Category: Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY — In 1982, Dot Richardson powered UCLA to college softball’s first national championship. Those Bruins launched the Pac-10’s domination of the sport. UCLA or Arizona won every national title from 1988 to 1997 until another West Coast power, Fresno State, finally snapped the streak. Cal, Arizona State and Washington later added national championships to the Pac-10’s trophy case.

“There was a dominance in the Pac-10 that ignited the growth of softball,” said Richardson, a shortstop for the Bruins named NCAA Player of the Decade for the 1980s. “It was the example for other conferences to compete against.”

This Women’s College World Series officially ended that era and ushered in another — the arrival of the SEC Death Star, primed to lord over softball and the WCWS for years to come.

“The [Pac] 12 started softball, really,” said Oklahoma’s Patty Gasso, who has coached the Sooners to seven national titles this millennium. “It was always UCLA and Arizona. They’re the stepping stones that led to other teams. … The idea of them dissipating the Pac-12 is really hard for me to fathom because of the history of softball. … I don’t know, I’m sentimental over that.”

Due to football-driven conference realignment, the Pac-12 played its final softball game Monday, as Texas eliminated Stanford.

Texas, the No. 1 overall seed, will face Oklahoma for the national championship beginning Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+) in a best-of-three series. The second-seeded Sooners will be going for an unprecedented fourth consecutive national championship.

Next season, Oklahoma and Texas will play in the SEC, which, for the fourth time since 2017, had all 13 programs that compete in softball qualify for the NCAA postseason. SEC programs also had eight of the top 16 seeds, not including the Sooners and Longhorns.

The latest round of conference realignment destroyed the Pac-12 and positioned the SEC to reign supreme over softball, potentially unlike any conference over a single sport.

“It’s gut-wrenching, to be honest,” said Arizona interim athletic director Mike Candrea, who won eight national titles and 1,674 games with the Wildcats to become the sport’s winningest coach. “We’re living in a world now that’s completely different.”

Both Richardson and Candrea saw the change coming long before Texas and Oklahoma bolted the Big 12 for the SEC. Over the years, blue-chip recruits have gradually migrated from California to ascending programs like Oklahoma. The Sooners have eight players from California on their roster, including All-American senior shortstop Tiare Jennings (San Pedro, California), who is third in NCAA history with 97 career home runs.

Off its three straight national titles, Oklahoma also unveiled Love’s Field this spring. The $48-million stadium seats 4,200 and boasts a 10,000-square-foot indoor training center. Many of the other premier softball facilities now reside in the SEC.

UCLA, meanwhile, despite its 12 national championships, plays in a stadium that hasn’t been renovated since 2005 and seats only 1,300.

“A Pac-12 coaching staff told me it’s not as easy anymore, because [recruits] look at facilities, and what do I get? You look at NIL, and what do I get?” said Richardson, now the head coach at Liberty, who added that the SEC began to seriously invest in softball after Michigan became the first program east of the Mississippi River to win the national title in 2005. “You started to see the SEC starting to raise its development and facilities. So a lot of California and Arizona and West Coast athletes started to come east. And they came east because of the commitment to the sport of softball, by facilities as well as staff salaries, coaching staffs and commitment that was being made.”

Recruiting for the former Pac-12 schools won’t get any easier. UCLA, Oregon and Washington will have to sell players on playing in the Big Ten cold, with road trips collectively totaling thousands of miles. Pac-12 players, like Paige Sinicki, the first Gold Glove Award winner in Oregon history, have already balked at this predicament.

I picked to play in a high level softball conference where being close to home would allow my parents to come watch my games. It’s unfortunate to hear that my senior year I’ll be playing as far as New Jersey-Rutgers as well as other east coast schools.

— Paige Sinicki (@paige_sinicki) August 4, 2023

“To see it come to this point now,” Candrea said, “is really kind of sad.”

Cat Osterman, a former three-time national player of the year, still sees hope for non-SEC programs. But the former Texas great who still holds school records in career victories (136), ERA (0.51), shutouts (85), and no-hitters (20), agreed the SEC is going to be a softball juggernaut.

“It’s still possible for other programs to be able to build and compete,” said Osterman, singling out Oklahoma State, which has made the WCWS five straight years out of the Big 12. “But obviously, the SEC is going to be even stronger with Texas and OU.”

Alabama coach Patrick Murphy, whose Crimson Tide captured the SEC’s first softball national championship in 2012, said he doesn’t “even want to think about” how difficult the SEC schedule will be going forward. Texas coach Mike White, a New Zealand native who began his career at Oregon, said the new SEC is going to be “really, really tough,” adding that he can “see having 15 losses in that conference and still doing pretty well.”

A loaded conference won’t just be a challenge for teams but also for the NCAA selection committee.

“We try to throw the conference stuff out of it when we start seeding teams and looking at that full year of work,” said Kurt McGuffin, the selection chair who is the athletic director at Tennessee-Martin. “But definitely, the SEC provides great teams.”

McGuffin admitted the SEC’s impending dominance in softball can only be rivaled by the Big Ten’s current prowess in women’s volleyball, though Texas has won the last two national titles in that sport. McGuffin said he envisions programs from other conferences lining up to play SEC opponents to bolster their resumes for the committee.

“You go back to some of our criteria, top 25 wins, top 50 wins – the SEC’s going to get a lot of those in their conference,” he said. “But we still look at nonconference strength of schedule. We still want to see you play people at the beginning of the season that stack up. If you’re not in the SEC, I think playing quality teams in the nonconference schedule, playing SEC teams, maybe not Oklahoma, Texas or Tennessee, but maybe even in the middle-of-the-pack SEC teams, can help your nonconference strength of schedule.”

UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez, who won three national championships playing for the Bruins and coached them to two more in 2010 and 2019, recalled when the Pac-12 was viewed that way not all that long ago.

“When you think about the greatest that have played in history, the championships, it’s the Pac-12,” she said. “That’s a big reason why so many people that wanted to compete in the Pac.”

With the disspation of the Pac-12 and the investment in softball in the SEC, it’s become the new standard for the sport.

Florida coach Tim Walton, whose Gators won back-to-back national championships in 2013 and 2014 and came an inning away from upsetting Oklahoma and playing for another title this week, noted that the SEC was already the top RPI (rating percentage index) conference without the Sooners and Longhorns.

“The SEC is different. … The travel, the fans, the passion, the number of fans. It’s just different,” Walton said. “I’m excited that [Oklahoma and Texas] are coming to the SEC. I think they’re going to expand recruiting bases for their programs and our programs, the television coverage and the popularity. … Now we’re going to be the No. 1 plus/star RPI conference. It’s going to be a challenge. We’re in for a challenge. They’re in for a challenge.”

Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but softball just means more, too. And Richardson, who faces many of the conference’s schools every year from Liberty, sees it up close.

“I think the SEC,” she said, “is trying to dominate in all sports.”

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Greg Smith
•
Rivals.com

National Recruiting Analyst

Ohio State just landed one of the top running backs in the 2025 class.

That’s because Cleveland (Ohio) Villa Angela Joseph four-star running back Bo Jackson committed to the team.

Jackson was on campus last weekend for an official visit. He still had visits on the schedule to Alabama June 7. He’d already taken an official visit to Georgia. While on the visit to Ohio State it was made clear to him that he’s still the number one priority at the position for coach Ryan Day.

Jackson is the 13th commitment for the Buckeyes’ 2025 recruiting class which is currently ranked No. 2 in the Rivals team rankings.

WHAT THE BUCKEYES ARE GETTING

When you see Jackson on film or in person the first thing that stands out is his size. He’s a legit and well put-together 6-foot, 200+ pounds. That tells you right away that he has the frame to be able to run between the tackles in the Big Ten. However, he’s not just a bruising back. Jackson has the ability to bounce outside if needed which helps him to be a back that is scheme versatile.

Jackson was very productive running the ball as a junior. He has almost 30 total touchdowns and 1,700 rushing yards. He did that on over 10 yards a carry. The Ohio native should be an early contributor at Ohio State provided he stays healthy.

WHY THIS IS BIG FOR OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes had locked in on Jackson. So it always feels good when your top target at a position not only commits but does so ahead of schedule. New running backs coach Carlos Locklyn wanted to get that one-on-one time with Jackson and his family. He was the only running back that Ohio State brought to campus last weekend and that strategy paid off.

This is also another opportunity for the Buckeyes to flex its muscles with a top in-state prospect. Five of the top 10 Ohio prospects for the class of 2025 are committed to the Buckeyes. They’ll get at least one more and have a chance to flip a couple four-stars from the state down the line.

Keeping him away from a pair of national programs in Alabama and Georgia is a bonus.

Substitute Troy Parrott strengthened John O’Shea’s claims on the vacant manager’s job as he fired the Republic of Ireland to victory over Euro 2024-bound Hungary.

The 22-year-old Tottenham striker, who spent last season on loan at Dutch club Excelsior, struck in stoppage-time to seal a smash-and-grab 2-1 victory over Marco Rossi’s men which ended their 14-game unbeaten run.

For Ireland, whose only wins since March last year had come against European minnows Gibraltar, there was a measure of relief after a turbulent period in their recent history, with Stephen Kenny’s successor still to be appointed almost seven months after his departure.

O’Shea, who will take his team to Portugal next Sunday, saw Adam Idah head them into the lead and after stubbornly surviving a fightback during which Adam Lang levelled, win it at the death.

The Football Association of Ireland has insisted Kenny’s successor will be in place by the time the squad meets up ahead of September’s Nations League opener against England, and the former Manchester United defender is increasingly making a case for himself.

Hungary, on the other hand, will face Israel in their final warm-up game on Saturday knowing they will have to be sharper in Germany if they are to prosper on the big stage.

Ireland, who had started in sloppy fashion, gradually worked their way into the game as the impressive Will Smallbone started to see more of the ball in the middle of the field, but they were almost undone when Shane Duffy was nudged off balance by Barnabas Varga only for Loic Nego to blaze over.

Andras Schafer dragged a shot wide of Caoimhin Kelleher’s left post after bursting into the box with genuine chances at a premium, although the Liverpool keeper had to make a solid 29th-minute save from Milos Kerkez after Smallbone and Josh Cullen has both lost out in 50-50 challenges on halfway.

For their part, Ireland were trying to get the ball forward quickly, at times by-passing midfield all together, although that too often left Idah, Sammie Szmodics and Finn Azaz, making his first senior start for his country, repeatedly chasing lost causes.

Dara O’Shea’s forward run and Szmodics’ intelligent pass looked to have got the Republic in behind Hungary 12 minutes before the break, but indecision between Idah and Matt Doherty saw a fleeting opening slip away.

But Idah, who won the double with Celtic on loan from Norwich last season, made amends within three minutes when Smallbone was given time and space to pick out the frontman, who powered a header past keeper Peter Gulacsi unchallenged to give his side the lead.

