Andrew Garfield originally intended to play Mark Zuckerberg in 2010's The Social Network before Jesse Eisenberg took on the role, while Garfield instead played Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin
Garfield is reflecting on the experience now that he is playing another majorly impactful tech CEO in Artificial as OpenAI's Sam Altman
Artificial, Garfield's new movie about the company behind ChatGPT, is in theaters Dec. 25
Andrew Garfield's role as Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network is still on the actor's mind as he steps into a new movie about a tech company with tremendous power.
Garfield, 43, spoke with GQ in an interview published Wednesday, Nov. 4, regarding his new movie Artificial, in which he portrays OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman. The role had him reflecting on when he starred in 2010's The Social Network after losing out on the role of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to Jesse Eisenberg.

#garfield #Social #artificial #andrew

Cam Buffington has been the most consistent producer for Iowa's defense this season. He was rewarded for that consistency on Wednesday.
Buffington was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which is given annually to the most impactful linebacker in college football. The third-year from Winfield, Iowa, joins 14 other players as semifinalists for the award named after Hall of Fame linebacker **** Butkus.
Buffington has 62 total tackles and two sacks for the Hawkeyes this season. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound linebacker is tied with Northwestern's Braydon Brus for the most total tackles in the Big Ten this season. He's come up huge numerous times for Phil Parker's defense, including a 15-tackle performance in a tight win over Iowa State.
Buffington is the leader of a defense that's given up the eighth-fewest points (14.3) and 14th-fewest yards (281.3) per game among all FBS teams this season. Iowa's defense has been elite, and Buffington is a massive part of it.
If he wins the Butkus Award, Buffington would join Jack Campbell as the only Hawkeyes to ever take home the hardware. Finalists for the Butkus Award will be announced on Nov. 20. The winner will be announced in early December.

#season #iowa

Valkyries fans will love Kelsey Plum's Gabby Williams take appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Golden State Valkyries are only in the second year of their existence in the WNBA. And yet here they are, needing to win just three more games to secure the franchise's first championship after grabbing a 68-64 victory in Game 1 against the Atlanta Dream. Both teams had rough shooting nights to begin the WNBA Finals, but in the end, it was the Valkyries that executed when it mattered the most.
With points being at a premium, having someone who can simply generate open looks all while having the ability to make difficult shots could make all the difference. The Valkyries have that in star guard Gabby Williams, who finished with a game-high 26 points on 8-22 shooting from the field.
The signing of Williams this past offseason has certainly elevated a middling playoff team to a full-blown ***** le contender. And for two-time WNBA champion and five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum, she has always seen Williams as this impactful of a player even when she was still more of a role player with the Seattle Storm.
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#game #here

Across our area, local children are hopping on bikes to develop a lifelong passion.
The goal of Independence Youth Cycling is to uplift members of their various teams.
When they set out on the trail with their peers, they're always in for a great ride.
"Our nonprofit supports teams that operate in different leagues and series across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 65 or more coaches that support our organization...Our teams would not be here if it wasn't for the amazing green ***** es and trail systems that we have in Philadelphia and Montgomery County," said President and Founder of Independence Youth Cycling, John Raisch.
"It's been an amazing ride and we just want to see it continue into the future and be a strong, impactful organization," he continued.

#ride #pennsylvania

ALLEN PARK — For the first time under coach Dan Campbell, the Detroit Lions have more than six captains.
And for the first time in his professional career, defensive tackle Alim McNeill is one of them.
The seven-man crew of 2026 captains — McNeill, quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker Jack Campbell and punter Jack Fox — was determined through a democratic process, with players submitting their nominees on a piece of paper. Those with the most votes received the honor.
"Yes and no," said McNeill on Tuesday, Sept. 8, asked if he was surprised by the recognition from his teammates. "I feel like I worked and put the work in to be a captain, but I wasn't necessarily looking for it when we did it, and they chose me. I'm thankful, grateful."
Whether McNeill can return to form is one of the most crucial pivot points for the Lions in 2026. He was impactful and ascending when the team awarded him a four-year, $97 million extension in October 2024, but he tore his ACL two months later, sidelining him for the final stretch of Detroit's 15-2 season.

