Twins reveal how close top prospects Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper are to MLB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Minnesota Twins have decided where two of their top prospects will start the 2026 season.

And it turns out that Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper won't be very far from the MLB level.

On Tuesday, Twins GM Jeremy Zoll told reporters that Culpepper and Jenkins will both begin the season at Triple-A St. Paul, just one step away from the major leagues.

Talkin' Twins added this on X:

"GM Jeremy Zoll also added that he expects Kaelen Culpepper will force them to call him up sooner than later. If there are any injuries early in the season at SS, 2B, or 3B, Culpepper may have the lead on a promotion to the big leagues."

MORE: Cal Raleigh was supposed to play for the Braves

That's exciting news for Minnesota fans who are counting down the days until this pair of phenoms can make it to Major League Baseball.

Jenkins is ranked the No. 14 prospect in the entire sport by MLB Pipeline.

He's a 6-foot-3 outfielder who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of high school in North Carolina.

Jenkins has an .863 OPS in his minor league career, with injuries being really the only thing that can slow him down.

Culepper is ranked No. 52 on that same MLB Pipeline list. He was the No. 21 overall pick in 2024 out of Kansas State.

He had a 20-20 season in 2025, his first full professional season, and has both the glove and bat to stick around the majors for a very long time.

Soon, the Twins may finally get a chance to plug these guys into the MLB lineup, but for Opening Day, they'll be down at Triple-A.

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• Juan Soto might lead MLB in a brand new stat
• Giants snap embarrassing 19-year streak that tied MLB record
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Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke is known for speaking his mind, and in a 2025/26 season that is set to end trophyless, he has all too often cut a frustrated figure.

Although the club currently sits in second, there is a nine-point gulf between them and Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich, which is most likely insurmountable this season. Last week, Watzke expressed his frustration speaking to local newspaper Ruhr24: “Of course, we want to win the title, but this season the cracks have set in pretty early, and we have to accept that the nine-point gap is what it is.”

BVB fans want success, but it’s been 14 years since the last league title. For this season, Watzke has limited expectations: “The way the team are playing right now, second-place would be a huge achievement, a Champions League finish is the minimum target, however.”

The frustration of Watzke, who since 2005 has been instrumental in his rise from Treasurer to Managing Director and CEO to elected Chairman at Borussia, has been widely shared across the fan scene. The tension has been building, and something was always going to change ahead of 26/27.

The failure to win titles has consequences for Sebastian Kehl, and the club acted decisively to fill the vacuum. 

The club on Sunday announced that former captain Sebastian Kehl has left the club with immediate effect and will be replaced by Ole Book, the long-term Sporting Director of 2. Bundesliga shooting stars SV Elversberg 07.

Ole Book, who hassigned a contract at the Westfalenstadion until 2029, is one of the architects of their incredible rise from the Regionalliga, the 4th tier, to the Bundesliga Play-offs last season, a position they once again occupy this season, over his nine years at the club, who are based in the state of the Saarland on the French border.

Born and raised in Beckum, just 45 miles from Dortmund, the former midfielder of MSV Duisburg and Wehen Wiesbaden, who also coincided with Marco Reus at LR Ahlen, developed from scout and analyst to Sporting Director and finally board member at the ambitious club, which is heavily supported by pharmaceutical company Ursapharm.

The club’s success has been heavily built on a combination of selecting outstanding young talent and loans, a strategy which Book has been largely credited with, alongside long-term coach Horst Steffen. The former Germany U21 player is reputed to have discovered Nick Woltemade, Fisnik Asllani, Younes Ebnoutalib, Robin Fellhauer, and Paul Wanner, who have all gone on to have success at the highest level.

This is a decisive move by the club for a proven visionary and effective decision-maker, albeit one with limited experience and a manager who has no experience at all of achieving titles at a club at the level of Borussia Dortmund.

Goodbye, Captain Kehl: What led to his dismissal?

The club announced on Sunday that the former captain and Sporting Director, Sebastian Kehl, had departed from his position at the club. Speaking about the change, Managing Director Lars Ricken said, “In a very open discussion, Sebastian Kehl, CEO, Carsten Cramer, and I came to the shared conclusion that the summer is the right time for changes. To allow both sides to prepare, we mutually agreed to an immediate termination of Sebastian’s contract.

Ricken, who worked closely with Kehl at the club, further elaborated: “Sebastian and I also share a long history. We not only played together for Borussia Dortmund, but also won the German championship together in 2002. Sebastian has made an enormous contribution to our club, and we are very grateful for his great commitment.”

Speaking about the decision, Kehlsaid: “Borussia Dortmund has been a part of my life for half my life, and I have an extremely strong connection to this great club. Nevertheless, we have now jointly come to the conclusion that it’s time to move forward – both for BVB and for me. Lars, Carsten, and I reached this decision today after a constructive discussion. I owe Borussia Dortmund a great deal and am proud to have been part of the BVB family for around 24 years.”

Kehl spent 13 years as a Dortmund player between 2002 and 2015, before returning as head of the professional players’ department in 2018. Four years later, he moved into the role he has today exited, playing his part in the Black-Yellows run to the Champions League final, which was lost to Real Madrid at Wembley in 2024.

Sebastian Kehl stepped into big shoes when he took over from Michael Zorc:

So was the former Germany international given sufficient time in the role to evaluate his success and what led to his dismissal?

Kehl completed his UEFA A coaching badge following his 2015 retirement. Given the respect he earned as Dortmund’s captain, a position in the club’s hierarchy was always on the cards.

In 2018, he was appointed head of professional football with a view to becoming Michael Zorc’s replacement. Fast forward to summer 2022; Zorc departed, and Kehl stepped up.

The shoes couldn’t have been bigger to step into; however, the club’s record player, Michael Zorc, is largely credited with putting in place the strategies that led to the high points of 3 titles, 3 DFB Pokal cup wins, and two Champions League finals over the 24 years he was at the helm.

What did Kehl inherit?

It would be fair to say that the last four years have inspired at times, but on balance, the win of the 2021 DFB Pokal is simply not enough. Peter Bosz, Peter Stöger, Lucien Favre, Edin Terzić, Marco Rose, Terzić again, followed by Niko Kovac, have all coached Dortmund since 2018. Kehl brought stability in the role of head of professional football, but has arguably not brought enough in one of the club’s most important leadership positions.

How has Kehl performed as sporting director? Key signings:

Niklas Süle: The 27-year-old arrived from Bayern Munich on a free transfer. The Rekordmeister wanted to move the 1.95m man on prior to signing Matthijs de Ligt. Neither Thomas Meunier nor Emre Can was a fit at centre-back at the time. Süle is a versatile player with the ability to cover at right-back, but even joining on a free transfer, a salary of 5m was never justified. He has featured in just 67 games since joining in 2022 and will be released in the summer.

Nico Schlotterbeck: Very little needs to be said about Nico Schlotterbeck, who joined from Freiburg for €20m. A Germany international, he’s done what was needed of him. The 22-year-old is amongst the best in his position, establishing himself as one of Europe’s young defenders, and deserves his place in BVB’s backline and in Hansi Flick’s Germany squad. Always looking to advance the ball, Schlotterbeck is in the 99th percentile for progressive passes in comparison to other central defenders across Europe’s top five leagues, per FBRef, and is arguably the best signing of the Kehl era.

Salih Özcan: A signing from FC Köln at just €5m, he is a good piece of business for Kehl. He’s an asset in a defensive midfield, an area that BVB have struggled in following the departure of Thomas Delaney, and last season under Steffen Baumgart, Özcan developed into one of the Bundesliga’s best ball-winning midfielders. BVB tends to ‘crumble’ in the middle of the park, which puts unmanageable pressure on the defence. Despite showing some ‘battle weariness’ this season in the majority of his 66 games across all competitions, the Turkey international appears to have made a solid contribution. The 28-year-old, however, has made few appearances this season and will also be released in the summer.

Karim Adeyemi: In terms of BVB transfers, €30m puts the recruit from RB Salzburg amongst the top five signings of the Kehl era. The German international made an impression on his debut, scoring at 1860 Munich, but then suffered a toe injury and was out for two months. He’s featured in 95 games for BVB and showcased his talent also as a goal scorer, notching up 11 goals for the black and yellows. Adeyemi has been on the radar of multiple top sides in Serie A, the Premier League, and La Liga.

Sébastien Haller: The form of Dortmund’s most expensive ever signing, sadly, and understandably, slumped after his cancer diagnosis and restart last season. Haller was, however, never able to show the kind of form that made him Ajax’s leading scorer in 21/22 with 34 across all competitions at the Westfalenstadion. The Ivory Coast international will be remembered for his 9 goals in a 22/23 season in which BVB only missed out on the title on goal difference. Haller was released by the club on a free transfer to Utrecht in the summer.

Anthony Modeste: A €5m emergency signing to cover for Haller, Modeste scored just 2 goals in 19 games and mostly looked out of his depth. The Frenchman never found the form that resulted in the spectacular 20 league goals he scored for Köln in 21/22.

Marcel Lotka: The Poland U21 goalkeeper arrived on a free after protracted negotiations from Hertha Berlin. Now with Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Poland U21 keeper showed immense talent, but during his three seasons with the club was overlooked by successive managers for the first team.

Alexander Meyer: The 31-year-old reserve keeper joined on a free from Jahn Regensburg in the summer of 2022. In his 17 appearances, he has looked competent but unspectacular.

Julian Ryerson: The Norway international at a fee of just €5m is one of Sebastian Kehl’s best signings, in his 91 appearances since signing from Union Berlin, the right-back has shown not only a high level of energy and skill, he has also impressed with a personal level of determination that has made him one of the most popular at the Westfalenstadion.

Julien Duranville: A €5m signing from Anderlecht in the summer of  2023 BVB fans have not had the chance to experience the undoubted skills of the Belgian U21 international due to a combination of injuries and loan spells,  the player, who is currently with Swiss giants FC Basel, at 19-years of age and with a contract until 2028 can still make his mark.

Jamie Gittens: The versatile winger made rapid progress from the U19s via the U23s to the first team, and established himself in the senior side showing flashes of briliiance and leadership in the 65 appearances he made in which he scored 17 goals, a €65m transfer to Chelsea in the summer, The England U21, who joined for €4m from Reading, was an impressive piece of business, even if he has largely failed to shine making just 27 apperances at Stamford Bridge.

Felix Nmecha: The €30m the club spent in the summer of 2023 puts the Manchester City prodigy among BVB’s biggest transfers, it’s fair to say that stepping into the shoes of Jude Bellingham was always going to be a challenge, after a spell of doubtful performances the 6-time Germany international has stepped up to become a regular performer, he has completed 110 matches in which he has scored 13 goals.

Marcel Sabitzer: Since joining from Bayern Munich for €19m, the central midfielder has proven to be a solid utility player who has shown moments of inspiration, and has notched up a solid 111 matches with the club in his 4 seasons at the Westfalenstadion.

Niclas Füllkrug: The centre-forward arrived from Werder Bremen with a reputation for his marksmanship. Fülle, as the Germany international is affectionately known, never managed to gain the traction up front that earned him 49 goals with the North German side, scoring just 15 times in 49 appearances before being released to West Ham for a €12m return.

Ian Maatsen: The decision not to sign the Left-back, who joined on loan from Chelsea for €2m in the summer transfer window ahead of 22/23, is often regarded as one of the biggest failures of the Kehl era, in spite of only having gained 1 cap for The Netherlands, the Dutchman instantly made his mark at the club, as he has at Villa Park. Maatsen could have been an ideal long-term option in the position. Although the club would have had to break their transfer fee ceiling, this one will be regarded as the one that got away.

Jadon Sancho: Little needs to be said about the former England winger who returned on loan from Manchester United for a reported fee of €4m under Kehl in 23/24. He made less of an impact than at his world-beating best in his second spell, but looks every bit the BVB player that many would like to see return, a good loan.

Ramy Bensebaini: The Algeria international, who can play at Left-back and centre-back, has suffered from the competition since joining from Moenchengladbach, but since arriving on a free transfer, despite his 102 appearances, he has seldom looked first choice. As a replacement for Raphael Guerreiro, the signing can largely be regarded as one of Kehl’s mistakes.

Ansgar Knauff: Coming up from the U19s, the highly talented but injury-prone 21-year-old made just 16 appearances in the first team before being transferred to Eintracht Frankfurt after two seasons in which he mostly came off the bench.

Maximilian Beier: Although he has largely starred from the bench due to the highly consistent scorer Serhou Guirassy, the €28.5m signing from TSG Hoffenheim can be considered a sound long-term investment, despite only scoring 19 goals in 83 games. He has a contract until 2029 and is currently rated at €40m and in demand, a very sound second striker.

Waldemar Anton: Whilst his first season was hampered by injury, the 21m signing from VfB Stuttgart has gone on to make 79 appearances over three seasons and is a solid and stabilising presence in the defence, and at €21m is a good transfer on balance.

Serhou Guirassy: Little needs to be said about the popular Guinean centre-forward, a regular scorer since signing from Stuttgart for €18 two years ago, in spite of form weaknesses this season, his 56 goals speaking for themselves.

Pascal Gross: A €7m transfer from Brighton, the central midfielder was a reliable and versatile midfielder and valued, but arguably did not make the level of impact he had in the Premier League. The journeyman player made 66 appearances before returning to the South Coast in what, even at 34, appeared to be a lost opportunity for the club.

Yan Couto: It is too early to judge, as the right-back has only played 56 games, but the 22-year-old has seldom looked the player he was at Girona. The €30 m paid to sign the Brazilian on a permanent basis brought criticism on the sporting director; however, his performances this season are improving.

Daniel Svensson: The signing of the versatile defensive player has been a very impressive signing for €6.5minhis 66 appearances; he has more than proven himself worthy of his permanent signing.

Carney Chukwuemeka: Has been a solid signing who shows moments of creative brilliance in the but the permanent signing of an injury-prone player who has seldom started, for a club by standards, €24m has been criticised.

Jobe Bellingham: The England U21 international should not be compared to Jude at just 20-years of age, but at €29m he is one of the club’s biggest ever signings, so inevitably he is. He can be regarded as a long-term investment that is starting to pay off. He is a consistent performer after overcoming an initial phase where he was frequently subbed off. Judgement of the transfer is in the balance at this stage, but the trajectory is improving.

Fabio Silva: A player who largely failed at Rangers and Wolves, eyebrows were raised when BVB came in for the Portuguese midfielder. While he has provided tactical value through his creativity and work rate, his lack of goals has led to reports of frustration and a potential push for a loan exit. At €29m, Kehl has come under some criticism for the transfer, but as is expected, a buyer will be found for want-away Guirassy Silva.

Aaron Anselmino: The young Argentine player looked like one of the msot complete defenders the club has signed in recent history, ultimately the chaotic nature of his transfer in which he returned joined on a season long loan from Chelsea with an option to buy, but left after making just 10 appearances with neither the player, nor manager Niko Kovac supportive of the move, raised concerns about the management skills of the sporting director.

Niko Kovac: Kehl can also be given credit for the signature of Niko Kovac as manager to replace the failed Nuri Sahin experiment, which was an outstanding success in 24/25 and continues to achieve sound results, albeit in a playing style that has been criticised.

And the key sales?

Manuel Akanji: He transferred to Manchester City for €17.5m. He had 12 months on his contract and had been unsettled. The fee is fair, but the City may yet sell the Swiss international for a considerably higher fee.

Steffen Tigges: The €1.5m paid by 1. FC Köln, where he spent two seasons, on balance seems to be a fair transfer. Sadly, like most players from BVB U23s, he struggled in the first team and is now with Paderborn 07.

Dan-Axel Zagadou: The 1.96m defender struggled with injuries and left on a free. His contract was not renewed, and BVB’s loss appeared initially to have been VfB Stuttgart’s gain, although his contract is up at the end of the season and is, according to reports, unlikely to be renewed.

Axel Witsel: The highly creative midfielder left at the end of his contract on a free transfer to Atletico Madrid. The Belgian international made a considerable impact, but at 34, it felt like the right time for a move to reignite his career.

Roman Bürki: The Keeper left on a free transfer to St Louis in the MLS after increasingly erratic performances, the right decision for the club at the time, and one which has paid off for the player who has made 100 appearances since 2022.

Erling Haaland: Undoubtedly one of the best strikers to ever play for BVB, leaving for €60m because of a release clause in his contract, saw a disappointing net return of €35m, but the negotiation has been attributed to Kehl’s predecessor, Michael Zorc.

Jude Bellingham: A reported €127m transfer to Real Madrid and the second-highest after Ousmane Dembele, there was no holding the player, and the fee paid is very solid.

Donyell Malen: The €25m paid by Aston Villa for the player who failed to fulfil the potential he showed at Ajax at BVB, and he has been released on loan to AS Roma.

Giovanni Reyna: The €4m achieved for the US international who failed in spite of his talent did not secure his first-team place, looks fair after Gio’s failed loan to Nottingham Forest and only 14 appearances at the Borussia Park.

Is Kehl really responsible for BVB’s limited silverware, or is there a deeper malaise?

Since the departure of Michael Zorc it has felt like the management has been in a state of upheaval, head scout Markus Pilawa leaving for Bayern left a big hole to fill, and the return of Sven Mislinatat in his second era was short-lived, the signing of the top American athletic trainer Shad Forsythe, which was largely credited to Kehl, and his early departure, are others which have left the club giving the sense of a regular churn at the club.

There has been no stability in the club. No coach has been given sufficient time to develop his strategy. The transfers, as the article shows, have been a mixed blessing.

With hindsight, Kehl will be blamed as much for the players he did not sign as those he did, including the failure to sign Renato Veiga in the 2024 summer transfer window. The lack of depth was viewed as a failure in squad planning. His failure to replace Doyell Malen which left the side without an adequate player for the left wing, and most notoriously the failed, despite the interest from the player, to secure Rayan Cherki with Olympique Lyon’s chairman John Textor referring to BVB’s offer, reported to be in the mid twenty millions as: “disrespectful” and “considerably below market value”.

The Sporting Director also earned a reputation for being unable to successfully manage conflict. In particular with reported differences with Sven Mislintat and increasingly misunderstandings with Lars Ricken of late surfacing.

Did Kehl get the budget?

The answer is yes, and no, the 2005 brush with bankruptcy has made BVB one of the most financially conservatively-run clubs. After getting €77m, BVB has managed to turn a profit in all of the last four seasons. BVB’s strength lies in the depth of talent scouting and development, and the sporting director has been in a position to spend €482m with €445m in return, leaving an overall minus balance of €37m, on balance with a return on investment of around 12% Kehl’s work is still good against the average but pails into comparison with Michael Zorc who achieved regular returns of over 20%.

Ultimately, some of the blame has to also be attributed to Managing Director Lars Ricken; how much only time will tell, the former Striker, at this stage at least, has more equity with the club’s top brass.

Kehl has done sound work under difficult circumstances, but he is no Michael Zorc; stability without vision is not enough for a club like Borussia Dortmund, and that is what the former Germany international has been unable to implement, and that has proven fatal.

BVB’s loss could be Sebastian Kehl’s win

A season without silverware is never going to be acceptable to the majority of BVB fans, and there will be big changes in the months ahead, as to whether midfielder maestro Julian Brandt, who broke the magical 300 apperances mark in Saturday’s 3-2 over Hamburg, can be persuaded to stay after the departure of the Sporting director, as many fans hope, remains unresolved. In the meantime, there has been reported interest in Sebastian Kehl from both Hamburger SV and Arsenal. The club’s achievements, especially in European competition, have not gone unnoticed.

Overall the Sebastian Kehl era at the club includes his outstanding contribution as a central player in one of the club’s greatest eras under Jurgen Klopp in which the side won the double, the title and reached the Champions League final between 2009-13, and Hans-Joachim Watzke thanked the departing former club captain: “As President of Borussia Dortmund I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Sebastian Kehl, both personally and on behalf of all our members. When I took over as CEO in 2005, Sebastian had already won his first Bundesliga title with BVB. Together, we have since celebrated great successes and endured some painful disappointments over the course of more than 20 years. Sebastian already has a firm place in the annals of the club. I wish him all the very best for his personal future and every success in his future career.”

What’s next for the 8-time Deutsche Meister?

Inter Milan talisman Lautaro Martinez is reportedly expected to recover for the upcoming Serie A clash against Roma.

According to Corriere dello Sport via FCInterNews, El Toro will be ready for the Giallorossi’s visit to San Siro on April 5.

Indeed, the 28-year-old striker suffered a calf injury in Inter’s dismal defeat at Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie.

As a result, he has missed Inter’s last six games in all competitions.

Furthermore, his absence has weighed heavily on the team, with the Nerazzurri registering just one win in that disappointing sequence.

Inter Milan Star Lautaro Martinez to Recover for Roma Clash

In addition to a dreadful 16.67% win ratio, Inter averaged just under one goal per game without their captain.

Needless to say, manager Cristian Chivu is desperate to welcome his standout performer back to the fold ahead of Roma’s visit.

With Marcus Thuram unable to find his footing since returning from injury, Francesco Pio Esposito has emerged as Inter’s best striker in El Toro’s absence.

However, with AC Milan only six points behind, the Nerazzurri cannot afford another slip-up.

WACO, TX – We begin in a lecture hall on the campus of Baylor University, where the new quarterback found himself in a strange environment not long ago. In a class, with other students. And no one knew or cared who he was. 

They only saw DJ Lagway, only noticed his 6-4, 235-pound frame, because he was the late guy pushing through creaky doors announcing his arrival.

Not the former 5-star, can't-miss prospect trying to find the magic again. Not the budding superstar turned public face of the failure at Florida, unfairly burdened by injury circumstances out of his control.

So he shuffled to the only row with an available seat, in the middle of all that humanity, and squeezed into his new reality. His new life. All arms and legs and shoe-horned in with every other student, knees pressing against the row in front of him. Elbows tight to his side, chin to his chest. 

And about as far away from an insular and depressing time in Gainesville, Fla. — geographically and metaphorically — as he could possibly be. Two years where he admits he made mistakes as the Gators’ high-priced quarterback and program savior, where the Florida staff made mistakes, too, and where significant injuries lobbed on top of it all quickly derailed development at a position where day-to-day growth is vital to survival.

“It was crazy," Lagway said of his first class at Baylor, his first in a real classroom since high school. "But it was also kind of like, OK, this is how it’s supposed to be."

How it’s supposed be. 

A fortunate choice of words, a fitting explanation of his time at Florida that began with carrying the weight of the one player who would — in no certain order — save the program and embattled coach Bill Napier’s job, win a Heisman Trophy or two, and win a championship at the school for the first time since 2008. 

That and the pressure of earning one of the first multi-million dollar contracts that birthed NIL financial insanity, and/or the pending death of the sport. Depending on whom you ask.

So yeah, walking 15 minutes across the Baylor campus to get to class without being stopped was different, maybe even how it was supposed to be. It sure as all get out wasn’t like his first class two years earlier at Florida, where they tried to avoid the inevitable crush of student interaction by starting with a Zoom course. You know, manage the situation. 

Lagway told USA TODAY Sports after the first Zoom lecture, after that Hail Mary of a decision on Day 1 to avoid the rush and crush of fans, he never stepped in a classroom at Florida. The remainder of his academic time on campus, he says, was limited to online work at home.

Never mind that Tim Tebow, the biggest personality in the history of college sports, somehow figured out a way to go to class in Gainesville every day while thriving in unmatched attention. So did world-renowned basketball star Joakim Noah.

Shoot, current basketball player Olivier Rioux — all 7-9 of him — figures out how to study among the 62,000 students at Florida, and get his 93-inch body into those tiny lecture hall seats.

That's where this story begins, where self-induced isolation later collided with an unthinkable run of injuries in the offseason of his sophomore year, leaving Lagway staring at a debilitating cycle of online classes at home, rehabbing at the football facility and returning to the exile of his off-campus apartment.

Repeating that cycle day after day, knowing he wasn't practicing and getting better because of the injuries, and knowing the potential destruction that lie ahead. Knowing he was the same savior ― now on a larger scale after a breakout freshman season ― that everyone witnessed on those Gatorade and Nike commercials. Even one with Pat Mahomes.

There he was, sitting and stewing and full of anxiety ― and unable to work through it all with the one answer that always came easy. Football.

“I was in a bubble down there, I didn’t feel like a normal person,” Lagway said. “I didn’t even know what the campus looked like. I was really closed off. I didn’t really hang out with my teammates. Yeah, I was depressed. I just stayed in my own lane. Stayed out of the way.”

Lagway knows what question is coming next, can see the blindside blitz before it hits. He was the young star driving around Gainesville in his Lamborghini SUV and Mercedes. 

He was the player at the center of advertising campaigns, and his number was plastered all over jerseys in the bookstores. They chanted his name at basketball games, instead of a Gators team in the middle of a national championship run.

He was also the teammate that needed work, needed structure. Had to get better at recognizing fronts, pressures and coverages. Was desperate for offseason repetitions to get up to speed and live up to the hype. 

He was winging it as a freshman, and every defensive coordinator on the toughest schedule in college football was game-planning for him — while he was injured and wasn’t working. The anxiety was overwhelming. 

“I blame myself for not doing more to build that brotherhood with my teammates,” Lagway said. “But I felt like I was put on a pedestal. I was handcuffed, and couldn’t do nothing about my (injury) situation."

Everyone has a story

Dave Aranda is a deep end thinker in a fraternity where X and O shallow pools are the norm. A philosopher who just so happens to be the Baylor coach, and one of the sport’s elite defensive minds.

Everyone has a story, he says. Everyone can rewrite it any time.

He saw Lagway a few months ago — two years after pushing late in the recruiting process and trying to get the nation’s No. 1 high school quarterback to flip from Florida — and thought of Miyamoto Musashi, the 17th Century Japanese swordsman and philosopher, and history’s greatest duelist.

Two long years at Florida that felt like 10 had forced Lagway into Musashi’s fighting stance of protecting every day life while constantly exuding combat readiness. After two years as the managed and protected big man on campus, two years of the million-dollar savior, two years of too many missteps and not enough do-overs, Lagway was standing in front of Aranda. Fully combat ready.

He’s uber-talented, for sure. His ability to play the most important position in all of sports has never been questioned. 

But it’s so much more than that, reaching beyond his successful first season in Gainesville — one he tells USA TODAY Sports he never should’ve played because of multiple injuries — that only masked problems and exacerbated expectations. Those issues moved deep into the offseason prior to his second season, where more problems kept Lagway from the field and all but assured final failure.

A shoulder injury that nearly needed surgery, a move that would've ended his sophomore season before it began. A core injury that needed surgery. A lat strain, a calf strain. Each injury pushing him further away from the only thing he could control.

All of it, every last bad decision and all of that bad luck over the past two seasons, was standing there, staring at Aranda. In his stance, combat ready.

“He’s worn from the Florida experience,” Aranda said. “It’s going to be a lot of work. All of the comments and critiques really hurt him. It’s about being able to have hard conversations, real conversations. We’ve been very intentional with that from the beginning.”

Aranda stops in the moment, and stares out of his office window overlooking the Brazos River. He knows the score and knows the truncated timeline. He needs to win this season with this rebuilt roster — while tearing down a once can’t-miss prospect and building him back again in all of eight months before jumping back into the fire — or he’s out of a job. But more important, there’s a 20-year-old young man trying to find who he is.

“He has this glass around him, and we have to be able to break that glass so he can be free,” Aranda said. “The best thing for him is to break all that [expletive] up, and emerge in the face of it. No one can be in that perfect combat stance — perfect this, perfect that — forever. Can it be done? I don’t know. There’s a lot of fight in him, so we’ve just got to get it where it’s a healthy fight, and pointed in the right direction.”

Safe space no more

Spring practice began this week at Baylor, the first step to reshaping the former No.1 quarterback prospect of the 2024 high school recruiting class and bringing the Bears closer to the 2021 product that won the Big 12. 

But there's still scar tissue from his last season at Florida that needs to be addressed. Or as former Florida coach Billy Napier flatly puts it: "DJ had a season of anticipation and hype without an offseason of diligence and work."

Lagaway has always been a grinder in the weight room, and on the field. It's his safe space, the one area he can control, and where he has the advantage. So when the injuries began piling up, so did the frustration and anxiety. And the depression.

Lagway threw his first pass in competitive 11-on-11 drills during game week of the season opener against FCS Long Island. More than nine months from when he walked off the field in mid-December after Florida’s bowl win over Tulane. 

After a freshman season he says he never should have played because of shoulder soreness since he stepped on campus, and a debilitating hamstring injury sustained the first week of November 2024 — but played because he wanted to, because he needed to. Florida wasn’t paying millions to see him hold a clipboard. 

“By the grace of God that I got through those games,” he says. “I don’t know how else to explain it.”

Lagway says he couldn’t throw the ball “more than 10 yards” during game week preparation for his first career start Week 2 against Samford — and then threw for a school freshman record 456 yards in an easy win. The shoulder soreness never got better, he says, only the degree to which he could handle pain.  

He says he “barely practiced” later in the year before a critical game against LSU — a month removed from starter Graham Mertz’s season-ending knee injury — after a significant hamstring injury two weeks earlier in a loss to Georgia. He then threw for 226 yards in the upset of LSU, and a week later, led the Gators to a win over No. 9 Ole Miss despite throwing only 17 passes. 

That two-game stretch, as much as anything, ramped expectations to unreasonable proportions — despite the unknown reality he was playing injured.

Napier admitted Florida "managed" Lagway's freshman season with intent, eliminating Sunday and Monday work, and at times limiting beyond that depending on Lagway's recovery timeline.

“The hamstring was a lot worse than we let on,” Lagway said. “And my arm was a problem all season.”

But what was obvious against Tulane — Lagway looked physically depleted despite throwing for 300 yards — wasn’t addressed until March of the offseason when Lagway told Florida officials he felt like he had a core injury. So when Napier announced Lagway wouldn’t participate in spring drills, and when some of his teammates heard that news for the first time, it led to cacophony of rumor and innuendo that was never fully explained until now.

Three injuries in the first five months of the year (shoulder, core, lat strain) and another in camp (calf strain), forced him to miss an entire offseason of work. Month after month peeled off the calendar, and Napier continued to proclaim Lagway was right on schedule. What else was he going to do?

Napier and Lagway furthered the narrative in July, when Lagway represented the team at the annual SEC Media Days, and both he and Napier proclaimed he was 100% healthy and ready to go. The school’s social media accounts even posted video of Lagway throwing.

But he wasn’t close to being ready to play. 

“There’s a big difference between throwing, and throwing in live 11-on-11,” Lagway said. “That didn’t happen until game week of the first game of the season.”

Let’s stop here, and make something clear: Lagway says he was completely healthy during last season. There were no lingering affects from the injuries. No excuses.

But there absolutely were residual, off-the-field, affects. You don’t miss an entire offseason of working out with teammates, of throwing with receivers and sharpening timing and accuracy, of building critical chemistry and camaraderie — while living on your own in an off-campus apartment — and not feel it throughout the season.

“Those games we lost late, that’s where that stuff really is important,” Lagway said. “You go through an entire offseason, and you know your guys, you know what they’re going to do in specific situations before they do it. That was missing.”

Exhibit A: the LSU game. Florida trailed 13-10 at halftime, and only because a long touchdown pass from Lagway was negated by a holding call. The Gators’ six drives in the second half then looked like this: punt, interception returned for a touchdown, punt, punt, interception, interception.       

Florida trailed Miami 13-7 with 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, and lost 26-7. The Gators led Georgia 20-17 late in the fourth quarter, and lost 24-20. They led Ole Miss 24-20 in the fourth quarter, and lost 34-24.   

All four games away from Gainesville, all four winnable games. The mismanaged offseason playing out for all to see.

"He needed every single rep in the offseason to clean up fundamentals and footwork, to increase processing," Napier said. "But he's on a bike the whole time. A tough, selfless guy isn't working and investing. It's not his fault, but he took the blame. And we protected him, we didn't throw him under the bus. There was worry there, you could see it on his face. He knew what he was getting into last season." 

The bond that ties

A few months after signing with Baylor, after Lagway and new Florida coach Jon Sumrall agreed it was best for both parties to move on without the other, the first big change arrived for Lagway. 

Spring break at Baylor. 

But instead of driving home two short hours to Willis, Texas and holing up with the known, Lagway forced uncomfortable and reached into the unknown. He paid for 15 teammates — 12 wide receivers, a tight end and two running backs — to fly to Miami and spend spring break throwing and getting to know each other on a granular, personal level.

Paid for housing and meals and a private chef. Paid for a professional masseuse for recovery. A six-bedroom Airbnb with 20 beds in Ventura, a swanky suburb north of Miami — but far enough away from the draw of electric South Beach. 

“That bonding is everything,” Lagway said. “The maturation of growing up and taking over a team as a freshman, and not knowing how to lead while going through my own personal battles. To now seeing it from the outside at 20, and realizing how important it really is.”

Suddenly, there’s a break in his Musashi stance. The player who had everything set up for him, who had media interviews scheduled with time, place and duration — and not a minute longer — and stood at that podium reciting what he knew he was supposed to say, is opening up on an unseasonably brisk Central Texas day.

His high-profile recruitment and signing. The breakout freshman season. The injuries, and the botched sophomore season with so much hope, yet so many self-inflicted potholes around every corner.

It’s all coming out now. 

“It was my first time going through something like that,” Lagway says. “I’m 19 years old, and the whole team is looking at you like, ‘What’s going on?’ I’m trying to figure it out, we’re all trying to figure it out. There’s a lot of stuff going on at once. I didn’t know how to handle it, and obviously could’ve handled it much better. It's extremely difficult to fail, and then do it in front of millions of people.”    

Virtual change

Baylor is one of a handful of schools currently using Cognilize, a German virtual reality software for quarterbacks. The immersive decision-making software allows players to rapidly improve progressions and decisions by generating team- and scheme-specific options without the physical wear and tear of a typical game.

Jayden Daniels used it at LSU, and quickly developed into a Heisman Trophy winner. So did Fernando Mendoza at Indiana. Now Lagway is deep into it.

When Daniels first started using Cognilize, the time between his first read and second was three seconds. Which meant a majority of the time, there was no second read — he was ditching and running. 

By the time he finished working with Cognilize in the 2023 offseason, he had cut the number to .49 seconds. Then came the real returns. 

Daniels’ completion percentage increased 4% (to 72), his yards per attempt jumped a whopping 4.2 yards (to 11.7), and his touchdown passes from 17 to 40. Mendoza’s numbers all spiked, including raising his touchdown passes from 16 to 41.

There is hope, Aranda says, that the Cognilize software will ease some of the stress of the truncated time to get Lagway ready to play. A little more than five months from now, Baylor will travel to Atlanta to play Auburn in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to start the season. 

It’s a brutally quick turnaround with all the inherent baggage. But here's the key: Baylor offensive coordinator Jake Spavital has a track record. He has seen this show before.

A decade ago, former Florida quarterback Will Grier transferred to West Virginia after a six-game NCAA suspension for performance enhancing supplements. Spavital was the offensive coordinator under then-Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen. who signed Grier knowing the baggage of former Florida coach Jim McElwain pushing Grier out the door.

Grier trusted no one, and by the time he left two years later, was rewriting the school record books.

“My job is to figure it out and get DJ to open up," Spavital said. "The talent is there, that’s not even a question. But can we reach him beyond that wall he has up?”

'Take care of your body'

Lagway was caught off guard by the question earlier this month, forced to relive those two years at Florida and respond accordingly.

What advice would you give to the next can’t-miss high school quarterback?  

Napier says Lagway is still the elite quarterback

“That’s a great question,” Lagway says, and now he’s looking straight ahead, dead stare, like he’s pushing rewind and play in his mind. Over and over. 

Napier said he didn't do enough offensively last year to help Lagway, didn't put him in better position when it was obvious the lost offseason had created more problems that just lost repetitions. But nothing is permanent, nothing unfixable.

"I told every coach that called me about him that they’re going to get the best version of DJ," Napier said. "He’s going to be on a mission to prove to the world that last year is a fluke."

Maybe that fighting stance isn't so much a defense mechanism for Lagway as it is a battle declaration. He takes a long breath, thinks about the question and continues, still locked on the wall in front of him:

“Find a group of people and trust them," he says. "Take care of your body, and have people around you to educate you on the best ways to take care of your body. Nobody is a finished product, especially at quarterback.”

He turns his head, and Musashi has fully taken over. 

“That’s a deep sea nobody can dive to the bottom of,” he says. 

Everyone has a story. Everyone can rewrite it any time. 

That's how it's supposed to be.

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DJ Lagway left drama at Florida, transferred to Baylor for fresh start

After losing four wide receivers, including star Omarion Miller, in the transfer portal, Colorado's coaching staff had their work cut out for them rebuilding weapons for quarterback Julian Lewis.

However, they did just that by dipping down into the FCS and Group of Six to pull out a talented transfer class for Lewis and new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion to work with. While it's early in spring ball, it seems one of those transfers is already turning heads in the Colorado building: Danny Scudero, the former San Jose State wideout and second-team All-American.

"Danny is going to get the ball," Colorado's wide receivers coach Jason Phillips told the media on Tuesday. " He's brought that work ethic here. He's been an example guy."

Colorado WRs coach Jason Phillips: “Danny (Scudero) is going to still get the ball (a lot) … he’s brought that work ethic here. He’s been an example guy.”

— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) March 24, 2026

Following Scudero's journey, it's easy to see why he'd be able to set the example for the Buffs' pass catchers. The undersized wideout began his career at Sacramento State in 2023, where he totaled 667 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his one season of starting action.

Scudero was able to parlay that season into a spot on the San Jose State Spartans, where he gained national recognition last year as one of the most productive wide receivers in the nation. In 12 games, Scudero managed to rack up 1,297 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, breaking multiple school records along the way.

Colorado's wide receiver room is crowded, but Scudero could command quick underneath targets to get Lewis going and serve as a safety blanket in clutch situations.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football Danny Scudero standing out in spring camp

Notre Dame basketball lost two players to the transfer portal on Tuesday, which sparked some internet chatter that head coach Micah Shrewsberry could be leaving for the Butler job.

None of that turned out to be true, as Tom Noie of NDInsider.com said on social media that a source told him “there is no dialogue with Butler, nothing behind the scenes with anyone from Butler.” Most of this is due to the Irish having another difficult season, as they finished 13-18 overall, 4-14 in ACC play.

In three season with Notre Dame, Shrewsberry has gone 93-135, with no NCAA Tournament bids with the highest ACC finish a tie for ninth in 2024-25. The magic he found at Penn State in 2022-23 seems like an eternity ago, as the struggles in South Bend have had some wondering if he’s the right man for the job.

Noie also goes on to state that Shrewsberry won’t be looking elsewhere for a while, and there could be more transfers coming. It is paramount for next season for the Irish to be able to retain Cole Certa and Jalen Haralson along with Markus Burton. Many of the other players didn’t contribute much, and you have to expect that if Micah is in South Bend, so will Braeden.

Source: Expect Notre Dame's roster - from a numbers standpoint - to look a lot like it did when Shrewsberry arrived from Penn State in 2023.

That year, the Irish had three returning scholarship players. They may have three returning in 2026-27.