Hungary were level before the break, if in slightly fortuitous circumstances, when skipper Dominik Szoboszlai’s deflected long-range shot was flicked on by Willi Orban and Lang arrived at the far post to blast into the roof of the net.

Lyon defender Jake O’Brien was handed a senior debut when he and Liam Scales replaced Doherty and Duffy at the break, but Kelleher had to come to their rescue 11 minutes after the restart, diving to his right to keep out Roland Sallai’s strike after Szoboszlai’s menacing run.

The Ireland keeper then dealt admirably with Schafer’s swerving effort as the Hungarians stepped up a gear, pinning the hosts back inside their own half and forcing them to defend for their lives.

But defend they did, and they got their reward in the second minute of stoppage-time when Parrott broke from his own half and with the Hungarian defence absent without leave, squeezed a shot past substitute keeper Denes Dibusz to win it.

With fantasy football managers beginning their summer prep, it’s a good time to take another look at the 2024 rookie class. Specifically, I’m focusing on the rookies who should be selected in all 10-team redraft leagues.

While the quarterbacks at the top of the NFL draft got a bunch of the headlines, there is also a deep group of talented wide receivers who can impact the fantasy landscape quickly. In addition, there are a few running backs to keep on your fantasy radar during training camps. So let’s get into it, starting with the quarterbacks worthy of consideration in all leagues.

Quarterback

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears: A natural creator with the ability to produce difference-making plays, Williams has the dual-threat traits to generate viable fantasy production as a rookie. Keeping him on schedule as a pocket thrower will be a priority, but with a proven pair of veteran pass-catchers (DJ Moore and Keenan Allen), plus dynamic rookie Rome Odunze, Williams has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in the 2024 class. He should be targeted in redraft leagues as a high-end QB2 and has the talent to jump into the lower-tier QB1 mix as the season progresses.

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Daniels is an electric, dual-threat talent with the field vision and throwing efficiency to produce from the pocket. Under new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, the Commanders can set up Daniels with a mix of pro and spread concepts, maximizing his ability to anticipate windows. Plus, with his ability to carry the ball on designed runs and create big plays off scramble attempts, Daniels can add rushing totals to your lineup. With a true No. 1 target in Terry McLaurin, you can draft Daniels as an upside play who has the ability to produce early in Year 1.

Running back

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers: Brooks suffered an ACL injury in November, so we need to monitor his progress this summer. If cleared to play during camp, Brooks has the three-down traits to create an immediate fantasy impact. He’s a slasher with great vision, and he has the second-level elusiveness to win in the open field. Plus, Brooks has the receiving skills to create positive matchups. He’s an upgrade over Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders in Carolina and should be targeted as a flex/RB2.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals: Benson has the pro frame (6-foot, 216 pounds) and contact balance to thrive as a downhill runner in Arizona. With his 4.39 speed, Benson can hit home runs, too. As a receiver, he can work the underneath levels and produce as a screen target. Benson is a smart insurance play behind starter James Conner, who has missed four games in each of his past two seasons. Benson will play a rotational role as a rookie and is worth a late-round pick in redraft leagues.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams: Corum has excellent vision and contact balance, which fits Sean McVay’s run game in Los Angeles. As he showed at Michigan, Corum is a grinder who can handle a high volume of touches from week to week, including as an underneath outlet in the pass game. With Kyren Williams leading the way for the Rams’ backfield, Corum’s ceiling is limited as a rookie. But he should be targeted late in drafts as an insurance back who would elevate to RB2 status if Williams sustained an injury.

Wide Receiver

Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals: Harrison reminds me of DeAndre Hopkins. He has the route-running skills, coverage awareness and body control/ball skills to produce immediate fantasy results. As Kyler Murray’s No. 1 option in Arizona, Harrison will get plenty of volume, and he has the ability to isolate in scoring position. Considering the anticipated targets and his pro-ready traits, Harrison should be drafted as a fringe WR1.

Malik Nabers, New York Giants: Nabers is an extremely explosive mover. He can roll past defenders on vertical concepts from slot or boundary alignments, plus he has the physical catch-and-run traits to produce in open grass. Yes, the Giants need to see a higher level of play from quarterback Daniel Jones this season, but there’s no question Nabers can elevate the pass game. He should be drafted as a WR3, with the ability to produce lower-end WR2 numbers.

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears: With a physical profile at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Odunze fits as the boundary X in a Bears offense that will major in three-wide receiver sets. Odunze can go get it as a vertical target and make plays on contested throws. Plus, Odunze is instinctive after the catch and has the traits to develop quickly as a top red zone option for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. With veteran receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen demanding targets in this offense, Odunze enters a crowed wide receiver room, but he has the traits to produce WR3 weeks this season.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: Thomas joins the Jaguars as the replacement for Zay Jones, giving quarterback Trevor Lawrence a vertical element in the pass game. Thomas has excellent ball-tracking skills, plus the proven the ability to separate at the third level of the field. In Doug Pederson’s system, Thomas can also be schemed to attack interior voids. You can draft Thomas as a WR3 who has the ability to produce breakout weeks with his big-play ability.

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers: McConkey can operate as a prime target for quarterback Justin Herbert in L.A. this season. With heavy play-action elements in Jim Harbaugh’s offense, which will open middle-of-the-field voids, McConkey can live between the numbers on catch-and-run targets. Plus, we know he has the quickness and savvy route traits to uncover in one-on-one matchups. McConkey, who checked in with a 4.39 40 at the combine, fits here as a volume WR3/flex.

