and directing six codefendants to lure three male victims to an apartment where they were pistol-whipped, held at gunpoint and robbed, according to a release from the state attorney's office. Six other individuals had previously been arrested in connection with the incident.

Arnold turned himself in and was booked at Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County. He is scheduled to appear in Hillsborough County court Thursday afternoon. The state attorney's office said it would file a pretrial motion to keep Arnold jailed until trial.

According to investigators, the incident began after property belonging to Arnold and others, valued at more than $250,000, was stolen Feb. 1 from an Airbnb Arnold rented in Largo, Florida. Arnold reported the theft to Largo police on Feb. 3. Investigators allege he orchestrated the kidnapping and robbery hours later, targeting men he suspected were responsible. Authorities later determined those victims had no involvement in the original theft.

Investigators said they recovered a group chat in which Arnold and codefendant Boakai Hilton allegedly directed others during the assault.

Arnold's representative, Denise White of EAG Sports Management, issued a statement Wednesday denying the allegations.

"Arnold categorically denies any involvement in the matters underlying the allegations made against him and maintains his innocence," said White. "There is no credible evidence linking Mr. Arnold to these allegations. Instead, the government appears to be relying on testimony from multiple convicted felons who have admitted their own involvement and may have substantial incentives to shift blame in an effort to lessen their sentences."

The Lions said they were aware of the situation but declined to comment out of respect for the ongoing legal process. Arnold, selected by Detroit with the 24th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Alabama, declined to address the matter when approached by reporters during the team's veteran minicamp on June 17.

Tight end Brandon Strange and the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to a three-year, $48 million contract extension with $25 million guaranteed.

Strange was a second round pick in 2023 out of Penn State.

Strange had 46 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games last season.

Dianna Russini earned close to $800,000 annually at The Athletic, according to a New York Times report published Wednesday citing a former manager with knowledge of her salary negotiation. The figure would have made her among the highest-paid journalists at the Times Company.

Russini resigned from The Athletic following a report about her personal relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. At the time the story surfaced, The Athletic was in active contract renewal discussions with Russini, whose deal was set to expire at the end of June.

ESPN personality Peter King noted when Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 that she was hired "to be a subscription magnet" and would "immediately become one of the highest-paid writers in the history" of the Times Company.

An internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Russini's departure continues despite her resignation, driven in part by broader tensions between Times and Athletic staff stemming from the outlet's acquisition. As reported by John Ourand of Puck in April, Times reporters have raised concerns that The Athletic operates under less rigorous editorial standards than the parent publication.

The outcome of the investigation is expected to serve as a test of whether the Times Company applies uniform standards across both newsrooms.

Kyle Pitts and the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract extension. The Falcons used the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft on Pitts.

Pitts had 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns last season. 

The Falcons previously signed Drake London to a four-year, $141 million extension.