— Tom Noie (@tnoieNDI) March 24, 2026

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Rumors: Notre Dame keeps Shrewsberry but more transfers will happen

Texas A&M's 2025 roster was chock full of talent at nearly every position, helping lead the Aggies to an 11-2 record and the program's first appearance in the College Football Playoff, but after falling to eventual national runner-up Miami in the first round, coach Mike Elko's veteran roster was broken up as soon as the offseason began.

However, nearly every departure was expected, including a nation-leading 13 players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, four of whom were starting offensive linemen. Losing 20-plus players overall, all 13 players are expected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, or become priority undrafted free agents, while unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell and transfer wide receiver KC Concepcion are considered likely first-round picks.

With the draft just a month away, Texas A&M's 2026 pro day is set for Wednesday, March 25, and all 32 NFL team representatives will be in attendance, including the Dallas Cowboys. While it's not surprising, given the short distance between Arlington and College Station, the Cowboys are in need of upgrades at linebacker, on the defensive line, and at offensive tackle.

According to TexAgs co-owner Billy Liucci, eleven starters from the 2025 roster have reportedly met with the Dallas Cowboys brass for a pre-Pro Day dinner, including linebackers Taurean York and Scooby Williams, while right tackle Dametrious Crownover might be the most intriguing name on the list, and could be a Day 3 steal with high upside.

Dallas Cowboys contingent treated A&M prospects to a pre-Pro Day dinner this evening in College Station. List included:

KC Concepcion
Cashius Howell
Taurean York
Will Lee
Nate Boerkircher
Chase Bisontis
Trey Zuhn
Albert Regis
Dametrious Crownover
Tyler Onyedim
Scooby Williams

— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) March 25, 2026

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Dallas Cowboys hosted 11 Texas A&M players for pre-Pro Day dinner

Eilidh Adams has been recalled to the Scotland squad for next month's Women's World Cup qualifying double-header with Belgium.

Three-times capped Hibernian forward Adams, 21, missed out on this month's wins over Luxembourg as Melissa Andreatta's side opened their campaign with a 5-0 away win and 7-0 home victory.

Rangers defender Leah Eddie, 25, won her fourth cap in the second meeting with Luxembourg after being a late call-up to the squad, retains her place while 27-year-old Birmingham City midfielder Cornet, who also has three caps, is named again after having to withdraw from the previous camp.

The Scots host Belgium on 14 April and travel to face the same opponents four days later.

Belgium also have six points from their opening two fixtures following 3-0 (away) and 5-0 (home) wins over Israel.

Uncapped Rangers midfielder Jodi McLeary, 20, and 12-times capped Nottingham Forest midfielder Amy Rodgers, 25, are not included this time after being unused substitutes in both games against Luxembourg.

Andreatta's team conclude the group campaign with home and away matches with Israel in June. The top three will progress to the play-offs, which will be staged from October through December. The finals take place next summer in Brazil.

Related internet links

• Scotland put seven past Luxembourg in Women's World Cup qualifier
• Being Scotland vice-captain 'great honour' - Cuthbert
• Does 'class' captain Weir hold the key to Scotland's World Cup return?

Despite the Denver Broncos' seemingly minimalistic moves during the early part of free agency, they have managed to keep the majority of a roster which made it to the AFC Championship last fall.

The Broncos filled a significant hole at wide receiver through the blockbuster trade for Jaylen Waddle, but CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles believes there is one more hole in the Denver roster: tight end.

Pereles suggested one free agent fit and one draft fit for each of the 32 NFL teams, and he believes the Broncos' roster is a strong one going into 2026. "This roster doesn't have many true holes -- and tight end really isn't one, either -- but either option could add some versatility," Pereles wrote for CBS.

Denver brought back tight ends Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins and Adam Trautman during free agency, and Evan Engram is under contract for one more season.

Pereles also suggested the Broncos could sign former Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku as a free agent. Njoku is still on the market as of the time this post was scheduled.

In the draft, Pereles suggested Denver target Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers with their second-round pick. Stowers (6-4, 239 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds and a 10-yard split in 1.59 seconds at the NFL combine in February, and converted from the quarterback position to play tight end.

Stowers is an intriguing prospect, presenting a younger, cheaper option than Njoku, and is the type of player head coach Sean Payton loves: versatile. "Njoku is more of a powerful player, but perhaps Stowers, a quarterback-turned-tight-end, could fit the bill better," Pereles wrote, comparing the two. "(Stowers) delivered major production in college and wowed at the combine."

Denver has been quietly improving, and may make a splash closer to the draft. The one thing fans can predict? George Paton is unpredictable, but when he does make moves, he will leave an impression.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: CBS identifies remaining need (and potential fits)

Jeremiyah Love to the Arizona Cardinals? Jeremiyah Love to the Tennessee Titans? What about Jeremiyah Love to the New York Giants?

Todd McShay of The Ringer reports that the Giants are among the teams most likely to draft Love in April, citing "league intel."

For the reasons I just outlined with the Titans, I’m not fully convinced this is the pick. Pairing Sonny Styles with recently signed LB Tremaine Edmunds could be tempting for the Giants, and I like Caleb Downs here as well. But league intel suggests the Giants are one of the most likely teams to take Love in the top 10 (along with the Commanders and Chiefs, or possibly a team like the Rams in a trade up).

If you’re drafting a back this high, he needs to be a weapon—and Love is. With excellent speed (4.36 40), natural hands, and a real route-running ability, he gives Jaxson Dart a true explosive outlet.

This would signal a clear offensive vision: build around the run game and play-action, similar to how Baltimore developed around Lamar Jackson. Pairing Love with Cam Skattebo (pre-injury form) and Tyrone Tracy Jr. gives the Giants a deep, versatile backfield capable of carrying the offense and maximizing Dart’s strengths.

The Giants are in good hands with Tyrone Tracy Jr. at running back, and the same is true of Cam Skattebo as a power back.

Still, the prevailing sentiment that Love may be the best prospect in the 2026 NFL draft class goes beyond that consideration. If the Giants want to add another running back to their backfield — especially as high as the No. 5 overall pick — Love is the clear choice for the job.

That said, Caleb Downs or, especially, a wide receiver such as Ohio State’s Carnell Tate would address other needs the Giants have this offseason.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Todd McShay: 'League intel' links New York Giants to Jeremiyah Love

The Philadelphia 76ers will play host to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, and if you're wondering how you can watch all the action live, you've come to the right place. The Sixers will look to get back in the win column following a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday as they welcome Paul George back to the lineup.

George was suspended for 25 games due to violating the league's anti-drug policy and he will look to help VJ Edgecombe and Co. move forward on the floor. The Sixers have 10 games left in the regular season and are currently the No. 7 seed and one game back of the Atlanta Hawks for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the East. Now is the time for Philadelphia to make a serious move up the standings and keep things pushing in the right direction.

Here's when and where you should tune in to see the matchup:

How to watch

• Date: Wednesday, March 25
• Time: 7 p.m. EDT
• Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena Philadelphia, PA
• Channel: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Notable injuries

Sixers: OUT: Tyrese Maxey (right finger tendon strain), Kelly Oubre Jr. (left elbow sprain), Johni Broome (right knee surgery recovery) QUESTIONABLE: Joel Embiid (right oblique strain), Quentin Grimes (illness)

Bulls: OUT: Jaden Ivey (left patellofemoral pain syndrome), Zach Collins (right first toe surgery), Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery) DOUBTFUL: Guerschon Yabusele (left ankle sprain), Anfernee Simons (left ulnar styloid fracture), Isaac Okoro (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)

Uniform assignments

Sixers: Icon Edition (Blue)

Bulls: Icon Edition (Red)

Probable starting lineups

Philadelphia 76ers

• Guard - VJ Edgecombe
• Guard - Justin Edwards
• Forward - Paul George
• Forward - Dominick Barlow
• Center - Adem Bona

Chicago Bulls

• Guard - Josh Giddey
• Guard - Tre Jones
• Forward - Matas Buzelis
• Forward - Jalen Smith
• Center - Nick Richards

Next 5 games for Sixers

• March 28 @ Hornets
• March 30 @ Heat
• April 1 @ Wizards
• April 3 vs. Timberwolves
• April 4 vs. Pistons

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers vs. Bulls game preview: How to watch, lineups, broadcast info

Former Duke guard Jared McCain voiced confidence in the Blue Devils ahead of their Sweet 16 matchup with St. John’s and head coach Rick Pitino.

Duke’s start to the 2026 NCAA Tournament has been uneven, but with each passing half, the team has improved while gradually getting healthier, further increasing its potential to make a championship run. After an impressive second-half performance led to a win over TCU, the focus quickly shifted to the Sweet 16 matchup.

"We're poised. You know, we're poised right now," McCain said. "A little shaky in the first one, but that's [the] nerves of the tournament, it happens. We basically won our loss. So now we're just going to win every game, and we're good. Who we got, St. John's next? Pitino? Yeah, we're good."

McCain's confidence is not unwarranted. The Blue Devils were named the No. 1 overall seed for a reason, and with the return of Patrick Ngongba II and the hopeful return of Caleb Foster, they are beginning to remind many around college basketball.

Duke is a 6.5-point favorite over St. John’s and has a 76.7% chance to win, according to ESPN analytics. Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor is a formidable foe, but Cameron Boozer has the matchup advantage and a deeper support system around him, including sharpshooter Isaiah Evans, defensive stud Dame Sarr, and the ever-versatile Ngongba.

McCain chalked up Duke's slow start to nerves, and it's fair to suggest that injuries have also played a role, but as the Blue Devils continue to get healthier, their odds of success are increasing as they prepare for their third-ever tournament game against Pitino.

Follow us @DukeWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Duke Blue Devils news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Jared McCain on Duke vs. St. John’s, Rick Pitino: ‘Yeah, we’re good’

The 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament is down to 16 teams and the injury report remains an important part of sifting through the remaining games in the bracket. Nearly one-third of the teams to qualify for the Sweet 16 are dealing with a significant player hobbled by injury, including No. 1 overall seed Duke.

Several played through the pain to advance through the round of 32, while others are attempting to return from injury as fast as possible with the win-or-go-home element of March Madness looming over their recovery. In most cases, their potential replacement has already been thrust into a bigger role after lingering uncertainty through the first weekend of this year's tournament.

Here's a look at the injuries that could most affect the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, as well as the potential replacements to watch if these injured stars can't play when March Madness resumes:

SWEET 16 PREDICTIONS: Experts pick who will advance in March Madness bracket

Most important March Madness injuries (and injury replacements)

Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State (Nate Heise)

The injury status of Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson looms large over the Midwest regional in Chicago, beginning with the Sweet 16 nightcap between the second-seeded Cyclones and No. 6 seed Tennessee on Friday, March 27. The 6-foot-9 NBA prospect suffered a sprained left ankle early in Iowa State's first-round win over No. 15 seed Tennessee State on March 20 and did not play in its round of 32 victory over No. 7 seed Kentucky two days later.

Sixth man Nate Heise started in place of Jefferson, who is averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game this season for the Cyclones. Heise, a 6-foot-5 guard, responded with 12 points and three assists, but Iowa State got just five points from its bench as a result. Jefferson told reporters he plans to "do everything [in] my power to get healthy" ahead of Friday's Sweet 16 game.

"Nate has been essentially our sixth starter all year, even when he hasn't started on the court," Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said. "I say it over and over again; Nate Heise is someone who's a fierce competitor, defensively has tremendous pride, getting stops, team defense, getting traffic rebounds, making plays. You can feel that compete every possession. Offensively he steps up and does what's needed for our team. ... Nate is somebody for me that I just have tremendous belief and confidence in, and I know what he can do, and I know what he'll continue to do."

C.J. Cox, Purdue (Gicarri Harris)

Purdue sophomore C.J. Cox suffered an apparent knee injury early in the second half of the No. 2 seeded Boilermakers' win over No. 7 seed Miami in the round of 32 and did not return. Coach Matt Painter told reporters after the game that Cox had "hyperextended" his knee and would see how it responded to treatment this week.

Cox called it "nothing serious" and said he could have re-entered the game if needed. The 6-3 guard had three 3-pointers that helped Purdue erase a first-half deficit against Miami before leaving the game due to injury. He has started every game for the Boilermakers this season, while averaging 8.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

If Cox can't play, or is limited, when Purdue faces No. 11 seed Texas Thursday, March 26 in the Sweet 16, Gicarri Harris is likely to take on a bigger role. He replaced Cox against the Hurricanes and buried his only 3-pointer within three minutes of entering the game. Harris also had two steals as the primary defender on Miami guard Tre Donaldson down the stretch.

Silas Demary Jr., UConn (Malachi Smith)

UConn's point guard was initially listed as questionable by the Huskies in their NCAA player availability report before coming off the bench in the No. 2 seed's round of 32 win over No. 7 seed UCLA. Though he had just two points, Demary finished with four assists and two steals after missing the Huskies' first-round win over No. 15 seed Furman. He initially suffered an ankle injury in the second half of UConn's Big East Tournament final loss to St. John's on March 14.

Graduate transfer Malachi Smith, who came to UConn from Dayton ahead of this season having never played in an NCAA Tournament game before, has produced 13 assists starting in place of Demary the past two games. Smith's minutes have increased substantially with Demary hobbled, setting new season highs for playing time at UConn in its two March Madness games thus far.

Coach Dan Hurley told reporters after Smith's first-round performance that the team thought Smith had also hurt his knee in a practice collision before leaving for the NCAA Tournament. "He was banged up out there playing 31 minutes. The guy’s a warrior and showed that New York toughness today.”

Caleb Foster, Duke (Cayden Boozer)

Duke starting point guard Caleb Foster hasn't played for the Blue Devils since suffering a broken foot in the team's regular-season finale against North Carolina March 6. But coach Jon Scheyer left the door open for him to return in time for No. 1 seed Duke's Sweet 16 matchup against No. 5 seed St. John's on Friday, March 27.

"Not to reference 'Dumb and Dumber,' but when he first got hurt, I felt like maybe it was one in a million," Scheyer told CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein on Monday. "Since then, the way Caleb has worked, the chances have continued to increase. I think there's an outside chance, maybe for Friday. 

"He's trying to do the impossible here and try to come back as soon as he can," Scheyer added. "This weekend, I don't think I can rule it out because of who he is and how he's been working."

Cayden Boozer has moved into the starting lineup for Foster and performed well during the ACC Tournament and the first two games of Duke's NCAA Tournament run. He had a career-high 19 points and five assists when the Blue Devils came back in the second half to beat No. 16 seed Siena in the first round.

Nate Ament, Tennessee (Jaylen Carey or Amari Evans)

Ament, a potential NBA lottery pick, is playing through ankle and knee injuries that forced him to miss two games at the end of Tennessee's regular-season schedule. He was used for just 18 minutes in the Vols' opening round NCAA win over Miami (Ohio) and then gutted through a 16-point, 4-rebound performance against Virginia in the round of 32. He's shooting 5-for-27 from the field over the past three games.

"For me, I wanted to do it for my teammates and this university. I owe them so much," Ament said after the game. "The least I could do is fight through this."

Jaylen Carey started six consecutive games when Ament didn't play to close the regular season, but the Vols have altered their lineups since then. J.P. Estrella was moved back into a starting role beginning with the SEC Tournament, with Amari Evans shifted to the bench along with Carey. Tennessee Coach Rick Barnes can turn to the 6-foot-5 Evans for more versatility or the 6-foot-8 Carey for more size inside if Ament can't go or significantly limited by injury.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness 2026 injury update for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 games

There's nothing like the first time you visit Augusta National, with its incredible sights and sounds.

As part of our Masters Surveys for 2026, we asked players: When did you first visit Augusta National and what’s your lasting memory from it?

Here's what they remembered:

Curtis Strange

I played in 1975 and I got there the Saturday before at midday and I met Jack Nicklaus and I couldn’t talk I was so nervous. I drove to Augusta and never left the gates. I didn’t have two nickels to rub together. I ate all my meals in the clubhouse and slept in the Crow’s Nest and hit balls on the range. What else could I possibly need?

Ludvig Aberg

It was with Texas Tech. We went my freshman year, about two months before COVID shutdown, and played 18 holes in the morning and the short course in the afternoon.

Keegan Bradley

I went with my dad. It was so incredible. I was just in awe of the place.

Craig Stadler

It was in 1974 after winning the 1973 U.S. Amateur. It was pretty nerve wracking. Tuesday from about 2 o’clock on, I was an absolute wreck waiting until about 2:45 p.m. Thursday to play in a twosome with Jack Nicklaus. I walked over to the back of the tee and Jack was standing there with his back to me. Just as I got over, he turned around and I said, 'Jack, I’m Craig Stadler.' He said, 'I know who you are.' I was like, 'You do?' I’m some snot-nosed kid from San Diego. He said, 'I remember you were in college and finished third in the L.A. Open at Riviera.' I said, 'You remember that?' I thought that was awesome. He teed off first as the major champion in the group. We continued that for 18 straight holes. I think I shot 77 and he shot 67. [Editor's Note: Nicklaus shot 70.] I didn’t cut him on one hole. 

Wyndham Clark

It was with my dad and brother a couple months before my first Masters. It was a special moment because none of us had been there. My dad was just 6-7 months out of open-heart surgery. It felt like we were on hallowed ground.

Harris English

I remember watching Davis Love. I couldn’t have been more than 8 or 9 and he threw me a ball. It was one of the first golf tournaments I ever went to and it was absolutely incredible.

Trevor Immelman

I qualified to play in the 1999 Masters as a 19-year-old amateur and I was fortunate to visit the club for the first time in February that year. I played 72 holes in two days — what a dream! I had watched every Masters on TV since 1986; it was such a surreal feeling to finally be there playing the course.

Xander Schauffele

My rookie year, I went out, and it was like 45 degrees and hailing and raining, and Austin (Kaiser, my caddie) and I were out there, and luckily, this caddie was able to stick it out with us. We were trying to write notes down on a piece of paper that was soaking wet. But that was my first time ever playing Augusta. The fairways were long, and the greens were slower, and it was dumping. So I've never gone back (outside of the tournament). My dad said he'll play with me when I'm a member.

Padraig Harrington

I had the greatest experience ever. I got there on Monday in 2000. I'm late, a bit stressed and come down Magnolia Lane and it's all beautiful, but I'm a bit panicked and getting this rush. I register and do my stuff. I walked through the clubhouse, out to the garden and overwhelmed would be a good way to say it because everything's coming at me, and I'm worried about getting my practice in. The first people I meet are representatives from the amateur golfing body of Ireland and they're sitting with Sam Snead.

So, I'm lost, I don't know anybody but I know these people and they're sitting with Sam Snead. I'm absolutely panicked, in a rush, stressed, but I sat there for an hour listening to Sam Snead tell stories. So I don't think it gets any better than that. I can't think of anybody I would have stopped and sat for an hour. That's not my personality, but when it’s Sam Snead, you're stopping and listening for an hour.

Rory McIlroy

February 2009. I was so afraid to take a divot. I didn't want to take a divot out of the fairways. I felt, you know, when people talk about walking on eggshells, that's my first memory. Just so in awe of the place, I guess.

Larry Mize

Growing up in Augusta, I fell in love with golf at an early age. It was 1967 or 68 that I first attended; I would’ve been eight or nine. I was getting autographs. I wish I had kept them all. But I was running around and loving every minute of it. 

Russell Henley

I went there as a kid and I remember how green it was. It was like a different planet. But my first time playing it was my freshman year at Georgia. Our team got to play it and I shot 73. I was in shock the whole day.

Gary Player

My first visit was in 1957, when I was invited by Clifford Roberts, after my father wrote to him. It was a tremendous thrill. I was only a 21-year-old kid who was dropped off at the top of Magnolia Lane and took it all in as I walked down to the clubhouse. Augusta National has been an integral part of my life ever since. The Masters remains, in my view, the best-run tournament in the world.

Zach Johnson

I remember I told myself I’m never going to step foot on Augusta National until I qualify. Vaughn Taylor, my buddy from mini tours, who was a local, offered me a ticket and I was like I’ve got to do it, I may never play it. It's funny because I drank out of the Claret Jug before I won it too.

It was either 2000 or 2001. The weather was perfect and I walked the golf course twice. I remember following Nick Price for a while and Jose Maria Olazabal and watched Vijay Singh skipping it on 16 and thought that was cool. The thing I remember was I tried to find a weed and I couldn’t find one anywhere.

J.J. Spaun

The Monday afternoon in 2022, after I won in San Antonio the day before. I remember feeling lost, but the lasting impression was the elevation change. It was so much bigger than I expected it to be. Walking up that first fairway was eye-opening, for sure.

Trevor Immelman

I qualified to play in the 1999 Masters as a 19-year-old amateur and I was fortunate to visit the club for the first time in February that year. I played 72 holes in 2 days, what a dream. I had watched every Masters on TV since 1986, it was such a surreal feeling to finally be there playing the course

Sahith Theegala

I went with my college golf team. We had played in a tournament at Augusta and I think It was everyone's first time. We were adamant we get there as soon as the gates opened and told coach we were staying until we literally got kicked out of the place. We had a stack of cups from all the sweet teas we had. This was probably illegal but I remember picking a blade of grass and I ate it because I thought it would give me some magical Masters powers. 

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Golfweek Masters Survey: When did you first visit Augusta National?

During a recent appearance on 'The Dan Patrick Show,' Fox Sports media personality and Kansas City Chiefs fan Nick Wright shared his thoughts on the team's decision to trade for quarterback Justin Fields.

"I really like the Fields addition, because they gave up nothing. So he's price-wise, very cheap for a backup," said Wright, "$3 million bucks. Gardner Minshew was the Chiefs' backup last year and just signed a $7 million deal. You can say, well, they traded a six (6th round pick), but because the NFL's comp pick formula, had they signed a backup, they would have lost a seventh, so they ended up essentially getting him for nothing."

The New York Jets traded Fields to the Chiefs in exchange for a 2027 6th-round pick. Kansas City landed an experienced backup quarterback with plenty of upside left in his young career behind Patrick Mahomes.

"If you were to tell me, Patrick (Mahomes) is going to miss the first month of the season, which I do not think is going to happen. I would have rather had Kirk Cousins as my backup," said Wright, "If you were to tell me Patrick's going to be there in week one, I would rather have Justin Fields, because once Patrick is back and healthy, Kirk Cousins serves no utility. I think Fields can get on the field, even once Patrick is back in (good) health."

Fields' 2025 season ended with 7 touchdowns and 1 interception, rushing for 383 yards and 4 touchdowns, but the team was 2-7 in games he started, and he endured 27 sacks.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Fox Sports Host weighs in on the Chiefs acquiring QB Justin Fields

The Premier League is building towards another thrilling run-in, as Arsenal and Manchester City face off in the title race.

After three second-place finishes in a row, Arsenal are bidding to finally end their 22-year wait for a league title under Mikel Arteta.

But they are once again facing competition from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who denied them in both 2023 and 2024.

Aston Villa were the closest challengers outside of the top two but Unai Emery’s side have fallen away as the campaign heads towards the final straight.

Here’s how the crucial run-in is shaping up.

Arsenal

Played: 31 | Points: 70 | GD: +39

Toughest game? It’sobviously the trip to Manchester City in mid-April, with just five more league games to follow after that. Arsenal have not won at the Etihad since January 2015 and their title challenge went up in smoke there in a 4-1 thrashing in April 2023, before arguably playing too safe in a 0-0 draw in March 2024. City’s 2-0 victory in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley adds another fascinating layer to what is shaping up to be a title battle for the ages.

Final straight? On paper, it’s looking good for Arsenal. In May, they will play Fulham and Burnley at home. Mid-table Fulham will likely be in ‘nothing to play for’ territory while 19th-placed Burnley could well be down by the penultimate weekend. West Ham, though, could be fighting for their lives, and Crystal Palace, too, could be dragged into danger by the final game of the season. Still, the Gunners might not have to play a top-half team in May.

Man City

Played: 3- | Points: 61 | GD: +32

Toughest game? Pep Guardiola’s side have to be close to perfect before hosting Arsenal, so the game that now stands out is the away trip to Chelsea. The Blues are unpredictable, and are in a dismal run of form under Liam Rosenior, but have risen to the occasion at home this season.

Final straight? On paper, much tougher than Arsenal’s. Brentford and Bournemouth could be in the mix for European qualification over the final weeks of the season and City have to play them both in their final three games. Then, they host Aston Villa on the final weekend of the season. Will Unai Emery’s side have Champions League qualification wrapped up by then, or will they face a late fight to get into the top-five? City could do with hoping Villa get to the Europa League final that midweek.

Verdict?

This will be a run-in of two halves, with everything building up to the meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal in mid-April, and then everything that follows. But Arsenal’s fixtures before and then after going to the Etihad look more favourable than City’s, particularly their final stretch.

Following the free agency frenzy, what are the Jacksonville Jaguars' biggest remaining positions of need? One NFL analyst made his selections for all 32 teams.

It was certainly a quiet free agency period for the Jaguars, who made only one outside addition, signing running back Chris Rodriguez. There are a few reasons for that, including James Gladstone being mindful of the 2027 compensatory draft picks the Jaguars are projected to land.

In addition to that, the Jaguars' tight salary cap situation isn't helping things, and this is a well-put-together roster overall, with a solid foundation at every position group. Drastic changes weren't needed.

The NFL draft will provide the Jaguars the opportunity to further bolster their depth and add some impact help -- even if without a first-round pick. Jacksonville has 11 picks in total, including four in the top 100.

The Jaguars will enter this year's draft with ample flexibility, but what position groups should be front of mind? The NFL.com's Kevin Patra weighed in with his top five needs for the Jaguars.

Linebacker

What's the need? Without Devin Lloyd, his do-it-all presence that he brought to the middle of the Jaguars' defense has to be replaced. Gladstone, however, recently detailed the Jaguars' plan at linebacker in Lloyd's absence, highlighting the players already on the roster who could step into larger roles. However, that doesn't mean we can't rule out an addition at this position early on in the NFL draft. 

Defensive end

What's the need? At a minimum, more depth is needed at this position. The Jaguars need to add several more players to round out their training camp roster. In addition to that, the Jaguars need a more steady pass rush presence from the rotational members of this position group behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.

Defensive tackle

What's the need? Like defensive end, more players are simply needed at this position group. But in addition to that, this is a position where more pass-rush juice is needed. While the Jaguars held up very well against the run last season, the interior defensive line, in particular, struggled to generate a consistent pass rush down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Safety

What's the need? The Jaguars lost Andrew Wingard in free agency, but returning are Eric Murray and Antonio Johnson, whose role expanded as the 2025 season unfolded. Johnson was among several breakout performers for the Jaguars last year. Behind those two on the depth chart are Caleb Ransaw and Rayuan Lane -- two 2025 draft picks. The Jaguars seemed to be positioned well here, but the urgency with which Gladstone addresses this position may be dependent on his confidence in Lane and Ransaw to provide depth and fill that third safety role.

Offensive line

What's the need? The Jaguars will enter the offseason positioned well on the offensive line. Their starting five from last season is all still under contract, along with a few of their first options off the bench. However, during last year's training camp, we saw the Jaguars stress competition along the offensive line. There's no reason to think they won't take that same approach again this year, as they search for improved play in the run game.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency: List of Jaguars top remaining positions to address

American ski queen Mikaela Shiffrin will have to sweat it out later Wednesday in her bid for a women's record-equalling sixth overall World Cup title because German rival Emma Aicher is mounting a serious threat in the last race of the season.

Aicher was third after the first run of a giant slalom at the Norwegian venue of Hafjell, .26 of a second behind Canadian leader Valerie Grenier and .24 behind Sweden's Sara Hector.

Shiffrin was 17th, 1.55 seconds of the pace.

Shiffrin leads Aicher by 85 points. In order to snatch the title, Aicher must win the race for the full 100 points and hope that Shffrin does not finish in the points which are awarded to the top 15.

"My thoughts at the start were: Just ski and enjoy," Aicher, who has never been on a giant slalom podium in her career, told Eurosport.

We asked for your views on whether the international break will help or hinder Chelsea's chances of getting their season back on track after a poor run of form.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: I feel the break has come at the perfect time for Rosenior. Hopefully he will take the time to decide what is the best XI he can field at present and stick with it to the end of the season, barring injuries, to try to secure a Champions League spot. Not too much tinkering or rotation, let's get a settled side and stop these dreadful performances of late!

Peter: Neither. Only the academy players and those not called up will be available to train. Internationals will be away on duty, the manager has no real opportunity to address the obvious issues and enforce his methods, if he of course knows what they are. Maybe the break will allow the manager to re-watch all the games he has been in charge of and understand that rotating your defence during a 90-minute game, coupled with rotating weekly, brings no stability. If we are going to settle we have to play a settled backline because, even if we lose games, they will finally gel. Your defence is the bedrock of the family.

James: The issues at the club run far deeper than anything an international break can fix. Yes it affords Rosenior time to work with those players not away but it is clear to see that what he is trying to implement just isn't working.

Ste: This international break is arguably the most important fortnight of our season. Rosenior and his backroom team need to nail their plans on how to address our immediate issues - finishing chances more clinically and defending set-pieces. Resolving those problem areas should give us the momentum we need to convert what is actually a promising position (one point off a probable Champions League place and an FA Cup quarter-final) into a decent season.

Keith: He needs to get the defensive problems sorted out quick, that's done with a settled one and not chopping and changing every match.

Will Gio Reyna continue to be Mauricio Pochettino’s great contradiction?

26 minutes. That’s all the game time Gio Reyna has played in 2026. He hasn’t played at all for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the last two months. For any other player, this surely would’ve kept them off the US roster for the upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. US manager Pochettino’s has consistently repeated the point that club form matters when building these squads. Reyna, however, isn’t any other player.

Related: Mauricio Pochettino’s latest USMNT roster signals door is ‘still open’ for World Cup hopefuls

He is, despite the lack of minutes, still the United States’ most naturally gifted creative player. While injuries have certainly affected the 23-year-old’s physical level, he gives the national a different dimension that it otherwise lacks when he’s not on the field. This was clear in how Reyna played against Paraguay and Uruguay in November, when he similarly joined up with the USMNT having played very little at club level. He still managed to produce, notching a goal and an assist over the two games.

Reyna, then, is Pochettino’s great contradiction; the player he is willing to make an exception for. Some might say he’s the player who most threaten Pochettino’s cultural reset of the last 12 months considering what happened at the last World Cup, when issues with his attitude and effort level in training limited his involvement, and kicked off a long-running soap opera. Reyna still hasn’t completely shaken off the baggage heaped on him after Qatar. There are those who believe he hasn’t done enough to earn another opportunity.

Crucially, though, Pochettino isn’t among them.

“I think we really know that he’s a very special talent and a very special player,” said the Argentine about Reyna. “And I think to give the possibility, even if it’s not playing too much in his club, it can be very useful for us.”

‘Gladbach might not consider Reyna special enough to play him, but Pochettino is clearly still convinced.

***

Are the intercontinental playoffs a welcome distraction?

Iraq arrived in Mexico on Sunday, more than a full week before their intercontinental playoff for the World Cup. Given the trouble their players had in getting out of the Middle East, it was understandable that manager Graham Arnold wanted his team on location as far in advance of their match against Bolivia or Suriname next week.

Related: US-Israel war on Iran: how football in the region is struggling to deal with the fallout

War in Iran has become yet another defining story of a World Cup that is still 78 days out. Nobody really knows if Iran’s national team will take part in this summer’s tournament. If they decide to withdraw, or Fifa makes the decision for them, Iraq might have been in line to take their spot having come through AFC qualifying. What happens if Iran withdraws after the intercontinental playoffs have been played?

Only a few weeks ago, it was doubtful Mexico would even be able to host the intercontinental playoffs after cartel violence erupted in the country. The situation seems to have settled somewhat since then, but global geo-politics are intertwined through this World Cup and its final round of crunch qualifiers.

In a sense, some soccer amid the chaos might be a welcome distraction. Two of the nations involved in the intercontinental playoffs have never qualified for a World Cup before (New Caledonia and Suriname). The other four (Bolivia, DR Congo, Jamaica and Iraq) are aiming to reach the tournament for the first time this century. There is great potential for euphoric celebrations, the sort of joyous scenes we could use at this moment. That need, however, only further underlines how farcical this whole thing has become.

***

Has Mikel Arteta been shown what Arsenal need to make their next evolution?

Sunday’s Carabao Cup final was meant to be Arsenal’s chance to show how far they have come. Instead, Manchester City served them a reminder of where they must improve in a comfortable 2-0 win. The result added further support to the argument that Mikel Arteta’s side don’t do enough to impose themselves on the strongest opponents in the biggest games.

Things may have been different had Eberechi Eze or Martin Ødegaard been available. Without them, Arsenal desperately lacked a creative midfielder to get on the turn in the half spaces. They also struggled badly to play out from the back, failing to register a single progressive pass between the start of the second half and the 71st minute as City took a grip of the game.

Plenty has been said and written about Arsenal’s relative weakness as an attacking force. They rank only fourth in the Premier League for expected goals (xG) this season while even Brentford have created more big chances (as Opta defines them) than the team at the top of the table. The Gunners’ strength lies in defence and set pieces where their metrics are much better.

That strength could ultimately get Arsenal over the line as Premier League champions for the first time since the Arsène Wenger era. It may also see them go even further in the Champions League where the Gunners are the only unbeaten side left in the competition at the quarter-final stage. The next evolution Arsenal must make, however, is obvious.

SUNRISE — The postgame story for the Florida Panthers Tuesday should have been the celebration of Paul Maurice’s 2,000th game as a coach, Aaron Ekblad’s 800th game as a Panther or, perish the thought, how the Panthers blew a three-goal lead against a marginal (at best) Kraken team with less than six minutes to go.

For hockey trivia buffs,four unassisted goals in a single gameisdefinitely a rarity.

“I don’t think I have ever seen four unassisted goals in a hockey game,’’ Maurice said. “So, that tells you how it was played.”

The game, certainly, was strange from a quickly paced opening period that went almost 16 minutes without a timeout to one that ended up being a showcase for Panthers players who will be looking for new contracts either here or elsewhere moving forward.

With Mackie Samoskevich and Anton Lundellthe most recent additions to Florida’s lengthy injury list, the Panthers lineup had a host of players who spent most of the year elsewhere.

The first two stars of the game were Vinnie Hinostroza, playing only his sixth game since being reacquired by the Panthers in a deal with Minnesota, and Noah Gregor who was recalled from AHL Charlotte so Florida would have enough healthy bodies to play.

Gregor looks like he wants to stay.

And, perhaps, should.

Given the shortage of personnel, Hinostroza was “promoted” from the fourth line to the third unit between Tomas Nosek and Cole Reinhardt who normally would have been a fourth line.

Gregor and Nolan Foote, both offseason depth signings, figured prominently in the goofy 5-4 shootout win.

Foote was in his third game after being called up from Charlotte.

He scored the opening goal, his first as a Panther and only the seventh of his NHL career, after being sprung for a point-blank shot by Gregor on a 2-on-1 attack.

Gregor’s work was not done.

He celebrated his returna little more when he went looking for Foote again — only his third period centering pass deflected off the stick of the Kraken’s Shane Wright and landed behind goalie Joey Daccord.

Hinostroza received an assist on Eetu Luostarinen’s goal when his backhander deflected off Luostarinen’s leg and into the net. He now has three goals and four points in six games since being acquired at the deadline.

But wait, there’s more.

Hinostroza cemented his official first-star status and the Panthers’ victory by notching the only shootout goal, a backhander after putting a neat fake on Daccord.

Hinostroza is 3-for-8 in career shootouts over 11 NHL seasons.

He was pressed intoshootout service because of the five Panthers who participated in shootouts this season, only Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk were available.

They both missed in their attempts.

Gregor downplayed his role after the game, explaining that he’s used to being put in these situations.

“I think it’s just experience,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for a little bit now, being up and down or in and out of the lineup. It’s kind of the same thing. I’m a professional and whenever I get the call, I’ll be ready to go.”

Gregor and Foote occasionally played on the same line in Charlotte, so they knew each other fairly well.

“I’ve gotten to know Gregs down in Charlotte,” said Foote, “and you know what he brings. Speed, and he obviously showed it tonight and it was nice to be on a line with him.”

Maurice said of Gregor, “He was fast tonight. That’s the payoff for having been here. He goes out with (Luke Kunin), they’ve got a relationship, they played in the American League together and up here, so he gets to come in here, he knows the systems, he knows what he’s doing. He was flying tonight.

Hinostroza, Gregor and Foote are on two-way expiring contracts. Kunin has a one-way expiring deal.

They were a big reason why the Panthers won on Tuesday.

Aside from Verhaeghe and Sergei Bobrovsky, it was the guys fighting for their NHL lives who did most of the heavy lifting against the Kraken.

Good for them.

We will probably be seeing a lot more of them in these final 12 games.

ON DECK: GAME No. 71

MINNESOTA WILD at FLORIDA PANTHERS 

• When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• National TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+
• Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• Last Season: Tied 1-1
• This Season (Panthers Lead 1-0) — At Minnesota: Panthers 4, Wild 3 OT (Jan. 24).At Florida: March 26.
• All-time Regular Season Series: Minnesota leads 21-11-3, 1 tie
• Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday at New York Islanders, 1 p.m.

This article: Bottom 6 Play Starring Role in an Odd Win for the Florida Panthers originally appeared on Florida Hockey Now.

How to Watch Bruins vs. Sabres Tonight: Channel, Live Stream & Start Time for NHL Game originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A battle between Atlantic Division foes will take place on Wednesday as the Bruins head to Buffalo to face the Sabres.

Boston is still sitting in the top Eastern Conference wild-card slot despite falling to Toronto on Tuesday. The Bruins will have to recover quickly in order to avoid back-to-back losses.

The Sabres have been rolling as of late, winning four of their last five games to stay on track for a division title. However, Boston defeated Buffalo in the two of the previous three matchups this season.

Here is everything you need to know about Bruins vs. Sabres, including TV and streaming options for Wednesday's game.

How to watch Bruins vs. Sabres tonight: TV channel, live stream

• TV channel: NESN (local), TNT (national), truTV (national)
• Live stream:NESN 360 (local), Fubo (local), DIRECTV (national)

Bruins vs. Sabres will air locally on NESN and nationally on TNT and truTV. The game will also be available to stream on NESN 360 (local), Fubo (local) and DIRECTV (national).

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

For those looking to follow the game on the radio, the local broadcast will air on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Bruins vs. Sabres start time

• Date: Wednesday, March 25
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Bruins vs. Sabres is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 25. The game will be played at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

Boston Bruins schedule 2025-26

Here is the upcoming schedule for the Bruins:

Buffalo Sabres schedule 2025-26

Here is the upcoming schedule for the Sabres:

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Giants vs. Yankees radio coverage: Station, channel, streaming to listen live to MLB opening night game broadcast originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 MLB season officially lifts the curtain with a cross-country clash at Oracle Park, as the New York Yankees visit the San Francisco Giants.

While the Giants are ushering in a high-energy era under first-year manager Tony Vitello — the former Tennessee skipper making a historic jump from the SEC to the big leagues — the Yankees arrive with a singular, championship-or-bust mandate to win World Series No. 28.