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs: An electric mover with ridiculous 4.21 speed, Worthy can stretch defenses vertically or run away from coverage on crossers and over routes. In Andy Reid’s offense, look for Worthy to be deployed as a multilevel target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs have some depth at wide receiver now, and tight end Travis Kelce remains the No. 1 option for Mahomes. However, given Worthy’s speed and big-play chops, he should be drafted as a late-round WR3, with potentially more upside in non-PPR formats.

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills: At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds and possessing high leaping ability, Coleman can make plays at the third level for quarterback Josh Allen. He’s a physical, middle-of-the-field target who can drop his pads after the catch. With both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis no longer in Buffalo, the door is open here for Coleman to play as a multilevel target in Buffalo. He should be drafted in all formats as a potential WR3.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers: Legette has the straight-line juice and power to make plays down the field, and he brings a physical element after the catch. He can shift gears and go on underneath throws. Legette will work opposite veterans Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen, so he could see volume limitations early in the season, which puts him in the deeper WR3 mix.

Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts: A sudden mover at the release and at the top of routes, Mitchell can emerge as a vertical threat for quarterback Anthony Richardson. He’ll have competition for targets in Indianapolis with Michael Pittman Jr. and slot man Josh Downs. However, if you play in a deeper league and want to take a shot on late-round pick with playmaking upside and elite ball skills, then Mitchell is your guy.

Tight end

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: The unquestioned top tight end prospect in the 2024 class, Bowers has the route-running traits to uncover versus safeties and linebackers, and the ability to stretch the seams. Plus, he’s a skilled and rugged mover after the catch. While the club drafted TE Michael Mayer in the second round last year, Bowers is the Raiders tight end you want to roster in fantasy. He’ll be a fringe TE1 as a rookie with the ability to produce breakout games.

Real Madrid have announced the signing of Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer, ending their years-long wait for him to join the club.

“Real Madrid C. F. and Kylian Mbappe have reached an agreement whereby he will be a Real Madrid player for the next five seasons,” the Spanish champions said in a statement.

Mbappé, announced last month that he would leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season when his contract expired.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

“A dream come true, So happy and proud to join the club of my dream,” Mbappé said in a post on X.

“Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support. ¡Hala Madrid!”

Sources have told ESPN that Mbappé has signed a five-year deal worth €15 million ($16.2m) a year after taxes and will also receive a €150m signing on fee, spread over his deal.

Madrid are the reigning LaLiga champions and lifted their 15th European Cup on Saturday as they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley.

In 2017, after starring for Monaco, Mbappé came close to joining the Spanish giants, but opted to join PSG instead after the club agreed a world-record deal for a teenager, worth €180 million ($195.4m).

Mbappé went on to become PSG’s club captain and all-time top scorer with 255 goals, winning six Ligue 1 titles in seven seasons.

He won the World Cup with France in 2018 and scored a hat trick in their World Cup final defeat to Lionel Messi‘s Argentina in Qatar four years later.

Mbappé was unable to lead PSG to the ultimate goal of a Champions League crown, losing the only final he played in 2020. He also failed to score in both semifinal legs against Dortmund this season.

The 25-year-old, who is already the third-highest scorer in France’s history, also came close to joining Madrid two years ago.

However, Mbappé had a late change of heart and signed a new contract with PSG until June 2024, a decision he said he does not regret.

The forward joins a Madrid team that already boasts the likes of Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo in attack.

Mbappé will attempt to inspire France to the country’s third European Championship in this summer’s tournament in Germany, but was left off the preliminary squad named to represent Les Bleus at the Paris Olympics in July and August.

The 2024 NFL season kicks off in 94 days and before teams take a summer break ahead of late-July training camps, they’ll gather for mandatory minicamps.

Ten teams have scheduled theirs to take place this week: Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. Minicamps for the remaining 22 teams are being held next week.

This will give everyone a chance to see who shows up after skipping voluntary workouts, how rookies perform against veterans and how offensive and defensive systems look under new coordinators.

Here is one key thing our NFL Nation reporters will be watching from each team that hits the field this week:

One thing to watch: Caleb Williams‘ comfort level in the Bears’ offense

By no means will Chicago’s rookie quarterback be a polished product by the time the team breaks for summer. However, having the entire offense together for three days (Williams’ worst practice of OTAs came without WRs Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen and two starting offensive linemen) will allow the Bears to see what the No. 1 pick has mastered and where he needs to improve before training camp. Is Williams willing to get rid of the ball when he can’t find anything open instead of running out of bounds? Does his execution in the red zone look improved? Those are a handful of questions the Bears hope to have answered by the end of minicamp. — Courtney Cronin

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One thing to watch: The Dolphins’ defense

The Dolphins’ offense remains more or less intact after leading the NFL in yards per game last season. However, the other side of the ball has some questions, starting with its front seven rotation. Christian Wilkins is gone and Miami signed seven defensive tackles to compete for his vacant spot. Miami also drafted two edge rushers (first-rounder Chop Robinson, fifth-rounder Mohamed Kamara) with Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb recovering from season-ending injuries suffered in 2023. Add in a new defensive coordinator in Anthony Weaver, and the Dolphins’ defensive cohesion will be a focal point in both minicamp and training camp. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

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One thing to watch: How will the offensive line be reshaped under assistant coach Bill Callahan?

