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  • Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker gets 3-year extension

    Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker gets 3-year extension

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    DETROIT (AP) — Taylor Decker endured a lot of losing early in his career with the Detroit Lions and the team plans to have the veteran offensive tackle around to potentially experience some success, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season.

    Decker signed a $60 million, three-year extension Monday, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms were not announced.

    Detroit drafted Decker out of Ohio State with the No. 16 pick overall in 2016 and he was entering the last year of his contract before reaching the new deal.

    “It’s not lost on me on the fact that a lot of guys don’t get to spend their whole career with one team, and hopefully that’s in the cards for me,” said Decker, who turns 30 in August. “From the contract extension, that seems like it’s in the cards. I’m very fortunate.”

    Decker has started 112 games in his career, including 15 in the 2023 regular season when the NFC North champion Lions advanced to the NFC championship game. He has started at least 15 games in six seasons while injuries limited him to nine games in 2021 and eight in 2017.

    Detroit’s offensive line is perhaps the strength of the team and Decker is the leader of the unit, which includes All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell and three-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow.

    The Lions won nine games in Decker’s rookie season and made the playoffs. After matching the win total the next season in 2017, during coach Jim Caldwell’s final season, Detroit lost 46 games over the next four years in two-plus seasons under Matt Patricia and in Dan Campbell’s debut season with the franchise.

    A late-season surge in 2022 started a turnaround and the Lions took another step last season, matching a team record with 12 wins and earning two victories in one postseason for the first time since 1957.

    “I’m glad that the Lions continue to see the value I can add to this team, moving forward,” Decker said. “I’m excited to see it through. This will be nine years I’ve been here now. There’s been highs and lows, and it seems like we’re on an upswing right now.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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  • Collinsville and Ira players get top honors on Texas 2A and 1A all-state baseball teams

    Collinsville and Ira players get top honors on Texas 2A and 1A all-state baseball teams

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    BRYAN, Texas (AP) — The Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 2A and 1A all-state baseball teams, distributed by The Associated Press:

    CLASS 2A FIRST TEAM

    Pitchers: Rylan Newman, Collinsville, sr.; Titan Targac, Flatonia, jr.; Thomas Perez, Valley Mills, sr.; Westyn Balch, Hawley, sr.

    Catcher: Christian Lazarine, Valley Mills, jr.

    First baseman: Kennett McLane, Valley Mills, sr.

    Second baseman: Cason Johnson, Valley Mills, sr.

    Shortstop: Logan Jenkins, Collinsville, sr.

    Third baseman: Logan Addison, New Home, sr.

    Outfielders: Carson Wallace, Harleton, jr.; Cash Morgan, Collinsville, jr.; (tie) Cain Hayden, Ganado, jr.; Cayton Noyola, Wink, soph.

    Designated hitter: Brady Davis, Beckville, sr.

    Player of the year: Jenkins, Collinsville

    Coach of the year: Derrick Jenkins, Collinsville

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    CLASS 2A SECOND TEAM

    Pitchers: Gunner Ferguson, Thorndale, jr.; Kannon Ritchie, Kerens, jr.; Dallas McFadden, Garrison, jr.; Damian Castorena, Mumford, sr.

    Catcher: (tie) Cayson Stainton, Alvord, sr.; Tyler Bigham, New Deal, sr.

    First baseman: Jared Galloway, New Deal, sr.

    Second baseman: (tie) Jaxon Jenkins, Collinsville, fr.; Kaden Kovar, Thorndale, sr.

    Shortstop: (tie) Ryder Starkey, New Home, soph.; Cash Bolgiano, Crawford, sr.

    Third baseman: Kade Franklin, Ropes, soph.

    Outfielders: McCray Jacobs, Johnson City, sr.; Reed Patterson, Collinsville, sr.; (tie) Gage Shirts, Harleton, jr.; Hagen Berlan, Mumford, soph.

    Designated hitter: Brazos Beck, New Home, sr.

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    CLASS 2A THIRD TEAM

    Pitchers: Jaxson Eschberger, Thorndale, fr.; Krayton Ritchie, Kerens, jr.; Conner Schreiber, Windthorst, soph.; Blake Boyd, Centerville, soph.

    Catcher: (tie) Beck Zimmerman, Flatonia, jr.; Blaze Hronek, Coleman, sr.

    First baseman: Owen Garcia, Kenedy, sr.

    Second baseman: Dyson Farris, Tom Bean, soph.

    Shortstop: Jake Pineda, Centerville, jr.

    Third baseman: (tie) Carson Bizzell, Frankston, soph.; Joseph Flores, Mumford, sr.

    Outfielders: Bode Franklin, Ropes, jr.; Halston French, Centerville, sr.; Ryan Harper, Frankston, sr.

    Designated hitter: Henri Vincik, Flatonia, jr.

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    CLASS 1A FIRST TEAM

    Pitchers: Jeren Pena, Ira, jr.; Jeremiah Murphy, Electra, sr.; Aedyn Claxton, Ira, soph.

    Reliever: Raidon Hernandez, Ira, jr.

    Catcher: Keagan Supak, Fayetteville, sr.

    First baseman: Chance Konvicka, Fayetteville, jr.

    Second baseman: Raidon Hernandez, Ira, jr.

    Shortstop: Dylan Doss, Crosbyton, sr.

    Third baseman: Will Thomason, Chester, jr.

    Outfielders: CJ Collier, Ira, soph.; Waylon Sturrock, Chester, jr.; (tie) Jonathan Kirk, Electra, sr.; Kade Hendry, D’Hanis, jr.

    Designated hitter: Cade Morgan, Brookeland, jr.

    Player of the year: Pena, Ira

    Coach of the year: Toby Goodwin, Ira

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    CLASS 1A SECOND TEAM

    Pitchers: Jack Schley, Fayetteville, soph.; Collin Morgan, Neches, sr.; (tie) Connor Sullins, Abbott, jr.; Lane Lyon, Morton, jr.

    Reliever: Riley Sustala, Abbott, jr.

    Catcher: Cade Lyon, Morton, jr.

    First baseman: (tie) Hagan Gordon, Borden County, sr.; Cutter Lowe, Chester, jr.

    Second baseman: (tie) Ben Beaudin, Meridian, jr.; Paxton Pustejovsky, Abbott, jr.

    Shortstop: (tie) Collin McKiddy, Electra, sr.; Easton Jaeger, Fayetteville, jr.; Dillon Morphus, Kress, sr.

    Third baseman: Will Young, Nazareth, sr.

    Outfielders: Turner Johnson, Chester, fr.; Garrison Proctor, Borden County, sr.; Arturo Garcia, Neches, jr.

    Designated hitter: Matty Jones, Meridian, jr.

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  • Wisconsin believes production will increase in its second year running Phil Longo’s offense

    Wisconsin believes production will increase in its second year running Phil Longo’s offense

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    MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s first season with Air Raid disciple Phil Longo as offensive coordinator didn’t work out quite according to plan, as the Badgers posted their lowest scoring average in nearly two decades.

    After having a year to adapt to Longo’s fast-paced system, the Badgers are optimistic about matching the success his offense had in his previous stops.

    “It was humbling in a sense, for sure,” tight end Riley Nowakowski said Monday during Wisconsin’s Media Day event. “But I think we really used that to grow and hopefully prepare for this year.”

    Plenty of fanfare accompanied the arrival of Longo, who joined Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell’s staff after coaching NFL quarterbacks Sam Howell and Drake Maye at North Carolina.

    Wisconsin backers had grown accustomed to watching the Badgers run the ball as often as just about any major-conference team in the country. They savored the opportunity to watch the Badgers throw the ball a little more often, and they figured higher point totals naturally would follow.

    Longo’s offense was as balanced as advertised, as the Badgers threw the ball on 50.8% of their snaps. That’s the first time they had attempted more passes than runs since at least 1946, which is as far back as Wisconsin’s records on the subject go.

    But the production was lacking. Wisconsin finished 7-6 and scored just 23.5 points per game for its lowest average since 2004, when the Badgers went 9-3 despite compiling just 20.8 points per game.

    They expect things to be different in the upcoming season, which opens Aug. 30 against Western Michigan.

    “We still had coaches learning (last year),” Longo said. “I didn’t know where the restroom was until April, you know what I mean? And I had not worked with Fick on a day-to-day basis. And so this year, there’s none of that. This year, there’s a lot of familiarity.”

    Wisconsin could offer plenty of excuses for last year’s struggles.

    Running back Chez Mellusi played just four games before suffering a season-ending leg injury. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai missed three games with a broken right hand. A foot injury sidelined projected starting center Jake Renfro until the bowl game.

    Wisconsin’s offense finally started humming late in the season. The Badgers beat Nebraska and Minnesota before Mordecai closed his college career by throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-31 ReliaQuest Bowl loss to LSU.

    “It was the three games and the three weeks where I felt like I saw our guys playing instinctively,” Longo said. “I say that and I use that word all the time, and I truly believe that’s where they need to be. They’ve got to be able to grab a signal and line up and not have to do a whole lot of thinking.”