The narrative in the Bronx is defined by star power and health. This opener marks a homecoming for Aaron Judge, the Northern California native who nearly donned orange and black during his 2022 free agency before a last-minute reversal kept him in pinstripes. While the captain anchors the batting order, the rotation is spearheaded by 2025 ace Max Fried, who steps into the Opening Night spotlight. The Yankees are playing a long game with their pitching depth, eagerly awaiting a mid-season boost from Gerrit Cole, who continues his deliberate road back from 2025 Tommy John surgery.

Even as Vitello breaks more than a century of baseball tradition by moving directly from a college dugout to the major league level, the evening’s gravity pulls toward the return of the Yankees' perennial contention and the superstar who almost got away.

Here's everything you need to know about the radio station Yankees vs. Giants on Opening Night.

Giants vs. Yankees radio coverage

• National radio channel: SiriusXM channel 175 (Yankees) and 89 (Giants)
• Yankees radio channel: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM
• Giants radio channel: KNBR 104.5 FM/680 AM

Listeners can find Giants vs. Yankees on SiriusXM, with channel 175 being the Yankees broadcast and 89 the Giants broadcast. Both teams' broadcasts are available to stream on the SiriusXM app or website.

In the New York area, fans can also find the broadcast on WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM, while in San Francisco listeners can tune into KNBR 104.5 FM/680 AM.

New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.

Giants vs. Yankees start time

• Date: Wednesday, March 25
• Time: 8:05 p.m. ET | 5:05 p.m. PT

First pitch of Yankees vs. Giants is slated for 8:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 25. The game will be played at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California.

Max Fried, the newest addition to the top of the Yankees' rotation, is coming off a stellar 2025 season. In 195.1 innings pitched, he compiled 189 strikeouts and a dominant 2.86 ERA. His 19-5 record showcased his ability to anchor a staff, and with Gerrit Cole starting the year on the shelf, Fried steps into the Opening Night spotlight as the Yankees' primary weapon on the mound.

Logan Webb will start the Giants' opener for the fifth consecutive season. The right-hander has solidified his role as the game's ultimate workhorse after an MLB-high 207 innings in 2025. Last season, Webb went 15-11 with a 3.22 ERA, while recording a career-best 224 strikeouts, the most in the National League.

MLB Opening Day radio schedule 2026

Wednesday, March 25

Thursday, March 26

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• Latest MLB news and rumors
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March Madness odds, lines, predictions: Expert picks for 2026 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 games (March 26-27) originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Big Ten leads all conferences with six teams in the Sweet 16. 

At least one will be in the Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament after the third round on Thursday and Friday. The conference looking to break a national championship drought that extends back to 2000 has a good chance to send multiple teams to the Elite Eight. We have four winning their Sweet 16 matchup. 

The West Region and South Region play Thursday. No. 2 Purdue takes on No. 11 Texas, and No. 1 Arizona meets No. 4 Arkansas in the West Region in San Jose, Calif. No. 9 Iowa takes on No. 4 Nebraska, and No. 2 Houston meets No. 3 Illinois in the South Region in Houston. 

The East Region and Midwest Region play on Friday. In the East Region, No. 1 Duke faces No. 5 St. John's, and No. 2 UConn meets No. 3 Michigan State in Washington, D.C. In the Midwest Region, No. 1 Michigan meets No. 4 Alabama, and No. 2 Iowa State faces No. 6 Tennessee in Indianapolis. 

We finished 36-12 S/U and 23-25 ATS in the first two rounds. Here are our predictions.

MARCH MADNESS HQ:Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more

Odds courtesy of Caesars: 

March Madness picks, predictions for Sweet 16

Thursday, March 26

• No. 2 Purdue (-7) vs. No. 11 Texas  (West), 7:10 p.m., CBS 

Texas is the new-aged version of Cinderella, and Sean Miller has the Longhorns hot at the right time. The Longhorns averaged 8.3 turnovers in three tournament victories last weekend, and the key will be getting stops against Purdue's methodical style around Purdue point guard Braden Smith, who had 16 assists and 10 turnovers in the Boilermakers' first two tournament games. Purdue is shooting 57.9% from 3-point range in two tournament games. 

Pick: Purdue 84, Texas 74 

MORE: Braden Smith reflects on NCAA journey in final March Madness run

• No. 4 Nebraska (-1.5) vs. No. 9 Iowa (South), 7:30 p.m., TBS/TruTV

Big Ten rivals meet after splitting their regular season matchups. The Huskers limited Bennett Stirtz to 11 points in the last meeting – a 84-75 victory on March 8. Stirtz had 25 points when the Hawkeyes beat the Huskers 57-52 on Feb. 17. Nebraska star Pryce Sandfort averaged 14 points in the two meetings. It's a question of controlling the tempo in a near-mirror image matchup. Iowa is 1-5 S/U as an underdog of five points or less, but we think they break the trend. 

Pick: Iowa 72, Nebraska 70

• No. 1 Arizona (-8) vs. No. 4 Arkansas (West), 9:45 p.m., CBS 

John Calipari is back in the Sweet 16 with the Razorbacks, and freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. has emerged as the must-see player of the tournament with an average of 30 points and 6.5 assists through the first two rounds. Is that enough to pull an upset against Arizona, which had an average rebound margin of plus-23 in the first two rounds. Wildcats freshman Koa Peat averages 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in the tournament. Arkansas is 0-3 S/U and 1-2 ATS as an underdog of five points or more.

Pick: Arizona 88, Arkansas 77

MORE: NBA scouting report for Arkansa freshman Darius Acuff Jr.

• No. 2 Houston (-3.5) vs. No. 3 Illinois (South), 1:05 p.m., TBS 

Contrast in styles. Houston's tough defense has limited its first two tournament opponents to 52 points per game. Illinois averaged 90.5 points per game in the first two rounds. The Illini have a dynamic tandem with Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic, but all five starters can score. Houston has the hometown advantage in the South Region, and they made No. 10 Texas A&M's high-scoring offense look miserable. Illinois is better than that, but they have to get to 75 points. Houston is 2-3 S/U when they allow that many points.

Pick: Illinois 75, Houston 70

SN AWARDS: All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year

Imagn Images

Friday, March 27 

• No. 1 Duke (-6.5) vs. No. 5 St. John's (East), 7:10 p.m., CBS

It doesn't get much better than Rick Pitino vs. Duke in the second weekend. The Blue Devils have weathered injuries, and SN Player of the Year Cameron Boozer averages 20.5 points and 12 rebounds through tournament games. St. John's forward Zuby Ejifor averages 16 points and 10 rebounds. Duke is shooting 25.5% from 3-point range in the tournament, while the Red Storm is at 32.8%. Expect another thriller, but Boozer will be up to the challenge, and center Patrick Nogongba should get more minutes here. 

Pick: Duke 73, St. John's 72 

DECOURCY: Patrick Nogonga gives Duke needed lift on way to Sweet 16

• No. 1 Michigan (-10) vs. No. 4 Alabama (Midwest), 7:35 p.m., TBS/TruTV

Michigan has won eight of its last nine tournament games against SEC schools, with the only loss coming in last year's 78-65 loss to Auburn in the Sweet 16. Labaron Philon averaged 19.5 points and 9.5 assists in the first two rounds for the Crimson Tide. Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau averaged 8.5 points, eight assists with just three turnovers in the first weekend. Both teams are elite defensive rebounding teams – but the Wolverines have only allowed 90 points one time this season. Will Alabama have an answer for 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara – who has been one of the best players in the tournament so far? First one to hit that 90-point mark wins. 

Pick: Michigan 90, Alabama 85

• No. 2 UConn (-2) vs. No. 3 Michigan State (East), 9:45 p.m., CBS

The Huskies and Spartans' last meeting – a 64-60 Michigan State victory on Nov. 25, 2021 — was the last head-to-head matchup between Dan Hurley and Tom Izzo. We expect the same kind of physical battle. Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. has 27 assists in two tournament games. UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. averaged 20 rebounds in the first weekend. This is a true coin-flip game, but the Huskies can rebound with the Spartans and shoot a touch better from the floor. ]

Pick: UConn 72, Michigan State 68

MORE: Tarris Reed Jr. joins elite company with 30-20 game

• No. 2 Iowa State (-4.5) vs. No. 6 Tennessee (Midwest), 10:10 p.m., TBS

Tennessee is back in the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight season. The Vols have hit 17 of 39 (43.5%) from 3-point range. The Vols also defend the 3-point line well, which will be key against Milan Momcilovic, who is 7 of 16 (43.8%) for the tournament and 49.3% for the season. Tennessee is 3-1 S/U as an underdog of more than four points this year, and the Cyclones are trying to get back to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2000. 

Pick: Iowa State 74, Tennessee 67

Tiger Woods did not hold back after his return ended in a heavy defeat, openly admitting Jupiter Links were outplayed during the TGL SoFi Cup final.

The comeback marked his first competitive appearance in over a year, but the result quickly shifted focus from his return to the manner of the loss.

Instead of a celebratory moment, it became a reminder of how unforgiving the format can be.

Tiger Woods brutally honest after Jupiter Links loss in TGL final

Woods reacted to the defeat after Jupiter Links were beaten by the Los Angeles Golf Club in the SoFi Cup.

“We got our a__ kicked in the end. Three eagles in a row and we didn’t respond. I missed a short one at the beginning to get it started, give them momentum, and we never got it back,” Woods said.

The admission captured how quickly the match slipped away, especially once Los Angeles Golf Club built momentum late on.

It also highlighted small moments that proved decisive in a format where runs can change everything.

Tiger Woods return overshadowed by Los Angeles Golf Club dominance

Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links lost 6-5 in the opening match before being overrun 9-2 in the second, with the Los Angeles Golf Club sealing the SoFi Cup in dominant fashion.

“I’m frustrated that we didn’t get it done – we had opportunities. Last night we should’ve won that match and they [Los Angeles] took advantage of it, then they steamrolled us at the end tonight.

“It feels good to be back but I would like to have been back in better circumstances!” Woods concluded.

The second match turned one-sided late, with three consecutive eagles from Los Angeles effectively ending any chance of a comeback.

That sequence underlined the gap on the night, as Jupiter Links were unable to respond once control slipped away.

For Woods, the return delivered mixed emotions: the satisfaction of competing again, but the frustration of how it unfolded.

Read more:

Free of charge for the discerning reader.Happy birthday to PCA and others, and other stories.

Today in baseball history: 

• 1885 – A new rule is adopted stating that the pitcher must “do all his throwing to bases before he has taken his stride as if to pitch ball.”
• 1891 – Albert Spalding retires from active participation in the affairs of the Chicago Colts club and the National League. James A. Hart will assume the club presidency.
• 1934 – In New Orleans, Louisiana Mildred Didrickson (Babe Zaharias) pitches again, this time for the New Orleans Pelicans against a split squad of the Cleveland Indians. She throws two scoreless innings and lines out in her only plate appearance. In nearby Lafayette, manager Walter Johnson pitches for the other Cleveland squad against the minor league Kansas City Blues.
• 1935 – The Yankees purchase pitcher Pat Malone from the Cubs. Malone had led the N.L. in wins in 1929 and 1930, but Malone will only post a 19-13 record with the Yankees for the next three seasons.
• 1951 – Hall of Fame player/manager Eddie Collins dies in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 63. Collins batted .333 and stole 744 bases over a 25-year career, and batted .328 in six World Series with the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics.
• 1962 – Elvin Tappe is named as the Chicago Cubs’ first “head coach” of the season in team’s college of coaches plan. Chicago hasn’t had a manager since 1960. 
• 1985 – An Illinois judge rules that state and city laws effectively banning night baseball at Chicago’s Wrigley Field are constitutional. After being forced to give up a home game during the 1984 NLCS (** note below), and threatened with playing future postseason games at another stadium in order to accommodate network television’s prime-time schedules, the Cubs had sued to overturn the laws. 
• 2008 – Opening Day in Major League Baseball is held in the Tokyo Dome. The game was put in doubt earlier in the month when the Red Sox planned to “strike” due to disagreements with MLB over payment for coaches who make the trip. Daisuke Matsuzaka battles control problems, walking five, and allows two runs in five innings in a homecoming of sorts. In the sixth inning, Manny Ramirez hits a two-run double off Joe Blanton to tie the score and Brandon Moss singles him in for the lead. Oakland retakes the lead, 4-3, entering the 9th. Moss then delivers more heroics with one out in the ninth, homering off A’s closer Huston Street to tie the score. Hideki Okajima tosses a scoreless bottom of the inning for the win. In the 10th, Ramirez hits a two-run, two-out double off Street for a 6-4 lead. Oakland scores once off Jonathan Papelbon in the 10th, but he hangs on for the save. 
• 2011 – Blue Jays OF Corey Patterson is sent to the hospital when he is hit in the head by a Daniel Bard fastball during a Grapefruit League game with the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, FL.

Cubs Birthdays:Frank Dwyer, Bill Carney, Polly McLarry, Denver Grigsby, Jim Ellis, Jeff Kunkel, Scott Sanders, Neal Cotts, Pete Crow-Armstrong*. Also notable: Tom Glavine HOF.

Today in history:

• 31 – First Easter, according to calendar-maker Dionysius Exiguus.
• 421 – Friday at 12 p.m. — City of Venice founded.
• 1306 – Robert the Bruce crowned Robert I, King of Scots, having killed his rival John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch.
• 1655 – Astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovers Saturn’s largest moon, Titan.
• 1857 – Frederick Laggenheim takes the first photo of a solar eclipse.
• 1882 – 1st demonstration of pancake making, held at a department store in NYC.
• 1919 – Woodrow Wilson’s dream of a League of Nations becomes a reality after the League Covenant is adopted at the Paris Peace Conference.
• 1954 – RCA manufactures the first color TV set (12½” screen at $1,000).
• 2019 – NASA cancels a planned historic all-female spacewalk because it doesn’t have enough spacesuits to fit women.

*pictured.

**this turns out to be untrue. Click the link.

I’m back with my second mock draft of the cycle. In the first one, I focused on finding a receiver for Drake Maye early – someone the Patriots have now hosted on a visit. In this one, we’re helping Drake Maye by continuing to build on a defense that was elite in the playoffs while shoring up both lines of scrimmage. And don’t worry, there are a few flashy toys in there for Maye as well.

With most of the big movement of free agency behind us, this mock seeks to fill the holes that remain while also keeping on eye on what the team could use in 2027 and beyond.

Consensus board rankings in parentheses. My previous mock draft can be found here: 1.0

Round 1

1-31 ED R. Mason Thomas (Oklahoma | No. 47): As we get closer to draft day, we get more dots to connect on the draft process. With K’Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings departing and only Dre’Mont Jones entering, there is room for another body at edge defender. The Patriots have used two of their visits on edge rushers, including Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas. The twitchy pass rusher has 15.5 sacks in the last two seasons for the Sooners and could boost New England’s ability to get after opposing quarterbacks. Thomas is undersized, but he packs a punch and is highly mobile making him incredibly useful on the twists and stunts that were effective for the Patriots last year.

Round 2

2-63: WR Malachi Fields (Notre Dame | No. 63): Malachi Fields won’t wow anyone with his 40 time (4.61s at the NFL Combine), but his play speed was not a problem last year as evidenced by producing one of the top speeds of any receiver in the gauntlet drill. After back-to-back 800-yard seasons at Virginia, Fields transferred to Notre Dame and immediately led the Fighting Irish in yards per reception. The fifth-year wide receiver is big (6′ 4½”, 218 lbs) with an 82nd percentile wingspan and 78th percentile vertical jump. He also recorded a 3-cone time under seven seconds, which is impressive for a receiver at that size. Add in elite ball tracking and contested catch ability, and Fields could be a safety blanket for Drake Maye for years to come.

Round 3

3-95: TEOscar Delp (Georgia | No. 123): Oscar Delp didn’t have his best season in 2025, which is why it made sense when we discovered he played the full season with a hairline fracture in his foot. He was the top tight end prospect in the country coming out of high school, and a strong performance at his pro day showcased his athleticism. Delp has the kind of pedigree to develop into a starting tight end who can be above average as a receiver and as a blocker. The Patriots also hosted him on a visit recently, so there seems to be some interest within the organization.

Round 4

4-125: OT Jude Bowry (Boston College | No. 128): Bowry is an athletic tackle who has played both tackle spots under Bill O’Brien at Boston College. He comes in lighter than you would like for the position, but he moves well and was strong in pass protection last year. Transitioning from that system to one under Josh McDaniels should be a bit easier for him, and a redshirt season as a swing tackle in New England to add weight and strength could set him up for a starting role in 2027 on the right side as Morgan Moses gets older.

4-131: DL Rayshaun Benney (Michigan| No. 132): Berry was a leader and a stout run defender for Michigan’s defense on the inside. With Khyiris Tonga out the door, New England could use more strength at defensive tackle. Benney is a scheme and personality fit who could work well in their defensive line rotation as a role player in run situations with upside as a pass rusher.

Round 5

5-171: S V.J. Payne (Kansas State | No. 162): Payne is a long, physical safety who is an asset in the box as a run defender. With Kevin Byard on a one-year deal, Payne could be New England’s dime safety as a rookie, playing near the line of scrimmage and matching up with tight ends in man coverage where his length is a factor. Long-term, he could develop into a versatile piece on the back end next to Craig Woodson.

Round 6

6-191: LB Lander Barton (Utah | No. 196): Barton is an athletic linebacker who also moonlighted at tight end last year, catching six balls for 44 yards and a score. You can’t tell me Mike Vrabel, touchdown catch specialist wouldn’t be interested in him.

6-198: CB Domani Jackson (Alabama | No. 214): Jackson is big, physical, and fast. He hasn’t developed the way you would hope with his athletic traits, which is why he will be available on day three. The Alabama corner has the athleticism necessary to play outside across from Christian Gonzalez if the Patriots can find a way to develop it, which makes him an intriguing pick at this point in the process.

6-202: OG Jaeden Roberts (Alabama | No. 222): The Patriots go back-to-back with Alabama players in the sixth round in this mock. Roberts is massive and a Feldman Freak with the kind of power the Patriots need on the offensive line. He is still incredibly raw with up-and-down tape, but like Jackson before him, he has the athletic traits to be a quality starter with the right coaching.

6-212: RB Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M | No. 223): Moss has had issues staying healthy, but he has been exceptional as a runner between the tackles when he’s on the field. He averaged a whopping 6.3 yards per carry on 121 carries in 2024. Moss would project as a rotational power back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

Round 7

7-247: TE Carsen Ryan (BYU | No. 502): Ryan is one of my favorite sleepers in this draft. He didn’t get a combine invite despite having more than 600 receiving yards last year and finishing as one of PFF’s top gap-scheme blockers at tight end. He isn’t particularly dynamic after the catch, but Ryan showed good awareness to get open against zone coverage and smooth movement to separate in man. He also has the tools to be a solid blocker at the NFL level. He projects as someone who could be a high quality second tight end in the NFL, and that upside makes him worth it at this point in the draft.

What picks do you like? What would you change? Please share your thoughts on this mock draft in the comment section below.

As another Major League Baseball season approaches, preseason power rankings offer a revealing snapshot of how the league’s competitive landscape is shaping up. The Athletic’s 2026 MLB preseason power rankings reflect not only last season’s results, but also a broader evaluation of roster construction, offseason moves, player development pipelines, and organizational stability. At the top, familiar contenders dominate the conversation—teams that combine financial muscle, star power, and depth continue to set the standard. However, what makes this year’s rankings particularly compelling is the growing presence of emerging teams that have successfully transitioned from rebuilding phases into legitimate playoff threats.

RELATED: Top 20 players in the MLB in 2026

The modern MLB ecosystem rewards adaptability, and these rankings highlight which franchises have best navigated that reality. Clubs with elite pitching infrastructures, versatile lineups, and strong farm systems tend to rise, while those struggling with inconsistency or roster imbalance fall toward the bottom. Injuries, aging cores, and unanswered questions in key areas—especially starting rotation depth—also play a major role in shaping expectations heading into Opening Day.

Equally notable is the stratification across the league. There’s a clear upper tier of championship-caliber teams, a crowded middle filled with volatile but dangerous rosters, and a handful of organizations still focused on long-term development. The rankings ultimately serve as both a forecast and a conversation starter—capturing where each team stands today, while leaving room for the unpredictability that defines baseball. As always, the gap between expectation and reality will begin to close once the games actually begin.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are ranked first because they combine elite star power with unmatched organizational depth, making them the most complete roster in baseball. With Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman anchoring the lineup, they can generate offense in virtually any way—power, contact, or plate discipline. Their pitching infrastructure, even when dealing with injuries, consistently produces high-end results thanks to both development and acquisition. What separates them is sustainability: even if something goes wrong, they have the depth to absorb it, which is why they enter 2026 as clear championship favorites.

T-2. New York Yankees

The Yankees earn a top-tier ranking because of their ability to combine elite power hitting with a potentially dominant rotation. Aaron Judge remains one of the most impactful hitters in the sport, capable of carrying the offense for extended stretches. Their ceiling hinges on pitching health—if Gerrit Cole and the supporting arms are available and effective, this becomes a team with few weaknesses. There’s also improved roster balance compared to previous years, suggesting they’re less reliant on home runs alone and better equipped for postseason-style baseball.

T-2. Seattle Mariners

Seattle’s placement reflects the reality that elite pitching can elevate a team into contender status even if the offense is inconsistent. Their rotation—featuring Luis Castillo, George Kirby, and Logan Gilbert—arguably rivals any in baseball in terms of both quality and durability. The lineup has shown flashes but remains somewhat volatile, which is the primary factor keeping them from the top spot. If hitters like Julio Rodríguez take another leap and provide more consistent production, this team has a legitimate path to being the best in the American League.

T-4. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are ranked this high because they’ve quietly built one of the most balanced rosters in the National League. Their lineup blends emerging young hitters with disciplined veterans, giving them both upside and stability. The pitching staff, which had been a question mark in prior years, now looks more reliable with improved depth across both the rotation and bullpen. They may not have the overwhelming star power of the Dodgers, but their overall roster construction suggests a team capable of winning consistently over a full season.

T-4. New York Mets

The Mets’ ranking reflects optimism about a rapid turnaround driven by smart roster restructuring and player development. After pivoting away from an aging, expensive core, they now feature a mix of high-upside young talent and selectively acquired veterans. Their rotation has frontline potential if everything clicks, and the lineup has enough impact bats to compete with top teams. This is a projection-based ranking to some degree, but the ceiling is high enough that they belong among the league’s most dangerous teams entering 2026.

6. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies remain firmly in the contender tier due to their proven postseason core and ability to produce in high-leverage situations. Bryce Harper continues to anchor the offense, supported by a lineup that can generate power throughout. Their rotation, when healthy, is capable of shutting down elite opponents, which has been evident in recent playoff runs. The ranking reflects both their established floor as a playoff team and their ceiling as a legitimate World Series threat.

7. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto’s placement reflects a roster that is solid across the board but still searching for a defining edge. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remains the centerpiece, and the lineup has enough depth to be productive against most pitching staffs. Their pitching has improved in consistency, giving them a more balanced profile than in previous seasons. However, in a loaded AL East, they need everything to click at once to separate themselves from similarly talented competitors.

8. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are trending upward thanks to improved roster construction and a better blend of youth and experience. Their offense has multiple players capable of taking over games, and their depth has improved significantly compared to recent seasons. Pitching remains the swing factor—if their rotation performs above expectations, they could outperform this ranking. Overall, this is a team with a higher ceiling than in recent years but still some volatility.

RELATED: Top 10 best MLB ballparks

9. Atlanta Braves

Atlanta’s ranking may seem low given their talent, but it reflects concerns about pitching depth and overall roster balance. Ronald Acuña Jr. leads one of the most explosive offenses in baseball, capable of producing runs in bunches. However, questions about the rotation and bullpen reliability introduce risk over a full season. They remain dangerous, but slightly less stable than teams ranked above them.

10. Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers continue to rely on pitching as their identity, and that strength keeps them in the top 10. Their rotation and bullpen are capable of controlling games, particularly in playoff-style matchups. The offense has improved incrementally, providing just enough support to make them a consistent contender. Their formula may not be flashy, but it’s effective and sustainable.

11. Detroit Tigers

Detroit’s rise is a reflection of a rebuild finally yielding tangible results. Their young pitching core is beginning to establish itself as a legitimate strength, and the lineup has shown signs of growth. The key question is whether their hitters can take the next step toward consistency. If they do, this could quickly become one of the more dangerous up-and-coming teams in the league.

12. Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles remain one of the most intriguing teams due to their deep and talented young core. Players like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman give them a strong foundation both offensively and defensively. Their continued success depends on pitching development catching up to their position-player talent. They’re close to breaking into the top tier but still have a few gaps to address.

13. Kansas City Royals

Kansas City’s ranking reflects steady improvement driven by young talent and better player development. Bobby Witt Jr. is emerging as one of the league’s most dynamic players, capable of impacting games in multiple ways. Their pitching staff has also taken steps forward, giving them a more balanced roster. They’re not quite contenders yet, but the trajectory is clearly positive.

14. San Francisco Giants

The Giants continue to operate as a high-floor, moderate-ceiling team built on depth and versatility. They lack a singular superstar but compensate with a well-rounded roster and strong organizational philosophy. Their success depends on getting consistent contributions from multiple players rather than relying on one or two stars. This approach keeps them competitive but limits their upside compared to elite teams.

RELATED: Top 10 current MLB shortstops

15. Texas Rangers

Texas still benefits from a strong core led by Corey Seager and Jacob deGrom. Their lineup is capable of producing at an elite level when healthy. However, concerns about pitching depth and durability prevent them from ranking higher. They remain a dangerous team but with more volatility than true contenders.

T-16. Houston Astros

The Astros are transitioning from a dynasty-era roster to a more retooled version of themselves. Veteran leadership and experience still give them a competitive edge in close games. However, they no longer have the overwhelming talent advantage they once did. This ranking reflects respect for their track record but acknowledges some decline.

T-16. San Diego Padres

The Padres remain one of the most volatile teams in baseball due to their top-heavy roster construction. With stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, their ceiling is extremely high. However, inconsistency and depth issues have prevented them from reaching that ceiling consistently. Their ranking reflects both their potential and their unpredictability.

18. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays continue to maximize value through analytics, development, and strategic roster usage. Their pitching pipeline remains elite, allowing them to stay competitive despite budget constraints. Offensively, they tend to rely on matchup advantages rather than star power. This keeps them competitive but limits their ability to dominate.

19. Arizona Diamondbacks

A fast, athletic team led by Corbin Carroll, Arizona thrives on speed and pressure offense. However, regression concerns after recent success and pitching inconsistency keep them in the middle tier. They’re competitive but not yet fully stable.

20. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are building around a promising young core, with Oneil Cruz offering star-level upside. Their development pipeline is improving, but they’re still a year or two away from serious contention. Growth is the focus.

RELATED: MLB home run leaders in 2025

21. Oakland Athletics

Oakland remains in rebuild mode but is beginning to show signs of life. Young players are gaining experience, and there’s cautious optimism about their future core. Immediate success is unlikely, but progress is visible.

22. Cincinnati Reds

The Reds are exciting but inconsistent, largely due to their young roster. Elly De La Cruz provides highlight-level impact, but the team lacks stability. Their ceiling is high, but so is their volatility.

23. Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland sticks to its formula of pitching and contact hitting, which keeps them competitive but limits their upside. Without more power, they struggle to keep pace with elite offenses. They’re solid but not threatening.

24. Miami Marlins

Miami’s strength lies in its pitching, particularly a solid rotation. However, offensive struggles continue to hold them back. They need more consistent run production to climb the rankings.

T-25. Minnesota Twins

The Twins have talent but face questions about durability and consistency. Byron Buxton’s health remains a key variable. Their ranking reflects uncertainty more than lack of ability.

T-25. St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis is in a transitional phase after years of steady success. Their roster lacks the top-end talent of previous eras. They remain competitive but no longer project as contenders.

27. Los Angeles Angels

The Angels continue to struggle with roster construction and pitching depth. Even with star-level talent, they lack overall balance. Their ranking reflects ongoing organizational instability.

28. Chicago White Sox

Chicago is firmly in rebuild mode after underperforming in recent seasons. The roster lacks both depth and proven production. Their focus is clearly on long-term development.

RELATED: MLB earned run average leaders in 2025

29. Washington Nationals

Washington is still early in its rebuild but has promising young pieces. Development remains the priority over immediate results. Their ranking reflects a team still finding its identity.

30. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies round out the list due to persistent struggles in both pitching and roster construction. Coors Field presents unique challenges that they have yet to solve. Until significant changes are made, they remain at the bottom tier.

Conclusion

The Athletic’s 2026 preseason rankings underscore a league defined by both elite stability and rapid change. While powerhouse teams remain firmly in control at the top, a wave of ascending clubs is closing the gap. As the season unfolds, these rankings will inevitably shift—but they provide a sharp, informed baseline for what to expect.

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Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE
School: Ohio State | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20 (DOB: 08/30/2005)
Height / Weight: 6’4” / 241 lbs / 32 1/2″ arm / 40: 4.46
Projected Draft Status: 1st Round (Top 10)

College Statistics

After leading the race to fourth place for most of the season, Roma are now trailing Como, and exited early from the UEFA Europa League elimination at the hands of Bologna,  which is causing some friction between Gian Piero Gasperini and the hierarchy that will have to be solved to stay the course, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.

The brass hasn’t lost faith in the boss, who’s leading them to their best season in eight years, point-wise. Still, the Giallorossi have left some opportunities on the table, as the competition is weaker than in the past.

Gasperini has long been at odds with director Frederic Massara over some summer calls. The January acquisition of Donyell Malen hasn’t been enough to mend fences. The coach also doesn’t like that a host of players are either on loan or on expiring contracts, which is fueling significant uncertainty. Conversely, the front office believes the boss has been too slow to trust some youngsters, such as Niccolò Pisilli, Daniele Ghilardi, and Robinio Vaz.

The tactician is also irate with the medical staff. Plus, he was led to believe Claudio Ranieri, who was instrumental in luring him, would be more involved. The owners have imposed a truce until the end of the season. At that point, the parties will take stock and decide whether to stick together.

Our Take on Roma and Gasperini

It’s nothing new for him, but it was easier for Atalanta to stomach his outbursts and antics, given all the success he brought. He’ll have to tread lightly, as he won’t have that much leeway here. They surely fumbled away a good chance in Europe. If Como finished in the top four, it’d be a devastating blow for them and Juventus.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins managed to win two out of three games on a road trip through Canada last week. WBSPenguins.com with the details on each game:

Wednesday, Mar. 18 – PENGUINS 1 at Laval 5
Gabe Klassen scored Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s only goal in its first meeting with the North Division-leading Rocket. As a result, the Penguins have lost five in a row at Place Bell, with their last victory in Laval coming on Jan. 13, 2018.

Friday, Mar. 20 – PENGUINS 2 at Belleville 1 (SO)
A 28-save night by Joel Blomqvist helped the Pens win a war of attrition against the Sens. Aidan McDonough logged a power-play goal in the middle frame, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went three-for-three in the shootout with strikes from McDonough, Klassen and Avery Hayes. Blomqvist denied the league’s top goal-scorer, Arthur Kaliyev, to earn his first AHL shootout win.

Sunday, Mar. 22 – PENGUINS 4 at Toronto 3
The Penguins constructed a commanding 4-0 lead, which proved to be important insurance after a third-period fright from the Marlies. Hayes and McDonough both secured one-goal, one-assist first periods, while Rafaël Harvey-Pinard lit the lamp twice, including the game-winner.

Perhaps word will trickle back to Pittsburgh that Avery Hayes scored a shootout goal on a nice forehand deke move. Hayes was unused by the NHL Penguins over the course of three potential shootouts in the NHL during games that he recently played in.

Wilkes will get another chance to see Laval (first place in the North Division) on Saturday at home and try to repay the favor from last week’s game. WBS then stays at home on Sunday for another meeting with Lehigh Valley.

Here was the lineup the WBS Pens used last game, it’s outdated already since Ville Koivunen has been called back up to Pittsburgh. Center Tristan Broz remains out with his undisclosed injury that has held him out for all of March.

Aidan McDonough, a 26-year old playing on an AHL contract this season, has been the most consistent player for Wilkes all year long. McDonaugh has an active four-game point streak (2G+3A) and recently surpassed Broz for the team lead in scoring this season, McDonough having notched 36 points in 57 games over Broz’s 34 points in 45 games. Koivunen (33 points in 29 games), Hayes (32 points in 39 games) and Rutger McGroarty (26 points in 25 games) all have spent enough time in Pittsburgh and/or injured to not quite be the AHL’s leading scorer.

The end of the season is drawing near, WBS only has nine more games to go before the playoffs start. They still look locked into second place, the most important number for the rest of the regular season is sitting at 14. That’s the magic number for any points gained by the Penguins or lost by the Charlotte Checkers to ensure that WBS secures the second position and gains a first-round bye in the playoffs, eventually having their opening playoff series against whomever comes out of the 3/6 divisional matchup.

The Detroit Tigers open up their 2026 campaign on Thursday afternoon on the West Coast against a National League opponent for the second-straight year, looking to make it to the playoffs for a third-straight season.

This summer’s edition of the Olde English D has a bit more beef to it than that of last year’s, especially with the addition of Framber Valdez to the starting rotation, as well as a late-career reunion with the legendary Justin Verlander.

Looking ahead to what we all hope is a run to the World Series, the Bless You Boys staff convened to offer their predictions in roundtable fashion. The categories up for discussion were as follows:

• Tigers Record
• Tigers MVP
• Tigers CY Young
• Tigers ROY

A good portion of the responses were pretty much expected, especially when it came to a certain consecutive Cy Young Award winner and the top prospect in the big leagues. But there was plenty of variation in the record predictions, plus a few cheeky picks as well.

Take a long look at what the Bless You Boys staff had to offer.

Cannon at the Hot Corner:

Record: 92-70

This is a better team than last year. Valdez is important, JV is back, Finnegan and Jansen stabilize the bullpen, and you might have heard of Kevin McGonigle. This isn’t some flawless super team or anything, and the bottom of the division is gonna give us fewer easy wins than last year, but it’s a great roster to start a championship chase with.

MVP: Colt Keith. Why the f not? I’ll put my money where my mouth is. I love Keith, I think he’s gonna turn into a .280/30 HR kinda guy, and I hate being boring. My next two picks are super boring.

Cy Young: Well, here’s boring. It’s Skubal. We all know it’s Skubal.

ROY: Ok, here’s boring answer two. If this is someone other than McGonigle, I fear things will have gone terribly wrong.

Patrick O’Kennedy:

• Tigers Record: 88- 74
• Tigers MVP: Tarik Skubal
• Tigers CY Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: Kevin McGonigle

Peter Kwasniak:

For some reason, I’m not feeling very bold on predictions this year. I’ll go with the obvious choices all around.

• Tigers Record: 90-72
•  Tigers MVP: Skubal
•  Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
•  Tigers ROY: McGonigle

Hopefully, the Tigers put together a solid season, not the wild, hotter-than-the-sun first half and colder-than-arctic finish.

Frisbee Pilot:

• Tigers Record: 92-70
• Tigers MVP: Kerry Carpenter
• Tigers Cy Young: Framber Valdez
• Tigers ROY: McGonigle

I enjoy being both optimistic and unconventional… except for ROY, we all know McG’s gonna absolutely kill it out there.

Brandon Day:

• Tigers record 91-71
• Tigers MVP: Greene
• Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: McGonigle

Boring takes, but I believe in them. I really think the combination of McGonigle and hopefully healthy Gleyber is going to make this a more consistent offense, and this is the best pitching staff they’ve had since 2014. They have good depth beyond the starting five in the rotation. Just have to hope the big boys stay healthy and do what they’re supposed to do, but that’s the way it is for everyone.

Frisbee: I was thinking maybe Riley for Tigers MVP, but I’m really worried about his physical decline so far. Or maybe it’s just a bump in the road, who knows?

Day: Yeah, hard to know. He’s 25, but he is going into his fifth season already and thrown himself around a lot in the outfield. Not so surprising that he lost a step but the metrics definitely agree that he was a bit below average runner last year after always being on the faster than average side his first few years. I would bet Riley has a 40 home run season or two ahead of him though and hasn’t really peaked as a hitter. May just need to get him into the DH spot once a week going forward to help keep him fresh. But Riley has never really failed as a hitter his whole life until the second half of last year and he didn’t like it. I bet he comes back strong.

Cam Kaiser:

• Tigers Record: 88-74
• Tigers MVP: Skubal
• Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: McGonigle

On paper, the Tigers got better this offseason in a way that fans haven’t seen since Mike Ilitch was dolling out six-figure contracts like hot cakes. With the acquisition of Framber Valdez and future Hall of Famer and Detroit legend Justin Verlander, it’s exciting to see them back to being players for major free agents.

Hopefully, it’s a sign of what’s to come for the future of the pairing of Chris Ilitch and Scott Harris. There are still major concerns, though. Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize had very discouraging springs, while potential rotation solutions in Reese Olson (entire season) and Troy Melton (foreseeable future) find themselves on the shelf with arm injuries. Kenley Jansen and Drew Anderson should elevate the bullpen over the goofballs Harris acquired at last year’s deadline, Kyle Finnegan — welcome back! — not withstanding, though they are still lacking in the strikeout department.

Finally, the offense wasn’t upgraded externally. Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, and Gleyber Torres should be solidly above-average hitters. Spencer Torkelson and Dillon Dingler will probably hit. But this is a middle-of-the-pack offense that was inflated in the first half of 2025 by All-Star (half) years from Javier Báez and Zack McKinstry.

The biggest upgrade to the lineup rests with the bat of the team’s top prospect in Kevin McGonigle. McGonigle had an excellent spring and, by all indications, seems to be breaking camp with the big club, but expecting an immediate impact from any rookie is asking a lot. We’ll see what the kid can do; the season might depend on him.

Ashley MacLennan:

I’m choosing to go high on this season like an absolute fool.

• Tigers Record: 90-72
• Tigers MVP: Riley Greene (please, Riley, please)
• Tigers Cy Young: Tarik Skubal
• Tigers ROY: Kevin McGonigle, duh

Jay Markle:

• Tigers Record: 89-73
• Tigers MVP: Skubal
• Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: McGonigle

Fielder’s Choice:

• Tigers Record: 88-74
• Tigers MVP: Skubal
• Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: McGonigle

Zane Harding:

This was an 87-75 team last year that was a massive collapse away from 90-plus wins. Nevertheless, that’s a .500 team without Skubal.

All else equal — a bold assumption, I know — we added Valdez/Verlander in free agency, 6.2 fWAR last year, and are promoting McGonigle, a Bobby Witt Jr. level prospect who is projected for 2.6 fWAR by ZiPS in just 91 games of action… (he’s projected to exceed Witt’s rookie season, to speak to his hype.)

I’ll still factor some for entropy, but I’m coming in bullish relative to the roundtable.

• Tigers Record: 96-66
• Tigers MVP: Skubal
• Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: McGonigle

Easiest answers for MVP Cy and ROY ever.

MacLennan: Poor Kevin if it turns out he just has a somewhat okay rookie season, lol. We’re literally pinning our hopes and dreams on him and Skoob.

Day: Well, add Framber and Kevin to last year’s squad, and I like their chances over the Mariners. Postseason ball is impossible to predict, of course.