The Titans added center Lloyd Cushenberry III and offensive guard Saahdiq Charles in free agency and used the seventh pick to select left tackle JC Latham. The offensive line should have a new look with at least two new starters in Cushenberry and Latham. Perhaps the most significant addition is Callahan as position coach. He brought some of his patented blocking sleds with him to utilize in practice. How Callahan helps Latham switch from right tackle to left tackle will determine the O-line’s level of success in 2024. Mandatory minicamp will be another opportunity for Callahan to take a step toward significant improvements. — Turron Davenport

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One thing to watch: Will CeeDee Lamb be in attendance?

The minicamp is mandatory and the wide receiver could face a fine of close to $100,000 if he skips every day, but the receiver has not taken part in offseason voluntary work as he seeks a new contract. There has not been much movement toward a new deal during the spring, but that could change with a number of receiver deals coming in across the league since the draft. Lamb has been working out on his own and has had a few throwing sessions with Dak Prescott away from The Star. The Cowboys are not worried about his absence hurting production when the season starts. — Todd Archer

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One thing to watch: Has Jameson Williams truly improved?

Can the third-year receiver break out this season? Williams has had a less-than-ideal start in his first two seasons due to injury and a gambling suspension, but he should be available in 2024 and has an opportunity to take on a larger role in the Lions’ offense. Williams has struggled at times with dropped passes and lining up properly in formations, but he is looking to pick up where he left off last season, when he had two touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game versus San Francisco. Attention will be focused on the 2022 No. 12 pick at the Lions’ mandatory minicamp. — Eric Woodyard

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One thing to watch: The quarterbacks

All eyes will remain on the Vikings’ quarterback situation and that goes for the spring, summer and beyond. Veteran Sam Darnold will continue to get the first-team work while No. 10 pick J.J. McCarthy works through a developmental plan that has no specific timetable. The immediate question to answer is not when McCarthy will start, but can Darnold hold down the position credibly until that (undefined) point? — Kevin Seifert

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One thing to watch: How quarterback Jalen Hurts is adapting to the new offense

After a 1-6 implosion down the stretch last season, the Eagles fired offensive coordinator Brian Johnson — a longtime friend of the Hurts family — and hired Kellen Moore to replace him. The Eagles are implementing a hybrid system that will attempt to fuse Moore’s playbook with concepts and verbiage used by coach Nick Sirianni over the past several years. Hurts has had little schematic consistency through his college and pro career. The one time he had the same playcaller in consecutive seasons was Shane Steichen for 2021 and 2022, leading to a near-MVP campaign for Hurts and a run to the Super Bowl for Philly. — Tim McManus

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One thing to watch: How is the defense coming along under new leadership?

Coach Kyle Shanahan fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after one season and hired Nick Sorensen from within in an attempt to get the defense back to its previous levels of success. Shanahan also hired Brandon Staley as assistant head coach to provide some new wrinkles that could better tie together the pass rush and coverage. While the full-squad minicamp is still a long way from the regular season, it’s a good gauge of where things are headed for a defense that is aiming to return to dominance in 2024. — Nick Wagoner

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One thing to watch: How will the Colts deploy their defensive line talent?

They’ve got a new position coach (longtime college assistant Charlie Partridge) and top prospect in first-round choice Laiatu Latu. Now, the question is who plays where and when. DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart will still mostly man the interior, but edge rushers such as Latu, Samson Ebukam and Kwity Paye, as well as inside-outside players Dayo Odeyingbo and Tyquan Lewis, will share snaps in a rotation that has yet to be determined. The Colts finished 2023 ranked fifth in sacks but believe there’s room for improvement. — Stephen Holder

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One thing to watch: How the Texans incorporate wide receiver Stefon Diggs

The Texans’ most noteworthy offseason acquisition was Diggs. He joins an offense led by Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud, and minicamp will preview how the former Bills player could mesh into a talented receiver room. Nico Collins, who signed a three-year, $72.75 million extension last week, had 1,297 receiving yards in 2023, and Tank Dell was on pace for 1,205 yards before breaking his leg in early December. Diggs is a four-time Pro Bowler, so this trio of wide receivers for Stroud could lead to one of the best offenses in the NFL. — DJ Bien-Aime

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Marshall Levenson
•
Rivals.com

National Recruiting Analyst

Mansfield (Texas) Timberview has one of the biggest interior defensive lineman in the 2025 class.Dilan Battle, 6-foot-5, 315-pounds, just wrapped up his first official visit to LSU, a visit that ha…

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From a regular-season batch of 32 teams, to a Stanley Cup playoff field of 16, and now down to two, the NHL’s champion is close to being crowned for 2024.

A year after losing in the Stanley Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Florida Panthers are out to finish their story and raise the Cup for the first time in franchise history.

For the Edmonton Oilers, a Stanley Cup would silence all the “yeah, but” conversations regarding superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and etch their names among the franchise greats from five prior Cup teams.

Game 1 is Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN+). Here’s everything you need to know about both teams, from key players to watch, goaltender confidence ratings, and the top trends for each team coming out of the conference finals.

Stanley Cup wins: None
How they got here: Defeated Lightning 4-1, Bruins 4-2, Rangers 4-2

Goalie confidence rating: 9 out of 10

Sergei Bobrovsky has been rock solid for the Panthers throughout these playoffs. Granted, the team’s excellent defensive play has aided Bobrovsky. But the veteran’s steady stream of quality performances gives Florida undeniable confidence Bobrovsky will be there to make the big saves.

