Cortez Thomas, a four-star cornerback, admires Lane Kiffin’s amazing and imaginative football store.

Cortez Thomas, a composite four-star cornerback, had an eventful Saturday in Oxford, attending the debut of the Grove Bowl Games hosted by the Ole Miss Rebels. The event featured seven-on-seven football, tug-of-war competitions, and even a hotdog eating contest with world champion Joey Chestnut. Despite the unconventional format, Thomas enjoyed the experience, describing it as “pretty good” but different, particularly noting the seven-on-seven format.

Meanwhile, former BYU coach Mark Pope, who is set to become the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, is already making moves in recruiting. Aly Khalifa, a 6-foot-11 center who entered the transfer portal with a “do not contact” designation, has listed Kentucky, Louisville, and BYU in his top three choices. Khalifa, who averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game this season, is scheduled to visit Louisville starting on Thursday. The Egyptian-born Khalifa, a product of the NBA Global Academy in Australia, holds career averages of 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists over 94 collegiate games with Charlotte and BYU.

That’s correct. Entering the transfer portal gives players the opportunity to explore their options and gauge interest from other programs, but they retain the option to withdraw their name and return to their current school if they choose. However, once a player enters the portal, their current school is not obligated to continue providing them with a scholarship. This dynamic creates a significant decision point for both players and schools, as they navigate the transfer process and its implications for roster management and scholarship allocation.