Tickets for the 2027 Ryder Cup will cost more than £400 per day with fans forced to shell out if they want to attend at Adare Manor.
Ryder Cup Europe has unveiled ticketing details for next year’s event in Ireland with prices more than doubling from the 2023 edition in Rome.
General entry for one of the three competition days has been set at €499 (£433) compared to €220 (£191) for Friday and Saturday at Marco Simone Golf Club three years ago. It is a 400 per cent rise on the 2018 event in Paris, with the Ryder Cup set to be held on Irish soil for just the second time.
“We acknowledge it's an increase from Rome," Richard Atkinson, the European Tour Group's chief Ryder Cup officer, told the BBC.
"That was four years ago and a lot has happened in the world since then. We are lower than Bethpage. We've tried to make this as accessible as possible to a wide demographic of people. Our practice day tickets will be from 89 euros and juniors from 20 euros.
"Our prices are proportionate to a global sporting event. This event has grown in stature and profile, it's one of the biggest sporting events in the world. We're confident in our pricing but we've made it accessible to everyone."
The first tickets for the 2027 Ryder Cup are due to go on sale on Friday exclusively to residents of the island of Ireland.
Luke Donald will lead Europe again next year as he seeks a third straight success as captain. The United States are yet to confirm their skipper, with Tiger Woods withdrawing himself from consideration as he takes a break from golf to seek treatment and prioritise his health.
Ian Woosnam guided Europe to Ryder Cup victory at the K Club in 2006 in the only previous hosting in Ireland.
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Tyler Biadasz of the Los Angeles Chargers addresses members of the media during a press conference after offseason workouts at The Bolt on April 20, 2026 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are a lot of ways to sum up how things are going for the New York Mets right now. One of them? That photo of a fan in a paper bag at the top of the article was not the only one to choose from taken by Imagn Images photographer Wendell Cruz on Tuesday night.
For those not keeping score at home, the Mets have now lost 12 games in a row. They took a 3-0 lead over the Minnesota Twins before allowing five unanswered runs.
Most teams don't have a 12-game losing streak at any point in the season. The Mets have found there way to one in April.
Those paper bag photos aren't the only way to sum up how rough it's getting, either.
The New York Times took their own little shot at the Mets' ability in a recent correction. They had an article mis-reference when the Mets' 11th consecutive loss had occurred.
Their article originally said Monday, which was actually an off-day for the Mets.
"Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misstated which day the New York Mets suffered their 11th straight loss. It was on Sunday, not Monday. Even the Mets cannot lose on an off day."
From the top rope: Even the Mets cannot lose on an off day.
Incredible.
And true, although at this point, Mets fans would probably believe that their team could indeed lose on an off day.
This season is already threatening to fall entirely off the rails. Last year, it took until a late collapse for things to feel miserable for the Mets. This year, it has happened by Earth Day.
You know it's rough when the New York Times' editing staff is getting in on the act.
LUCKNOW: Lucknow Super Giants have been feeling the heat in IPL this season. With just two wins from six games, LSG are just a spot above bottom-placed Kolkata Knight Riders in the points table. However, LSG’s bowling coach Bharat Arun doesn’t seem to be too concerned about their below par show and is hopeful of the team bouncing back in matches ahead. Excerpts from an interview
Your team conceded more than 250 runs against Punjab Kings. What exactly went wrong for LSG?
I will not read too much into that one game. Our bowling unit has done really well in the previous matches. Sometimes a game like that can happen. At certain stages, even the choice of balls may not have been ideal. But there is no major cause for concern because our bowlers are good enough to make a strong comeback. You would have seen in the earlier games that our bowlers executed our plans very well. These things can happen. Sport is also about failure and, more importantly, how strongly you respond to it. That defines the kind of sportsman you are.
Did the lack of early wickets put too much pressure in the middle overs?
We did get an early wicket, but after that their batters played very well. In the Powerplay, our choice of balls was not great, and that is something we can improve on. If you are bowling badly, that is a bigger problem. But if the issue is about making the right choices, that can certainly be corrected in the coming matches.
You have not been able to capitalise on the home advantage. Are the conditions not suiting your attack?
No, I don’t think that is the case. If you look at it, our bowling has been reasonably good at home. It is more a case of our batting being one good match away from really clicking. Even in the Punjab game, despite the loss, the positive was that our batters got close to 200. That is encouraging for us, and I’m sure the batting group would have taken confidence from that effort.
How are you managing the overseas vs Indian bowler balance?
Our bowling attack is predominantly Indian. In fact, apart from Anrich Nortje, who was injured and has gone back, we haven’t really had an overseas presence in the bowling group. But this is a very exciting Indian bowling unit, and we have a lot of belief in them.
130440684
Which phase of the innings concerns you most right now: powerplay, middle overs, or death?
I can’t reveal exactly what the data says right now, but we are aware of the areas we need to address. We have already reshuffled the bowling roles, and barring one game, it has worked quite well. So it is not a major concern for us at this stage.
If the same PBKS batting lineup came at you tomorrow, what would you do differently from ball one?
We would definitely work things out differently, but that is something you will see if and when we play them again.
Things got quite a bit more interesting for the Giants ahead of Thursday’s NFL Draft.
Last week, the team shipped disgruntled nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals. They got back the No. 10 pick. The Giants now select fifth and 10th in the first round. It’s the second time in four years they’ve had two Top 10 picks in the same class.
The Giants have eight selections over the three days, including three within the first 37. Things officially begin at 8 p.m.
Here’s everything you need to know before.
Updated salary cap situation
The Lawrence trade came with an added bonus as the Giants created some much-needed cap wiggle room. They now have $18.1 million, per OverTheCap.com. The figure does dip to $3.198 million in effective money, which takes into account what they must pay their rookies.
Expect the Giants to do some cap gymnastics after Saturday. A restructure for safety Jevon Holland ($12.9 million base salary), tackle Andrew Thomas ($15.9 million) and corner Paulson Adebo ($17.2 million) makes sense. The Giants plan on signing defensive tackle DJ Reader and had wideout Odell Beckham Jr. take a physical on Monday. They’ll need that money to accomplish those things.
Jaxson Dart (QB), Cam Skattebo (RB), Patrick Ricard (FB), Malik Nabers (WR), Darius Slayton (WR), Calvin Austin (WR), Isaiah Likely (TE), Andrew Thomas (LT), Jon Runyan (LG), John Michael Schmitz (C), Daniel Faalele (RG), Jermaine Eluemunor (RT)
Defense
Abdul Carter (EDGE), Roy Robertson-Harris (DE), Sam Roberts (NT), Darius Alexander (DE), Brian Burns (EDGE), Tremaine Edmunds (LB), Micah McFadden (LB), Paulson Adebo (CB), Tyler Nubin (S), Jevon Holland (S), Greg Newsom (CB), Dru Phillips (NB)
Special teams
Jason Sanders (K), Jordan Stout (P), Zach Triner (LS), Gunner Olszewski (RET)
The last draft class
EDGE Abdul Carter (first round, No. 3), QB Jaxson Dart (first round, No. 25), DL Darius Alexander (third round, No. 65), RB Cam Skattebo (fourth round, No. 105), T Marcus Mbow (fifth round, No. 154), TE Thomas FIdone (seventh round, No. 219), CB Korie Black (seventh round, No. 246)
Best-case scenario
There are two early for the Giants. Either the draft starts Fernando Mendoza (Raiders), Arvell Reese (Jets), David Bailey (Cardinals) and Sonny Styles (Titans), or Mendoza (Raiders), Reese (Jets), Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals) and Styles (Titans).
The best player in this year’s draft is Love, the star running back out of Notre Dame. He had 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns a season ago. There is a path to getting him to New York, but it involves the Cardinals and Titans going elsewhere.
The second doesn’t give the Giants Love, but it puts Bailey there at No. 5. SNY touched base with almost two dozen sources leading into the draft (head coaches, general managers, executives, assistant coaches and agents), and Bailey is the consensus top pass rusher.
The Giants already have Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. It’s highly unlikely they draft Bailey, but there will be teams (plural) wanting to come up for him if he’s there. John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen would link arms and do heel clicks down the hallways of the renovated 1925 Giants Drive.
Keep an eye on the Saints (selecting eighth) and Chiefs (selecting ninth) if that plays out.
Worst-case scenario
Most sources SNY touched base with, unaffiliated with the Giants, believe their pick at No. 5 will be Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (assuming Love is gone). It’s hard to foresee any situation where one of Downs or Love isn’t there. They’ll at least get that.
The Giants also want a receiver early in the draft. There are concerns about Malik Nabers’ availability for Week 1. That room looks ugly without him there (Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin). Jordyn Tyson is the consensus top pass catcher (from a talent perspective) in this class. His injury issues are real (missed parts of the last three seasons), but he’s a different caliber player than Carnell Tate when healthy.
The Commanders (seventh), Saints (eighth) and Chiefs (ninth) won’t all take receivers, but all could use one. The Jets (picking 16th and with seven picks after that) need one, too, and could look to trade up.
If Washington, which would need to be blown away to move, per sources, takes Tyson, then the Saints grab Tate, there really isn’t another guy worth a Top 10 pick. The Giants might be forced to pivot to Penn State guard Vega Ioane. Not a bad consolation prize, but also not as helpful as a receiver might be.
Three biggest needs
1. Receiver
Wan’Dale Robinson left the Giants for the Titans in free agency. There’s uncertainty regarding when Nabers will return from his surgically repaired knee. The Giants want to help Dart reach his potential. It’s hard to do that if he’s taking the field with just Slayton, Austin and Mooney to begin the year.
The Giants need to add playmakers for their young passer, somehow, some way.
2. Interior offensive line
The Giants aren’t ignorant of their issues at guard. It’s why they pursued Alijah Vera-Tucker so heavily in free agency. He chose New England, and the Giants have yet to find a stable contingency plan. That should come in the draft, either at No. 10 or in the second round (No. 37).
3. Interior defensive line
The Giants have a major need on the interior of their defense after shipping away Lawrence. Yes, it was the right move. Now they need to replace him, though. Reader should help in free agency, but look for additional reinforcements in the draft. The one problem: This isn’t a particularly good class for that position. The Giants will need to get creative.
And the picks are …
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (No. 5); Vega Ioane, G, Penn State (No. 10)
The NFL Draft has been around since 1936. Every year, teams search for their next superstar. The No. 1 overall pick gets the most attention because that player can change a team’s future.
Because of this, colleges that produce these top picks also get a lot of recognition. Some schools have built a strong reputation over the years. They consistently develop players who succeed at the highest level. These programs have produced Heisman winners, star quarterbacks, and game-changing players.
The 2026 NFL Draft is coming up soon. Looking at past drafts helps show which colleges regularly produce elite talent. Schools like USC Trojans football, Georgia Bulldogs football, and Oklahoma Sooners football have led the way. Other schools have also made an impact, even with fewer No. 1 picks.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the colleges with the most No. 1 overall picks. Learn about the players and how they helped build their school’s legacy in the NFL.
Former Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning in attendance before Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Several programs have two No. 1 overall picks. These schools may not lead the list, but they still made a strong impact on NFL history.
Penn State Nittany Lions football produced Courtney Brown in 2000 and Ki-Jana Carter in 1995.
California Golden Bears football had Jared Goff in 2016 and Steve Bartkowski in 1975.
Tennessee Volunteers football saw Peyton Manning go first in 1998 and George Cafego in 1940.
South Carolina Gamecocks football produced Jadeveon Clowney in 2014 and George Rogers in 1981.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team had Irving Fryar in 1984 and Sam Francis in 1937.
Virginia Tech Hokies football produced Michael Vick in 2001 and Bruce Smith in 1985.
Washington Huskies football had Drew Bledsoe in 1993 and Steve Emtman in 1992.
Michigan State Spartans football produced Bubba Smith in 1967, and George Webster is often linked to that era of dominance, though Smith stands as the official top pick.
Florida State Seminoles football had Jameis Winston in 2015, and Andre Wadsworth is another notable top prospect from the program’s peak years.
Miami: 3
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Miami Hurricanes football has produced three No. 1 overall picks. The list starts with Vinny Testaverde in 1987. He had a long NFL career and was one of the top quarterbacks of his era.
Next came Russell Maryland in 1991. He became a key part of the Dallas Cowboys defense during their Super Bowl run.
Most recently, Cam Ward was selected first overall in 2025 by the Tennessee Titans. His rise added a modern boost to Miami’s legacy.
Texas: 3
Houston Oilers former running back Earl Campbell enters the stadium during the Professional Football HOF enshrinement ceremonies at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Longhorns football also has three No. 1 picks.
Tommy Nobis was the first in 1966. He became a legend for the Atlanta Falcons.
Then came Earl Campbell in 1978. He was quite dominant and won MVP honors.
Former Ohio State Buckeye Orlando Pace on the sidelines before the Ohio State and Texas game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Aug 30, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes football has also produced three top picks.
Tom Cousineau went first in 1979.
Dan Wilkinson followed in 1994.
The most famous name here is Orlando Pace in 1997. He became a Hall of Fame player and a key part of the St. Louis Rams offense.
LSU: 3
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks for hands to shake after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. The Browns kicked a last second field goal to win 20-18.
LSU Tigers football has three No. 1 picks as well.
Billy Cannon was selected in 1960.
JaMarcus Russell went first in 2007.
The most successful among them is Joe Burrow in 2020. He led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and became one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
Stanford: 4
Former American football player John Elway in attendance between the Cleveland Guardians against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford Cardinal football has a strong quarterback history with four No. 1 picks.
Bobby Garrett started it in 1954.
Jim Plunkett followed in 1971 and later won two Super Bowls.
John Elway was selected in 1983. He became one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.
Andrew Luck was the last in 2012. He had a strong career before retiring early.
Auburn: 4
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) on the sidelines in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Auburn Tigers football has produced four top picks.
Tucker Frederickson was first in 1965.
Bo Jackson followed in 1986. He became one of the most famous athletes in sports history.
Aundray Bruce went first in 1988.
Cam Newton capped the list in 2011. He won MVP and led the Carolina Panthers to a Super Bowl.
Oklahoma: 5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Oklahoma Sooners football has five No. 1 picks.
Lee Roy Selmon started it in 1976.
Billy Sims followed in 1980.
The program later became known for quarterbacks. Sam Bradford went first in 2010.
Then came back-to-back picks. Baker Mayfield in 2018 and Kyler Murray in 2019.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Walt Patulski on the field against the Northwestern Wildcats at Notre Dame Stadium during the 1971 season. Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football also has five No. 1 picks.
Angelo Bertelli was selected in 1944.
Frank Dancewicz followed in 1946.
Leon Hart went first in 1950.
Paul Hornung was picked in 1957 and became a legend.
Walt Patulski was the last in 1972.
Georgia: 5
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to throw a pass against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter of an NFC Divisional Round game at Soldier Field. Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Georgia Bulldogs football has five No. 1 overall picks.
Frank Sinkwich was selected in 1943.
Charley Trippi followed in 1945.
Harry Babcock went first in 1953.
In the modern era, Matthew Stafford was selected in 2009 and later won a Super Bowl.
Travon Walker became the latest in 2022.
USC: 6
Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams holds up his jersey after being selected by the Chicago Bears as the No. 1 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USC Trojans football leads the list with six No. 1 picks.
Ron Yary was the first in 1968.
O. J. Simpson followed in 1969 and became one of the most dominant players ever.
Ricky Bell went first in 1977.
Keyshawn Johnson was selected in 1996.
Carson Palmer followed in 2003.
The most recent is Caleb Williams in 2024. He added to USC’s strong quarterback tradition.
USC sits at the top with six No. 1 picks. A few programs are close behind with five. These schools have built a long history of producing elite talent. The list shows both old legends and modern stars. With every draft, this list can change. The 2026 draft could add another name soon.
Wisconsin guard Jack Janicki will return to the Badgers in 2026-27, 247Sports' Nick Osen confirmed on Tuesday.
Tuesday afternoon saw a flurry of Wisconsin basketball-related activity, with the portal closing to new entrants. John Blackwell committed to Duke, while Janicki and Nolan Winter each announced their returns.
Those moves crystalize Wisconsin's roster and rotation entering 2026-27. Winter is in position to start, alongside transfers Trey Autry and Eian Elmer, incoming freshman Owen Foxwell and rising junior Austin Rapp. Janicki and transfer forward Victory Onuetu, then, figure to play significant minutes off the bench.
Janicki started one of 26 appearances in 2025-26. He averaged 16.5 minutes, 2.2 points, two rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.7 steals per game, while shooting 32% from the field and 28% from 3. After Wisconsin saw significant turnover in its backcourt this offseason, Janicki will be tasked with improving those numbers in elevated playing time.
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Still, as Williams turns 38 next month, the 49ers need to have a long-term plan to protect Brock Purdy's blind side in place sooner rather than later.
The 2026 NFL draft may offer San Francisco a chance to do just that, as ESPN analyst Peter Schrager's predicts that general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will land offensive tackle Caleb Lomu in the first round.
Lomu, 21, was a four-star recruit out of Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona, before committing to the University of Utah. With the Utes, the 6-foot-6 tackle started 24 games on the left side over the last two years and earned All-Big 12 honors in 2025.
With the 49ers giving Williams and Colton McKivitz extensions in the last year, they seem to be all set at tackle for at least this season, but they may be willing to try Lomu on the right side and kick McKivitz into guard. They could also just put the rookie in at guard until he's needed to take over for Williams.
With the 2026 NFL Draft nearly here, the staff at Jets Wire has put together our final predictions for the event in a mock.
Our mock predictions are for the New York Jets' picks that are in the first two days of this year's draft. On those days, we'll see Rounds 1-3 unfold and in that area the Jets have four selections at Nos. 2, 16, 33, and 44.
Making mock projections for each of those picks will be Jets Wire editor Nick Wojton along with contributing writers Geoffrey Knox and Craig Moffett.
Jets Wire's full final 2026 mock draft can be found below:
Round 1, pick No. 2
Wojton's pick: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State.
It's down to either Reese or Bailey here. We've seen a lot of reports indicating the Jets want both players. Because Reese is considered the one to have a higher potential and a personal feeling that Bailey talk is more of a "smokescreen" to entice potential trades, Reese is the pick. Reese has an NFL build and versatility that he'd bring to the Jets
Knox's pick: ED David Bailey, Texas Tech.
The top two edge rushers in this draft are Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey. Both lack what is often called 'NFL size', though for some, it's hard to say two six-foot-three athletes lack length.
Anyway, that won't scare off the Jets here. Bailey has been linked to New York with the second overall selection for a while now, and though Bain might be the best pass rusher in this class by a slight margin, no one will complain about adding a bona fide pass rusher to a Brian Duker-led defense that needs one.
Moffett's pick: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State.
There's definitely been some speculation the Jets could select Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with this pick. Bailey wouldn't be a bad selection at this spot, but many consider Reese to be the top player in the entire draft and after the Jets cancelled their visit with Bailey, it sounds like they are leaning towards the Ohio State linebacker.
With the Jets using plenty of different fronts now that Aaron Glenn is calling the plays on defense, he can have Reese line up as an outside linebacker or as a defensive end in a 4-3. Reese had eight sacks last season and 23 pressures. He'll slide right in on the outside and be an impact player the minute he walks through the doors at Florham Park.
Round 1, pick No. 16
Wojton's pick: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana.
There could be a few wide receivers on the Jets' radar in this area. Cooper has dynamic ability and could be an asset. In 16 games played last year, Cooper had 69 catches, 937 yards and 13 touchdowns and won the National Championship. On top of his skill, the Jets brought Cooper in for a top-30 visit.
Knox's pick: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana.
It's been months, and it has become impossible to find negative feedback on Omar Cooper Jr. Some have actually compared him to prime Deebo Samuel.
Time will tell. Cooper hasn't played a down of professional football yet, but teamed with Garrett Wilson, it will be hard to imagine scenarios where the pairing fails.
Moffett's pick: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon.
Sadiq is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He's 6'3, 241 lbs. and ran a 4.36 40 yard dash at the combine. He led all tight ends with eight touchdowns last year and generated 214 yards after the catch. He may be listed as a tight end, but he's an explosive athlete who can line up as a slot receiver in Frank Reich's offense.
While Mason Taylor is the team's starting tight end, he's also coming off a neck injury so the Jets will probably bring him back slowly through training camp. But, drafting Sadiq doesn't mean Taylor's role is in jeopardy and Frank Reich will find a way to have both on the field. Geno Smith had a great tight end with the Raiders in Brock Bowers. He'll have another one with the Jets in Sadiq.
Round 2, pick No. 33
Wojton's pick: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee.
The Jets and Hood have met pre-draft and there have been additional reports that the team likes him. While the Jets have the likes of Brandon Stephens and Azareye'h Thomas at cornerback, a defense that failed to even record a single interception last season could use additions in the secondary. The six-foot defensive back broke up five passes and hauled in a interception last season. Hood had two interceptions in 2024 as well.
Knox's pick: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama.