    The offense will try to build on that momentum with a new quarterback, as Tyler Van Dyke transferred from Miami to compete with Braedyn Locke. They’ll be throwing to a deeper receiving corps headed by Will Pauling, who caught 74 passes for 837 yards and six touchdowns last year.

    Fickell emphasized the need to spread the ball around more by saying that “I think we’re in trouble” if Pauling catches the same number of passes that he did last season.

    In the running game, Mellusi returns for a sixth season to share carries with Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker, though the departure of New York Jets fourth-round pick Braelon Allen and his 3,494 career yards rushing leaves a major void. Four of Wisconsin’s likely first-team offensive linemen have made at least 19 starts.

    That line’s experience could prove critical. When Fickell was asked why he’s confident the offense will improve this year, he started his answer by citing the progress of tackles Jack Nelson and Riley Mahlman.

    “Both have made incredible strides,” Fickell said. “Jack was up and down last year. He had an incredible expectation for himself, just like we had for him, and he at times early on didn’t play up to the potential that he believed he had. I think it hurt him mentally in some ways. To see how those two guys have grown just in the last eight months makes me feel really good about where we’re starting.”

    And they feel good about this offense. Last season’s struggles haven’t lowered their faith in Longo’s scheme.

    “We’ve got a year under our belt to work out the kinks,” Nelson said. “Now it’s time to really hammer it. I’d say I’m even more confident now.”

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    AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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  • Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan wins her country’s first medal of the Paris Olympics

    Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan wins her country’s first medal of the Paris Olympics

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    PARIS (AP) — A handshake could have cost Olga Kharlan her place at the Olympics. Instead, she won Ukraine’s first medal of the Paris Games to give a country at war something to celebrate.

    Kharlan overturned a six-point deficit to beat South Korea’s Choi Sebin 15-14 for the women’s saber fencing bronze medal Monday in a comeback that energized the crowd.

    She counted to five on a hand decorated with nail varnish in Ukrainian yellow and blue, a five-time Olympian winning her fifth career medal.

    Kharlan’s latest medal is nothing like the others.

    “I brought a medal to my country, and it’s the first one, and it’s going to be a good start for all our athletes who are here because it’s really tough to compete when in your country is a war,” she said. “Every medal, it’s like gold. I don’t care (that) it’s bronze. It’s gold.”

    Kharlan was disqualified from last year’s world championships — a key Olympic qualifier — for refusing to shake the hand of a Russian opponent after winning their bout.

    It was an incident that highlighted the tension over whether to allow Russian athletes to keep competing following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

    Amid a mounting backlash, the International Olympic Committee stepped in to hand Kharlan a “unique exception” — a guaranteed spot at the Games. Fencing’s governing body rescinded a two-month ban it had imposed along with the disqualification and made handshakes optional soon after.

    “I can say that I wouldn’t change anything,” Kharlan said about whether she had thought her Olympic dream was over. “What I went through, it represents my country, what it goes through, and I wouldn’t change anything. This is my story.”

    Loud crowd gets a gold

    The vocal — even rowdy — French crowd has been a revelation in the usually genteel world of fencing.

    The vast and spectacular Grand Palais echoed to cheers, boos and the French national anthem over the first three days of Olympic fencing. Sometimes the crowd stomps until the tall metal stands rattle.

    What they hadn’t seen until Monday was a French gold.

    They got it as two French fencers, Sara Balzer and Manon Apithy-Brunet, advanced to face each other in the women’s saber final. Apithy-Brunet won her third Olympic medal and first gold 15-12 in a celebration of French fencing as every touch for either fencer was greeted with cheers and warm applause.

    Until then, French fencers had contested two finals and lost both, with Auriane Mallo-Breton second in women’s epee Saturday and Yannick Borel the runner-up in men’s epee a day later.

    Gold for Hong Kong, historic bronze for U.S.

    Hong Kong had won just two Olympic gold medals before the Paris Games began. It has doubled that tally inside of three days, thanks to its fencers.

    Cheung Ka Long beat Italy’s Filippo Macchi 15-14 in a dramatic final with three stoppages on 14-14 for video reviews before Cheung was finally awarded the point he needed to defend the gold medal he won in Tokyo three years ago.

    It was the second gold medal in Paris for Hong Kong after Vivian Kong Man Wai won the women’s epee Saturday.

    American fencer Nick Itkin won the bronze bout 15-12 against Kazuki Iimura to add that medal to the team bronze he won in Tokyo. “It’s a blur. It’s so fast, but it’s a moment of relief,” he said.

    After Lee Kiefer and Lauren Scruggs won gold and silver in women’s foil Sunday, Itkin’s medal made it the first time that the U.S. has won individual medals in men’s and women’s fencing events at the same Olympics.

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    AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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  • Carolina Hurricanes reach a 2-year deal with talented offensive forward Martin Necas

    Carolina Hurricanes reach a 2-year deal with talented offensive forward Martin Necas

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    The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with forward Martin Necas, keeping one of its most skilled offensive players through the 2025-26 season.

    The team announced the deal Monday, providing some roster certainty for the 25-year-old Czech who had been discussed as a trade candidate since the close of Carolina’s sixth straight playoff season.

    “Martin is an immensely skilled player who provides a scoring threat whenever the puck is on his stick,” new general manager Eric Tulsky said in a statement. “He will play a key role in the continued success of our franchise, and we’re excited to have a multi-year contract done.”

    That wasn’t a sure thing for Necas, a first-round pick by Carolina in 2017 who has played with the franchise for his entire career. He was a restricted free agent heading to arbitration and there had been a report out of Europe in which Necas’ father said his son would prefer to be traded.

    Yet a trade never materialized for Necas to head elsewhere.

    Necas had 24 goals and 29 assists in 77 games last year, which had followed a breakout 2022-23 season with 28 goals and 43 assists for a team-best 71 points in in 82 regular-season games. He scored four goals in 11 postseason games last season, with the Hurricanes losing to the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the second round.

    Necas’ nine overtime goals since the 2020-21 season rank tied for the NHL lead in that span.

    His future had been one of the key questions hanging over the Hurricanes in what has been an offseason of major change. Tulsky took over as GM when Don Waddell left for Columbus; while big names like trade-deadline acquisition Jake Guentzel at forward, and defensemen Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce departed in free agency.

    Carolina has been in talks for a deal with another one of its young forwards in Seth Jarvis. The 22-year-old is a restricted free agent who has become a proven contributor, including scoring 33 goals this season and 13 playoff goals in his first three seasons.

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    AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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  • Two female boxers meet Paris Olympics rules after gender test issue at world championships, IOC says

    Two female boxers meet Paris Olympics rules after gender test issue at world championships, IOC says

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    PARIS (AP) — Two female boxers at the Paris Olympics who were disqualified at the 2023 world championships after being judged to have failed gender eligibility tests have complied with all rules to fight at the games, the IOC said Monday.

    Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan and Imane Khelif of Algeria are competing at their second Summer Games. Both finished outside the medals at the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.

    “All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations,” the International Olympic Committee said in a statement.

    The 28-year-old Lin is a two-time worlds gold medalist and the 25-year-old Khelif won a silver at the 2022 tournament.

    Both were removed from their competitions in New Delhi last year at the world championships, run by the International Boxing Association which has been banished from Olympic boxing since before the Tokyo Games.

    The different status of Lin and Khelif at the Olympics and worlds is fallout from the years-long dispute between the IOC and the Russian-led IBA over alleged failures of governance and integrity, plus reliance on funding from state energy firm Gazprom.

    The IOC has appointed officials to run boxing at two straight Summer Games and acknowledged Monday the tournament rules for Paris are “descended from” those in place eight years ago at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

    Boxing officials picked to run Paris qualifying and finals tournaments tried “to restrict amendments to minimize the impact on athletes’ preparation and guaranteeing consistency between Olympic Games,” the IOC said.

    The IOC-run database of about 10,700 athletes competing in Paris detailed both boxers’ experiences at the 2023 worlds.

    Khelif was disqualified “just hours before her gold medal showdown” against a Chinese opponent “after her elevated levels of testosterone failed to meet the eligibility criteria.”

    Lin “was stripped of her bronze medal (by the IBA) after failing to meet eligibility requirements based on the results of a biochemical test,” the IOC database stated.

    On Thursday, Khelif will fight Italy’s Angela Carini in the 66-kilogram category at the North Paris Arena. Lin, who got a first-round bye as the top seed in the 57-kilogram category, will have her opening bout Friday in the round of 16.

    Medal bouts in boxing at Paris will be staged at the Roland Garros tennis venue.

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    AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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  • 17-year-old Canadian Summer McIntosh wins gold in 400-meter IM, her second medal of the Games

    17-year-old Canadian Summer McIntosh wins gold in 400-meter IM, her second medal of the Games

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    NANTERRE, France — Canadian phenom Summer McIntosh claimed the first gold medal of her just-burgeoning career Monday night with a dominating victory in the 400-meter individual medley at the Paris Olympics.

    The 17-year-old McIntosh collected her first medal of any color on the opening night of swimming, taking a silver in the 400 freestyle behind Ariarne Titmus — and ahead of Katie Ledecky.

    Now, McIntosh has the most prized color of all.