#mcneill #campbell #jack #captains

Stephon Castle showcases his gratitude for the Spurs legends' impactful support originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Across the NBA, there are plenty of iconic franchises. One of them is the San Antonio Spurs, a team with a history of success. They have won five championships in their time in the NBA, and their legends continue to stick around and help the next generation.
People like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, David Robinson, and many more are always present for the Spurs. This has helped the younger players because they know that they have some mentors to go to when they need help.
For any Spurs player, they will become familiar with the older figures within the organization who have been there for a long time. Of course, Gregg Popovich is probably the most recognizable one, as he is still the team president.
Mitch Johnson might have taken over as the head coach, but Pop still has an impact and influence on the players. Youngsters like Castle and Dylan Harper are benefiting from this because they know they have mentors to look up to.

#sporting #team #Help

The Houston Texans are set to kick off their season at home against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Houston has gotten the better of Allen throughout his career, especially at home, but he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the game, and this will absolutely be a competitive matchup.
In order to come away with a win, the Texans need to get going early and often on offense. The Bills have a very solid group, but they are certainly ****** e to giving up big plays, especially in the run game.
David Montgomery, along with Woody Marks, will be a huge part of what Houston is trying to accomplish, and that starts with establishing a consistent and impactful rushing attack.
Here is a look at Thursday's injury report:

#home #buffalo

The FIBA World Cup is underway, and the United States women are once again the heavy favorite to walk away with the gold medal. The US hasn't lost in the World Cup since 2006, and this year's roster is stacked with both veteran and up-and-coming talent.
Their biggest threat has long appeared to be France, who have dominated all three games of Group Play action and finished with the silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
But, there's another, more under-the-radar team that has impressed in the early days of the World Cup: Belgium.
Belgium beat Australia 80-68 on Monday behind a monster performance from Emma Meesseman, who exploded for 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, 8 ******* ists, and 2 steals. Julie Vanloo (12 points, 5 ******* ists) and Julie Allemand (11 points, 7 ******* ists) were also both highly impactful.
Australia is a powerhouse of its own. Its roster includes 8 WNBA players: Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Chloe Bibby (Minnesota Lynx), Isobel Borlase (Atlanta Dream), Milea Sowah (Golden State Valkyries), Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty), Jade Melbourne (Storm), Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings), and Steph Talbot (Las Vegas Aces).

#assists #storm

One of the biggest questions around the NFL pertaining to Aaron Donald's return to the Los Angeles Rams is about whether or not he can still be the same Aaron Donald he was during his original run, when he was the best defensive player in football.
It's still entirely possible that he's a massively impactful piece for the Rams' defense, but at the same time the odds are slim he's as good as he was then. Again, he was previously the best defensive player in football and has since spent two years away from the game.
But there is one thing that's certainly working in his favor: the position he plays.
This isn't a hard-and-fast rule by any means, but generally speaking interior defensive linemen, especially ones that already play at a high level, often age more gracefully than other players and positions.
In 2025, there were just two interior defensive lineman 35 years old or older who played an NFL game. That's relevant, of course, because that's how old Donald is now. One was 36-year-old Cameron Heyward, one of the best defensive tackles of his era, who started all 17 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers and earned his second second-team All-Pro honor, and sixth All-Pro nod overall.

#defensive #donald #same

Ford Motor Company's (NYSE: F) shares have been in the fast lane. Over the past 12 months, they have climbed 21% (as of Sept. 3). Surprisingly, this performance is ahead of four of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, high-powered companies sitting in the middle of impactful technological trends.
Investors aren't used to this automotive stock putting up strong returns. In the past five years, Ford's share price increased by just 9%. But can the business do a better job at rewarding its investors over the coming half-decade?
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Here's where I believe Ford stock will be in five years.
At a high level, Ford's operations aren't going to change much going forward. Known for its pickup trucks and SUVs, the company will remain a leading player in this segment of the automotive industry. Its Ford Blue segment will remain the most important financial driver. This division reported revenue of $26.1 billion in the second quarter, representing 54% of the company's total.