Some have connected the Jets to TY Simpson at 16. Arguments can be made that he'll still be available at the top of the second round. In this scenario, new offensive coordinator Frank Reich gets lucky.
New York could bet on Geno Smith for a year and wait to add a franchise QB next April, but this class is deeper at other positions than it is at quarterback. After watching Sam Darnold grow into a functional signal-caller and win a Super Bowl elsewhere, it's time the Jets find their face of the franchise.
Moffett's pick: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo.
The Jets complete the overhaul of the safety position with the selection of McNeil-Warren, a player with plenty of size (6'3", 209 lbs.) and a PFF coverage grade of 92.1, ranking him second out of 914 safeties.
He had two interceptions and three forced fumbles last season for Toledo, has excellent closing speed on the ball and holds his own on short and intermediate routes. The Jets added Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton to the secondary to go along with Malachi Moore, their fourth-round pick from last year. Adding McNeil-Warren to the secondary should make this unit dangerous and primed for forcing plenty of turnovers after they failed to do last season.
Round 2, pick No. 44
Wojton's pick: ED Malachi Lawrence, UCF.
Lawrence is another Jets' top-30 visit and an NFL ready prospect thanks to his 6-foot-4, 253-pound size. Lawrence has potential to win battles in the trenches both on the inside and outside which matches well with the different fronts the Jets could start showing in 2026.
Knox's pick: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee.
Many view Jermod McCoy as the top cornerback in this class who is not named Mansoor Delane. That's all attributable to his 2024 tape because injury kept him from playing last season.
What we learned in his absence was that teams would test Colton Hood after assuming CB1 responsibilities. That led to a discovery, three of them actually. First, Hood was up for the challenge. Second, inexperience (one full season as a starter) led to some understandable, inconsistent play at times. Third, he needs further development, but also has the stuff to compete at the next level. That's okay. That's why NFL teams hire position coaches.
Other prospects like D'Angelo Ponds and Brandon Cisse may also be available when the Jets are on the clock here. Cisse may lack the physicality that an Aaron Glenn-led team will want to play with, while Ponds. at five-foot-nine, grades out as a slot corner at the next level.
Moffett's pick: WR Chris Bell, Louisville.
After landing Kenyon Sadiq in the first round, the Jets add another big receiver in Bell, who had seven touchdowns last year with the Cardinals. Bell is 6'2", 227 lbs. and will bring plenty of playmaking ability to the Jets offense. He's got quick feet and is very reliable in the middle of the field.
The downside is that Bell tore his ACL towards the end of the 2025 season and couldn't participate in any pre-draft workouts. The Jets will probably add another veteran receiver at some point before training camp and they can bring Bell along slowly in his recovery. Once cleared, he'll be an impact player for this Jets offense who will take plenty of pressure off of Garrett Wilson and be another weapon for Geno Smith.
With the 2026 NFL Draft nearly here, the staff at Bills Wire has put together our final predictions for the event in a mock.
Our mock predictions are for the Buffalo' picks that are in the first two days of this year's draft. On those days, we'll see Rounds 1-3 unfold and in that area the Bills have two selections at Nos. 26 and 91.
Making mock projections for each of those picks will be Bills Wire editor Nick Wojton and contributing writer Justin DiLoro.
Bills Wire's full final 2026 mock draft can be found below:
Round 1, pick No. 26
Wojton's pick: ED Cashius Howell, Texas Tech.
Howell was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and put up numbers to earn it. He had 11.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 13 games played last season in 2025. Howell's stock isn't higher because of measurables, specifically arm length. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane might like to trade back here but if Howell is there, Beane has not been shy about taking a bit of a project pass rusher early on at the draft.
DiLoro's pick: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State.
If there's any way that KC Concepcion makes it No 26, he's the pick. However, too many simulations have him being taken earlier in the round, and I think the lack of draft capital makes it a bit challenging for the Bills to move up in the draft. In addition, the Bills traded a second-round pick for veteran wideout DJ Moore, so selecting a wide receiver here would feel like Buffalo dedicated their first two draft picks to the wide receiver position.
Buffalo moved on from Sean McDermott to revamp this defense. The Bills need a massive figure who can eat up blocks and allow the remainder of the front seven to have some space to cause havoc. Thus, Buffalo makes a smart pick in bringing McDonald to Western New York. McDonald is dominant against the run, an element of the Bills defense that needs to improve. His presence will give a player like Ed Oliver more room to operate. In addition, with questions pending at the inside linebacker spot, it will be prudent for Buffalo to have a nose tackle that can disrupt the run game and let a linebacker like Terrel Bernard fill the gap
Round 3, pick No. 91
Wojton's pick: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas.
Muhammed is a prospect the Bills have had a top-30 visit with prior to the draft. As Buffalo rebuilds their scheme under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, the secondary is an area worth addressing. Muhammed does not have the biggest NFL frame but is a solid cover corner that is versatile. In 11 games last season, Muhammed had 30 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, a sack, four passes defended and two interceptions.
DiLoro's pick: OL Jalen Farmer, Kentucky.
The Bills continue to add depth within the trenches with the selection of Farmer. Farmer is a solid prospect who, with some refinement, could be a starter on day one. He's a mauler in the run game, and he stands up well to interior linemen in the pass game.
Farmer has a few minor technique issues that need to be cleaned up at the next level (e.g., consistent pad level). However, there's a ton to like with how he plays. The Kentucky product started 24 games at right tackle over the past two years. With O'Cyrus Torrence's contract status a bit murky beyond this season, it might be smart for the Bills to look beyond this season in case a spot opens up in the future. At worst, he can fill out the line and help the Bills establish long-term stability on the offensive line.
BOSTON -- There aren't a lot of rookies in this league like Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe. Sure, other rookies like Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have received a lot of the attention, but Edgecombe has consistently shown that he is going to be one of the better players in this league for quite some time.
Edgecombe made history in Philadelphia's 111-97 Game 2 win over the Boston Celtics. He had 30 points and 10 rebounds while knocking down six triples. He is the first rookie to have 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game since Tim Duncan back in 1998. Of course, Duncan was a big man. Edgecombe is a guard. He bothered the Celtics all night and he even wowed his teammates.
"You did that?" Paul George said to Edgecombe at the podium at the TD Garden after the win. The two then shared a moment before George went in depth on Edgecombe.
"I mean, he's been impressive all season long," George said. "When you think about it, and how he started his first NBA game here in this building, and I'm sure he was in a small percentage, or small group of players that did what he did on that opening night, and then to put a whole season together and get to this point where he's showcasing who he is and his abilities and it's just, you know, I've been saying it all year long. He's far past a rookie. What a 20 year old can do."
George is referring to Edgecombe's NBA debut when he had 34 points in a win over these same Celtics in that same building back on opening night in October. The rookie just continues to impress at a high level every night.
"It's just impressive, man, and 30 and 10, it’s just what we needed in moments throughout this game where he took over and it kind of just put us at ease," George added. "Whether I wasn't on the floor, Tyrese (Maxey) wasn't on the floor, he just put us at ease and got to spots and made big plays, and he had some big rebounds as well."
Edgecombe has had big moments and big games all season long, but to do it on the biggest stage in the playoffs is just mind-boggling. It's hard to remember that he still is just a rookie.
"Dude, I mean, the sky is beyond the limit for him," said Kelly Oubre Jr. "To come in his first playoff, his first year in the NBA, his first playoff appearance. Obviously, he loves it here. He just kind of picked up where he left off all regular season, but super proud of him. Just the work that he puts in is showing."
What's even more impressive is that Edgecombe is coming off a tough game. He had a tough time finding a rhythm in the Game 1 loss as he shot 0-for-5 from deep and 6-for-16 overall. That all changed in Game 2 as he received a message from Maxey.
"We've been saying it all year, but you know what he showed tonight was maturity," Maxey added. "Last game, a couple times he missed those 3s, and then he started driving, or he started cutting, and I told him, like, ‘Dude, you're not gonna miss. You're not gonna go find a 3. Do whenever they on the nail and I swing it to you, you shoot it. I don't care what the outcome is. If they help off you, shoot the ball. They go under? You shoot the ball.’ And look. He did that. He hooped, man. He hooped."
Tyrese Maxey on #Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe in tonight’s win: “We've been saying it all year, but you know what he showed tonight was maturity.” pic.twitter.com/QSuPaWu8Yu
On top of having to battle the Boston defense, Edgecombe had to battle through some injuries. He took a hard fall in the first quarter and left for the locker room at two different moments in the game. Yet, he returned to be out there for his team.
"He’s a tough kid," Andre Drummond stated. "A tough kid. His confidence is something I haven’t seen in a very long time. He plays with a swag that a lot of guys don’t play with when they come in this league. I’m happy that he’s here. He’s playing at a very high level and we’ll need more from him next game, too. So, he needs to stay prepared."
The Sixers will host the Celtics now in Game 3 on Friday.
Superagent offers UCL-winning manager to Real Madrid, informs about release clause in contract
According to a recent report from AS, it has come to light that Jose Mourinho has been presented as a potential managerial option for Real Madrid, with his agent Jorge Mendes informing the club about the possibility of a return.
As per the outlet, the Portuguese super agent has recently made contact with Real Madrid, making it clear that Mourinho, currently managing SL Benfica, has a release clause in his contract.
The message is that if Madrid are looking for a new manager, the path to bringing Mourinho back is open.
Uncertainty at Real Madrid
This development comes at a time when uncertainty continues to surround the future of Alvaro Arbeloa.
While he remains in charge for now, there is a growing expectation that the club will reassess the situation once the season concludes.
Within that context, multiple managerial profiles are being discussed internally.
Mourinho has been offered to Real Madrid. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Mourinho’s case, however, carries a different weight.
Why is that?
Mourinho’s history with Real Madrid, combined with his strong relationship with club president Florentino Perez, makes him a familiar and proven option.
He has never hidden his connection to the club, and the idea of a return, while unexpected, is not entirely out of place. Still, Real Madrid are not rushing into any decisions.
The club’s immediate priority remains the current campaign, as there is a clear focus on finishing the season strongly before making any structural changes, including the managerial position.
Within the club, offers and proposals are not uncommon, especially when one of the biggest managerial roles in world football could become available.
In that sense, Mourinho is now part of that conversation, but he is just one of several options being evaluated.
Based on what he's heard from around the NFL, Graziano is predicting that 7 to 10 offensive linemen could get picked in the first round.
"There's a late-round zone loaded with teams that would love to come out of Thursday night with a new offensive lineman, including the Lions, Panthers, Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Browns, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Patriots," Graziano wrote. "Kansas City could even use its No. 9 pick on an offensive tackle and no one would be surprised. Baltimore could take Ioane at No. 14, if he's there."
Adding depth and competition to the offensive line unit should be on GM Chris Ballard's radar. However, that is likely not a need that he plans to address at pick No. 47 -- the Colts' first selection.
That said, if numerous other teams are prioritizing the trenches and picking offensive linemen, that then pushes down prospects at other position groups, perhaps like linebacker or defensive end -- two of the more pressing needs that the Colts have.
A run on offensive linemen in Round 1 won't guarantee that the Colts get a steal at pick 47 -- that is still a good amount of time to wait on Day 2 before Indianapolis is on the clock. However, nearly one-third of the potential picks in Round 1 being at a position that isn't a huge need for the Colts isn't a bad thing either, and could help position Indianapolis well on Day 2.
Last season, the Miami Hurricanes showed exactly what a suffocating pass rush can do. They made the CFP title game and dominated Ohio State along the way to the championship finale. Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor will be hard to replicate; they don't grow on trees. The USC Trojans are hoping they struck gold with their new future pass rush pairing.
The Trojans have hit it out of the park with recruiting, especially on the defensive side of the ball. This past recruiting class, which was No. 1 in the country, featured the No. 1 recruit in the nation, Luke Wafle. So far, he has been on a tear in camp, creating buzz that he will dominate even as a freshman.
The Trojans followed that up by adding elite four-star EDGE Mekai Brown. Brown chose USC over Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss. It is clear he had great intentions of lining up next to Wafle for a couple of seasons. The 6-foot-6 pass rusher has basketball athleticism and football physicality. Just like Luke Wafle, he physically overpowers his matchups. Brown finished his junior season with double-digit sacks and 68 tackles. He is in store for a big senior season this year, as his development continues.
In the Big Ten, defense matters just as much as anything, and USC is finally prioritizing that in its recruiting. The Trojans could have two studs coming off the edge very soon, wreaking havoc on opponents and helping propel them to dominance in the Big Ten. The best is yet to come for USC, and excitement should be at an all-time high with this potential premier pass rush duo.
This was originally published on April 20, 2024. It has since been updated with new information (read: more NFL Draft busts)
There's no place you're more likely to find a franchise cornerstone than the first round of the NFL Draft. That makes the misses all the more painful.
The league is littered with disappointments who never quite lived up to the hype, but only a select few have the honor of a Day 1 selection and the fervor (and guaranteed money) that come with it. Some players shrink under the spotlight they've been given, whether that's due to a bad fit, weak coaching, off-field issues or just a straight-up lack of talent that everyone somehow missed.
Let's talk about those guys. These are the biggest first round draft busts for all 32 NFL teams, dating back to the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Arizona Cardinals: RB Larry Stegent (seventh overall)
Kelly Stouffer was a mess who forced his way out of the franchise without playing a single snap for the Cardinals, but at least he brought back three draft picks via trade (before ultimately being a disaster for the Seattle Seahawks). Steve Pisarkiewicz made only four starts at quarterback and compiled a 49.4 passer rating in two seasons with St. Louis. Josh Rosen was, famously, Josh Rosen.
But Stegent was a top 10 pick who injured his knee in a preseason game and had exactly one play that counted in the official NFL stat book — a 12-yard catch.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Kelly Stouffer, QB Steve Pisarkiewicz, QB Josh Rosen
Atlanta Falcons: DB Bruce Pickens (third overall)
Year: 1991
Pickens had all the athletic ability in the world but couldn’t turn that into on-field production. He made only eight starts in two-plus seasons with the Falcons and was charged with rape in 1993 before having the charges dropped days later. Honorable mention goes to Joe Profit, the seventh overall pick in 1971 who would have the most productive stretch of his career two years later after joining the arch rival New Orleans Saints.
(Dis)honorable mention: RB Joe Profit, RB Tony Smith, WR Shawn Collins
Baltimore Ravens: QB Kyle Boller (19th overall)
Year: 2003
There have only been 33 first round picks in Ravens franchise history and most of them have been pretty good. Boller was a mid-round lottery ticket who failed to pan out but still managed to be a competent placeholder quarterback who was a contingency plan, not a starter.
(Dis)honorable mention: CB Matt Elam, WR Breshad Perriman, TE Hayden Hurst
Buffalo Bills: WR Perry Tuttle (19th overall)
Year: 1982
Tuttle had 150 catches in his four-year Clemson career — 126 more than he’d have in two seasons as a Bill. The collegiate deep threat failed to translate that game-shifting playmaking to the NFL and was out of the league after three seasons. Two-time All-Pro Mike Quick was selected by the Eagles with the very next pick before going on to have the career Buffalo hoped it would get out of Tuttle.
(Dis)honorable mention: DT Phil Dokes, RB Booker Moore, DE Erik Flowers
Carolina Panthers: WR Rae Carruth (27th overall)
Year: 1997
Carruth failed to meet his potential on the field and was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he was found guilty of conspiring to murder a woman who was eight months pregnant with his child. He’s garbage all around.
(Dis)honorable mention: A bunch of guys who were never involved in conspiracy charges.
Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky (second overall)
Year: 2017
Armed with a chance to change the trajectory of their moribund franchise, the Bears took Trubisky, a one-year “wonder” at North Carolina.
A player with negative pocket presence. A player who left more than a handful of deep balls short every game he played with that orange C on his helmet. A player who couldn’t decipher a basic zone defense even if you told him exactly where to throw the ball on every play.
And the rotten cherry on top? The Bears passed over Patrick Mahomes, who may be known as the best football player ever by the time his career is over, to pick Trubisky. (Note: Mahomes was second on their draft board!) That’s not merely rubbing salt in the wound for Bears fans. That’s slowly pouring a tub of it while cackling at their pain.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Kevin White, OT Stan Thomas, DE Michael Haynes
Cincinnati Bengals: QB Akili Smith (third overall)
Year: 1999
Four seasons, 17 starts and a 3-14 overall record to pair with a 5:13 touchdown to interception ratio. Gross.
(Dis)honorable mention: TE Mike Cobb (zero catches as a Bengal), WR David Verser, WR John Ross
There are so, so many choices here. Garbage quarterbacks like Johnny Manziel, Brandon Weeden and Brady Quinn. Linebackers like Mike Junkin and Cliff Charleton, who were drafted in back-to-back years and started eight combined games for Cleveland. Craig Powell, whose NFL career consisted of two recorded tackles.
But Gilbert was an incredible talent who just couldn't put it together at the next level. Everything should have worked, it just didn't. His career was over after three seasons and one season-long suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Thomas was a well-built power back and blocker with a light resume; he'd run for only 935 yards and a pair of touchdowns in three seasons at Boston College. His Cowboys career lasted seven games without a single official offensive statistic.
(Dis)honorable mention: LB Billy Cannon, TE David LaFleur, LB Bobby Carpenter
Denver Broncos: DT Ted Gregory (26th overall)
Year: 1988
Wideout Marcus Nash (30th overall in 1998) had four career NFL receptions. Quarterback Paxton Lynch couldn’t outplay Trevor Siemian or Brock Osweiler for a starting role. But Gregory came into training camp with a bad knee suffered in his final game at Boston College, got hurt even more in training camp, was subsequently traded to the Saints for another first-round bust (Shawn Knight) months after being drafted and played three career games in the league. Brutal.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Marcus Nash, QB Paxton Lynch, DE Jarvis Moss
Detroit Lions: WR Charles Rogers (second overall)
Year: 2003
This is a coin toss between two guys named Rogers who were top 10 picks and contributed absolutely nothing to the Lions. Charles, the second overall pick after racking up more than 2,800 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns at nearby Michigan State, had 36 catches over three seasons in the league. That’s 1,026 fewer than Andre Johnson, who was drafted with the very next selection. The picture above, for reference, is from a preseason game.
Reggie Rogers, on the other hand, was an edge rusher drafted seventh overall in 1987 who’d go on to two starts and one sack in his Detroit career.
(Dis)honorable mention: EDGE Reggie Rogers, QB Andre Ware, WR Mike Williams
Green Bay Packers: QB Rich Campbell (sixth overall)
Year: 1981
The Packers drafted a quarterback their offensive coordinator hated with a top-six pick. As a result, Campbell threw 68 NFL passes in his four-year career and, incredibly, had nine of those intercepted. The next quarterback selected, albeit in the second round, was two-time Pro Bowler Neil Lomax.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Jerry Tagge (a 3:17 career TD:INT ratio!), DE Jamal Reynolds, DT Justin Harrell, OT Derek Sherrod
Houston Texans: CB Kevin Johnson (16th overall)
Year: 2015
There aren’t any egregious misses among the 20 first round picks in Texans history. Johnson is the worst — a top-20 selection who made only 18 starts in four seasons with the team. Instead of being a difference maker on some Bill O’Brien playoff teams that couldn’t quite get over the hump he was just sort of a guy.
What stings even more? Marcus Peters and Byron Jones were the next two cornerbacks selected.
(Dis)honorable mention: OL Kenyon Green, QB David Carr
Indianapolis Colts: QB Art Schlichter (fourth overall)
Year: 1982
Jim Detwiler never played a game in the pros thanks to injury. Trev Alberts was a top five pick and had fewer than 70 career tackles. But Schlichter missed a season due to a gambling suspension, went 0-6 as a starter for the Colts with a 3:11 touchdown to interception ratio and ultimately did his best work in the Arena Football League. He was a harbinger of pain.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Randy Burke, LB Trev Alberts, DT Ken Novak
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR R. Jay Soward (29th overall)
Year: 2000
Soward had 14 catches as a rookie before running afoul of the league’s substance abuse policy. He never played another regular season snap after that, but he did win a Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Justin Blackmon, DE K'Lavon Chaisson
Kansas City Chiefs: OT Trezelle Jenkins (31st overall)
Year: 1995
Jenkins was supposed to be a blindside protecting building block. Instead he appeared in just nine games and made one start for the Chiefs over a three-year NFL career. Scott Gragg, the first tackle drafted after Jenkins, went on to play nine years as a starter on Sundays.
(Dis)honorable mention: G Brian Jozwiak, WR Sylvester Morris, WR Jonathan Baldwin
Las Vegas Raiders: QB JaMarcus Russell (first overall)
Year: 2007
Todd Marinovich was a mess. Damon Arnette brandished guns, made death threats on video and was a mostly ineffective cornerback whose career lasted 13 games. But the top pick of 2007 made only 25 starts and won just seven of them.