    “I try to take every event very individually and just do my work, but starting off for me — getting on the podium — is definitely a great way to start,” McIntosh said. “You try to continue to get better and better.”

    She pushed the pace hard through the first half of the grueling race — the butterfly and backstroke legs — to leave everyone in her wake except American Katie Grimes.

    McIntosh was under her own world-record pace, but couldn’t keep it going. She touched in 4 minutes, 27.71 seconds, more than three seconds off the mark of 4:24.38 she set at the Canadian trials in May.

    But it was more than enough to blow away the field in the Olympic final.

    McIntosh seemed to take it all in stride. Maybe it’s because she competed at the Tokyo Olympics at age 14, so she sort of feels like a veteran now.

    “Every single time I get to race on the world stage, I learn more and more about handling mentally and physically and emotionally and trying not to get too high or too low,” McIntosh said.

    She’s got a grueling schedule in Paris which includes two more individual races — the 200 butterfly and 200 IM.

    There are no plans to celebrate just yet.

    “I mean, obviously I’m super happy with this gold,” McIntosh said. “But now I’m all about the 200 fly on day five.”

    Grimes, who is also swimming the open water event in Paris, held on to claim the silver in 4:33.40. The Americans also grabbed the bronze when Emma Weyant touched in 4:34.93.

    David Popovici made the teenagers 2-for-2 on the night when he pulled off a thrilling victory in the men’s 200 freestyle.

    The 19-year-old Romanian was among three swimmers who swapped the lead back and forth on the final lap. First, it was American Luke Hobson edging in front. Then Britain’s Matthew Richards, out in Lane 1, pushed to the lead.

    Finally, it was Popovici mustering everything he had to get to the wall in 1:44.72 — a mere two-hundredths ahead of Richards, with Hobson just 0.07 back to earn the bronze.

    Britain’s Duncan Scott, the silver medalist in Tokyo three years ago, finished in 1:44.87 to miss out on the podium this time. The top four were separated by a mere 0.15 seconds.

    Thomas Ceccon gave Italy its second gold in as many nights at La Defense Arena, rallying to win the men’s 100 backstroke.

    China’s Xu Jiayu led at the turn, just ahead of American Ryan Murphy — the 2016 gold medalist. Ceccon was third, but he switched to another gear on the return lap.

    The Italian, who has held the world record since the 2022 world championships in Budapest, now has a gold medal to go with it after finishing in 52.00.

    Xu claimed the silver (52.32), while the 29-year-old Murphy settled for the bronze for the second Olympics in a row at 52.39.

    Ceccon followed Nicolo Martinenghi, who grabbed Italy’s first gold at the pool with a victory in the 100 breaststroke Sunday night.

    In the only semifinals of the night, Australia’s Kaylee McKeown and Regan Smith of the U.S. set up a much-anticipated duel in the women’s 100 backstroke.

    They each won their heats, with McKeown posting the fastest time (57.97) ad McKeown right on her heels (57.99).

    McKeown is the reigning Olympic champion and former world-record holder — a mark that Smith snatched away with time of 57.13 at the U.S. trials last month.

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    AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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  • Rivals.com – Midwest Rumor Mill: Top prospects return from visits

    Rivals.com – Midwest Rumor Mill: Top prospects return from visits

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    July is coming to a close and a host of top 2025 and 2026 prospects are fresh off the last major round of college visits until the season. Rivals national analyst Greg Smith has all the latest buzz from the Midwest.

    MORE: Midwest’s toughest rankings questions | Recruiting Rumor Mill | Do Nebraska and Tennessee have a legit shot at five-star David Sanders? | NFL Top 100 players as high school recruits

    The Aurora (Ind.) South Dearborn standout picked up his first Power Four offer over the weekend when Louisville offered him. Now that the Cardinals have offered he’s looking forward to building on his relationship with linebackers coach Mark Ivey even more.

    *****  

    The 2026 four-star defensive end from Missouri camped at Oklahoma over the weekend to see what the Sooners have to offer. He was impressed by the coaches’ level of involvement during drills and enjoyed getting coached by Todd Bates.

    Davis will be back in Norman for a game this fall.

    *****  

    The Indianapolis native has continued to hear from Notre Dame, Michigan and Oklahoma and was recently at Tennessee. It stood out to him how well coach Josh Heupel laid out his vision for where the program is heading.

    Finch plans to return to Rocky Top for a visit this fall.

    *****  

    Harris, one of the best linebackers in the 2026 Rivals250, was at Nebraska this weekend. The four-star prospect was blown away by the Huskers’ facilities and enjoyed being around the program’s coaching staff. Harris was also intrigued by how Nebraska would use him in its defensive scheme.

    *****  

    Johnson was at Notre Dame this weekend for its big recruiting event and it’s safe to say that the Fighting Irish are standing out in his recruitment. The four-star prospect plans to attend a game in South Bend this fall.

    *****  

    Patrick, who is close to releasing his top 10, took a trip to Ann Arbor to check out Michigan and camp with the team. The four-star prospect really enjoyed the drill work and was able to get some one-on-one time with Sherrone Moore.

    *****  

    Smith has been picking up offers at a nice clip recently, including one from Michigan State during a recent visit to East Lansing. What stood out the most to the two-star prospect was the coaches’ contagious energy and the engagement level of Spartan fans.

    *****  

    The Illinois four-star tight end has seen his recruitment continue to take off as the season approaches. He took a trip down to Oxford as the dead period opened up and got to visit with Lane Kiffin about what his role would be in the Ole Miss offense. It also turns out that Sutter’s dad knew Kiffin’s dad, so they bonded over that.

    The Rebels will be a fixture in his recruitment moving forward.

    *****  

    Vitti is one of the highest-ranked prospects in the Midwest for the 2026 cycle. The Michigan native took his third trip to Wisconsin this weekend and it went very well. The four-star prospect had already seen a lot of what the Badgers have to offer, but what stood out the most from this trip was the coaches giving him the option of playing offense or defense.

    Vitti will definitely be taking an official visit to Wisconsin, potentially the Alabama game or a later night game.

    *****

    Washington has been a rising prospect to watch in the Midwest. He was in Madison over the weekend to visit Wisconsin and the Badgers have emerged in a big way in his recruitment. He was especially impressed by the program’s efficiency and strength and conditioning program. Washington also enjoyed participating in a scavenger hunt that helped him learn more about Madison and the university campus.

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    Greg Smith, National Recruiting Analyst

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  • Chelsea: Enzo Maresca’s problems on the pitch amid a summer of off-field upheaval

    Chelsea: Enzo Maresca’s problems on the pitch amid a summer of off-field upheaval

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    Putting too much weight onto pre-season results is a perennial trap that must be avoided. But while alarm bells may not yet be ringing at Chelsea, their performances during their US tour so far will have many fans concerned that a summer of off-field upheaval has brought further problems on the pitch.

    New boss Enzo Maresca shrugged that his side “are going to concede goals” with the play-out-from-the-back style he is trying to impose after defensive errors saw Chelsea struggle to a 2-2 draw with League One Wrexham in their first outing Stateside.

    But letting in four against Celtic was probably beyond his acceptable allowance.

    In both games – with all the caveats of pre-season in place – Chelsea looked open, unsure and error-prone. Whether it was Wrexham or Celtic forwards, there was repeatedly space in behind to exploit – or Chelsea defenders giving the ball back to the opposition in dangerous areas.

    “We are still confusing things on the ball and off the ball,” Maresca admitted after that Celtic loss. “It is normal in this moment when we are trying to do something new,” he added.

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    Highlights from the pre-season friendly between Chelsea and Wrexham

    That, though, is the frustration. Chelsea finished last season with five wins on the spin after reaching a Carabao Cup final. At the moment it finally felt like it might be coming together for Mauricio Pochettino, his project was terminated and, it seems, Chelsea have returned to square one.

    A new style, more new players, and, once again, a new manager. Maresca is the sixth man to take on the head coach role – interim or otherwise – since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took control of the club two years ago.

    Unlike his permanent predecessors, Maresca has no experience in top-flight football management. He has been the main man in the dugout for just a season and a half, first with Parma in the second tier in Italy and then, victoriously, with Leicester in the Championship last season. But the Italian, who honed his coaching skills under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, will be in no doubt about the scale of club he is operating at now.

    Maresca has already had to field questions about Enzo Fernandez’s condemned chanting while away with Argentina. He was keen to insist the matter had been dealt with, although captain Reece James – having initially agreed with that sentiment – later admitted it “could be a problem” when Fernandez joins up with the group.

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    ‘difficult’ Enzo Fernandez situation, after the midfielder and some of his Argentina team-mates chanted a derogatory song which mocks the heritage of the France team

    James has been stepping into midfield as part of Maresca’s innovations but his status as skipper has also been a question for the new boss. So far Maresca has only committed to saying the right-back will be “one of the captains”, while his decision to omit fellow defender and academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah from the touring squad has been criticised by areas of the fanbase. The topic of Chalobah’s absence – with his sale looking likely – has only been pushed further into the spotlight by the defending on show from Chelsea in their friendlies so far.