#ford #past #high

Axel Sola didn't love that the UFC Paris co-main event was France vs. France, but it's part of the job.
Luckily for Sola (13-1-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), he was on the giving end, not the receiving end, of a brutal first-round knockout. A friend and fellow countryman, Fares Ziam, paid the price for zigging when he should've zagged.
"I have a lot of respect for Firas Ziam," Sola said at a post-fight news conference. "I was happy to get the win cleanly and quickly, but a little bit sad for him because it's not good for your health. But I'm sure he's going to do what he has to do in order to come back safely and perform again inside the UFC."
A brutal left hand put the lights out. Sola drilled Ziam (18-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) with a few more follow-up shots before the referee stopped the fight. Ziam was down for a while afterward.
The victory is now the most impactful highlight on Sola's reel. It extended his winning streak to two and likely sets him up for an even bigger opportunity next time out. He thinks the more he fights, the better he'll get.

#firas

Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price appears to be slated for a successful start to his NFL career in 2026.
NFL.com's **** ysts named Price as their pick to be the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year at the end of next season, setting him above the league's other rookie candidates entering the season.
"Getting 15 touches a week for the defending Super Bowl champions, with a reigning Offensive Player of the Year threatening on the outside, is about as cushy an entry into the NFL as you can get," the Around the NFL Staff said.
Price, the Seahawks' No. 32 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is expected to step into a prominent role in Seattle's backfield following Kenneth Walker III's departure and Zach Charbonnet's injury. His combination of speed and burst gives the Seahawks a versatile rushing threat, while his receiving ability will keep him involved on passing downs.
The former Notre Dame standout is in line to become an immediate focal point of Seattle's offense. A substantial workload in Seattle's run-heavy offense gives Price a clear statistical path to winning the award in 2026. In the event that he translates his level of play from the 2025 season at Notre Dame, and his growth from the offseason into consistent NFL output, Price may emerge as the league's most impactful offensive rookie star at the end of the year.

#dame

The Vikings' selection of Caleb Banks is going to be debated for months until he steps on the field in a regular-season game. Given the injury concerns, folks will want to see how sustainable his play is, but, of course, they will hope for the best. Beyond the Banks pick though, this class has shown to be decent enough to generate some early contributors throughout camp and the preseason.
When it comes to the depth of it all, it helps explain why Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley is a fan of the group the team selected. This week he spoke to the media, and he discussed the class, saying, "We've seen all of our players improve on a daily basis, and so really excited about the trajectory of the draft class."
On defense, this class could have four impactful players, including defensive linemen Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. Linebacker Jake Golday is being used in a variety of ways, and safety Jakobe Thomas projects as someone who will be a part of the rotation.
Not a bad class for a first-year general manager to take in when he didn't have a say in any of the picks, as he was with the Seattle Seahawks at the time of the draft.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Minnesota Vikings are excited about their draft class ahead of Week 1

#class #banks #draft #week

Chiefs can take pressure off Patrick Mahomes if this defender steps up originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This is obviously a huge year for the Kansas City Chiefs. They're trying to come back for a season where they didn't even make the playoffs. That's just not like them, but it happens.
The good news is that quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been rehabbing from his ACL and LCL tear, and should be able to help take this team to where it's used to being: on top. But, he can't do it alone. Sure, it's great for a quarterback to have offensive targets around him to toss to in the heat of the moment, but he needs a good defense, too, to hold points from the other team.
On Friday, Ben Solak of ESPN released a feature with the X-factor for each NFL team going into the new season. For the Chiefs, it's cornerback Nohl Williams.
"Williams isn't just tight in coverage, but he also creates on the ball," Solak says of his abilities, adding that 20% of the player's targets "ended in a pass defensed or interception, well above the league average for outside corners" of 14.3%. He says that this is "compelling evidence that Williams isn't just a sufficient corner, but an impactful one."