His career ended after 2009, where he completed less than half his pass attempts, threw 11 interceptions against three touchdowns and was sacked on nearly 12 percent of his dropbacks. But hey, he could take a knee at the 50 and throw a football through the goalposts, which is neat.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Todd Marinovich, CB Damon Arnette, DE Bob Buczkowski
Los Angeles Chargers: QB Ryan Leaf (second overall)
Year: 1998
Leaf had a 39.0 passer rating as a rookie (two touchdowns, 15 interceptions). Firing every ball directly into the turf would have given him a 39.6. Things got better from there. Not by much.
(Dis)honorable mention: RB Leon Burns, WR Johnny Rodgers, WR Craig Davis
Los Angeles Rams: RB Lawrence Phillips (sixth overall)
Year: 1996
Despite incredible talent, Phillips was a mess off the field; he had fewer starts in two seasons as a Ram (20) than he had days spent in prison over the same span (23). Phillips had flashes of ability but averaged only 3.4 yards per carry in his NFL career.
(Dis)honorable mention: EDGE Bill Hawkins, CB Tye Hill, RB Elvis Peacock
Miami Dolphins: EDGE Dion Jordan (third overall)
Year: 2013
Yatil Green was a top 15 pick who had 18 career catches despite WR1 projections. David Overstreet was drafted with the 16th pick in 1981 and ran for only 392 yards in his career as an NFL running back. But Jordan may be the biggest disappointment.
The athletic marvel never quite put his skills together. He had just three sacks his first two seasons in the league, then missed the third due to a year-long drug suspension. He’d later catch on as a rotational edge rusher with other teams, but this was hardly the career expected of a top three pick.
(Dis)honorable mention: WR Yatil Green, RB David Overstreet, EDGE Eric Kumerow
Minnesota Vikings: RB Leo Hayden (24th overall)
Year: 1971
Troy Williamson failed to meet expectations. Dimitrius Underwood struggled with mental health issues and never played a down for the Vikings. And Hayden didn’t record a single stat in his lone season as a Viking, mostly playing special teams while battling drug addiction. He could have been a difference maker on a run-heavy 11-3 team that slunk out of the playoffs without a win, so Hayden gets the nod.
New England Patriots: RB Reggie Dupard (26th overall)
Year: 1986
Dupard was the leading rusher on a pair of 10-win SMU teams, averaging more than 1,200 rushing yards per season in his final three years with the Mustangs. He ran for 574 yards total in three years as a Patriot, averaging just 3.1 yards per handoff. Two of the next three tailbacks selected, Neal Anderson and Dalton Hilliard, went on to long and successful careers.
New Orleans Saints: DE Shawn Knight (11th overall)
Year: 1987
Knight played three seasons in the NFL and has exactly one official statistic to his name; a fumble recovery in 1989. He clashed with Saints coaches in training camp and was traded for Ted Gregory in some incredible bust-on-bust action.
Thompson made just one start in a three-year NFL career and rushed for only 217 total yards as a Giant. Even worse, the two players selected after him were three-time Pro Bowler Jack Tatum and Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood.
(Dis)honorable mention: TE Derek Brown, RB David Wilson, CB Deandre Baker
New York Jets: DE Vernon Gholston (sixth overall)
Year: 2008
Gholston was an absolute monster at the combine (a 4.65-second 40 at 265 pounds) and was coming off a 14-sack season at Ohio State. That was 14 more than he’d have in his NFL career.
(Dis)honorable mention: LB Michael Taylor, DE Ron Faurot, CB Dee Milliner
Philadelphia Eagles: OT Kevin Allen (ninth overall)
Year: 1985
He made four starts as a rookie and was generally terrible. He tested positive for cocaine the following season, earned his release and was charged with rape days later. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. While he was released after 33 months, he never played another down in the NFL.
(Dis)honorable mention: DT Leonard Renfro, DE Jerome McDougle, EDGE Marcus Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Huey Richardson (15th overall)
Year: 1991
The Steelers allegedly panicked and landed on Richardson, a 4-3 defensive end who didn’t have a place in the team’s 3-4 alignment (Alfred Williams, who’d go on to be an All-Pro edge rusher, and had 26.5 sacks in the Bengals 3-4 setup over four seasons, was selected three picks later). Pittsburgh forced him into an inside linebacker role, which failed to pan out. He played five games as a rookie and was traded for a seventh-round pick before year two.
(Dis)honorable mention: DT Gabe Rivera (his career lasted six games, the seven players after him combined for 23 Pro Bowls), OT Jamain Stephens, QB Kenny Pickett, kinda
San Francisco 49ers: QB Trey Lance (third overall)
Year: 2021
It's stunning the 49ers have been as good as they have despite zero impact from first-round picks between 2021 and 2023. That's because it cost San Francisco three Day 1 selections to trade up for Lance, who made a total of four starts in burgundy and gold, underwhelmed, got injured and was eventually shipped to the Cowboys for a fourth round pick.
McGwire’s selling points were that he was huge (6-foot-8) and the brother of Oakland slugger Mark. He had a big arm and had played well enough for decent San Diego State teams in the WAC, which convinced Seattle he could be a franchise QB.
This was false. His quarterback rating through his first two seasons was 23.6 and he’d start just five games in the pros. 17 picks later, the Atlanta Falcons would select Brett Favre.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Rick Mirer, OT Chris McIntosh, LB Aaron Curry
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Gaines Adams (fourth overall)
Year: 2007
Adams went from two-star recruit to unanimous All-American at Clemson, launching himself into top five consideration at the 2007 Draft. He played two-plus seasons for the Buccaneers and wasn’t bad by any stretch — he just wasn’t as good as you’d expect the fourth overall pick to be — especially when you consider Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Patrick Willis and Darrelle Revis were all drafted after him in the first round. Tragically, he died due to cardiac arrest before his fourth season in the league.
(Dis)honorable mention: TE OJ Howard, G Ray Snell but, for the most part, the Bucs have made solid first-round picks.
Tennessee Titans: OT Isaiah Wilson (29th overall)
Year: 2020
Wilson was arrested twice as a Titan and once as a Dolphin after being traded for a seventh-round pick. This all took place in roughly a seven-month span. He played in one NFL game, recording one snap.
(Dis)honorable mention: QB Jake Locker, CB Andre Woolfolk
Washington Commanders: OT Andre Johnson (30th overall)
Year: 1996
Washington drafted a left tackle who couldn’t even crack the rotation as a rookie and was cut without ever playing a snap for the team. His NFL career lasted three games — all with the Detroit Lions.
The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the longest tenured franchises in Major League Baseball, and there's plenty of interesting history associated with the team.
And since the live ball era began in 1920, there are plenty of fascinating statistics that are noteworthy. But not all of the history is a good thing. Alec Bohm is experiencing that this season.
As Todd Zolecki of MLB.com shared, Bohm's terrible start to the 2026 season is the worst from a hitter through the first 23 games of a season the Phillies franchise has ever seen in the live ball era.
Alec Bohm is off to worst start in live-ball era Phillies history
"Alec Bohm went 0 for 3 tonight. His .384 OPS is the lowest in the Phillies' first 23 games (minimum 75 plate appearances) in the live ball era (since 1920)," Zolecki shared.
This start to the season for Bohm has been absolutely terrible. He hit an opening day three-run homer, and since then has been incredibly cold.
On the year, through 88 plate appearances, Bohm is hitting .128 with a .205 on-base percentage and a .179 slugging percentage, which is good for the .384 OPS that's the worst for a Phillies hitter through the first 23 games of the season since 1920.
Last season, he finished the year with a .741 OPS, and in his 2024 All-Star season, he had a .779 OPS, which is more than double his OPS this season so far.
He began the year with the Rangers series with an .885 OPS. But since then, across the previous 19 games, Bohm is hitting just .118 with a .306 OPS.
Since April 8, Bohm has a .051 batting average with a .165 OPS. He's been a complete liability at the plate, and these statistics highlight just how bad Bohm has been.
The NFL must be feeling a little like Marshall Mathers. And the FCC has been nosing around enough in the league's business to make the NFL seek out a meeting with the agency responsible for the public airwaves on which a shrinking number of NFL games are televised.
Via Joe Flint of the Wall Street Journal, the NFL requested and received a meeting last week with the FCC, at a time when multiple aspects of the federal government are trying to paint a giant red "A" on the Shield.
Present at the sit-down were (among others) Hans Schroeder, who became the NFL's top media executive after Brian Rolapp grew weary of waiting for the Commissioner to retire, and FCC chairman Brendan Carr.
The meeting wasn't about whether the league has exceeded the limits of its broadcast antitrust exemption but whether, as the Wall Street Journal has previously questioned in an editorial, the NFL should still have one.
Per the report, Schroeder reiterated the league's mantra that 87 percent of the league's games are available on free TV. The obvious counter, of course, is that they all should be.
And the reality is that more of the games could land on non-FCC platforms, if the NFL's current effort to squeeze more blood from a stone-age TV model results in more games migrating to streaming platforms.
As Schroeder has said, "Facts are stubborn things." They're also easily malleable into P.R. talking points. Even if 87 percent of all games are televised at no extra cost to consumers, most of those games are clustered into the Sunday afternoon windows on CBS and Fox.
When looking at the five primary weekly windows (Thursday night, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday night, Monday night) only three of the five are consistently televised on broadcast networks. (Monday Night Football is supposed to be a cable-only property on ESPN; in recent years, more of those games have been simulcast by ABC.)
Throw in the standalone games that are landing on streaming platforms (the Week 1 international game, the Black Friday game, two Christmas games, and the coming Thanksgiving Eve game), and that total percentage of games on always-free windows dips under 60.
The mere fact that the NFL sought out the FCC for a meeting shows that the NFL is taking the situation seriously. If the NFL truly wasn’t scared of the federal government, the NFL wouldn't be scrambling to take Carr for a spin.
That's the key takeaway, in our view. The unflappable NFL is flapping. Political pressure is mounting. Consumer discontent is growing. Even if the NFL will emerge from this episode without changes to the way it sells games to networks and streamers, the league realizes that there may be limits to the endless salad bowl of cash.
Annika Heimann, Ella Heyndrickx, Kate Jannette, Braelee Kiepert and Eva Stankewicz of the second-ranked Xavier girls soccer team will be the guests today at 7 p.m. on Varsity Roundtable, our weekly prep sports program with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin's Ricardo Arguello, Brett Christopherson and Jim Rosandick.
Jude Bellingham has bought a minority stake in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix (Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND)
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham said a debt of gratitude towards his home city of Birmingham was behind his decision to buy a minority stake in cricket franchise Birmingham Phoenix.
The England midfielder has taken a 1.2 per cent holding in the Edgbaston-based Hundred team at a reported cost of over £800,000 ($1 million).
The Phoenix franchise was valued at around £82million when Knighthead Capital acquired a 49 per cent stake last year during a sales process initiated by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Bellingham, who was brought up in nearby Stourbridge and began his career at Birmingham City, is a big cricket fan and played for Hagley in Worcestershire as a junior.
"I love Birmingham. I'm very grateful for what the whole city of Birmingham has done for me," said the 22-year-old.
"I love cricket as well so when I got the opportunity to get involved I didn't really think twice about it, so I'm so happy to be on board.
"I got the best upbringing into football, into life through Birmingham City. I feel like I owe the city something."
Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady is also part of the Knighthead group that owns Birmingham City.
Stakes in the eight city-based franchises -- which all have men's and women's teams -- were sold last year to private investors, raising huge sums for cricket in England and Wales.
The 2026 edition of the Hundred starts on July 21 and runs for four weeks.
Michigan State guard Divine Ugochukwu plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned. He spent one year with the program.
Ugochukwu played 22 games last year and finished with 5.1 points per game, 1.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and shot 50.6% from the floor. He began his career at Miami.
As a member of the Class of 2024, Ugochukwu was not ranked, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. He played his high school basketball in Sugar Land, Texas at Clements HS.
The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened on April 7 and closed on April 21. The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the men’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes did not have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
Ugochukwu leaves a Michigan State team that is coming off a nice run in the NCAA tournament under Tom Izzo. However, rumors will continue to circulate about the head coaches future after missing out on a national championship.
Divine Ugochukwu enters transfer portal after Elite 8 exit
Plus, Izzo admitted he had conversations with the Phoenix Suns within the last couple of years. Retirement could be on the horizon as well.
Izzo was asked after the Elite 8 where he sees himself in five years now that Year 31 is in the books. His answer was simple: He wants to be competing for a title, and retirement “sure as hell won’t be now.”
“I’m feeling good,” Izzo said. “We all talk about retirement. Why? What the hell am I going to do? The minute I don’t feel good, the minute I don’t feel like I’m giving my AD or president or school every ounce of energy I have every day, or that energy drops, you don’t have to worry about it. I don’t steal money. I won’t steal anybody’s time. But it’s sure as hell not going to be now.
“I’ve got some things to accomplish. I’m going to make damn sure that – I said a couple years ago that I’ll find a way to get back there. We’ve knocked on the door twice. We haven’t gotten back. We’ll get back.”
There's a chance the Golden State Warriors need a new head coach to replace Steve Kerr.
And there's a chance that they could replace him with Andre Iguodala.
Those chances combined, though, are not particularly high.
This tweet is going around that makes it seem like Iguodala is one of the top-tier candidates to replace Kerr:
Andre Iguodala and Mike Brown are names to watch as potential replacements if Steve Kerr decides to walk away from the Golden State Warriors, per @timkawakami
But the story from Tim Kawakami that is referenced actually has Kawakami called Iguodala "my outside-the-envelope candidate."
"Well-regarded current assistants who could fit that model: Micah Nori (Minnesota), Chris Quinn (Miami), Sean Sweeney (San Antonio), and Johnnie Bryant (Cleveland)," writes Kawakami in the SF Standard. "Other names, some more realistic than others: Current defensive coordinator Jerry Stackhouse, current offensive coordinator Terry Stotts, Boston assistant Sam Cassel, TV analyst Brent Barry, and my outside-the-envelope candidate … Andre Iguodala."
It's not even a given that Kerr leaves. And if he does, Iguodala is quite far down that list.
To be fair, when an outside-the-box candidate like Iggy starts to trend in a situation like this, there are instances where he could quickly move up the ranks of potential candidates.
But until that actually starts to happen, and that's a big 'if,' Warriors fans don't need to be too excited about potentially seeing Iguodala leading them from the sideline. It's a long shot at the moment.
The Detroit Pistons will try to even their first-round playoff series in Game 2 against the Orlando Magic. Paolo Banchero scored 23 points as Orlando took Game 1 in Detroit. The over/under for Game 2 is set at 218.5, with Detroit favored by 8.5 points on the spread.
Moneyline: Detroit Pistons -400 (76.6%) / Orlando Magic +310 (23.4%)
Over/Under: 218.5
Series schedule
Game 1:Magic 112, Pistons 101 Game 2: Wed., April 22, at Detroit (7 p.m., ESPN) Game 3: Sat., April 25, at Orlando (1 p.m., Peacock) Game 4: Mon. April 27, at Orlando (time and network TBD) *Game 5: Wed., April 29, at Detroit (time and network TBD) *Game 6: Fri., May 1, at Orlando (time and network TBD) *Game 7: Sun., May 3, at Detroit (time and network TBD)
Alex Pereira can put his legacy into undeniable territory if he defeats Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250, according to one analyst.
Recently retired welterweight veteran Michael Chiesa, who serves as a desk analyst for the company, already holds former two-division titleholder Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the highest of regard. "Poatan" has potentially his greatest accomplished around the corner, though, when he takes on Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) for the interim heavyweight belt on the June 14 card at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Paramount+).
After winning gold at middleweight and light heavyweight, Pereira has the opportunity to become the first in UFC history to capture some form of a championship in three different divisions. It would be another iconic moment for the Brazilian, and one that Chiesa said might give him an edge over legends like Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones for to greatest fighter to ever grace the octagon.
"If he beats Ciryl Gane, without a doubt he's No. 1," Chiesa told MMA Junkie. "You could make the argument if Alex Pereira – I don't care if you want to split hairs over the undisputed championship or the interim championship, if you want to split hairs on that, that's on you. But if someone can capture three UFC belts in three different weight classes, you have thrust yourself into the conversation as greatest of all-time. Not of the decade, we're talking all-time. He's one win away from going to the top of an ultra-prestigious, very controversial list."
Chiesa already ranks Pereira as one of the best of the current era. He has a very rare opportunity to elevate his resume even further, and at 38, is dares to be great in the showdown with Gane. Even if things don't go his way this summer, Chiesa said Pereira's achievements can't be downgraded. It's all upside at this point.
"The frequency of the fights and the way that he finishes his fights, he is must-see TV," Chiesa said. "Alex, whether he beats Ciryl Gane or not, whether he wins his next three or loses his next three, one thing is for sure, we have to appreciate what he's done and appreciate him while we have him, because we will never see another fighter like Alex Pereira. There's something about Alex that makes him so special. He's the complete package. He's so loveable inside the octagon, outside the octagon. Just a man of the people."
To hear more from Chiesa, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.
Aurelien Tchouameni’s price emerges with Man United circling
Manchester United have reportedly learned the asking price for Real Madrid superstar Aurelien Tchouameni as noise over a blockbuster switch to Old Trafford continues to grow.
Midfield Rebuild
The Red Devils are performing open-heart surgery on a midfield unit that is on the verge of collapsing this summer without intervention.
A resurgent Casemiro is set to leave the club as INEOS have ruled against triggering a one-year extension in the 34-year-old enforcer’s costly contract.
Manuel Ugarte may also join his Brazilian teammate in being shown the door by United’s hierarchy, as the 25-year-old Uruguay international has proven to be a disastrous signing since his £50.5 million capture from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.
This leaves Kobbie Mainoo as the only senior midfielder in Michael Carrick’s squad, after the interim boss restored Bruno Fernandes to creator-in-chief as the No. 10.
And while the English starlet, who turned 21 on Monday and is in line for a bumper new contract, has been brilliant since Christmas, at least two new signings are needed to bolster the engine room alongside him.
Madrid’s Midfield Monster
INEOS were intent on repeating last summer’s approach to fix the misfiring attack by targeting midfielders with Premier League pedigree, à la deals for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. But the exorbitant fees being quoted for targets such as Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali, as well as the fierce competition from rivals elsewhere in England, have led United to consider alternatives on the continent.
This week, a report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed Tchouameni was a leading candidate in the club’s crosshairs, as Spanish outlets claimed the France international’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu was uncertain.
Los Blancos are understood to be considering a raid to sign Manchester City maestro Rodri, with Tchouameni or Eduardo Camavinga being sold to fund it in order to bolster their midfield with more technical ability. Chelsea playmaker Enzo Fernandez is another name on their wish list.
Ben Jacobs reveals Tchouameni is valued “in excess of £70m” with sources in the Spanish capital claiming he is happy to stay. In fact, the talkSPORT transfer expert states a contract extension is possible as there is “no guarantee” Real will sell a player who has made 41 appearances in all competitions this season.
However, fellow talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook contends the Spanish giant “would be open to offers” and that the 6’2 Rouen native possesses a “lot of the same characteristics as Casemiro”.
Final Thoughts
While it may require a fee that climbs beyond the £70m mark to bring Tchouameni to England, this still pales in comparison to the £100m fees being demanded for Anderson or Tonali – two players with nowhere near the pedigree of the Champions League-winning Frenchman.
If the former AS Monaco star is available at any price, the Red Devils will be hard-pressed to find a more suitable candidate to take the reins from Casemiro, given the 26-year-old has already done it once in Spain.
Chema Andreas, a former teammate of Tchouameni, describes him as the “best defensive midfielder” in the world. And while this writer would not go that far, there are only a handful of operators who could offer a stronger claim to that title – and none of them would join United this summer.
Featured image Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey via Getty Images
Andy Murray has weighed in on whether he thinks Novak Djokovic could add another Grand Slam title to his collection.
The two teamed up for the first half of the 2025 season, with Murray taking on a coaching role for Djokovic during that time.
While the partnership got off to a promising start with a semi-final run at the Australian Open, things didn’t hold up as well through the clay court swing, and they eventually decided to go their separate ways.
Andy Murray says Novak Djokovic will have it ‘difficult’ winning 25th Grand Slam
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
While Djokovic has already secured more Grand Slam singles titles than anyone else in the Open Era, much of the discussion now centres on whether he can reach a 25th major, which would put him ahead of Margaret Court.
The 38-year-old didn’t make a final last year, but after defeating Jannik Sinner, Djokovic was back in the Australian Open final this January, where he fell to Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Murray was asked whether he believes Djokovic can claim that elusive 25th Slam.
Murray didn’t rule it out but pointed to several factors that could stand in the way.
“I think that he can,” said Murray. “The difficulty is when you get to the age that he’s at if you play too much tennis you risk injury or not being fresh for the majors but then if you’re not competing enough and your body is not match-hardened and ready to play seven matches across two weeks it is also very difficult physically.”
“It has to be perfect preparation with enough match play and enough training but you could see at the Australian Open with the results that he had beating Alcaraz last year and beating Sinner this year that he still has the potential to do it.”
