Clemson is officially on the board in the 2028 recruiting cycle.
The Tigers picked up their first commitment in the class on Thursday when four-star quarterback Trace Hawkins announced he will continue his career at Clemson. The Calhoun, Georgia native selected the Tigers over a group of finalists that included LSU, Duke, Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt after building a strong relationship with the coaching staff throughout the recruiting process.
Landing Hawkins gives Clemson an early foundation for the class, with the talented passer becoming the first player to publicly pledge to the Tigers for 2028. Quarterback has been a priority position for the staff, and Hawkins emerged as one of the top prospects on Clemson's board after several visits to campus over the last year.
His first trip came during the 2024 season, and he made multiple return visits this spring. Hawkins attended Clemson's spring game, participated in the program's Elite Day event and later returned for Dabo Swinney's high school camp in June. Those visits allowed the coaching staff to evaluate him in person while giving Hawkins plenty of opportunities to become comfortable with the program.
The 6-foot-1 signal caller is coming off an outstanding sophomore campaign at Calhoun High School. He completed the season with 2,442 passing yards and 24 touchdown throws while being intercepted only three times. Hawkins also made an impact on the ground, adding three rushing touchdowns.

#tigers

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with retired 8-time Pro Bowl defensive back Patrick Peterson.
In his interview with Easton Jr., Peterson, who participated in this year's American Century Championship, held at Edgewood Tahoe and aired on NBC and Peacock, discussed Arizona Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love's chances of excelling in his rookie season ahead of the Week 11 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"I like the pick because they have a receiver; there wasn't a quarterback there that they felt they could get them over the hump right now. Jacoby Brissett was a salvageable quarterback due to the absence of Kyler Murray; they had pretty much everything they wanted on the offensive side of the ball," said Peterson. "Still, they felt like they were missing that home run hitter, that other piece, and that was Jeremiyah Love. I love the pick. My only thing would be, how much are they going to put on his plate?"
The Chiefs will host the Cardinals in Week 11 this season and get an opposing look at Love, the third overall draft pick out of Notre Dame. In 2025, Love rushed 199 times for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He also tallied 27 receptions for 280 yards and three receiving touchdowns, earning finalist status for the Heisman Trophy.
"I know Coach Mike LaFleur is coming from the (Los Angeles) Rams, they have a lot of nuances in their offense to get their playmakers involved in the ball game, but you also gotta think about the Arizona Cardinals, were the fifth pick for a reason, they have a lot of holes in that team, offensive linemen, protecting the quarterback and being able to open lanes for him, you have a quarterback issue," said Peterson, "If your quarterback is not good enough to be able to loosen up defenses, how you expect a rookie running back to be explosive, he definitely has a lot of ups and downs, a lot of challenges that he's facing right now, but he is a home run here; he's a great player, and I'm not upset at all with the pick. Now, Arizona is going to have to do a great job of putting the pieces around him so that he can be successful."

#pick #love #yards

Heat predicted to sign $342M 14-year veteran, 3-time All-Star to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat were one of the five finalists for LeBron James this summer, and adding him to their current roster would have been a dream scenario. However, things did not work out that way this time around.
The four-time NBA champion decided to finish his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, making his decision official on Friday.
"LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced Friday," ESPN's Dave McMenamin wrote. "James, 41, is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania."
Like other teams around the league, the Heat must now evaluate the remaining options available. One name Miami has shown interest in is Klay Thompson, who would provide the team with much-needed shooting.

#james #lebron #philadelphia #around

Highly-recruited 2027 prospect Giaunni Rogers has narrowed to five finalists, she announced. Rogers will be considering Houston, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Arizona and Texas Tech for her landing spot.
"The biggest thing that is important to me would probably be believing in your freshman," she said. "The transfer portal has really hurt a lot of people in a lot of systems in the way that coaches now have to coach. It sucks because it makes it very hard for girls like me who might not be top or number one in the country. Some coaches now will go to the transfer portal first. All the schools I'm talking to really believe in their freshmen and there's a middle ground."
The 5-9 combo guard from Alpharetta (GA) St. Francis High School previously noted that she planned to start taking her official visits after AAU season.
"I do everything," Rogers said of her game. "I'm a versatile girl and I try to do everything. I shoot extremely well, I can get it off the dribble, I can pass and I play defense on top kids. I'm as ready to work on the defensive end as I am on the offensive end and that's been really important to me. I want to keep developing in my mindset – keeping it strong. I'm going to be a sponge heading into the next level."