#sporting #take #good

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon delivered one of the NFL's standout seasons at the position in recent memory last year.
Pro Football Focus touted Witherspoon as having earned the second-highest graded season for a cornerback in the league since 2020.
Jaire Alexander (No. 1) was the only player who was ranked ahead of Witherspoon, having received an overall player grade of 90.7 for his performance from the 2020 NFL season as a member of the Green Bay Packers.
Witherspoon's performance further cemented his status as a cornerstone of Seattle's defense. His ability to excel in coverage while making game-changing plays has made him one of the Seahawks' most impactful defenders.
The young cornerback has continued to develop into a reliable and versatile presence in Seattle's secondary. His physical style, playmaking ability and consistency have allowed him to make an impact in multiple areas of the defense and shine among the best talents in the league at the slot.

#witherspoon #defense #Seattle

A busy week of girl's volleyball tournaments and cross country produced several standout performances across the Wichita Falls area.
From hitters piling up kills over a long weekend to a runner separating herself from the field, several area athletes made strong cases for recognition, and we've narrowed the field to four candidates.
Read about each nominee below and cast your vote. Coaching staffs in and around the Wichita Falls area can send nominations by 5 p.m. Sunday to sportstimesrecordnews.com. The poll is set to close at noon Friday.
Broussard turned in a dominant performance at the Nocona Invitational, winning the varsity girls two-mile race in 12 minutes, 9.97 seconds. The Bellevue junior finished nearly 52 seconds ahead of the second-place runner.
Grisel powered Memorial to a 7-2 run at the Nocona Tournament, totaling 109 kills across nine matches. She also finished with 22 digs, nine blocks and six aces. Grisel's most impactful performance came against Holliday, when she delivered 23 kills as the Mavericks earned a three-set victory.

#area #wichita #nocona #field

The Miami Heat are known as a storied franchise in the NBA. Under Pat Riley's influence in the '90s, the "Heat Culture" became the team's foundation and philosophy. Although Riley transitioned to a front-office role later in his career, Miami's philosophy remained as Erik Spoelstra took over as head coach in 2008.
Although the Miami Heat were competitive under Pat Riley, the Heat became a different monster under Erik Spoelstra. From managing superstars like Dwyane Wade and LeBron James to nurturing the newer generation of stars like Bam Adebayo, Spoelstra has been one of the most impactful coaches in NBA history.
Currently, Erik Spoelstra also serves as head coach for the USA men's national team ahead of the 2028 Olympics, which will mark the end of his three-year cycle in the role. Coincidentally, 2028 will also mark 20 years since Spoelstra took over the Heat head coaching role, and according to Heat insider Ira Winderman, it may be the ideal opportunity for him to make a move. Winderman shared:
"When you talk about the Heat turnaround, after the 2028 Los Angeles games, to me, it would be the natural time for Spo to maybe move to the front office to step back."
"Right now, I know he loves it. It would make sense. But who knows? Maybe he's one of those coaching lifers. Maybe he's Hubie, and he's going to come back, you know, in a different way and keep doing that, just like I think Pat Riley will never fade away."

#heat #head

We are so back.
The 2026 college football season begins in earnest on Saturday with eight FBS games as part of the Week 0 slate. Headlining that schedule is the highly anticipated rematch between UNC and TCU as Bill Belichick's second season in Chapel Hill begins. He'll hope it starts better than the first, when the Horned Frogs dominated the Tar Heels on their home field.
That's only the tip of the iceberg, though. Saturday's Week 0 slate also features an early ACC showdown between NC State and Virginia, North Dakota State's first FBS game against a top Conference USA contender in Jacksonville State and a nightcap that could prove to be one of the most impactful games in the Group of Six all season as two CFP hopefuls, UNLV and Memphis, face off in Sin City.
Here at College Sports Wire, we'll keep you apprised of all the news, highlights and wild moments from Week 0 of the college football season.
Check back later for live updates from Saturday's Week 0 games.