He has earned a 12-5 record in the postseason, with a .908 save percentage and 2.20 goals-against average. The only playoff starter who has averaged fewer goals against per game than Bobrovsky was Boston’s Jeremy Swayman (and Bobrovsky ultimately won that battle when Florida sent the Bruins packing in their second-round series).

Bobrovsky had to be the Panthers’ hero during last season’s run to the Cup finals, and it wore him down in the end. This year’s workload has been more manageable, and that should set Bobrovsky up for continued success.

What the Eastern Conference finals taught us about the Panthers

Florida is the total package. The Panthers have star power, scoring depth, elite defensive habits, a top-tier goaltender and — perhaps most crucial of all — innate killer instinct.

The team was exceptional in the third period against the New York Rangers down the stretch of their series, winning the final three games by a one-goal margin. The Panthers also shut the Rangers down at 5-on-5 in that span, allowing just one even-strength goal while simultaneously rendering New York’s once-vaunted power play completely ineffective with a stifling penalty kill. And the way Florida held the Rangers’ elite scorers from producing — Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad combined for a single goal through six games — was a byproduct of the Panthers’ full-team buy-in on defense.

At the same time, Florida can be deadly off the rush while equally strong suppressing those chances from going the other way. Their ability to make New York pay for mistakes was another backbreaker for the Rangers, who couldn’t find the same opportunities to do damage. Florida rarely offers quality looks, and Bobrovsky stood tall against the most glaring breakdowns.

Players who will be key to the Cup Final

One of Florida’s strengths may be its defense in a collective sense. But the Panthers’ defensemen will certainly be in the spotlight when the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman try to get rolling.

Gustav Forsling has had a brilliant postseason going up against some of the toughest opposing matchups, and he has also contributed offensively (four goals and 11 points). Brandon Montour‘s physicality and active stick breaking up rush chances has been invaluable. Florida defends well and is aggressive in holding shooters to the outside and limiting action from the slot.

That will be critical in preventing the Oilers from running wild. Aaron Ekblad should also play a key role in steadying Florida from the back end — and this year he won’t be playing in the Cup Final with a broken foot. That’s a definite improvement.

Player who needs to step up

Carter Verhaeghe was a force for Florida early in the postseason. His production has been dwindling, though. Verhaeghe popped in five goals in five games against Tampa Bay, but he has just four goals total since then. He put only two shots on net in the final two games of the conference finals and wasn’t nearly as visible for the Panthers in creating opportunities around the net (although Igor Shesterkin did make a notable save on Verhaeghe in Game 6).

All of that is to say, Verhaeghe needs to recapture his first-series form in the Cup finals. There will be a laundry list of capable scorers across the ice — and some obviously elite talents, too — and the Panthers can’t afford any passengers in their group. Verhaeghe can absolutely be a difference-maker for Florida and drive its offense. Now is the time for him to shift gears.

Is there a coaching edge for the Panthers?

The Cup finals will feature two head coaches at opposite ends of the NHL spectrum. Florida coach Paul Maurice has been in the league for two decades, and he has now reached three Cup finals (two with Florida). Edmonton’s Kris Knoblauch hasn’t even coached an entire NHL season yet, having replaced Jay Woodcroft in November as his first gig in the league. Will experience be a factor for either side?

The Oilers have responded well to Knoblauch, and their on-ice success since he took over is abundantly clear. But when evenly matched opponents like Florida and Edmonton clash, there is generally an X factor that emerges to separate the sides, something more intangible. Things such as a critical line change, or knowing when to take a timeout, or being able to read the demeanor of your team and adjust accordingly. All of that will be heightened given the stakes in the Cup finals.

We’ve already seen in the playoffs how well-timed coaching decisions have helped secure wins in tight contests. The margins for error in this series will be slim. The edge could lie not with who is sitting on the bench, but standing behind it.

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Stanley Cup wins: 1990, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1984
How they got here: Defeated Kings 4-1, Canucks 4-3, Stars 4-2

Goalie confidence rating: 9 out of 10

There were certainly questions about Stuart Skinner earlier this postseason. But how he has performed since Game 6 of the second round has only added to what makes the Oilers such a problem in the defensive zone. They enter the Stanley Cup Final allowing just 25.1 shots per game, the third fewest among 2024 playoff teams.

With a penalty kill that held the Dallas Stars to zero goals through the conference finals, the Oilers have one of the strongest defensive identities in the league.

Complementing that with a consistent version of Skinner — who had a 1.95 goals-against average against the Stars — only adds to the argument that the Oilers might be the most complete team in the playoffs.

What the Western Conference finals taught us about the Oilers

That anyone who still believes this team is just Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid has not been paying attention. The path they took to beat the Stars in the Western Conference finals is proof.

In the Oilers’ victories in Games 4 and 5, they received key goals from players such as Mattias Janmark, Ryan McLeod, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Philip Broberg. Their penalty kill was perfect against the Stars, including going 3-for-3 in the pivotal Game 6.

They’ve developed a two-way identity that has allowed them to play comfortably in one-goal games, including the closeout in Game 6. They’ve made goal prevention a serious component to their success, and it has only added to the looming threat that the Oilers could break out to score more than four goals in a game as well.

A team that has been billed as an offensive juggernaut has shown it can be the complete package.

Players who will be key to the Cup Final

The Oilers have Draisaitl and McDavid, a pair of elite forwards who have four Hart Trophies between them. But again, they are more than that.