#Tech #highly #giaunni

The regional administrative authority in Madrid has withdrawn Spanish top-flight club Rayo Vallecano's right to use the Vallecas stadium in order to begin urgent renovation work. This comes just under two weeks before the start of the season, even though the inadequate conditions have long been known.
"There is no way to guarantee that nothing can happen," explained the Regional Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Mariano de Paco.
The immediate consequence is that Rayo will not be able to start the season in its own stadium. The authority gives no exact details, but ***** umes that the renovation work will take "months" and plans to begin "as early as tomorrow."
The regional government is making this decision to "ensure people's safety" and says the work will address possible problems related to fire safety or sanitation. "We will act with the utmost urgency and try to make it happen in the shortest possible time," the minister announced.
Rayo Vallecano uses the municipal stadium under a right-of-use agreement; it is not owned by this year's Conference League finalist.

#work #right #begin

Tennessee football is one of four finalists in the recruitment of three-star running back Asa Barnes.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound prospect will announce his commitment decision between the Vols, Arkansas, USC and Florida State at 5 p.m. EDT on the Rivals YouTube channel.
Barnes is an in-state target from Westview High School in Martin, Tennessee. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 41 running back in the class and No. 24 player in Tennessee.
Tennessee offered Barnes a scholarship during an unofficial visit on June 5, 2025. He has visited the Vols three times since then, most recently for an official visit on June 19.
Florida State was the first school to offer Barnes a scholarship on Jan. 19, 2025. Other schools to offer him a scholarship include Ohio State, Alabama, Ole Miss, Purdue, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Louisville, Northwestern, Cincinnati and Virginia Tech.

#tennessee #june

The LeBron James sweepstakes unfolding while Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" debuted in movie theaters is amusing and worthy of a chuckle.
It took James 25 days to choose the Philadelphia 76ers as his landing spot in NBA free agency, yet, with the fast and furious release of podcasts and the madness of social media, those three-plus weeks felt closer to the 20 years Odysseus spent fighting in the Trojan War and making his way back to Ithaca.
One key difference between James and Odysseus, though, is the heroic graybeard who hails from Akron is not returning home.
So, why did the 41-year-old James decline a third tour with his hometown Cavaliers?
The 76ers, Cavs, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors were the finalists in the James derby, agent Rich Paul confirmed July 24 on the "Game Over" podcast he co-hosts with Max Kellerman.

#christopher

Hey Commanders fans, what do you know about Robert Henry Jr?
With the Washington Commanders rookies having already reported for the 2026 training camp, let's learn about Henry. Initially, it is perfectly understandable if no one in the Commanders fan base knew of Henry in his first two years of college. You see, he played for Jones College in Ellisville, Mississippi, a junior college in 2021 and 2022. Henry then transferred, finding a new football home at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).
Playing at UTSA from 2023-2025, Henry blossomed in his senior season, accumulating 1,045 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 151 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. One of the things that Commanders scouts no doubt noticed about Henry was his development in his ability to break off an explosive run for big yardage. Henry produced five rushes of 70-plus yards in 2025. This was not only the best, but was three more than any other FBS player. Henry was named a first-team All-American Athletic Conference and was a Doak Walker Award semifinalist.
Standing 5-foot-9, weighing 196 pounds, Henry is not exactly Derrick Henry in stature. This is another reason Henry went undrafted in April's 2026 NFL Draft. When the seventh and final draft rounds had concluded, there was Henry still available, and the Commanders ****** ed him, signing him to an undrafted free agent deal.
The Commanders' running back room has Jacory Croskey-Merritt "Bill" and Jeremy McNichols returning from the 2025 team. Chris Rodriguez departed, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent. Offseason additions have included signing free agents Rachaad White and Jerome Ford. The draft brought Kaytron Allen from Penn State in the sixth round.

