4 hours ago
Julian Menser, who had never seen the Pfau Course at Indiana University before this week, can certainly see where the teeth of the notoriously difficult layout would come out. It's just that, playing in Golfweek's Hoosier Amateur on July 28-30, he didn't experience it that way – and that made all the difference.
"I knew it was hard, everyone said it was hard, but when you're playing good, even hard golf courses sometimes don't feel that difficult," said Menser, who is about to enter his junior year at Michigan State. "But the second you start hitting it offline, courses get really difficult. I hit it pretty well. I was hitting it off the center of the face off the tee too, so I didn't really see much of the trouble, which made it feel a little easier, but it's out there. I hit a couple wayward shots and all of a sudden, you're staring double in the face."
At the end of a final round in which four different players held the lead at some point in the day, Menser, of South Lyon, Michigan, walked away with the Hoosier Amateur **** le by a one-shot margin. Rounds of 68-70-69 left him at 6 under for the week, and a birdie on the 17th hole in the final round was key in moving him to the top of the leaderboard, ahead of Grand Canyon junior Benjamin Keil, who bogeyed the 17th. Silas Haarer, a sophomore at Liberty University, finished third at 3 under.
Key in Menser's victory also was a lack of bogeys. He only made three all week. Menser correctly realized that the Pfau would not give up many birdies – he had nine of those in 54 holes – so steadiness would be key. Menser is typically not a player who pours in a ton of birdies anyway, he acknowledged.
"It's just not really my style," he said. "I knew if I would stay steady, don't miss it short side, just make a bunch of pars, I'd probably end up in good shape."
#pfau #university
"I knew it was hard, everyone said it was hard, but when you're playing good, even hard golf courses sometimes don't feel that difficult," said Menser, who is about to enter his junior year at Michigan State. "But the second you start hitting it offline, courses get really difficult. I hit it pretty well. I was hitting it off the center of the face off the tee too, so I didn't really see much of the trouble, which made it feel a little easier, but it's out there. I hit a couple wayward shots and all of a sudden, you're staring double in the face."
At the end of a final round in which four different players held the lead at some point in the day, Menser, of South Lyon, Michigan, walked away with the Hoosier Amateur **** le by a one-shot margin. Rounds of 68-70-69 left him at 6 under for the week, and a birdie on the 17th hole in the final round was key in moving him to the top of the leaderboard, ahead of Grand Canyon junior Benjamin Keil, who bogeyed the 17th. Silas Haarer, a sophomore at Liberty University, finished third at 3 under.
Key in Menser's victory also was a lack of bogeys. He only made three all week. Menser correctly realized that the Pfau would not give up many birdies – he had nine of those in 54 holes – so steadiness would be key. Menser is typically not a player who pours in a ton of birdies anyway, he acknowledged.
"It's just not really my style," he said. "I knew if I would stay steady, don't miss it short side, just make a bunch of pars, I'd probably end up in good shape."
#pfau #university
6 hours ago
Clemson added another talented quarterback to its future on Thursday.
Four-star signal caller Trace Hawkins announced his commitment to the Tigers, choosing Clemson over LSU, Duke, Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt. The Calhoun, Georgia native gives Dabo Swinney and his staff another highly regarded passer to develop as they continue building for the future.
Hawkins has been a familiar face in Clemson over the past year. His first visit came during the 2024 season, and he returned several times in 2026, including trips for the Tigers' spring game, Elite Day and Swinney's high school camp. Those visits gave Clemson's staff multiple opportunities to evaluate the talented quarterback while allowing Hawkins to get a closer look at the program.
The 6-foot-1 passer is coming off a productive sophomore season at Calhoun High School, where he threw for 2,442 yards and 24 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He also added three rushing scores, showcasing his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. Recruiting services have already identified him as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2028 class, with both 247Sports and Rivals ranking him among the nation's top prospects.
Hawkins also becomes the first commitment in Clemson's 2028 recruiting class, giving the Tigers an early foundation as the staff looks to build around one of the nation's top young quarterbacks.
#staff
Four-star signal caller Trace Hawkins announced his commitment to the Tigers, choosing Clemson over LSU, Duke, Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt. The Calhoun, Georgia native gives Dabo Swinney and his staff another highly regarded passer to develop as they continue building for the future.
Hawkins has been a familiar face in Clemson over the past year. His first visit came during the 2024 season, and he returned several times in 2026, including trips for the Tigers' spring game, Elite Day and Swinney's high school camp. Those visits gave Clemson's staff multiple opportunities to evaluate the talented quarterback while allowing Hawkins to get a closer look at the program.
The 6-foot-1 passer is coming off a productive sophomore season at Calhoun High School, where he threw for 2,442 yards and 24 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He also added three rushing scores, showcasing his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. Recruiting services have already identified him as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2028 class, with both 247Sports and Rivals ranking him among the nation's top prospects.
Hawkins also becomes the first commitment in Clemson's 2028 recruiting class, giving the Tigers an early foundation as the staff looks to build around one of the nation's top young quarterbacks.
#staff
8 hours ago
Angel Reese had already established herself as one of the league's top bigs in her first two seasons in Chicago. The former LSU star was named an All-Star in both her rookie and sophomore campaigns, broke a litany of rebounding records, and showcased her force on both ends of the floor.
But this season, she's taken her game to a whole other level. While Reese's individual accolades with the Sky were impressive, the team around her struggled, and the Sky found themselves near the bottom of league standings in back-to-back seasons. In April, Reese was traded to the Atlanta Dream, a team that already found themselves among the league's best last year, but wanted to further bolster their frontcourt.
For the most part, it's been a match made in heaven. Reese is averaging 15.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.5 ******* ists, and 1.8 steals per game, and Atlanta is 17-10 and winners of four straight games.
This year, she became the fastest player in league history to record 1,000 rebounds (doing so in 78 games), and the fastest to reach 50 double-doubles (doing so in 65 games).
But, in part due to Reese's play, they've already accrued wins against top teams like the Dallas Wings (who they are 3-0 against) and the Indiana Fever (who are they are 2-1 against), among others. The Dream have outscored opponents by 99 points in Reese's minutes this season, the 21st-best net rating in the WNBA and the third-best on the Dream, per Hoops Junkie. Atlanta has had a rigorous schedule so far, and they have the third-easiest remaining schedule.
#atlanta #dream #best #game
But this season, she's taken her game to a whole other level. While Reese's individual accolades with the Sky were impressive, the team around her struggled, and the Sky found themselves near the bottom of league standings in back-to-back seasons. In April, Reese was traded to the Atlanta Dream, a team that already found themselves among the league's best last year, but wanted to further bolster their frontcourt.
For the most part, it's been a match made in heaven. Reese is averaging 15.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.5 ******* ists, and 1.8 steals per game, and Atlanta is 17-10 and winners of four straight games.
This year, she became the fastest player in league history to record 1,000 rebounds (doing so in 78 games), and the fastest to reach 50 double-doubles (doing so in 65 games).
But, in part due to Reese's play, they've already accrued wins against top teams like the Dallas Wings (who they are 3-0 against) and the Indiana Fever (who are they are 2-1 against), among others. The Dream have outscored opponents by 99 points in Reese's minutes this season, the 21st-best net rating in the WNBA and the third-best on the Dream, per Hoops Junkie. Atlanta has had a rigorous schedule so far, and they have the third-easiest remaining schedule.