    Another issue at the back is in goal, where the imminent recruitment of Filip Jorgensen suggests Chelsea could dispense with the idea of Robert Sanchez – signed last summer for £25m – as their No1, with Djordje Petrovic, who displaced Sanchez in the second half of last season, also seeing his future cast into doubt while he misses the tour with an injury.

    Jorgensen would be new-signing number seven under Maresca and when you throw into the mix the complete re-shaping of the club’s academy, with the departures of long-serving leaders Neil Bath and Jim Fraser, and transfer speculation around one of the standout graduates from that system in recent years, Conor Gallagher, uncertainty about where Chelsea are headed feels like the theme going into the season.

    Intriguingly, the fixture computer hasn’t been kind.

    Maresca’s Premier League bow couldn’t be much tougher, with Chelsea facing four-time defending champions Manchester City on the opening weekend, while, among the sides expected to push for Champions League football, only Arsenal (marginally) have a tougher first six games than the Blues, based on last season’s league finishing positions.

    A run of Liverpool, Newcastle, Man Utd and Arsenal back-to-back after the October international breaks looks particularly gruelling.

    At Leicester, Maresca got off to a flyer, winning 13 of his first 14 Championship matches. He’s likely to find the game far tougher this coming term.

    He will no doubt look to the positives that, in both games in the US, Chelsea have dominated possession and out-shot their opponents. Christopher Nkunku has found the net in each match, a fillip given his injury issues last season, similarly Romeo Lavia is heading towards full fitness, while Barcelona buy Marc Guiu has caught the eye.

    But with this midweek’s match-up with Mexican champions Club America followed by tough tests against Man City, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, Maresca will be hoping to see a significant step up from his side to quieten the detractors before the real business starts for Chelsea, live on Sky Sports, on August 18 against Guardiola’s title-holders.

    By then, the glare of scrutiny will be unavoidable.

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    Watch some of the greatest goals from Manchester City against Chelsea ahead of their meeting on Saturday

    Chelsea’s remaining pre-season schedule

    July 25: Chelsea 2-2 Wrexham

    July 27: Chelsea 1-4 Celtic

    August 1: Chelsea vs Club America – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, kick-off 12am

    August 3: Chelsea vs Man City – Ohio Stadium, Columbus, kick-off 10.30pm

    August 7: Chelsea vs Real Madrid – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, kick-off 12am

    August 11: Chelsea vs Inter Milan – Stamford Bridge, kick-off 3pm

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  • Pre-training camp NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs and 49ers reign, Texans and Bears on the rise

    Pre-training camp NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs and 49ers reign, Texans and Bears on the rise

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    The longest offseason in major professional sports will be over by the end of the week. Five NFL teams have already opened training camp. Twenty-three more start on Tuesday, and the remaining four kick off Wednesday. The Hall of Fame Game between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears is less than 10 days away.

    So we can officially say the NFL is back, and the power rankings are just as happy about that as the rest of you. The preseason rankings start where last season’s rankings ended — with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at the top — but there’s been some movement down the line. The Hall of Fame Game participants, for instance, are among the biggest risers because of one young quarterback who has already proven himself and another who everyone expects to soon.

    On with the list:

    Last season: 11-6 in regular season, Super Bowl champions

    The last time the Chiefs failed to make the NFL’s final four, Matthew Stafford was a Lion, Ryan Tannehill was a Dolphin and Ben Roethlisberger was an active player. That was 2017. Since then, Patrick Mahomes has won 15 playoff games (more than all quarterbacks but Tom Brady and Joe Montana) and never finished a season as a starter short of the AFC Championship Game. Mahomes is 28 years old. If he plays as long as Brady, that means 17 more years to pad what could be an otherworldly stat line.

    Last season: 12-5, lost Super Bowl

    The 49ers are the NFL’s narrative busters. Need a top-10 quarterback to compete at the highest level? Nope. San Francisco has gone to two Super Bowls and two more NFC title games with Brock Purdy and Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback. There are consequences for missing on a top-five quarterback? Not for the Niners. This team traded three first-round picks to draft Trey Lance No. 3 in 2021 and hasn’t missed a beat despite Lance already being off the team. Kyle Shanahan, despite his near misses, might be underpaid.

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    Last season: 12-5, lost NFC Championship Game

    The Lions have won more games since Nov. 6, 2022 (22), than they did in the previous 1,769 days (18). These are giddy times in Detroit, and the Lions have responded by throwing cash around, extending quarterback Jared Goff, offensive lineman Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to big-money deals this offseason. Maybe just as importantly, Detroit retained offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who led the Lions to the fifth-best offense in the league last season based on EPA (expected points added) per play, according to TruMedia.


    Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Lions have fans excited about the possibilities in 2024. (Nic Antaya / Getty Images)

    Last season: 10-7, lost in AFC divisional round

    For most of the NFL’s history, calling a team the Lions of the AFC would have been fighting words. Not anymore. The Texans are the cross-conference counterparts of the Lions, which is to say they are their conference’s best-vibes team. After C.J. Stroud’s remarkable rookie season, Houston is going all in behind its young quarterback, re-signing tight end Dalton Schultz and adding wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon to an offense that scored 45 points against one of the league’s best defenses in Stroud’s first career playoff game. If the Texans can survive being this offseason’s hot team, it could be a special season in Houston.

    Last season: 13-4, lost AFC Championship Game

    The 2023 Ravens were the NFL’s best team for long stretches. The 2024 Ravens are something different. Baltimore has added Derrick Henry but lost defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, linebacker Patrick Queen, safety Geno Stone, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, three starting offensive linemen and about 10 percent of a quarterback. Reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson appears to have lost more than 20 pounds. Will he be the same player who has led Baltimore in rushing and passing each of the last five years? Probably.

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    In his new home with the Ravens, Derrick Henry is still competing against himself

    Last season: 11-6, lost in AFC wild-card round

    In the first four seasons of Deshaun Watson’s career, he had a passer rating of 104.5, a 2.4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and was off target on only 6.4 percent of his throws, according to TruMedia. It’s why the Browns sent three first-round picks, a third and two fourths to the Texans to acquire him. In two seasons in Cleveland, Watson has a passer rating of 81.7, a 1.6 TD-to-interception ratio and has been off target on 15.8 percent of his throws. Last year’s Browns still won 11 games. If Watson and running back Nick Chubb (coming off a knee injury) can return to form this year, Cleveland will be a contender.

    Last season: 12-5, lost in NFC wild-card round

    In the last three seasons, the Cowboys have won 36 regular-season games and one playoff game. Owner Jerry Jones is so fed up that he … did basically nothing this offseason to improve the team. Head coach Mike McCarthy is back (with a new defensive coordinator — Mike Zimmer, who replaced Dan Quinn). Linebacker Eric Kendricks and running back Royce Freeman were Dallas’ only free-agency additions. Plus, quarterback Dak Prescott will be playing with a $55 million cap hit and in the final year of his contract this season because the Cowboys don’t seem concerned about getting an extension done.

    Last season: 9-8, lost in NFC divisional round

    Green Bay was the fourth-youngest playoff team in NFL history last season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. In the second half of the season, the Packers’ offense was eighth in the league in scoring (23.7) and fourth in yards per play (6.0), and they won seven of their last 10 games. In the playoffs, Green Bay put 48 points on the Cowboys and then lost by just three to the 49ers in the divisional round. Coach Matt LaFleur and 25-year-old quarterback Jordan Love seem to be getting along fine.

    Last season: 11-6, lost in AFC divisional round

    Only the Chiefs have a longer active streak of double-digit-win seasons than the Bills’ five. Whether Buffalo can continue that streak is one of the league’s most interesting questions. It lost Diggs, Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, Mitch Morse, Tyrel Dodson and Leonard Floyd in the offseason. That means more of the load falls on quarterback Josh Allen, who already carries plenty for the Bills. In the last five seasons, no player has averaged more fantasy points per game, according to TruMedia. It’s not an exact match for on-field value, but it’s a pretty good indicator.

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    Next man up to next big thing: Terrel Bernard climbs to centerpiece of Bills defense

    Last season: 11-6, lost in NFC wild-card round

    Questions abound in Philly. Will new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system suit quarterback Jalen Hurts? How will the offensive line hold up without “the other Kelce,” center Jason who, like his brother Travis, is a future Hall of Famer but, unlike his brother, is not dating Taylor Swift and is now retired? But the biggest question is: What the heck happened last season? The Eagles lost six of their last seven games, and their point differential (minus-59) was the fourth worst in the league during that stretch, suggesting something more than personnel fits was amiss with the one-time juggernaut.


    Can Jalen Hurts and the Eagles rebound after their late-season collapse in 2023? (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)

    Last season: 10-7, lost in NFC wild-card round

    The Rams won seven of eight to end the regular season and dropped a one-point game to the Lions in the playoffs. In the offseason, they remade their secondary and fortified their offensive line. And just like that, 38-year-old coach Sean McVay is back in the fray in the NFC. McVay enters his eighth season already in the top 100 of all-time head-coaching wins (70). Just two years ago, he coached a five-win team and the media job offers were piling up. Now, he’s coaching a contender again.