Harding: Witt was worth 2.3 fWAR in his 150-game rookie season, FWIW. He was 22; McGonigle is 21.

Mr. Sunshine:

• Tigers Record: 98-64
• Tigers MVP: Gleyber Torres
• Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: McGonigle

Harding: NOOOO Sunshine out-wins again!

Cannon: Wow, 98 is crazy. I like this guy’s thinking

Les Lim:

• Tigers Record: 95-six seven
• Tigers MVP: McGonigle
• Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: Max Clark

Adam Dubbin:

• Tigers Record: 87-75
• Tigers MVP: Spencer Torkelson
• Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: McGonigle

It’s the year of the Tork, baby! But I think the team will underperform overall.

David Rosenberg:

• Tigers Record: 91-71
• Tigers MVP: Greene
• Tigers Cy Young: Skubal
• Tigers ROY: McGonigle

I’m not really picking anything too spicy this year, but that’s because this is a good team that has a chance to be great. The Tigers were a win away from the ALCS in 2025. The pitching staff is better and the lineup has more experience, and adding Kevin McGonigle to the roster is the offensive addition that they needed.

Now that you know where the Bless You Boys staff stands entering the 2026 campaign, give us your takes in the comments below!

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

Plenty of goals once again. Jack Hughes scored two goals, and the Devils hung on for a 6-4 win over the Stars on Tuesday. [Devils NHL]

Well!

After a solid stretch of the season, a look around the roster at some players who are rising and and trending down: [Infernal Access ($)]

“It’s too little too late, but the New Jersey Devils have finally opened up their offense. After struggling to score for much of this season, they’ve started lighting the lamp more often since the Olympics.” [Devils on the Rush ($)]

A look at the prospect pool: “The Devils’ pool lacks a top prospect up front, but they have a star goalie (as well as another who is intriguing), multiple legit D prospects and some peripheral forwards who could play games.” [The Athletic ($)]

“Anton Silayev, drafted 10th overall by the Devils in the 2024 NHL Draft, is currently battling with Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL playoffs. Once his post-season run comes to a close, the 6-foot-7 blueliner is expected to sign his entry-level contract with the Devils.” [The Fourth Period]

Hockey Links

“NHL goaltending is quickly becoming one of the most volatile positions in all major sports. Here’s some evidence to support that belief, along with possible explanations for why.” [The Athletic ($)]

“The New York Rangers were awarded an extra shot on goal on Tuesday as part of their 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators Monday night, bringing their total for the game up to 10. The additional shot helped the Rangers avoid the dubious record of being the first team in the salary-cap era to be held to under 10 shots on net in a game. The mark would have also been the fewest shots on goal allowed by the Senators in franchise history.” [TSN]

An impressive number for Paul Maurice:

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

Corriere dello Sport

“Endless No.9”

Italy, no more mistakes: World Cup at all costs Tomorrow in Bergamo: Northern Ireland – play-offs begin for a place in America Gattuso chooses Kean and Retegui Best attack among teams yet to qualify: 21 goals, but Belfast was a warning

Italy are under pressure heading into the World Cup play-offs. Despite strong attacking numbers, past failures still hang over them. Gattuso is expected to rely on Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui to lead the line.

“Napoli move for Goretzka”

German midfielder set to leave Bayern Also liked by Milan and Juventus

Napoli are pushing to sign Leon Goretzka, with competition from other Serie A giants.

“Milan go for Castro”

Move for Bologna’s Argentine striker

Milan are targeting Santiago Castro as a potential attacking reinforcement.

“Juve eye Kessie”

Spalletti idea The midfielder wants to leave Al-Ahli

Juventus are linked with a surprise move for Kessie, as Spalletti looks for midfield options.

“Thuram, Premier League interest”

Newcastle and Aston Villa keen

Marcus Thuram is attracting attention from England, creating a potential transfer battle.

Tuttosport

“Italy, you’re worth 10 times more than them”

Squad value: €473m vs €45m (Northern Ireland) Kean prefers Retegui Dimarco: ‘Mateo knows how to score’ Pio Esposito pushing for Bergamo Palestra dreaming of the World Cup

Big focus on the gap in quality between Italy and Northern Ireland, with expectation firmly on the Azzurri to deliver.

“Vlahovic gives Juventus a hand”

Agents arrive in Turin, meeting expected Dusan decides to stay and explore renewal Possible agreement around €6m salary

Positive signs for Juventus as Vlahovic edges closer to extending his contract.

“Dortmund already in for Vlasic”

Torino at risk of losing him

Nikola Vlasic is attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

“Lippi launches Italy”

The World Cup-winning coach backs Gattuso ‘Rino is like me. We’ll make it’ Italy vs Northern Ireland tomorrow Palestra tested

Marcello Lippi throws his support behind Gattuso, expressing confidence Italy will qualify.

“Koné tempts Inter”

Over €40m offer needed for the midfielder

Inter are interested in Manu Koné but face a high asking price.

“Vlahovic renewal close”

Agreement nearing for Juventus striker

Further confirmation that Juventus are working toward keeping Vlahovic long-term.

“Final attack”

Milan, there’s Leao Nkunku also a target

Milan are planning attacking reinforcements, with Nkunku linked and Leao central to their plans.

The season is finally almost here! Opening Day is tomorrow for the Cardinals at 3:15pm CST. It will be Drew Rasmussen taking the mound for the Rays in St Louis, and Matthew Liberatore will be your Opening Day starting pitcher for the Cardinals. The Cardinals will have their work cut out for them because Rasmussen is a legit ace pitcher, going by his rate stats, while Liberatore’s portfolio of stats isn’t nearly as exciting. However, Liberatore isn’t walking anyone lately, and the Rays lineup shouldn’t be that scary for him. Could/should be a really good opener.

Who showed up to Spring Training this year ready to demolish some baseballs? Josh Baez and Nelson Velazquez! Neither of whom made the team out of spring training. I am willing to believe that neither were going to make the team before spring training even started, but they both gave us a glimpse of some powerful reinforcements down on the farm. Somehow Velazquez hardly struck out at all and took some walks, showing some possible veteran poise. Baez showed monster power, and that’s not potential, that’s real in game home run power. Sure he’s going to strike out, but damn.

Speaking of monster power, Tai Peete struck out over half the time but had an ISO of .455. Alec Burleson had a high batting average and an OBP of .458! Hoping he can be a key part of this offense, because basically, he has to. Nolan Gorman and Nathan Church are showing a lot of promise with wRC+ around 135-140 this spring! That’s a lot better than not bad. Spring training sample size caveat reminder! Even less meaningful were the positive offensive performances of Thomas Saggese and Jimmy Crooks III, who outhit JJ Wetherholt, the last player I’ll mention as a positive from Spring Training. Sure JJ wasn’t a lot above an average hitter, but it was better than seeing him flounder and possibly not make the team. Although, I’m pretty sure he would’ve anyway.

Which players weren’t ready for spring training or weren’t really trying to impress, maybe working on some things batting-wise? Yohel Pozo, Ramon Urias, and Victor Scott II will surely be below average hitters. Ivan Herrera’s mystery swollen knee held him back from making much progress, at least in spring training. He has certainly set back the schedule regarding catching, but they already had Pozo and Pages in place, so it’s tough to know what the real plan was there. Regardless, he wasn’t quite ready for spring training. Buddies Masyn Winn and Jordan Walker could barely hit at all all spring long. The hitting performances of Jose Fermin and Cesar Prieto did nothing whatsoever to instill any confidence in their offense. But the worst hitter of all this spring was Pedro Pages! Showing a -10 wRC+. How does one even do that? A batting average worse than a pitcher’s with absolutely zero power. I will yawn at every Pedro Pages at bat until August!

Pitching-wise, only 6 pitchers got past the 10 IP mark. Liberatore and Leahy dominated the xFIP rates, Liberatore and Dustin May looked really good by FIP, and May, Liberatore, McGreevy, and Pallante all had good springs by ERA. You can tell why Oliver Marmol was fond of his pitching staff. Quinn Mathews also got a good look in spring, but his Fielding Independent Pitching stats weren’t too impressive in 11 IP. What was impressive was his K/9. Batters weren’t hitting him well, he was just walking too many people.

Beyond that, there isn’t much to say other than the bullpen looks to be at least mediocre. Pushard didn’t have a good spring but made the cut. Roycroft did have a good spring and will be a part of the bullpen, at least to start the season. Blewett, Svanson, Bruihl, and Romero seem like they will be just fine. One standout was George Soriano, I think he’ll be an important piece to the bullpen puzzle this year. And don’t forget Ryne Stanek! Maybe they’ll trade Soriano, Stanek, Romero, and Pushard, maybe Roycroft at the deadline. I don’t know. Gotta make way for Luis Gastelum etc, eventually.

So we are picked as a last place team this year, but how could they avoid the basement? The Reds are already helping by losing Hunter Greene for a while. The Pirates are waiting on Konor Griffin. The Brewers may finally come back down to earth. The Cubs would need to be devastated by some big injuries to drop off. So it’s probably up to the Cardinals to overperform their projections.

Masyn Winn might just be a 3 WAR player this year, if he doesn’t hit much. But maybe he finally meets his potential in 2026. It’s ok to ignore spring training. If Ivan Herrera gets more playing time and he really is a 130-140 wRC+ hitter, he will have no problem beating every projection system that has calculated his forward potential. JJ Wetherholt is expected to top out at 2.5 WAR or so, but what if he just goes off instead? Will this be a season where ROY is determined by WAR?

If Alec Burleson continues his trend of being a better hitter every season, he will have no problem outdoing his WAR projections, which hover around 1.5 to 2 WAR. Then you have spring training Nolan Gorman who looks like a candidate for comeback player of the year award.

I might be crazy but I think the starting rotation is better than the projected totals. It doesn’t take much to imagine them as better than a bunch of 1.5 WAR guys. My picks to totally beat that are Liberatore and May. Liberatore because I think he’s one of those slowly improving players each year, and May because I think he will finally be healthy a full season and reach his true potential. Will I be wrong about that? Maybe so! But I’m not going to just expect him to get hurt again. Track record be damned.

HOT TAKES

Here are my hotter than hot takes! List your’s in the comments! Nolan Gorman MVP and Dustin May Cy Young Award Winner. Cardinals make the playoffs despite Winn, VSii, Walker, and Pages not hitting. The pitching ends up being a strength, and Gorman, Herrera, and Burleson fuel a surprising offense. Wetherholt ends up being an above average hitter but a more notable defensive second baseman, teaming up with Winn to prevent almost anything from making it through the middle infield. Gorman and Burleson end up being average, good enough at the corners. The blend of Church and Scott II make the outfield defense air tight. The Cardinals set some records with run prevention. Herrera ends up being the catcher by the end of the season and Nelson Velazquez the DH. Baez ends up being at AAA all season because of Jordan Walker. But it ends up being good for him, development-wise.

Thomas Saggese, Jimmy Crooks III, and half the bullpen get traded away, but the second half ends up being spectacular for the Cardinals. Innings are managed to allow the better starting pitchers to get more time on the mound during the last two months of the season. Walker doesn’t hit all season but goes red hot in the playoffs, making the management and owners look like geniuses. Rally rabbit hops all over the field.

So of course my hot take involves the hopium, give me your most negative takes. Or your most over the top positive predictions. It will be tough to beat some of the 100 loss hot takes, though. How about an earthquake splits Busch Stadium III asunder! And some get their wish for the Cardinals to move out of St Louis. HOT HOT HOT! Give me those hot takes. Imagine, if you will, a world even more insane than this one.

1983

Bonus! a big writing project is underway: writing about each year of my life. I’m only up to 1983 so I’ve a ways to go on this.

The first commercial cell phone call was made in Chicago on October 13, 1978, and it was the beginning of the internet as we know it that year too!

Return of the Jedi was the big movie that year, and I got to see it in the theaters multiple times just after its release. Episodes 4-6 is one of the best trilogies ever made. It was mostly downhill after that, but I cherish my early Star Wars memories and Christmas was always full of toys back then. Especially Star Wars toys!

My less obvious 1983 must see movie picks:

• Videodrome by David Cronenberg
• V on NBC (a reptilian sci-fi drama series that was a big part of the early 80s!)
• Fire and Ice fantasy animated movie directed by Ralph Bakshi
• Strange Brew (Canadian beer comedy!)

Going to be focusing mostly on music this week! Turns out 1983 is another one of those ridiculously stacked years… lots and lots of punk rock coming to fruition and plenty of other cultural movements happening!

• Tom Waits – ‘Swordfishtrombones’ I want people to hear this who haven’t heard it, and if you have, you know it is one of Tom Waits’ best albums! Absolutely fantastic listen. It’s with this album Tom Waits gets really good and never looks back. His songwriting was always top notch, but Waits adds a signature sound to his already masterful equation. Standout track: “16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six”
• Swans – ‘Filth’ I heard this later on in my musical life experience, and it was still utterly mindblowing decades later! I cannot imagine what it must’ve sounded like upon its release in 1983. Holy Ffffff. Some of the nastiest, machine-like playing by actual humans you’ll ever hear. Far darker and heavier than just about anything you could hear from a rock or punk band, Swans create a whole new thing here. Every track stands out and just smashes you down, grinds you up in some kind of clanking, strange machine.
• Minutemen – ‘What Makes A Man Start Fires’ this is my big revelation this week, I either haven’t heard this particular Minutemen album, or it’s been so long I forgot how good it actually is. The Minutemen pave a lot of new ground and meld several styles into their own thing. Mike Watt’s bass playing on this is nothing less than phenomenal. What Makes A Man Start Fires’ inherently ultra high, positive energy is rarely matched by anyone. Except maybe by Jerrys Kids which I’ll list later…
• Pylon – ‘Chomp’ another big 1983 find! This album is catchy as hell, has some depth to it, and the album cover cracks me up every time! Lots of variety of 80s and punk rock songs in a standard guitar bass drums rock format. A total 80s classic! Must listen! A lost gem. One of the big reasons I’m enjoying doing this so much is all the obscure bands not even I have heard of. Another album that I wonder what people thought of when it came out. They were supposedly influential on early R.E.M. The vocals of Vanessa Briscoe Hay really make the band for me, as does the up-front, in-your-face bass playing, and the creative guitarist.
• Talking Heads – ‘Speaking In Tongues’ Probably my favorite Talking Heads album, and that’s saying a lot! They’re making my best of the year lists A LOT. What makes this one my favorite is the production is better than the others before it, and there is an even more expansive variety of styles on display by the band, all the while serving each song well. They also sound more mature and experienced here.
• Metallica – ‘Kill Em All’ some albums will just never get old, and that’s true for Metallica’s debut. Sure Metallica had some influences, but the way they fused them together and the energy they put into it was next level, especially for the time. It still sounds fresh, which is not easy to do considering it’s from 1983! Metallica were not the heaviest, fastest, or choppiest of the thrash metal bands, but they were one of the first, and what they excelled at was songwriting and high energy, memorable guitar solos. But don’t forget the James Hetfield downpicking guitar riff would propel them through all their most amazing albums.
• Eskaton – ‘Fiction’ the strange genre of Zeuhl meets the oddball goofiness of the 80s! It retains all of its prog rockness and the funk influences, but sounds like they had no problem fitting that into the realm of 80s music. Somehow, they were able to make the change more naturally than other prog-oriented bands.
• Cocteau Twins – ‘Head Over Heels’ another album from the future, music-wise. The production sounds a bit muted, but I bet at the time it was insanely groundbreaking! What they are doing musically is way ahead of their time. One of the signature bands of the 80s, I love it. The way the drum machines and guitars, vocals sound on this album, is the stuff of legends…
• Bad Brains – ‘Rock For Light’ the first Bad Brains album is almost indecipherable production-wise, but Rock For Light shines through production-wise and with a whole new scope of top-tier reggae interlude songs. The punk is still young energy hyper-fast and intense, but with more variety. A good introduction to the world of Bad Brains! This album is another one ahead of its time.
• Jerrys Kids – ‘Is This My World?’ I think I asked the same question as a kid and felt a little depressed. Is this really the world we live in? I grew up in the Cold War era with emergency drills for tornadoes, nuclear war, and even earthquakes. But at least I didn’t have the shooter drills. This is one of the best punk rock albums ever made, and the drummer sounds like he is going to explode the whole time! Another big find in my hunt for good albums from 1983. It might only be 24 minutes, but it gets its message across just as well or better than many 40-minute+ albums. What a shot of adrenaline!
• Steve Hiett – ‘Down On The Road By The Beach’ had never heard this one before, but it didn’t sound like anything else from 1983, or much else after. It has such a chill but warm sound, throughout. Relaxing. Summer daydream vibes.
• Crass – ‘Yes Sir, I Will’ I was in some improv punk bands and had never heard this before, it reminds me of what we were doing which wasn’t easy listening, either! Life is chaos. Advanced listening anarchy.
• Takeo Moriyami – ‘East Plants’ next level jazz genius from Japan! The thunderous but precise drums are from Takeo himself, a drummer and band leader. Masterclass jazz series.
• Dio – ‘Holy Diver’ It makes the list for the songs Holy Diver and Rainbow In The Dark! But the whole album is perfect. Also, I love how prominently the bassist is in the mix, making it a unique standout heavy metal album. The whole album has a stripped down to the bolts sound that works really well for the band.
• Amebix – ‘No Sanctuary’ this band gave birth to the crustpunk genre right here, and heavily influenced the futures of both grindcore and black metal. Another short and to the point listen, clocking in at 27 minutes. The whole damn thing sounds so epic.
• Misfits – ‘Earth A.D./Wolf’s Blood’ dingy production but high energy, hyper stylized punk rock! Legends.
• The Henry Threadgill Sextet – ‘Just The Facts and Pass The Bucket’ contemporary 1983 jazz at its finest
• Disciplina Kičme – ‘Sviđa Mi Se Da Ti Ne Bude Prijatno’ I don’t know much about this but the music is amazing! A truly fun foreign art punk find. Super catchy. Probably should be ranked higher!
• Mercyful Fate – ‘Melissa’ an early metal classic on par with ‘Kill Em All’ except for the impossibly silly vocals, which only appear half the time at least, on this album. I don’t exactly hate the vocals, but it renders the band to a few songs at a time for me. Maybe slowly I will get more used to those ridiculous satanic vocals, but for now I must admire how early the metal is here, the band kicks ass. Mercyful Fate was one of the tightest instrumentally of any of the early metal bands.
• Suicidal Tendencies – ‘self-titled’ and to round out the top 20 albums of 1978, the legendary debut of the band who brought us the 1980’s punk songs on many a mix tape: “Institutionalized” and “I Saw Your Mommy”.

Honorable Mentions: Madonna is a really fun listen and part of my childhood soundtrack, you heard it everywhere along with Hall and Oates and Men At Work. She’s So Unusual by Cindy Lauper! Another part of my childhood memories soundtrack. And Jon Hassell ‘Magic Realism’. I forgot to include his album with Brian Eno in my 1980 writeup! Massive overlook on that one. While I do like Magic Realism I do not find it to be one of his top tier albums, so if this one feels a bit like background music, this is one of his more ambient albums. Still love it though.

Cannot believe opening day is finally here tomorrow wooooooo. To help make the time go by faster, time for some hot takes…

Opening Day is tonight. Kind of. Well, the Yankees and Giants play tonight, on Netflix, so I guess it’s Opening Night.

And there will be stars on the broadcast.

From other sports. Not baseball, mind you. There will be wrestling people.

On Netflix.

I hate MLB sometimes.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• The roster is set with all decisions having been made. Here is a look at what went into those decisions and how they’ll move forward ($).
• There is a lot riding on this roster this year and their ability to win a World Series. How their legacies are remembered might depend on it ($).
• There have been quite a few changes to Citizens Bank Park once you get there this year. Don’t worry, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

MLB news:

• Pete Crow-Armstrong will stick around Chicago for a while thanks to a newly signed six-year contract extension.
• Of course, what would it be without the wild predictions of Jim Bowden for the 2026 season ($). My guess is he doesn’t predict new contracts for anyone.
• Kevin McGonigle will begin the season on the Tigers’ roster. He’s probably the Rookie of the Year favorite in the AL right now.
• Formerly one of their top prospects in their player development system, Luis Matos has been designated for assignment by the Giants.

After a long offseason, the wait is finally over. Opening Day has officially arrived on the calendar, and the New York Yankees are going to be one of the two teams marking the start of the 2026 Major League Baseball season.

As the only game of the day—well, evening—the eyes of every baseball fan will be tuned in to the action at Oracle Park out in San Francisco. The Yankees begin their season out west in front of a hostile crowd rooting on their Giants, now led by former University of Tennessee Volunteers manager Tony Vitello, a curious choice made by team legend and president of baseball operations Buster Posey.

San Francisco has made the playoffs just once since 2016 and looks to improve upon a 2025 season in which they finished at exactly the .500 mark and third in the National League West, while the Yankees once again move toward the goal of winning a World Series in the era of Aaron Judge. For more on the Giants as a whole, check out my colleague Matt’s team preview, and of course we’ve done a full player-by-player preview for everyone on the Yankees. Their roster is all but finalized.

All first pitch times below are Eastern Standard Time; Yankees starters were confirmed by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch and the Giants by Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. Happy 2026 season, everyone! Let’s play ball.

Wednesday — Max Fried vs. Logan Webb (8:05 pm)

After Gerrit Cole went down with a season-ending arm injury in March 2025 that required Tommy John surgery, it was the newly-signed Max Fried’s job to step in and take over the role of ace, which he did extremely well. He finished last season with a 19-5 record and a 2.86 ERA with 189 strikeouts in 195.1 innings pitched. He earned an All-Star nod, a Gold Glove, and finished fourth in American League Cy Young Award voting. Cole’s injury happened late enough in camp last year that the Yankees elected to have Carlos Rodón start Opening Day rather than move Fried off schedule, but he was clearly prepared for the Opening Day nod this time around (Cole continues to work back into shape and get ready for a return). The southpaw previously started three Opening Days for the Braves from 2021-23, and is raring to go in 2026.

However, at the other end of the spectrum is a pitcher who had a spectacular season last year as well: Logan Webb. The Giants’ workhorse ace pitched 207 innings, the most of anyone in MLB, and tallied 224 strikeouts, pacing the National League. Webb recorded a 3.22 ERA and also finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting. So, not only will baseball fans get a glimpse at a couple of exciting offenses, but these two aces are coming off fantastic seasons and will be sure to battle it out against one another — especially in a pitcher’s park like Oracle. This will be Webb’s fifth consecutive Opening Day start for the Giants, remarkably passing Posey’s old batterymates Tim Lincecum and Madison Bumgarner (among others) for second in team history, only trailing Hall of Famer Juan Marichal.

As a reminder, the Opening Day game will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix.

Friday — Cam Schlittler vs. Robbie Ray (4:35 pm)

After a day off, the Yankees and Giants will take the field again for the second matchup of three and the first familiar telecast of the season on YES Network. This pitching duel will be between a young, up-and-coming right-hander and a well-established, veteran left-hander.

Last year, Cam Schlittler made waves, pitching in 14 games for the Yankees, racking up 1.3 fWAR and a 2.96 ERA in 73.0 innings pitched. The rookie’s best performance came in the AL Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox, his childhood team. He pitched eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts in the winner-take-all game, all as a rookie. Now, Schlittler begins his first full season at the major-league level, and he will have to use his excellent stuff to beat the man across from him.

Robbie Ray had his best season in a few years in 2025, pitching 180+ innings for the first time since 2022—the season after his Cy Young Award-winning year in Toronto earned him a big contract—and ending with a respectable 3.65 ERA. While his strikeout stuff declined relative to his stellar earlier career, he lowered his walk and home run rates in the process, and entering the season at age 34, he’s looking to start off another solid campaign. It will be his third in San Francisco since coming over in a January 2024 trade with the Mariners, mid-Tommy John surgery rehab.

Saturday — Will Warren vs. Tyler Mahle (7:15 pm)

In the final matchup of MLB opening weekend before an odd Sunday offday, two hurlers look to prove themselves for their respective clubs. This one will be broadcast on Fox.

Will Warren pitched 162.1 innings last year for the Yankees and tied for the AL lead with 33 starts, but his 4.44 ERA likely isn’t something he’s satisfied with, especially given his upgraded role in the rotation for the time being. He still finished the 2025 season with 2.1 fWAR, which is more than respectable enough for a 26-year-old in his first full major league season. However, with up-and-down results leading to more offseason work, there’s an opportunity for Warren to truly cement himself as a key member of the top five.

As for righty Tyler Mahle, he is a new member of the Giants organization, having played last season down south with the Texas Rangers. He pitched only 86.2 innings in 16 games due to a right rotator cuff injury and shoulder strain, but in those 86.2 innings, he pitched well. His 2.18 ERA looks excellent (despite the predictive numbers suggesting he should be around the 4-4.5 mark), and because of that, he finished the season with 1.9 fWAR. That being said, last season, he didn’t finish with the best numbers in terms of strikeouts, so there could be some room for bat-to-ball skills from the Yankees to be utilized. Mahle also pitched well in limited time during spring training, not givinp a run in four games and 10 innings pitched. New Giants skipper Vitello feels comfortable with his stuff and will have him close out this series.

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Tuesday.

Montreal Canadiens News

Jakub Dobes was the most important rookie in Montreal’s pivotal 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, though he was not the only first-year player who made his mark. Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen scored, however, Dobes was rightfully given the first star, as he stopped 41 of the 43 shots sent his way to secure the win. [Canadiens Highlights: Rookies Drive The Charge In Pivotal Win]

Nikita Kucherov, Filip Forsberg and Cole Caufield have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending March 22.

3 Stars of the Week presented by @GEICO#NHLStats: https://t.co/pawJhhBAOxpic.twitter.com/rgrSN3jy1C

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 23, 2026

Take a closer look at how Montreal’s AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, has managed to become a beacon of success in some of the most important roles of a farm team: player development and establishing a winning culture. [Top-5 Reasons The Laval Rocket Continue To Find AHL Success]

Another day, another impressive statistic resulting from Cole Caufield’s goal-scoring excellence.

Enjoying a career best season, @CanadiensMTL winger Cole Caufield has recorded over half of his 43 goals in 2025-26 in his past games 21 alone. It's a span of play that ties the 25-year old behind just 6 other marks on this list of names going back over the last 100 NHL seasons pic.twitter.com/N3Apu1pHLD

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) March 24, 2026

Juraj Slafkovsky had a rather humble approach to discussing the comparison made by NHL legend Jaromir Jagr.

Juraj Slafkovsky on Jaromir Jagr recently saying: “I like Slaf’s game, maybe because see myself in him when I was young”:

“If I can get even halfway—or maybe just a third—as good as he was, I’ll be satisfied. In any case, I’m flattered, and it’s great motivation for me.” pic.twitter.com/2TTdhshas0

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 24, 2026

Speaking of Slafkovsky, he and the rest of the Canadiens are well aware what’s at stake as they turn the corner down the final stretch of the season.

Juraj Slafkovsky today on the final stretch of the Habs regular season:

“We know what brings us success. We know what we have to do out there. Saying it is one thing. Actually doing it is the most important thing we have to do, for this final stretch and the playoffs.” pic.twitter.com/Tk2ckkvT43

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 24, 2026

It took over a week, but the NHL finally decided to penalize Beckett Sennecke for his awful dive versus the Habs. He was fined $2000, as he was already warned for a previous embellishment earlier in the month.

Hopefully Sennecke is okay. That was very violent. pic.twitter.com/2P4VauUEkE

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) March 16, 2026

Some unfortunate news on the Montreal-related injury front. Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin will be out of action until early April.

Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin has been moved to long-term injury reserve, retroactive to March 15, with a knee injury.

She is eligible to return on April 5th. pic.twitter.com/K7B5aIkYDU

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 24, 2026

Sportsnaut Network

Collin Graf’s emergence as an NHL impact player is a tribute to every level of San Jose Sharks’ scouting and development and coaching. [San Jose Sharks]

The Avalanche are getting healthy and the lineup is starting to take shape. Just two days after captain Gabe Landeskog returned from a two-week absence, the Avs are set to get Logan O’Connor and Ross Colton back in the lineup [Colorado Avalanche]

Could the NHL adopt a similar format as the NBA? The league has been linked to a potential Play-In Tournament after the success in the NBA over the last few years. In fact, a new rumour has revealed the NHL’s stance on a Play-In Tournament for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. [NHL]

Related Headlines

• Canadiens Highlights: Rookies Shine In Crucial Win
• Canadiens Preview: Dobes Starts Versus Talented Hurricanes
• Top-5 Reasons The Laval Rocket Continue To Find AHL Success

Our first round of voting has come to a close and we had ourselves an UPSET BABY!!! The results from the Barkley region…

#1 Saquon Barkley (97%) over #16 Sam Ficken (3%)
#9 Sean Clifford (83%) over #8 Shareef Miller (17%)
#4 KJ Hamler (89%) over #13 John Reid (11%)
#5 Mike Hull (55%) over #12 Zane Durant (45%)
#6 Arnold Ebiketie (59%) over #11 Brenton Strange (41%)
#14 Zakee Wheatley (52%) over #3 Austin Johnson (48%)
#7 Dani Dennis-Sutton (92%) over #10 Caedan Wallace (8%)
#2 Olu Fashanu (93%) over #15 Shaka Toney (7%)

So not a lot of surprises there other than the MAJOR upset of Zakee Wheatley over Austin Johnson. The folks here on the BSD website had Austin Johnson getting 68.5% of the vote (251 voters) on the Google Form, but Twitter saw Wheatley get 63.5% of the 471 votes cast when I tallied everything up.

I’m quite stunned by this because I had Austin Johnson closer to a 2-seed than a 4-seed, but hey, democracy!

Other results that stick out:

• The 3% who voted for Sam Ficken, keep fighting the good fight.
• Not surprised Mike Hull had a closer bout than maybe expected. He was another one who actually lost his Twitter poll (55-45), but the smart readers here at BSD gave him 73% of the vote on the Google Form.
• Although we had Sean Clifford listed as the 9, I’m not surprised he went over Shareef Miller. I didn’t expect it to be almost 85/15 but #QuarterbackBias.

Alright, that’s all. Onto the next region: Tyler Warren.

1/16: Tyler Warren vs. Blake Gillikin

1. Tyler Warren

Tyler Warren was so special as a player that I needed to make sure his rushing stats — as a tight end — were included in the screenshot above. I mean, his redshirt senior year jump is just unheard of. Yes, he was a good player in 2023, but he went from pretty good tight end to one of the best players in Penn State’s history. Just a ridiculous 2024 season that earned him this 1 seed.

16. Blake Gillikin

There was something extra special about Blake Gillikin because he got inserted into the starting role after a few years of really shaky punters at Penn State. Like seeing someone who could consistently get 40+ yards with real hang time was just jarring after the Chris Gulla and Daniel Pasquariello eras.

8/9: Adisa Isaac vs. Miles Sanders

8. Adisa Isaac

Following a down 2020 COVID season and then a season missed due to injury in 2021, I think there were real questions if Adisa Isaac would ever pan out at Penn State. Fortunately, he absolutely did with back-to-back really good seasons in 2022 and 2023. He earned first-team All-B1G off a 7.5-sack, 16-TFL redshirt senior year.

9. Miles Sanders

Miles Sanders played a limited role behind Saquon Barkley during his first two seasons in Happy Valley, but he broke out as a bonafide RB1 in his lone season as a starter. He’ll always get the Saquon comparisons — fairly or unfairly — but Boobie proved his talent with a second-team All-B1G season in 2018.

4/13: Pat Freiermuth vs. Brandon Bell

4. Pat Freiermuth

And injury cut his *2020 season short, but Pat Freiermuth very clearly established himself as one of the best tight ends in Penn State history during his 30 games as a Nittany Lion. He quickly took over a starting role as a true freshman, and then was 1A/1B with KJ Hamler on the Cotton Bowl Champion 2019 squad.

*PF still got first-team All-B1G despite playing just four games in 2020 lol

13. Brandon Bell

I mentioned this in a comment when defending Curtis Jacobs’ inclusion, but do you know how hard it is to have 10+ sacks and 25+ TFLs as a linebacker? In the last 20 years, the only other Penn State linebackers to put that up in their career were Dan Connor and Sean Lee. That’s it. Now, Brandon Bell didn’t have the absurd tackle numbers those guys did, but B-Bell was a game-wrecker.

5/12: Kaytron Allen vs. Hunter Nourzad

5. Kaytron Allen

Penn State’s all-time leading rusher was a joy to watch, and in a disappointing 2025 season as a whole for the Nittany Lions, Kaytron Allen was one of the few bright spots of “Oh, this guy got better and took his game to another level.” Coming off his senior season, there’s definitely an argument to be made that Kaytron should have gotten a higher seed.

12. Hunter Nourzad

A transfer from Cornell, Hunter Nourzad was only at Penn State for two seasons but he made the most of his time in Happy Valley. He started eight games in 2022, most notably down the stretch as Penn State’s rushing attack hit another gear en route to a Rose Bowl victory. Nourzad then moved to center in 2023, earning second-team All-B1G honors in the process.

6/11: Chop Robinson vs. Donovan Smith

6. Chop Robinson

There are some players who stats don’t do justice to how good they were, and man, I’d put Chop Robinson in that. I am *shocked* he only had 9.5 sacks and 17.5 TFLs in his career in Happy Valley because he was an absolute demon at defensive end on two of the best defenses the Nittany Lions have had.

11. Donovan Smith

*A Sports-Reference Penn State profile could not be found for Donovan Smith*

This is one I’m excited to see people’s thoughts because Donovan Smith (31 career starts, by the way) was an incredibly frustrating player who looked like future NFL left tackle most of the time, but there was also a percentage of the time (especially during his lone season with James Franklin) where he looked like he didn’t care about what happened during a play.

3/14: Jaquan Brisker vs. Kevin Givens

3. Jaquan Brisker

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more complete safety at Penn State than Jaquan Brisker, who earned second-team All-American honors in 2021. The dude just had no weaknesses in his game. He could play the deep parts of the field as a centerfielder, but yet was comfortable coming up and playing a de facto linebacker too. I don’t know who else belongs to the 150 tackles, 10 TFLs, and 5 INTs club at Penn State, but I’d guess it’s not many defensive backs.

14. Kevin Givens

If there’s a Mt. Rushmore for underrated Penn State players, Kevin Givens might be on it. He was an extremely important member of the defensive line for three seasons, playing mostly defensive tackle but also pitching in as an end against run-heavy Big Ten foes. Dude was just solid as hell, and really started coming along as a redshirt junior. Still disappointed he didn’t return in 2019.

7/10: Juice Scruggs vs. Drew Allar

7. Juice Scruggs

Juice Scruggs’ entire career was in question after a car accident in 2019, but Juice eventually recovered and was a two-year starter for the Nittany Lions. While the 2021 offensive line was one to forget about (AKA it was stinky, specifically it’s run blocking), Scruggs played a key role on the 2022 unit after moving to center. He earned third-team All-B1G honors and was a second round pick in the NFL draft.

10. Drew Allar

Good or bad, I don’t think what I say here will be all that meaningful. You all know Drew Allar. You all have your opinions on him. We’ll let the voting figure it out.

2/15: Jahan Dotson vs. Curtis Jacobs

2. Jahan Dotson

If there was a 2-seed that made me question the four 1 seeds, it’s Jahan Dotson. Like really, what was the difference between Tyler Warren’s 2024 season and Jahan Dotson’s 2021 season? One played for a much better team than the other? Because, I don’t know man, but to my eye Dotson was on the same level of dominance that Warren was. Truly a special player.

15. Curtis Jacobs

I mentioned Curtis Jacobs earlier during the Brandon Bell blurb, but I’ll point out it out again — the only other Penn State linebackers the last 20 years to have 9.5 sacks and 20+ TFLs are Dan Connor, Sean Lee, and Brandon Bell. Yes, Curtis Jacobs did not have the raw total tackle stats that those other guys (namely Connor and Lee) did, which is why he’s a 15-seed. But I’m not sure there was a better SAM backer during the Franklin era. He played the role so perfectly well, being someone who was comfortable dropping back in coverage but yet was a stud when blitzing.

Kalif Raymond leaving for a division rival in the Chicago Bears was one of the more surprising moments of this offseason for the Detroit Lions. After being such a steady and reliable player for years in Detroit, both as a receiver and a punt returner, replacing Raymond added another item to the Lions’ to-do list.

To replace Raymond, the Lions signed Greg Dortch. And while this move may not garner the attention some of the bigger names on the market would, Dortch brings a familiar skill set—and a proven connection to Detroit’s coaching staff—that fills the void after Raymond’s departure.

But what exactly are the Lions getting in Dortch? What was his role in Arizona? Can he carve out a consistent role on offense, or is he best suited as a return specialist and depth option?

To get the inside perspective, we spoke with Seth Cox—Managing Editor for Revenge of the Birds—who had a chance to cover Dortch’s time in the desert. Here’s what he had to say about the Lions newest receiver and return specialist.

1. After spending five seasons in Detroit, the Lions saw Kalif Raymond leave for Chicago this offseason. Raymond served as reliable depth in the receivers’ room and was an All Pro twice for his work as a punt returner.

What do you think of Dortch fitting into a similar role–limited targets in the receiving game and all he can handle on special teams?

I think Dortch has been a great fit for the Arizona Cardinals. He was the ultimate team player, worked his way into his role and whenever they brought in competition or someone to take his spot, he never complained, he just put his head down and worked.

Now, why did they bring in competition? Well, he is everything you want in a competitor and teammate, but he is undersized and isn’t the elite athlete that Raymond was. That being said, Dortch is shifty, durable, reliable and willing to give you everything he has, so I think he’ll be a nice fit as a special teamer with the ability to help out as a wide receiver if needed, but I don’t know if he’s the consistent big play threat Raymond was.

2. Dortch will reunite with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing in Detroit. In what ways was Dortch utilized in Arizona, and where could you see his skill set best being utilized in Detroit?

He’s a slot dynamo with good YAC skills and is reliable as a receiver. He isn’t going to take the top off the defense, but he is someone you can count on to make tough catches in traffic and make plays underneath.

3. As a receiver, what are Dortch’s strengths? What about as a returner? What are some of the shortcomings in his game?

Just the toughness and consistency when called upon. He’s not one of those guys who misses opportunities and fans in Arizona would consistently want to see him get more opportunities because he made plays when called upon as a receiver. He’s just not a guy who can be a number one or two, but he also seems to know and embrace his WR3 or 4 role.

As a returner he is reliable, but not game breaking. He’s never had a punt return touchdown, and he’s very conservative with his returns and decisions to return the ball.

4. What stood out most about Dortch’s intangibles—whether it was his leadership, work ethic, competitiveness, or another quality—that made him valuable to the Cardinals?

Just how good of a teammate he is. Unselfish, team first, and willing to do whatever it takes when he actually gets the shot. He’s a guy you want on your roster.

5. Are there any particular moments from games or specific matchups from Dortch’s time in Arizona that Lions fans should check out to get a sense of what he will bring to Detroit’s receiving game/return game? What did those performances reveal about him as a player?

The Dortch experience was always about his singular games where he made things happen and made you want more.

Whether it was a play against the Jaguars where he took a slant to the house to give the Cardinals a lead late in the fourth quarter, or his two touchdown game against the San Francisco 49ers to end the 2024 season, Dortch gave you something fun on any given Sunday and was always a joy to watch and root for.