#atlanta #dream #best #game
11 hours ago
Competing in the United World Wrestling U17 Freestyle World Championships might be the least of Kooper Deputy's worries.
The 16-year-old from Bedford County was dealing with other issues in the buildup to his first international competition. The travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, where Deputy will wrestle in the 48-kilogram weight class Friday, was a challenge. He was also getting accustomed to different types of food and the time change, which is eight hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time.
"It's a little out of his comfort zone," said Josh Deputy, Kooper's father and head coach of Chestnut Ridge High School and the Orchard Wrestling Club. "It's an obstacle for him.
"He's a regimented kid who likes to do things a certain way."
The weight cut has also been difficult for Kooper. He won a PIAA ****** le at 107 pounds in March, but the sport's 2-pound growth allowance made the limit 109 by that point in the season. The world championships' 48-kilogram weight class equates to 105.8 pounds, making it even more difficult on a rising sophomore who has grown over the past few months.
#weight #Wrestling
The 16-year-old from Bedford County was dealing with other issues in the buildup to his first international competition. The travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, where Deputy will wrestle in the 48-kilogram weight class Friday, was a challenge. He was also getting accustomed to different types of food and the time change, which is eight hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time.
"It's a little out of his comfort zone," said Josh Deputy, Kooper's father and head coach of Chestnut Ridge High School and the Orchard Wrestling Club. "It's an obstacle for him.
"He's a regimented kid who likes to do things a certain way."
The weight cut has also been difficult for Kooper. He won a PIAA ****** le at 107 pounds in March, but the sport's 2-pound growth allowance made the limit 109 by that point in the season. The world championships' 48-kilogram weight class equates to 105.8 pounds, making it even more difficult on a rising sophomore who has grown over the past few months.
#weight #Wrestling
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
The Chicago Bears are back on the practice field at Halas Hall for their third consecutive training camp practice of the summer, where second-year head coach Ben Johnson is looking to position his team for repeat success in 2026.
With media and fans in attendance, there's plenty to keep an eye on during Friday's practice, which marks the first open workout of the summer.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is entering his third season with high expectations after a breakout sophomore campaign. He'll lead what was one of the NFL's best offenses from a season ago, where weapons Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Zavion Thomas present unlimited opportunities in the passing game. There are also a number of position battles underway, including at nickel cornerback, left tackle and long snapper.
Here are some live updates from those in attendance at Day 3 of Bears training camp:
Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. CT. Reports from practice below!
#position
With media and fans in attendance, there's plenty to keep an eye on during Friday's practice, which marks the first open workout of the summer.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is entering his third season with high expectations after a breakout sophomore campaign. He'll lead what was one of the NFL's best offenses from a season ago, where weapons Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Zavion Thomas present unlimited opportunities in the passing game. There are also a number of position battles underway, including at nickel cornerback, left tackle and long snapper.
Here are some live updates from those in attendance at Day 3 of Bears training camp:
Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. CT. Reports from practice below!
#position
14 hours ago
It's time to vote on who you think is the No. 1 gymnastics prospect among the Shore Conference's rising sophomores (Class of 2029) for the coming season. The poll is presented by Alliance Orthopedics.
The poll will close Aug. 15 at 10 p.m.
Shore prep sports top prospects for 2026-27 165 gymnasts
Please switch to desktop if the ballot is not viewable.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: VOTE Shore gymnastics No. 1 rising sophomore Alliance Orthopedics poll
#asbury
The poll will close Aug. 15 at 10 p.m.
Shore prep sports top prospects for 2026-27 165 gymnasts
Please switch to desktop if the ballot is not viewable.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: VOTE Shore gymnastics No. 1 rising sophomore Alliance Orthopedics poll
#asbury
24 hours ago
According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Indianapolis Colts worked out veteran free agent wideout Chase Claypool, who hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2023:
The #colts worked out veteran WR Chase Claypool today.
The 28-year-old former 2020 2nd round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers also spent time with the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills organization during his initial 4-year NFL career.
His best season came as a rookie for the Steelers back in 2020, when he recorded 62 receptions for 873 receiving yards (14.1 ypr. avg.) and 9 touchdown receptions during 16 games (6 starts)—earning PWFA All-Rookie Team honors that same season.
Claypool would follow that strong debut pro campaign up with a 'sophomore season' in which he recorded 59 receptions for 860 total receiving yards (14.6 ypr. avg.) and 2 touchdown receptions during 15 games (13 starts).
#receptions #veteran
The #colts worked out veteran WR Chase Claypool today.
The 28-year-old former 2020 2nd round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers also spent time with the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills organization during his initial 4-year NFL career.
His best season came as a rookie for the Steelers back in 2020, when he recorded 62 receptions for 873 receiving yards (14.1 ypr. avg.) and 9 touchdown receptions during 16 games (6 starts)—earning PWFA All-Rookie Team honors that same season.
Claypool would follow that strong debut pro campaign up with a 'sophomore season' in which he recorded 59 receptions for 860 total receiving yards (14.6 ypr. avg.) and 2 touchdown receptions during 15 games (13 starts).
#receptions #veteran
24 hours ago
Quarterback Rocco Becht is intent on setting things right in 2026. Becht's transfer to Penn State after a rough 2025 season, along with several of his teammates, gives him a unique opportunity to start anew. Along with pass catchers Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen, and Benjamin Brahmer, Becht is looking to elevate the production of the offense. However, during Big Ten media day, Becht highlighted the role that a returner could play in the offense.
"That guy is really special," Becht said of sophomore wideout Koby Howard. "He did a lot of good things in spring ball and he's probably going to do a lot of great things in fall camp [and] in the season for us. So, hopefully I can get him over 1,000 yards receiving, but something I'm looking forward to is just playing with him." While that is a lofty goal to set for a receiver you have never worked with, it is one that should intrigue Penn State fans.
Howard is the youngest member of Penn State's new-look receiving corps and is also the only player who got meaningful snaps at the position. Still, being a true freshman meant that he didn't receive many targets either. He only caught seven passes for 133 yards. This year, with Becht now at the helm, Howard will almost certainly see more snaps.
Whether or not he breaks 1,000 yards remains to be seen. After all, Penn State receivers have not covered themselves in glory in that regard over the past several years. Still, both Becht and Howard have apparently built a nice rapport with each other during fall camp, with Howard serving as a potential touchstone to Becht during his transition to life in Happy Valley. That connection may not result in a breakout season for Howard, but it could definitely be better than last season for Howard as well.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook.
#becht #penn #season #along
"That guy is really special," Becht said of sophomore wideout Koby Howard. "He did a lot of good things in spring ball and he's probably going to do a lot of great things in fall camp [and] in the season for us. So, hopefully I can get him over 1,000 yards receiving, but something I'm looking forward to is just playing with him." While that is a lofty goal to set for a receiver you have never worked with, it is one that should intrigue Penn State fans.