#games #state #slate #first

In a conference long known for its stout defenses, being recognized as the top player on that side of the ball is no easy feat. The last five winners reflect that. Since 2021, the last four winners of the award — Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan), Jack Campbell (Iowa), Jer'Zhan Newton (Illinois), and Abdul Carter (Penn State) — have made their presence felt on Sundays in the NFL. Caleb Downs, who is the most recent winner, was selected No. 11 overall by the Dallas Cowboys and could be in for a highly impactful rookie campaign.
Typically, I like to present a list of options and riddle the breakdown with several pumpfakes that'll make you believe I'm picking that player to take home the award later this year. Not this time.
2026 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year: EDGE Anthony Smith, Minnesota
Last season, Smith was a disruptor. He finished the year with 21 solo tackles and 12.5 sacks. Those numbers are sometimes inflated in blowout wins against non-Power Five opponents, but that wasn't the case for Smith. The Golden Gophers opened the season against Buffalo and Northwestern State (FCS). Smith had just two sacks during that stretch, despite the victory over NWSU coming in the form of a 66-0 shellacking. He did add two sacks against a Non-Power Five foe, but that was in the Rate Bowl against New Mexico, so you can't dock him there.
Smith isn't my pick because he's the best defender. Nor is he my pick because Cleveland.com has the same projection. The team with the most candidates is Oregon. If the Ducks live up to expectations, they'll boast one of the most balanced defenses. With their mixture of talent and depth, we probably won't see any extraordinary stat lines from a Duck defender. This is where Smith benefits. If the award is not given to the best defender on the best defensive team, the second qualifier will boil down to numbers. Smith has already proven that he's capable of posting big ones.

#last #defender

The Dallas Cowboys have a chance to go undefeated in the preseason for the first time in two decades if they can defeat the New Orleans Saints on Friday night. Given the culture forged by head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the team wants to make it happen. While preseason results don't matter in regards to the regular season and playoffs, for some on the bottom of the roster fighting for a spot, it's everything.
The Cowboys might not know who's making the team at the end of the depth chart at receiver, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, cornerback, or safety. It's rare, but occasionally a great showing in the final preseason game can be the thing that pushes someone onto the 53-man roster over someone else who doesn't have a good showing.
The Cowboys have one of the best defensive tackle combos in the NFL. If Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark aren't the best, they're definitely top tier. Otito Ogbonnia is an impactful veteran run stopper, and then the cupboard looks bare.
Jonathan Bullard should be a good veteran, but he has been out all camp and could be a cut candidate who goes to the practice squad and then is called up once he is completely healthy. In 326 snaps last season, he had a run defense grade of 63.9, average at best.
The other three in the group include 2025 draft pick Jay Toia and undrafted free agent (UDFA) rookies D.J. Withers and Tommy Dunn. Through two preseason games, Toia's run defense grade dropped from 65.9 against the Seattle Seahawks to 23.1 against the Cardinals. Dunn was consistent with a PFF run grade of 66.8 in both contests, and Withers had a run grade of 70.2 in game one and 68.2 in game two.

#cowboys #grade #game #withers

ANN ARBOR — There has been talk that the strength of Michigan's defense will be its line, but the truth may be a bit deeper on the field as the Wolverines' secondary, particularly the corners, has the benefit of a group of experienced, talented players.
Cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford believes Michigan has four corners who could prove impactful this fall in Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry, both starters last year for the Wolverines; veteran transfer Smith Snowden, a starter at Utah; and sophomore Shamari Earls, a four-star recruit who played in six games last season.
"I'm very self-confident, so I feel like all my groups can be a leader of the defense, whether we're young, old, whatever the case may be," Gilford told reporters this week. "I'm very confident in what I bring to the table. I'm very confident in (defensive coordinator) Jay Hill because he is a DB. I'm very confident in what he brings to the table and what he's taught me under his tutelage for the last three years, so there's never been a down moment for me in my group.
"I always feel like we can be one of the top groups, but with these guys, 100% the expectation is to be one of the top groups in the country. That's our expectation."
This is the time of year, the days before the start of the season, when coaches and players throw out lofty expectations. Gilford and his group certainly have a legitimate shot at living up to them. There's versatility in the secondary and Jay Hill and Gilford have shown a willingness to be creative in how they use the players.