#henry #utsa

World number 10 Taylor Fritz captured his 250th hardcourt victory on Monday by defeating Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the first round of the ATP and WTA Washington Open.
The American third seed, seeking his 11th ATP tour ******* le and first Eastbourne last year, needed only 79 minutes to complete a 6-3, 6-4 triumph.
Wimbledon quarter-finalist Fritz will next face either countryman Tommy Paul or Poland's Kamil Majchrzak.
"He had a few break chances, but when I served out the first and went up a break in the second, I felt like the momentum was on my side," Fritz said.
"It's really good to get out of those games and to finish the match unbroken."

#fritz #first #World #Monday

Notre Dame football is fairly close to closing out its 2027 recruiting class, with 23 total commitments after Brayden Parks made his verbal on Thursday.
The Irish have an elite class, one that ranks among the best in the nation and could end up being the top overall class. With that said, Notre Dame has the luxury of moving onto the 2028 cycle, one where they already have two commits, safety Andre Jones and kicker Owen Davies.
One of their top targets is Illinois edge rusher Darieon Prescott, a 5-star in the 247Sports Composite, ranking as the No. 18 overall player in the class. On Friday the 6-foot, 6-inch and 220-pound star announced via On3's Hayes Fawcett that he'll be committing on Monday with Notre Dame, Oregon and Texas A&M as his finalists.
Prescott has visited all three schools, as he was in South Bend to see the Irish hosting Purdue. Scanning his social media, it doesn't look like he visited this spring, but he did see the Ducks and Aggies. It's hard to say where he's leaning at the moment, but the hope is that proximity plays a part in Prescott's decision and joins other Illinois players who matriculate to Notre Dame.
Contact/Follow us IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

#irish #prescott #follow

Iowa women's basketball is among the five finalists for five-star forward Nation Williams.
Williams, a 6-foot-2 forward out of Las Vegas' Centennial High School, revealed to 247Sports' Dushawn London on Friday that she will be choosing between Iowa, Duke, North Carolina, Notre Dame and UCLA.
Williams has already taken an official visit to Iowa. The elite 2027 talent was in town for Iowa's 62-44 Senior Day victory over Michigan last February, where Hawkeye bigs Ava Heiden and Hannah Stuelke combined for 35 points.
Per 247Sports' 2027 rankings, Williams is the nation's No. 11 player, the No. 2 power forward and the top player from Nevada. According to ESPN, Williams is the country's No. 14 player. Per Rivals, Williams is the No. 13 player nationally and the No. 3 power forward.
Williams is rated as a five-star by ESPN, Rivals, and in the 247Sports composite rankings.

#forward

Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who was one of the heroes of Cape Verde's fairytale run at the World Cup, is signing for Colo Colo, the Chilean club announced.
"Vozinha is set to become a Colo Colo player; he will arrive in Chile in the coming days, undergo the necessary medical tests and will then be presented here at the Monumental Stadium," club president Anibal Mosa told reporters ahead of a league match on Friday evening.
Vozinha starred at the World Cup with heroic displays in a 0-0 group-stage draw against eventual champions Spain and in a 3-2 extra-time loss to finalists Argentina in the knock-out rounds.
The goalie, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, will move to Chile from Chaves of the Portuguese second division. Although he did not sign his first professional contract until he was 26, he has also played in Cyprus, Slovakia, Moldova and Angola.
"He's in very good form; that's why we're signing him," said Mosa.