Howard is the youngest member of Penn State's new-look receiving corps and is also the only player who got meaningful snaps at the position. Still, being a true freshman meant that he didn't receive many targets either. He only caught seven passes for 133 yards. This year, with Becht now at the helm, Howard will almost certainly see more snaps.
Whether or not he breaks 1,000 yards remains to be seen. After all, Penn State receivers have not covered themselves in glory in that regard over the past several years. Still, both Becht and Howard have apparently built a nice rapport with each other during fall camp, with Howard serving as a potential touchstone to Becht during his transition to life in Happy Valley. That connection may not result in a breakout season for Howard, but it could definitely be better than last season for Howard as well.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook.
#becht #penn #season #along
1 day ago
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
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
1 day ago
We've made it. It's here. Football is back and the shiny new toys are being taken out of the box.
The Steelers took the field for the first organized practice of training camp at St. Vincent College on Wednesday morning. It was the first time Steelers fans could watch favorites, newcomers, and the 2026 draft class at the same time, including third-round pick and former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
Allar underwent significant changes to his processing and footwork during OTAs and minicamp, being broken down and built back up again by new head coach Mike McCarthy. Following a strong career at Penn State, but one that left much to be desired, Allar explained after practice how McCarthy is impacting his season.
"Definitely makes you be very detail oriented and have a purpose behind every rep," Allar said. "I think that's the biggest thing I've learned."
Allar missed half the season with a broken ankle but was the first of three players taken by the Steelers in the third round. In 45 career games, 35 starts from his sophomore to senior year, Allar threw for 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
#first #state #back
The Steelers took the field for the first organized practice of training camp at St. Vincent College on Wednesday morning. It was the first time Steelers fans could watch favorites, newcomers, and the 2026 draft class at the same time, including third-round pick and former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
Allar underwent significant changes to his processing and footwork during OTAs and minicamp, being broken down and built back up again by new head coach Mike McCarthy. Following a strong career at Penn State, but one that left much to be desired, Allar explained after practice how McCarthy is impacting his season.
"Definitely makes you be very detail oriented and have a purpose behind every rep," Allar said. "I think that's the biggest thing I've learned."
Allar missed half the season with a broken ankle but was the first of three players taken by the Steelers in the third round. In 45 career games, 35 starts from his sophomore to senior year, Allar threw for 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
#first #state #back
1 day ago
As we gear up for the 2026 football season, Aggies Wire is breaking down nearly every player on the Texas A&M roster. Throughout the preseason, each profile will highlight a player's background, recruiting rankings out of high school, and projected role under head coach Mike Elko.
On the defensive line, there's a clear opportunity for someone to emerge as the next All‑SEC edge rusher and one sophomore is positioning himself to seize it. Marco Jones flashed repeatedly as a true freshman, and he did so while still splitting time as a dual‑sport athlete in baseball. Now fully committed to football, his ceiling is difficult to pin down, but the trajectory is unmistakably upward.
Jones already brings prototypical SEC size to the position at 6‑foot‑5 and 260 pounds. After a full offseason under strength coach Tommy Moffitt, we'll get a true sense of where his power and explosiveness stand once conference play begins. In a rotational role last season, Jones appeared in all 13 games and posted 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Strong production considering his limited opportunities.
With a full-time focus on football and a frame built for SEC edge play, Jones is one of the most intriguing breakout candidates on the roster heading into 2026.
Hometown: Dublin, California
#season #roster #coach
On the defensive line, there's a clear opportunity for someone to emerge as the next All‑SEC edge rusher and one sophomore is positioning himself to seize it. Marco Jones flashed repeatedly as a true freshman, and he did so while still splitting time as a dual‑sport athlete in baseball. Now fully committed to football, his ceiling is difficult to pin down, but the trajectory is unmistakably upward.
Jones already brings prototypical SEC size to the position at 6‑foot‑5 and 260 pounds. After a full offseason under strength coach Tommy Moffitt, we'll get a true sense of where his power and explosiveness stand once conference play begins. In a rotational role last season, Jones appeared in all 13 games and posted 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Strong production considering his limited opportunities.
With a full-time focus on football and a frame built for SEC edge play, Jones is one of the most intriguing breakout candidates on the roster heading into 2026.
Hometown: Dublin, California
#season #roster #coach
2 days ago
Everything in the world of Gonzaga basketball hinges on the courtroom right now. Mario Saint-Supery was lured away from his upcoming sophomore season by a four-year contract to play professionally in Valencia, and Mark Few was left without a point guard. That vacated roster spot, as well as the one left open by one-time commit Jack Kayil, however, may have come at exactly the right time. UCLA's Donovan Dent and Skyy Clark are among the group of fifth-year seniors suing the NCAA for one more season of eligibility, and Gonzaga is reportedly in the mix for both. If the Zags are able to land both, this roster stops looking like an eleventh-hour rebuild and starts looking like the key ingredients for a top-five squad.
This is particularly vital because Gonzaga's non-conference slate for the 2026-27 season is arguably the toughest Mark Few has ever scheduled. The Bulldogs are already projected in the AP preseason top 20-to-25 range even before the eligibility rulings (hopefully) break their way, and the schedule does not let up from November through February.
Gonzaga has never been the type of team to schedule a patty-cake non-conference schedule and hopefully start firing on all cylinders by the time conference play rolls around. Rather, the Zags have spent the last decade scheduling a grueling non-conference slate to serve as a preview of the kind of competition they expect to see again in late March. Here are the games Zag fans should circle on their calendars now, regardless of who will or won't actually be suiting up for the Bulldogs.
Gonzaga has unfinished business with Purdue, which ended the Zags' 2024 season in the Sweet 16 behind Zach Edey's 27 points and 14 rebounds. This one opens the season on a neutral floor.
The roster picture has flipped since then. Purdue finished 30-9 and ranked No. 2 on KenPom last year, but its entire veteran core is now gone. Braden Smith, the NCAA's all-time ******* ists leader, and Trey Kaufman-Renn were both drafted in June, while Fletcher Loyer exhausted his eligibility and signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Clippers. Matt Painter didn't chase a portal fix. Instead, Purdue is leaning on sophomore Omer Mayer out of Tel Aviv, Israel, who played alongside Smith last season and is the presumptive starter, with five-star freshman Luke Ertel, Indiana's reigning Mr. Basketball, waiting behind him.
#zags #conference
This is particularly vital because Gonzaga's non-conference slate for the 2026-27 season is arguably the toughest Mark Few has ever scheduled. The Bulldogs are already projected in the AP preseason top 20-to-25 range even before the eligibility rulings (hopefully) break their way, and the schedule does not let up from November through February.
Gonzaga has never been the type of team to schedule a patty-cake non-conference schedule and hopefully start firing on all cylinders by the time conference play rolls around. Rather, the Zags have spent the last decade scheduling a grueling non-conference slate to serve as a preview of the kind of competition they expect to see again in late March. Here are the games Zag fans should circle on their calendars now, regardless of who will or won't actually be suiting up for the Bulldogs.
Gonzaga has unfinished business with Purdue, which ended the Zags' 2024 season in the Sweet 16 behind Zach Edey's 27 points and 14 rebounds. This one opens the season on a neutral floor.