#hill #wolverines

SEQUOYAH — Sequoyah spent last season learning how to survive with youth.
Now, the Eagles want to see what that experience can do with room to fly.
After battling through a three-win rebuilding season, coach Rob Gilbreath welcomes back a much more seasoned roster, adds several potentially impactful transfers and is overhauling an offense that intends to get its athletes into ******* e rather than simply pounding away on the ground.
Depth remains a concern, and a loaded Class 2A-I District 4 provides little margin for error, but Gilbreath said he believes the Eagles have considerably more tools at their disposal this fall.
"We played a lot of young guys and had a very small senior class last year, and our experience was almost zero," Gilbreath said. "This year we're returning some of those players back, so we've got a little more knowledge."

#Eagles #last #experience #little

RGA Investment Advisors, an investment management company, has released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. The letter addresses the incorporation of AI into investment strategies and the dramatic changes in market dynamics that have emerged, specifically referencing the AI Bottleneck 40. This group of stocks is crucial to data center infrastructure. Initially, these stocks were closely aligned with the S&P, but by mid-2025, they began to diverge and outperform the index, exhibiting significant volatility, with realized volatility rates approaching 60%. The letter stresses the importance of continually monitoring these trends and adjusting the investment strategy. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, RGA Investment Advisors highlighted Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU). Headquartered in San Jose, California, Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU) is a TV streaming platform. On August 24, 2026, Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU) closed at $158.18 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $23.48 billion. Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU) posted a one‑month return of 9.92%, while its shares gained 65.53% over the past 52 weeks.
RGA Investment Advisors stated the following regarding Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"On June 15th, Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU) announced that it would be acquired by Fox Corp (FOXA). We first bought shares in Roku in late 2018 and what a wild ride it has been. We sold shares several times along the way and bought meaningfully more when the remaining position almost fully round-tripped to our basis. Had you told us the outcome ex ante in 2018, we would have been excited. Yet it all feels bittersweet, with solid overall returns accompanied by a half-dozen impactful lessons that continue to shape how we approach underwriting stocks, portfolio management and the tax consequences of selling.
As with many companies and investors, COVID led to some behavioral changes that were costly. Roku was distinctly on the right track toward correcting those errors by right-sizing the cost structure, building a robust strategy to drive ARPU and commencing a share repurchase program to capitalize on a cheap stock and healthy balance sheet. We applaud Roku's execution following their course correction.

#advisors #investor #stocks

Red Sox place five players among ESPN's top MLB award contenders originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox might not have the favorite for any of Major League Baseball's biggest individual awards. They do have something no other team can easily match: candidates everywhere.
Five Red Sox players appeared prominently across three categories in ESPN's latest MLB Awards Watch. Willson Contreras and Ceddanne Rafaela ranked among the top five candidates for American League MVP, while Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett landed in the top 10 for AL Rookie of the Year.
Veteran right-hander Sonny Gray also appeared eighth in the AL Cy Young race. The rankings were produced through AXE, an ESPN rating system that combines several value metrics, including Baseball Reference WAR, FanGraphs WAR, win probability added and championship probability added.
AXE does not reflect the official vote. It provides a consensus measurement of each player's overall value. By that measurement, Boston's roster is loaded with some of the most impactful players in the American League.

#players #value

President Donald Trump heads into the second half of his term with key vacancies among his senior White House staff. That means whoever comes off the bench must contend with the possibility of a Democratic-controlled Congress, a slew of subpoenas, a lingering war in the Middle East and an open Republican presidential primary.
James Braid, the top liaison to Congress, this week announced his exit. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she would depart the week before. Replacements for either have not been announced.
Though it's not unusual for staff to depart around the midterms, Trump's desire to run the country through a handful of close, fiercely loyal aides means each loss is more impactful than in a White House where power and responsibility are more diffuse.
These departures don't guarantee a tougher road for the administration, but they inject a dose of uncertainty at an already tenuous time, when the president is facing a slew of challenges — both foreign and domestic.
"I think people are seeing the writing on the wall and thinking Republicans probably aren't going to have the House, might not have the Senate either, and things are going to be stalled," said an official who served in Trump's first term, who like others in this article was granted anonymity to speak candidly.