Andy Murray says if he would want to coach again
After parting ways with Djokovic last May, there’s been plenty of talk about who Andy Murray might work with next.
Emma Raducanu’s name has come up more than once, but Murray hasn’t taken on another coaching job since the split.
While he hasn’t ruled out returning to coaching down the line, Murray made it clear that it’s not something he’s looking to do right now.
“Djokovic probably learned nothing [from me],” said Murray. “No, I learned a lot and honestly, I would coach again but probably not right now.
“I’ve had a few opportunities to coach but I don’t really want to do loads of travelling right now unless it’s with my family.”
The New York Yankees are one of the most iconic franchises in sports. There’s so much history behind the images the team puts forward; the “NY” logo, the white pinstripe home jerseys and the road grays with “New York” front and center.
But what if the team decided to introduce a new look to that mix? While the Yankees have pushed back against the idea in the past, players reportedly pitched the organization on wearing alternate uniforms for the first time in team history, according to The Athletic.
The players, who were not named in The Athletic’s story, reportedly pushed for the team to wear their navy batting practice jerseys during occasional road games. Those jerseys are placed in every player’s locker during road games, though reportedly have not been approved by Major League Baseball as a uniform that can be worn during games, per The Athletic. If the team wanted to move forward with the idea, the league would have to approve the new jerseys for in-game use.
Whether the players will get their wish depends on how team owner Hal Steinbrenner feels about the proposal. Steinbrenner has shown a willingness to makes changes in the past, abolishing the team’s strict anti-beard policy in 2025. The team has also had some very minor jersey alterations in recent years.
A new in-game uniform, however, would be a drastic, new step for the Yankees. The team is one of the few to not have a “City Connect” uniform. The Athletics, stuck in the middle of a move to Las Vegas, are the other MLB club without a “City Connect” jersey.
Instead, the Yankees have stuck to tradition and continued to wear the pinstripes and the road grays. Other than “Players’ Weekend” jerseys, the team hasn’t worn any other uniform in games throughout their history.
That could change soon … depending on how Steinbrenner feels about the idea.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 19: Colby Covington reacts after his TKO victory over Tyron Woodley in their welterweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Colby Covington hasn’t won a fight in over four years.
In fact, “Chaos” skipped all of 2025 and has yet to compete in 2026, but somehow retained a spot on the 170-pound leaderboard. That came to an end earlier this week when the promotion updated its official rankings, dumping Covington while adding a couple of new entries.
“Proper” Mike Malott (No. 11) and Yaroslav “Dynamo” Amosov (No. 15).
Rankings are generated by a voting panel made up of media members. The media members were asked to vote for who they feel are the top fighters in the UFC by weight-class and pound-for-pound. A fighter is only eligible to be voted on if they are in active status in the UFC. A fighter can appear in more than one weight division at a time. The champion and interim champion are considered to be in the top positions of their respective divisions and therefore are not eligible for voting by weight-class. However, the champions can be voted on for the pound-for-pound rankings.
Take a look at what the latest rankings field looks like courtesy of UFC.com. Note: (+/- = movement in rankings, T = tie, *NR = Not previously ranked).
MEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Islam Makhachev 2. Ilia Topuria 3. Khamzat Chimaev 4. Alexander Volkanovski 5. Alex Pereira 6. Petr Yan 7. Tom Aspinall 8. Merab Dvalishvili 9. Alexandre Pantoja 10. Joshua Van 11. Charles Oliveira 12. Dricus Du Plessis 13. Arman Tsarukyan 14. Magomed Ankalaev 15. Carlos Ulberg
FLYWEIGHT
Champion: Joshua Van
1. Alexandre Pantoja 2. Manel Kape 3. Tatsuro Taira 4. Brandon Royval 5. Kyoji Horiguchi 6. Lone’er Kavanagh 7. Amir Albazi 8. Asu Almabayev 9. Brandon Moreno 10. Alex Perez 11. Tim Elliott 12. Steve Erceg 13. Charles Johnson 14. Tagir Ulanbekov 15. Bruno Silva
BANTAMWEIGHT
Champion: Petr Yan
1. Merab Dvalishvili 2. (T) Umar Nurmagomedov 2. (T) Sean O’Malley 4. Cory Sandhagen 5. Song Yadong 6. Aiemann Zahabi 7. Deiveson Figueiredo 8. Mario Bautista 9. David Martinez 10. Marlon Vera 11. Payton Talbott 12. Vinicius Oliveira 13. Raul Rosas Jr. 14. Montel Jackson 15. Farid Basharat
FEATHERWEIGHT
Champion: Alexander Volkanovski
1. Movsar Evloev 2. Diego Lopes 3. Lerone Murphy 4. Yair Rodriguez 5. Aljamain Sterling 6. Jean Silva 7. Youssef Zalal 8. Arnold Allen 9. Steve Garcia 10. Kevin Vallejos 11. Brian Ortega 12. Melquizael Costa 13. Aaron Pico 14. David Onama 15. Patricio Pitbull
LIGHTWEIGHT
Champion: Ilia Topuria
1. Justin Gaethje (interim champion) 2. Arman Tsarukyan 3. Charles Oliveira 4. Max Holloway 5. Benoit Saint Denis 6. Paddy Pimblett 7. Mateusz Gamrot 8. Dan Hooker 9. Renato Moicano 10. Mauricio Ruffy 11. Rafael Fiziev 12. Beneil Dariush 13. Michael Chandler 14. Manuel Torres 15. Fares Ziam
WELTERWEIGHT
Champion: Islam Makhachev
1. Jack Della Maddalena 2. Ian Machado Garry 3. Michael Morales 4. Belal Muhammed 5. Carlos Prates 6. Sean Brady 7. Kamaru Usman 8. Leon Edwards 9. Joaquin Buckley 10. Gabriel Bonfim 11. Mike Malott *NR 12. Michael Page 13. Uros Medic 14. Daniel Rodriguez 15. Yaroslav Amosov *NR
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Champion: Khamzat Chimaev
1. Dricus Du Plessis 2. Nassourdine Imavov 3. Sean Strickland 4. Brendan Allen 5. Caio Borralho 6. Joe Pyfer 7. Anthony Hernandez 8. Reinier De Ridder 9. Israel Adesanya 10. Robert Whittaker 11. Jared Cannonier 12. Gregory Rodrigues 13. Christian Leroy Duncan 14. Roman Dolidze 15. Paulo Costa
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Champion: Carlos Ulberg
1. Magomed Ankalaev 2. Alex Pereira 3. Jiri Prochazka 4. Jan Blachowicz 5. Khalil Rountree 6. Jamahal Hill 7. Paulo Costa 8. Azamat Murzakanov 9. Dominick Reyes 10. Bogdan Guskov 11. Volkan Oezdemir 12. Aleksandar Rakic 13. Johnny Walker 14. Nikita Krylov 15. Alonzo Menifield
HEAVYWEIGHT
Champion: Tom Aspinall
1. Ciryl Gane 2. Alexander Volkov 3. Sergei Pavlovich 4. Waldo Cortes Acosta 5. Josh Hokit *NR 6. (T) Curtis Blaydes 6. (T) Serghei Spivac 8. Rizvan Kuniev 9. Derrick Lewis 10. Ante Delija 11. Tyrell Fortune 12. Marcin Tybura 13. Tallison Teixeira 14. Mick Parkin 15. Shamil Gaziev
You can expect these rankings to change around this time next week, particularly in the featherweight division, following the UFC Vegas 116: “Sterling vs. Zalal” MMA event on Paramount+, scheduled for Sat., April 25, 2026 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For much more on that upcoming fight card click here.
The Detroit Tigers returned to Comerica Park — where they had won eight of their first nine games — on Tuesday night to open up a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Unfortunately, things did not go quite as planned, as the visitors spanked the Ole English D to the tune of a 12-4 defeat.
Keider Montero was not awful, but his defense and the bullpen failed him — well, except for Jake Rogers, who was the only hurler to not allow a run. But that game is over and in the books, and it is time for the Tigers to turn the page.
On Wednesday, right-hander Casey Mize will take the mound for the Motor City Kitties while fellow righty Chad Patrick gets the call for the Brew Crew. The former has not faced Milwaukee since 2024, when he nearly matched Montero’s line from last night to take the loss in a 5-4 final; this will be the first time that the latter has ever thrown against Detroit.
Take a look below at how they match up.
Detroit Tigers (12-12) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (13-9)
Time (ET): 6:40 p.m. Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan SB Nation Site:Brew Crew Ball Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 25: RHP Casey Mize (1-1, 2.78 ERA) vs. RHP Chad Patrick (1-0, 0.95 ERA)
The 34-year-old, who served as coach for the England and Great Britain water polo squads, checked into the hotel two days before he was found.
Staff discovered his body after he failed to check out, per the outlets. After forcing their way into the room, which was chained from the inside, workers found McGinty lying on the bed.
Village Hotel Bury Credit: Google Maps
On Monday, April 20, a coroner revealed at Rochdale Coroner's Court that McGinty died of “suffocation/asphyxiation.”
PEOPLE reached out to Rochdale Coroner's Court and Village Hotel for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
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In a statement, Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley said, “The circumstances of his death indicate he had deliberately ended his life.”
Following McGinty’s death, many organizations paid tribute to the late coach.
“We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Andy McGinty, our ESSA Water Polo Head Coach,” the English School Swimming Association wrote on Instagram at the time. “ Andy’s commitment to the development of School Water Polo for over a decade at Bolton School, as part of the North West Division, with leading and supporting Representative teams both for ESSA and for the National team too will always be remembered.”
They added, “Andy was pivotal with supporting the collaboration between Swim England and English Schools Swimming Association water polo in recent years and will be missed by the whole water polo community.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
There are some people who feel pro golf should get rid of the scorecard. After all, with every shot tracked instantly online, anyone paying attention to the tournament knows what someone shot long before they sign a piece of paper to make it official. But, from a content perspective, these things can still deliver from time to time.
Of course, there's a long history of mistakes being made. Costly mistakes, with none more famous than Roberto De Vicenzo costing himself a spot in a playoff at the 1968 Masters because he signed an incorrect scorecard. Imagine if Golf Twitter was around for that?!
But Golf Twitter was around for what happened over the weekend on the Korn Ferry Tour involving a scorecard and a much lighter situation. And the results were fantastic.
Apparently, Adam Hadwin once criticized fellow Canadian Roger Sloan's handwriting on his scorecard 12 years ago. Sloan's response was that he vowed to use Roman numerals to mark Hadwin's scores the next time they were paired together. Well, it took a looooooong time, but Sloan finally got to do just that at last week's Tulum Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour.
The guy waited a DOZEN years to get his revenge. Amazing. That's a long time to hold a grudge!
Hadwin had this to say about the situation after, joking about his poor score:
Well played all around, guys. There are plenty of golfers out there who are striving to play better—and write better. Scorecards forever.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the division rival San Francisco Giants on Tuesday and suddenly the National League West race has gotten a little more interesting.
As the Dodgers endured a rare loss in their bid to win a third straight World Series championship, the San Diego Padres won their third game in a row, beating the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday. And even though the Dodgers remain baseball’s favorite to win it all, they are now tied with the Padres in the standings.
“After scoring 12 runs in Monday’s win at Coors Field, the Dodgers managed just three hits in the series opener against the Giants and have now lost three of four games — a momentary lull that has allowed the San Diego Padres (winners of nine of their past 10) to tie the Dodgers at the top of the National League West standings,” Bill Plunkett wrote for The Orange County Register.
Los Angeles Dodgers Skipper Sends San Diego Padres Message After Giving Up Division Lead
Still fewer than 25 games into the season, the Dodgers and Padres possess the two best records in all of baseball, with the other members of the National League West division, the Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks and Rockies, all posting losing records so far.
So it isn’t hard to imagine that the Dodgers and Padres will not only be engaged in some tense regular season series this year, but that they could also match up in the playoffs. The last time that happened, in the 2024 National League Division Series, players engaged with rival fans while on the field, items were thrown at players and Padres star Manny Machado seemed to hurl a baseball toward Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Of course, that series ended with a Dodgers victory which then led to a World Series championship. And as the division rivalry looks to be just as competitive as ever, Roberts offered a dismissive take on sharing first place with the Padres at this point.
“I don’t think anyone is too concerned about the Padres and what they are doing,” Roberts said after Tuesday’s game, according to the Los Angeles Times’ Bill Shaikin. “It’s no disrespect to any team. We’ve got to keep our closet clean and play good baseball, and it’ll take care of itself.”
Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres Set For Competitive Series Next Month
With plenty of time left in the season, two consecutive titles under his belt and a reloaded roster, Roberts certainly has the luxury of focusing on his own team rather than anyone else in the standings. But the Padres, who have come up short in the recent rivalry matches, might feel a little differently.
The teams are set to face each other for the first time this season next month.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Now James Tavernier's imminent Rangers exit has been announced, a Scottish Premiership triumph presents the perfect opportunity to end his 11-year spell.
The right-back has already captained the Ibrox side to a Scottish top-flight title, as well as a Scottish Cup, League Cup and Europa League final.
The 34-year-old has insisted "this isn't the end just yet", with the team "fully focused on pushing for the league title".
And Rangers podcaster Scott Cameron feels a second top-flight crown would be a storybook ending for the long-serving right-back.
Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "I think this is the time for him to leave in the summer, but that's not to say he can't have an impact across these last five games.
"He's come up with a lot of big moments for Rangers across his career and it would be the fairytale ending for him to lift the trophy on the final day of the season and bang a free-kick in the top corner that wins the league."
"Ethan is a young, dynamic and powerful prop forward, who is clearly improving with each minute he spends on the field," director of rugby Rob Baxter told the club website.
"We see it with his training too, as he matures into a more experienced player.
"I think he's got a very bright future and that he'll be one of those guys who we involve more and more in the coming seasons.
"He's got the best balance of a modern loose-head where his set-piece is developing all the time but then he genuinely can move and get on the ball to be a dynamic ball-carrier. We see an awfully bright future for him."
FOXBOROUGH - At this point, it’s clear what areas of need the Patriots have in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
After free agency, Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf still need to reinforce their edge rusher, tackle and tight end positions. Last week, Wolf also said the Patriots will add players to positions of future need based on the team’s upcoming free agent class next offseason. Positions to watch there are receiver, guard and safety.
Last year marked the first time that Wolf and Vrabel worked together, and the Patriots’ draft worked out well as the entire rookie class finished the season on the 53-man roster.
On Tuesday, Vrabel said that his rapport with Wolf has improved since then regarding the type of players and prospects he covets.
“We’re in constant communication. I think just each and every day there’s more comfort, and it really kind of just kind of flows,” Vrabel said. “Nothing’s forced. I think these conversations were just kind of getting started last year with the draft process. That’s an important process, and one that happened pretty quickly in everyone’s just relationship and getting to know him. I feel like we did a good job, had a lot of guys that helped us and contributed from that rookie class. So hopefully we can continue to do that.”
Here’s a look at the top 10 fits for the Patriots in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft:
Max Iheanachor, tackle, Arizona State
Arizona State offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (58) looks to block BYU defensive end Isaiah Bagnah (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)AP
Iheanachor is a durable, athletic tackle prospect. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 321 pounds, he’s a good athlete, as evidenced by his 4.91 40-yard dash. He played right tackle all three seasons at Arizona State. He earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors last year. Iheanachor didn’t allow a sack last season, according to Pro Football Focus. At 22, he’ll need some time to develop. He had a pre-draft visit with the Patriots. Vrabel also worked him out at his Pro Day. He’s a projected first or second-round pick.
BETTING: New England is listed at +194 to draft an offensive lineman during Thursday’s NFL Draft on Kalshi. You can also view our guide to the best Massachusetts sportsbooks to shop for the best odds. Additionally, visit our Patriots Draft Preview guide for more insights.
Zion Young, edge rusher, Missouri
Missouri defensive end Zion Young. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)AP
Young is a strong and violent edge rusher. He has great size at 6-foot-6, 262 pounds and plays with a good combination of speed and power. It’s easy to see his style of play fitting in with Vrabel, who wants his pass rushers to be violent. He had 6.5 sacks to go with 42 tackles, 16.5 for loss, and two forced fumbles last season. Young is solid against the run and the pass. He earned Second Team All-SEC honors last season. A team captain, Young met with the Patriots at the Combine and had a pre-draft visit in New England. He’s a projected first or second-round pick.
Blake Miller, tackle, Clemson
Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller (78) plays against Syracuse in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)AP
Miller led all tackles at the Combine with seven hits on prototypical Patriots testing numbers. A four-year starter at Clemson, he started every game played over four years and set a school record for offensive snaps played (3,778). At 6-foot-6, 318 pounds, Miller has the prototypical size you look for in a tackle prospect. He mainly started at right tackle, but made two starts on the left side in 2024. He earned First Team All-ACC honors the last two seasons. He was also voted a team captain last year. He’s a projected first-round pick.
Cashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&M
Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP
Eliot Wolf said he’s looking for an edge rusher who would bring speed to the defense. Howell would do just that. He’s an athletic, twitchy pass rusher with a great burst off the line of scrimmage. He’s athletic enough to drop into coverage and has had 14 pass breakups over the last two seasons. HHowell had 11 sacks, 31 tackles, 14.5 for loss, six pass breakups and a forced fumble last year. He was a unanimous All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. The Patriots met with him at the NFL Combine. He’s a projected first or second-round pick.
Sam Roush, tight end, Stanford
Stanford tight end Sam Roush (86) runs against California defensive back Dru Polidore Jr. (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)AP
Roush hits on seven prototypical traits that the Patriots have looked for in tight ends and misses on 3-cone and shuttle times. He’s a 6-foot-6, 267-pound prospect who’s a natural in-line tight end. He’s a willing run blocker who adds value in pass protection. Roush also has capable hands. Last season, he caught 49 passes for 545 yards with two touchdowns. He earned Second-team All-ACC honors. He’s projected to be drafted in the third or fourth round.
Eli Stowers, tight end, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers plays against Utah State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP
Stowers is a good-sized prospect at 6-foot-4, 239 pounds. He’s also an outstanding athlete who was a 7-foot state high-jump champion in high school. He converted from the quarterback position to tight end. Last season, Stowers finished with 62 receptions, 760 yards, and four touchdowns. He’s explosive and has very good hands. Stowers needs to work on his blocking. Last season, he was the nation’s top tight end, winning the John Mackey Award. He’s also very intelligent, winning the Academic Heisman, William V. Campbell Trophy. He’s a projected second-round pick.
Jacob Rodriguez, linebacker, Texas Tech
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.AP
A 6-foot-1, 231-pound linebacker, Rodriguez was a two-time captain at Texas Tech. A walk-on, he developed into one of the best linebackers in program history. Rodriguez finished with 115 tackles, four interceptions, 10 passes defended, and seven forced fumbles last season. He made 302 tackles in his collegiate career. Rodriguez earned a laundry list of accolades last season, including Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Butkus Award Winner and was a Heisman Trophy Finalist, finishing fifth. He’s a projected second-round pick.
Travis Burke, tackle, Memphis
Florida International University offensive lineman Travis Burke (77) protects the passer during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Miami. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)AP
At 6-foot-8, 332 pounds, Burke is a massive tackle prospect. He plays with a physical and mean disposition. Last season, he started every game at right tackle for Memphis and earned First Team All-AAC honors. Burke started at left tackle the previous two seasons at Florida International. Burke met with the Patriots at his Pro Day and then had a pre-draft visit in New England. He’s a projected third or fourth-round pick.
Bud Clark, safety, TCU
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) defends during an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)AP
A sixth-year senior, Clark is an athletic free safety. He finished with 56 tackles, seven pass breakups and four interceptions last season. Clark has outstanding ball skills, finishing with 15 interceptions and 21 pass breakups over the last four collegiate seasons. He had two pick-sixes. He also earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors in 2024. A three-year captain, Clark is also an outstanding leader. He brings special teams value as well, blocking one kick in college. He’s a projected third-round pick.
Adam Randall, running back, Clemson
Clemson running back Adam Randall (8) attempts to avoid a diving tackle-attempt by Louisville defensive back D'Angelo Hutchinson, front right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)AP
Randall is a 6-foot-3, 232-pound versatile running back. He ran for 814 yards with 10 touchdowns. Randall also recorded 36 catches for 254 yards and three scores. He was also a team captain and kickoff returner for Clemson. Randall is a converted receiver and comes to the NFL with above-average hands for the running back position. Last season was his first as a full-time running back and he earned honorable mention All-ACC honors. The Patriots scheduled an official pre-draft visit with Randall. He’s a projected late Day 3 pick.
The baseball season – the real baseball season – has started earlier than expected.
More than five months remain before the start of the postseason, but the Dodgers have important games coming up.
Such as their game on Wednesday. Or their series finale against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
Because a day after they lost their closer, the Dodgers lost their division lead.