The roster picture has flipped since then. Purdue finished 30-9 and ranked No. 2 on KenPom last year, but its entire veteran core is now gone. Braden Smith, the NCAA's all-time ******* ists leader, and Trey Kaufman-Renn were both drafted in June, while Fletcher Loyer exhausted his eligibility and signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Clippers. Matt Painter didn't chase a portal fix. Instead, Purdue is leaning on sophomore Omer Mayer out of Tel Aviv, Israel, who played alongside Smith last season and is the presumptive starter, with five-star freshman Luke Ertel, Indiana's reigning Mr. Basketball, waiting behind him.
#zags #conference
2 days ago
CHICAGO − Ohio State football coach Ryan Day said the handful of players who were held out at the end of spring practice in April have been participants in summer workouts and are due to return for the start of training camp in August.
Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels, the Buckeyes' returning starting left and right tackles, and Earl Little Jr., a transfer safety from Florida State, were among those who underwent procedures late in spring practice.
Day did not divulge the details of the injuries to Siereveld and Daniels during the spring, but then described their procedures as small ones. He said Little had a cleanup procedure on a knee that led him to miss the spring game.
"It's good to get all those guys back and have a full summer with them, which has been great," Day said during Big Ten media days on July 29. "Now we're ready for the preseason and everything looks good. I think it was the right thing to do. At the end of the year, you've got to clean up your shoulders, you've got to clean up your knees. All that went well."
While Siereveld started at left tackle last season, he also made six starts at left guard in 2024 and could slide inside if the Buckeyes reconfigure their offensive line to include Ian Moore, a promising redshirt sophomore.
#summer
Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels, the Buckeyes' returning starting left and right tackles, and Earl Little Jr., a transfer safety from Florida State, were among those who underwent procedures late in spring practice.
Day did not divulge the details of the injuries to Siereveld and Daniels during the spring, but then described their procedures as small ones. He said Little had a cleanup procedure on a knee that led him to miss the spring game.
"It's good to get all those guys back and have a full summer with them, which has been great," Day said during Big Ten media days on July 29. "Now we're ready for the preseason and everything looks good. I think it was the right thing to do. At the end of the year, you've got to clean up your shoulders, you've got to clean up your knees. All that went well."
While Siereveld started at left tackle last season, he also made six starts at left guard in 2024 and could slide inside if the Buckeyes reconfigure their offensive line to include Ian Moore, a promising redshirt sophomore.
#summer
2 days ago
Florida volleyball players Jordyn Byrd and Alec Rothe were named to the Preseason All-SEC team, while the team was voted to finish fourth in the conference, the SEC announced in its 2026 Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Byrd was a member of the 2025 All-SEC Second Team and was a member of the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches ***** ociation Southeast Region First Team. The Sarasota, Florida, native appeared in all 28 matches for the Gators, leading the way on offense in 23 of them, recording double-figure kills and pouring in a total of 425 kills and 457.5 points, which led the team last season. In total, Byrd was responsible for 30% of the Gator production on offense during her redshirt sophomore campaign.
Joining Byrd on the Preseason All-SEC team was Rothe, who was also a member of the 2025 AVCA Region First Team during her sophomore season. Last season, the Dublin, Ohio, native was one of the best defenders in the conference, leading the Gators with 111.0 blocks, also recording five or more blocks 10 times. She also averaged 2.48 points per set, 1.91 kills per set, 1.03 blocks per set and 0.39 digs per set.
Rothe is one of only two middle blockers to make the Preseason All-SEC list.
Overall, the Gators were picked to finish fourth in the SEC, receiving 187 points in the coaches' poll. The Gators are behind Kentucky, Texas and Texas A&M, respectively.
#team #byrd #member #season
Byrd was a member of the 2025 All-SEC Second Team and was a member of the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches ***** ociation Southeast Region First Team. The Sarasota, Florida, native appeared in all 28 matches for the Gators, leading the way on offense in 23 of them, recording double-figure kills and pouring in a total of 425 kills and 457.5 points, which led the team last season. In total, Byrd was responsible for 30% of the Gator production on offense during her redshirt sophomore campaign.
Joining Byrd on the Preseason All-SEC team was Rothe, who was also a member of the 2025 AVCA Region First Team during her sophomore season. Last season, the Dublin, Ohio, native was one of the best defenders in the conference, leading the Gators with 111.0 blocks, also recording five or more blocks 10 times. She also averaged 2.48 points per set, 1.91 kills per set, 1.03 blocks per set and 0.39 digs per set.
Rothe is one of only two middle blockers to make the Preseason All-SEC list.
Overall, the Gators were picked to finish fourth in the SEC, receiving 187 points in the coaches' poll. The Gators are behind Kentucky, Texas and Texas A&M, respectively.
#team #byrd #member #season
2 days ago
Every year I take a look at who I think will be the top players on Boise State's football team. With so many unproven players, coming up with this season's list was a bit tougher than previous years. This team's squad is definitely more proven on the offensive side of the ball and that is reflected in our list. Last week, we continued our countdown by taking a look at a veteran defensive back. This week, we move back to the offensive side of the ball with a senior quarterback that has a lot to prove. Coming in at number four we have…
Maddux Madsen
The most polarizing player on Boise State's roster is almost always a quarterback and this season is no exception. Senior quarterback Maddux Madsen is entering his third full season as the starting quarterback and will look to win over a fan base that has mixed feelings about him. Madsen's sophomore season was a success, as he played a key role in helping the Broncos reach the College Football Playoff. Madsen's junior season was a bit of a roller coaster. He battled a lower leg injury for much of the season and was sidelined for two games after leaving with that same injury against Fresno State. Madsen returned in the Mountain West Championship and had his best game of the year in a victory over UNLV where he passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
Madsen enters his senior season with the lofty expectations that come with being Boise State's quarterback. The expectations with this group are a conference championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. In order to do so, Madsen will need to stay healthy and show more poise in the pocket. Last season, Madsen was hesitant to tuck the ball and run. Now that he's healthy, will he be more willing to use his legs? If this team meets its goals, it will be because Madsen has the best season of his career.
Countdown so far:
#madsen #Football #last
Maddux Madsen
The most polarizing player on Boise State's roster is almost always a quarterback and this season is no exception. Senior quarterback Maddux Madsen is entering his third full season as the starting quarterback and will look to win over a fan base that has mixed feelings about him. Madsen's sophomore season was a success, as he played a key role in helping the Broncos reach the College Football Playoff. Madsen's junior season was a bit of a roller coaster. He battled a lower leg injury for much of the season and was sidelined for two games after leaving with that same injury against Fresno State. Madsen returned in the Mountain West Championship and had his best game of the year in a victory over UNLV where he passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
Madsen enters his senior season with the lofty expectations that come with being Boise State's quarterback. The expectations with this group are a conference championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. In order to do so, Madsen will need to stay healthy and show more poise in the pocket. Last season, Madsen was hesitant to tuck the ball and run. Now that he's healthy, will he be more willing to use his legs? If this team meets its goals, it will be because Madsen has the best season of his career.
Countdown so far:
#madsen #Football #last
2 days ago
In Tuesday night's Indiana Fever win over the Seattle Storm, Caitlin Clark was on one. Clark tallied 32 points on 9-14 shooting to go along with 7 ****** ists and 4 rebounds, and the Fever improved to 18-10 on the season.