    Last season: 11-6, lost in AFC wild-card round

    Through Week 15 last season, the Dolphins led the NFL with 31.5 points per game. From Week 16 through a wild-card round playoff loss, they were 30th in scoring with 15.5 points per game. Did defenses figure out the league’s fastest offense? Did injuries catch up to Miami? Was it just that they played better teams down the stretch? Yes to all three, but coach Mike McDaniel has had an entire offseason to adjust, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should have lots of motivation playing in the final year of his contract.

    Last season: 7-10, missed playoffs

    Aaron Rodgers is ninth all time in the NFL in passing yards (59,055), and he realistically could pass Dan Marino and Matt Ryan this year to move to seventh. He’s fifth in passing touchdowns (475) and could pass Brett Favre to get to fourth. These numbers are provided here in case anyone forgot Rodgers actually plays football. And usually pretty well. If he can do that again this year after playing only four snaps before snapping his Achilles tendon last year, the Jets will be legitimate contenders. New York returns most of a defense that was second in the NFL in expected points added last season.

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    Inside the celebration of Mr. Irrelevant and Jets rookie Jaylen Key

    Last season: 9-8, missed playoffs

    The defense that quietly helped power Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI completely fell apart last season. The Bengals gave up 6 yards per play, the worst number in the league. That’s going to have to be corrected if the vaunted return of Joe Burrow is going to mean much. The quarterback played only 10 games last season because of a wrist injury that everyone in Cincinnati hopes is behind him. In the last three seasons, Burrow’s passer rating (101) is the fourth best in the league, and he’s going to need to be special again this year.


    The Bengals are counting on a big season from Joe Burrow, who is returning from a wrist injury. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

    Last season: 7-10, missed playoffs

    A quick NFL history lesson: This team used to be referred to as the Monsters of the Midway. That’s right. The Bears were once good but have had only one winning season since 2012 and one playoff win since 2006. So why are Bears fans so giddy? No one in the NFL has added more in the offseason. The list includes No. 1 pick quarterback Caleb Williams, No. 9 pick wide receiver Rome Odunze, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, safety Kevin Byard and running back D’Andre Swift. They also overhauled their entire offensive coaching staff.

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    Always a late bloomer, Montez Sweat is living up to his star potential with the Chicago Bears

    Last season: 5-12, missed playoffs

    Jim Harbaugh won 11 games in his second season as the University of San Diego’s head coach. He won 12 games and an Orange Bowl in his fourth year at Stanford. He won double-digit games in each of his first three seasons as coach of the 49ers. He won 10 games in his first year at the University of Michigan and a national title seven years later. The former quarterback is an odd duck, but he can coach. And now he has quarterback Justin Herbert, who has topped 4,700 passing yards in two of his four professional seasons.

    Last season: 7-10, missed playoffs

    The Falcons gave 35-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins the largest total-money free-agency deal in NFL history (four years worth up to $180 million) and then spent the No. 8 pick on University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. That’s how scarred Falcons owner Arthur Blank and his executives were after two years of alternating Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder as the starting quarterback. Cousins will be playing in the McVay offensive system thanks to Atlanta’s hiring of former Rams defensive coordinator (and before that Atlanta interim head coach) Raheem Morris as head coach.

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    Offseason observations from all 32 NFL teams: Chiefs’ rebuilt WR room, Kirk Cousins’ impact

    Last season: 9-8, missed playoffs

    Entering his second season, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is 15th in the NFL’s MVP odds, according to BetMGM. His odds are as good or better than those of Cousins, Christian McCaffrey, Justin Jefferson and many more proven players. So it seems the betting markets are putting as much pressure on the young quarterback as the Colts, who seem to be expecting Richardson to be some sort of Superman despite playing only four games in 2024 before a shoulder injury ended his season. He averaged 144 passing yards and 36 rushing yards per game in his four starts, during which Indianapolis went 2-2.

    Last season: 9-8, missed playoffs

    If you allow Seattle to have a mulligan on the 2009 season, when Jim Mora went a forgettable 5-11 before being fired, the Seahawks have had only two head coaches since 1999. Mike Holmgren held the job for 10 years, and Pete Carroll just finished a 14-year stint. Now it’s Macdonald’s turn. The former Ravens defensive coordinator was a college graduate assistant just 11 seasons ago and is taking over a team that could go either direction. The hopes of Macdonald and the Seahawks rest on quarterback Geno Smith, who is on a career-redefining run in Seattle.

    Last season: 10-7, lost in AFC wild-card round

    After 17 almost maddeningly consistent seasons in Pittsburgh, it seems like coach Mike Tomlin is going one way or the other in a big way this year. He has two new quarterbacks who come from starting jobs — Russell Wilson and Justin Fields — and a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith. Tomlin has never had a losing season in Pittsburgh, but this offensive mix might end that. Or it might rejuvenate a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. Wilson and Fields both bring dynamic talents to the mix, and Smith has a good history with athletic quarterbacks. It should be fun to watch either way.


    The Steelers offense should be more interesting than last season with quarterbacks Russell Wilson, left, and Justin Fields playing in new coordinator Arthur Smith’s system. (Joe Sargent / Getty Images)

    Last season: 9-8, missed playoffs

    The Jaguars and their quarterback are the NFL’s Rorschach test — is this team the AFC South favorite led by one of the league’s best quarterbacks or is it teetering on the brink of a rebuild? It depends on how you squint. Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 pick in 2021, has topped 4,000 passing yards in each of his two non-Urban Meyer-coached seasons, but his touchdown-to-interception ratio since joining the league (1.5) is 27th in the last three years. That’s Daniel Jones and Garoppolo territory. Meanwhile, Jacksonville went 15-5 from Week 12 of 2022 through Week 12 of 2023 and then lost five of its last six to fall out of playoff contention.

    Last season: 9-8, lost in NFC divisional round

    Most of the Buccaneers’ offseason work consisted of holding on to their own free agents — quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. chief among them. The status quo feels fine to the Bucs these days after four straight seasons making the playoffs. That has happened only once before in the team’s 47-year history. A fifth straight trip would set a team record but likely will require holding off a restocked Falcons team in the NFC South. Given the recent history of both teams, the Bucs probably like their chances.

    Last season: 7-10, missed playoffs

    Jefferson became the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league this offseason when he signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension. That raise comes with heightened workplace expectations because instead of playing with a veteran quarterback in Cousins, Jefferson will have some combination of journeyman Sam Darnold and rookie J.J. McCarthy this season. Jefferson already has 4,825 receiving yards, the most by any player in his first three seasons. He’ll have longtime Packers running back Aaron Jones to help on offense this season.

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    Who are the NFL’s underrated and overrated teams? Why Packers, Bengals could be dangerous

    Last season: 6-11, missed playoffs

    The Titans will attempt to play a football season without Henry this year. Maybe it’ll work, but it feels like a bad idea. Since being selected 45th in the 2016 draft, Henry has accounted for 24 percent of Tennessee’s yards from scrimmage. In place of the bruising Henry, new head coach Brian Callahan has added running back Tony Pollard and wide receiver Calvin Ridley to pair with DeAndre Hopkins around young quarterback Will Levis.

    Last season: 9-8, missed playoffs

    New Orleans’ cold war against the salary cap continues. The Saints, who are scheduled to be $88 million over the cap next year, are paying a lot of old players a lot of money this year. Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore, Cameron Jordan, Derek Carr and Taysom Hill, all 29 or older, are their highest-paid players and on the back end of their peaks. If free-agency addition Chase Young can jump-start his career, it will help.

    Last season: 8-9, missed playoffs

    The Raiders signed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to the third-largest free-agency contract of this offseason, so they’re not acting like a rebuilding team. Just a thought, maybe it’s time they did. Las Vegas has had only two winning seasons since 2002 and will be quarterbacked by Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew this season. In defensive tackle Maxx Crosby and wide receiver Davante Adams, the Raiders have two of the most coveted trade pieces in the league. The Raiders can miss the playoffs without Crosby and Adams the same as they will with them, and they could restock with lots of high draft picks if they move them.


    Is Raiders star Maxx Crosby in Las Vegas for the long haul or will he be traded this season? (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

    Last season: 4-13, missed playoffs

    The Commanders signed a host of second-tier free agents in March, but the big move came in April when they drafted Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick. It looks to be a long build behind Daniels. The Commanders were 25th in scoring (19.35 ppg) and last in points allowed (30.5 per game) last season. Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was hired in the offseason to fix things after a long courtship with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson proved unfruitful.

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    Winners and losers of NFL offseason: Are Bills, Cowboys headed in wrong direction?

    Last season: 6-11, missed playoffs

    Giants fans should keep Oct. 19 clear on their calendar. That’s when the Georgia Bulldogs will be playing the Texas Longhorns, and chances are at least fair the Giants’ next quarterback will be on the field. With Georgia’s Carson Beck, Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, the 2025 quarterback draft class should have plenty of options. Of course, maybe Daniel Jones (and his $41 million, soon-to-be $58 million cap hit) will be the answer. His career 22-36-1 record and career 6.6 yards-per-attempt average, which ranks 39th in the NFL in the last five years, would suggest otherwise, though.