#colo #club #chilean

Polish tennis player, Iga Swiatek, is the WTA World No. 8 ranked player. At 25, she is a former World No. 1, winner of six Grand Slams, 25 ****** les, and the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medalist.
Swiatek enters the hardcourt as the reigning Cincinnati Open champion and US Open mixed doubles finalist (with Casper Ruud).
She shared a recent training video as she prepares for hardcourt play. The training exercise was atypical, and fans had plenty to say about it.
MORE: Tennis players face impossible 2028 schedule with Wimbledon, Summer Olympics
Instead of a weight vest, Swiatek has a tube of water, hoisted on her back.

#World #grand

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Ryan Blaney faces a high-stakes weekend in Indianapolis.
He's hoping to put Roger Penske back in victory lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and he'd like to add a second crown jewel win to his resume. At the same time, he's chasing a $1 million pay day — if he finishes ahead of surprise finalist Todd Gilliland in NASCAR's second In-Season Challenge.
Blaney's solution is to simplify matters by sweeping both ******* les Sunday with one amazing Brickyard 400.
"We obviously understand what we're going for with the In-Season Challenge," Blaney said before Friday's short practice. "But at the same time, you're trying to win the race. That's the big one here — and trying to win for Roger at this place is incredibly important in our race shop and to everyone on this team. So I've looked at it as like, just go try to run the best race you can and focus on that."
Blaney heads into race weekend as the favorite in the final round of the challenge. The 2023 Cup champion has strung together 11 consecutive finishes of 11th or better, a feat he's achieved in 17 of 21 races this season. Two weeks ago in Atlanta he captured his second win of the year.

#weekend

The dates, kick-off times and venues for all of Italy’s upcoming Nations League fixtures have been confirmed, including a re-match against World Cup semi-finalists France in San Siro.
While discussions over a new head coach for the Italy national team continue – Andrea Pirlo now looking like the frontrunner after missing out on Pep Guardiola – preparations for the upcoming Nations League campaign are underway.
The Azzurri are in Nations League Group A with Belgium, Turkey and France and will face all three nations home and away between September and November.
Italy’s Nations League campaign will begin with a visit from Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on September 25, before jetting out to take on Turkey in Bursa three days later.
Italy will be hoping for a repeat of their 3-1 victory from 2024 when they take on France in Paris again on October 2. Bologna’s Dall’Ara stadium will host the following game against Turkey on October 5.

#league #turkey #upcoming #campaign

Heat reportedly linked to $298M four-time NBA champion to possibly pair with LeBron James, Giannis originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Miami has made no secret of its goal this offseason: building a legitimate championship contender. The Heat got the summer rolling with a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, immediately putting themselves in the ******* le conversation.
Now, Miami has its sights set on another four-time NBA champion in LeBron James. The Heat remain one of the finalists to land James.
“ESPN's Shams says just now that he spoke to Rich Paul this morning and there's no decision by LeBron and no timetable on a decision. Shams said his understanding is focus remains on Heat, Cleveland, Philadelphia,” Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote.
However, the Heat are not stopping there. They are also pursuing another four-time NBA champion in Klay Thompson, who is available via trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

#lebron #sporting #shams

The tennis tour is heading into one of its busiest stretches of the season, with the North American hardcourt swing just around the corner. The sport's biggest stars are already ramping up their preparations for the season's final Grand Slam, the US Open. Home favorites Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe have arrived in Washington, D.C. for the ATP 500 event (July 27-August 2).
Meanwhile, another former US Open semifinalist, Jack Draper, has joined the field in search of redemption. He is accompanied by three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray.
Shelton has arrived in the US capital after a rather forgettable Wimbledon campaign, where he was sent packing in the first round by qualifier Otto Virtanen. The American has produced mixed results, winning just one match at the ATP Masters 1000 level this season and just five matches across the three completed Grand Slam events.
He has, however, won three ******* les, one on each surface, including two at the 500 level (Dallas and Munich). At the Mubadala DC Open, Shelton, who accepted a wildcard, is defending 200 ranking points after reaching the semifinals last year. He would be hoping for an even better run as he builds momentum ahead of his Canadian Open ******* le defense.
On Thursday, July 23, the American was stopped training at the venue alongside Tiafoe. The players shared a laugh as they put in the hard yards under the sun. Interestingly, Shelton was seen wearing a left-arm sleeve.