Amid the usual litany of off-court storylines, it's been a superb on-court season for the Fever star.
Clark is averaging 21.5 points per game, the third-most in the league, and 7.9 ****** ists per game, the second-most in the league. (In other words, no single player creates more on offense than she does).
She's also quietly upped her efficiency — in her rookie season (in which she was named to the All-WNBA First Team), she shot 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from three. In her sophomore season (in which she appeared in just 13 games due to a myriad of injuries), she shot worse, hitting 36.7% of her shot attempts and 27.9% of her threes.
And, this year, she's shooting 44.3% from the field and 35.4% from three, both career-highs. While turnovers continue to be an Achilles heel, she's averaging fewer per game this year (4.7) than in her rookie campaign (5.6).
#game #points #shooting #court
Amid the usual litany of off-court storylines, it's been a superb on-court season for the Fever star.
Clark is averaging 21.5 points per game, the third-most in the league, and 7.9 ****** ists per game, the second-most in the league. (In other words, no single player creates more on offense than she does).
She's also quietly upped her efficiency — in her rookie season (in which she was named to the All-WNBA First Team), she shot 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from three. In her sophomore season (in which she appeared in just 13 games due to a myriad of injuries), she shot worse, hitting 36.7% of her shot attempts and 27.9% of her threes.
And, this year, she's shooting 44.3% from the field and 35.4% from three, both career-highs. While turnovers continue to be an Achilles heel, she's averaging fewer per game this year (4.7) than in her rookie campaign (5.6).
#game #points #shooting #court
3 days ago
One training camp battle for the Los Angeles Rams that is under the radar is at center.
Could Beaux Limmer potentially unseat Coleman Shelton in the starting lineup?
Rookies rarely crack the rotation under Sean McVay. Limmer started 17 games in his first year including two playoff contests. He did not make a single start during his sophomore campaign.
That's because the Rams watched the 2024 season end at the hands of Limmer in a missed blocking ***** ignment that allowed Jalen Carter to wreck a red zone possession in the NFC divisional round. LA responded by signing Coleman Shelton in free agency. Shelton may not be a Pro Bowl caliber player in terms of performance; however, he excels in the key area that Limmer lacked: communication.
Player
#limmer #shelton #rookies #mcvay
Could Beaux Limmer potentially unseat Coleman Shelton in the starting lineup?
Rookies rarely crack the rotation under Sean McVay. Limmer started 17 games in his first year including two playoff contests. He did not make a single start during his sophomore campaign.
That's because the Rams watched the 2024 season end at the hands of Limmer in a missed blocking ***** ignment that allowed Jalen Carter to wreck a red zone possession in the NFC divisional round. LA responded by signing Coleman Shelton in free agency. Shelton may not be a Pro Bowl caliber player in terms of performance; however, he excels in the key area that Limmer lacked: communication.
Player
#limmer #shelton #rookies #mcvay
3 days ago
For a sport with a reputation for moving slowly, golf always seems to be in a hurry to appoint the next big star.
Jackson Koivun is next on the list and certainly worth watching.
It's not just because he won a PGA Tour event — which included the No. 1 player in the world — just two months after leaving college. Remember, it was only two years ago when Nick Dunlap won The American Express (Scottie Scheffler played that one, too) while he was a sophomore at Alabama.
Different about Koivun is that he carried the expectations of being the No. 1 amateur in the world. He won six times in college, swept all the awards as the best player, led Auburn to another NCAA ****** le and last year had three straight top-10 finishes in PGA Tour events without ever looking as though the moment was too big.
And then in his third start as a pro, Koivun shot 61 on Saturday in the 3M Open after Scheffler had set the target, and then held off Scheffler and everyone else with a 66 and a three-shot victory.
#koivun #scheffler #player
Jackson Koivun is next on the list and certainly worth watching.
It's not just because he won a PGA Tour event — which included the No. 1 player in the world — just two months after leaving college. Remember, it was only two years ago when Nick Dunlap won The American Express (Scottie Scheffler played that one, too) while he was a sophomore at Alabama.
Different about Koivun is that he carried the expectations of being the No. 1 amateur in the world. He won six times in college, swept all the awards as the best player, led Auburn to another NCAA ****** le and last year had three straight top-10 finishes in PGA Tour events without ever looking as though the moment was too big.
And then in his third start as a pro, Koivun shot 61 on Saturday in the 3M Open after Scheffler had set the target, and then held off Scheffler and everyone else with a 66 and a three-shot victory.
#koivun #scheffler #player
3 days ago
Fall camp will get underway next week as the Oklahoma Sooners look to build on their College Football Playoff appearance from a year ago. But it's a new season with many of the same returning characters, but this year's group will create its own identity. It's a roster filled with talent, including 10 preseason All-SEC selections. There's an optimism heading into the year despite being voted seventh in the preseason SEC predicted order of finish.
The Sooners will have one of the best starting lineups in college football in 2026, led by a defense that was one of the best units in the sport last season. The offense, which had some shortcomings in 2025, will be much improved this season. It's a group that's hungry to get back to the playoff and do more damage this time around.
But like every team, the Oklahoma Sooners have some questions heading into fall camp. Here's a look at the questions we're asking about each position group heading into the preseason.
In Brent Venables' tenure at Oklahoma, the Sooners have had their Week 1 starter play every game in a season just one time: the 2023 season with Dillon Gabriel. You don't want to rely on your backup, but as we've seen, when you have to go to him, you need a guy that can help you win a game. In 2024 and 2025, Michael Hawkins Jr. helped Oklahoma beat Auburn and Kent State.
Heading into fall camp, sophomore Whitt Newbauer has the leg up on true freshman Bowe Bentley after their performances in the spring. There's no rush on Bentley to play meaningful snaps, especially when you have Newbauer, who has experience in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's system and has played meaningful snaps at the collegiate level.
#oklahoma #season #bentley
The Sooners will have one of the best starting lineups in college football in 2026, led by a defense that was one of the best units in the sport last season. The offense, which had some shortcomings in 2025, will be much improved this season. It's a group that's hungry to get back to the playoff and do more damage this time around.
But like every team, the Oklahoma Sooners have some questions heading into fall camp. Here's a look at the questions we're asking about each position group heading into the preseason.
In Brent Venables' tenure at Oklahoma, the Sooners have had their Week 1 starter play every game in a season just one time: the 2023 season with Dillon Gabriel. You don't want to rely on your backup, but as we've seen, when you have to go to him, you need a guy that can help you win a game. In 2024 and 2025, Michael Hawkins Jr. helped Oklahoma beat Auburn and Kent State.
Heading into fall camp, sophomore Whitt Newbauer has the leg up on true freshman Bowe Bentley after their performances in the spring. There's no rush on Bentley to play meaningful snaps, especially when you have Newbauer, who has experience in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's system and has played meaningful snaps at the collegiate level.
#oklahoma #season #bentley
3 days ago
Caleb Williams has quickly emerged as a clutch quarterback after one special season with the Chicago Bears. That trait has carried him into elite NFL quarterback territory. Yet there is still much more room for him to grow.