#House

BYU added a massive late addition to its roster as Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler announced his commitment to BYU. Kohler is eligible to play this coming season as the state of California lawsuit he was part of received a temporary injunction allowing fifth-year graduated players college eligibility. The NCAA may appeal the decision.
The American Fork, Utah native is LDS and was one of the best big men in the Big 10 last year. Kohler spent all four seasons at Michigan State, going from bench player his first two seasons to starting 69 games his last two seasons for Tom Izzo. Kohler went from a back-to-basket big man his first two year two a stretch big his last season. As a senior, Kohler averaged 12.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and shot 39% from three and and 87% from the FT line. Kohler was 0-5 combined his first two seasons from three, and as a senior shot 58-139. For all players listed at 6-foot-10 or taller, Jaxon was tied for sixth in college basketball last season in threes made (stat courtesy of X account CBBAnalystics). Listed at 6-foot-10 by Michigan State, Kohler primarily played the four in Michigan State's big lineup but will likely primarily play the five spot at BYU.
Had Jaxon entered the transfer portal back in April, he would be a top 10 transfer this cycle. If he would have entered the portal then, he would have been the most impactful player big man BYU could have realistically landed. Just look at what Kohler did when Michigan State played at Michigan, the national champion with three lottery big men in their frontcourt. Kohler scored 23 points and grabbed 8 boards on 10-13 shooting from the floor and 2-4 from three. He led the Spartans in points and rebounds against the vaunted Wolverine front line. Kohler had 12 double doubles last season and was top 5 in the Big 10 and offensive and defensive rebound percentage.
Kohler takes BYU to a fringe top 25 team to a Big 12 **** le **** le contender. I have Jaxon as the best offensive big man in the Big 12 and one of the three best bigs in the league along with Arizona's Mo Krivas and Houston's Jo Tugler.
Jaxon is not a shot blocker, and I have questions about BYU's defense. He does bring effort and great rebounding prowess on that end, however, and should make BYU one the nation's top offenses. No big that is elite on both ends of the floor stays in college more than one year. Jaxon is a fifth-year senior that will be one of the top big men in college basketball. Out of any big man that BYU has pursued this offseason, none would have been more impactful or lead to more wins that Kohler will.

#michigan #last #college

On Monday morning, USA TODAY college sports trending writer Austin Curtright published an article **** led "Big Ten football's 10 most impactful transfers for 2026: From Josh Hoover to Terry Moore," which featured two new UCLA Bruin players.
Senior running back Wayne Knight was the first Bruin featured on the list.
"An All-American last season by multiple outlets, Wayne Knight also followed his former head coach, joining up with Bob Chesney from James Madison at UCLA.
"Knight was a difference-maker last season for the Dukes, rushing for 1,373 yards with nine touchdowns, also catching 40 passes for 397 yards and another score. He has a small frame at 5-7, 193 pounds, but showed he can hold his own against tougher opponents. Against Oregon in the College Football Playoff, he rushed for 110 yards on 6.5 yards per carry.
"Knight is on multiple preseason All-American teams ahead of the 2026 season, and has huge expectations in his final season of eligibility."

#bruin #featured

Pete Crow-Armstrong is ascending to heights Chicagoans could only have dreamed of. The Chicago Cubs centerfielder hit a leadoff home run and a walk-off blast last night against the rival Chicago White Sox, electrifying the Wrigley Field crowd like he has all season.
The 24-year-old Crow-Armstrong has been the most impactful position player this season. His 7.7 WAR is by far the best in MLB, and his .929 OPS ranks only behind Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani in the National League.
Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani are battling for NL MVP honors and both have a strong case. Here's the tale of the tape.
Crow-Armstrong is an elite five-tool player whose only flaw is chasing outside the strike zone too frequently. He's improved each season, making the All-Star Game the last two, and this feels like the right time for his first MVP. The Cubs sit comfortably in the top Wild Card spot thanks largely to his excellence, as Crow-Armstrong is batting .281/.379/.550 with 30 home runs and 78 RBI.
The MVP case for Ohtani isn't quite as overwhelming as it usually is, mostly because he hasn't pitched since July 3 due to lingering knee soreness. But while Ohtani hasn't been on the mound in a while, he's been superb at the plate. The 32-year-old is batting .295/.392/.556 with 29 home runs and 78 RBI this season. Ohtani was also pitching exceptionally well prior to his injury, tallying an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across 85.2 innings. USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale reports Ohtani is expected to return to the Dodgers' rotation in September, and if he gets back to where he left off, Ohtani could very well secure his fifth MVP.