    Last season: 4-13, missed playoffs

    The first Patriots season without Bill Belichick as head coach since Bill Clinton was president starts with a question at quarterback. How long can veteran Jacoby Brissett hold off No. 3 pick Drake Maye? That’ll be up to new head coach Jerod Mayo, the former New England linebacker and linebackers coach. Both Maye and Mayo should get some grace as they start their careers because New England is 29-38 in the last four seasons (yes, that’s how long Brady has been gone).

    Last season: 4-13, missed playoffs

    The Cardinals enter coach Jonathan Gannon’s second season with more optimism than has been earned by the team’s eight wins in the last two seasons. Quarterback Kyler Murray got some help this offseason in the form of No. 4 pick wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., but it’s the defense that really needs a boost. Arizona gave up the second-most points (455) in the NFL last season. The Cardinals have been the most generous team in the league over the last two seasons, allowing 904 points.

    Last season: 8-9, missed playoffs

    Sean Payton’s career post-Drew Brees hasn’t gone much better than Belichick’s did after Brady left New England. Payton is 17-17 in two seasons without Brees — one in New Orleans and last year in Denver. Payton thinks he’s found the answer in rookie quarterback Bo Nix, whom the Broncos took with the 12th pick of the first round. Not many people agree with him. Nix was widely considered a second-round prospect who padded his college numbers in a quarterback-friendly offense at Oregon. In fact, Denver’s entire quarterback room — Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson — makes it seem like Payton just wants to prove how good he is as a quarterbacks coach.

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    What does success look like for Sean Payton in Year 2 with the Broncos?

    Last season: 2-15, missed playoffs

    Maybe the Panthers really, really wanted Dave Canales as their head coach. Or, maybe more high-profile candidates were scared off by the combination of owner David Tepper and quarterback Bryce Young. Canales had a nice year as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator in 2023, but it was his only season as a coordinator. If he can reverse Young’s career track, none of that will matter. The former Alabama quarterback’s 5.5 yards per attempt in his rookie season were the fewest for any quarterback in the last eight seasons.

    (Top photo of C.J. Stroud: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)

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    The New York Times

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  • Evans says Man United job cuts ‘difficult to see’

    Evans says Man United job cuts ‘difficult to see’

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    • Rob Dawson, CorrespondentJul 28, 2024, 05:00 AM ET

    LOS ANGELES, California — Jonny Evans said it has been “hard” to see Manchester United staff lose their jobs as part of the INEOS-led cuts.

    Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to make 250 redundancies at Old Trafford in a bid to reduce costs.

    A number of staff were told their jobs are at risk in the days leading up to the club’s preseason tour of the United States and Evans, who has been connected to United since the age of nine, has said its been a difficult period.

    “A lot of people have lost their jobs their last couple of weeks, it’s been hard and difficult to see,” Evans said

    “The new owners feel that’s the direction that they want to go. But, you know, it’s not been easy for everyone at the same time.

    “There’s people you’ve known for 20 years and I think the timing of it happened when we came away on tour pretty much. So we were all a bit in the dark and I’m sure everything will be sorted out, things will be a bit more clear when we get back.”

    Evans is in his second spell at United after coming through the academy and making his first-team debut as a 19-year-old in 2007.

    His brother, Corry, played for United and his wife, Helen, works for the club’s in-house television channel, MUTV.

    His dad, Jackie, also worked as an academy coach.

    “It’s been a difficult thing to see,” said Evans.

    “People I’ve known for a long, long time. One thing about working in a club like Man United, you’re all in and everyone’s always been all in, it’s a big massive staff. But I think that’s just been the culture of the club.

    “It is for such, for a club, is such a huge size and the staff turn over, you have family members working there. My wife has been working at the club, my brother has been at the club, my dad’s been at the club.

    “So it’s always had that feeling of people, they give everything they have for the club and it’s such a huge credit to them. That’s just because they love the place so much.”

    The redundancy process is set to be finalised next month.

    Players and first-team staff have not been affected, but Evans said the cuts have still been a topic in the dressing room while the team has been in America.

    “Yeah, of course,” he said.

    “Certain staff members being here, they’re friends, people that they’ve worked with, colleagues for a long time and I’m sure they’ll be feeling in that, there’s no doubt about that.”

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    Rob Dawson

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  • Source: Cowboys DE Williams suffers a torn ACL

    Source: Cowboys DE Williams suffers a torn ACL

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    • Todd Archer, ESPN Staff WriterJul 28, 2024, 08:23 PM ET

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        Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has covered the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You can follow him on Twitter at @toddarcher.

    OXNARD, Calif. — Before the Dallas Cowboys even held their first padded practice of training camp, they had a blow to their defense with pass rusher Sam Williams suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, a source told ESPN on Sunday.

    Williams also suffered a partial MCL tear, a source said, and the injuries have ended his season before it began.

    Williams was injured during the special teams portion of practice after he was engaged in a blocking drill. He remained down for several minutes as he was attended to by the Cowboys’ medical staff. He could not put any weight on his left leg as he got on a cart and was taken to the locker room.

    After practice, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said, “We didn’t like what we saw,” before Williams headed off for an MRI.

    The Cowboys were banking on Williams being a major part of their pass rush behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. In free agency, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. joined former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn with the Washington Commanders.

    They combined for 11.5 sacks last year.

    Williams has 8.5 sacks in his first two seasons. He was third on the team in sacks with 4.5 in 2023, but he played just 28.3% of the snaps on defense. The Cowboys chose Williams in the second round in 2022 out of Ole Miss.

    The Cowboys selected Marshawn Kneeland in the second round this year and have been impressed with his early work in training camp.

    “Impressive. Very impressive. Very mature,” coach Mike McCarthy said before Sunday’s practice. “Love his physicality, motor, just like we did during the draft process. He’s off to a good start. He’s very comfortable, picks it up in the classroom. Outward personality, which is important. He’s off to a good start.”

    The Cowboys have Viliami Fehoko Jr., Tyrus Wheat and Durrell Johnson as full-time defensive ends at camp, but they did not record a sack last year. Chauncey Golston can play end and tackle and had 1.5 sacks last season.

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    Todd Archer

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  • Martinenghi races from the shadows in Paris Olympics to beat Peaty and Qin in the 100 breaststroke

    Martinenghi races from the shadows in Paris Olympics to beat Peaty and Qin in the 100 breaststroke

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    NANTERRE, France — Nicolo Martinenghi won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke on Sunday at the Paris Olympics, thrilling Italian fans and canceling several of the main story lines going into the race.

    Martinenghi was the bronze medalist in this event in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and won at the world championships earlier this year in Doha.

    But he was not the expected winner.

    That was to be Great Britain’s Adam Peaty — the two-time defending Olympic champion in the event in Lane 4. Another potential gold medalist was thought to be China’s Qin Haiyang in Lane 5, who swept the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke last year in the world championships.

    Qin is the world record holder in the 200, and Peaty holds the 100 mark.

    Martinenghi won from Lane 7 in 59.03 seconds, just ahead of Peaty and American Nic Fink, who tied for silver at 59.05. Qin finished in seventh in 59.50.

    “I was in my favorite lane, in seven,” Martinenghi said. “Nobody saw me. I was like in the shadows. I love to race that way and that was my favorite lane. I have a chain with No. 7 on it. When I was younger I trained in that lane.”

    Martinenghi called the atmosphere at the La Defense Arena “insane,” created by Frenchman Leon Marchand’s runaway victory earlier in the 400-meter individual medley.

    “To become Olympic champion today, next to Adam — one of my idols when I grew up. Amazing,” he said.

    Peaty sat out of competitive swimming for about a year after winning in Tokyo, focusing on his mental health and what he has called his “personal demons.”

    His return was good enough, even if it wasn’t gold.

    “I’m not sad at all,” Peaty said. “I think anyone that’s done sport — you’re willing to put yourself on the line every single time, so there’s no such thing as a loss.”

    He referenced is mental health journey as more important that the Olympic result.

    “I’m not defining myself — this whole journey back, 14 months — by a medal,” he added. “I define myself by, you know, my heart and what it’s made me feel, what it’s made me produce.”

    Qin is one of 11 Chinese swimmers in Paris who tested positive for a banned heart medication before the Tokyo Games but were not sanctioned.

    Peaty has been outspoken about doping and on Saturday called for a “fair game” going into Sunday’s final. Qin had also responded, suggesting unfounded claims against China and complaining about stepped-up testing of Chinese swimmers.

    “I’m so happy the right man won,” Peaty said,

    ___

    AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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  • Rivals.com – Four-star 2026 athlete David Davis enjoys Michigan State visit

    Rivals.com – Four-star 2026 athlete David Davis enjoys Michigan State visit

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    With the dead period briefly lifting and allowing prospects to make late-July visits, class of 2026 four-star athlete David Davis decided to make a trip to East Lansing and check out Michigan State for the program’s “Spartan Dawg Con” event, which brings many former players back to campus to connect with recruits, current Spartan players and current Spartan coaches.

    Davis was offered by Michigan State back in January, but this was the first trip to MSU for the Imani Christian Academy (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) athlete.

    Davis is one of the top overall prospects in the 2026 class, ranking as the No. 6 player in the state of Pennsylvania, No. 15 athlete and No. 197 recruit overall in the Rivals250.

    He has many suitors already, but the Spartans had a chance to impress Davis while he was in mid-Michigan.