In a recent article, Mike Pendleton takes a look at Caleb Williams' game following his special 2025 season. Here is what he had to say:
"One of the biggest impressions that Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams made during his standout sophomore campaign was his clutch performance, earning himself the nickname of "The Iceman" as he captivated the NFL audience and ***** ysts alike.
Williams, who orchestrated an NFL record seven comebacks for the Bears last season, still has shown there are areas in which he needs to progress his development and going into his second year under Ben Johnson. If he can make those leaps, he'll continue to turn heads."
Caleb Williams will be feared in games late by opponents because of the rare clutch gene he has. If he takes another step in improving his all-around game as a quarterback, the Bears will have something truly special on their hands. Caleb Williams' clutch ability saves all of his weaknesses, and that was evident in many games last season. As not attainable as 6 game-winning drives seems, Caleb Williams will need to improve so another trait of his can be the reason the Bears win games. If Caleb can do that, the Bears will be able to withstand anything with Williams at the helm, and Williams will be viewed in a totally different regard.
#bears #quarterback
In a recent article, Mike Pendleton takes a look at Caleb Williams' game following his special 2025 season. Here is what he had to say:
"One of the biggest impressions that Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams made during his standout sophomore campaign was his clutch performance, earning himself the nickname of "The Iceman" as he captivated the NFL audience and ***** ysts alike.
Williams, who orchestrated an NFL record seven comebacks for the Bears last season, still has shown there are areas in which he needs to progress his development and going into his second year under Ben Johnson. If he can make those leaps, he'll continue to turn heads."
Caleb Williams will be feared in games late by opponents because of the rare clutch gene he has. If he takes another step in improving his all-around game as a quarterback, the Bears will have something truly special on their hands. Caleb Williams' clutch ability saves all of his weaknesses, and that was evident in many games last season. As not attainable as 6 game-winning drives seems, Caleb Williams will need to improve so another trait of his can be the reason the Bears win games. If Caleb can do that, the Bears will be able to withstand anything with Williams at the helm, and Williams will be viewed in a totally different regard.
#bears #quarterback
4 days ago
Rocket Ritarita quickly became a household name in college soccer after a standout freshman campaign last season. Now, the Maryland men's soccer forward will represent his country on the international stage.
Ritarita was selected to the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup squad, marking his first tournament appearance with the senior national team.
The 19-year-old's call-up comes months after helping the Terps make a deep postseason run. Ritarita bagged four goals and six ***** ists off the bench throughout the year, including a brace during Maryland's 3-0 NCAA Tournament third round victory. The budding star earned Big Ten All-Freshman team honors.
With the departures of the Terps' starting wingers, Ritarita appears poised for a breakout sophomore season. But his focus remains on leading the Philippines to an ASEAN Hyundai Cup ***** le. That quest begins on July 28 against Myanmar.
Former Maryland women's basketball forward Chloe Bibby earned a spot on Australia's FIBA World Cup team.
#Soccer
Ritarita was selected to the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup squad, marking his first tournament appearance with the senior national team.
The 19-year-old's call-up comes months after helping the Terps make a deep postseason run. Ritarita bagged four goals and six ***** ists off the bench throughout the year, including a brace during Maryland's 3-0 NCAA Tournament third round victory. The budding star earned Big Ten All-Freshman team honors.
With the departures of the Terps' starting wingers, Ritarita appears poised for a breakout sophomore season. But his focus remains on leading the Philippines to an ASEAN Hyundai Cup ***** le. That quest begins on July 28 against Myanmar.
Former Maryland women's basketball forward Chloe Bibby earned a spot on Australia's FIBA World Cup team.
#Soccer
7 days ago
On Wednesday, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, alongside quarterback Marcel Reed, safety Marcus Ratcliffe, and linebacker Daymion Sanford, spoke to the local and national media during SEC Media Days, and after suffering what looked like a serious lower-body injury during the Maroon & White Game, Daymion Sanford, who is entering his senior season, has already graduated from his walking boot after undergoing surgery this summer.
On track to potentially return to the field earlier than expected, Sanford stated on Wednesday that he is already running again, while his recovery was "more of a mindset thing" the required plenty of patience without affecting his return timeline, while steadfast support from Mike Elko, and knowing that the Aggie linebacker rotation is in good shape with transfer Ray Coney and rising sophomore Noah Mikhail leading the way before he returns.
"I think it's going to be pretty difficult," Sanford stated. "But it's more of a mindset thing that I've learned throughout this process. You have to celebrate the small wins every day and make yourself feel good. So I've been celebrating the small wins, like being able to walk again, being able to get out of the brace, being able to run, stuff like that."
During the first portion of his Q&A with the local Aggie media, Sanford was asked which defensive player on the roster is under the radar entering the 2026 season, and while a long list of returning players could have been named, Sanford chose Illinois transfer defensive tackle Angelo McCullom, who reportedly hit a new bench press personal record of 470 pounds.
While North Carolina transfer defensive tackle CJ Mims is expected to start at nose tackle, McCullom, who appeared in 12 games at nose tackle last season, recording 19 tackles and 2 sacks, will serve as his primary backup. Per Pro Football Focus, McCullom finished the year with a solid 70.3 run defense grade.
#season
On track to potentially return to the field earlier than expected, Sanford stated on Wednesday that he is already running again, while his recovery was "more of a mindset thing" the required plenty of patience without affecting his return timeline, while steadfast support from Mike Elko, and knowing that the Aggie linebacker rotation is in good shape with transfer Ray Coney and rising sophomore Noah Mikhail leading the way before he returns.
"I think it's going to be pretty difficult," Sanford stated. "But it's more of a mindset thing that I've learned throughout this process. You have to celebrate the small wins every day and make yourself feel good. So I've been celebrating the small wins, like being able to walk again, being able to get out of the brace, being able to run, stuff like that."
During the first portion of his Q&A with the local Aggie media, Sanford was asked which defensive player on the roster is under the radar entering the 2026 season, and while a long list of returning players could have been named, Sanford chose Illinois transfer defensive tackle Angelo McCullom, who reportedly hit a new bench press personal record of 470 pounds.
While North Carolina transfer defensive tackle CJ Mims is expected to start at nose tackle, McCullom, who appeared in 12 games at nose tackle last season, recording 19 tackles and 2 sacks, will serve as his primary backup. Per Pro Football Focus, McCullom finished the year with a solid 70.3 run defense grade.
#season
7 days ago
According to a report from The Spokesman Review's Greg Woods, the Washington Huskies and Washington State Cougars will not play their annual Apple Cup rivalry on the hardwood.
It's the first time since 1917 that the two teams won't meet in the regular season after the Huskies moved from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten following the end of the 2023-24 season; instead, the in-state rivals will play an exhibition game in Seattle at some point this fall.
The Huskies currently lead the series 189-111, and have won the last three matchups against the Cougars, most recently an 81-69 victory in Pullman.
In that contest, the Huskies were led by freshman forward Hannes Steinbach, who posted 14 points and 13 rebounds as part of a stellar season that saw him selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the No. 14 overall pick in June's NBA draft, while sophomore guard Wesley Yates added 26 points and 7 rebounds in the win.