#open #grand #three #season

Jul. 23—BEMIDJI — Michael Bitzer has been tethered to Bemidji for a long time, even when he didn't know it.
It started in Moorhead's youth hockey program. He took the crease in games at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse.
When the Sanford Center opened in 2010, the Spuds took a trip to Bemidji to watch a game against Colorado College. Two years later, Bitzer backstopped Moorhead to a Section 8AA championship in the same building.
While playing in the United States Hockey League, Bitzer committed to play for Bemidji State. His four-year career from 2014-18 included a Western Collegiate Hockey ***** ociation championship in 2017, along with a top 10 Hobey Baker Award finalist nod.
Now, Bitzer has built a life in Germany. He's preparing to enter his eighth professional season overseas. Still, the invisible string occasionally reels him back to the First City on the Mississippi.

#bitzer #hockey #fieldhouse

Notre Dame is really stacking the talent along the defensive line with its 2027 football recruiting class. On Thursday, one of the big additions to that group finally made a public announcement. 4-Star defensive lineman Brayden Parks gave his commitment to Marcus Freeman, Charlie Partridge, and Notre Dame via an announcement ceremony on CBS Sports.
The 6'3" 305 pound defensive tackle from Brother Rice High School in Chicago, Illinois, chose the Irish over his other finalist, the Oregon Ducks. Parks also held major offers from all over the country including the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, Alabama Crimson Tide, Miami Hurricanes, and many more.
From 247:
-Wide, stout-bodied interior defender who makes life challenging for Middle 3 blockers with his rate of movement off the ball.
-Possesses the rush get-off and skill level to consistently shave edges or pry open rush paths with inside moves.
-Can rip and swipe his way to immediate victories, with an effective hump move sprinkled in.
-Natural leverage advantage simplifies his ability to anchor and root into the ground against downhill run efforts for new lines of scrimmage.
-Power-packed player who doesn't lose steam on his way to the quarterback at various parts of the field.
-Falls shy of positional size thresholds, but has the length to overwrite those shortcomings.
-Looks the part of a productive, multi-year contributor for a Power Four program who specializes in even-front deployments.
From ISD:

#star

What's next for Diego Pavia? Landing spots for former Heisman finalist, from second NFL chances to CFL to WWE originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the second time in three months, Diego Pavia faces an uncertain future in football.
At this time last year, Pavia was preparing for his final season at Vanderbilt, which resulted in him becoming the Commodores' first-ever Heisman Trophy finalist, leading an electric offense to a 10-3 record and racking up 3,539 passing yards and 862 rushing yards. Despite that collegiate success, though, Pavia hasn't found a home in the pros.
After going undrafted in April's NFL Draft, Pavia initially landed with the Baltimore Ravens, even signing a three-year deal with a chance to carve out an eventual role in the quarterback room behind Lamar Jackson. It was a short-lived opportunity. On Thursday, Pavia was waived, making it even more unclear where he could wind up.
Here's a look at some potential fits for Pavia around the NFL, in other football leagues and elsewhere.

#heisman #finalist

Croatian veteran Luka Modric has extended his contract with AC Milan by one season, the Serie A club announced on Thursday.
The midfielder will turn 41 in less than two months' time but has committed to Milan until June 30, 2027.
Modric joined the Italian heavyweights in 2025, scoring two goals in 37 matches last season.
"One of the finest and most iconic players in world football, the Croatian will continue his journey in the Rossoneri shirt," AC Milan said in a statement.
Modric was a finalist at the 2018 World Cup with Croatia, also picking up that year's Ballon d'Or, and won six Champions League ***** les while playing for Real Madrid between 2012 to 2025.