A 3-1 defeat to the Giants at Oracle Park on Tuesday erased what remained of what was once a four-game edge in the National League West. The Dodgers are now tied with the San Diego Padres, who refrained from making any significant additions in the offseason as they were up for sale.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said: “I don’t think anyone’s too concerned about the Padres and what they’re doing.” IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Dodgers survived crises in each of their two recent championship seasons, and they could be on the verge of another with Edwin Diaz expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break.
Remove Diaz from the equation and the Dodgers more or less have the same bullpen that was responsible for a midseason slump that resulted in them temporarily relinquishing the division lead to the Padres with five weeks remaining in the regular season last year.
Manager Dave Roberts wasn’t about to speak a hypothetical downturn into existence, as he downplayed the possibility that his team was about to be subjected to another gut check.
“I don’t think anyone’s too concerned about the Padres and what they’re doing,” Roberts said. “As far as gut check, I don’t know. It’s still early. Overall, we’re still playing good baseball. I think, right now, it’s just more of a reset, focus on tomorrow and win.”
Edwin Diaz went on the Injured List and Los Angeles then lost their division lead. Getty Images
He’s right, but that’s precisely why these upcoming games are critical. A couple of blown saves over the next handful of days could send the Dodgers crashing the way they did last summer.
But as much confidence Roberts and the front office claim to have in the team’s healthy relievers, the reality is they can’t be certain of how they will finish games. The Dodgers have a number of capable arms, but capable isn’t the same as reliable. And at the moment, who outside of fireman Alex Vesia is reliable?
Before the series opener against the Giants, Roberts was asked whom he expected to receive the majority of save opportunities.
“I would say probably Tanner Scott, if I had to guess,” Roberts said.
Roberts quickly added a caveat.
“That could change,” he said. “I honestly don’t know. Tanner could pitch in the seventh tonight, and Blake (Treinen) could get the save. So, honestly, it’s kind of day-to-day. It really is.”
Ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a hideous first inning versus San Francisco where he allowed three runs on four hits and a walk. Getty Images
As it turned out, Scott pitched the eighth inning with the Dodgers behind by two runs.
Scott struggled as the team’s designated ninth-inning pitcher last season and was expected to be one of the greatest beneficiaries of Diaz’s addition, as it allowed Roberts to deploy him in more favorable situations.
If there was something positive that came out of the loss on Tuesday, it was that the Dodgers showed how they could overcome the loss of Diaz with their starting pitching.
Starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a hideous first inning, in which he allowed three runs on four hits and a walk. Yamamoto registered the last out of the frame on his 26th pitch, which pointed to this being a short night for him and a long one for the bullpen.
If the Dodgers do what they’re supposed to do, they should finish ahead of the Padres – and everyone else. AP
But Yamamoto regrouped. He didn’t give up another hit until the sixth inning and he completed the seventh. From the second inning onward, he threw only 75 pitches.
“I think it shows why he’s the staff ace,” Roberts said.
Roberts wasn’t only thinking about this game.
“As far as where we’re at going forward in this series, I really like us tomorrow,” Roberts said. “Yamamoto saved the bullpen, the bullpen is reset and in a good spot.”
Yamamoto found solace in that.
He said in Japanese of the loss of Diaz, “I think these are things that always happen in a season. This happened last year, too, but we all filled in the holes and we managed to win. For example, if I can even pitch one more inning, it might be a small thing in the big scheme of things, but if we can all help fill holes like that, I think it will be good.”
With the season less than four weeks old, Yamamoto didn’t sound overly concerned about the Padres catching up to the Dodgers.
“If we take it one game at a time, I think we’ll win in the end,” Yamamoto said.
Roberts voiced similar thoughts.
“I just don’t think we really concern ourselves with anyone, to be quite honest,” Roberts said. “And that’s the way we should think about things. It’s no disrespect to any team. It’s just that we’ve got to kind of keep our closet clean and play good baseball, and it will take care of itself.”
Yamamoto and Roberts aren’t wrong.
If the Dodgers do what they’re supposed to do, they should finish ahead of the Padres – and everyone else. That doesn’t mean they won’t be tested in the process.
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It’s not often an NBA team is actively looking for a new head coach amid a run to the playoffs, but that’s reportedly the situation Dundon thrust his new franchise in.
NBA reporter Jake Fischer reported this week, according to ESPN, that Dundon had started speaking to 15-20 prospective candidates. That list reportedly included college coaches and NBA assistant coaches.
Meanwhile, the Blazers’ current head coach, interim Tiago Splitter, has Portland on the rise. Splitter, a former NBA center who stepped in for Chauncey Billups after the Basketball Hall of Famer was arrested in an FBI gambling probe, piloted the Blazers to a 42-40 record. Then he oversaw a play-in tournament win that clinched the No. 7 seed in a Western Conference crowded with contenders. Most recently, on Tuesday night, he watched as his group rallied for a 106-103 Game 2 victory over the team that drafted him in 2007.
Splitter, a Brazilian native, is now 41 year old. In his playing days, he helped the Spurs win an NBA championship in 2014. Since retiring in 2018, he’s waded his way into the coaching ranks. After catching on as a Brooklyn Nets pro scout with some on-court development responsibilities during the 2018-19 season, he served as assistant for the Nets from 2019-23 and then for the Houston Rockets from 2023-24.
In 2025, Splitter joined Billups’ staff. By the second game of the season, he had the keys to the team.
He took over with some head-coaching experience in his back pocket. Splitter spent the 2024-25 season at the helm of Paris Basketball Club, which he led to a French Basketball Cup championship and into the EuroLeague playoffs. Plus, Splitter was the head coach of Brazil’s under-23 men’s team that won a gold medal in 2022.
With Splitter in charge of the Blazers this season, sixth-year forward Deni Avdija blossomed into an All-Star. He averaged a career-high 24.2 points and 6.7 assists per game during the 2025-26 campaign, his second with the Blazers.
“He's getting the best out of everybody. He's believing in each and [every] single one of his players, and we love playing for him. He's a winner, he's a competitor. He knows how it is to win a championship, and you can see it. He's passionate, and he’s got all the tools to be a great coach, and that's what he's doing."
Scoot Henderson is another player Splitter has believed in, despite the G League Ignite product and former 2023 No. 3 overall pick missing the first 51 games of the season while working his way back from a left hamstring injury.
Henderson scored a game-high, and season-high, 31 points Tuesday against the Spurs.
While acting as interim head coach, Splitter was given a raise from his assistant coaching salary, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, who reported Tuesday that Splitter discussed a longer-term contract during the season. The salary presented to him, though, was reportedly much lower than what’s considered standard for NBA head coaches.
Further contract talks were put off until after the season, per ESPN.
That report also mentioned a few names the Blazers have contacted in their search. That list of candidates reportedly included Saint Louis University head coach Josh Schertz, Iowa head coach Ben McCollum, former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and former New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Even so, an anonymous team source reportedly told The Athletic that Splitter “is going to be the leading candidate.”
“Of all the things reported on Tom [Dundon], the one thing that is not true is the coaching thing, that he is trying to get someone for $1 million to $1.5 million,” an anonymous team source reportedly told The Athletic. “It’s just not true. He’s talked to everybody, and of course, some coaches he talks to would be less expensive than others. The goal is to find the best person.”
Based on what he's heard from around the NFL, Graziano is predicting that 7 to 10 offensive linemen could get picked in the first round.
"There's a late-round zone loaded with teams that would love to come out of Thursday night with a new offensive lineman, including the Lions, Panthers, Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Browns, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Patriots," Graziano wrote. "Kansas City could even use its No. 9 pick on an offensive tackle and no one would be surprised. Baltimore could take Ioane at No. 14, if he's there."
While we could certainly see the Jaguars address their offensive line unit at some point in the draft, given that there was no roster turnover at this position this offseason, this is not an early-round need that has to be tackled.
But if numerous other teams are prioritizing the trenches and picking offensive linemen, that then pushes down prospects at other position groups, perhaps like defensive end or defensive tackle -- two more pressing needs that the Jaguars have.
A run on offensive linemen in Round 1 won't guarantee that the Jaguars get a steal at pick 56 -- that is still a long time to wait on Day 2. However, with nearly one-third of the potential picks in Round 1 being at a position that isn't a huge need for the Jaguars isn't a bad thing either, and could help position Jacksonville well on Day 2.
"Did I say two weeks ago they had a 35% chance of staying up? Don't listen to me...
"You're not going to smile too widely about the game last night, but you should be smiling for the 44 games that got the job done.
"In a period of 11 days Pompey have gone from dropping into the relegation zone until that 97th-minute winner at Middlesbrough to being safe with two games to go."
BBC Radio Solent's Chris Wise and Andy Moon are joined by Jordan Cross of the Portsmouth News to reflect on Pompey securing Championship survival, despite a 5-1 hammering at Coventry, ask how big an achievement is it, and your questions are answered in Moon's Musings.
As the industry leader has ramped up to 40-plus shows per year, the
skill, talent and star power of its over 600 athletes is bound to
fall more heavily on some of those events than on others. This
week’s offering,
UFC Fight Night 247, comes right after the one-two punch of UFC
327 and UFC Winnipeg, and immediately before UFC Perth and UFC 328.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the card also known as
“UFC Vegas 116” is thin even by the standards of an Apex fight
night.
That doesn’t mean the card won’t be entertaining—on the contrary,
imperfect fighters with their backs against the wall have given us
some of our most memorable bloodbaths—but it does mean we will need
to dig a little deeper to find the prospect value and divisional
relevance that makes these “in between” events matter. Here is the
preview for the seven-fight undercard of UFC Vegas 116:
Vieira (11-4; 6-4 UFC) meets McConico (10-4-1; 1-2 UFC) in a clash
of middleweights still smarting from knockout losses at UFC 322
last November. The 36-year-old Brazilian has weathered some boom
and bust periods over his six-plus years in the UFC, but seems to
have settled in as a solid not-quite-contender at middleweight.
“The Black Belt Hunter” is, of course, one of the most accomplished
grapplers ever to cross over to mixed martial arts, and while he is
dangerous everywhere—you don’t win five Mundials gold medals
without having the full tool set—he is most effective from top
position, where he passes guard relentlessly, then threatens with
arm-triangle chokes or forces foes to give up their back.
As such, Vieira’s success in MMA has always hinged on being able to
bring the fight to the ground in the time, place and position of
his choosing. Between his ridiculous physical horsepower and
determined approach, he is able to do so more often than not, but
when he is left to his own devices on the feet, the results have
not been pretty. Witness his struggles against Chris
Curtis and Andre
Petroski, who were able to nullify his takedowns, and Bo Nickal,
who flatly outwrestled him. And while he has come a long way since
his stunning loss to Anthony
Hernandez five years ago, in which he gassed out horribly in
less than a round, his cardio is still barely average for the
division.
McConico joined the UFC last year to no fanfare, as a solid but
unspectacular regional middleweight who was already well into his
30s. His Octagon run so far has been a strange one. He did not look
especially impressive in his lone win, while both of his defeats
have had their encouraging moments. That includes his loss to
Baisangur
Susurkaev at UFC 322, where he managed to drag the far more
touted prospect into a slow-paced grind, and was competitive right
up until the final sequence. While the contest ended in a
third-round TKO defeat for McConico, Susurkaev’s “next Khamzat
Chimaev” hype had bitten the dust somewhere early in Round
2.
As a pure matchup of skill and physical tools, this fight favors
Vieira heavily, and that’s reflected in the odds here. However,
McConico has shown himself to be a dogged fighter and a bit of a
builder, and considering the get-up game he showed in winning Round
1 against Susurkaev, it isn’t hard to imagine him doing something
similar here, surviving early and then outstriking a tired Vieira
late. If I were a betting man I’d leave this one be, but as a
straight-up pick, I do like the Brazilian. The pick is Vieira by
second-round submission.
Dumas (10-4, 1 NC; 3-4, 1 NC UFC) meets McVey (6-2; 0-2 UFC) in a
contest that should earn walking papers for the loser. “The Reaper”
joined the UFC through
Dana White's Contender Series with an undefeated record, a
solid highlight reel and a long and disturbing history of brushes
with the law. The UFC knew exactly what it was getting with the
troubled Floridian, and while it’s possible for miscreants to stay
on roster and even thrive—look no further than Jon Jones—the
juice has to be worth the squeeze and at this point, Dumas
literally has more arrests than wins in the last two years. When he
makes it to the cage, Dumas is a rangy striker with a diverse,
dangerous arsenal of kicks and an excellent guillotine choke. His
defensive wrestling and grappling remain very poor, and his
striking output suffers significantly when he is pressured.
While McVey has thankfully not been making headlines for the same
reasons as Dumas, the jury is still out on whether he can compete
with UFC middleweights at all. The former
Legacy Fighting Alliance contender came to the big show last
summer, but his wildly entertaining, all-offense style has thus far
been writing checks that his body has been unable to cover. He is
very tall and rangy for the division but tends to get into
close-quarters battles on the feet that negate those advantages.
While he is an opportunistic threat on the ground, especially when
he can get those long arms around an opponent’s neck, Brunno
Ferreira and Zachary
Reese both outwrestled and outgrappled him with raw strength.
In his defense, both of those bouts featured either a short
turnaround for McVey or a last-minute change of opponent, so at
least he will get a chance here to show what he can do with a full
camp.
McVey is a moderate favorite in this fight, and he has some clear
routes to victory. While both men are among the tallest, lankiest
fighters in the division, McVey is likely to come forward and crowd
Dumas in a way that has typically blunted Dumas’ striking offense.
However, I like Dumas’ chances here. He is the more diverse striker
and probably the harder hitter, and this fight is likely to
generate a lot of the close-quarters collisions that will allow
Dumas to bring his front headlock series into play. The pick is
Dumas by first-round submission.
Bueno Silva (10-6-1, 1 NC; 5-6-1, 1 NC UFC) will look to halt her
competitive free fall against former
Professional Fighters League contender Montague in this women’s
bantamweight clash. It has been a miserable three years for
“Sheetara,” who had the best win of her career overturned to a no
contest after a failed drug test, and has lost four straight since
then. In her defense, the losses have all been against Top 10
fighters—remember, this losing streak started with a shot at the
bantamweight title—but the optics have been worse than the numbers,
and the 34-year-old Brazilian seems to be fading quickly.
At her best, whether at flyweight or bantamweight, Bueno Silva was
big and strong for the division, and made up for her modest
athleticism with a high-output approach on the feet. While not much
of a conventional wrestler, she used her size, savvy and toughness
to find ways to get opponents to the ground from the clinch, where
she could bring her excellent grappling skills to bear. Over the
last couple of years, however, her speed has waned even further,
and the durability and cardio that always powered her game have all
but disappeared. As a result, even when she has not been blown out,
Bueno Silva’s appearances have become grim affairs in which she
hangs in gamely, but shows no signs of being able to take over the
fight.
Montague (7-0; 1-0 UFC) came to the UFC last year after a short but
dominant run in PFL. The 32-year-old Kiwi might have become an
eventual foe for Kayla
Harrison if both women had stayed in that promotion, and she
both benefited and suffered from the same phenomenon: Montague’s
foes were so physically overmatched that it was difficult to gauge
the actual development of her skills. That made her Octagon debut
last September against Luana
Carolina a worthwhile learning experience, as she was forced to
go the distance against a battle-tested foe whom she couldn’t
simply fling to the ground and choke out.
Montague is a very big bantamweight, with a broad, powerful frame.
Her striking is a work in progress—at best; considering her age, it
may just be what it is from here on out. She throws long, straight
punches, but her hand and foot speed are poor and she does not
strike in combination very well. She does her best work when she
can make her way to the clinch and trip or toss her opponent to the
ground, where her considerable physical strength and grappling
chops can come into play. She advances position relentlessly,
dropping some heavy punches and elbows, looking for an opening to
take her foe’s back and set up the rear-naked choke with which she
finished all six of her PFL victims.
The betting line for this fight is one of the widest on the card,
but it isn’t hard to see why. Montague is a limited but dangerous
fighter at this point, but Bueno Silva is simply inert, especially
after the first round. Even if the Brazilian has some early
success, expect her to slow down, then be overwhelmed by the
bigger, stronger newcomer. The pick is Montague by first-round
submission.
Durden (17-10-1; 5-8-1 UFC) steps in on short notice for the
injured Lucas Rocha
against Filho (17-4; 3-2 UFC) in this flyweight matchup. Durden may
be more desperate for a win than any other competitor at UFC Vegas
116, and that is saying quite a lot. The Georgia native showed some
promise early, and just a couple of years ago rode a four-fight win
streak into the flyweight Top 10, where it looked as though he
might remain a fixture for at least the next few years. Instead, he
has lost six of seven fights including his last four in a row, and
looked increasingly out of his depth.
On his way up, Durden presented as a big, athletic, dynamic
flyweight with good offensive weapons in all phases of MMA. He had
solid boxing with very good power for the division, and was an
excellent wrestler and grappler. He had defensive and tactical
issues, and ended up on several opponents’ highlight reel
submissions, but aside from those lapses, also showed good
durability and cardio. His speed and durability appear to have
fallen off badly in recent years, and with it his confidence—always
concerning for a fiery, combative fighter.
Filho has been a very welcome addition to the division since
joining the UFC a little over three years ago. His 3-2 mark in the
promotion is deceptive, as a decent case could be made that he
should have won his debut over Muhammad
Mokaev, who just might have tapped in their fight, unnoticed by
the referee. Filho is a good-sized flyweight as well, and despite
coming from a grappling background, he has an active, technically
sound muay thai striking arsenal that uses his reach and speed
well. He can be a bit hittable thanks to his upright stance and
tendency to plant his feet in the pocket, but thus far none of his
opponents have truly made him pay for it.
Filho’s best weapons are on the mat, and he has a decent array of
ways to get the fight into his wheelhouse. He is willing to shoot a
takedown from outside, but he does his best work with judo-style
trips and throws in close. Once he has his man on the ground, he is
relentless, challenging his foe’s guard while keeping up a steady
stream of strikes and looking for chances to take the back—or
whatever else his opponent leaves hanging.
These appear to be two fighters headed in opposite directions
competitively, but even in Durden’s prime, Filho would have been a
nightmare matchup for him, as a smart, extremely opportunistic
submission artist. In this case, considering Durden’s declining
fortunes and the short notice, the huge odds make sense. The
difference is that Filho is likely to be able to simply take over
the fight, rather than wait for Durden to make a mistake. The pick
is Filho by first-round submission.
In a matchup thrown together on Monday of fight week, Marshall
(9-3; 3-3 UFC) will welcome former Bellator
MMA prospect Brennan (11-2) to the UFC. Both are habitual
featherweights but will meet at 155 pounds here. Marshall will be
turning around less than two months from his first-round submission
of Erik
Silva at UFC Mexico City. The 27-year-old New Jersey native is
an intriguing prospect. He’s also been a lot of fun to watch, maybe
even to his own detriment: a good wrestler and grappler who gets
into some wild scrambles, and a solid boxer who gets into some wild
brawls. Whether those tendencies will mellow with age, or they are
just part of his makeup as a fighter, remains to be seen.
Brennan is an interesting proposition. The son of UFC,
Pride Fighting Championships and Shooto
veteran Chris
Brennan, the 25-year-old Dallas native is the latest of the
second-generation MMA competitors to make it to the Octagon in the
last few years. As one might expect of a scion of one of Texas’s
first major BJJ lineages, “Skywalker” is an excellent submission
grappler, and his nine-fight run on Bellator prelims was almost
completely defined by effortless ground maulings.
The question, after Brennan’s back-to-back losses in PFL and
Fury Fighting Championship, are whether the rest of his MMA
game is good enough to bring those grappling chops into play
against a higher level of competition. Against Dimitre Ivy
in PFL, Brennan struggled to get the fight to the ground, and in
the one round that he secured a takedown with plenty of time to
work, he was unable to secure a finish. As he currently stands,
Brennan’s ceiling will probably be defined by his offensive
wrestling and striking. Assuming he sticks in the UFC, he may be in
for a Chase
Hooper-like learning curve, taking some ugly early losses as
the rest of his game catches up to his grappling.
Chalk Saturday’s debut up as one of those ugly early losses, as
Marshall is just about the worst possible style matchup for Brennan
outside of an actual ranked fighter. Marshall has very good
jiu-jitsu himself and is the far superior wrestler and harder
hitter on the feet. I expect this to go the distance, as Brennan
has been game and durable even in his losses, while Marshall tends
to make his fights closer than they should be on paper. Still, the
pick is that Marshall will have Brennan stranded on the feet for
long stretches, lumping him up on the way to a one-sided decision
win.
Griffin (20-12; 8-10 UFC) seeks to snap his first losing streak in
five years, spoiling the debut of
Dana White's Contender Series veteran Valenzuela in the
process. For a fighter who never quite emerged from the
welterweight pack into full-fledged contender status, Griffin
remains surprisingly solid at age 40. His back-to-back losses to
Chris
Curtis and Michael
Chiesa were competitive outings against Top 20-ish competition,
and he appeared to be more or less the fighter he has been for
nearly a decade in the UFC.