Coach Danny Sprinkle, who grew up a Husky after being born in Pullman because his late father, Bill, played defensive back for Washington in the 1960s, is undefeated in his two games against the Cougars and will have to wait at least another year for an opportunity to earn another win over WSU.
#huskies #season #according
It's the first time since 1917 that the two teams won't meet in the regular season after the Huskies moved from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten following the end of the 2023-24 season; instead, the in-state rivals will play an exhibition game in Seattle at some point this fall.
The Huskies currently lead the series 189-111, and have won the last three matchups against the Cougars, most recently an 81-69 victory in Pullman.
In that contest, the Huskies were led by freshman forward Hannes Steinbach, who posted 14 points and 13 rebounds as part of a stellar season that saw him selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the No. 14 overall pick in June's NBA draft, while sophomore guard Wesley Yates added 26 points and 7 rebounds in the win.
Coach Danny Sprinkle, who grew up a Husky after being born in Pullman because his late father, Bill, played defensive back for Washington in the 1960s, is undefeated in his two games against the Cougars and will have to wait at least another year for an opportunity to earn another win over WSU.
#huskies #season #according
7 days ago
2028 four-star running Xander Edwards is in high demand with around 40 scholarship offers. One of them is from the Florida State Seminoles, which came back in October of last year.
Edwards visited FSU at the end of March, and the star runner had an amazing time while he was on campus. He has plans to take several visits during the season, and Florida State is a program that's on his itinerary.
"I'm going to Ohio State at Indiana. That's a for sure one. For sure going to Miami, Georgia, I'm going to try to get up to Florida State and Ohio State -- those are the definites," Edwards told 247Sports.
Edwards is coming off an incredible sophomore year. He rushed for 2,629 yards on 265 carries and scored 44 touchdowns, plus he gained 211 receiving yards on 17 receptions. He helped the Bolles School go 14-2 and finish as the Class 2A state runner-up. This earned him the All-News4JAX Offensive Player of the Year award, and he finished as the runner-up for Florida's Mr. Football award.
The Miami Hurricanes are the leader for Edwards right now. However, Florida State is positioned to make some noise in his recruitment if they continue to keep the lines of communication open and have a turnaround performance on the field.
#going #ohio
Edwards visited FSU at the end of March, and the star runner had an amazing time while he was on campus. He has plans to take several visits during the season, and Florida State is a program that's on his itinerary.
"I'm going to Ohio State at Indiana. That's a for sure one. For sure going to Miami, Georgia, I'm going to try to get up to Florida State and Ohio State -- those are the definites," Edwards told 247Sports.
Edwards is coming off an incredible sophomore year. He rushed for 2,629 yards on 265 carries and scored 44 touchdowns, plus he gained 211 receiving yards on 17 receptions. He helped the Bolles School go 14-2 and finish as the Class 2A state runner-up. This earned him the All-News4JAX Offensive Player of the Year award, and he finished as the runner-up for Florida's Mr. Football award.
The Miami Hurricanes are the leader for Edwards right now. However, Florida State is positioned to make some noise in his recruitment if they continue to keep the lines of communication open and have a turnaround performance on the field.
#going #ohio
7 days ago
The Washington Huskies are aiming at some of the nation's best defensive linemen in the 2028 class, and among their top priorities is four-star Kingston Brown.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound product of Carver High School in Georgia, who took an unofficial visit to Seattle in March for Junior Day, is ranked as the No. 193 overall prospect and No. 22 defensive lineman by the 247Sports Composite, and has quickly become one of the nation's most coveted underclassman pass rushers.
Brown holds 25 offers, with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M all among the programs in pursuit of his services, but after convincing him to take a cross-country trip to host him and extend an in-person offer, Jedd Fisch's coaching staff may have an early advantage in his recruitment.
During his sophomore year, Brown turned in 50 tackles, 21 for loss, with 3 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception, while showcasing the versatile skill set that defensive coordinator Ryan Walters covets along the interior of the defensive front.
On film, Brown is a disruptive presence who plays with great power and a strong motor while lining up at both defensive tackle and as a standup edge rusher. He also offers a high floor as a run defender, playing with the effort and explosiveness needed to succeed along the interior, where he's consistently able to shoot through gaps and make plays in the backfield.
#defensive #offers #along #interior
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound product of Carver High School in Georgia, who took an unofficial visit to Seattle in March for Junior Day, is ranked as the No. 193 overall prospect and No. 22 defensive lineman by the 247Sports Composite, and has quickly become one of the nation's most coveted underclassman pass rushers.
Brown holds 25 offers, with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M all among the programs in pursuit of his services, but after convincing him to take a cross-country trip to host him and extend an in-person offer, Jedd Fisch's coaching staff may have an early advantage in his recruitment.
During his sophomore year, Brown turned in 50 tackles, 21 for loss, with 3 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception, while showcasing the versatile skill set that defensive coordinator Ryan Walters covets along the interior of the defensive front.
On film, Brown is a disruptive presence who plays with great power and a strong motor while lining up at both defensive tackle and as a standup edge rusher. He also offers a high floor as a run defender, playing with the effort and explosiveness needed to succeed along the interior, where he's consistently able to shoot through gaps and make plays in the backfield.
#defensive #offers #along #interior
7 days ago
One of the biggest impressions that Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams made during his standout sophomore campaign was his clutch performance, earning himself the nickname of "The Iceman" as he captivated the NFL audience and **** ysts alike.
Williams, who orchestrated an NFL record seven comebacks for the Bears last season, still has shown there are areas in which he needs to progress his development and going into his second year under Ben Johnson. If he can make those leaps, he'll continue to turn heads.
The clutch gene that Williams displayed last year has helped bring in praise from former quarterbacks and current **** ysts, including Matt Hasselbeck. During a recent appearance on "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd, Hasselbeck discussed Williams' clutch ability, calling it a trait that is hard to find among even the most elite players in the NFL.
"The best thing I could say about Caleb Williams is he has a clutch gene that is really hard to find," Hasselbeck said. "You can do all the great practicing and all the great, you know, 7-on-7 and all the whatever, but the elite quarterbacks, the elite playmakers, they have that clutch gene, and he absolutely showed that he has that."
Williams' biggest criticism has been his low completion percentage, and the Bears coaching staff, along with the quarterback himself, have made it clear that it's a focus this season. While the heroics and comebacks have been a thrilling watch, the Bears and their star young quarterback will undoubtedly benefit from more consistency and starting out on a more productive note in the beginning of games, not needing a Superman cape to will them to victories this upcoming season.
#williams #clutch #season #biggest
Williams, who orchestrated an NFL record seven comebacks for the Bears last season, still has shown there are areas in which he needs to progress his development and going into his second year under Ben Johnson. If he can make those leaps, he'll continue to turn heads.
The clutch gene that Williams displayed last year has helped bring in praise from former quarterbacks and current **** ysts, including Matt Hasselbeck. During a recent appearance on "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd, Hasselbeck discussed Williams' clutch ability, calling it a trait that is hard to find among even the most elite players in the NFL.
"The best thing I could say about Caleb Williams is he has a clutch gene that is really hard to find," Hasselbeck said. "You can do all the great practicing and all the great, you know, 7-on-7 and all the whatever, but the elite quarterbacks, the elite playmakers, they have that clutch gene, and he absolutely showed that he has that."