Good morning Gang Green Nation!

Here are your links to your New York Jets this glorious Wednesday in March:

Susanna Weir – S Minkah Fitzpatrick Ready to ‘Be Where My Feet Are’ in Return to Home State

Jack Bell – Brian Baldinger on Jets’ Trade for QB Geno Smith: ‘It’s Low Risk, It’s High Reward’

Chris Franklin – ESPN analyst caught in awkward NFL draft position: ‘People can think what they want’

Nick Wojton – 2026 NFL draft: Jets grab big names in latest Daniel Jeremiah mock projection

Justin Melo – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks show Jets wise to extend Garrett Wilson

Kam Towle – Jets 2026 NFL draft target: Scouting report for S Dillon Theineman

Matt Sullivan – Jets predicted to land starters at four different positions in latest ESPN mock draft

Jon Conahan – New York Jets reportedly visited with Indiana National Champion who had over 1,000 yards

Glenn Naughton – Could son of Former Jets Draft Choice be Answer to WR Needs?

Derek Praschak – 4 prospects the Jets may have been eyeing at Notre Dame Pro Day

Charlie Baduini – 4 prospects the Jets may have been eyeing at Miami Pro Day

Jaleel Grandberry – Ty Simpson draft buzz may quietly impact Jets’ plans at No. 33

Justin Fried – Jets wisely avoided major QB mistake before Geno Smith trade

Michael Zimmelman – Jets Interested in Two Day-Three Quarterbacks in NFL Draft

Here are your missed connections from yesterday.

Welcome to today’s Recruiting Roundup! We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s not waste any time today and jump right into the latest Michigan football recruiting news.

Top QB target locks in official visit

According to On3’s Ethan McDowell ($), Michigan’s top target at the quarterback position in the 2027 class, four-star Kamden Lopati, has scheduled his official visit to Ann Arbor for the weekend of June 19. That will follow a three-day unofficial visit he has on the docket coming up from April 3-5.

Lopati — who remains committed to Illinois — has been the new coaching staff’s top quarterback target from the very beginning. Even before four-star quarterback Peter Bourque decommitted, offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. traveled to Utah to visit with Lopati. And very shortly after Bourque decommitted, Lopati announced on social media he had been officially been offered by the Wolverines.

This is pretty significant news considering that weekend is set to be “Victors Weekend” for the program. In case you’re new to Michigan recruiting or unfamiliar, Victors Weekend is the biggest official visit weekend of the year for Michigan, as the Wolverines bring in as many top targets as possible for that weekend.

As we brought you on Monday, 2027 four-star quarterback Dane Weber is set to take his official visit to Ann Arbor the weekend before Lopati’s official visit. It will be very interesting to see what the Wolverines do if Weber wants to commit during that visit. Would they take his commitment knowing that Lopati is coming in the very next weekend? If I had to guess, I’d say probably not, but you can never fully predict this kind of stuff.

Needless to say, keep your social media notifications turned on over those couple weekends in June. Things could get really interesting for Michigan recruiting during that time period.

Recent visit ‘definitely helped’ Michigan

Continuing our theme of players being committed elsewhere, 2027 four-star tight end Colt Lumpris has been an Alabama commitment since December, but he is still very open to other schools. He took an unofficial visit to Michigan last week, and as he told On3’s McDowell ($), the visit did a lot of good for the Wolverines.

“It definitely helped them, I would say,” Lumpris said. “ … “It was definitely fun getting to see how things are run now as opposed to before a little bit. But yeah, just overall a good time. I got to connect with a lot of coaches. I got to go into the whole offensive meeting this morning to say what’s up to all the coaches, and then also the defensive side, so I met pretty much every single coach on the team.”

Lumpris was able to connect with tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham and assistant tight ends coach Ali’i Niumatalolo.

“They care about me as a person,” Lumpris said. “It’s not only about football. It doesn’t always have to be strictly business. You can trust them off the field, which translates on, and how, they’re just there for you, also to develop you, which is something to look for in a school.”

Lumpris has official visits scheduled to Alabama, Texas A&M and Penn State. He also wants to take one to Michigan, but that hasn’t been locked in just yet. He also said he’d be open to coming back to Michigan this fall for a game day visit.

Michigan still pursuing SMU commit

Yet another player committed to a different school, 2027 three-star defensive lineman Amari Vickerson has been committed to SMU the last couple months, but the Wolverines aren’t letting up their pursuit of the 6-foot-3.5, 310-pounder from Houston, Texas. Assistant defensive line coach David Denham has been recruiting him hard, and the duo of him and new defensive tackles coach Larry Black is appealing to Vickerson.

“They’ve been locked in for over a decade, he said, so that relationship and chemistry with them is going to be really good if I end up going there,” Vickerson told On3’s McDowell ($). “But I feel like, the more and more I talk to them, I kind of see that love and that care and that they want me and stuff, but I’ve just got to get a relationship with everybody at Michigan.”

Michigan State and Texas are two other schools that remain in contact with him, but he remains firmly committed to the Mustangs. However, he did say that he plans on taking an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor either this or next month.

And if all goes well with that visit?

“Possibly an OV, but we’ll have to see,” Vickerson said.

Quick Hitters

• Michigan recently extended an offer to 2027 three-star defensive back Maxwell Miles. He is set to announce his commitment today.

Daniel Banjaqui happens to be one of the most promising young talents coming through the ranks at SL Benfica.

The right-back, who turned 18 years old earlier this week, had emerged as a potential target for several top clubs across Europe, including FC Barcelona, owing to the immense potential he possesses.

Benfica set to secure Banjaqui’s future

But in a blow for the Blaugrana’s hopes of signing the teenager, SPORT reports that Banjaqui has decided to remain at Benfica, agreeing a long-term renewal despite strong interest from Barcelona and other European clubs.

Since Portugal won the Under-17 World Cup and Banjaqui was named the best right-back of the tournament, speculation surrounding his future has been constant.

Several major clubs from the Premier League have shown interest, while Portuguese media have repeatedly reported that Barcelona not only made contact with the player’s representatives but also sent scouts to monitor his performances closely.

Amid growing rumours, Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho acted swiftly. He initially called for efforts to secure the futures of the club’s young prospects, who were attracting market interest.

He then took a more direct approach, promoting Banjaqui to the first team, involving him in regular training sessions, and handing him his debut under his management.

Now, negotiations have been resolved and a renewal agreement is in place. The right-back will be tied to Benfica until 2031, with a release clause set at €80 million.

This figure is intended to deter potential suitors, at least until he establishes himself fully in the first team and confirms his status at the highest level.

Cowboys set up to ‘draft natural, draft pure’ – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com

The Dallas Cowboys made a few moves in free agency that shouldn’t pigeonhole them into one specific area.

With two first round picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, Schottenheimer and the Cowboys understand the importance of getting the picks right. At the NFL Combine, Schottenheimer said he would be more involved in the draft process in his second year as head coach. What does that look like?

“It’s just getting to know all of the prospects… From Stephen and Jerry [Jones] down, Will McClay, Mitch LaPoint, Ross [Wuensche], Chris Vaughn, they’ve done a great job of setting the board and now I’m kind of going through all the positions,” Schottenheimer said.

“You want to be prepared to do what we need to do on defense, but certainly we’re not going to pass on a great offensive player if they’re there at one of those spots… Last year was more of, yea, I saw the highlight film, the POAs, now I’ve seen game film. I’ve seen these guys compete. It makes it a little easier to help make that selection.”

The Cowboys have said in the past that the first step towards taking the best player available on the board when they pick is acquiring players in free agency. Schottenheimer believes the Cowboys’ did “a hell of a job” with their free agency haul.

“I think it starts with the guys we brought back first and foremost. I’m always going to start with George and Javonte, guys like that that we’ve signed back on the offensive side of the ball,” Schottenheimer said. “Getting a chance to get a guy like Rashan Gary, who I’ve had to compete against a lot, he’s just an incredible football player, has been from the time he was a senior in high school through Michigan. Jalen Thompson, I love his energy, we played them this year. Cobie Durant, there’s been just a ton of guys.”

Based on those offseason acquisitions/retentions on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, Schottenheimer feels that the Cowboys are set up well going into next month’s draft and aren’t limited to picking a certain position solely because of need.

“I think we did a really good job of setting ourselves up to be able to draft natural and draft pure, which is what you want to do. You don’t want to have to be forced to reach for a player, that’s when you make mistakes.”

Report: Cowboys made three different offers for Maxx Crosby – Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk

The front office made sure they did as much as they could to land Maxx Crosby, without giving up two first-round picks.

The new deep dive regarding the Maxx Crosby trade to the Ravens that wasn’t includes more information about the Cowboys’ interest in trading for Crosby, before the Raiders struck an ultimately failed deal with Baltimore.

Via Ryan McFadden of ESPN, the Cowboys made three different offers to the Raiders.

First, they offered the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 draft and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. Second, they offered the 12th overall pick in round one and a third-round pick, but not Odighizuwa.

The third and final offer was the 12th overall pick and a second-round pick, but not Odighizuwa.

The Raiders, as PFT reported during Scouting Combine week, wanted two first-round picks and a player. They eventually got two first-round picks from the Ravens, until the Ravens decided not to proceed.

Earlier this month, Cowboys owner and G.M. Jerry Jones didn’t rule out making another run at Crosby. (So much for not talking about players under contract with other teams.) The magnitude and number of the offers shows that the Cowboys were very interested.

Given that they’ve yet to make good on Jerry’s vow to “bust the budget” with defensive talent, Crosby could still be the ace in Jerry’s glory hole.

What dinner with Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer means for Texas LB Anthony Hill – Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman

Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys have shown a keen interest in the Texas Longhorn linebacker.

The Dallas Cowboys need a linebacker. Former Texas football star Anthony Hill Jr. needs an NFL home.

So, a match between the former Longhorns’ middle linebacker and a hometown kid from the Metroplex seems like a match made on, well, NFL draft day, right? Especially after Hill and Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer had dinner in Austin the night before Tuesday’s Texas pro day at the Denius Fields indoor facility?

“You know, I’m a Dallas kid, so it’d be nice to go play for the Cowboys,” said Hill, who grew up 30 miles north of Dallas in Denton. “I wouldn’t have to go too far, so it’ll be nice.”

And how was that dinner with the second-year Cowboys coach, who attended the Longhorns’ pro day?

“I get told where to go, and I’ve just got to be there,” Hill said with a grin. “I didn’t get to pick nothing. It was a good conversation, though. We had some laughs and talked some football.”

Specifically, the Cowboys need to talk defense during the 2026 NFL Draft  April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Dallas has eight selections, including two in the first round at Nos. 12 and 20 as well as an extra third-round pick from a trade. Expect most of that draft capital to be spent on defense after the Cowboys finished 30th in total defense out of 32 teams and last in pass defense in 2025.

Hill currently projects as a second-round pick by ESPN, and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the third best off-ball linebacker in the draft. The Cowboys don’t have a second-round pick this year.

Brian Schottenheimer, Christian Parker will be at these four Pro Days this week – Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The Cowboys are doing their due diligence this week on multiple top prospects.

The Dallas Cowboys’ Pro Day tour carries on, as schools around the country host a combine-type event on their campuses for their draft-eligible talent to show one last piece of their on-field game before next month’s draft.

Last week, we detailed 14 stops that the Cowboys made to begin Pro Day season. And this week, the focus is around a large contigency that includes head coach Brian Schottenheimer, defensive coordinator Christian Parker, vice president of player personnel Will McClay and a handful of scouts making the rounds.

On Monday, the group attended Miami’s Pro Day, where expected first-round edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor were on display alongside offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, nickel cornerback Keionte Scott, quarterback Carson Beck, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, wide receiver C.J. Daniels, center James Brockermeyer, defensive tackle David Blay and linebacker Mohamed Toure.

On Tuesday, the group is at Texas, where it is getting a close-up view of cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., tight end Jack Endries, offensive guard D.J. Campbell, defensive end Ethan Burke, defensive end Trey Moore, cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau and safety Michael Taaffe. Schottenheimer and Parker had dinner with Hill on Monday night.

The road trip will continue on through the Lone Star State on Wednesday when the Schottenheimer-Parker-McClay party will make its way over to Texas A&M to see defensive end Cashius Howell, wide receiver KC Concepcion, running back Le’Veon Moss, offensive guard Chase Bisontis, guard Armaj Reed-Adams, offensive tackle Troy Zuhn III, offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover, defensive tackle Albert Regis, defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim, linebacker Taurean York, linebacker Scooby Williams, cornerback Will Lee III and cornerback Tyreek Chappell.

The Australian, appointed last November, usually leaves media commitments until Friday but is starting her week with a chat which is sandwiched by two meetings, the first on player availability and session design and the second with performance staff. She is speaking directly but self-effacingly in her office at the end of a corridor in a modular building at Cochrane Park, the Magpies' training base. Grace Williams, the director of women's football, works in the room opposite against the hum of coaches and backroom staff rushing in and out of adjacent doors.

Monday mornings like this are hectic, demanding, but normal. "I don't have bags under my eyes, so that's always a good start," Oxtoby jokes. 'Process' is a word she uses frequently and there is precision in her outlook, in the detail, the hows and the whys. "But you've got to build time to allow yourself to reflect on it," she says. "I think in this job you can go, go, go - you're forward-facing, and you're always, 'what's next? What's next?' But actually, take time to reflect on what you just did, because that's how you keep getting better."

This week follows an international break and is likely to be a "more chaotic" five days, with a trip to Sheffield United to come at the end of it. There is ground to cover and considerable imperative to do so at pace but she insists on taking a moment.

"It's a cognitive process that you have to do. Otherwise, in this job, you kind of miss the journey," she adds. "And you should never miss the journey."

***

This morning, like most, players are required to report to Cochrane Park by 9:30am, where breakfast is served in a repurposed upstairs dining room. The club moved to the site in October 2025, partnering with Newcastle University. There have been improvements since; a redesigned dressing room is in use for the first time today. Details have been pored over and the types of shower gel and handwash on offer have been chosen carefully.

Breakfast gives performance nutritionist Emmy Campbell a chance to speak with the players and get a read on their needs. Campbell spent three years at Sunderland after joining from Everton Women and saw contrasts in the approaches of male and female players. "Culturally, I do find it a little bit different," she says. "I think working with the women, they tend to appreciate food a little bit more, they enjoy cooking a little bit more, they enjoy the kind of culture and social element of it a little bit more, whereas the men quite often see it as something they have to do and sometimes don't have a huge interest in it."

Up to 100 meals are prepared on site daily. Campbell works with the chef, Chris Donaldson, to develop meal options each week, with carbohydrates usually central. "We'll have more or certain ones available on different days for their needs," she explains. "Then you're looking at protein intake - maximising muscle repair and adaptation through optimal protein - and then you start to add in other elements, like your unsaturated healthy fats to help with inflammation, your fruit and veg to help with antioxidants, recovery, muscle damage, that sort of thing.

"Then it's what we can add in on top, like recovery juices or shots? Do we need desserts on a matchday minus one, for example, to increase that intake? Then hydration on top of that. There's quite a few things to think about in each meal."

Players track their menstrual cycle and report symptoms through an app or in person, so she can work with them on any necessary tweaks. She sorts drinks and supplements and individualised protein shakes for gym sessions and on weeks like this, with a game at Bramall Lane to come, there are travel logistics to work out too. In busier periods, players can feel like they're constantly eating. "It's how do we get food into them, but prevent boredom with it as well - prevent it being a chore."

A good week, she says, can constitute something as simple as players expressing satisfaction. "If they've liked the food, they've eaten it, and if they've eaten it, they're well-fuelled. It's the easiest way to know you've done your job, in that sense."

***

In July 2025, Jordan Nobbs came "home" for the final act of a career spent at the top of the game, joining fellow ex-England international and close friend Demi Stokes on Tyneside. Her time in professional football has encompassed perhaps the greatest period of progress in the women's game. "It's totally changed my life," she says. "When I was younger, when Demi was younger, we didn't know where it would take us. It could have just been something we were really passionate about, but couldn't sustain."

But she was able to, and returned to the North East as a three-time Women's Super League winner with 71 caps for her country, enticed by the "ambition and focus" the club conveyed in talks. A month later, two-time World Cup winner Morgan Gautrat arrived, initially on loan, from Orlando Pride. The only "sad thing", Nobbs jokes, is that at 33, she is now one of the older players.

There is serious international quality in the United squad now but "it's easy to fit in, and be yourself. Everyone's really comfortable around us. We've got people that make you laugh, and you need that in your team - you need that enjoyment, and that fun side. We still allow everyone's personalities to come out within that. We don't want to be robots, all doing the same thing. Hopefully, the younger players see the exciting side of what's happening here."

In the 13 years Nobbs spent living in London and playing for Arsenal, she would only make it back to Sedgefield, where she grew up, for Christmas. "You do make a lot of sacrifices for football," she says, adding that she has just bought a house in the area. "It's nice to be home again."

***

Midfielder Emma Kelly is an effervescent presence in Oxtoby's dressing room. In the 3-1 Tyne-Wear derby win over Sunderland last November, she suffered a grade 3c hamstring tear soon after coming on at half time. She had only just returned from a similar injury. She takes a seat after Tuesday morning's training session and explains that maintaining her usual persona around her teammates every day was a challenge. "You know when someone asks you, and you start getting upset? I would have days like that," she admits. "But I am quite good at masking that. And I do feel like when I mask it and put on a more positive outlook, it changes my thoughts anyway."

The 29-year-old avoided major injuries for years and there is frustration that she broke down at a point when she felt she "should be reaching the peak of my career." The solitary parts of rehabilitation were at odds with her gregarious nature but helped return her to the fold, and Kelly could now feature in this month's derby against the club she played for at the start of a winding career. She completed a teacher training course while playing semi-professionally for the Black Cats, teaching PE at English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Hartlepool for a spell. She also spent a season with IBV on the Icelandic archipelago Vestmannaeyjar, working in a café to supplement her wages. Most of her teammates had other jobs. "The fish factory wasn't really ticking it for me," she laughs.

But with the satisfaction of life at United ("I've never been so happy in my career at a club as I am at Newcastle") comes a degree of uncertainty, Kelly explains, as Beth Lumsden and Lia Cataldo enter the players' lounge to play table tennis behind her. "If you're in a position of doing this as your full time job, I just think you've got to accept that that's going to be something you've got on your shoulder all the time. The pressure of whether the team wants to keep you, whether you get a long contract or short contract… it's part and parcel of the game."

Kelly, who grew up on Teesside, is one of a handful of local players still in the squad after the turnover of recent seasons. Lumsden, last season's Players' Player of the Season, was born in Watford but points out her mum is from Hartlepool and she spent parts of her childhood travelling to and from the region that is now her home. "And I went to Flamingo Land when I was a kid!" she says, a little less applicably. But there is tangible spirit in this diverse group.

For the last three weeks of Kelly's rehab, she was joined on the grass by centre half Deanna Cooper, who suffered a grade 2 lateral collateral ligament injury before Christmas. This is the 32-year-old's first week back in full training. Cooper joined from Reading in 2024 and views herself as a "quiet leader" in an accepting pack. "We've got some quirky people. I am obviously a slightly weird person, but I feel like I can be myself." What makes you say that? "I wouldn't say I'm like a typical footballer. I like my own space. I really enjoy my own company. I love football - probably a bit too much. I like probably slightly different things to what people my age like. I love a sci-fi film, that sort of thing, which isn't found much in women's football."

Finding comfort in that identity is a great thing. "Oh, yeah, I'm a massive weirdo. I'm one of those people who drives their car in silence. I could have a five-hour drive in my car in silence and I'd absolutely love it," she laughs. Would you not even put the radio on? "Nah. Nothing. Love it. Sound of the car, open road. Just me in my head. Perfect."

Before she was a footballer, Cooper was a cricketer. An all-rounder, she began playing in a boys' team at Rodmersham Cricket Club and progressed swiftly; she believes, at 13, she may have become Kent senior women's team’s youngest debutant. She was a teammate of Zak Crawley at Kent boys' academy and featured for England Academy. In her late teens, she chose to pursue her cricket career but a stress fracture in her back affected her bowling action and forced a rethink. At 23, she signed her first professional football contract at Chelsea.

"I do miss it. I really, really miss it. I was much, much better at cricket than I was at football, which is why I picked it originally," she adds. "Still made it pretty good with football though!"

Cooper - who netted the opener in November's derby win at St. James’ Park - has sensed a shift to a more "businesslike" vibe in her 20 months at the club. "Morgan’s won the World Cup - twice! Demi's won the Euros. The players they've brought in… it's just become crazy levels." Promotion to the Women's Super League is the aim but her experiences, and a past anterior cruciate ligament rupture, brought her clear perspective. "It could be over any minute," she says. "I've just always played and enjoyed it, and played to love it, because you just don't know when it's going to get taken away. Enjoy it while you can."

***

By 11am on this Thursday morning, gusts have reached 45mph. Spare balls are being blown onto the training pitch and rugby posts on an adjacent all-weather surface are teetering ominously. Oxtoby leads the session, with first team coach Luke Thomas-Arayo and goalkeeping coach Stephen Brass stationed near Anna Tamminen's goal. There is an intensity to the work but a camaraderie too; when Emilia Larsson cuts inside and finishes emphatically, nearby teammates take a moment to acknowledge it.

At both ends of the field, players chasing full fitness - among them American forward Simone Charley, one of four January additions - work individually with performance staff as the wind makes the heavy rain feel like hail. At the opposite end to Thomas-Arayo and Brass is Claire Ditchburn, now back in the role of assistant manager. Fluidity and change, she says, are actually among of the best aspects of the job, which currently requires her to work on out-of-possession work and shape.

In November, Ditchburn was in interim charge of the Magpies when they beat Sunderland at St. James'. "I felt extremely nervous, extremely excited - all of the heightened emotions you feel when something matters to you, and you know that it matters to so many people," recalls Ditchburn, who is from Whitley Bay. "I remember thinking what a privilege it was, because having grown up in the area, I know how much the game means to people. It felt like a real privilege to lead the team out in that context and situation."

Those nerves make you human. "I think it’s natural, isn't it?" It would be odd if you weren't. She nods. "Kind of like you're not paying attention."

In the lead-up to that contest, Ditchburn says, "our choice was to embrace it, and to almost accept that it isn't just any other game." But there is a balance to be struck between pure focus and absorbing the environment. Ditchburn was assistant at Everton when the Toffees reached the Women's FA Cup final in 2020, losing to Manchester City at Wembley. "I didn't take any of it in. Everybody tells you at the time, 'take it all in, remember it', and I just didn't. I was younger, and it just passed by as any other game would.

"So I did actually make a really conscious decision before the derby to allow myself just 30 seconds to soak it all up, because you don't know if it'll ever happen again. It isn't something that happens every day, and not everyone gets to experience it. I think you'd be doing it a disservice if you didn't appreciate it in the moment."

Back in the quiet of the players' lounge after training, Aoife Mannion thinks back to last summer. The Republic of Ireland centre back was a statement signing after leaving Manchester United, tempted by the "freshness" of the challenge in a city she'd only visited once before. She believes there is a wider context to the club's obvious immediate aim of promotion. "It's not necessarily a case of needing to hold our breath and hope that we're going to get this one opportunity for the club to step forward, and that's it, it's do or die," she says.

"But the big picture is that the club is in a really healthy place and is going in the right direction. I've been at clubs before where we, at the time, were further along, and you kind of sometimes rush the journey and forget to really enjoy it at the time. Then you get to the place you want to get to, but don't really take time to savour it and appreciate the direction things are going in."

Mannion only turned 30 last September but she assesses the club's trajectory with a calmness and broader outlook. "Maybe age gives you that. Age and experience, maybe. I don't think I'd have had that view when I was younger," she smiles. "Football's like dog years."

It is the same clarity that lets her see the shifting sands of recent years from a number of perspectives. "It's not as easy as probably people think to have that level of change around you as a player. It really does become part and parcel of being in a high-performance team, where there are different players being brought in and lots of exciting things happening in the club.

"As players, we have to stay agile and open to developing ourselves. It's quite clear that you won't be able to exist in this environment long if you're stagnant. What flew a few years ago won't necessarily fly now, because the expectation and the quality is just going up and up and up." That can come with a "stress", she adds. "But that's the name of the game. That's what attracts us to it as well."

It has been nearly a decade since Mannion signed her first professional contract with Birmingham City. In earlier days, she looked up to Karen Carney, who attended her school (she was also Jack Grealish's classmate at St. Peter’s Catholic School in Solihull). The landscape is different for young female players now. "I think it's way harder. When I was younger, because it wasn't absolutely a given you were going to be a professional footballer, everything felt like a privilege to be part of it. It wasn't that there was a massive, massive expectation. Whereas I think young players coming through now have it so much harder, because they know what could await them at the end of the rainbow.

"The stresses for young players are way, way, way more than when I was growing up. Everything can feel make or break, you can have this amazing career that wasn't really on my radar at their age. In that respect, I don't envy them."

She considers what her future might look like. She holds a UEFA A coaching license, a first class degree in Economics and has dabbled in media work, though watching or listening to herself back is rarely comfortable. "It's a very niche form of torture," she laughs. "It's a form of self-flagellation. But it's a really good way of becoming aware of little things." One day, it could be a viable profession. "I could sit and talk like this all day," she nods. But a mandatory nutritional workshop, run by Campbell and scheduled for 2:30pm, cuts the conversation short.

***

At 10:30am on Friday, as every day, the players file into a presentation room for one final analysis meeting before matchday. On the wall to the left of four rows of fold-out seats is a television displaying a leaderboard based on small-sided games in training.

Oxtoby opens by asking whether there are any objections to the rankings. Lois Joel has a query, as does Emily Murphy, who wants her friend, international teammate and current table-topper Mannion to be deducted points for some kind of infringement. "We're all so competitive, verbally," says Murphy. "We actually don't know what we win. I keep taking the ****, saying it's a trip to Disney, but I don't think anyone actually knows. But it is pride."

It is a light start to a serious meeting. On a larger screen at the front of the room, Oxtoby then talks the players through a series of slides prepared by analysts Ben Daniel and Saffron Buckley, while Thomas-Arayo and coach Peter Ramage chip in at various intervals. Some concern Sheffield United, some themselves - the build phase, attacking throw-ins, the plan for the ensuing training session - but all focus on controllables and participation from players is encouraged.

As they leave the building, players pass a club-branded poster which asks whether they are a survivor, contender, competitor or commander. Murphy feels she is the latter, a driver of standards. "Some people would say I don't shut up, and I just **** them off. I could talk to a brick wall," says the 23-year-old. There is responsibility and a need for empathy in that role though. She hopes that "if someone felt like they couldn't have an uncomfortable conversation, that I could have that conversation with them."

She grew up in Windsor but qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through her dad, who is from Dublin. Five years ago, Murphy moved to the United States, majoring in Political Science and International Affairs and minoring in Global Studies at Lake Forest University. She moved there to play football but academia drew her in. "It's funny you say that. I applied for a Master's last night," she reveals. "I've always got to be stimulated in some way, which is a blessing and a curse. I get home at two or three o'clock, and I've got nothing to do. I've a real passion for it, and if it's something I can set myself up for after my career, then I'd be foolish not to."

Some of her remaining spare time is spent, voluntarily, undertaking community work. She supports Newcastle United Foundation's Players' Pilot programme, visiting the Great North Children's Hospital at the Royal Victoria Infirmary to join in sessions and help chronically ill children enjoy inclusive physical activity with their heroes. Her engagement is not performative; she regularly texts a contact at the Foundation with her schedule and offers assistance. "It was the first thing I did that I was like, 'oh my god'. I have as much passion for this as I do for football."

A few moments before she sat down to speak, she picked up a takeaway container and filled it with leftovers from lunch. On the wall behind the buffet is an image of Murphy celebrating Shania Hayles' derby-day winner at St. James' Park a year ago. "I knee slid and it ended up being a crawl, but there you go," she says. "It's a great photo. You had to celebrate, do you know what I mean?" When the local rivals met again in November, Murphy scored twice. "I knew I was going to score. I was telling my parents that morning. I just knew it was going to happen."

Today, matchday minus one, "is a great day, because I get to carb load. But also just relax. I'll usually call my family, call my partner, speak about anything other than football. Then tomorrow, it's game day, and that's when everything focuses. If anything, I'm probably going to go and adapt my personal statement now… I like to keep busy.

"I can relax, and just sit and watch TV. But at the same time, it's nice to find things other than football. Hence why next Wednesday, I'll be going to the Children's Hospital before the Birmingham game. It gives me so much perspective if that game wasn't to go our way, for instance."

Staff meetings continue into the middle of Friday afternoon, by which time Murphy and most of her teammates have left the building. Tomorrow they play. Sometime later there'll be a pause for breath. Oxtoby has reinvigorated this team, who have lost just once in the league since her appointment, and the environment in which they work. She considers her final message to her players before matchday.

"It's more just about clarification. Has anyone got any questions? Is everyone clear on what we're doing? If you don't or you don't want to ask in front of everyone, come and see us, we're around. Rest, recover, and make sure you're ready to go.

"It's clarity in the sense of, 'are we confident in what we're going after here?' Generally speaking, it's pretty clear for them. I want them to walk off the pitch on matchday minus one knowing what we're going after. We try and keep it very much about what we do.

"They feel confident, they've done everything they can to prepare. And then game day is their day," she says. "That's nothing to do with me."

Newcastle United Women face Sunderland at the Stadium on Light on Sunday, 29th March (kick-off 2pm BST). Ticket information can be found here.

• Rodri sustained an ACL injury in Autumn 2024 against Arsenal
• The Spaniard was at his metronomic best in the 2026 Carabao Cup Final
• He has admitted to ‘physical’ and ‘mental’ struggles during his recovery

Manchester City superstar Rodri has offered a unique and honest insight into his frame of mind whilst recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in 2024.

Rodri sustained damage to his ACL during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September 2024, in an injury that threatened to permanently alter the trajectory of his top-level playing career off the back of claiming the 2024 Ballon d’Or prize.

The Spaniard took on a gruelling 18-month road to full fitness, including a premature eight-month comeback in May 2025 that led to subsequent hamstring and groin setbacks during the summer and early months of the ongoing season.

Now, with that serious injury well behind him and the club hoping that consistency can return to the player’s availability, the 2026 Carabao Cup final at Wembley served as the definitive crowning moment for the Spaniard in his recovery.

Commanding Manchester City’s midfield with authority, Rodri was instrumental in the 0-2 victory over Arsenal, notably detecting a second-half physical drop-off in the Gunners that allowed Nico O’Reilly to strike twice.

Rodri’s ‘physical’ and ‘mental’ struggles revealed

Speaking in an interview published in the Carabao Cup final programme released around the clash with Arsenal, Rodri opened up on the process of returning back to full fitness and playing consistently for Manchester City again.

“It’s such an incredible thing to be back playing regularly,” Rodri admitted ahead of the Wembley showpiece that resulted in a memorable afternoon for Manchester City once again.

“I had been doubting many things including if I was going to be able to come back. Physically, you are in pain. Mentally, you have a lot of feelings,” he continued.

“I really questioned myself, but getting to a place like where I’m at now, it makes me proud of the process I’ve lived. Now it’s about enjoying being back where I want to be.”

How do the demands of silverware affect Rodri?

Looking back over the struggles of the 2024/25 season – in which Manchester City failed to win a single major trophy for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign – Rodri opened up on the frame of mind within the squad regarding silverware demands.

“When you go through a time like I’ve been through, you have a lot of time to think. We’re very lucky to enjoy our profession and sometimes when you’re involved in these battles to win you don’t realise a lot of things,” the Spain international explained.

“When it is taken away you appreciate what you normally take for granted. At this club, we are used to the demands of winning trophies. When we don’t win for one year it feels like a long time. I know how difficult it is to win and that drives me on to get more,” he continued.

“It feels like a challenge. Are you able to do it again? Are you able to sustain the level? That is the mentality of this team.

“The manager [Pep Guardiola] is the one who teaches us that way. He’s the first one with such desperation and hunger to win again and again, even though he’s already won so much.”

The latest on Rodri’s Man City future amid Real Madrid talk

Manchester City and the club’s supporters will be hoping that Rodri can now push on and continue to be the vital component of their playing squad once again, despite some doubts over his future at the Etihad Stadium.

The midfielder will enter into the final 12 months of his contract following the conclusion of the ongoing season, with sporting director Hugo Viana expected to be prioritising a lucrative extension to tie the midfielder down for the foreseeable future.

Rodri coy on Manchester City future as Hugo Viana eyes breakthrough in contract talks

The delay to proceedings regarding contractual talks has only intensified long-standing interest from Real Madrid, who view the 29-year-old as the dream option to lead their midfield into the 2026/27 season and beyond.

Rodri himself only fuelled such rumours earlier in March with a “we’ll see” regarding his future at Manchester City, perhaps leaving the door ajar for a summer transfer that would almost certainly cost any club a substantial sum of money.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton doubts Arsenal will panic after their Carabao Cup defeat by Manchester City on Sunday and says they just need to "regroup" after the international break.

The Gunners could still win the treble as they are top of the Premier League and are into the quarter-finals of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.

"It's always a disappointment to lose a final, but if you were going to have to lose a contest this season then it would be the Carabao Cup," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"It's now just about regrouping. I'd still rather be in Arsenal's position - they have the most points, scored the most goals and conceded the least in the Premier League.

"Everyone wants to see Manchester City really push them, but I can't imagine Arsenal panicking in the dressing room because of one defeat against a good City team.

"It wasn't a shock result. It was a 50-50 game."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Fernando Alonso is to miss media day at the Japanese Grand Prix on Thursday because he is traveling to the race late following the birth of his first child.

Aston Martin said on Wednesday that the two-time world champion was "arriving slightly later this weekend for personal family reasons".

The team declined to give any further details but BBC Sport has confirmed that it is because Alonso's partner Melissa Jimenez has had their first baby.

Alonso, 44, prefers to keep his personal life private and no further information has been made public.

The team added: "All is well and he will be at the track in time for Friday."

• How to follow Japanese Grand Prix on the BBC
• Has Aston Martin's Newey team principal project failed? F1 Q&A

Alonso, who is in the final year of his contract with Aston Martin and has not said whether he wants to stay in F1 beyond 2026, is not due to take part in Friday's first practice session.

The team's reserve driver Zak Crawford will be driving the car in one of the team's mandated rookie sessions this year.

Alonso has insisted he has faith in Honda's ability to put things right but acknowledged that he does not know how long that will take. It is the second time he has been on the receiving end of Honda being unprepared in a new relationship in F1, after a difficult three years with McLaren in 2015-17.

Aston Martin have had a troubled start to the season as a result of major reliability and performance issues with their Honda engine, while the car is also behind on development after its design was started late.

They are last in the world championship after two races, the worst possible start to their new factory partnership with Honda, which won four drivers' titles and two constructors' titles with Red Bull from 2021-24.

Alonso has retired from both events in Australia and China and team-mate Lance Stroll retired in China and finished last, 15 laps behind the winner, in Melbourne.

Honda's first-order issue is a severe vibration from the engine that has been leading to failures in the battery.

Its engineers have been working to isolate the battery, a critical part of the hybrid system, from the vibrations but these have still been causing problems for the rest of the car - Alonso retired in China because holding the steering wheel was proving too painful.

That came after team principal Adrian Newey said at the first race of the season that the vibrations were so bad they were risking permanent nerve damage for the drivers within 25 laps of running.

The Japanese Grand Prix is not only the home race for Honda, but it is held on their own Suzuka track, built on the orders of the company's founder Soichiro Honda in the 1960s.

Shintaro Orihara, Honda's trackside general manager and chief engineer, said: "In China, we made some progress in terms of battery reliability thanks to a reduction in the vibration affecting the systems, but we must find more solutions to establish the cause of the vibrations affecting the drivers.

"We have also focused our efforts in the gap between China and Japan to continue to improve our reliability, but still our performance is not where we want it to be, especially regarding energy management.

"Suzuka Circuit is a tough track for this, so we have been using the learnings from Australia and China to prepare better for the Japanese Grand Prix.

"We are not at the level where we wanted to be going into this weekend, but we will keep working hard to maximise our package. We are looking forward to seeing the home crowd and the Honda fans. I want them to see that we have made some progress since Bahrain [testing]."

Beyond the vibrations, Honda's power-unit is down on power from both the internal combustion engine and electrical system, which can neither recover nor deploy energy at the full permitted 350kW rate.

As for the car, team principal Adrian Newey has admitted that they started work on its design late after he began work at the team in March last year, but has said he is confident it can become competitive as a chassis by the later part of the season.

• David Silva left Manchester City in 2020
• Silva recorded 436 appearances, 77 goals, and 141 assists
• The Spaniard has now admitted to sadness that lingers around his Etihad departure

Manchester City legend David Silva has opened up on the nature of his exit from the Etihad Stadium and the “little thorn stuck inside” of him over the manner of his departure.

Silva’s decade at City is widely regarded as a catalyst for the club’s modern golden era, racking up a staggering 436 appearances, 77 goals, and 141 assists, helping the club to end a 35-year trophy drought through the 2011 FA Cup.

By the time he called time on his Premier League career, he had secured four English top-flight titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups, cementing his legacy as perhaps the greatest player to ever wear the sky-blue shirt – eventually immortalised with a statue at the Etihad Stadium.

David Silva admits to snubbing MLS opportunity before Manchester City exit in 2020

But David Silva’s exit in the summer of 2020 was a quiet affair due to the absence of fans during the Covid pandemic, with his final Premier League appearance coming in a 5-0 victory over Norwich City on July 26, 2020, and his final game for the club coming a few weeks later in the Champions League – a disappointing quarter-final defeat to Lyon in Lisbon.

Despite interest from across Europe, David Silva chose a return to Spain with Real Sociedad, leaving Manchester as a club captain and a legend whose technical artistry in the middle of the park redefined the standard for midfielders in English football.

What has David Silva said about his Man City exit?

Now speaking to MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, David Silva has reflected on his exit from Manchester City during a difficult, Covid-hit campaign, and the inability to be able to say a true farewell to the club’s supporters.

“It made me sad not to say goodbye, you know? To say goodbye to the fans, to the people, because of Covid,” Silva explained.

The former Spain international continued, “Because honestly… in the 10 years I was there they gave me so much, so much affection.

“And the truth is that not being able to say goodbye leaves you with that little thorn stuck inside. I always feel their affection, I keep that with me.”

How have Man City managed to replace David Silva?

Replacing a legend of David Silva’s stature was never going to be a single-player task, and Pep Guardiola has largely opted for a collective to fill ‘the ‘El Mago’s’ void, initially with Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gündogan stepping into central creative roles, while Phil Foden was long touted as the heir to the throne.

The current season has seen a more youthful phase with the emergence of Nico O’Reilly and the summer acquisition of Rayan Cherki, with the former transitioning from a versatile left-back into a physical yet technically gifted midfielder.

Meanwhile, Cherki – who inherited the No.10 shirt upon his arrival last summer – has provided the creative chaos and vision that Manchester City have arguably lacked in some matches in the post-David Silva years.