Griffin does his best work as a high-volume, medium-powered striker
with underrated, or at least underutilized, wrestling and
grappling. As a well-rounded, smart fighter, he has always been at
his best when he can dictate the location and pace of the fight,
and at his most vulnerable when specialists dictate those terms to
him, as shown in his losses to Chiesa and Michael
Morales. With advancing age, Griffin’s output on the feet has
started to decline, and his usually rugged durability may give out
at any time, so that will bear watching.
Valenzuela (13-4) is frankly a bit of a mystifying signing. The
Chilean slugger appeared on DWCS last October, with a decent but
not spectacular regional résumé under his belt, and lost by
knockout. On the positive side, “Psicosis” is a hard puncher,
capable of delivering knockout power with either hand from his
orthodox stance, and is the kind of come-forward brawler who gives
himself an honest chance to bring his best weapons to bear. On the
negative side, he is on the small side for a welterweight, does not
have any particular speed or movement advantages to compensate for
it, and is already 32 years old.
Valenzuela’s attacking style will give him a puncher’s chance
against a lot of welterweights, even ones who might be more skilled
overall, and that includes Saturday’s matchup with Griffin. The
line in Valenzuela’s favor might indicate public belief that at 40,
Griffin will look significantly diminished from the version that
faced Curtis last July, but if that is not the case, I think
Griffin is better everywhere except perhaps one-shot power. The
pick is Griffin via decision.
In the opening bout,
Dana White's Contender Series Season 7 alums Alencar (7-1-1;
3-1 UFC) and Polastri (14-5; 2-2 UFC) will try and separate
themselves from the pack in a wide-open strawweight division.
Alencar has won two straight and at 35, it’s probably now or never
if she wants to make a serious push towards a title shot. The
“Problem Child” is a highlye decorated grappler and it shows—when
she can get the fight there. As a late starter in MMA, with the
added challenge of being visibly undersized for the UFC’s smallest
division, she will always have her work cut out for her.
Alencar is compact, muscular and obviously quite strong, but she is
slow on her feet and does not have much of an outside wrestling
game. Her striking is not terrible—she throws in combination and
has decent power—but it will not be enough to win fights for her
against the next level of UFC strawweights. It is worth noting that
her three UFC wins have come against former Invicta atomweight
champ Rayanne
dos Santos and two more of the shortest strawweights in the
game in Vanessa
Demopoulos and Ariane
Carnelossi.
Polastri would be the more compelling prospect of the two if for no
other reason than she’s 28 years old and built more like a natural
115-pounder, but to her credit, she has been improving from fight
to fight. “Psycho” is fairly compact as well, though she will be
visibly larger than her opponent Saturday, and while she has
well-rounded skills, she does her best work as a middle-distance
kickboxer, where she delivers a nice variety of punch combinations
with underrated power. She can uncork a fast high kick at any time
like the one she used to put away Karolina
Kowalkiewicz last October, her best win to date.
This fight is more evenly matched than the wide odds might imply.
There is a distinct possibility that Alencar can rush Polastri, get
a takedown from the clinch and dominate. However, Polastri appears
to be turning a corner over the last year or so, and while Loopy
Godinez took her down repeatedly in their fight, she did so
with tools that Alencar simply doesn’t possess. The pick is that
Polastri sticks and moves her way to a straightforward decision
win.
The NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, and the Dallas Cowboys will be on the clock in a relatively short period of time. It's no surprise that as the draft draws, more potential targets for the Cowboys have started "leaking" out. On Monday, Dallas was said to be considering Arizona St. receiver Jordyn Tyson with the 12th pick over the more pressing needs on defense after the Cowboys.
Tuesday, fans started hearing that LSU star Mansoor Delane, the top cornerback in the draft, could potentially fall into the Cowboys' lap at 12. Many thought Delane would go earlier after running a 4.3 forty at his pro day. It would be a dream come true for the Cowboys, but what would cause teams to pass on the top player at his position?
It's simple; teams are putting out a lot of smokescreens. The Cowboys can use the media to their advantage, whether it be to throw teams off the scent of a player they like in the draft or hyping one up to create trade bait. Until Dallas is on the clock, anything heard should be considered speculation by the media, as the Cowboys and the rest of the NFL continue trying to influence and manipulate the draft in their favor.
Malachi Lawrence took a moment to watch UCF’s football team take part in a spring practice recently. It wasn’t long before the former Knights defensive end was greeted by coaches and players, offering a handshake or a hug.
Lawrence spent four seasons at UCF, a rarity in today’s transfer portal era, after signing with the Knights in their 2022 recruiting class. He went from being on the sidelines as a freshman to becoming one of the top edge rushers in the Big 12 last season.
The 23-year-old could fulfill a lifelong dream if selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday and runs through Saturday.
“Honestly, just seeing all the work that I put in and just seeing it actually come to life, it’s definitely been a blessing,” said Lawrence.
His draft stock climbed after a standout performance in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February, where he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, which was one of the fastest times for a defensive end.
Since then, mock drafts have had Lawrence projected anywhere from a mid-first-round selection to the second round.
The last time UCF has had a player selected in the first round of the NFL draft was cornerback Mike Hughes in 2018. The last Knights’ defensive end picked was Bruce Miller in 2011, who later played fullback in the NFL.
“I’m proud of how much development and progress some of those guys made in our one year,” said UCF coach Scott Frost. “He did an unbelievable job of working consistently and just continuing to get better in a year with (defensive ends coach) Mike Dawson and (defensive coordinator) Alex Grinch. I’m really happy for him.”
Lawrence isn’t sure which NFL team could select him. He participated in 30 virtual calls with scouts, coaches and general managers since the combine and made 17 in-person visits.
He plans to host an NFL draft watch party at his home in Louisville, Ky.
Lawrence isn’t the only Knight who could hear his name called this weekend.
Fellow edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly is coming off back-to-back strong seasons at UCF, finishing with 99 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks with the Knights following two seasons at Miami.
He’s projected to be a sixth or seventh-round selection.
“I believe Nyjalik is undervalued a little bit, because I know what he can do,” said Frost. “Last spring, we couldn’t block him, and he wrecked some of the offense’s practice, so I’m excited about his opportunity.”
Like Lawrence, Kelly’s dreams of playing in the NFL began when he was growing up.
“My grandpa used to be on the couch, kicking his feet up and the NFL was always on (the TV),” Kelly recalled. “We were always watching the (Miami) Dolphins. You would see the players on the screen and I wanted to be one of those players, because I knew my grandpa watched it and I always wanted my grandpa to watch me on TV one day.”
Running backs Jaden Nixon and Myles Montgomery also hope to continue their careers in the NFL. Both are projected as sixth or seventh-round selections or as undrafted free agents.
“I would love to make a team just so I could play football,” said Nixon, who rushed for 558 yards and 7 touchdowns last season for the Knights. “That’s all it ever has been about. It’s just playing football. I don’t think about anything else.”
“They’re gonna get somebody who’s going to embrace their role, whatever it is, and try to help the team continue to win ball games,” said Montgomery, who led the team in rushing with 705 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Offensive lineman Paul Rubelt is also hoping for a chance to prove himself at the next level.
“If you take a shot at me, I’ll give you my all,” said Rubelt. “Whoever takes a chance on me, they won’t regret it.”
Added Frost: “Jaden, Paul and Myles and a bunch of other guys, if they get their shot, they’re going to have a good opportunity to make a living playing the game. That’s what you dream about when you’re little.”
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
The trade in and of itself is unlikely to happen because the two teams are division rivals, but we'll put that aside for now.
Before we get into why this is such a bad pick, here's Zierlein's explanation:
"After acquiring more draft capital by moving back, the Steelers add a young, high-character prospect who is still growing his frame and his game. Faulk will be able to play in odd or even fronts in the future," Zierlein wrote.
Why Faulk is a terrible pick for Steelers
Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) blitzes as Auburn Tigers take on Ball State Cardinals at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Ball State Cardinals 42-3. Imagn Images.
My dissatisfaction with Zierlein's pick for the Steelers has nothing to do with the prospect himself. Faulk is a promising young player and might end up being a fantastic pro.
Instead, the dissatisfaction comes from the fact that the last thing the Steelers need is another edge rusher, so taking one in Round 1 would be a huge mistake when considering the bigger fish Pittsburgh has to fry.
Pittsburgh is already loaded at the position with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, and Herbig is having issues seeing the field with the two vets ahead of him.
There's just no way Pittsburgh will add to that logjam with a first-round pick.
There have been rumors that the Steelers might consider trading Highsmith because of their crowded situation at edge rusher, but I'm skeptical that will happen with Pittsburgh in a win-now situation.
Even if it does happen, I still think taking an edge rusher in Round 1 would be a mistake, barring an extreme slide of a highly-regarded prospect. I would, however, be comfortable with taking one on Day 2 in that scenario.
What Steelers should do
With the injury setback suffered by Broderick Jones, who was already on thin ice after three lackluster seasons to start his career, the Steelers should be aiming for a left tackle in Round 1.
I would obviously prefer a quarterback, but No. 21 is too early to make a play for any of them, including Ty Simpson.
Pittsburgh is probably better off waiting until 2027, anyway, when the quarterback class will be stronger.
Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Tennessee Vols are heavily in the mix for Wake Forest Demon Deacons transfer guard Juke Harris. Tennessee is also hoping to bring Nate Ament back for another season on Rocky Top.
The Tennessee Vols are one of the teams still in the mix for Wake Forest Demon Deacons transfer guard Juke Harris, one of the most coveted players still available in the portal.
Tennessee is also waiting to hear if forward Nate Ament, a true freshman this past season, will return for a second season in Knoxville.
Ament is currently weighing whether to enter the 2026 NBA Draft or return to Tennessee.
Harris, meanwhile, is also considering whether to enter the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Michigan Wolverines and North Carolina Tar Heels are also in the mix for Harris.
Could Nate Ament and Juke Harris both play for Tennessee next season?
Ament and Harris are two of the most talented players in college basketball. It goes without saying that Vols fans would love to see both playing on Rocky Top next season.
But is that realistic?
Probably not, for a couple of reasons.
For one, it would cost a significant amount of NIL money — potentially around $7 to $8 million combined for both players.
Secondly, as VolQuest’s Austin Price noted Wednesday on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will, there’s only one basketball. And that’s a lot of star power for just one ball.
“I think you can’t have both financially,” said Price. “Could they figure out a way to make it work? I mean, I guess. That would be astronomical money for both. But I think the biggest thing is there’s only one ball. And you’ve already got a bunch of guys that were averaging 14, 15, or 17 points a game at their previous school. So they’re gonna want to continue to be able to make shots and be key players at every step of the way here.
“So I think you’re looking at only [getting] one (of Harris or Ament). If you can get one of those guys, Tennessee’s ceiling is what every team wants its ceiling to be — which is to go all the way. I think Tennessee’s added a ton of talent. I feel like they put themselves in position to be back there battling for another Elite Eight or a potential Final Four appearance with the roster they’ve constructed. But if you can add one of those two, then it definitely, to me, takes it over the top.”
The Vols are actually in a tough spot here. They’d love to have either player, but there’s no guarantee that either will be at Tennessee next season. Both players could enter the draft. Or Ament could enter the draft and Harris could land at Michigan. There’s a real scenario where the Vols end up with neither player.
And neither player is expected to make a decision on the NBA Draft for another several weeks (that could always change, though).
“You’re looking at another month (for a decision from Ament),” said Price. “These kids are going to go through the NBA Draft process. I think, at minimum, another two to three weeks (for a decision). Same thing with Juke Harris in a lot of ways. And so you’re really at their mercy. That’s the hard part for Rick (Barnes) and company is they could end up with a big late addition, or they could see both end up going to the NBA. Or you could have Nate go to the NBA and Juke come back to college and not pick Tennessee.”
It feels like the Vols really need either Ament or Harris to truly be a championship contender next season.
For now, Tennessee will have to patiently wait for decisions from both players.
MEN: How Chelsea/Man City could pave the way for Man Utd to land dream £70m midfield target early in summer
Real Madrid would feel more inclined to part ways with Aurelien Tchouameni this summer if they land one of their midfield targets to replace him.
According to Tyrone Marshall of Manchester Evening News, the Frenchman’s exit would likely hinge on whether Madrid can add either Rodri or Enzo Fernandez to their ranks.
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Club chiefs are aware it will take more than one signing to successfully succeed seasoned veteran Casemiro, while Manuel Ugarte is also poised to depart and would, therefore, need replacing before 2025/2026 gets underway.
Add that to the fact that United will have Champions League football to account for for the first time since 2023/2024, and you can understand why there’s a growing sense that INEOS really need to get this window right.
However, he, understandably, rebuffed a host of Premier League suitors to make the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2022, signing a six-year deal until June 2028.
Why Tchouameni is being tipped for a Los Blancos exit
The fact he’s now approaching the latter stages of his contract has prompted speculation that he could be on the move, and United are set to be front of the queue if he’s made available in the coming months.
Of course, provided the 26-year-old stays fit in the final weeks of the season, his full focus will be on the forthcoming World Cup, where he’s a shoo-in to represent his nation on the biggest stage once again in hopes of making up for their final defeat in 2022.
From there, though, Tchouameni might consider where his future lies, especially if Madrid have overseen a rare trophyless campaign come the end of May.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love scores a touchdown. | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The slew of Final Mock Drafts are being unleashed before the 2026 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday night.
Todd McShay of The Ringer released his intel-fueled Mock Draft 5.0 on Wednesday morning, the culmination of months of film study as well as conversations with coaches and executives from around the NFL. The Giants’ trade of Dexter Lawrence turned the top of the draft on its ear as both picks suddenly became wildcards.
In a twist from most recent mock drafts, McShay has the Giants eschewing the defense entirely in the first round.
5. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
WR Jordyn Tyson, DS Caleb Downs, and OT Francis Mauigoa are the other three names linked to the Giants, but they cash in on the opportunity to draft the no. 1 player on my board—as well as many NFL teams’ boards—at pick no. 5.
They pair Love with Cam Skattebo (and Tyrone Tracy Jr.) in the backfield, complementing running styles and skill sets alongside second-year QB Jaxson Dart.
10. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Caleb Downs and Vega Ioane could be in play here, but Mauigoa has been linked to the Giants for a while, and this would be great value to land a player many scouts believe is the top offensive lineman in the draft.
With Jermaine Eluemunor re-signed, the Giants have two RT/OGs to round out the right side of their line, and it would give them an overpowering run-blocking group for Jeremiyah Love, Cam Skattebo, and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Chris’ thoughts
I don’t think an offense-heavy draft is out of the question for the Giants. They have invested far more resources in their defense than in their offense in recent years, and John Harbaugh is a big enough believer in the roster that it was a major factor in his decision to come to New York. At the same time, he’s spoken about the importance of the quarterback position and about building a dynamic offense around Jaxson Dart.
I’m not going to say I don’t think the Giants won’t draft Jeremiyah Love. However, I do think I would be legitimately surprised by the pick.
From a practical perspective, the Giants already have a strong running game and were just behind the Ravens themselves in most rushing stats — and that was without Cam Skattebo and a makeshift receiving corps.
Yes, Love is a dynamic player with Home Run potential and receiving upside… But I’m also old enough to remember us all making the same rationalizations after Dave Gettleman made this same sequence of picks in 2018 with Saquon Barkley and Will Hernandez.
And I would be surprised if the first NFL coach to fully buy into modern analytics, the accountant he hired to lead a beefed-up analytics department, and the GM who shifted the Giants’ philosophy back to leveraging late-round value at running back all “agree to agree” (to use Harbaugh’s words) to make the same pick as the GM who openly mocked what they believe in.
There have been 12 running backs selected in the Top 10 since 2006, and there’s a good argument that only the first two — Reggie Bush and Adrian Peterson — were really worth it for the teams that drafted them.
2025 – Ashton Jeanty 2023 – Bijan Robinson 2018 – Saquon Barkley 2017 – Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey 2016 – Ezekiel Elliott 2015 – Todd Gurley 2012 – Trent Richardson 2010 – CJ Spiller 2008 – Darren McFadden 2007 – Adrian Peterson 2006 – Reggie Bush
The selection of Mauigoa would be a surprise as well. I would be surprised if he made it past the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9, given the state of their offensive line and Andy Reid’s love of drafting offensive linemen in the first round.
But also, I’m not sure I see the Giants drafting an offensive tackle after signing Jermaine Eluemunor. Vega Ioane is probably a more likely selection if the Giants aren’t as comfortable with the competition for right guard as I believe they might be.
As I’ve been saying for weeks no, the more “plugged in” mock drafts I see, the more I suspect that nobody has a good handle on what the Giants are thinking or where they’ll go. I suspect the fifth and 10th picks are true wildcards after the trade of Dexter Lawrence, and nobody is quite sure how it will all shake out.
The NFL Draft is a day away. Finally. All that waiting and mocking and rumor-gathering is over. It’s time for the real thing.
The Jets have nine selections over the three days, including four picks within the first 44. This roster is in dire need of talent. This is a big opportunity to add it.
Things officially begin Thursday at 8 p.m.
Here’s everything you need to know before.
Updated salary cap situation
The Jets currently have $39.55 million in salary cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. Their effective cap, which takes into consideration the money needed to pay their draft class, is roughly $23.621 million.
That’s an extremely healthy situation for the Jets. Impressive, too, considering the $111.246 million in dead money charges. Expect New York to get back to working on a contract extension for running back Breece Hall (currently on the franchise tag) after the draft. That’s a priority for the team.
There was optimism that the two sides were close before the tag deadline. Ultimately, that proved not to be the case. The three-year, $43.05 million deal Kenneth Walker signed with the Seahawks is likely the realm Hall would like to be in, too.
Current starters
Offense
Geno Smith (QB), Breece Hall (RB), Braelon Allen (RB), Garrett Wilson (WR), AD Mitchell (WR), Isaiah Williams (WR), Mason Taylor (TE), Olu Fashanu (LT), Dylan Parham (LG), Josh Myers (C), Joe Tippmann (RG), Armand Membou (RT)
Defense
Joseph Ossai (EDGE), T’Vondre Sweat (DL), Harrison Phillips (DL), Will McDonald (EDGE), Demario Davis (LB), Mykal Walker (LB), AZ Thomas (CB), Andre Cisco (S), Minkah Fitzpatrick (S), Brandon Stephens (CB), Jarvis Brownlee (CB)
Special teams
Cade York (K), Austin McNamara (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS), Isaiah Williams (RET)
2026 draft picks
First round (No. 2), first round (No. 16), second round (No. 33), second round (No. 44), fourth round (No. 103), fourth round (No. 140), fifth round (No. 179), seventh round (No. 228), seventh round (No. 242).
The last draft class
OT Armand Membou (first round, No. 7), TE Mason Taylor(second round, No. 42), CB AZ Thomas (third round, No. 73), WR Arian Smith (fourth round, No. 110), S Malachi Moore (fourth round, No. 130), LB Francisco Mauigoa (fifth round, No. 162), DE Tyler Baron (fifth round, No. 176)
Best-case scenario
It’s not so much about what the Jets do second overall. They have their pick of whoever they want, with the Raiders locked in on quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Things get a bit more complicated at No. 16.
Cornerback Jermod McCoy would have been a nice player there, but his knee injury has him plummeting down draft boards with some teams, per sources, having him off theirs entirely. Look for New York to target either a receiver or an interior offensive lineman.
Jordyn Tyson is believed to be the top wideout on their (and just about every team’s) board. Teams have varying degrees of concern with his injury history, though. Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn will be on the edges of their seats starting at pick No. 7.
If the Commanders go with corner Mansoor Delane, the Saints trade their pick to the Cowboys, who select linebacker Sonny Styles, which opens a window for the Jets to trade up themselves with the Chiefs. They could jump the Giants (No. 10) for Tyson.
If they’re just as nervous about Tyson, hope Kansas takes an offensive tackle and the Giants select the wideout. That almost assures New York one of Vega Ioane (Penn State guard), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama tackle with guard flex), Francis Mauigoa (Miami tackle with guard flex) or Carnell Tate (Ohio State wideout) is there for them.
Worst-case scenario
Big picture: They pick the wrong player out of Arvell Reese or David Bailey. People could lose jobs if they swing and miss while the other balls out with his new team. You can make that statement just about any year when picking this early.
Specifically on draft night, it again goes back to that Commanders pick. If Washington goes with Tyson, looking for Terry McLaurin’s eventual replacement, it could set off a chain of less-than-ideal situations for New York. Tate might suddenly go earlier than expected, a run on the offensive linemen.
A solid player should still be there at No. 16, but it might not be the one the team was hoping for.
Three biggest needs
1. A difference maker on defense
Writing out the list of the Jets starters illustrates how dire things look on that side of the ball. The blowouts to end the season (first since the merger to lose five straight by 23 or more) and zero interceptions all year are the insult stats most go to, but the Jets allowed an average of 355.6 yards per game (25th) and 29.6 points (31st). That’s so bad.