Williams' biggest criticism has been his low completion percentage, and the Bears coaching staff, along with the quarterback himself, have made it clear that it's a focus this season. While the heroics and comebacks have been a thrilling watch, the Bears and their star young quarterback will undoubtedly benefit from more consistency and starting out on a more productive note in the beginning of games, not needing a Superman cape to will them to victories this upcoming season.
#williams #clutch #season #biggest
7 days ago
The Tennessee **** ans will officially begin training camp on July 28th when the veterans report to Vanderbilt Health Football Camp in Nashville. We’re concluding our positional preview with the secondary, cornerbacks and safeties. The **** ans have 17 defensive backs on the offseason roster. General manager Mike Borgonzi made various acquisitions across these positions.
In camp (17): Alontae Taylor, Cor’Dale Flott, Amani Hooker, Kevin Winston Jr., Marcus Harris, Tony Adams, Joshua Williams, Jerrick Reed II, Jalen McMurray, Latrell McCutchin, Jeadyn Lukus, Kendell Brooks, Sanoussi Kane, Erick Hallett II, Bishop Fitzgerald, Keydrain Calligan, Micah Robinson.
Biggest storyline: The **** ans totally revamped the cornerback room, signing Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott to very lucrative contracts in free agency. They’ll be tasked with being Robert Saleh’s starting boundary corners. This position needed a makeover after trading Jarvis Brownlee and Roger McCreary, and cutting L’Jarius Sneed. Expectations are high for Taylor and Flott.
Most to prove: Both Kevin Winston Jr. and Marcus Harris are sophomores entering the year in starting roles. The **** ans cut Xavier Woods during the offseason to make room for Winston in the starting lineup opposite Amani Hooker. Harris doesn’t appear to have any competition for the nickel role either.
Breakout star: Winston Jr. is probably the correct choice. The former Penn State standout flashed an exciting skill set when he was healthy as a rookie. Winston is entering camp fully available and should make a massive impact next to Hooker in the lineup. He possesses every trait to be a breakout defender.
#Titans #camp #taylor #dale
In camp (17): Alontae Taylor, Cor’Dale Flott, Amani Hooker, Kevin Winston Jr., Marcus Harris, Tony Adams, Joshua Williams, Jerrick Reed II, Jalen McMurray, Latrell McCutchin, Jeadyn Lukus, Kendell Brooks, Sanoussi Kane, Erick Hallett II, Bishop Fitzgerald, Keydrain Calligan, Micah Robinson.
Biggest storyline: The **** ans totally revamped the cornerback room, signing Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott to very lucrative contracts in free agency. They’ll be tasked with being Robert Saleh’s starting boundary corners. This position needed a makeover after trading Jarvis Brownlee and Roger McCreary, and cutting L’Jarius Sneed. Expectations are high for Taylor and Flott.
Most to prove: Both Kevin Winston Jr. and Marcus Harris are sophomores entering the year in starting roles. The **** ans cut Xavier Woods during the offseason to make room for Winston in the starting lineup opposite Amani Hooker. Harris doesn’t appear to have any competition for the nickel role either.
Breakout star: Winston Jr. is probably the correct choice. The former Penn State standout flashed an exciting skill set when he was healthy as a rookie. Winston is entering camp fully available and should make a massive impact next to Hooker in the lineup. He possesses every trait to be a breakout defender.
#Titans #camp #taylor #dale
8 days ago
Rutgers Athletics recently unveiled its annual awards to honor the athletes who have distinguished themselves in a variety of areas. The awards included the Big Ten Medal of Honor, Bauer Athlete of the Year, the Freshman of the Year Award, the Sophomore of the Year Award, the Junior of the Year Award, the Senior of the Year Award, the Coursen Award, the Headley-Singer Award, the Werblin Award, and the Athletic Director's Excellence Award. Most of the awards were given out to one male and one female athlete.
The Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field.
In his senior season, Kaliakmanis threw for 3,124 passing yards and 20 touchdowns while running for four more touchdowns. His passing yards total last year is the fourth most in a season in program history, and his 260.3 average passing yards per game last year was second in the Big Ten. He was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft by the Washington Commanders.
Crawford made breaking school records look normal during her time in Piscataway. She is now the school record holder in both the 400m indoor and outdoor. She also ran a leg on the school record sprint medley relay team, setting the top mark in 2024 at 3:47.28. Crawford recorded seven podium finishes over her career and was a two-time NCAA East First Round qualifier who earned a spot at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She was also an All-American honorable mention.
The Bauer athlete of the year award is given to the one male and one female student-athlete from any class who has consistently performed and excelled in athletic competition at a high level for the most recent academic year.
#female
The Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field.
In his senior season, Kaliakmanis threw for 3,124 passing yards and 20 touchdowns while running for four more touchdowns. His passing yards total last year is the fourth most in a season in program history, and his 260.3 average passing yards per game last year was second in the Big Ten. He was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft by the Washington Commanders.
Crawford made breaking school records look normal during her time in Piscataway. She is now the school record holder in both the 400m indoor and outdoor. She also ran a leg on the school record sprint medley relay team, setting the top mark in 2024 at 3:47.28. Crawford recorded seven podium finishes over her career and was a two-time NCAA East First Round qualifier who earned a spot at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She was also an All-American honorable mention.
The Bauer athlete of the year award is given to the one male and one female student-athlete from any class who has consistently performed and excelled in athletic competition at a high level for the most recent academic year.
#female
8 days ago
The 2026 NFL season is nearly upon Broncos fans. After a tremendous 2025 season, hopes are high. Denver did not make many changes this offseason, so most of the depth chart appears very clear. However, there is still one spot that remains ambiguous.
In a splashy move in March, the Broncos brought in star Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle. The trade is fantastic for Denver fans, as he will form a formidable duo with fellow wideout Courtland Sutton.
It is bad news, though, for the three promising receivers who will be forced to battle it out for the coveted WR3 role.
Troy Franklin will be entering his third season with high expectations. Having played with Bo Nix at Oregon, the Broncos drafted him with the hopes of the two becoming an elite pair.
In his rookie season, Franklin posted only 263 yards and two touchdowns. However, as a fourth-round pick in a crowded receiver room, few Denver fans were turned off by his year. His sophomore year, Franklin took a considerable step forward. The former Duck put up 709 yards and six touchdowns, finishing second on the team behind Sutton in both statistics.
#season #franklin #high
In a splashy move in March, the Broncos brought in star Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle. The trade is fantastic for Denver fans, as he will form a formidable duo with fellow wideout Courtland Sutton.
It is bad news, though, for the three promising receivers who will be forced to battle it out for the coveted WR3 role.
Troy Franklin will be entering his third season with high expectations. Having played with Bo Nix at Oregon, the Broncos drafted him with the hopes of the two becoming an elite pair.
In his rookie season, Franklin posted only 263 yards and two touchdowns. However, as a fourth-round pick in a crowded receiver room, few Denver fans were turned off by his year. His sophomore year, Franklin took a considerable step forward. The former Duck put up 709 yards and six touchdowns, finishing second on the team behind Sutton in both statistics.
#season #franklin #high