#Cubs #Dodgers #star

A new era of Auburn football is upon us, and very few people face the pressure of leading the Tigers back to glory than quarterback Byrum Brown.
Brown transferred to Auburn during the offseason, following his head coach Alex Golesh from USF after working under his leadership for four seasons. Brown is coming off his most successful season of his college career after passing for 3,158 yards, rushing for 1,008 yards, and scoring 42 total touchdowns. It was a season that, if he had accomplished the same stats at Auburn, would have been the best season by an Auburn quarterback in history.
The leap from the American Athletic Conference to the SEC is a giant one, but its one that USA TODAY Sports' Austin Curtright believes Brown can make. Curtright included Brown in his "Most impactful SEC football transfers ranking" ahead of the 2026 season, believing Brown could turn heads.
Brown is a true dual-threat quarterback, passing for 3,158 yards with 28 touchdowns to seven interceptions last season, also rushing for 1,008 yards with 14 touchdowns. The 6-3, 235-pound signal-caller has 32 career starts and is one of the more under-the-radar transfers of the cycle.
Brown proved to handle the big stage last season by leading USF to wins over Boise State and Florida to open the season, and guided the Bulls to the nation's No. 5 scoring offense with 40.5 points per game. This season, he will be tasked to guide the new-look Tigers through a daunting SEC schedule and to its first bowl appearance in three seasons.

#curtright #Football #leading

One of those football adages that has always stuck with me came from a member of an NFL team's front office circa 2010: "Never let desperation be confused with a plan." It came at a time when his team was signing anyone and everyone at defensive back to fill an injury void, and he told me this anonymously because he disagreed with the approach of throwing money at free agents, rather than letting rookies get their reps in and take lumps as a result.
At first glance the decision by the Dallas Cowboys to sign Von Miller seems like desperation. The team is still reeling from the need to find pass-rush help in the wake of trading away Micah Parsons, while coming to the realization that Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku really aren't the marquee talents you want to get after opposing quarterbacks. Miller is 37-years-old, he's a journeyman, and the Cowboys are his fourth team in the last five seasons.
Miller remains one of the most impactful pass rushers in the NFL. The future Hall of Fame lock has been reduced to just having one trick in his bag — but that's all the Cowboys need at this point.
It's completely understandable if you didn't watch the Commanders play last season. Heck, even die-hard Commanders fans would forgive you for skipping over their debacle of a 2025 campaign. What we saw out of Von Miller in Washington was punctuated brilliance. Dan Quinn and the coaching staff were well aware of what Miller can and can't do on the field at this point in his career, so he was used predominantly as a 3rd-down pass rusher, or an additional linebacker in some gadget sets. This concept worked extremely well, as Miller finished the 2025 season with 10 sacks and 36 total pressures on just 289 pass rush snaps.
This pressure rate of 12.4% is prolific compared with the pass rushers he joins now. Rashan Gary's pressure rate was 13% — but Ezeiruaku's was considerably worse at just 9%. This means that there's a natural advantage on third-down pass-rushing situations to swap out Ezeiruaku for Miller, bolstering the attack as a result. This becomes even more intriguing with the addition of Caleb Downs, whom Dallas selected in the draft. There's a gravity which comes from throwing Miller on the field which can't be avoided, even as he gets older — meaning he needs to be accounted for on third down situations. While he might not command a true double, there will need to be a chip block thrown his way as well, because this is still Von Miller we're talking about.

#down