#modric #season #june

Diego Pavia's first NFL contract was for three years. In total, it did not last three months.
The Baltimore Ravens have waived Pavia, the quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist from Vanderbilt, ahead of training camp, according to NFL Media and ESPN insider Ian Rapoport. Baltimore had initially signed Pavia to a standard, three-year deal in April after he went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pavia, 24, will enter a 24-hour waiver period following the transaction. All 31 other teams will be able to file a waiver claim to take on Pavia's three-year deal. Should he clear waivers, he will become a free agent again, free to sign with any team.
The Vanderbilt product was a longshot to make the Ravens' roster in his first season in the pros. In addition to the concerns about his 5-foot-10, 203-pound frame, Pavia needed to battle for a role in a Baltimore quarterbacks room that already features an entrenched starter in Lamar Jackson and a proven backup in Tyler Huntley.
This story will be updated.

#pavia #year

Lukas Prock has found his future home.
The four-star quarterback from Princeton (N.J.) Hun School has committed to Indiana, giving Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers one of the nation's premier signal-callers in the 2028 class.
Prock, who ranks No. 68 in the 2028 Rivals Industry Ranking, chose Indiana over finalists Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State after a recruiting battle that accelerated throughout the summer.
Originally planning to wait until after his junior season, Prock ultimately decided there was no reason to delay once he became convinced Bloomington was the right fit.
"I kind of got serious about it the last month or so," Prock told Rivals. "I started to cut things down and lock in with a school so I wouldn't have to worry about it. I didn't want to rush it, and I don't think it's rushed at all."

#industry

Texas A&M's first commit in the No. 1-ranked 2027 recruiting class recently spoke with GigEm247 insider Jackson Dipasquale this week, as four-star quarterback Jayce Johnson discussed his relationships with coach Mike Elko, new OC Holmon Wiggins, and new QB coach Joey Lynch, which were further strengthened during his official visit to College Station back in late May.
Johnson's arm talent is undeniable, and while his ability to make plays outside the pocket remains an area in need of improvement, Texas A&M's quarterback future post-Marcel Reed must include the Georgia native in order to avoid a massive drop-off at the most important position. Standing 6'4" and 200-plus pounds, Johnson has already established himself as a playmaker, but like most future college signal callers, consistency is the focus.
The Aggies' 2027 cycle also features four wide receiver commits, led by five-star Eric McFarland, while four-star Jayden Upshaw is equally intriguing given his physical play style and fearlessness making catches in the middle of the field, and combined with three-stars Demani Warren, who's 6'4", and Trey Haddad, who is a natural playmaker, Jayce Johnson will have plenty to work with under center.
After landing four-star linebacker Mikahi Allen, only five-star running back Landen Williams-Callis remains as the Aggies' final uncommitted priority prospect, who will announce his commitment on August 1.
Right now, the Texas Longhorns are the favorites to secure the blue-chip back, but Texas A&M remains a finalist, and Jayce Johnson, who, similar to four-star Edge Kaden McCarty, has been a vocal recruiter for the Aggies via social media and during nearly every interview this offseason. Johnson made his final recruiting pitch to Williams-Callis.

#johnson #star #jayce

Tulsa National Little League has been disqualified from the Little League Softball Southwest Region Tournament, Little League International officials confirmed.
The Little League International Tournament Committee determined that the adult volunteers and parents did not provide "sufficient documentation to verify that all players were eligible to participate in the International Tournament based on either their school enrollment or bona fide habitation within the league's official boundaries," a statement released on Tuesday, July 21, said.
As a result, the committee removed the team from the Southwest Region Tournament and declared Tulsa National's previous game a forfeit. The Southwest Region Tournament will conclude with a one-game championship between Texas West (Helotes Little League) and Louisiana (Eastbank Little League) at 4:30 p.m. on July 21 in Waco, Texas.
The league requires all participating athletes to either reside within the league's boundaries through bona fide habitation or attend a school located within those boundaries. According to the statement, the tournament committee works closely with local leagues to verify eligibility documentation and to review any challenges or protests brought to their attention throughout the tournament.
Both finalist teams, in addition to Texas Easy Industrial, filed complaints against Tulsa National regarding eligibility rules.