Zach Hyman has given them a forechecking winger who can control the net front. They have a puck-moving defenseman in Evan Bouchard, who, along with Mattias Ekholm, gives the Oilers a trusted top pairing.

This postseason has elevated Nugent-Hopkins’ profile as a two-way player because of what he has been able to do at 5-on-5, on the penalty kill and on the power play; he could be their most important forward not named Draisaitl or McDavid.

There’s also what Darnell Nurse accomplished against Dallas, going from a figure under scrutiny to being one of the Oilers’ most consistent players to close out the series. That includes logging more than 21 minutes with three hits while not being on the ice for a goal against in Game 6. That version of Nurse would be instrumental in helping capture the franchise’s first title since 1990.

Player who needs to step up

Evander Kane. At his best, Kane is a physical power forward who can cause problems in the slot and at the net front, with a shot that can also make him dangerous on the perimeter. That has made him one of the NHL’s most consistent goal scorers over his career, with a run of nine seasons with more than 20.

It’s also what makes his recent scoring drought (six straight games, going back to Game 7 of the second round against the Vancouver Canucks) so puzzling.

Kane opened the conference finals with nine shots in his first two games, only to then record four shots combined in Games 3, 4 and 5. He was moved down from the second line to the third line as a result in Game 5, resulting in a significant decline in his work rate compared to his first two postseasons with the Oilers.

It’s possible Kane could be injured going into the Stanley Cup Final. After delivering a check early in Game 6, he skated to the bench and logged only 4:39 of ice time via nine shifts.

Hiring Kris Knoblauch could be the latest move in a certain trend

Moving on from Jay Woodcroft and hiring Kris Knoblauch not only saved the Oilers’ season, but allowed them to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in nearly two decades. Whether the Oilers win the Cup or not, the move raises a debate about the expectations for an NHL coach in his first season with a new team.

This trend started in 2019, when Craig Berube, who had 161 games of NHL head-coaching experience, was made the interim coach of the St. Louis Blues … and won the Stanley Cup in what was his first of five-plus seasons with the club.

A year later, veteran coach Rick Bowness was an interim who guided the Dallas Stars to the Cup Final.

In 2021, Dominique Ducharme, an interim coach with no previous NHL head-coaching experience, guided the Montreal Canadiens to a Cup Final.

Last year saw Bruce Cassidy, who had 500-plus games of experience, win a title in his first campaign with the Vegas Golden Knights.

It’s a trend that continues with Knoblauch, whose head-coaching roles had previously been in the AHL and junior hockey. Knoblauch has the chance to be the first coach since Dan Bylsma in 2009 to win the title in his first year behind an NHL bench.

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Oscar Cortes has rejoined Rangers for a second loan spell from Lens, with the Scottish Premiership club having an obligation to buy the winger next summer.

The 20-year-old Colombian will then sign a four-year deal with the Ibrox club until 2029.

Cortes initially joined Rangers on loan in January, making seven appearances and scoring once before a muscle injury ruled him out for the rest of the season.

On his new deal, the winger said: “I am delighted to be able to stay at Rangers.

“It was an honour and privilege for me to join the club in January and I was enjoying my football under the manager and playing alongside my team-mates.

“Sadly, the injury ended my season early, but I have been working hard and I am excited to help the team and play in front of the wonderful fans again soon.”

Manager, Philippe Clement, added: “I am really pleased to have Oscar coming back.

“He was a big asset to the squad when he came to the club and he showed the qualities that attracted him to us.

“Oscar suffered a setback, but he has worked tirelessly during his recovery and I am sure all of the fans are looking forward to seeing him again next season.”

He is Rangers’ second summer signing after Brazilian defender Jefte joined on a four-year deal from Fluminense, having spent last season on loan with Cypriot First Division champions APOEL.

Centre-back Leon Balogun has signed a new one-year contract extension after he re-joined the Scottish Premiership club last July following an injury to youngster Leon King.

Jon McLaughlin, Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe have all been released following the expiry of their contracts.

The five players were part of the Rangers squad beaten on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022 Europa League final and each depart Ibrox as Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup winners.

Scottish Premiership and SWPL on Sky Sports

Sky Sports – From 2024/25 up to 60 Scottish Premiership games will be available across Sky Sports’ flagship channels, including Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, plus at least five SWPL matches.

Sky Sports News – Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Scottish football fans can enjoy Sky Sports News’ (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the Premiership and SWPL throughout the season.

Sky Sports Digital – Follow all the latest from Scottish football across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from matches live on Sky Sports and free highlights.

Sky Sports Social – Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke X page @ScotlandSky will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports.

Highlights show – Tune in for a dedicated round-up from the cinch Premiership every week on Sky Sports Football.

Sky Sports is the home of domestic football in the UK and Ireland, with action from the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Women’s Premier League, Premier League, WSL, EFL, and more.

NiJaree Canady struck out eight and went the distance as Stanford defeated UCLA 3-1 on Sunday night to reach the Women’s College World Series semifinals and eliminate the Bruins.

Stanford won the final game between Pac-12 teams before the league splits up. UCLA will be in the Big Ten next season while Stanford will join the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Canady allowed just three hits and walked none for the eighth-seeded Cardinal (50-16), who reached the semifinals for the second straight year.

Megan Grant’s solo homer was the highlight for No. 6 UCLA (43-12), which won all three regular-season meetings.

Stanford will play No. 1 Texas in the semifinals on Monday. The Cardinal will need to win twice to advance to the best-of-three championship series, while Texas will need just one win to move on.