They did a solid job in free agency of adding NFL-caliber players. They had dudes named Samuel Womack and Keidron Smith starting at the end of last season. But their defense still lacks guys who actually change games. You need those, a few, actually, to legitimately compete.
They must find their first at No. 2.
2. Receiver
The Jets are high on AD Mitchell, but he’s likely best as the third option in a passing attack. The Jets need to find their complement to Garrett Wilson. This class is a good one to do that.
Tyson is the top of the class, then Carnell Tate. The Jets will need to move up from No. 16 to get either. There really aren’t any other wideouts worthy of a selection that high.
If the Jets don’t come up from their second first-round pick, keep an eye on them trading back into the first round for someone like Denzel Boston. He fits the Frank Reich mold of a big-bodied pass catcher perfectly. He should be available in the late 20s.
3. Interior offensive linemen
The Jets are set at tackle with Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou. The interior poses far greater concerns. Myers wasn’t a disaster in 2025, but finished with a ProFootballFocus grade of 52.9 … the lowest of his career. Tippmann was solid at guard (66.6 mark) after replacing Alijah Vera-Tucker, but he’s still best suited at center. Parham is not a long-term answer.
There are other more pressing needs, but depending on how things fall in the first and second rounds, guard is something the Jets should consider. Build that wall so they can protect their franchise quarterback whenever they end up drafting him.
And the picks are …
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (No. 2); Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (No. 9, trade up with Chiefs)
The Giants thinned out their defensive line by trading Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals and they have spent some time with a possible addition to the group.
The NFL's transaction report of Tuesday shows that the Giants reported a visit with veteran free agent defensive lineman Benito Jones.
Jones spent the last two seasons with the Dolphins and started in 23 of his 31 appearances for Miami. He had 39 tackles and a sack in that action.
Jones entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Miami in 2020 and played six games as a rookie before spending 2021 on the practice squad. He was claimed off of waivers by the Lions in 2022 and had 42 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 34 games for Detroit.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II persuaded the NFL to move Ravens fans behind Steelers fans at the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh.
Rooney said on WDVE that when he saw the initial layout for where each of the 32 teams' fans would be told to congregate, there was an area where Ravens fans had better seats than Steelers fans. Rooney got the NFL to change that.
"I did ask that, you know, on the normal seating chart, I noticed that the Ravens fans were sitting in front of the Steeler fans in one section of the draft theater. So I asked them to make that change, and they agreed to make that change," Rooney said.
Rooney said that the draft will be a celebration of the city of Pittsburgh, the Steelers and football's rich history in Western Pennsylvania, and that the league has been very good about allowing the Steelers to have a voice in running the event.
"When you're hosting the draft the league lets you do some things you don't normally do during the draft," Rooney said.
And that includes veto power over the seating chart.
We're a month into the baseball season, and fantasy managers are starting to lose patience with their slow starters. We need results, and we need them now. But hold your horses, some slow starters don't deserve to be dropped.
As a general rule, I still think it's too early to drop players you drafted in the first 10-12 rounds. Yes, that includes Jeff Hoffman and Devin Williams. If you want to shift guys to the bench to "teach them a lesson" or save your ratios, that's fine. However, I would still hold onto those early-round players unless there was an injury. When it comes to the players you drafted later, that's another story, and now is the time of the season when you can think about moving on if there are attractive waiver wire options in your league.
Before you do that, though, make sure to read this article, where I'll highlight a few hitters and pitchers who are off to slow starts and are being dropped in a lot of formats, but are players I'd hold. I created leaderboards to highlight solid underlying metrics that make me believe these players can still turn it around. Let's dig in to find out who we're talking about and why.
Fantasy Baseball Hitters to Hold
For hitters, I used my standard pre-season and mid-season leaderboard that helps me identify hitter targets. It looks at hard-hit rate, zone contact, swinging strike rate (SwStr%), and barrel rate to see who is not swinging and missing often, making consistent contact in the zone, and making consistently hard contact. For right now, I did not use barrel rate as part of this equation because I think it's a bit too early in the season. For this article, I removed all hitters who had a wRC+ over 100 because that would mean they have been above-average hitters. I then removed all hitters who were below league-average in the three criteria we're using for this article, and that gave us a list of players who are technically not producing but have the underlying metrics to suggest that they will start to.
Name
Team
wRC+
HardHit%
Z-Contact%
SwStr%
Wyatt Langford
TEX
78.29983928
0.377049
0.87234
0.110759
Tyler Soderstrom
ATH
86.96136
0.451613
0.847619
0.110803
Pete Alonso
BAL
96.57144794
0.563636
0.84
0.117207
Roman Anthony
BOS
91.88330427
0.480769
0.837209
0.101648
Alex Bregman
CHC
81.24385
0.458333
0.881818
0.059113
I'm just going to briefly start with the players you know you're definitely not cutting. However, they qualified on this list, so I wanted to list them just to show that the underlying metrics are OK and there doesn't seem to be any immediate cause for concern. Yes, there may be things going on underneath the hood that could lower our expectations a bit, but the season isn't even one month old, so I'm not panicking on layers you drafted this early on. Sadly, Wyatt Langford was hurt on Tuesday night, so just keep an eye on his injury status over at the Rotoworld Player News page.
Name
Team
wRC+
HardHit%
Z-Contact%
SwStr%
Ceddanne Rafaela
BOS
112.8218777
0.391304
0.830508
0.113281
Cam Smith
HOU
111.1814
0.468431
0.855163
0.129141
Jose Fernandez
ARI
102.339402
0.444444
0.866667
0.114894
Iván Herrera
STL
102.0193058
0.516129
0.955556
0.058974
Trent Grisham
NYY
98.49895468
0.576923
0.943662
0.05625
Evan Carter
TEX
98.44815
0.408163
0.876404
0.081818
Chase Meidroth
CHW
98.37512915
0.442623
0.891566
0.058011
Daylen Lile
WSN
97.32447818
0.407895
0.90991
0.117845
Miguel Vargas
CHW
96.46541302
0.442623
0.84874
0.06117
Brandon Marsh
PHI
92.48443
0.461538
0.893333
0.101563
Edouard Julien
COL
91.93371
0.461538
0.884058
0.080769
Jung Hoo Lee
SFG
86.17092457
0.402985
0.97561
0.046647
Kyle Karros
COL
76.98836045
0.418605
0.890411
0.098039
Mike Yastrzemski
ATL
75.60570415
0.434783
0.884615
0.09622
Luis García Jr.
WSN
67.74805006
0.438596
0.972973
0.064
Marcell Ozuna
PIT
55.96222348
0.411765
0.892857
0.11315
Bo Bichette
NYM
53.89856022
0.428571
0.901961
0.110215
Jakob Marsee
MIA
47.82723976
0.370968
0.958763
0.042654
Bryson Stott
PHI
46.71199113
0.5
0.961538
0.070248
Alec Bohm
PHI
16.4245051
0.383333
0.883117
0.068259
In short, if a hitter is on this list, I'm inclined to give them a little more leash. Their qualifying for this article means that they are making better-than-average contact in the zone, not swinging and missing too much, and also making hard contact when they do make contact. Yes, if you're in a shallow league, there are certainly players on this list that you could move on from (Alec Bohm, Eduoard Julien, Kyle Karros, Brandon Marsh) for a hot hitter on the waiver wire, but each of these players at least still has some redeeming value. I'm going to focus on a few of them in more detail, who I think deserve to stay on your rosters. Last week,I also mentioned adding Miguel Vargas because of his underlying metrics, and he appeared on this list as well, which might be a bit of a sign. Ivan Herrera also appeared in that article.
Ceddanne Rafaela - 2B/OF, BOS
Technically, Rafaela shouldn't be on this list because his wRC+ is over 100, so he has been an above-average hitter this year. However, I'm getting tons of questions about whether or not people should drop him in fantasy leagues because he has one home run and no stolen bases. On one hand, I get it. He has stolen 19 and 20 bases the last two years, so getting a zero there is not what you signed up for. However, he didn't become slow; he's just never been an efficient basestealer. He made some improvements last year and has, according to Statcast, been taking shorter leads so far this season, which may be why he was caught stealing twice. I think this is just some small sample size anomaly, and I'd still expect the 17-18 steals most projection systems have for him.
Another part of the reason you should hold onto Rafaela is that he's improving as a hitter. He's shortened his swing a bit this season and is not swinging hard as often as he did last year. That has allowed him to square up the baseball more and cut his swinging strike rate by 3%. He's also been far more patient at the plate. My counterargument to that is that he's being a bit too patient in the zone and taking too many called strikes on pitches he could do damage on, which is why his home run totals are low. The barrel rate and hard-hit rate are in line with last year, so I think this is a 25-year-old who is making an adjustment in his approach and just trying to find the right levels for him. With the team around him also struggling, he may not be looking to make "careless" mistakes. However, the underlying tools are all here, and the process is improving, so I think we're going to see results coming soon.
Cam Smith - OF, HOU
Cam Smith is another player who technically doesn't belong on this list, but he's one of the most dropped hitters on Yahoo this week because he's 0-for-19 over his last five games. I know that's bad, but we have to exercise a little bit of patience in the early going with young top prospects who are still evolving as players. Smith was electric to start the season. Then he wasn't, so we have to find the most likely "true talent" level for him. He has an 47% hard-hit rate and 16% barrel rate. His 12.9% SwStr% is below league-average, but is in line with what he did last year, and his zone contact is league-average. So we have a young player who is getting pitched outside the zone more often and is offering at those pitches too much. But, when pitchers do some into the zone, he's making enough contact and making authoritative contact, all while showing a 3.5 mph increase in bat speed. We're not even asking Cam Smith to demonstrate a new skill; we're just asking him to get back closer to last year's chase rate. Even just getting that could get us closer to the breakout we thought we were getting in the first two weeks of the season, and there is always the potential for further growth considering how young he is.
Trent Grisham - OF, NYY
Yes, last year was probably an outlier career year for Grisham, and I'm sure the Yankees wish they hadn't given him a $21 million qualifying offer. That being said, Grisham is not this bad. His chase rate is better than last year, his 93% zone contact is elite, his 5.6% SwStr% is minuscule, his exit velocities are better than last year, and his 57% hard-hit rate would be a career high. Grisham is getting attacked inside a little bit more than he was last year, and there's a chance he's been impacted by some of the cold weather lingering in the Northeast. He's also sporting a .163 BABIP, a .242 xBA, and a .474 xSLG that are far better than the surface-level results he's gotten. As the weather heats up in New York, I think Grisham will as well, and it wouldn't surprise me if he hits about .230-.240 from here on out with 20+ home runs.
Jose Fernandez - SS, ARI
People were so ready to move on from Fernandez after he didn’t match the production of his two-homer debut, but we have to have more patience than that. An injury to Carlos Santana has opened more at-bats for Fernandez, and he is now an everyday player in Arizona. He hasn’t hit a home run since his debut, but the tools you were enamored with - his elite bat speed and sprint speed - still exist. He also has a 42% hard-hit rate and a league-average swinging strike rate. Yes, he's chasing out of the zone more than we'd like to see, and pitchers will continue to pitch him there until he learns. However, an 89% zone contact rate, which his hard-hit numbers and pull rates should begin to lead to solid production. As it stands, he hasn't been bad, hitting .297 with 11 runs scored and nine RBI in 64 plate appearances. I'm not expecting some 20-home run season here, but I think he could be a 15/10 guy if he continues to play regularly, and that's worth holding onto in deeper formats.
Jung Hoo Lee - OF, SF
Lee was off to an abysmal start to the season, but hopefully you've held onto him because he has hits in eight of his last 10 games, going 15-for-41 (.366) with one home run, five runs, and four RBI. That's probably enough reason to hold onto him, but his exit velocities are up two mph from last year, his hard-hit rate is up 7% from last year (still just under league-average), and his SwStr% is just 5%. He makes elite swing decisions and is hitting the ball harder than he did last year. He's also using the whole field more often, so I'm not sure he's going to hit more than 10 home runs, but the batting average should be .270 or better while hitting in the middle of the Giants' lineup. If he can also duplicate his 10 steals from last season, that's going to be a boring but solid player for you all year.
Bryson Stott - 2B/SS, PHI
It has not been a strong start to the season for Stott, who is hitting .210/.269/.242 with just two extra-base hits. He is also swinging outside of the zone 11% more often and making less contact than he ever has outside of the zone. Despite those issues, he still has a 95% zone contact rate, a 6.6% SwSt%, and the quality of contact he is making has been good. His hard-hit rate is 50%, which is up 20.5% from last year, the 4th-biggest improvement of any hitter in baseball. His average exit velocity is up two mph, his bat speed is up one mph, and he is pulling the ball 12% more. His attack direction, which measures the horizontal angle of the bat's sweet spot at the point of contact, has gone from two degrees towards the opposite field to four degrees to the pull side, which is tied for the 4th-biggest change in baseball. So what we're getting is a player who is making elite levels of contact, hitting the ball harder than ever, and making a conscious change to pull the ball more. He's also a player who has stolen at least 24 bases in three straight seasons. All of that should entice us. The walk rate is down, and the power hasn't shown up yet, so I understand if you wanted to be more cautious in OBP or OPS leagues, but I think a good stretch of production is coming for Stott.
Bo Bichette - SS/3B, NYM
Look, Bichette qualified for this list, but I don't love what we're seeing. If we start with the good, he has a 42% hard-hit rate, a 91% zone contact rate, and continues to swing and miss better than league average. He also has a .291 xBA, which is far more attractive than his .219 average and a .274 BABIP that is well below his .337 career mark. However, he has also dropped his pull rate 7%, and he was never somebody who pulled the ball much to begin with. His groundball rate has also jumped to 53%, which is going to limit a lot of authoritative contact. Some of this could be attributed to learning a new defensive position or trying to earn his contract, but this is the profile of a hitter who will hit 8-10 home runs and hasn't stolen more than five bases since 2022. That being said, the batting average should be way higher, and Bichette is a good enough hitter that he could be sticking with an opposite-field approach to let the ball travel until he starts to see some hits consistently fall in. I think this entire Mets offense is going to wake up at some point, and Bichette will join them.
Jakob Marsee - OF, MIA
Marsee is fascinating to me. How is he hitting .176 when we know that he has high-end speed, and he also has a 96% zone contact rate and just a 4% swinging strike rate? That's the profile of a guy who should be closer to Chandler Simpson than what we're getting. Part of it could be that Marsee has increased his flyball rate almost 10% from what we saw last year. That's probably not what you want to see from a player who had an 89 mph average exit velocity last year, but good speed. Yet, I don't know if that's an intentional approach. Yes, Marsee's bat is a touch steeper at the contact point than last season, but his overall swing tilt is actually flatter. I don't really believe he's trying to lift as much as he has been. It may be more that he's being pitched up in the zone 10% more often than last year because pitchers are trying to get him to elevate or swing and miss. It's just an adjustment that he needs to make as a hitter. Considering he has an established track record of having a great understanding of the strike zone, I think it's an adjustment that he can make. He's also already stolen eight bases despite being on first base only 27 times this season. I think the hits are going to start to fall, and the stolen bases will continue to explode.
Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers to Hold
Much like with the hitters, I automatically deleted any starting pitcher who had thrown 20 innings this season and had an ERA that was below 4.03, since that's the league average mark right now. I then removed pitchers who have been worse than league average when it comes to Stuff+, Swinging Strike Rate (SwSr%), and K-BB%. This should have given us a list of pitchers who had below-average ERAs but had done a good job of missing bats and shown plus raw stuff. I then also removed any stragglers who had poor SIERAs because I think that helped us to further lock in on pitchers who have been pitching better than their results.
Name
Team
IP
ERA
WHIP
SIERA
K-BB%
Stuff+
SwStr%
Max Meyer
MIA
25
3.96
1.24
3.780310199
0.153153
95.38041298
0.144186
Freddy Peralta
NYM
26.2
4.050000386
1.087500104
3.725999732
0.160714
98.1336933
0.126609
Trevor Rogers
BAL
28.2
4.081395439
1.325581425
4.018458771
0.139344
97.834125
0.120253
Reid Detmers
LAA
28.2
4.081395711
1.081395445
3.405052155
0.191667
106.7158163
0.133056
MacKenzie Gore
TEX
26
4.153846154
1.192307692
3.205477157
0.212963
100.9315124
0.114607
Kyle Bradish
BAL
25
4.68
1.8
4.03271174
0.130435
99.78230337
0.112798
Tanner Bibee
CLE
24.1
4.808219429
1.520548
3.960763749
0.130841
101.0615385
0.128505
Jack Leiter
TEX
20.1
4.868852763
1.475409928
3.667640977
0.166667
104.21936
0.141333
Shane Baz
BAL
22
4.909090909
1.545454545
4.283855193
0.113402
98.55898396
0.096257
Aaron Nola
PHI
26.2
5.062500121
1.462500035
3.634258847
0.165217
104.7569748
0.107865
Nathan Eovaldi
TEX
26.2
5.062500121
1.537500037
3.375674886
0.172131
95.07658314
0.147727
Mike Burrows
HOU
26.2
6.750000644
1.687500161
4.082515886
0.131148
93.31683742
0.126667
Ryne Nelson
ARI
20.2
6.967742793
1.451613082
4.390394301
0.114583
108.8400541
0.115903
Garrett Crochet
BOS
24
7.875
1.625
3.467592085
0.181034
111.4034192
0.107477
Jesús Luzardo
PHI
22.2
7.941177
1.455882516
2.450032367
0.255102
112.3331759
0.151832
Much like with the hitters, some of these guys you know you're not cutting (Garrett Crochet, Freddy Peralta, Jesus Luzardo, Kyle Bradish, Nathan Eovaldi), but they have not met our expectations so far this season. Eovaldi's Stuff+ is a little bit lower than we'd like to see, but he has a long track record for us to fall back on. I should also note that, as of this publishing, FanGraphs has not yet changed Kyle Bradish's stat line from 4/15 to remove two earned runs that were charged to him on Weston Wilson's (now) error. That correction should lower his ERA to 3.96 and give him an above-average ERA.
Reid Detmers - Los Angeles Angels
I covered Detmers in some detail this Monday whenI went over his pitch mix changes in my streaming starting pitchers article, so this section may be a little more granular than some of the others. Before his start last week against the Yankees, Detmers said that he “found” his changeup grip. He has been using the changeup again earlier in the season, but it was functioning more as a splitter. This new changeup grip led to a pitch that was over three mph faster than what we had seen before. It also had 2.5 inches more drop and about two inches more run. Detmers seems to have better command of this changeup, despite it having more movement. His zone rate on it improved from 41.7% in his first three starts to 57.1% in his last two, and his strike rate on the changeup jumped from 62.5% in the first three starts to 78.6% in his last two. That has enabled him to keep it lower in the zone more consistently, with a 33% low location rate in his first three starts, and a 46.4% rate in his second. That could also be the reason he has started to use it more in two-strike counts. He used his changeup 25% of the time in two-strike counts in his first three starts, but that has exploded to 39.3% over his last two starts. It has a 36.4% PutAway Rate in that stretch, which measures how often a two-strike pitch leads to a strikeout.
Again, we're dealing with a small sample size here, but Detmers, with his new changeup, has a 3.46 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 27.5% strikeout rate, 32.8% CSW, and 15.3% SwStr% in two starts against the Blue Jays and Yankees. That's enough to add him in most league types.
Jack Leiter - Texas Rangers
I get that people are fed up with Leiter. He looked so good at the start of the season, and then he was so uninspiring in his next two starts. Well, that is just a bit of who Jack Leiter is. However, we should also remember that his last two starts were in Los Angeles against the Dodgers and in Sacramento, which is one of the worst parks for pitchers. Overall this season, Leiter has been far less fastball-dependent, which we like to see. The start in Sacramento was the only one in which he used his four-seam fastball more than 39% of the time. The addition of the cutter has been a solid pitch for him as a supplemental part of his pitch mix, his changeup has taken a small step forward, and his slider is missing more bats at a slightly slower speed with more vertical movement. He has the fifth-best Stuff+ of any pitcher on this list and the fourth-best SwStr%. Yes, there will be some volatility, but this is a 26-year-old who is deepening his pitch mix and getting more whiffs. I'd rather bench him for his tough matchups than outright cut him.
Shane Baz - Baltimore Orioles
I get more questions about dropping Shane Baz than anybody else, but I keep telling people to hold. I know you see a 5.08 ERA and a strikeout rate that has dipped to 18%. I know he has a career 4.32 ERA that doesn't match the hype you've been sold. I get all of that. I'm just saying that he's a better pitcher than this, and the underlying metrics support it. For starters, his 4.42 SIERA and 4.39 xFIP are better than the surface-level ERA. He still has a 100 Stuff+, which is league average and is allowing just a 38% hard-hit rate. I know the swings-and-misses haven't been there and, after his start on Tuesday, his SwStr% is far too low for this list, but I kept him on here because I see the path forward.