    “The visit was nice,” Davis said about Michigan State. “I love their facilities and got to talk to some players and also talked to some coaches.”

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    Ryan O’Bleness, Recruiting Analyst

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  • Olympics 2024: Team GB boxers Rosie Eccles and Charley Davison eliminated after controversial losses in Paris

    Olympics 2024: Team GB boxers Rosie Eccles and Charley Davison eliminated after controversial losses in Paris

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    Team GB’s Rosie Eccles was left in tears after a controversial defeat to Poland’s Aneta Rygielska that she said “really shocked” her.

    The Welsh boxer, who missed the Tokyo Games three years ago through illness and injury, was eliminated from the women’s 66kg division on a 3-2 split decision that drew boos and jeers around the North Paris Arena.

    Rygielska had a point deducted for holding and the Canadian judge gave the contest to Eccles by a four-point margin.

    Image:
    Poland’s Aneta Rygielska (left) progressed through to the next round

    The 26-year-old’s defeat came less than 24 hours after Team GB colleague Charley Davison suffered a controversial points defeat to Turkey’s Hatice Akbas in an opening bantamweight contest.

    “A boxer knows when they have won a fight,” Eccles said ringside as she momentarily fought back the tears. “I knew I had won the fight so I am really, really shocked. It feels like I am in a dream right now, but not a great one.

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    “For her to have a point taken off for spoiling, I am even more gutted. I don’t know what to say other than I’m really grateful to everyone that has helped get me here.”

    Sky Sports News has asked Team GB for comment, with officials understood to be furious with both decisions that ended two of their boxers’ participation at the Olympics.

    Eccles added: “I’ve given my whole life for a gold medal at the Olympics. Or at least an Olympic medal to take home. I really would have been proud of that and to share it with all the people who have got me here.

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    Cruiserweight contender Viddal Riley says Delicious Orie is definitely the name to watch in Team GB’s boxing team at the Olympics.

    “And my poor team-mate Charley Davison yesterday as well. She experienced the same thing. Both of us have not had a great time.”

    Davison was beaten by split decision on the opening day against former world champion Akbas, where she felt she had done enough to win the contest despite making a slow start.

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    “The first round is fair enough, I gave it to her,” Davison admitted. “I made a slow start and picked up towards the end but it was not enough.

    “In the second and third rounds, I upped the pressure and scored with some shots. What more could I do? I was catching her every time. She’s a smart boxer and came through in the end.”

    Which Team GB boxers are left in Paris?

    Heavyweight Pat Brown begins his Olympics on Sunday evening against Brazil’s Keno Marley Machado, while super-heavyweight Delicious Orie meats former world silver medallist Davit Caloyan on Monday evening.

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    Olympic hopeful Pat Brown cites Ricky Hatton as a role model and is someone he’d like to emulate in the future.

    Middleweight Chantelle Reid faces Morcco’s Khadija Mardi – the 2023 world champion – on Wednesday, with light-middleweight Lewis Richardson taking on Serbia’s Vakhid Abbasov in the last-16 later that evening.

    How to follow the Olympics on Sky

    Keep up to date with the action from the Paris 2024 Olympics across Sky Sports’ digital platforms and Sky Sports News every day between now and Sunday August 11.

    Alongside live news blogs and updates as records are broken and medals won on skysports.com and the Sky Sports app, Sky Sports News will also have dedicated reporters on the scene in Paris during the Games to gather the latest news both inside and outside the arenas in France as well as reaction to the big moments from medal winners, coaches, relatives and pundits.

    Launching this August, Sky Sports+ will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app – giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Stream The new EFL season, Test cricket and more top sport with NOW.

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  • When athletes win Olympic gold medals in Paris, they’ll get a piece of the Eiffel Tower

    When athletes win Olympic gold medals in Paris, they’ll get a piece of the Eiffel Tower

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    Winning an Olympic gold medal is considered a crowning achievement for an athlete, so it’s only fitting that the physical medal represents the significance.

    What’s on each gold medal is special for every Olympic Games, but Paris 2024 is particularly notable because, when athletes win gold, they will take home a piece of the Eiffel Tower, an iconic landmark of the host city.

    The Eiffel Tower played a major role in the Paris 2024 opening ceremony. From beaming lights and the Olympic rings to the comeback performance of Celine Dion, “La Tour Eiffel” showcased its grandeur to the world. And now, it will be part of the athletes’ medal collections.

    What else is unique about these gold medals and how are they connected to the Eiffel Tower? Here’s what to know.

    How many Olympic medals are created?

    Around 5,084 medals were developed for Paris 2024, per multiple reports, which note that approximately 2,600 medals have been created for the Olympics and 2,400 for the Paralympics.

    How much do the Olympic gold medals weigh?

    The gold medal weighs 1.17 pounds. The silver medal, by comparison, weighs 1.16 pounds while the bronze is one pound.

    Who designed the Olympic gold medals?

    Chaumet, the French luxury jewelry and watch brand, designed the Olympic medals. Founded in 1780, Chaumet is owned by LVMH (Moët Hennessey Louis Vuitton).

    What features are on the Olympic gold medals?

    The Olympic gold medal consists of three features: the hexagon, radiance and setting.

    In the middle of the medal is a hexagon. It pays homage to France’s nickname “L’hexagone” given the country’s roughly six-sided shape.

    The hexagon is surrounded by several strand-like shapes. This symbolizes the radiant light, as Paris is often referred to as the “city of light.”

    On the six edges of the hexagon are claw settings. The shape is similar to those found in the rivets on the Eiffel Tower.


    Olympic rings were illuminated on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of 2024 Games in Paris. (Photo: Ludovic Marin – Pool / Getty)

    What is the Eiffel Tower connection?

    The Eiffel Tower was the defining fixture of the 1889 World Fair. The original tower was made with wrought iron.

    When the Eiffel Tower underwent renovations in the 20th century, they preserved pieces of the original iron and kept them in storage. Those chunks make up the hexagon figure in the middle of the Olympic gold medal.

    According to multiple reports, 0.04 pounds of iron renovation pieces from the Eiffel Tower are included in each medal.

    Gold, silver and bronze medals began at the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games. It’s estimated that 1,011 medals — in terms of the Games’ medal count — will be handed out at Paris 2024 (more medals were developed to account for team events). This is the first time a piece of a city’s historic landmark is included in an Olympic medal.

    How much is an Olympic gold medal worth?

    According to Forbes, a Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal is worth approximately $950.

    What happens at the medal ceremony?

    The gold medal is placed around the winning athlete’s neck atop the podium. The athlete also receives a stuffed souvenir of the Paris 2024 mascot. Then, the national anthem of the winning athlete’s country plays — a tradition that began for gold medalists at medal ceremonies in 1932.

    Required reading

    More on the 2024 Paris Olympics from The Athletic…

    (Photo: Thomas Samson / AFP via Getty Images)

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    The New York Times

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  • UFC 304: Muhammad dethrones Edwards, Aspinall makes quick work of Blaydes

    UFC 304: Muhammad dethrones Edwards, Aspinall makes quick work of Blaydes

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    Jul 28, 2024, 01:25 AM ET

    In the main event of UFC 304, Belal Muhammad put on a memorable performance as he successfully defeated Leon Edwards to become the new welterweight champion. Muhammad, winner of 11 straight, avenged his last fight with Edwards, which was ruled a No Contest due to an accidental eye poke.

    In the co-main event, Tom Aspinall defended his interim heavyweight belt against Curtis Blaydes with a first-round TKO victory. Aspinall needed just one minute to end the rematch against Blaydes, as the interim champ stunned his opponent, knocking him down. After some precise ground and pound, the referee stopped the contest.

    Stay tuned for more updates on the card, including how to watch replays, key analysis and more.

    How to watch the fights

    Watch the UFC 304 replays on ESPN+: Get ESPN+ here.

    There’s also FightCenter, which offers stats and analysis for every UFC card.

    UFC 304 fight card results

    play

    1:15

    Tom Aspinall delivers message to Jon Jones after title defense

    Tom Aspinall tells Jon Jones he’s better than him after his quick win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

    (c) = defending champion | (ic) = defending interim champion

    Aspinall leaves no doubt in trouncing of Blaydes

    Officially, Tom Aspinall is the UFC’s interim heavyweight champion. Unofficially, he’s probably the best heavyweight in the world — and maybe the division’s hardest hitter.

    Aspinall (15-3) defended his interim championship in emphatic fashion at UFC 304 on Saturday, as he knocked out Curtis Blaydes (18-5) with a left hand and punches on the ground just one minute into their heavyweight title fight. The bout served as the co-main event, inside Co-Op Arena in Manchester.

    Immediately after the win, Aspinall called out the undisputed champion Jon Jones, who is widely considered the greatest fighter of all time and is expected to face Stipe Miocic later this year.

    Okamoto: Aspinall defends interim title, KOs Blaydes at UFC 304

    Edwards and Aspinall lead English MMA’s golden generation

    Two decades after England’s first UFC event, the country finds itself flush with two champions in welterweight king Leon Edwards and interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall — both of whom will fight this Saturday at UFC 304 in Manchester (10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV). Plus, England’s future is bright with the next wave of prospects poised to become stars, such as Paddy Pimblett and Dakota Ditcheva, among others. Through it all, their inspirations and opportunities can be drawn back to an Englishman pulling off an upset while dealing with his father’s failing health.

