Fantasy football draft season is here, and the 2026 college football offseason has delivered plenty of chaos along the way. Because NIL deals are reshaping recruiting, the transfer portal is swallowing rosters whole, and draft boards are shipping out the door daily, there’s a lot to cover before a single snap is played. Here’s the breakdown, with fantasy football implications built in.
The Number Isn’t Coming Out of Retirement
College football has officially entered the NIL Twilight Zone. USC asked Matt Leinart multiple times to unretire his famous No. 11 jersey to help land recruits. The program figured that since fellow Heisman winner Carson Palmer let them dust off his No. 3 jersey for Jordan Addison, Leinart might follow suit.
Leinart’s response? “Absolutely f***ing not.”
USC officials — not head coach Lincoln Riley, who Leinart was quick to clear on social media — approached him multiple times about making the number available for five-star recruits. His answer never changed. “I am never going to unretire my jersey for some random dude who could wear No. 11 and transfer after a year.” Furthermore, when someone suggested a player with a massive NIL deal could offer cash for the privilege, Leinart didn’t flinch. “Absolutely not. It’s not for sale.”
What’s At Stake With No. 11
No. 11 hangs in the Coliseum’s Peristyle alongside Palmer (3), Reggie Bush (5), Charles White (12), Caleb Williams (13), Mike Garrett (20), O.J. Simpson (32), and Marcus Allen (33). Because Leinart won back-to-back national championships in 2003 and 2004, threw for 10,693 yards and 99 touchdowns while losing only two games, and nearly won a third title before Vince Young (Hook ‘Em) had other ideas, he’s earned the right to keep it up there permanently.
It’s not 1995 anymore. Kids transfer faster than Aaron Rodgers changes his mind. Back in our day, you earned the jersey. Apparently, the jersey now has to earn the recruit. Some traditions are still worth protecting.
The only exceptions Leinart would make are for his sons. Cole Leinart is a freshman quarterback at SMU. If he transfers to USC, he can wear it. Same goes for Leinart’s two younger boys.
Fantasy football implications: NIL and the transfer portal reshape college rosters every offseason. Moreover, dynasty league managers need to track which college skill players stay put versus portal-hop heading into fall camp. Scheme fit and opportunity matter more than name recognition when drafting rookies.
You Snooze, You Lose
The DARNOLD coupon is gone. The emails came in. The phone calls came in. No, it’s not coming back. But it’s not all bad news.
The Fire Sale draft boards are still 15% off. Shipping is still free for now. They’re disappearing faster than a five-star recruit entering the transfer portal. As a result, if you’ve been sitting on the fence about grabbing a discounted board with 2026 rookies already included, now is the time. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Fantasy football implications: Fire Sale boards come with fully updated 2026 player labels. Because the labels match the new boards exactly, your draft day experience is identical — you’re just paying less for the board itself.
We’re Down With the Brown
Not the Cleveland Dude Wipes. The beautiful brown UPS truck. Every afternoon, James or Wendy rolls up to Commish Kit and hauls away another stack of draft boards. Shipping started July 1 and it’s all hands on deck.
The 2026 Labels Have Arrived
The 2026 player labels arrived Monday and they look fantastic. Yes, they’re on slightly lighter cardstock due to supplier changes. No, the quality didn’t change. They’re still the same bright fluorescent labels you’ve been using for years. The biggest upgrade? Every label now includes the player’s team city and bye week. Because knowing your running back is on a bye in Week 9 before you draft him wins leagues. Furthermore, early orders are already out the door, with a goal to have everything shipped by Monday.
Fantasy football implications: Bye week information printed directly on each player label means no more cross-referencing a separate sheet during your draft. As a result, your draft room runs faster and cleaner — which matters when you’ve got 12 managers and a two-minute clock ticking.
Happy 250th Birthday, America
Hope you and your family had a safe Fourth of July, filled with good food, fireworks, cold drinks, and maybe a hot-dog-eating contest or two. We’re back with more football, more sarcasm, and hopefully fewer shipping boxes stacked around the office.
Your Draft Board Deserves Better Than a Whiteboard
Draft season is here. Commish Kit has been making fantasy football draft boards since 2002, and this is our 24th season. Whether you need a wall-hanging paper board, a free-standing corrugated board, or the Digital Draft Board Big Screen Edition, we have the right setup for your league. Find the right board for your league size →
How long has Commish Kit been making fantasy football draft boards?
Since 2002 — Commish Kit started in Daly City, California, and moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, making 2026 its 24th season in business. As a result, the brand has become the go-to draft board for fantasy leagues across the country, as featured on Thrillist.
FAQ
Why won’t Matt Leinart unretire his USC No. 11 jersey?
Leinart won’t make the number available because a five-star recruit could wear it and transfer within a year. He’s been asked multiple times by USC officials — not head coach Lincoln Riley — and his answer has never changed. The only exceptions are his own sons.
Did USC head coach Lincoln Riley ask Leinart to unretire his jersey?
No. Leinart specifically clarified on social media that Riley had nothing to do with the requests. Other people within the USC program approached him, not the head coach.
Did Carson Palmer unretire his USC jersey?
Yes — Palmer allowed his retired No. 3 to be worn by Jordan Addison when Addison transferred from Pittsburgh to USC in 2022. Leinart has said he won’t follow that example.
What is a Fire Sale draft board?
Fire Sale boards are last season’s Commish Kit paper draft boards, updated with 2026 player labels and sold at 15% off with free shipping. Because the boards and labels are both in excellent condition, the draft day experience is identical to a new board at a lower price.
What’s new about the 2026 Commish Kit player labels?
Every 2026 player label now includes the player’s team city and bye week directly on the label, making draft day faster without needing a separate reference sheet.
How long has Commish Kit been making fantasy football draft boards?
Since 2002 — Commish Kit started in Daly City, California, and moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, making 2026 its 24th season in business.