Canady, the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, shut out Oklahoma State on Friday, but hit her leg while delivering a pitch late in the game, making her status uncertain.

She was more than ready. She threw strikes on 71 of her 97 pitches.

Grant’s solo shot in the second opened the scoring.

Stanford gave Canady some run support in the third. Taryn Kern’s RBI double tied the score, then Kern scored on a single by Ava Gall to put the Cardinal up 2-1.

Stanford got consecutive bunt singles from Emily Jones and Kaitlyn Kim at the bottom of the order to start the fifth. Pinch hitter Allie Clements’ sacrifice fly scored Jones to make it 3-1.

Down to her last strike, UCLA’s Savannah Pola was hit on the hand by a pitch, then Thessa Malau’ulu singled to put two on with two outs. Canady got pinch hitter Ramsey Suarez to ground out.

In the earlier game Sunday, No. 4 seed Florida beat No. 14 Alabama 6-4 to advance to the semifinals and eliminate the Crimson Tide.

Jocelyn Erickson came up big and earned a shot at her former team, Oklahoma.

Florida will play the three-time defending national champion Sooners in the semifinals Monday. Erickson, a catcher, won a national championship with Oklahoma last season. The Gators will have to beat the Sooners twice to reach the best-of-three championship series, while Oklahoma will need just one win to move on.

“I think it’s going to be fun seeing some old friends,” Erickson said. “It’s going to be definitely a competitive semifinals, so we’re getting after it.”

Erickson broke a tie with Megan Bush for the school’s single-season RBI record and now has 84. Bush set the previous record of 80 in 2011.

Korbe Otis and Ariel Kowalewski each added two hits for the Gators (53-14) in a game that started three hours late because of rain and lightning.

Florida pitcher Keagan Rothrock recovered from a rough outing against Texas the previous night. The freshman gave up three earned runs on seven hits against Alabama and now is alone as the nation’s leader with 32 wins.

“I think she turned the page,” Erickson said. “She was hitting her spots better, more focused, more determined. It’s a learning curve yesterday. It’s her freshman year. I’m really proud of her for turning the page.”

Kayla Beaver got the start for Alabama and gave up two runs on six hits in four innings. Jocelyn Briski got the loss in relief for the Crimson Tide (39-20).

The Crimson Tide finished ninth in the Southeastern Conference during the regular season but won their regional at home, then beat No. 3 seed Tennessee on the road in super regionals. Alabama lost its World Series opener to UCLA, then beat Duke to keep the season alive.

“It’s a team whose legacy is going to be they didn’t give up on each other, they kept working,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “Doesn’t matter what you do regular season, you get a whole new start and you can start fresh. I think they proved to everybody that it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

Alabama opened the scoring against Florida in the second. Bailey Dowling got on after a fielding error and she scored on a grounder by Riley Valentine.

Florida tied it in the third when Erickson’s single knocked in Skylar Wallace. Otis scored on a fielder’s choice after getting on with a walk to put the Gators up 2-1.

Alabama tied it at 2 in the third when Marlie Giles singled to score Lauren Johnson.

Reagan Walsh singled and knocked in a run in the fifth to put Florida back in front.

Erickson came up with runners on first and third with two outs in the sixth, and Alabama switched from Briski to Alea Johnson to give her a different look. Erickson took a Johnson pitch over the centerfield wall to make it 6-2.

Alabama hung tough. Kali Heivilin’s RBI single in the sixth made it 6-4. But Rothrock put the Crimson Tide down in order in the seventh.

Now, the Gators could derail Oklahoma’s attempt to become the first team to win four straight national titles.

“I’m excited for the matchup,” Florida coach Tim Walton said. “You come to the Women’s College World Series, you get an opportunity to play Oklahoma, you’re doing something right. I am looking forward to it.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs turned himself in to the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Thursday after he allegedly mistreated two dogs.

A Tuscaloosa Police Department spokesperson confirmed that Buggs surrendered at the jail Thursday, a day after two misdemeanor warrants were filed against him.

Buggs was booked and released on $600 bond and faces a court hearing on June 13. He refused a reporter’s question while leaving the jail and getting into a truck.

According to court documents, the Tuscaloosa Police Department received a report that two dogs were being left on the back porch of a home being rented by Buggs. Officers and animal control found a gray and white pit bull and a black rottweiler on a screened-in back porch with no access to food or water.

Both dogs appeared malnourished and neglected, and the residence appeared to be abandoned. Witnesses told police that Buggs had recently moved from the house. Both dogs were seized, and the pit bull eventually was euthanized.

Buggs’ agent, Trey Robinson, on Wednesday denied the charges and alleged his client is a victim of an ongoing “subversive campaign” to force the closure of the hookah lounge he owns in Tuscaloosa.

“Under no circumstance does Mr. Buggs condone the mistreatment of any animal,” Robinson said in a statement. “The dogs at issue did not belong to him, and he was unaware they remained at the property in question.”

Robinson said in his statement that Buggs was arrested at his hookah lounge on misdemeanor charges “on two separate occasions in the past two months, but each time no public record was made of these arrests.” Robinson added that the city was using the allegations against Buggs as “leverage” to get him to surrender his business license.

A Chiefs spokesman said the team was aware of the situation, but declined to comment.

Buggs, 27, played three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and two with the Detroit Lions before joining the Chiefs in January as a practice squad player. The Chiefs re-signed Buggs to a futures contract in February.

Information from ESPN’s Adam Teicher and The Associated Press was used in this report.