    Now, the region is arguably one of the world’s strongest developers of MMA talent.

    Hale and Okamoto: Inside the making of English MMA’s golden generation

    Can Edwards and Aspinall deliver at home?

    With two title fights, a raucous crowd and big stakes up and down a 14-fight card, UFC 304 looks to be full of drama in Manchester, England. (10 p.m. ET on ESPN PPV)

    Fellow Englishmen Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall look to defend their titles — welterweight and interim heavyweight, respectively — against deserving contenders Belal Muhammad and Curtis Blaydes. Both bouts will serve as rematches, although both previous fights revealed much of anything regarding the outcome of Saturday’s festivities.

    Pair that with 13 fighters representing the United Kingdom inside the Co-op Live arena, and you’ve got a potentially electrifying experience on tap for fight fans. But questions remain: Can the British stars shine bright on the biggest stage? How will the odd timing — 3 a.m. main card start — impact the fighters? What will the fallout of the big fights mean for other top stars of the sport?

    Ranking the storylines of UFC 304

    Betting experts and coaches deep dive on UFC 304

    Andreas Hale spoke to ESPN analyst and former UFC welterweight Alan Jouban to get his perspective on the UFC main event. ESPN betting expert Ian Parker adds insights and analysis on the main event and other intriguing bets he likes on the card.

    Hale and Parker: Expert picks and best bets for UFC 304

    Our data model takes on UFC 304 title fights

    What do the analytics say about upcoming championship fights like the two on the marquee at UFC 304? Should a grappler such as Belal Muhammad be considered a favorite against a striker such as Leon Edwards? ​​Does a rematch hurt or help a current champion Tom Aspinall?

    Using predictive models agnostic of betting lines, we examined how each champion’s matchup appears from a favorability view. Essentially, is this a good matchup for the champion or the challenger? The inputs consider each fighter’s performance metrics inside the Octagon and select factors about the fighter outside the cage. The higher the score, the more favorable the matchup for the incumbent champ.

    These scores don’t indicate how to bet the fight. They assess relative favorability, running from the riskiest to the best matchup.

    Kuhn and Parker: UFC title matchup projections

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    ESPN

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  • Tagovailoa lands richest deal in Dolphins history

    Tagovailoa lands richest deal in Dolphins history

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    • Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPNJul 26, 2024, 03:19 PM ET

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        Marcel Louis-Jacques joined ESPN in 2019 as a beat reporter covering the Buffalo Bills, before switching to the Miami Dolphins in 2021. The former Carolina Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer won the APSE award for breaking news and the South Carolina Press Association award for enterprise writing in 2018.

    MIAMI — The Dolphins and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa have agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million extension, the largest in franchise history, his agency told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday.

    The $53.1 million average annual value of the contract briefly placed Tagovailoa third among the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks, behind the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ Trevor Lawrence and Cincinnati Bengals‘ Joe Burrow, before the Green Bay Packers and Jordan Love reached agreement on a deal hours later that matched Lawrence and Burrow at $55 million in average per year.

    Tagovailoa’s deal includes $167 million guaranteed, eighth most among quarterbacks.

    Miami is the only team in the NFL with three offensive skill players making at least $70 million in guaranteed money — wide receivers Tyreek Hill ($72.2 million) and Jaylen Waddle ($71.6 million) being the others. Their combined $310.8 million guaranteed is the third most for any offensive skill trio (QB, RB, WR, TE), according to Roster Management System.

    The agreement ends a “fluid” first two days of training camp, during which Tagovailoa was a limited participant or nonparticipant. He practiced in full during the team’s third training camp practice Friday, hours before news of the extension broke.

    Both sides had been negotiating a deal since the 2023 season ended, and the team kept consistent communication with Tagovailoa’s representatives at Athletes First.

    Tagovailoa was the third quarterback to reach an extension this offseason, following the Detroit Lions‘ Jared Goff and Lawrence.

    Since Dan Marino retired before the 2000 season, the Dolphins have struggled at quarterback. Twenty-five players, including Tagovailoa, have started at least one game for the Dolphins since the turn of the century. Only one of those players, 2012 first-round pick Ryan Tannehill, had signed a multiyear extension with the team.

    The expectation from the beginning was for Tagovailoa to end that plight when the Dolphins selected him at No. 5 in 2020, making him their highest-drafted quarterback since 1980. His career got off to a modest, then concerning start; his year-over-year numbers improved in each of his first three seasons, but he also missed nine games to injury, which included two diagnosed concussions during the 2022 season.

    Tagovailoa turned in a career year in 2023, however, leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and setting a career high with 29 touchdown passes. He became the first Dolphins quarterback to lead the league in passing yards since Marino in 1992, and his total passing yards were the third most in a season in Dolphins history, behind only Marino (5,084 yards in 1984; 4,746 in 1986).

    Marino’s career earnings with the Dolphins totaled $51 million, according to OverTheCap.com (not adjusting for inflation).

    Tagovailoa played in every game in 2023 for the first time in his NFL career en route to being named the AFC’s starting quarterback in his first Pro Bowl appearance.

    With Tagovailoa now in his third season with Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, Hill and Waddle, the expectations for him are even higher — starting with winning the franchise’s first playoff game since the 2000 season.

    ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.

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    Marcel Louis-Jacques

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  • Jhonattan Vegas takes 3rd-round lead in 3M Open in bid for 1st victory since 2017

    Jhonattan Vegas takes 3rd-round lead in 3M Open in bid for 1st victory since 2017

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    BLAINE, Minn. — Jhonattan Vegas birdied six of the final eight holes for an 8-under 63 and a one-stroke lead over Matt Kuchar on Saturday in the 3M Open.

    Vegas had a 16-under 197 total at the TPC Twin Cities. The 39-year-old Venezuelan has three PGA Tour victories, the last a successful title defense in the 2017 Canadian Open.

    The 46-year-old Kuchar also shot 63, chipping in for eagle from 30 yards on the par-5 18th. He won the last of his nine PGA Tour titles at the 2019 Sony Open.

    Maverick McNealy, with another 63, was two strokes behind. Patrick Fishburn, with yet another 63, was four back at 12 under with Sahith Theegala (66).

    Four shots back to start the day, Vegas birdied Nos. 5 and 6 and added three more two-birdie bursts on the back nine — on Nos. 11-12, 14-15 and 17-18. He made a 5-footer on the par-3 17th and tapped in on 18.

    Kuchar missed the cuts in nine of his first 11 events this year and 11 of 18 overall, with his best finish a tie for 17th at the Charles Schwab Challenge two months ago.

    On Saturday, he three-putted for double bogey on the par-3 fourth, then birdied the next four holes. He tapped in for birdie on the 167-yard 17th after a near ace.

    Cam Davis (65), Adam Svensson (66) and Matt NeSmith (70) were five shots back at 11 under.

    Second-round leader Taylor Pendrith had a double bogey and four bogeys in a 73 that left him six shots back.

    ___ AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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  • Rivals.com – Four-star cornerback Blake Woodby commits to Auburn

    Rivals.com – Four-star cornerback Blake Woodby commits to Auburn

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    Auburn is adding an elite talent to its 2025 recruiting class, as four-star cornerback and top-40 overall prospect Blake Woodby announced his commitment to the Tigers today.

    The Saint Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland) star was back on Auburn’s campus this weekend for the program’s “Big Cat Weekend” event and made the decision to pledge to the Tigers while on campus.

    In addition, Woodby took an official visit to Auburn during the weekend of May 31 through June 2, and returned to camp with the Tigers on June 9. He also took an official visit to Maryland during the weekend of June 21 through June 23.

    Previously, Woodby was committed to Ohio State from October 2023 until May of 2024, when he decided to back off of his pledge from the Buckeyes.

    On June 30, Woodby released a top-three of Auburn, Maryland and Oregon, but the Tigers had been considered the favorite to land Woodby for a while following his decommitment from the Buckeyes.

    The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Woodby is one of the top prospects and a top-five cornerback in the 2025 cycle. He ranks as the No. 2 player in the state of Maryland, No. 4 cornerback and No. 38 overall recruits in the Rivals250.

    With well over 30 scholarship offers in total, other schools that extended offers to Woodby include Alabama, Arizona State, Boston College, Cincinnati, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Miami (FL.), Mississippi, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others.

    While Woodby obviously had a lot of suitors, and at one time planned to play his college football in Columbus with Ohio State, he will now learn under head coach Hugh Freeze, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach DJ Durkin, cornerbacks coach Wesley McGriff and the rest of the staff once he arrives at Auburn.

    Woodby provides excellent speed, as he has recorded sub-4.4.-second 40-yard dash time, which helps stay with receivers and close on the ball well. While he is smaller in stature, Woodby isn’t afraid to get physical either.

    With Woodby’s pledge, Auburn now has 17 total commitments in its 2025 class, and ranks in the top-15 in the national team recruiting rankings.

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    Ryan O’Bleness, Recruiting Analyst

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