Combined with the box-to-box nature of Tijjani Reijnders, Pep Guardiola has rebuilt a midfield engine room alongside sporting director Hugo Viana that retains David Silva’s technical DNA, while adding the athleticism and directness required for the modern Premier League era.

Chelsea complaints over disallowed goal ignore soft free-kick and missed red card for horrific ‘challenge’.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

If you pick up today’s papers, most of the coverage of Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final at the Emirates focuses on Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor complaining about the VAR call that ruled out her side’s first goal for a very slight touch on an Arsenal defender.

There is no doubt that the decision to rule Veerle Buurman’s goal, scored with a header after a free-kick and ruled out on the pitch by the referee before VAR backed up that decision, was a poor one.

The Times, 25 March 2026

The touch was minimal and Laia Codina did her best to buy the foul. I accept that.

What has not been mentioned in the reports that have followed is that it should not have been a free-kick in the first place. The foul was given when a Chelsea player simply sat down on the pitch after feeling even less contact than Codina had felt from Buurman.

“It’s always more difficult to complain about the referees when you lose the game, but it’s not good enough,” Bompastor said.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

“When you are playing the quarter-final of the Champions League you need to respect the women’s game more. You need to respect the players because they work hard every week to put a good performance on the pitch.

“The first goal is a goal. I don’t see with the VAR how you cannot allow that goal. It’s always the same. When you go to them and you ask them to check and to make sure they make the right decision, they just always say ‘Yeah, we are checking’ but they make the wrong decision and nothing changes.

“When a human makes a mistake, I think you can understand a little bit more, but when there is the VAR, it’s really difficult.”

There has also been little-to-no mention of the blatant red card Chelsea should have received when they had a second goal ruled out towards the end of the game.

As the ball floated towards Anneke Borbe in the Arsenal goal, Kadeisha Buchanan stretched out her leg to reach it, then straightened that leg and drove her studs into the chest of the Arsenal keeper.

Image via Arsenal.com highlights video

It was an horrific challenge that should have seen Buchanan sent off and handed a three-game ban, which would have ruled her out of the return leg at Stamford Bridge next week.

The red card did not come, nor did any analysis of what Buchanan had done, the danger she had put an opponent in or how Chelsea benefited from the fact the referee, and VAR, chose to leave her on the pitch without so much as a caution.

Bompastor has done well in one sense, she has managed to drag the conversation away from how her side were wasteful in front of goal and how Arsenal, with three brilliant goals, the pick of them Chloe Kelly’s effort from about 25 yards, made a major statement against the outgoing WSL champions.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

“We deserve the best referees, so bring the best. If it has to be men coming from the men’s game or if it is the best women from the women’s game, we need to make these decisions because it’s really frustrating,” Bonpastor continued.

“We need to have the VAR in the women’s game but the right people to check the situations and be able to make the right decisions.”

Yes Sonia, we do indeed, and if that had been in place, you would be going into the second leg with Buchanan suspended.

The end of Hubert Davis’ time at the North Carolina Tar Heels marks a big change for one of college basketball’s most famous programs. After five seasons, both sides have decided to move on. This opens up one of the biggest coaching jobs in the sport. Now, UNC faces an important moment, because the next hire will shape the team’s future.

North Carolina is not just any job. It comes with history, pressure, and huge expectations. Winning is a must in Chapel Hill. Competing for national titles is the standard. Because of that, the school will look for a coach who knows how to win in the March Madness and build a strong program.

Several names are already being discussed. Some are rising college coaches, while others come from the NBA. Each one brings a different style and approach. Some hires would be bold, while others would feel safer.

Here’s a clear look at the top candidates to replace Davis:

4. Billy Donovan (Chicago Bulls)

Billy Donovan has a strong track record. He proved himself in college with Florida, where he won national titles and built a powerhouse team.

Right now, he is coaching the Chicago Bulls, but there are rumors that his time there could end soon. That could open the door for a return to college basketball.

Even though he has been in the NBA for years, his experience still matters. He knows how to recruit and handle pressure. UNC would not be too big for him.

The big question is timing. Would he leave the NBA right now? That is still unclear.

MORE: Ranking the top 10 richest sports team owners in 2026

3. Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics)

Brad Stevens is a name that excites fans. He built his reputation in college at Butler, where he led the team to major success.

Now, he works as president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics. He helps build the team and has a stable role.

Coming back to college would be a big decision. Some people think the UNC job would be a step down. Others believe he could miss coaching in college.

He is known for smart strategies and developing players. Still, it would be hard to convince him to leave his current job.

2. Tommy Lloyd (Arizona Wildcats)

Tommy Lloyd has quickly become one of the top college coaches. He has done an excellent job at Arizona, turning them into a consistent winner.

Arizona plays in a tough conference, but Lloyd keeps the team competitive. They continue to fight for championships.

His teams play fast and smart, and players improve under him. That makes him a great fit for UNC. The challenge is that Arizona is already doing very well. It may be hard to pull him away.

MORE: Upsets so far in March Madness 2026

1. Todd Golden (Florida Gators)

Todd Golden is one of the hottest names right now. He is the defending national champion coach, which makes him very attractive for UNC.

He has helped Florida become a top program again, with back-to-back No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.

Golden has built a modern system, and players respond well to his style. His teams play with discipline and energy.

The big question is whether he would leave Florida. The program is already strong under him. Still, UNC is a bigger opportunity. If the Tar Heels want a young coach with momentum, Golden could be their top choice.

Final thoughts

North Carolina has no shortage of strong options. Each candidate brings something different. Donovan offers experience. Stevens brings a sharp mind. Lloyd provides steady success. Golden adds fresh energy.

The decision will not be easy. The next coach must handle pressure and deliver results. Chapel Hill expects nothing less than excellence.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

MARCH MADNESS: 2026 Sweet 16 TV schedule, game times & dates for NCAA Tournament

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Tennis TV posted a funny video of Miami Open players going undercover and working on the grounds. In most instances, fans did not know who they were, or they could not put their finger on why the person looked familiar.

Taylor Fritz, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Jelena Ostapenko, Denis Shapovalov, and Grigor Dimitrov were the players involved in the bits.

Pegula and Paolini were disguised well, and Paolini and Dimitrov did an outstanding job of speaking with an American accent.

MORE: Miami Open tournament director James Blake seeking Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza for potential appearance this week

Would you recognize a top player in your midst?

Shapovalov in the Miami Open information booth would be hard to recognize because the hat covered his blonde hair. Fritz is far from incognito, and Ostapenko is strolling around with her widely recognized single braid hairstyle. Dimitrov, with his trademark five o’clock shadow, should have been easy to identify.

The fan who thought that Jessica Pegula worked for Peloton and continued to inquire about her connection to Peloton was funny, but Shapovalov giving fans “information” was the most hilarious segment of the video.

MORE: Miami Open introduces Love All Frosé cocktail in eye-catching cup

Whenever possible, tennis tournaments should be creating moments like this between top players and fans to help create further fan engagement and excitement.

Watch the closing days of the Miami Open on Tennis Channel. The tournament concludes this weekend with Saturday’s women’s singles and men’s doubles final and Sunday’s men’s singles final and the women’s doubles final. Americans Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula (singles and doubles), Hailey Baptiste, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe remain in the draw and in the hunt for the ATP and WTA 1000 titles.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

MARCH MADNESS: 2026 Sweet 16 TV schedule, game times & dates for NCAA Tournament

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Dunks are always worth two points, or at most three if you’re fouled, complete the dunk and add the free throw.

The math is different for Coen Carr and Michigan State.

“Like, his dunks are worth 10 points because they bring so much to the entire team,” Spartans guard Trey Fort said.

Or “more than two, at least,” said freshman forward Jordan Scott.

Their math is iffy, but this much is certain: Carr, a 6-foot-6 junior and first-year starter, brings a certain explosiveness that triggers the Spartans’ momentum, giving Michigan State a puncher’s chance of surviving and advancing through a loaded East region.

He had one of the best games of his career in the second round against No. 6 Louisville, posting 21 points and 10 rebounds to pace the 77-69 win and send the Spartans back to the Sweet 16 for the 17th time under Tom Izzo.

“Coen Carr played like the player we've all been waiting for," Izzo said. “Coen was like an ever-ready bunny, he just kept going and going and going."

RE-SEEDING THE SWEET 16: Separating the contenders from pretenders

As proved over the first weekend of tournament play, an active and aggressive Carr could give the Spartans the jolt they need to make the program’s ninth Final Four under Izzo.

“Just to be in March Madness, one of the greatest stages on earth, and to have a game like this, I just credit it to my coaches, my teammates, just for always believing in me,” Carr after the Louisville win. “They want me to go out there and be aggressive, and that's what I tried to focus on.”

Carr begins to thrive in Michigan State’s culture

Given the team’s depth of options, it may be a stretch to say the Spartans go only as far as Carr takes them. Michigan State’s transition game runs through point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who averages 15.3 points and an NCAA-best 9.4 assists per game, and the halfcourt offense can often focus on the two-man game between Fears and forward Jaxon Kohler (12.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game).

Still, Carr fits snugly into the Spartans’ scheme on both ends of the court as a high-flying human highlight reel who has harnessed his hops to become a far more complete player in his junior season.

After averaging 3.1 points in limited action as a freshman, he posted 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds as a sophomore, when his playing time climbed to 20.1 minutes per game.

“For some guys, it takes a little bit of an adjustment period,” said MSU assistant coach Saddi Washington, who tutors the Spartans’ big men. “We’re just proud of him for sticking to it. That’s what it’s all about. We’re all trying to put these guys in position to be help us and ultimately help themselves.”

As a junior, Carr has started all 34 games while averaging 12.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. He’s also become a more complete defender, using his athleticism to race around the perimeter, defend the paint and pound the glass, helping MSU rank fourth nationally in average rebounding margin.

“Coen showed himself,” Fears said after the Louisville win. “He's been putting in time on his free throws, his shooting. His defense was something that me and him talked about. Like, in order for our team and us to take another step, that we needed to take our defense to another level.”

His slow progression across three seasons makes Carr a bit of a throwback: Once a top-tier recruit out of Greenville, South Carolina, he stayed the course at MSU instead of following a national trend that often sees potential impact players hop, skip and jump across multiple programs in search of increased minutes.

“Just got to realize that there is a process to everything, and some guys it takes a little longer, and some guys a little shorter,” Izzo said.

That Carr stayed the course is a testament to the program’s culture built across Izzo’s 30-plus years in charge, said Washington.

“I think the culture of the program has a big deal to helping guys stay around. Because that’s part of the secret sauce of Michigan State.”

Big plays, dunks boost Michigan State’s Final Four odds

What Carr brings to the table is infectious energy.

“It’s critical for him, it’s critical for our team,” Washington said. “It has a rippling effect for our opponents, our fans. It’s just so explosive when it happens. And we’re able to build off of those moments, because normally it comes after a big defensive stop, and then we’re blitzing and breaking on the other end.”

There’s a reason teammates joke that his dunks count for more than just the standard two points: MSU feeds off the momentum shifts that Carr can create in a flash — making a block on one end of the court, racing into transition and then throwing down an electrifying, rim-shaking slam.

“For me, I would say the energy it brings to everybody, the crowd, the little kids, the band section, the coaches, the bench, just everybody,” Carr said. “It's for me, but also it's for everybody else. I like to see the gym have energy, and that's what I try to bring every time.”

These moments have become “routine,” Scott said. “He’s got these crazy dunks. I don’t think people understand just how crazy some of the stuff he’s doing is. Like, even the top athletes in the world aren’t doing what he’s doing.”

His explosiveness sparked two key sequences in the second half against the Cardinals. After Louisville made it 38-33 a minute into the half, Carr scored on an alley-oop from Fears, made a steal on the other end and then added another dunk on an assist from Fears, pushing the Spartans in front 42-33 less than a minute later.

“The runs that Coen can create when he’s playing well, especially offensively, feels more than two or four or six points, or whatever he’s putting up,” said center Carson Cooper.

With about eight minutes to play and the lead down to 55-50, Carr was fouled while drilling a short jumper and added the free throw. On the Cardinals’ ensuing drive down the court, Carr blocked a shot and corralled the defensive rebound, leading to a pair of Kohler free throws off a Louisville flagrant foul. Carr then missed a jumper and gathered the offensive rebound, leading to a Kohler 3-pointer than put MSU in front 63-50 with 6:30 remaining.

“When you talk about energy, it’s like a hurricane,” Washington said. “Sometimes, it’s comes out of nowhere. Sometimes, it comes with great anticipation, because 15,000 people can kind of see it evolving as it happens.”

This impact will have to continue if MSU hopes to steer through a star-studded East region, beginning with Friday’s matchup against No. 2 Connecticut. With a win, the Spartans would take on the winner of No. 1 Duke and No. 5 St. John’s in the Elite Eight.

Given his recent tournament production, Carr’s ability to flip the script and spark game-changing runs makes him perhaps the biggest wild card and potential influencer of any player left in the field.

“Just seeing him doing what he does, it brings everybody with him,” Fort said. “It motivates everybody. His energy kind of fuels the entire team.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan State embraces Coen Carr's rise before March Madness Sweet 16

The Atlanta Falcons introduced Tua Tagovailoa in a virtual press conference on Tuesday afternoon. While Tagovailoa has the experience advantage over Michael Penix Jr., he knows nothing will be handed to him in Atlanta.

"You don't choose a team based off of whether I'm going to be starting or not," said Tagovailoa. "I think you look at the entirety of the group, right? As I was looking at the other teams, I knew I had to compete regardless of what that was going to look like."

Tagovailoa said he knows Penix a little bit through his little brother and reached out to him after signing in free agency.

"Coming here, I kind of know Mike a little bit based off his relationship with my little brother," explained Tagovailoa. "I got in contact with Mike and whatnot. Talked with him. Moving forward from there, competition is just a thing in the NFL."

The former top-five pick admitted that he didn't have a great season in 2025 but feels his future is still bright.

"You know, last year wasn't the best year for me, and I'm looking for a fresh start," said Tagovailoa. "But, fresh start in the sense of being able to compete. Being able to go back out there and playing football -- good football. And I think the best football is still ahead of me."

Watch: Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa introduced to media

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa introduced at press conference

The NFL draft is less than a month away, and teams are working diligently to finalize their draft boards as some of the more high-profile pro days take place.

On Monday, the University of Miami held its pro day, and the prospects did not disappoint in front of a packed crowd filled with team executives and scouts. While some prospects did not fully test, most, if not all, ran through position drills, including one of the Tennessee Titans' potential targets, Rueben Bain.

Afterwards, Bain sat down with former Titans general manager Ran Carthan and Ryan Wilson for CBS Sports, and let it be known that he will be visiting Nashville for a Top 30 visit.

Rueben Bain Jr confirms during this interview with CBS Sports that he has a visit with the Dolphins and then after that the #Titanshttps://t.co/DjRmoLjefH

— Zach Lyons (@TheZachLyons) March 24, 2026

Bain stated that he will visit the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday and then travel to meet with the Titans at the team's facility in the coming days.

This is a big step toward potentially becoming the fourth overall selection with the Titans in the 2026 NFL Draft. After watching his workout, that selection would be justified, as Bain showed a combination of athleticism and power, which could outweigh the criticisms of his arm length.

Bain will be the eighth known visit for the Titans in this pre-draft cycle, joining Jeremiyah Love, KC Concepcion, Makai Lemon, Tristan Leigh, Treydan Stukes, Mansoor Delane, and Travis Burke to tour the facility.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Miami EDGE Rueben Bain confirms top 30 visit with Tennessee Titans

The Cincinnati Bengals desperately needed Joe Flacco’s help last season and got it. 

The Bengals would have liked to get Flacco back this offseason in a reasonable timeframe, too…and got it. 

Given that, the Bengals have rewarded Flacco on his new deal. 

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Flacco’s new one-year deal with the Bengals is a $6 million contract with a max value of $9 million. 

That’s the Bengals thanking Flacco for it all, really, while paying out at the very top of the backup quarterback market.

Flacco more than earned it after his showing last year. He came over and, on short notice, picked up the offense and kept the team alive. 

This offseason, Flacco could have easily dragged his trip to free agency out well into the summer while seeing if a chance to compete for starting jobs popped up. 

Instead, Flacco ends speculation about the spot behind Joe Burrow, firmly jumping ahead of Josh Johnson on the depth chart and giving the Bengals arguably the best top-to-bottom quarterback room in the NFL.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals reward Joe Flacco with notable contract details

It's been an eventful offseason for the Washington Commanders. The team brought in a pair of new coordinators and added some quality pieces in free agency in a bid to contend again in 2026.

The team made its defense better in free agency with signings like Leo Chenal, Amik Robertson, and Odafe Oweh. However, the team hasn't done a ton on offense, especially at wide receiver.

Terry McLaurin is still a reliable top option, but the team doesn't have much to write home about behind the veteran. There does appear to be a perfect option in the trade market, though, if the Commanders want to go that route.

Brandon Aiyuk, who's spent all six seasons of his career with the San Francisco 49ers, appears more likely than ever to be playing elsewhere soon. The 49ers voided Aiyuk's guaranteed money last year after he didn't play for the team in 2025. General manager John Lynch has all but confirmed Aiyuk will be elsewhere in 2026.

It's been awkward between the two parties, and it's surprising that the 49ers haven't just cut bait. The thought is that the team is still waiting on a trade partner, but why would a team trade for Aiyuk right now when they can just scoop him up on a team-friendly deal after he's cut?

Perhaps the Commanders don't want to wait until he's cut and would be willing to offer a late-round pick. Assuming Aiyuk is healthy, he would immediately fill the biggest hole on the team's roster: WR2.

Aiyuk played in only seven games in 2024 due to injury and didn't play at all in 2025. However, Aiyuk had at least 700 yards in each of his first four seasons and eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in 2022 and 2023. Aiyuk even received second-team All-Pro honors after his 1,342-yard 2023 season.

The receiver has been linked to the Commanders before. People are quick to make the connection because Aiyuk was a college teammate of Jayden Daniels at Arizona State. The Commanders added running back Rachaad White this offseason, too, who was also teammates with Aiyuk and Daniels in Tempe.

Considering the Commanders don't have a ton of draft capital this season, it's probably more likely they wait for the receiver to be released. Regardless, Aiyuk may be the team's best option for WR2 in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Brandon Aiyuk could fill huge need

LOS ANGELES — UCLA was going through its free throw drills during an October preseason practice when coach Cori Close had to stop everything.

In this drill, you have to make six straight free throws, and then cap it off with a little dance. Everyone does their own thing, but in this instance, she caught Lauren and Sienna Betts out of the corner of her eye. As “thatPower” by Will.i.am featuring Justin Bieber played through the speakers of Pauley Pavilion, the sisters weren’t just dancing; they were in sync, and it was choreographed too perfectly.

“Wait a minute,” Close said. “We got to see this.”

When they were younger, the sisters enjoyed “Just Dance.” Mainly, Lauren loved dancing as a kid, her mother Michelle recalled, obsessed with learning routines. The only problem was they didn’t have the game.

“We were too cheap to get the actual video games,” Lauren joked. “We would just look up YouTube videos.”

So, Lauren would learn all of these dances, and then would teach it to her little sister so they could perform it together. In this particular instance, “thatPower” was in “Just Dance: 2014,” and it was a dance they knew by heart.

Seeing the sisters throwing it back to their childhood, Close called everyone over, restarted the song and made the Betts sisters do whatever they were doing.

The result? A performance that wowed the rest of the Bruins. The cameras used to record practice caught it, and has over 3.5 million views on TikTok.

“Without even rehearsing it, they bust out into this dance,” Close said. “They were great.”

Nothing like a sister bond.

You could call the viral moment a good omen, kick starting what has been a phenomenal senior year for Betts. The Bruins star has led her team to another Big Ten championship and No. 1 seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament, on a path to get UCLA back to the Final Four and win its first national championship.

While there’s been plenty to celebrate on the court, there’s perhaps even more off of it. For a long time, none of this seemed possible. For as great Betts has been throughout her career playing, she struggled away from the game.

This year, Betts has thrived as a person. She’s having fun and soaking up everything in her final season in Westwood. It’s even sweeter her little sister by her side to experience it.

“Things have gone so well at UCLA,” Michelle Betts told USA TODAY Sports. “Sometimes, it's like you forget how rough it was.”

Becoming Lauren Betts

In addition to tearing up the family dance floor, Betts was an avid swimmer in her youth. She’d be up at 4 a.m. to go to swim meets with her dad, and sometimes, mom would take her to a basketball tournament later in the day.

It was eighth grade when Betts decided basketball was her avenue, and when she made that choice, she took off. She was succeeding and loving it.

All of that changed when others started noticing. It was hard to ignore Betts’ talent ― and height ― as she started high school. Then came her making the U-16 national team, and when she was with teammates in Chile for the FIBA Americas championship, she learned she was the top recruit in the country.

That’s when the “pressure cooker” turned on. All the sudden, Betts and her family heard all of the noise, and there was no way to turn it off.

“That was actually really shocking and kind of hard to deal with,” Michelle said. “She'd always get a lot of attention, a lot of unwanted attention. She handled it the best she could, but it was really hard for her.”

Despite the consistent pressure, Betts flourished playing at Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, proving why she was the top player in the 2022 recruiting class. She chose Stanford, set on becoming the next great player for the storied program.

'It was really painful'

Betts’ freshman season at Stanford was tough, which has been well documented. Coming off the bench, not feeling like she was living up to expectations, took a tremendous toll. Her mental health was suffering, and family didn’t know how to help. They tried their best to be encourage her every step of the way.

Even those closest to her didn’t know how truly bad it got. In the Fox Sports documentary “You See LA,” Betts revealed after the season, she didn’t know if she wanted to continue playing basketball.

“It was really painful,” Michelle said of watching it.

Of all the coaches that recruited Betts ― and there were several ― Close and the UCLA staff were the ones that felt closest to the family. They actually felt like an extension of it. 

Just how Close talked to Betts about stuff outside of basketball, sometimes in therapeutic ways, it felt like transferring to UCLA was the move to help Betts reestablish herself on and off the court. 

It did ― just not right away.

“When she first got there, and she was on the court and she was doing her things, she's doing a great job,” Michelle said. “It definitely took a dive towards January.”

In the Player’s Tribune on March 19, Betts revealed at the time her anxiety and depression engulfed her, and she was in a dangerous headspace.  She checked herself into a hospital, and took some time away from the team in the middle of the season, knowing she needed to get help.

It was tremendously brave not just for Betts to do, but to share it.

“I could not imagine when I was that age having that kind of courage and having experienced some of those things alongside her and with her,” Close said.

Betts’ junior season was when mom noticed the page turning. That confidence was growing again, and just about everything went right. 

UCLA raced to a 23-0 start. It won the Big Ten tournament title and reached the Final Four for the first time in program history. Betts was an All-American, defensive player of the year and center of the year.

The arrival of little sister, Sienna

With Betts and every starter from last season’s team returning, the expectation the Bruins is to get back to the Final Four and win it all. 

So far, they’re on track. UCLA is having its most successful season yet, 33-1 after a perfect run through the Big Ten and another No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Bruins are loaded with talent, a senior-led squad with multiple playmakers on the court at any given time. Despite the deep roster, Betts has continued to be the leader, averaging 17.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. That doesn’t account for the difference she makes with her presence on the court. 

Big Ten player of the year, another conference defensive player of the year and additional All-American honor are just some of the awards she’s already won this season, and there’s a good chance the honors will keep coming.

“Her impact has been incredible,” guard Gianna Kneepkens said. “She makes everyone better not just because of the basketball player she is, but the leader she is.” 

Even with all of the success, this season's approach has been different. Close felt like 2024-25 was a “heavy year,” given UCLA had so many firsts and was trying to navigate being the hunted instead of the hunter. She knew coming into the 2025-26 campaign, she needed to let loose a bit and let the players find joy during the grind.

You know, like let your star player and top freshman put on a “Just Dance” performance during practice. It’s those moments that have made this season even sweeter.

“I feel like I'm just a lot more calm. I think showing up to practice every day is just so exciting. Like, how can you not love showing up to practice and just having your own family there?” Betts said. “(Sienna’s) just such a big joy of my life, and I just appreciate her being here, and all the support and love that she constantly gives me.”

Momma Betts also believes Sienna reminds Lauren of her journey, and the “reason to celebrate” this moment. Plus, she gets to see her little girls be the same exact ones she raised. Even though they were typical sisters, driving each other crazy, they have always been extremely close, having a blast every single time they are together.

“It kind of takes you back,” Michelle said. “It's like, there goes my girls, being the same. They have not changed.”

Maybe it’s a coincidence, but Betts has grown tremendously off the court. It’s not hard to tell how much fun she’s been having.

She has become a DJ. She’s starring in a Nyx makeup commercial. She’s making TikToks left and right. She and teammates Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Ledger-Walker even got to perform with the cheerleaders at the men’s basketball home finale.

View this post on Instagram

“She’s enjoying more of a well-rounded life, and appreciating her lifestyle and who she is, more than just the singular focus of, ‘How did I play today?’” Michelle said.

Embracing the journey

Betts couldn’t have imagined what happened when she walked off the Nell and John Wooden Court for the final game of her college career. After dropping a career-high 35 points and nine rebounds to lead UCLA to the Sweet 16, she was serenaded by the home crowd one last time.

Remember, she reached her lowest point in her first year on campus. Times were dark and a future didn’t seem certain. 

To go from that, to having Mom, who she described as “my rock,” and “best friend” Sienna there, getting emotional even though that’s uncharacteristic for little sister, it was a picture perfect ending to an emotional journey.

“I didn't think that any of this is possible, or that I'd be in the position that I'm in. I think that's where a lot of the emotions come from,” Betts told USA TODAY Sports after the win over Oklahoma State in the second round. “It hasn't been easy, but this program means everything to me.”

Of course, it’s not the end just yet. UCLA has its eyes on a national championship, and Betts will be a pro, possibly the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft. Professional basketball will give Betts new challenges, Michelle said, but that’s another conversation for another day. Plus, she believes her daughter will take a lot of pride in reaching the highest level of basketball, with her college journey helping her navigate it.

Regardless how the it all evolves, Betts has won. She overcame the demons and has thrived. Part of her healing process is being proud of who she is and how she's grown.

It’s inspired others as well. Close recalled when the team played at Penn State on New Year’s Eve, a teenage girl came to Betts and said her story saved her life.

“When you can use your pain for great purpose and other centeredness to have an incredible legacy in the lives of others, that's an incredible gift. But it's a gift that she's worked really, really hard for,” Close said.

It’s a dream shaped into reality. The icing on the cake is her family was there to witness — and dance — through it all.

“I'm happy that they're happy, that they're just thriving. I just feel really blessed,” Michelle said. “You just wonder how many good things can happen in the same family. 

“It just feels really crazy to me.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How a viral dance captured UCLA center Lauren Betts’ journey back to joy

After 42 days of spring training, a rollicking World Baseball Classic and a smorgasbord of last-minute signings, what, exactly, has changed across Major League Baseball?

Not a heck of a whole lot.

Still, in a season where one game can make a significant impact even amid the backdrop of 161 others, USA TODAY Sports' power rankings moved a bit on its axis as the game's Opening Day(s) bear down March 25-27.

Kyle Tucker is still very rich, Paul Skenes still very good and Tony Vitello still untested beyond the rigors, such as they are, of the Cactus League. With that said, a look at updated power rankings as this six-month crucible gets underway:

(Movement from pre-spring training power rankings)

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

• Is Emmet Sheehan's breakout season loading?

2. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

• Justin Crawford won the center field job, which makes this a very successful camp.

3. Seattle Mariners (+1)

• Cal and Randy sound like a country/western duo, not a WBC-quasi-beefing pair of teammates.

4. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)

• Shane Bieber slow played, Trey Yesavage with shoulder impingements. Just blips, for now.

5. New York Yankees (-)

• Gerrit Cole sneaked in a Grapefruit League inning and that's a real good sign for '26.

6. Chicago Cubs (-)

• Javier Assad sent to Class AAA, which means there's a nice bit of pitching depth here.

7. New York Mets (+1)

• Really feels like these guys are ready to cook.

8. Detroit Tigers (+1)

• Kevin McGonigle sending a "when, not if" mode regarding his arrival this year.

9. Boston Red Sox (-2)

• Marcelo Mayer is the starting second baseman, exactly a year after Kristian Campbell looked like a permanent fixture there.

10. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

• Brandon Sproat makes opening-day rotation, could ease sting of Freddy Peralta trade sooner rather than later.

11. San Diego Padres (-)

• Walker Buehler makes the team, earning $1.5 million in hopes of greener pastures next year.

12. Houston Astros (-)

• Cam Smith accepts challenge and wins starting outfield job.

13. San Francisco Giants (-)

• A good year ahead if their very ordinary rotation pieces - Adrian Houser, Tyler Mahle - deliver.

14. Texas Rangers (-)

• Andrew McCutchen's patience pays off: He makes the Rangers roster on a minor-league deal.

15. Baltimore Orioles (+1)

• Innings-eater Dean Kremer's option to Class AAA startling, but speaks well of improved pitching depth.

16. Cincinnati Reds (-1)

• First Hunter Greene, now possibly Nick Lodolo lost to season-opening IL.

17. Kansas City Royals (-)

• Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone bring momentum from Italy's WBC run.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)

• Jonathan Loáisiga, Joe Ross claim spots in revamped bullpen.

19. Cleveland Guardians (-)

• A calf injury pumps the breaks a bit on hitting prospect George Valera.

20. Tampa Bay Rays (-)

• Chandler Simpson's big round trip: His first over-the-fence home run. Now, to get one outside the Grapefruit League.

21. Atlanta Braves (-)

• An infirmary filled with starting pitchers - Spencer Strider's the latest - may make them rue dearth of winter activity.

22. Miami Marlins (-)

• Outfielders Kyle Stowers (hamstring) and Esteury Ruiz (oblique) to miss first month of season.

23. St. Louis Cardinals (-)

• JJ Wetherholt is headin' north with the big club.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

• Teen draftee Seth Hernandez looking beastly in spring breakout appearance.

25. Athletics (-)

• There's a second Max Muncy starting at third base in the big leagues, and he'll call Yolo County home.

26. Los Angeles Angels (-)

• Adam Frazier and Oswald Peraza will share second-base duties, which is ... something.

27. Minnesota Twins (-)

• Top outfield prospects Emmanuel Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins will be lurking at Class AAA St. Paul.

28. Chicago White Sox (-)

• WBC hamstring injury takes out No. 1 catcher Kyle Teel, so Reese McGuire added to mix.

29. Washington Nationals (-)

• Cade Cavalli snagged opening-day start, overcoming years of injury setbacks.

30. Colorado Rockies (-)

• Chase Dollander will begin season out of the bullpen.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Opening Day starts 2026 with Dodgers as favorites

Why Jameis Winston is on Netflix's Yankees vs. Giants broadcast for 2026 Opening Night originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When Netflix airs Wednesday night's opening game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants, the service is giving a different kind of experience for viewers. That includes a few special guests who aren't normally on baseball broadcasts during the year.

Among Netflix's broadcast crew will be New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston, who has some free time in the NFL offseason. Winston is not stranger to being a part of the media and used to play baseball before committing to play football full-time.

Here's why Netflix is featuring Winston on its broadcast.

MORE: Jameis Winston's full career timeline

Why is Jameis Winston on Yankees-Giants Netflix broadcast?

Netflix announced that Giants quarterback Jameis Winston will join the streaming service's coverage of Yankees-Giants on Wednesday night as a special guest. Winston's exact role for the broadcast is unclear, but he will be a part of a large production for the night.

JAMEIS WINSTON ON OPENING NIGHT!

The NY Giants quarterback will be a special guest for Yankees vs. Giants on #OpeningNight — the first-ever MLB game on Netflix.

LIVE on Netflix March 25. Special coverage starts at 7PM ET | 4PM PT. pic.twitter.com/rTX2CGMJpm

— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) March 20, 2026

Netflix hasn't reveled Winston's exact role on Wednesday night, but the quarterback could be taking part in something beyond game analysis.

While Winston has been in the NFL for over a decade, he was a dual-sport athlete in college, playing outfield and pitching for Florida State in 2013 and 2014. Additionally, in 2012, the Texas Rangers drafted Winston out of high school in the 15th round of the MLB draft.

Winston will be one of a few special guests for the streaming service on the night, as he joins comedian Bert Kreischer and wrestlers Jey and Jimmy Uso in that role.

MORE: When did Jameis Winston get drafted?

Netflix broadcast team

The Netflix broadcast team for the opening night game between the Yankees and Giants is a star-studded affair, featuring some of the best baseball players of all time. The full list of contributors includes:

Desk:

• Host: Elle Duncan
• Analyst: Barry Bonds
• Analyst: Albert Pujols
• Analyst: Anthony Rizzo

Booth:

• Play-by-play: Matt Vasgersian
• Analyst: CC Sabathia
• Analyst: Hunter Pence

Additional contributors:

• Sideline reporter: Lauren Shehadi
• Special guest: Jameis Winston
• Special guest: Bert Kreischer
• Special guests: Jey and Jimmy Uso

MORE: 16 NFL stars who were drafted in by MLB teams

Jameis Winston broadcast career

Although Winston is still an active NFL player, he has worked on broadcasts in his off time. Last year, Winston joined Fox for its broadcast of Super Bowl 59, and he rejoined during the Giants bye week in the 2025 regular season.

Jameis Winston did EVERYTHING he could to get on a Super Yacht in New Orleans 🤣

He met some new friends and saw familiar faces along the way 👀 #JameisOnFOXpic.twitter.com/jxaZeLAyJn

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 7, 2025

Jameis Winston surprises the FOX NFL crew dressed as Terry 🤣 #JameisOnFOX@Jaboowins | @RobGronkowski | @curtmenefeepic.twitter.com/EdIM6VZSJK

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 7, 2025

Winston's personality makes him a logical fit to join media full-time in some fashion once he retires from the NFL. For now, the quarterback is assisting with media coverage part-time when he is not playing in the league.

Johnson Wagner has said that he has already seen enough to believe that Jordan Spieth will be in the mix at The Masters next month.

Regardless of the form Spieth is in, he is always someone to watch out for at Augusta National. He did not finish outside the top two across his first three starts at The Masters, winning in 2015.

Obviously, the last few years have not seen the Texan at his best. It is rapidly approaching four years since his most recent win on the PGA Tour.

Nevertheless, Johnson Wagner is confident that Spieth’s name will be prominent on Augusta National’s iconic leaderboards in a couple of weeks.

Johnson Wagner assesses Jordan Spieth’s form heading into The Masters

Spieth is yet to finish inside the top 10 on the PGA Tour this season. He has, however, registered two 11th place finishes, while he was 12th at the Genesis Invitational.

Speaking on CBS Sports, Wagner was asked about what he wanted to see from the 32-year-old at the Valero Texas Open before he tipped Spieth to contend at The Masters.

It turns out that Wagner does not need too much convincing.

“When you think about certain players, certain venues, the current form doesn’t really matter. When you think about Augusta, Jordan Spieth has gone in with varying differences in form and competed really well there. I think we’re seeing exactly what we need to see out of Jordan,” he said.

“He’s been consistent, he’s been better off the tee, his iron play’s been good. I don’t think we’re seeing the big foul balls. If you’re looking ahead to next week at Valero Texas Open, it really punishes foul balls, but also rewards short game and imagination. So I just want to see him make the cut, be there, be great to see him get in contention, but I don’t necessarily need to see Jordan Spieth in the final couple of groups on Sunday to be bullish on him going into Augusta.

“I think he’s ready. Clearly, his wrist feels a lot better than it did last year at this time. He’s really comfortable with his swing, and not seeing these crazy rehearsals that we’re used to seeing out of him. I think finally he’s comfortable in what he’s working on, and I think he’s playing with a clear mind.”

We are firmly on the road that leads to Magnolia Lane. The Florida swing on the PGA Tour is in the books, with the likes of Cameron Young and Matthew Fitzpatrick among the players to win during the run.

Wagner was asked to grade Spieth’s performances throughout the Florida swing. He suggested that there were plenty of promising signs from the three-time major champion.

“It’s funny the way we rank these guys. I’m basically grading them on themselves. I’m going to give Jordan a B+,” he said.

“If it was Scottie [Scheffler] with those results, it would probably be lower. But I’m going to give Jordan a B+, I’m happy with where he’s at. I’m such a fan of his. We’re seeing consistency, that’s important to me.”

Wagner predicts where Spieth will be before the final round at Augusta National

Spieth has finished inside the top five in exactly half of his starts at The Masters, most recently back in 2023 when he played a brilliant final round to finish tied for fourth.

He has also missed the cut at Augusta National in two of his last four starts at the event. That cannot be discounted when predicting how Spieth is likely to perform next month.

But Wagner is clearly confident that Spieth is going to register yet another superb finish this time around.

“I think he’s always going to be in my top five [power rankings] leading into Augusta, and I’ve seen everything I need to see out of him to be somewhat confident to put him in my top five,” he said.

“His form almost doesn’t matter. I am very happy with where Jordan is. He’s going to be there come Sunday at Augusta, whether somebody’s running away with it, I don’t know. But Jordan’s going to be in that top 10 going into the final round at Augusta.”

With so many elite players finding form at a similar time heading into The Masters, it is going to be incredibly difficult for Spieth to secure his second Green Jacket this year.

However, it says a lot that no one should be truly surprised if Wagner’s prediction proves to be spot on.

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Exeter City are set to appoint their fourth chairman in less than a year with Wilf Walsh to head the club's board of directors from May.

Walsh is currently chairman of Cricket Scotland and the Racecourse Association as well as being a board member of the British Horseracing Authority.

He was chief executive of Carpetright and later the company's holding group Nestware until he retired in 2022, with the carpet firm sponsoring Exeter City's shirts for three years.

The Exeter-born businessman is a season ticket holder at St James Park and is expected to be formally appointed when the board meets on 7 May.

• Exeter City 'will start next season solvent' - chairman
• Job cuts at Exeter City as fans give club second loan
• Pym resigns as Exeter City chairman

He will take over from interim chair Laurence Overend who came in last month when Richard Pym resigned after less than four months in the role.

Pym took over at the financially-troubled fan-owned club following Nick Hawker's resignation last June.

Exeter have been forced into job cuts and had to go to owners the Exeter City Supporters' Trust for loans of around £600,000 to stay solvent earlier this season after an overspend in the last campaign.

Last week, Overend said the club would be solvent for the start of next season although the playing budget is likely to be cut.

Also set to join the board in May will be David Lee, who served a similar role between 2013 and 2020.

Coco Gauff overcame a battling performance by Belinda Bencic to reach the Miami Open semi-finals for the first time.

The 22-year-old became the youngest American to reach the women's singles semi-finals at the tournament since Serena Williams did so in 2004 - the year Gauff was born.

Gauff, ranked fourth in the world, was taken to a deciding set by the Swiss 12th seed but won four straight games after conceding a break of serve to close out a 6-3 1-6 6-3 victory in two hours and 15 minutes.

Gauff said that "how I was able to hold my nerve" pleased her most about her quarter-final victory.

"It was a tough match," she added. "It took a lot of running, some falls, but I'm really proud of how I fought. I think that's been a theme of the week."

Gauff, a three-time winner of WTA 1000 events, was contesting her first quarter-final in Miami after last-16 exits in 2022, 2024 and 2025.