#tournament #southwest

Even elite NFL players, starters and award-winners at their positions- and therefore among the premier athletes on the planet- get starstruck, just like the rest of us. Sometimes it's by guys who do the exact same job.
A perfect example played out this week at the OL Masterminds Summit held in Frisco and hosted by offensive line guru Duke Manyweather. The annual event, now in its ninth year, brings together the game's current top offensive linemen and adds some of the best to ever do it for an intensive, hands-on clinic meant to raise the level of play across the board for guards, tackles, and centers of every team.
And everyone in attendance, it seemed, had someone else they were hoping to meet. Cowboys right tackle Terence Steele, for example, explained that he was looking forward to spending some time with the Eagles' Lane Johnson.
For Quinn Meinerz, it was Cowboys legend Zack Martin.
Meinerz, of course, isn't just some random fanboy. The sixth-year Broncos guard is himself a two-time first-team All-Pro, one of the 10 highest-earning guards in the league, and was a finalist for the NFL Protector of the Year award last season.

Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles has faced serious adversity throughout his nine-year career. From being one of the most penalized tackles in the NFL at the beginning of his career to his outstanding 2025 campaign, Bolles has earned his spot among the best protectors in the NFL.
Each year, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler surveys NFL executives, coaches and scouts to rank the top 10 offensive tackles in the NFL, and Bolles appeared on the list for the first time this offseason, coming in at No. 10.
"Bolles hadn't gained much traction in the top 10 series before, but his career performance in 2025 turned some heads," Fowler wrote for ESPN. Bolles was credited with allowing zero sacks in 2025 (per Pro Football Focus), earning his first Pro Bowl appearance and the first first-team All-Pro nod of his career. Bolles also made the list for ESPN's All-Pro team, was named PFF's Pass Blocker of the Year, and was a finalist for the NFL's first Protector of the Year award.
"Pass protection, he's one of the most consistent," an NFL coordinator told Fowler. "He can handle his own without help. He was a big part of the Broncos' success on offense last year."
Bolles has endeared himself to Broncos Country through his play and community efforts, but now, he seeks the ******* le that has eluded him thus far: Super Bowl champion.

England will play Argentina in their fourth World Cup semi-final after securing a 2-1 win over Norway in extra time on Saturday.
The back-to-back European Championship finalists were made to sweat in Florida but Jude Bellingham kept his cool in the Miami heat and humidity to send fans in the stadium and across the UK in raptures.
Wednesday's clash against Argentina in Atlanta will be the seventh time England have played in the semi-finals of a major tournament, not including the 1968 European Championship when only four teams qualified for the finals.
This is how England got on in their previous last-four encounters.
Portugal had a 100 per cent record going into the match at Wembley and seven of their 14 goals came from an inspired Eusebio.

The first finalist for the 2026 World Cup has been confirmed as England prepare to meet Argentina in a blockbuster clash in Atlanta.
Spain overcame France in Dallas to book their place in the showpiece decider as they look to add global glory to the continental crown won at Euro 2024.
They await the winners of the England-Argentina tie in Sunday's final, which begins at 8pm BST from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Saturday will pitch the two semi-final losers against each other in a third place play-off, which kicks off at 10pm BST.
Here's the full tournament bracket:
And here is every knockout fixture's date, kick-off time and host city:

LAS VEGAS — So perhaps a little throwback LL Cool J if LeBron James opts for a return to the Miami Heat? As in the opening verse of "Mama Said Knock You Out."
"Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years. I'm rockin' my peers, puttin' suckers in fear."
Actually it has been years since LeBron last played for the Heat in 2014, but there still has been an enduring connection — at Dwyane Wade's final game with the Heat in 2019, the opponent in the 2020 NBA Finals at the Disney bubble, and an embrace with Heat president Pat Riley this past season when the Lakers unveiled a Riley statue in from their arena in downtown Los Angeles.
And now speculation of perhaps indeed calling it a comeback, with the Heat perceived as a finalist for James' services in the wake of his parting last month with the Lakers.
Through the Heat's first 38 seasons, there have been 14 cases of players leaving, playing elsewhere, and then returning.