She will meet Karolina Muchova for a place in the final, after the Czech defeated Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko 7-5 7-6 (7-5).

If Gauff reaches the final, she will overtake former world number one Iga Swiatek and move to third in the WTA rankings next week.

Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, runner-up to world number one Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells earlier this month, set up a quarter-final against fifth seed Jessica Pegula.

The world number two ended Australian 21-year-old Talia Gibson's impressive run in a 6-2 6-2 victory.

In Wednesday's other quarter-final match, defending champion Sabalenka will take on American Hailey Baptiste.

• Live scores, results and order of play
• Get tennis news sent straight to your phone

Former Brighton goalkeeping coach Jack Stern believes Carl Rushworth is ready to become the Seagulls' first-choice goalkeeper if Bart Verbuggen was to depart in the summer.

Rushworth, 24, has impressed while on loan at Championship leaders Coventry City, but has himself admitted he may need to leave his parent club to fulfil his ambitions.

As well as Rushworth, Stern mentioned James Beadle, who is on loan at second-tier club Birmingham City, as another "strong" goalkeeper in the mix for a breakthrough at Brighton.

"When I left Brighton, I made the point to say that they had a collection of goalkeepers that was really strong, some of the best young goalkeepers in Europe," Stern told BBC Radio Sussex. "Both Carl and James have continued to show that this year.

"They have both got huge potential. Just because of his age and experience, James is probably another year or so off being ready for that.

"At Carl's age, there are not many English goalkeepers in the country who have had the amount of games that he has had at a good level.

"Carl probably feels ready and he probably is ready. That's not my decision to make, Brighton have got some difficult decisions to make in terms of the goalkeepers this summer - but some good ones to make as well."

What do you think will happen in terms of Brighton's goalkeepers in the summer? Who do you think will be number one next season and why?

Get in touch with your views here

Igor Tudor was only brought in as an interim manager, meant to see out the end of the season after Tottenham Hotspur opted to sack Thomas Frank. However, the former Olympique de Marseille and Juventus manager has not managed to inspire a turnaround and so Spurs lurk just above the relegation zone.

A 3-0 defeat to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest could spell the end for Tudor. L’Équipe understands that Tottenham Hotspur are already in talks with a potential replacement, Adi Hutter. The Austrian led his former club, AS Monaco, to back-to-back UEFA Champions League qualifications. He was sacked by the Principality club back in October amid a poor run of form. 

L’Équipe understands that talks with Hutter have begun, although no agreement has yet been found with the Austrian. Another former Ligue 1 manager, Roberto De Zerbi, could also be an option for Spurs. The Italian left Olympique de Marseille last month and has previously been linked with the role.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has reaffirmed his commitment to the club despite being strongly linked with a potential summer exit.

The 24-year-old has made it clear that he wants to become a legend at Chelsea, which is a massive boost for the Blues, especially at a time when there’s a dark cloud hanging over the club.

Chelsea are lacking direction at the moment, with Liam Rosenior’s ill-advised appointment sending the Blues toward a downward spiral.

The West Londoners were eliminated from the Champions League after suffering a humiliating 8-2 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in their two-legged last-16 encounter.

To make matters worse, Chelsea have also managed just one win from their last six Premier League outings (D2, L3), including back-to-back defeats against Newcastle United and Everton.

The humiliating 3-0 defeat to Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium means the Blues have now lost four consecutive games for the first time in over three decades.

Rosenior has only been at the helm for 19 games but is already facing backlash from fans, and Chelsea’s dreadful form has raised questions about the futures of several key players.

Caicedo was named among players who may be looking for a way out of their seemingly endless contract, particularly after being linked with a move to Real Madrid.

However, the Ecuadorian midfielder has rubbished those rumours, making it clear that he intends to honour his contract, which runs until the summer of 2031.

“I’m just focused on my club right now,” Caicedo told El Chiringuito TV. “I’ve got a contract there at my club. I want to become a legend there, God willing, and well, that’s all for now.

“As for the national team, I want to stay there and finish on a high note.”

Caicedo’s midfield partner Enzo Fernandez has also been linked with a move to Madrid.

However, unlike his South American teammate, Fernandez has left his future up in the air, particularly if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League.

Despite Chelsea’s downward spiral, Rosenior’s job is not under any imminent threat, with the club owners ready to back him even if they miss out on a top-four finish.

Jan Virgili, one of the emerging talents at RCD Mallorca, has spoken about the possibility of returning to FC Barcelona in an interview with the newspaper SPORT.

Virgili left Barcelona for Mallorca last summer, but the Blaugrana retain 50% of his rights and also have a first refusal option for the youngster.

In fact, recent reports have suggested that the La Liga champions are considering the prospect of re-signing him to strengthen the left flank, especially amidst doubts about Marcus Rashford’s permanent signing.

Virgili open to returning

Currently on international duty with Spain’s U-21 team, the young winger has left the door open to a return to Barça should they come calling for him.

“Well, if Barça were to call me, it would be difficult to say no,” stated Virgili during the interview.

Virgili open to Barcelona return. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

The winger joined Barcelona in 2024 from Gimnastic de Tarragona and enjoyed a fruitful campaign with the Juvenil A team, while even breaking into Barça Atletic.

“It was incredible; for me, it was a dream come true. What’s more, the great season we had with the Under-19s, winning the Cup, the League and the Champions League, and then playing for the reserve team, was an unforgettable experience,” he said.

But he opted to leave as he was not given an opportunity with the first team for the pre-season tour in the summer.

“In the end, when I started pre-season with the first team, I was hoping to go on the tour and, at the very least, try to prove myself or get the chance to play for the first team, but it didn’t happen,” revealed Virgili.

“These things happen, and in the end, I received an offer from Mallorca and decided to go for a change of direction.”

An emotional reaction from inside the Liverpool dressing room has continued to emerge following Mo Salah’s decision to leave the club, with Kostas Tsimikas now offering one of the most personal tributes yet.

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After the Egyptian confirmed his exit at the end of the season, messages from teammates have already highlighted the respect he commands, but this latest response gives a deeper insight into what he means on a human level.

Tsimikas shares emotional message to Salah

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Speaking via Instagram, the Greek international delivered a heartfelt message that goes beyond football, focusing on the personal connection built over five years together at Anfield.

“Mo Salah❤️, I remember me watching you on the tv and saying that you are one of the greatest players of our generation. Life happens and I had the luck to tell that to you in person so many times.”

The Liverpool left-back made it clear that this wasn’t just admiration from afar, but a relationship that developed into something much more meaningful during their time as teammates.

“A true legend that having the luck to call him my friend. One of the closest and important friendships I created in my football career so far.”

That insight says plenty about the influence Salah has had behind the scenes, not just as a player but as a personality within the squad.

Salah’s impact goes beyond the pitch

The 29-year-old defender currently on loan at Roma went further, highlighting qualities that supporters rarely get to see, describing the forward as a calming presence and a key figure in his own development.

“A very good listener, a very good advisor and so patient with all my break outs (😅).”

Tsimikas also reflected on the daily impact of working alongside our No.11, underlining how the Egypt international has shaped him both professionally and personally.

“Mo, I thank you for your every day company the last 5 years, the laughs, the talks, the achievements, for pushing me to be a better person and also for being my inspiration in and out of the pitch.”

He closed with a message that echoes what we’ve already seen from others in the squad, blending humour with genuine affection.

“Our Egyptian King, YNWA #11… P.S., we all know that I’m your football bestie too 😂”

That tone reflects a dressing room that clearly values Salah far beyond his goals and assists, reinforcing what has already been evident from the reaction of teammates across social media.

As the season continues, those relationships may prove just as important as anything on the pitch, especially if we are to give him the send-off his legacy deserves – something akin to what we saw with Jurgen Klopp.

With his contract at Real Madrid expiring at the end of the season, Germany centre-back Antonio Rüdiger’s future is currently up in the air.

It has been widely reported that Real Madrid would like to extend Rüdiger’s deal, but not on his current terms, with the 33-year-old reportedly earning €14 million per year.

Should the German defender opt to leave the Spanish capital, he could have several options to choose between.

According to Tuttosport, Juventus, Manchester United and Liverpool are all interested in the experienced centre-back.

Juventus are reportedly prepared to offer Rüdiger a two-year contract worth between €5 million and €6 million per season.

Manchester City were all over Arsenal early in the second half on Sunday when Rodri spread his arms calling for the ball on the edge of the area.

Rayan Cherki instantly spotted him and picked him out.

Rodri controlled it and fired it right away.

The low shot looked destined for the bottom-right corner of Kepa's goal, but Martin Zubimendi got in the way and blocked his fellow Spaniard's effort.

Ultimately, Rodri came out on top as City won 2-0 at Wembley to lift the Carabao Cup.

But the battle of the two midfielders is far from over. It resumed on Monday when both of them reported to the Spanish national team camp in Madrid before the friendlies against Serbia and Egypt.

Not only are they still fighting for the Premier League title, but also for a starting place with the European champions.

That's one of the main debates in Spain before this summer's World Cup.

Can Rodri and Zubimendi play together?

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has had to address this question so often during the past few months that he's now reached a point where he's simply anticipating it in interviews.

"After all the setbacks he went through, Rodrigo is back at a high level. I've said before that he is the best in the world, but also on those same occasions that we are very fortunate," De La Fuente told TVE..

"After all, in that position, the number 6 role, we have the two best players in the world: Rodrigo and Martin [Zubimendi].

"So I will get ahead of a question you are probably going to ask: can they play together? Of course they can play together."

The 64-year-old boss has yet to truly put that into practice, however.

He's done it once, but that was quite circumstantial. It took place in the 2024 Euro semi-finals against France, when Zubimendi came off the bench in the 93rd minute.

For most of their time at Las Rozas headquarters in Madrid, it's been either one or the other.

Rodri had long been undroppable and even had a say within the dressing room in how the team played, but his last start was in September 2024 against Switzerland.

In his absence, Zubimendi has made such an impact that what once felt unquestionable no longer does: there's life without the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner.

The first clues to what comes next could arrive on Friday when Spain face Serbia in Villarreal.

'I'm leaving you the keys of the team'

There has been no Spain without Rodri or Zubimendi in midfield.

Of De la Fuente's 3,300 minutes since taking over in March 2023, only 268 were played without at least one of them on the pitch – 67 against Andorra in June 2024; 21 against Denmark in November 2024; 90 against Switzerland in November 2024; and 90 against Turkey in November 2025.

The duo's dominance has been such that, when Rodri suffered a knee ligament injury in September 2024, he dropped a message to Zubimendi.

"I'm leaving you the keys of the team," he wrote to his compatriot at Arsenal.

The City maestro now finds himself in a situation where he's not sure whether he will have them back. He's no stranger to that kind of competition, though.

"That sounds familiar. It was not so long ago that it was [Sergio] Busquets and me. It's a joy to have players of such a high level in every position," he said.

In the 2022 World Cup, however, the solution the coach at the time, Luis Enrique, came up with to accommodate both of them was playing Rodri as a centre-back. It's unlikely that De la Fuente will go down the same road this summer.

In that case, he will either have to field an unprecedented double pivot – despite his public preference for a 6, an 8 and a 10 in his line of three in midfield – or leave one of them on the bench. That is not ruled out.

"Yes, we can play that way [with a double pivot] perfectly well," De la Fuente said in an interview with Despejados podcast.

"In my idea of football, they [Rodri and Zubimendi] may occupy a similar role, but they are different players with different characteristics. In fact, Martin is getting into the box more now and scoring goals, but he also has the qualities of a positional player, with balance and outstanding tactical awareness. Rodri has those same qualities too, so having them there gives us security, that kind of structure."

"But at the same time, you have to remember that only 11 can start. Then you would ask me: what about Pedri? And Fermin [Lopez]? And Fabian [Ruiz]?"

The 2010 example

This whole dilemma is not particularly new for Spain.

The last time the country won the World Cup in 2010, it faced the same debate prior to the tournament.

After lifting the Euros trophy two years earlier with Marcos Senna as the sole number 6, it then had Xabi Alonso lined up as his successor, but the rapid rise of Busquets disrupted plans, and manager Vicente del Bosque had to make room for the emerging Barcelona star in the team.

That meant playing Alonso and Busquets alongside each other in South Africa. The initial reaction to the idea was mixed.

"In Madrid, people were saying Alonso had to play instead of Busquets, and in Catalonia they were saying the opposite," recalled Del Bosque. "Even within the squad, some felt we should only play one of them. But we believed that our core was essential."

It worked out and now, 16 years later, Spain find themselves in a similar situation with Rodri and Zubimendi.

The outcome of the Premier League title race between Arsenal and City will certainly influence how this pans out in the end.

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We’re now climbing into some prospects with actual potential impact as we get into the meat of the system.

24. Cutter Coffey, LHP, Age 22 (DOB: 5/21/2004), Grade 35+, 2025: 30th

Part of the return for Danny Jansen, the 2022 Red Sox second round pick got off to a tough start in the Jays organization, posting a .581 OPS in Vancouver after the trade. He bounced back last year, though, trimming his strikeouts and showing some pop on his way to a .273/.359/.427 line that was 19% better than the Northwest League average.

Coffey has MLB average raw power right now, and probably has room on his 6’1”, 190lb frame for another half grade of growth. His swing does a good job of using that power, producing a lot of line drive and low fly contact, leading to the hope that he can produce above average game power. His contact ability is fringy, and he especially struggles with breaking balls. That may prove to be a major Achilles’ heel as he continues to move up the levels and begins to face pitchers who can regularly throw quality sliders and curves for strikes.

Coffey mostly played third this year, and he profiles as an above average defender there with the plus arm to go with. He can also play second and while he’s not a true shortstop he can fill in there in an emergency. In the best case scenario, Coffey proves himself able to adapt to spin and becomes a low average high slug regular at third. More likely, he’s a power over hit utility infielder who needs to be sheltered from righties with good breaking balls.

23. Tim Piasentin, RHP, Age 19 (DOB: 3/25/2007, Happy Birthday Tim!), Grade 35+/40, 2025: High School

Piasentin is a local boy for me, having been drafted in the fifth round last year out of Foothills Composite High School in Okotoks, Alberta. He was the consensus top Canadian prospect in the 2025 draft, and it took three quarters of a million dollars to buy him out of a commitment to the University of Miami.

Power is what got him taken that high. Piasentin is a well built 6’3” and 205lbs, and he produces 70 grade bat speed that leads to light tower flies in batting practice. He has some feel to hit, but his contact ability is fringy and he profiles as a three true outcomes type hitter. He’s a below average runner and may not stick at third base long term due to his size and just ok athleticism, but his plus arm would be an asset in right field if he had to move.

It’s a prototypical slugger package, with the potential to be a middle of the order hitter if everything comes together. That’s a long ways away with a lot of questions to answer between now and then, though, as he’ll being his pro career this spring at the complex level.

22. Austin Cates, RHP, Age 22 (DOB: 5/20/2003), Grade 35+/40, 2025: NR

A seventh round pick out of UNLV in 2024, Cates hasn’t drawn a lot of heat yet, but he’s produced big results so far in his pro career. In 25 appearances between A and A+ last season, he struck out 113 against 33 walks in 109.2 innings, with a 3.12 ERA and peripherals that back it up.

Cates pitches with a short stride and a high release, allowing him to create big backspin on his fastball. It sits just 90-93 with the odd 95, but the spin induces near elite vertical carry and big arm side run for a four seamer. I think it can play above average, especially if he adds another tick of velocity after already adding a couple MPH since college. His main secondary is a splitter with similar arm side movement but 14 inches of vertical drop, and he can locate it down or just out of the zone for both called and swinging strikes. His slider is a clear third pitch, but it’s been effective because of its contrast to his other two offerings. He commands everything to an above average level, living in the zone while avoiding the heart of the plate.

If all that sounds a little like Trey Yesavage, well, no, because Trey throws 98. But you can see the outlines of a poor man’s version of the same general skill set here. Where Yesavage is a potential ace, Cates profiles more as a #5 barring an unexpected leap in his stuff. That’s still a very valuable outcome, though, and Cates has so far passed the tests that have been set for him.

21. Adrian Pinto, Age 23 (DOB: 9/22/2002), Grade 35+/40, 2025: 13th

Pinto has been a prospect crush of mine for going on four years now, since he was acquired as part of the Randal Grichuck trade with the Rockies. At just 5’6” and listed at 156lbs (though he’s surely somewhat heavier than that now), Pinto somehow generates slightly above average raw exit velocities with his long-ish, whippy swing. It’s a full body effort, but he’s a superior athlete with great hands and he manages to corral it enough to still make average rates of contact. His approach is aggressive, but he has an idea of the zone and has at times run high walk rates while always limiting his strikeouts. Over the past two seasons he’s learned to get the ball off the ground a little more and the whole package has come together to produce extremely loud results. Mostly at Vancouver, he’s put up a .310/.376/.588 line that was 64% better than the Northwest League Average across 197PA.

Aaaaaand, there’s the reason he’s down here at 21. Pinto has manage to appear in just 45 games over the past two years, 35 the year before that, then 47 before that. The injuries have been diverse, including ribs, hamstrings, and quads among others, but the overall conclusion seems to be simple: he’s small and he plays extremely fast and hard, and that takes a toll. He’s the kind of athlete whose body can do things it can’t sustain, and so he ends up on the IL.

At 23, the clock is ticking on Pinto’s career. He has the twitch and hands to be an above average defender at second base, and his above average speed looks like it could translate to centre field as well. That gives him multiple ways to get into an MLB lineup at premium positions, where he has the potential to be an above average producer. He needs to stay on the field to make any of that a concern, though.

Manchester United will hope to keep their dream of a first Women’s Champions League title alive as they play host to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarter-final.

United were required to go through an extra knockout stage after missing out on a top-four finish in the league phase but made no mistake against Atletico Madrid, dispatching the Spanish outfit 5-0 on aggregate to book their place in the last eight.

Bayern, meanwhile, resume their European campaign after getting a bye to the quarter-finals and will hope to take their stellar domestic form into continental competition, with the club runaway leaders at the top of the Frauen-Bundesliga.

United are one of three English teams remaining in the Champions League, which could culminate in an all-WSL final if either Chelsea or Arsenal can make it all the way to Oslo on the other side of the bracket.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is Manchester United vs Bayern Munich?

Man United’s clash with Bayern Munich kicks off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 25 March at Old Trafford.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Disney+ with subscriptions starting at £5.99.

Team news

Man United will hope to welcome back Hinata Miyazawa after helping Japan to Asia Cup glory against Australia in Saturday’s final. Anna Sandberg, Leah Galton and Ella Toone are out injured.

Bayern Munich, meanwhile, look set to be without Klara Buhl, Katharina Naschenweng and Alara Sehitler, who join long-term absentees Lena Oberdorf and Sarah Zadrazil on the treatment table. Lionesses midfielder Georgia Stanway will be familiar with these parts, having played for rivals Manchester City before her move to Bayern.

Predicted line-ups

Manchester United XI: Tullis-Joyce; Awujo, Le Tissier, Turner, Lundkvist; Naalsund, Zigiotti Olme; Park, Terland, Rolfo; Malard.

Bayern Munich XI: Mahmutovic; Gwinn, Viggosdottir, Gilles, Simon; Amani, Stanway; Dallmann, Caruso, Kett; Harder.

Moses Itauma hopes to take his next step towards a world heavyweight title this weekend, as he fights Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.

Itauma is seen as one of Britain’s top prospects in boxing, with the 21-year-old having already built a 13-0 professional record including 11 knockouts.

Last time out, he made remarkably short work of Dillian Whyte, stopping the veteran in just 119 seconds in Saudi Arabia. But the Kent youngster is back on home soil this weekend, taking on an American opponent in Manchester.

Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs) actually has his own history with Whyte, having lost a controversial decision to the Briton in 2022 before losing to Anthony Joshua on points in 2023. Yet those defeats are the only losses of the 32-year-old’s career, and he is seen as a sensible test for Itauma, whose injury in January forced this bout to be pushed back by two months.

Here’s all you need to know.

When is the fight?

Itauma vs Franklin will take place on Saturday 28 March at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. The main card is due to begin at 5pm BST (10am PT / 12pm CT / 1pm ET), with main-event ring walks expected at 11pm BST (4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET).

How can I watch it?

The event will stream live exclusively on DAZN worldwide. You can purchase a DAZN subscription here, with plans starting at £15.99 per month.

Odds

Itauma – 1/20

Franklin – 10/1

Draw – 20/1

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Fight card in full

Subject to change

Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin (heavyweight)

Nathan Heaney vs Gerome Warburton (middleweight)

Ezra Taylor vs Willy Hutchinson (light-heavyweight)

Shakiel Thompson vs Brad Pauls (middleweight)

Liam Davies vs Francesco Grandelli (featherweight)

Alex Murphy vs Josh Holmes (lightweight)

Michael Gomez Jr vs Jordan Flynn (lightweight)

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Mohamed Salah’s time at Liverpool will conclude in the summer with an announcement of his imminent exit.

Liverpool and Salah have decided to part company at the end of the season, following nine decorated seasons for the Egyptian at Anfield.

His time in red has seen Salah climb to fourth in the Premier League’s all-time top scorers, while he’s third overall in Liverpool club history.

Salah’s list of accolades includes four Premier League Golden Boots. His four different campaigns as the league’s leading scorer is a joint-record, shared with ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

Having scored 189 league goals for Liverpool since signing from AS Roma in 2017, Salah is comfortably clear as the leading Premier League scorer during that time.

His nearest challenger, Harry Kane, is 54 goals behind, though has admittedly played 106 fewer games after a transfer to Bayern Munich in 2023.

Just three other players have scored over a century of Premier League goals since Salah’s debut at Liverpool, with Son Heung-min, Erling Haaland and Jamie Vardy also passing 100.

The Premier League’s top scorers since Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool debut (2017)

1. Mohamed Salah – 189 (310 games)
2. Harry Kane – 135 goals (204 games)
3. Son Heung-min 109 goals (271 games)
4. Erling Haaland – 107 goals (126 games)
5. Jamie Vardy – 103 goals (237 games)
6. Raheem Sterling – 92 goals (237 games)
7. Chris Wood – 90 goals (261 games)
8. Ollie Watkins – 84 goals (214 games)
9. Callum Wilson – 82 goals (231 games)
10. Marcus Rashford – 79 goals (254 games)

Read – The five favourites to sign Mohamed Salah

See more – Mo Salah to leave on a free transfer following Liverpool agreement

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The time has come for Liverpool to plan for life after Mohamed Salah, with an announcement on Tuesday that the club’s talisman will leave this summer.

Salah has set scoring records and won countless trophies at Anfield, with the Reds’ recruitment team now facing the difficult task of replacing him.

We’ve profiled five players that Liverpool could consider as Mohamed Salah successors.

Michael Olise – Bayern Munich

Having broken the bank to land a big Bundesliga fish in Florian Wirtz last summer, could Liverpool return to Germany with another wad of cash? Michael Olise is perhaps the dream target for the Reds; a Premier League-proven player, an inverted right-winger, and one with elite end product.

Bayern Munich, however, will have no intention of allowing Olise to leave. The Frenchman is the leading assist provider in Europe this season and appears to be getting better.

Yan Diomande – RB Leipzig

The flavour of the month right now, Yan Diomande’s dynamite displays in Leipzig have sparked a scramble for his signature.

The 19-year-old has lit up Germany’s top flight this season since arriving from Leganes in an unheralded summer deal. Leipzig’s talent identification has found another gem in Diomande, who has 10 goals and six assists in 21 league starts. His comfort level on either flank boosts his appeal.

Anthony Gordon – Newcastle

Though not a like-for-like replacement with Gordon’s preference for the left, Liverpool have previously courted the Newcastle winger.

Relations between the Reds and Magpies were fractured during last summer’s Alexander Isak saga, but a big bid could prove tempting for a Newcastle side that has been constrained by Premier League financial rules.

Gordon has scored 17 goals in 41 games for Newcastle this season, including 10 in 12 Champions League games.

Jarrod Bowen – West Ham

Jarrod Bowen will turn 30 later this year, and a pursuit of the West Ham captain would go against the Reds’ recruitment focus.

However, with West Ham facing a possible relegation, Bowen could become an interesting option. The England winger scored 29 league goals over the last two seasons and has eight for the campaign in a struggling side.

In December 2023, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp labelled Bowen as “probably my favourite player besides my players.”

Though short-term, his arrival would also aid Liverpool’s homegrown issues.

Takefusa Kubo – Real Sociedad

A player perennially linked with the Premier League, who may feel this summer is the time to make the jump.

Kubo’s output has dropped across the last 18 months as Sociedad have struggled to escape mid-table in La Liga, but the Japan international has an ability to beat full-backs that is largely lacking in the Liverpool squad.

He drew more fouls than any other player in La Liga last season and, at 24, has his best still ahead of him.

Read – The Premier League’s top scorers since Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool debut

See more – The five favourites to sign Mohamed Salah

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Moises Caicedo has insisted he’s focused on Chelsea when asked about rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

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The Ecuadorian is seen as a key part of the Chelsea project, and is without doubt one of the club’s most important players.

Like many of his team-mates, Caicedo’s form has dropped off in recent weeks and it appears the effects of the Club World Cup could be catching up.

Moises Caicedo addresses Real Madrid rumours

Chelsea are currently on a poor run of form having lost four games in a row, and are in danger of missing out on Champions League football next season.

Liam Rosenior has insisted none of Chelsea’s top players have asked to leave, but no Champions League football could change that.

Enzo Fernandez has already cast doubt over his future, but it’s been reported Caicedo still believes in the Chelsea project.

The 24-year-old has been linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid, and speaking on international duty he addressed those rumours.

“Real Madrid? I’m focused on my club,” he told Dario AS.

“I have a contract with Chelsea and I want to become a legend there , God willing.

“My intention is to stay there and finish in the best way possible.”

Enzo Fernandez future unclear

Whilst Caicedo seemingly still remains committed to Chelsea, the same can’t be said for Fernandez, who’s dream move is reportedly Real Madrid.

The Argentine will likely assess his future after the World Cup, but Chelsea seemingly hold the cards as he’s under contract until 2032.

More Stories / Latest News

“God willing” – Moises Caicedo addresses rumours linking him with Real Madrid

25th Mar 2026, 09:15am

The Telegraph reveal what Chelsea are blaming their stop start season on

25th Mar 2026, 08:45am

“It’s ludicrous” – Liam Rosenior told he’s lost the dressing room in scathing criticism

25th Mar 2026, 08:15am

Fernandez is understood to be keen on a switch to La Liga, and it’ll be interesting to see how the situation develops over the summer, with Chelsea not prepared to make a book loss on the 25-year-old.

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Mohamed Salah will set sail for a new challenge in the summer after the announcement of his imminent Liverpool exit.

An agreement has been reached with the Reds to let the 33-year-old leave on a free transfer after nine prolific seasons in the Premier League.

His agent, Ramy Abbas, has said no plans have been made: “We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no one else knows,” he confirmed this week.

We’ve looked at the current favourites to sign the Egyptian.

Mohamed Salah’s next club odds after Liverpool star confirms summer exit

Paris Saint-Germain – 8/1

There’s no certainty that Salah will view his Liverpool exit as a step down, with the relentless mindset that took him to the top very much prominent. Could PSG offer Salah a chance to remain at the top level?

The French champions are hardly short of top-tier attacking talent, but there are question marks over Bradley Barcola’s future. A move to Ligue 1, where the competition is significantly weaker than in England, could allow an ageing Salah an adequate schedule to remain fresh for European competition.

Al-Hilal – 3/1

The Saudi Pro League has made no secret of its desire to lure Salah to the Middle East, as arguably the most high-profile Arab footballer in the world.

Al-Hilal are locked in a tense title race right now and could see Salah as the perfect addition to strengthen ahead of next season. A front pair of Salah and Karim Benzema would be some sight.

Al-Nassr – 2/1

How about a Salah x Cristiano Ronaldo combination with Sadio Mane thrown in for good measure?

Mane and Salah tore teams apart during their peak seasons at Liverpool with a friendly rivalry that occasionally threatened to boil over. Mane has insisted there are no issues, however, calling Salah a ‘very nice guy’ in an interview last year.

Al-Ittihad – 2/1

Al-Ittihad are long-term admirers of Salah and saw a £150m bid for the Egyptian turned in September 2023. Salah is now available as a free agent and is sure to attract renewed interest.

Al-Ittihad are sixth in the Saudi Pro League and in need of the lift that Salah would provide. Former Liverpool teammate Fabinho is part of the Saudi side’s current squad.

Any MLS team – 6/4

A move to MLS is the current likeliest destination for Salah, according to the bookmakers. Antoine Griezmann’s recent transfer to Orlando City has added another headline name to the MLS roster, and Salah is sure to be on the agenda for American sides. Several sides have open Designated Player spaces, including Los Angeles FC and New York Red Bulls. Toronto FC, in the midst of an overhaul, has all three vacant.

Read – Mo Salah to leave on a free transfer following Liverpool agreement

See more – Mo Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the season

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Israel Adesanya is in a must-win match-up this weekend, and while it’s not the first time he’s been in such a fight, the stakes really are higher than ever as he faces Joe Pyfer.

Adesanya’s previous “must-win” fights have related to his place in the middleweight title picture, but now, a defeat might truly mark the end of his UFC career.

Adesanya, a former two-time champion, will enter Seattle on a three-fight losing streak, having lost two title fights before suffering a TKO by Nassourdine Imavov last February. The Nigerian-born New Zealander is also somewhat long in the tooth at 36, while his opponent this weekend is at the other end of his career.

Pyfer, 29 years old, is 6-1 in the UFC, having recovered well from his sole loss in the promotion to win his last three. In the middle of that recent run was a decision win over ex-title challenger Kelvin Gastelum, whom Adesanya famously outpointed in an all-time classic in 2019.

Notably, Pyfer’s win against Gastelum was one of just two decision victories in his career; the American has secured 13 of his 15 wins via stoppage, with 9 KOs and 4 submissions. So, former kickboxer Adesanya must be at his slickest to avoid danger here.

Here’s all you need to know.

When is the fight?

The prelims will begin at 9pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET), with the main card following at 12am BST on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday).

How can I watch it?

In the UK, the main card will air live on TNT Sports and is also accessible via Discovery+, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports; beforehand, the early and regular prelims will stream live on UFC Fight Pass. In the US, Paramount+ will stream the action.

Odds

Adesanya – 8/11

Pyfer – 11/10

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Fight card in full (subject to change)

Main card

Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer (middleweight)

Alexa Grasso vs Maycee Barber 2 (women’s flyweight)

Michael Chiesa vs Carlston Harris (welterweight)

Julian Erosa vs Lerryan Douglas (featherweight)

Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Yoursi Belgaroui (middleweight)

Terrance McKinney vs Kyle Nelson (lightweight)

Prelims

Ignacio Bahamondes vs Tofiq Musayev (lightweight)

Chase Hooper vs Lance Gibson Jr (lightweight)

Marcin Tybura vs Tyrell Fortune (heavyweight)

Casey O’Neill vs Gabriella Fernandes (women’s flyweight)

Navajo Stirling vs Bruno Lopes (light-heavyweight)

Ricky Simon vs Adrian Yanez (bantamweight)

Alexia Thainara vs Bruna Brasil (women’s strawweight)

Zhu Kangjie vs Marcio Barbosa (featherweight)

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Former Germany coach Joachim Löw has backed Julian Nagelsmann's decision to field captain Joshua Kimmich as right back and to call up Leon Goretzka in midfield.

Kimmich started as a right back but has moved into midfield at his club Bayern Munich and has also played there for the national team. However, he now on the right again there because of a lack of options.

"I think that Joshua plays at world class level in both positions," Löw said in an interview with Wednesday's edition of the Sport Bild weekly.

"At the moment I would say: Joshua is in the right position on the right because we have players in central midfield who have the level to reach the top."

Löw, who led Germany to the 2014 World Cup title, also supported Nagelsmann's decision to call up Goretzka and name him a potentially important player at the World Cup in summer although he is not a regular starter in Munich.

"I understand his nomination. Leon is good, he is a player from whom you can expect stability. And maybe the most important thing: You can rely on Leon," Löw said.

"(Aleksandar) Pavlovic is also good, no doubt. Especially at Bayern you need players which can replaced at the same level. I would definitely bank on Leon at the World Cup, absolutely."

Germany play tune-up matches in Switzerland on Friday and against Ghana on Monday. At the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada they play Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in the group stage.

There are a lot of positions on the Minnesota Vikings roster that still need some attention, and despite Aaron Jones being confirmed to return for the 2026 season. Running back should still be high on the list of Vikings draft priorities as we head towards April.

Aaron Jones looked to be heading the same way as the likes of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. News even broke of Jones’ impending release at the same time as Hargrave’s future was reported. Unlike Hargrave, the Vikings and Jones thrashed out an agreement that allowed Minnesota to get the salary cap relief it desired while Jones remained a Viking.

Minnesota’s Backfield Still Lacks a Long-Term Answer

Jones is a big personality and leader on this team, and with Minnesota already losing some players that fit that mold this offseason, like Harrison Smith and CJ Ham, keeping Jones around is a sensible move.

That leaves the Vikings with Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott on the depth chart alongside Jones – basically the same as last year, minus the departed Ty Chandler. It leaves the Vikings without the desperate need to find an RB immediately, but Jones will be 33 and a free agent next year, while Mason will also hit free agency.

It puts the team in a good position to use this Vikings draft to find an RB who can come in without the immediate pressure to lead the backfield. Jones and Mason should share the major workload this season, and a rookie trying to force his way into a share of that workload is exactly the kind of healthy competition you want.

The Top RB Options in This Year’s Draft

Jeremiyah Love is the top RB prospect and the only one expected to be drafted in the first round. Love is expected to go high, probably too high for the Vikings at 18, but if he does get in reach, he would give Minnesota a decision to make. I’m not expecting that to happen, so that leaves this Vikings draft looking at the Day 2 RB prospects.

My favorite prospect is Love’s Notre Dame teammate Jadarian Price. He has lots of talent, but has been in the shadow of Love, meaning he hasn’t had as much opportunity as you’d like. Price has a great blend of vision, spatial instincts, foot speed, smooth fluidity, and is an explosive vertical threat. Arkansas Mike Washington Jr is a very different type of back, a big-bodied (6’1 “, 225 lbs) one-cut, north and south runner.

Other options on Day 2 are Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, who would be a popular choice given his Minnesota roots. Johnson, a well-leveraged creator at 5’11”, 200 pounds, sets himself apart with his blistering foot speed, cutting flexibility, vision, and explosiveness out of cuts.

Jonah Coleman had an excellent college career across stints with Arizona and Washington, but a dip in performance came at the wrong time for his draft stock. He had a lot of success as a pass catcher, which should interest the Vikings.

Day 3 Options to Fall Back On

If, for whatever reason, the Vikings don’t get an RB on Day 2, it’s not a complete disaster. There are still some good players who could potentially be on the board. The problem is that Minnesota doesn’t have a pick on Day 3 until deep into the fifth round, which means a move for someone like Kaytron Allen, Demond Claiborne, or Kaelon Black could require trading up.

The Vikings could wait until the fifth round or later and take a swing on someone like Adam Randall, a former WR-turned-RB who would be an interesting developmental project. Other names to look out for in the later rounds include Nicholas Singleton, Roman Hemby, and Robert Henry Jr.

The Vikings will almost certainly take an RB at some point in the draft; it’s just a question of where and with which of their nine draft picks. Day 2 looks like the sweet spot to me.

If the performance matches the coaching talent, then this Sweet 16 will be elite.

This NCAA Tournament didn't give us much in the way of Cinderella. Instead, we'll see a who's who list of coaches from Power conferences this week. As good as players like Darius Acuff Jr. and Cameron Boozer are, the coaches supply the top star power in this March Madness.

RE-SEEDING THE SWEET 16: Separating the contenders from pretenders

Here's my ranking of the Sweet 16 coaches, with the caveat there's no true weak link on this list:

16. Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska

Commission the statue in Lincoln, Nebraska. Hoiberg led the Huskers to their first NCAA win in program history. Two days later, they got their second tourney win. Basketball looks good on Nebraska all of a sudden. Hoiberg’s NBA foray was a bust, but he was quite good at Iowa State and now historic for Nebraska. No shame being No. 16 on this list of luminaries.

15. TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State

It’s a testament to the Sweet 16 coaching talent that Otzelberger ranks this low. Iowa State won just two games the year before his arrival. Insert Otzelberger. He won 22 games in his first season, then continued winning more and more with blue-collar teams that defend the heck out of you. His tournament record is 7-6. Polish that a smidge, and Otzelberger will keep trending up.

14. Ben McCollum, Iowa

If you needed any more proof McCollum can flat-out coach, he just bested wunderkind Todd Golden, and his Hawkeyes stunned No. 1 Florida. McCollum won four Division II national titles at Northwest Missouri State, then turned Drake into a Cinderella success story, and now he’s in the Sweet 16 in Year 1 at Iowa. Buy your stock in McCollum, 44, now.

MORE: Why Ben McCollum is top newcomer coach in Big Ten

13. Brad Underwood, Illinois

Underwood restored a program that had lost its way into top-20 status, where it belongs. He’s an NCAA Tournament regular, dating to his years as a Cinderella at Stephen F. Austin. A hard-nosed, high-intensity coach, he’s starting to develop a calling card for signing and developing international talent. Consider his latest team the Euro-Illini.

12. Sean Miller, Texas

Miller’s career winning percentage tops .700, and he’s made the Elite Eight four times. Pretty good. Two critiques, aside from that whole corruption scandal at Arizona: His resume lacks a Final Four, and his predecessors were better (Thad Matta at Xavier and Lute Olsen at Arizona). At age 57, he’s got time to make Texas his best stint yet.

11. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

Lloyd’s record in five seasons at Arizona sparkles, and he’s a couple of wins away from having his national profile skyrocket. His Wildcats smoothly pivoted from the Pac-12 to the Big 12. Why not rank him higher? Well, Lloyd hasn’t advanced past the Sweet 16. Past teams didn’t live up to their NCAA seed. His latest team could change how we look at Lloyd.

10. Rick Barnes, Tennessee

Barnes should’ve made more than one Final Four at Texas. He endured a few tourney fizzles at Tennessee, too. He’s no shark in March. That’s a familiar critique. The upsides are clear, though. His teams always play defense. He thrives in the shadows at football schools. He’s an NCAA Tournament regular. He’s a no-drama coach seeking a third straight Elite Eight.

9. Matt Painter, Purdue

Painter gets consistent results without signing McDonald’s All Americans. You could focus on what he isn’t — a national champion — or you could credit his consistent success, even if his teams come up short of the pinnacle in March. Gene Keady became a Purdue legend. Painter has been a notch better than Keady. Some might call that legendary, too.

8. John Calipari, Arkansas

No mystery as to Calipari’s strategy. A recruiting dynamo with ample funding, he’s going to assemble McDonald’s All Americans, roll the ball out, and let the freshmen play. That strategy worked until it didn’t at Kentucky. A change of scenery to Arkansas suited him. He’s two wins away from becoming the first coach to take four schools to the Final Four.

7. Jon Scheyer, Duke

A legend’s succession plan doesn’t often unfold as smoothly as this one did. Scheyer kept Duke humming, and so Mike Krzyzewski can enjoy retirement. Duke is a recruiting machine, and credit Scheyer for getting return on that investment. Just 38 years old, he’s gotten better each season. After last year’s Final Four, the next task is obvious: National title.

6. Nate Oats, Alabama

Oats’ teams have an established identity. His Crimson Tide will shoot a lot of 3s. And they’ll make a lot of 3s, consistently ranking among the nation’s most prolific offensive teams. He’s a force of consistency, too, with four straight Sweet 16s, including the program’s first Final Four in 2024. He turned a football school into a basketball force.

5. Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Call it a rite of spring. Mister March is back in the Sweet 16 for the 17th time. Izzo’s 2000 Spartans remain the last Big Ten team to win a national title, and just when it had started to look like he’d entered the twilight of his career, he’s enjoyed a renaissance, with 57 wins the past two seasons.

4. Dusty May, Michigan

Others on this list have a longer list of career accomplishments, but there aren’t many coaches you’d rather have in this moment than the 49-year-old May. He took Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023, and Michigan is roaring in his second season. He’s 120-26 the past four seasons. Superb.

3. Kelvin Sampson, Houston

Sampson’s teams consistently rank among the nation’s best defensively. He’s an excellent in-game tactician, too. The 70-year-old Sampson gets better with age. He’s won 30-plus games in five straight seasons. He came oh-so-close to his first national title last season. Perhaps, these Cougars will give him that final line on the resume.

2. Rick Pitino, St. John’s

How many rings would Pitino have if he’d never left Kentucky? Big Blue Nation must wonder. As it is, he’s got two rings. Pitino and John Calipari are the only coaches to lead three schools to a Final Four. Now, he’s got St. John’s into its first Sweet 16 since 1999. Pitino’s NCAA Tournament record is 57-22. Insanely good.

1. Dan Hurley, UConn

If nice guys finish last, what’s the opposite of that? Guys who throw temper-tantrums finishing first. No matter what you think of his antics, there’s no denying Hurley’s success. He just keeps winning, with a chance at three national titles in the past four seasons. Hurley elevated UConn to blue-blood status.

Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking college basketball Sweet 16 coaches, Dan Hurley to Fred Hoiberg

In this era of specialization, many two-way high school players know whether they will be a position player or pitcher at the next level much earlier than in years past, certainly by the beginning of their senior season. 

That is what makes St. Augustine senior Alex Weingartner stand out even more. 

Weingartner is a true two-way player who has committed to Penn State and will be monitored this spring by Major League Baseball teams as well.  

He is expected to play first base and center field while also serving as a designated hitter in addition to taking the mound this spring for the Hermits. For now, he still expects to be a two-way player by this time next year and utilize both skills for as long as possible in college.  

If he gets drafted and signed by a Major League baseball team, that may be a different story, but for now he doesn’t have any immediate thoughts of abandoning either hitting or pitching in the near future.  

“I think the game will tell me which way I will go,” he said. “I don’t see doing both forever, but I want to do it as long as I can.” 

He will certainly be doing it this year for the Hermits. Last season he batted .395 with six home runs and 31 RBIs. 

As a sophomore, playing on the Hermits’ 2024 Non-Public A state title team, Weingartner hit .337 with one home run and 19 RBIs. 

He also had a 2.05 ERA in 13.2 innings as a sophomore. The innings increased last year, when Weingartner recorded a 2.18 ERA and struck out 56 in 35.1 innings.  

A hard-throwing 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-hander, Weingartner acknowledges why so few people have visions of being a two-way player beyond high school. 

“It’s hard to do both and it takes a lot out of you,” he said. “It takes so much time and effort to do both.” 

Most of all, he doesn’t want to cheat one over the other, so he attempts to spend as much time working on his pitching as hitting. 

That could make for some awfully long workouts. 

He said the Penn State coaches are on board to let him try to do both.  

One thing in Weingartner’s mind is certain – hitting has helped him as a pitcher and vice-versa. 

“Both sides of the ball have helped,” he said.  

St. Augustine coach Mike Ney says the recent changes in the college sports landscape have contributed to players deciding earlier whether they want to be a pitcher or hitter in college. 

“A lot of it has to do with the (transfer portal),” Ney said. “College coaches are now recruiting college players, and you have to be a standout at the high school level to get a big school to look at you.” 

Cherokee’s Burti decided his future position long ago 

Many high school players these days are like Cherokee junior Cooper Burti. A left-handed pitcher and centerfielder, Burti decided a while back that pitching is his future. He will still man centerfield for the Chiefs, but at the next level, he will strictly be a pitcher. 

Burti has made a verbal commitment to Mississippi State of the vaunted Southeastern Conference. The SEC has produced the past six NCAA College World Series champions, including Mississippi State in 2021. 

“Going into my freshman year, I was undecided whether to concentrate on hitting or pitching at the next level, but the feedback I got was that people liked me as a pitcher,” said Burti, who is also the starting quarterback and was an all-conference selection this past football season. “I know lefty pitchers are coveted in college and the pros.” 

Burti said during the summer after his freshman season is when he decided to concentrate on pitching for the next level. 

Last season he pitched just 14.2 innings for the state Group 4 champion Cherokee team, but did have a 1.43 ERA. The staff was deep but with the graduation of two All-South Jersey pitchers Henry Radbill and Brett Gable, Burti will be counted on for much more mound duty and that will be reflected on how he practices. 

“This year I won’t take as many centerfield reps in practice and focus more on pitching,” he said. “Last year I was needed more in centerfield, but this year it will be different.” 

In addition, like Weingartner, he says hitting causes him a better pitcher and vice versa. 

“I think it makes you a much smarter player on both sides, because you know the mindset of both,” he said.  

Burti says he enjoys hitting and puts plenty of time in the process. Most of all, he will savor the time he is still a two-way player. 

“I love hitting,” he said.  

Two-way trend changing

Mainland coach Joe Smith is another who says that more and more high school two-way players are deciding earlier whether to concentrate on the mound or the batter’s box for the next level at a much earlier age. 

“Over the last few years, especially in the last five, the better players seen to start realizing they will just be a college pitcher or hitter earlier,” Smith said. “They play so much travel ball against kids from all over the country and can better see where they are more skilled.” 

Plus, there is another simple reason for making the decision earlier.  

“To play for a top (college) program, it’s kind of hard to do both,” he said.  

Gloucester Catholic coach Dennis Barth says while many teams have two-way players, he sees the number shrinking even at the high school level. 

“We just don’t get as many two-way players as we did before,” Barth said. “Many times, kids start pitching, have success and go that route.” 

Winter success for Weingartner 

During the winter, amidst plenty of snow, St. Augustine’s Weingartner was invited to McCook, Illinois, just outside of Chicago for the Prep Baseball Report Super 60 Showcase. This consisted of highly regarded high school prospects. MLB scouts from all teams were on hand.  

Thank goodness the event was held indoors.  

In this setting, Weingartner decided to just concentrate on hitting.  

“My buildup on the mound is strict in the offseason, so I decided to stick with the process,” he said.  

That meant not trying to light up a radar gun from the mound. 

Instead, he did it from the plate. 

Weingartner was a hit, hitting. He also lit up a few stopwatches. 

The players were timed in the 60-yard dash and Weingartner ran 6.24, which happened to be an event record, breaking the old mark of 6.29. He also had the top bat speed of 78.3 MPH. 

“I think I did pretty well and put myself on the map,” Weingartner said of his performance in Chicago.  

That said, he isn’t overly eager to fast-forward his career. For now, he will enjoy and savor being a two-way player. 

“There are lots of unknowns and it is exciting and my goal is to play at the next level whether that is college or pro, but I will take it season by season and see what happens after," he said.” Once you start to focus on the future too much you get sped up.” 

So, he will enjoy the moment, savor being a high school two-way player.  

“You can’t make the moment about yourself, it’s about the team,” said Weingartner, whose brother Ryan was drafted in the eighth round and signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2025 after a playing shortstop at Penn State. “I’m just looking so much forward to competing this spring.”  

Marc Narducci is a freelance reporter for the Courier-Post. He can be reached by email at cpvarsity@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: St. Augustine’s Weingartner, looking to take two-way skills farther

Many of these teams in the South Jersey Preseason Mean 15 are familiar names. A number of last year’s dominant teams are expected to continue their stellar play.

Here's our first Mean 15 rankings heading into the season.

South Jersey Preseason Mean 15

1. Northern Burlington (last year’s record: 28-2, last year’s final ranking: 3). The Greyhounds have an experienced group from last year’s Group 3 state championship team. Catcher Liam Velit (.376), a Fordham commit was a third-team all-South Jersey choice as was senior pitcher-third baseman Cole Marchetti (.476, 1.63 ERA). Other key veterans include junior infielder Brett Walulak (.338), a Marist commit and senior pitcher Jordan Gigglio (.300 ERA), a righthander who is committed to Wagner. Junior right-hander Logan Downey (0.30 ERA), a Villanova commit, will be another key member of the pitching staff.

2. Gloucester Catholic (24-3, 2). The three-time defending state champs are not showing signs of slowing down. Leading the offense is Courier-Post Player of the Year, senior catcher Braeden Lipoff, an East Carolina commit. Senior shortstop Noah Danza (Mississippi State) along with outfielder and Seton Hall commit Henry Pancoast add to the strong offense. Second-team All-South Jersey pitcher Jude Morgan (6-0) heads up the pitching staff. Third baseman Guy Lynam, an Auburn commit, is possibly out for the season due to injury, which is a major blow to the offense.

3. Cherokee (28-3, 1). The defending Group 4 champions were hit hard by graduation, but should still have a strong offense led by first-team all-South Jersey senior second baseman Brett Jackson (.452) along with senior outfielder Steve Barbagiovanni (.373). The Chiefs suffered a big setback when junior Alex Odud, a third-team all-South Jersey selection and Arkansas commit, recently suffered a season-ending injury. He played outfield last year but was the projected starting catcher. Junior left-hander Cooper Burti, a Mississippi State commit, had a 1.43 ERA in 14.2 innings, but should have a greater role on the staff with the graduation of All-South Jersey pitchers Henry Radbill and Brett Gable. Other key pitchers include Jackson (0.00 ERA in 9.2 innings), senior right-hander Drew Dreby (1.05 ERA, 20 innings) and junior left-hander Parker New (2.05 ERA in 20 innings).

4. St. Augustine (18-8, 4). A South Jersey Non-Public A semifinalist last year, St. Augustine will play one of the more difficult schedules in the state. Penn State commit and second-team All-South Jersey selection Alex Weingartner is a major threat as a pitcher or hitter. Junior left-hander Ethan Suppi, a Miami commit who struck out 28 in 18 innings last year, should have a greater mound role. Old Dominion commit Brady Jackson will move from second base to shortstop after hitting .352. Catcher DJ Lloyd, an NJIT commit, and third baseman Adam Williams (Bucknell) are among other key players in the lineup.

5. Eastern (20-7, 8). The Vikings return almost every key player from last year’s South Jersey Group 4 finalist. They must replace pitcher-shortstop Logan Dawson, who signed with the Phillies after being drafted in the 16th round. Senior shortstop Vinny Milillo (.465) leads the offense and will be among the key pitchers after recording a 1.40 ERA. Junior outfielder Matt Gryskiewicz (.500) is another two-way player who had a 0.72 ERA in 9.2 innings. Other key offensive players include senior outfielders Rich Iuliucci (.359) and Carson Michalski (.286), senior first baseman Sean Karbach (.282) and senior catcher Anthony Cataldo (.357). Other key pitchers include Iuliucci (19 strikeouts, 22.2 innings), and juniors Jake Tulman and Will Martin.

6. Shawnee (14-12, 9). The Renegades have five returning starting position players and four pitchers from a South Jersey Group 3 semifinalist. Pitchers Timmy Dougherty, who missed time last season due to injury, and Kayden Maybury (2-0, 2.77 ERA) will head up the staff that also includes senior Fordham commit Chase Yakabosky and senior lefthander Lleyton Coughlin (4-4, 3.18). Speedy sophomore centerfielder Cole Anderson (.288, 10 stolenbases) and Coughlin (.286) are among the key offensive players.

7. Bishop Eustace (22-7, 7). The South Jersey Non-Public B finalists should have an experienced offense led by senior second-team All-South Jersey shortstop Dante Bell (.427), senior infielder J.J. McLaughlin (.327), senior infielder Max Sullivan (.326), senior outfielder Roman Faiola (.320) and junior outfielder Dante Matarese (.299). Leading the pitching staff is senior right-hander Dan Passalacqua (1.22 ERA, 34.1 innings). A tough situation occurred when senior righthander Cole Williams who would have been one of the top pitchers, suffered a season-ending injury. McLaughlin will pick up some innings as will senior righthander Max Sullivan, a Fordham commit, and junior right-hander Chris Romeo.

8. Kingsway (20-7, 12). A South Jersey Group 4 semifinalist last season, Kingsway returns three veteran pitchers, plus adds Paul VI transfer Tyler Rogers, a Charleston Southern commit. The returning pitchers are three righthanders – Delaware commit Nate Bott, senior AJ Aimis and junior Kevin Magsam, who was 4-1 with a 0.80 ERA. There are seven returning position players, led by two seniors, outfielder Kyle Shields (.444) and second basemanBrayden Thorp (.324).

9. Clearview (17-10, 14). The Pioneers return eight starting position players and five pitchers from a team that earned a win in the Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic and also a regular season victory over Gloucester Catholic. The staff will also receive a boost with the return of right-hander Andrew Pron, a Fairleigh Dickinson commit, who missed last season due to injury. Sophomore right-hander Josh Yurgin (45 strikeouts, 37 innings), is another key pitcher. Junior shortstop Sawyer Wood (.282, 22 walks, 13 stolen bases, is a returning first-team all-conference selection. Junior outfielder Chase Cardille (.375) is another key returning position player.

10. Haddon Heights (16-10, NR). The Garnets have seven returning position players and six returning pitchers from last year’s South Jersey Group 2 semifinalist. Two seniors, catcher Kevin Clark (.342) and outfielder Jaxon Motta (22 RBIs) are among the offensive leaders. Junior Tennessee commit Jack Nicholls (47 strikeouts, 37 innings) and senior Rutgers Camden commit Jack Dillon (2.88 ERA) head up the pitching staff.

11. Mainland (17-10, 5). The defending Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic champions lost quite a bit to graduation, but still should be a formidable team, especially once gaining some experience. A big addition is senior centerfielder Jake Blum, who missed last baseball season due to injury. Senior outfielder Anthony Nodado (.419) is a Division II Dominican commit. Classmate Colton Donahue is an outstanding defensive shortstop. Senior Will Hickman (39 strikeouts, 25.1 innings) is the most experienced returning pitcher.

12. Cherry Hill East (12-13, NR). The Cougars have a strong pitching staff, headed by junior right-hander Mike Fekete, a Virginia Tech commit (2.35 ERA), senior right-hander Cole Haddock (3.97), an FDU commit, and senior right-hander Kyle Fisher, a Ursinus commit. Senior shortstop centerfielder Rohan Muttahil anchors the defense, while also batting .306 last season. Among other key position players are senior shortstop Brody Connors (.301), a Rutgers Camden commit; junior leftfielder Dillon Haddock (.293) and senior catcher Steve Longo, a Rowan commit.

13. Vineland (16-11, NR). The South Jersey Group 4 semifinalists return nine position players who saw sufficient time, headed by junior outfielder Ernie Bernhardt (.302) who coach Kyle Jones calls “the fastest player in South Jersey.” Among other key offensive performers are senior shortstop Xavier Etheridge (.282), and senior first baseman Carlos Santiago (.272, 13 walks). Senior righthander Mario Toro (2.26 ERA) heads up an experienced staff that includes Ehteridge (2.51 ERA) and will be boosted by newcomer Jake Garton, a senior lefthander.

14. Haddonfield (24-6, 6). The defending South Group 2 champions must replace five key seniors but return six starters among position players led by junior first baseman Jackson Gayer (.433), senior outfielder James Rowe (.344), junior shortstop Dan Keenan (.337) and senior infielder Will Solak (.341, 20 RBIs). Solak (1.81 ERA) and Gayer (13 strikeouts, 16 innings) head up the pitching staff.

15. Schalick (22-3, 11). The defending South Jersey Group 1 champions bring back five returning positions players led by junior catcher Ricky Watt (.389), senior outfielder Evan Sepers (.425) and junior third baseman Jamari Whitley (.351), who also had a 1.54 ERA in 36.1 innings. Senior Cole Hartley had a 1.66 ERA in 25.1 innings is another key pitcher forthe Cougars.

Marc Narducci is a freelance reporter for the Courier-Post. He can be reached by email at cpvarsity@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey preseason Mean 15 for high school baseball

Back row Archie Benson has become the latest Northampton Saints player to sign a contract extension tying him to the club beyond the end of this season.

The 25-year-old was spotted by Saints playing for National League 2 West side Luctonians and joined them prior to last season.

He has so far made 14 first-team appearances for the Prem leaders, eight of them this season.

"Saints have the best coaches to push my game forward but also the best environment to do it in," said Benson, who began his career in Gloucester's academy.

"This year has been a big one for my development. I've become more involved in the line-out, learning how to call it and working closely with [coach] James Craig on that side of my game."

He added: "The aim this season is to play more Prem games and put my hand up for Europe as well."

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Northampton's director of rugby Phil Dowson said there was still plenty of room for growth in the former England Under-18 international's game.

"He's an important part of our group and very much on the journey with us," he said.

"He's always at it on the pitch – aggressive, competitive and desperate to be involved – and those are qualities we really value."

Manchester United are expected to focus on the midfield this summer, but they are also likely to consider reinforcements in other areas of the pitch. The Red Devils have regained their mojo under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who took charge in January.

The English manager has swept away the doom and gloom of former head coach Ruben Amorim’s 14-month tenure and has taken the club to third in the Premier League table after 31 games. While qualification for next season’s Champions League is now a real possibility, recent games have suggested that the current squad may not be ready to play two games a week.

United have managed one win in their last three games in the league, and one area where the team looks a little light right now is the left-back role. Luke Shaw has been in resurgent form this season, starting every game in the Premier League, but the English giants lack proper cover for the position.

Tyrell Malacia is expected to leave, and Patrick Dorgu was outstanding in an advanced role before his unfortunate injury. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that the Red Devils have identified Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall as an option to strengthen the position.

Premier League-proven target

Hall is a product of Chelsea’s academy and broke into the senior side in the 2022/23 campaign. However, after failing to cement a place in the starting XI, the player moved to St. James’ Park on loan, with a purchase obligation, in the summer of 2023.

That decision has turned out to be a masterstroke, with Hall emerging as one of the best in his position in the league and even breaking into the England squad. The 21 year old’s pace, technical ability and attacking desire have already turned heads across the country.

This season, Hall has registered one goal and two assists in 41 appearances for the Magpies across all competitions, 31 of which have been starts.

Lewis Hall Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

The player fits United’s recent youth-centric transfer policy and has the ability to become Shaw’s heir at the Theatre of Dreams. However, it now appears that prising him away from Cathedral on the Hill could be next to impossible.

Newcastle will not consider Hall exit

According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle have no desire to offload Hall at the moment. The report states: “Newcastle United have no intention of allowing Lewis Hall to leave the club this summer, despite Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all showing interest in the full-back, TEAMtalk understands.”

“Despite the growing speculation, Newcastle remain relaxed about the situation. The club are fully aware of the interest being generated, but crucially, there is no indication that Hall or his representatives are agitating for a move away from St James’ Park.”

“However, uncertainty surrounding Newcastle’s push for European qualification is expected to keep transfer rumours bubbling.”

The report adds that Hall remains settled at St James’ Park and is not looking to leave either. It states: “The player himself appears completely happy with life on Tyneside. Hall’s father, Colin, is a lifelong Newcastle supporter and the left-back has said it ‘means everything’ to play in the black and white, so his connection to the club runs deep.”

Hall is under contract until 2029, so the Magpies are under no pressure to let him go.

Final Thoughts

Hall has the ability to hit a higher gear and also has the Premier League experience that United have desired in recent signings. As such, one can expect the Red Devils to keep a close eye on how the Englishman’s situation unfolds at Newcastle.

Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images

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The appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa as head coach of Real Madrid came at a delicate stage of the season. In January, the club dismissed Xabi Alonso following a run of inconsistent results and opted for an internal solution in an attempt to stabilise the situation.

Arbeloa, a former Real Madrid player with a strong track record in the club’s academy, was chosen to provide immediate balance.

Despite some hurdles along the way, the former defender has done a seemingly solid job so far, bringing stability inside a dressing room that was losing its way.

Arbeloa’s ‘secret gesture’

Arbeloa has placed particular emphasis on the dressing room environment, with the aim of building unity and strengthening internal dynamics.

In this context, Edu Aguirre of El Chiringuitorevealed an unusual habit the coach follows after each victory.

As per the journalist, whenever Real Madrid win a match, the next day, before training, Arbeloa enters the dressing room with breakfast and distributes it to all the players as a reward.

Arbeloa has improved the dressing room atmosphere at Real Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

He provided further detail, describing how players arrive before training and are met with a surprise:

“They are all seated and he says to them ‘lads, breakfast’. He goes around with catering with croissants, doughnuts….”

Prior to his promotion, Arbeloa had steadily progressed within the club’s structure. His work with the youth team and with Castilla left a positive impression, both in terms of results and his management of the dressing room.

In fact, Javi Balboa confirmed on El Chiringuito that Arbeloa had already adopted a similar approach during his time with Castilla as a way of rewarding players when they won important games or went on an important streak of results.

As has been reported already, Arbeloa is gaining more and more support inside the Real Madrid dressing room in the context of his continuity at the club beyond this season.

N'Diaye wants Liverpool move

The 20-year-old only moved to Helsingborgs IF in Sweden’s second tier in January - inking his first-ever professional deal after impressing on trial - but he is already eyeing up his next move.

The French-Senegalese stopper has been tipped for the top having moved from French football to Scandinavia in search of a senior breakthrough.

He has achieved it already and has now spelt out his career ambitions in an interview with HD.

“To come to a big club in the world. Real Madrid, Liverpool or similar. Play in the Champions League – and win the African Championships with Senegal,” he said.

“I know there is interest, but right now I'm just concentrating on Helsingborg and doing as well as possible here. Then we'll see what happens."

'Very special' N'Diaye heading for the top

The left-sided centre-back spent time with Le Havre, Angers and Dunkerque in France before taking his first step abroad with the Swedish Superettan side.

"Clubs will always call me and ask for my opinion on players,” said HIF coach Stevie Grieve to HD. “Some have asked me, A: How did you find him? B: How did you manage to get him? and C: How far can he go? I think he will be good.

“He's a very good player, incredibly skilled with the ball. I think this is just the beginning, he's going to be a very special player.”

Liverpool’s senior-centre back options are set for a big shakeup over the next year or so. We expect Ibrahima Konate to depart on a free transfer at the end of the season while Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are only contracted until 2027.

Therefore the Reds are going to require additional numbers at the heart of defence before long - and they have been given the ultimate come-and-get-me plea by another emerging talent.

SAN DIEGO – Before he had even turned 45 years old, coach Rick Pitino published a book in 1997 that included his advice about aging.

“The older we get, the more we must change,” said the book entitled Success is a Choice. “Change is what keeps us fresh and innovative. Change is what keeps us from getting stale and stuck in a rut. Change is what keeps us young.”

Nearly 30 years later, we can see what he means. Pitino, now 73, is taking St. John’s to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA men's basketball tournament on Friday against No. 1-seed Duke. It’s the fourth school he’s taken to the Sweet 16. It’s also the fifth decade he’s taken a team this far.

RE-SEEDING THE SWEET16: Separating the contenders from pretenders

So how does he do it?

Part of it relates to that advice in his book. But there’s more. And much of it was on display in San Diego recently, when his team won two NCAA Tournament games. Here are five traits that set him apart, backed by evidence and anecdotes from the past weekend:

1. Rick Pitino adapts and adapts again

Fellow Hall of Fame coach Bill Self of Kansas made an observation about Pitino the day before his team lost to St. John’s in the second round March 22. He said he was especially impressed by coaches who evolved to master changes in the game, including the introduction of the shot clock (1985) and 3-point shot (1986). Pitino was hired at Providence before either and then took Providence to the Final Four in 1987.

“I think that he's done that as well as anybody maybe ever has,” Self said.

More recently, the NCAA allowed unlimited annual player transfers in 2024 after decades of restrictions. Pitino has built his St. John’s team around transfer players and had the No. 1 transfer class in the nation for 2025, according to 247Sports.

2. Rick Pitino reinvents and rehabilitates himself

He was the head coach at Kentucky and Louisville, two archrivals. He was the head coach of Boston University and the Boston Celtics. Now he’s the head coach of St. John’s University of New York after previously serving as head coach of the New York Knicks.

It takes some personal reinvention to take on such starkly different jobs in the same cities or regions. It also took some self-awareness to put himself in exile and rehabilitate his image after a rash of scandals at Louisville, where he was fired in 2017.

He left the country to coach in Greece until 2020 and then came back to the U.S. to coach at Iona. He won enough at both places to put the scandals in his distant past and get hired at St. John’s in 2023.

He wasn’t even asked about those controversies in four news conferences while his team was in San Diego.

3. He keeps pulling the lever, encourages players to do same

Like with a slot machine at a casino, you can’t win the jackpot if you don’t keep pulling the lever. But you also risk big losses if you do. He takes this risk.

For example, St. John’s guard Dylan Darling had played poorly against Kansas on Sunday, missing all four shots he took. Then he had the audacity to ask Pitino for the ball on the final play with the score tied at 65-65 in the final seconds. Pitino let him do it despite Darling’s lack of production before then. Darling then won the game with a buzzer-beating layup.

Likewise, Pitino has emphasized 3-point shooting as a big key to success for his team in this tournament so far. If the shots don’t fall, he wants the players to keep shooting until they do. In the first half against Kansas, St. John’s hit just 7 of 23 3-point attempts.

"I kept telling them… every time out, 'Look, you're going to make five in a row; you're going to make six in a row,'" Pitino said afterward. "They didn't believe a word I was saying, but I was telling them you gotta keep shooting it. It was the only way we were going to win tonight."

St. John’s outscored Kansas in 3-point shooting, 33-15.

4. He’s cool and has swagger

In this regard, he’s somewhat like Deion Sanders, the football coach at Colorado. Both have been relevant in their sports since the 1980s. Both were innovative enough to pioneer the art of flipping a team roster with transfer players in 2023, when hardly anybody else was doing it. Both have a flair with fashion — Sanders with his sunglasses and jewelry, Pitino with his Armani suits and ties (while other coaches are mostly wearing athleisure gear).

What does any of this matter?

It signals confidence in their craft built over time while still daring to be different.

A cool head helps, too, avoiding exhaustion in a game of so many ups and downs. Did you see Pitino’s reaction to Darling’s game-winning layup against Kansas? Instead of exploding with joy in reaction to it, Pitino looked like his number was just called after waiting in line at the DMV.

5. Rick Pitino hates Christian Laettner

OK, he never said he hated the hated legend from Duke. But on the eve of another game against Duke, the memory is still fresh for Pitino, who was the coach at Kentucky in 1992 when Laettner hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer to beat Kentucky and lift Duke to the Final Four.

The flashback still seems to make him edgy. He said Sunday he was "so sick of commercials with Christian Laettner hitting that shot over and over and over."

He said friends recently convinced him to watch a show on Hulu called “Paradise” but then learned Laettner’s shot is referenced in that, too.

"That’s cruel," Pitino said.

He got his own buzz-beater from Darling Sunday. Now it’s on to Duke in Washington, D.C.

“You win some, you lose some,” Pitino said. “And I'm hoping we can get Duke at the buzzer next to make up for that Christian Laettner shot.”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How St. John's basketball coach Rick Pitino just keeps winning

MLB ABS Challenge System Explained: How Automated Ball-Strike Challenges Work in Baseball originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

If you are watching a game and suddenly see a batter, catcher or pitcher tap their helmet after a borderline pitch, that is MLB’s ABS challenge system in action. “ABS” stands for Automated Ball-Strike system, but in the majors it does not mean full-time robot umpires calling every pitch. Instead, the plate umpire still makes the original call, and players can challenge certain ball-or-strike calls for a near-instant review. MLB approved the system for Major League play beginning in 2026, and it is now used in spring training, the regular season and the postseason.

What is the ABS challenge system?

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The simplest way to think about it is this: MLB kept the human umpire, then added a limited challenge system for obvious misses. If a pitcher, catcher or batter thinks the umpire got a ball-or-strike call wrong, that player can challenge it immediately. A Hawk-Eye camera system tracks the pitch, compares it to the batter’s assigned strike zone, and the result is shown on the scoreboard and broadcast. The review takes about 15 seconds.

That means ABS in MLB is not the same thing as fully automated strike calls on every pitch. The umpire still calls the game pitch by pitch. The technology only steps in when a player on the field uses one of the team’s challenges.

How ABS challenges work during a game

Here are the rules fans need to know:

• Each team starts with two challenges in a nine-inning game.
• A team keeps its challenge if the call is overturned, and loses it if the umpire’s original call stands.
• Only the pitcher, catcher or batter can initiate a challenge. Managers and dugouts cannot.
• The player must challenge immediately after the pitch by tapping their hat or helmet and vocalizing the challenge.
• In extra innings, a team that enters the inning with no challenges left gets one new challenge.
• MLB’s Statcast ABS dashboard says challenges are not permitted when a position player is pitching.

That immediately part matters. Players are supposed to make the decision themselves, without waiting for help from the dugout, teammates or coaches. MLB even adjusted some broadcast graphics so teams cannot easily relay pitch-location help from the bench.

How the strike zone is measured

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

MLB’s challenge zone is a two-dimensional rectangle, not the old TV-style fuzzy box and not a full three-dimensional cube. It is set over the middle of home plate, not the front edge. The zone is 17 inches wide, matching the width of the plate. The top is set at 53.5% of the batter’s measured height without cleats, and the bottom is set at 27% of that height. Any part of the baseball touching any part of the zone counts as a strike.

MLB settled on that version after years of testing. The league found that a three-dimensional zone or a zone judged at the very front of the plate could produce weird-looking strike calls on breaking balls that clipped the zone early and then bounced far away from where hitters or fans expected.

One other important detail: the ABS zone is based on a player’s measured height, not the exact crouch or stance he uses in that plate appearance. So a hitter who squats lower may feel like the top and bottom of the zone are not where he is used to seeing them.

Does ABS actually change a lot of calls?

Less than you might think, which is part of the point. In MLB’s 2026 spring testing, only 1.4% of all pitches were challenged, and only 7% of edge-zone takes were challenged. The overturn rate was 53%, with batters succeeding 45% of the time and fielding teams succeeding 60% of the time. MLB also found that 65% of spring games had two or fewer overturned calls.

So ABS is not turning every game into a replay fest. It is more like a pressure-release valve for the most important close calls.

That is also why MLB likes this setup: it adds accuracy without stripping away the human part of calling a game. And it could reduce some of the sport’s most familiar arguments. MLB noted that 63.2% of ejections in 2025 were about balls and strikes, so the challenge system gives players a way to contest calls without immediately turning the moment into a shouting match.

The easiest takeaway for fans is this: when you see an ABS challenge, you are watching baseball’s version of a quick correction tool. The umpire still has the plate. The players just have a limited chance to say, Check that one.

Midfielder Arne Engels "never made an issue" after January interest from Nottingham Forest came to nothing, says Celtic manager Martin O'Neill. (Scotsman - subscription required)

Hearts coaches will seek to replicate a match scenario for fringe players and those returning from injury during the international break. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required)

Danny Rohl plans to include Findlay Curtis in Rangers' first-team plans next season, the 19-year-old currently on loan Kilmarnock and having been called up to the Scotland squad. (Football Insider)

Meanwhile, Rangers' on-loan Tottenham winger Mikey Moore has withdrawn from England Under-19 duty on medical grounds. (Scotsman - subscription required)

• Tonali prefers Italy return - Wednesday's gossip
• Nawrocki permanent exit mooted as Just & Ashia linked with Glasgow moves - gossip

Hibernian head coach David Gray sees progress in his side this season but accepts there is "more noise" towards Hibs with Hearts sitting top of the Scottish Premiership. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required)

Dundee United captain Ross Graham did not want to show his face locally following his equalising own goal in the recent 2-2 draw with Dundee. (Courier - subscription required)

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has called up youth players Lewis Carrol and Jamie Mercer to train with the first team. (Press and Journal - subscription required)

Midfielder Fin Robertson reveals training with Dundee's partner club Monterrey last summer instead of going on holiday has transformed his season. (Courier - subscription required)

Chelsea have opened negotiations to sign Werder Bremen defender Karim Coulibaly ahead of a possible summer move according to reports.

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The Blues tried to sign a centre back in January, but failed in their pursuit of Jeremy Jacquet, with the Frenchman opting to sign for Liverpool.

Chelsea are said to still be in the market for a centre half this summer, but they’ve really paid the price for not signing a replacement for Levi Colwill.

Chelsea open negotiations for Werder Bremen’s Karim Coulibaly

It feels like an overhaul is going to take place in the centre back department over the summer, with it possible Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile could all leave.

Chelsea have been linked with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo, but it appears they’ve got another name on their radar.

German publication BILD have reported the Blues have opened negotiations to sign Coulibaly, with the 18-year-old attracting interest from a number of top clubs.

The report adds Newcastle along with Chelsea have held serious talks regarding a possible agreement, with Marseille also seen as contenders.

BILD add Werder Bremen’s asking price is €45m, a fee not expected to be an issue for the reported interested sides.

Coulibaly made his Werder Bremen debut in August and the teenager has made 22 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, and is under contract until 2029.

Levi Colwill return getting closer

Whilst Chelsea are in the market for a centre back, Colwill is edging closer to a return to action after suffering an ACL injury before the start of the season.

Colwill has returned to first team training in recent weeks, but Liam Rosenior has insisted he’s still some way from full fitness.

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Chelsea reportedly hope he’ll play again this season, and it’s believed he could get a potential run out for the under-21s against Fulham on April 10th.

If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

An emotional farewell from one of the greatest players to ever wear the shirt has been met with an immediate and heartfelt response from inside the Liverpool dressing room.

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After Mo Salah confirmed he will leave us at the end of the season, the reaction from teammates, former players and staff showed just how much the Egyptian means to everyone connected with the club.

Liverpool players react to Salah exit

Following the announcement on Instagram, responses flooded in under the post, with current and former Reds making their feelings clear.

Jordan Henderson: ‘👑 ❤️’

Claudio Taffarel: ‘❤️🙌👏’

Robbie Fowler: ‘🥹❤️’

Virgil van Dijk: ‘❤️👏’

John Achterberg: ‘MO 👑 ❤️’

Divock Origi: ‘👑👑👑’

Andy Robertson: ‘The greatest ❤️’

Liverpool FC: ‘❤️’

Those short messages say a lot, with multiple references to a “king” highlighting exactly how Salah is viewed by those who have shared a dressing room with him.

Robertson’s comment stands out in particular, with the Scotland captain simply calling the 32-year-old “the greatest”, a reflection of the standards the forward has set during his time at Anfield.

Salah leaves Liverpool as a legend

The reaction comes after our No.11 confirmed his departure in an emotional video message, bringing an end to a remarkable spell that has defined an era for us.

The Egypt international spoke about his connection to the club, the city and the supporters, making it clear just how much his time here has meant to him both professionally and personally.

That context makes the dressing room reaction even more powerful, because it shows this is not just about numbers or trophies, but about the relationships built over nearly a decade.

It also comes at a time when uncertainty remains around what happens next, with his agent already insisting no decision has been made on his next club and warning supporters to ignore speculation.

For now, though, the focus will be on making the most of the remaining games, with Salah still playing a key role as we fight for a strong finish across multiple competitions.

Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, the reaction from teammates has already made one thing clear, he leaves with the full respect and admiration of everyone inside Liverpool Football Club.

The last camp before the big one.

Steve Clarke and his Scotland players meet up for the first time since that night against Denmark, but the focus is now firmly on World Cup preparation, with a little more than two months to go until the national team leave for the United States.

This week's camp will be the final get-together before the squad reunites in June, so there is some vital work to do for the head coach and his staff.

Here, BBC Scotland looks at three key questions facing Clarke as he prepares for a friendly double-header against Japan and Ivory Coast.

• How Scotland reached the World Cup - told by those who made it happen
• 'Silly' not to offer Clarke new deal - Dalglish
• Teenager Curtis given maiden Scotland call-up

Is 'direct' Curtis for now or future?

While some may have expected Clarke to dip into the squads of Hearts and Motherwell for his latest selection, he sprang a surprise by turning to his former club Kilmarnock and plucking out teenage winger Findlay Curtis.

Although Scotland clearly lack depth in that area, with Bournemouth wide man Ben Gannon-Doak working his way back to full fitness, eyebrows were still raised at the decision.

While Clarke's men were staging that astonishing 4-2 victory over Denmark in November, Curtis was watching as a fan after being excluded from the Scotland Under-21s set-up.

To be in contention for a spot in the World Cup squad just months later is a remarkable rise for the 19-year-old, who is excelling under former Scotland winger Neil McCann in Kilmarnock's bid for Scottish Premiership survival.

On loan from Rangers - where he was coached by McCann last season - Curtis delivered another impressive showing on Saturday, scoring in the Ayrshire side's vital victory over bottom side Livingston.

Now he has an incredible opportunity to prove he is an immediate option for Clarke, and not just one for the future - but will he grasp it?

Scotland assistant coach Steven Naismith hailed Curtis' drive to move out on loan and not be content with being a squad player at Rangers.

"This desire, this instinctive nature to get chances," Naismith added on BBC Sportscene when analysing the youngster's weekend goal.

"He's got a bit of pace, he's direct, he commits defenders - these are all things that have caught the eye."

Former Celtic and Hibernian midfielder Scott Allan added on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "When we don't have Gannon-Doak, we don't have someone who can really travel with the ball. Curtis does have that.

"Yes, he's still developing and doesn't always have that final ball, but that can be worked on. We aren't blessed with a lot of pace, especially in the attacking areas.

"You have to have pace in those areas, especially when at times we'll be forced back and when we're then trying to get up the pitch. Players with pace can be the difference."

How can Scotland raise performance level?

How can it be fair to ask this about a Scotland side that finished top of their qualifying group with a record of four wins, one draw and one defeat to take the men's senior side back to a World Cup for the first time in almost three decades?

But the truth is, for most of a weird and wonderful campaign, the performance level was underwhelming at best. Clarke and his players did not shy away from that after certain matches.

The team were booed by their own support on multiple occasions and, had it not been for a shock draw between Denmark and Belarus to set up that glorious night against the Danes in November, the mood music now would be so different.

It was the reverse throughout the 2024 Nations League campaign. A shift to a 4-3-2-1 system improved displays against higher-calibre opposition, but the results were not there.

A relegation play-off defeat by Greece then started a worrying trend of below-par showings, but results picked up throughout World Cup qualifying despite performances continuing to concern.

Clarke's Scotland have never been a team that has controlled and dominated games, and nobody is demanding that. Fans do, however, want to see the head coach release the handbrake.