This season, he's leaned into his cutter far more, throwing it 42% of the time against righties after using it just 14.3% of the time against them last year, which was his first year throwing the pitch. The cutter now has a 14% SwStr% and an elite 36% PutAway Rate against righties, but he's using it mainly early in the count. He has a solid 22% strikeout rate against righties this season, and they're not hitting the ball hard. I think he could increase the impact of his cutter by doing one of two things. First is that he's throwing his four-seamer away from righties more often and using it up in the zone less. I'd like to see him go back to trying to jam righties inside with the four-seamer, which will set up that cutter more in two-strike counts. Also, Baz threw a sinker in Tuesday's start. It wasn't a good one, but it highlights that he and the Orioles are probably having the same conversations and thinking that a sinker inside to righties would also set up the cutter away a bit more. I like that development if it comes to fruition.
Against lefties, he still has a league-average 11.7% SwStr%, but they're making harder contact and not striking out as much. The four-seam usage has been similar, and he's not really throwing the cutter to lefties much, so I think there are two issues at play here. One is that Baz's changeup is struggling. The zone rate and strike rate on the pitch are way down, so he's not using it as much against lefties. Last season, it was a pitch he used 64% of the time early in counts and was able to get ahead with. That set up his curveball, which was a great two-strike pitch for him. Now that he's using the changeup less, he has to use his curve more often, which means he's not saving it for when he's ahead in the count as much, and it hasn't been as impactful overall as it was before. If Baz can get his changeup back, I'd imagine he reverts right back to his previous approach, and I see no reason why that changeup won't eventually come back to his previous levels.
Mike Burrows - Houston Astros
I get it, you are done with Mike Burrows. I don't blame you, and in a 12-team league, I understand moving on if there's an attractive waiver wire option, but I don't think you HAVE to. There are some issues we'll get to with Burrow, but he has also been incredibly unlucky to start the season. He has an egregious .378 BABIP. According to Statcast, he also has the worst defense behind him, with the lowest Outs Above Average behind him among all starting pitchers. He's given up just a 35% hard-hit rate and a 5% barrel rate, which might be why he has a 4.09 SIERA and 4.24 xFIP. Both of which are much better than his 6.75 ERA.
Even though he is having issues getting strikeouts, he has a 12.7% SwStr%, which is well above average, so what's going on? Well, for starters, his Stuff+ is not great, and that does highlight a larger issue that he's covering for. His fastballs simply aren't that good, but his changeup is elite. So you'd be surprised to know that, despite having an elite changeup, it's lefties that are doing the most damage against him this season. Against righties, he has a 26.3% strikeout rate, an 18.2% SwStr%, a 31.5% CSW, and just a 2% barrel rate allowed. His changeup has been an elite two-strike pitch to righties, perhaps because he also has the threat of the slider. Against lefties, he doesn't have a great "out" pitch, even though his slider has had a well-above average PutAway rate. He simply doesn't use it often with two strikes. To me, this is a sequencing issue. Last year, his changeup had a 27% SwStr% and lefties and carved them up with two strikes. It's a legitimately good pitch. There is no reason it should be performing this poorly, so the Astros need to figure out why lefties are having so much more success this season. Is he not setting it up the same way? It's added some run but lost drop this season, so maybe the shape is tipping them off? I think we're a small tweak away from a strong run of production.
Ryne Nelson - Arizona Diamondbacks
The Ryne Nelson argument is simple, so we'll end with that. His last start was awful, allowing eight runs on eight hits while getting just one out against the Blue Jays. If we remove that, then he has a 3.54 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 22.1% strikeout rate in 20.1 innings over four starts. Now, I know removing a start is a lazy way of doing analysis, but the point is just to show that we are letting one start drastically impact our opinion of Nelson. Up until that point, in four starts against the Orioles, Dodgers, Mets, and Braves, Nelson still has an elite four-seam fastball and has located his slider and cutter well enough to lefties this year to eliminate any splits issues. Teams are going to hunt his four-seamer, but it's not like the Blue Jays were hitting home runs or crushing the ball around the yard. It was a lot of weak contact that continued to find holes. Nelson is never going to be a huge strikeout arm, so I do think he's a fringe guy to roster in 12-team leagues, but I think his ratios are going to wind up being just fine, and he will pitch deep enough to give you wins on a decent team.
In the last NFL draft, it was not until the third round that a USC Trojan heard his name called. A total of three players were picked at some point in the 2025 NFL draft. This year will be different. While Makai Lemon's projection is all over the place, he seems guaranteed to be selected in the first round. As for other potential draftees, there should be at least five Trojans that will be picked, with a ceiling of seven. There should be a great deal of representation for USC, with a handful of teams getting high-quality players to add to their organizations.
Here is my final NFL mock draft and projection for where all the USC Trojans will land:
Round 1, pick 16 - New York Jets - Makai Lemon
The New York Jets are desperate for receiver help, and the thought of a receiver duo of Makai Lemon and Garrett Wilson intrigues me a ton. I think at pick 16 the Jets are going to take a weapon, and I think Lemon will be that guy that falls to them right at 16. Geno Smith had great success with Tyler Lockett. I think Smith can replicate that and then some with Makai Lemon. Makai Lemon will also be the perfect weapon for a young quarterback in the future.
The Chiefs lost a lot in the backend of their secondary, yet with them being a winning organization, it will be a plug-and-play mindset heading into the draft. Kamari Ramsey is a plug-and-play player who can shine on day 1. He is a versatile safety who excels in coverage and has no problem stepping up and making a tackle. I think Steve Spagnuolo's scheme and Kamari Ramsey's skill set will be a perfect match.
Round 4, pick 103 - New York Jets - Ja'Kobi Lane
Makai Lemon should not stop the Jets from throwing another dart at the board. Why not reunite the two Trojan receivers, all while completely bolstering this receiver room? The Jets will go from having the bottom receiver room in the NFL to a potential top unit. Garrett Wilson and Makai Lemon will dominate and consistently get open. Lane will dominate on the outside and win with his freakish athleticism. The Jets may not have their quarterback for the future just yet, but Geno Smith could look pretty serviceable with the additions of Lemon and Lane. The Jets would have a trio that each brings something different to the table, making for a well-balanced and dangerous group.
Round 4, pick 129 - Chicago Bears - Bishop Fitzgerald
The Bears need safety help, but taking Bishop Fitzgerald, a high-quality safety in the 4th round, gives them a great opportunity to bolster the defensive line. Bishop Fitzgerald is an Al Harris-type of safety, and I think there's a chance he can slot in and be the perfect complement next to Coby Bryant. His ballhawking ability and 4.55 speed will provide a younger and better long-term option over Kevin Byard for the Bears. I think Fitzgerald is an overlooked potential difference maker on defense. I don't think Ryan Poles will pass him up.
Round 5, pick 171 - New England Patriots - Anthony Lucas
Mike Vrabel has brought his toughness and winning culture over to the Patriots, and last season was as good a season as you can ask for, minus winning the Super Bowl. That winning culture and everything Vrabel is as a coach would be very beneficial for a developmental prospect like Anthony Lucas. I could see the Patriots taking a couple of shots at the edge in the draft, and taking a chance on Anthony Lucas could pay off big.
Round 6, pick 186 - New York Giants - Eric Gentry
John Harbaugh could find his potential Kyle Hamilton versatile joker piece in Eric Gentry. Eric Gentry is not the player Kyle Hamilton is, but his unique size and versatility make him a very intriguing prospect. In a defense that has players to be excited about at every level, I think Eric Gentry can be a player who outplays where he was drafted. Gentry is tough, a leader, and experienced. If he does not make an impact on defense right away, he would be one hell of a special-teams player.
Round 7, pick 239 - Chicago Bears - Lake McRee
Ben Johnson loves him some 12 and 13 personal, and the Bears still have an opening for their 3rd tight end role. Lake McRee does not have to be the weapon; Colston Loveland is, but he could slot more into playing a role similar to what Cole Kmet has provided the Bears recently. McRee can block, he can make tough catches, and he can make big plays when the ball is thrown his way. That is all he will be asked to do, and given his character, I think he would fit in perfectly with this now winning Bears roster.
Madina Okot (right) was drafted by WNBA side Atlanta Dream, but she almost gave up on moving to the United States after being rejected for a visa four times [Getty Images]
On the night that changed her life, Madina Okot sat quietly.
The Kenyan was waiting, hoping and praying that her name would be called at the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft in New York.
"I was so nervous," she told BBC Sport Africa, reflecting on those moments inside the venue on 13 April.
"When I heard my name, it was like a dream. Am I here? Am I really doing this?"
The 21-year-old did not have to wait long - she was selected in the first round, and 13th overall, by the Atlanta Dream.
The third Kenyan to be chosen in the WNBA draft, Okot is the highest pick ever from her country.
Perhaps even more impressive, the centre, who stands 6ft 6in tall, has joined the world's top professional league just six years after touching a basketball for the first time.
Her game blends physicality, tenacity and versatility, making her an efficient scorer and a solid defensive anchor.
But reaching the WNBA has not been straightforward.
Okot's US visa battle
Okot impressed for the South Carolina Gamecocks this season, helping the side to the national championship final [Getty Images]
Okot's journey began far from the spotlight as the fifth of eight children in her hometown of Mumias in western Kenya.
She initially excelled in volleyball at Bishop Sulumeti High School in Kakamega County before being persuaded to move across the country in 2020 to join Kaya Tiwi Secondary, a school on the east coast near Mombasa which has produced some of Kenyan basketball's biggest names.
"I was almost scared to try basketball," she recalled.
"But when I started playing I fell in love with the game so quickly."
Her raw talent propelled her through Kenya's national youth teams, with college sides in the United States alerted to her potential after she featured in the 3x3 basketball tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
However, getting into the USA tested her resilience, as Okot faced no fewer than four visa rejections in her bids to join Troy University in Alabama and then Eastern Michigan University.
"It was tough. I felt like giving up several times," Okot revealed.
"The second, third and fourth one I cried so hard.
"I had a security guard taking me to my [taxi]. I felt so bad."
Having questioned whether to continue a process she described as "so heart-breaking, so discouraging", Okot believes her parents' prayers and her own resolve ultimately carried her through.
Relief finally came on a day in August 2024 that was already marked for celebration.
"The day that I got my visa was my birthday," she said with a broad smile across her face.
"That was my best birthday gift I've ever got.
"I'm so grateful to my mum and my dad and everybody else that kept convincing me to keep trying."
The call from the WNBA
Okot will be a team-mate of two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese at the Atlanta Dream [Getty Images]
It was fifth time lucky for Okot, who joined Mississippi State for 2024-25 before transferring to the University of South Carolina in April last year.
This season she led her conference in rebounds - averaging 10.6 per game - and was instrumental in the Gamecocks' run to the national championship final earlier this month, where they were beaten 79-51 by the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins in front of nearly 16,000 spectators in Phoenix.
Okot's first professional campaign begins on 8 May, with established stars such as two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese part of the Atlanta Dream roster.
"I've been watching her since I was in high school," Okot said.
"I know she's going to be like a sister to me. She's going to teach me so many things.
"My goals are to keep growing my game and to learn from experienced players."
Okot brings size and defensive ability but she is realistic about the adjustment required at the sport's highest level.
And while she will also have an African team-mate to lean on for support, with Malian Sika Kone entering her fourth season in the WNBA, Okot understands the importance of her position as a role model for players from the continent.
"Honestly, it's a very big honour for me to be representing all those people back home.
"I just want to let them know that we (African women) really belong to any stage. If you really commit to work and believe, it can happen."
A journey still taking shape
Okot is the third Kenyan to be drafted into the WNBA after Josephine Owino (a third-round pick in 2009) and Olivia Nelson-Ododa (a second-round selection in 2022) [Getty Images]
Okot describes herself as quiet by nature, with a love for pink and white colours, gospel music and ugali, a traditional East African food made from cornflour.
Despite her years in the USA, it is a sign that she still sees herself as the new arrival on the scene.
"I'm so excited to meet the players that I've been watching growing up. But I still can't believe that it's me doing this," she said.
"I'm just excited to work with them, learn so much and create memories."
Her rise has come at a time when women's sport is growing, but access and resources remain uneven, especially in Africa.
Okot is therefore keen to stress the importance of hard work.
"You don't have to have perfect facilities to start.
"Just stay locked in [and] don't stop chasing your dreams.
"I just want to be a kind of player that young girls will be looking at and be like, 'I want to be like Madina'.
"There's always somebody watching. That is how people get opportunities."
Wolves’ Joao Gomes: Napoli optimistic about summer move
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Napoli Magazine, Napoli are increasingly confident regarding a summer move for Brazilian midfielder João Gomes.
As mass exodus from Molineux this summer was practically guaranteed on Monday, when West Ham’s 0–0 draw with Crystal Palace confirmed Wolves’ impending relegation from the Premier League.
Despite a historically poor campaign that is taking Wolves down to the second tier, several players from the squad have impressed on an individual level and will attract suitors in the summer.
One such player is João Gomes. The Brazil international is in demand both in the Premier League and in the continent. Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man United from the English top flight are also vying for his signature, with £60 million mooted to be the price tag Wolves will be holding out for.
While interest from the Premier League bigwigs could help Wolves get something close to that amount, their relegation leaves them with little negotiating power, and Napoli are hoping their track record of bargain acquisitions off relegated English sides as well as the prospect of both Champions League football and Serie A title contention could help them persuade the Brazilian to put aside the English dream.
The Partenopei pulled off a similar trick in 2021 when they signed Frank Anguissa from a then-relegated Fulham for €16 million. The Cameroonian then went on to establish himself as one of the most reliable midfielders in Europe, playing a key role in Napoli’s title-winning campaigns in 2022/23 and 2024/25.
Giovanni Manna himself has executed some excellent deals from England, roping in Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour. There is every chance Gomes could be next, with previous reports indicating that personal terms were agreed in January.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager released his final mock draft of 2026 on Monday, revealing what he thinks will happen in the first round based on his “latest intel.” As a well-sourced insider, what Schrager predicts carries some weight – especially for the Los Angeles Rams, given his friendship with Sean McVay.
He had been of the belief that the Rams would take Makai Lemon at No. 13 for a long time, but he’s shifted away from the USC wide receiver in this mock. Instead, he has the Rams trading back with the Detroit Lions and landing a playmaker at a different offensive position.
At No. 17, he has the Rams drafting Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, one of the most athletic tight ends in NFL combine history.
There's a lot of Sadiq intrigue in the Rams' building. They already have multiple contributing tight ends, but that depth chart could look different in a year -- especially since current TE1 Colby Parkinson is a free agent in 2027. Sadiq is an explosive pass catcher who could help Matthew Stafford in a key go-for-it year in L.A., and you know coach Sean McVay would figure out ways to get the ball in Sadiq's hands. This would be the second year in a row that the Rams took an Oregon tight end after going with Terrance Ferguson in Round 2 last April.
This would be almost a carbon copy of last year’s draft for the Rams: trade down from their first pick and take an Oregon tight end. Last year, it was Terrance Ferguson. This year, it’s Sadiq.
It might seem redundant to add another tight end with Ferguson, Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen all on the roster, but there isn’t much long-term stability at that spot right now. Higbee is year-to-year with retirement and Parkinson and Allen are both in the final year of their contracts.
By adding Sadiq, the Rams would guarantee themselves two quality tight ends for at least three years together, both of them being great athletes with strong receiving skills. At 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, Sadiq ran a 4.39 in the 40, which was the fastest ever by a tight end at the combine, and posted a 43.5-inch vertical, the second-best ever at the position.
He’d be a great addition to the Rams offense, giving Matthew Stafford another weapon and McVay another chess piece as his scheme evolves year by year.
The Washington Nationals found a new way to get an out at first base on Tuesday night.
It involved a throw from the first baseman to the shortstop and back to first, with no out in between.
It wasn't intentionally set up this way, but it worked out as a 3-6-3 putout.
With the Nats hosting the Atlanta Braves, runners were on first and third with Austin Riley at the plate.
Riley hit a hard grounder to Washington first baseman Luis Garcia Jr., who pivoted to throw to second base, aiming to start a double play with just one out in the inning so far.
His throw managed to travel past the second base bag to where shortstop C.J. Abrams was standing further on the dirt.
Abrams caught the ball and saw that the play at second had no chance after the misfire, so he just chucked it back to first, where the throw beat Riley.
The intention of Garcia had been to get a double play, but odd defensive positioning and a poor throw meant Abrams' only chance at even a single out was to fire back to first, and he reacted quickly to do so.
Nothing to see here, just a routine 3-6-3 putout from the exceptional Nationals defense pic.twitter.com/2PHAe0pFSD
— Lindsay Crosby, big baseball guy (@CrosbyBaseball) April 22, 2026
It's definitely not something you see everyday.
It's also pretty entertaining from the Nationals, who have been one of baseball's sneaky fun watches in the early going -- more so for their aggressive base running and for James Wood's power, but they're definitely an adventure in the field, too.
It is a sad, unavoidable truth in the ever-dangerous sport of boxing that the greats seldom stay retired.
There are a handful of examples — former heavyweight kings Rocky Marciano and Lennox Lewis spring instantly to mind — of greats who got out on top with their fortunes and health intact.
Some of the greatest to ever do it, from Muhammad Ali to Sugar Ray Robinson, failed to free themselves from the allure of the prize ring and continued well past their prime to diminishing and, frankly, sad returns.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired from professional boxing after his 2015 win over Andre Berto with an identical 49-0 record to Marciano. He returned two years later for a money-spinning crossover fight with UFC superstar Conor McGregor, completing the formality of a TKO win.
Mayweather has since shown an inability to stay away, dabbling in several exhibition bouts, typically with participants from other combat sports or YouTubers.
Heavyweight icon Mike Tyson has himself indulged in that Mayweather template, returning for an exhibition with fellow great Roy Jones Jr in 2020 and boxing to a points defeat against Jake Paul in November 2024.
In September 2025, it was announced that Mayweather and Tyson would meet in an exhibition bout in 2026.
The fact that Tyson campaigned exclusively in the heavyweight division, while Mayweather's career as a five-weight world champion spanned super featherweight to light middleweight, was dismissed as a minor detail by both men.
"Boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable - and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets," said the 59-year-old Tyson, despite the grimly predictable and dutiful trudge of his 10 rounds with Paul.
"I still can't believe Floyd wants to really do this. It's going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it's signed and it's happening."
Mayweather, 48, added: "I've been doing this for 30 years and there hasn't been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy.
"You already know that if I am going to do something, it's going to be big and it's going to be legendary. I'm the best in the business of boxing.
"This exhibition will give the fans what they want."
However, the fight has still not taken place, other high-profile bouts for Mayweather have been discussed and promotional noise for the exhibition clash has never been cranked up to any extent. So what's going on?
Mike Tyson vs. Floyd Mayweather date and venue
One piece of information put out was that Tyson and Mayweather would fight on Saturday, April 25, in the Democratic Republic of Congo — formerly Zaire, where Muhammad Ali and George Foreman famously clashed in their 1976 'Rumble in the Jungle'. But that's not happening.
As the date and the provision fight week moved closer, no further information was forthcoming. Mayweather's schedule beyond the Tyson date is both busy and largely unconfirmed, amid mounting speculation that 'Money' is experiencing financial difficulties.
Floyd has also announced a bout in Greece with 45-year-old kickboxer and martial artist Mike Zambidis and a September date in Las Vegas with his great rival Manny Pacquiao.
On the website of CSI Sports/Fight Sports, the multimedia company with which Mayweather has partnered for his comeback, the Tyson fight is displayed on a promotional poster that reads both "signed" and "date coming soon". The Pacquiao fight is slated for September 19 at the Sphere.
Speaking to Vegas Sports Today on March 30, Mayweather claimed the Tyson fight remained part of his plans but offered no further indication on a date or venue.
“I have got an exhibition with Mike Tyson also, another exhibition in Greece. So, if I am just sitting at home, working out every day, spending time with my grandson, spending time with my children, I said, ‘why not go out, have a little fun, entertain and put on some exhibitions'," he said.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Mike Tyson vs. Floyd Mayweather: How much money?
We all know the real reason that a potentially freakish spectacle might still take place, but the lack of information over a date or venue also extends to the financial, commercial and broadcasting arrangements.
Tyson earned a reported $20million purse for the Jake Paul fight and would surely have his eyes on at least a similar figure.
Mayweather, who held his earning potential in a similar esteem to his formidable fighting record, is unlikely to get into the ring without receiving an eye-watering sum. Again, using Tyson's previous bout as a guide, YouTube disruptor Paul claimed a reported $40m purse.
Malik Washington is heading into his third NFL season, but he's already become the dean of the wide receiver room in Miami.
Washington is the only returning receiver who played a significant role for the Dolphins in 2025 as Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Cedrick Wilson are all off the roster this spring. The Dolphins signed Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert to give them a little more experience, but the consensus view of the group is a dim one.
On Tuesday, Washington told reporters that the outside view is not taking into account the desire he and other wideouts have "to showcase what they can do" in 2026.
"Each guy in that room knows there's a little bit of a chip on their shoulder," Washington said, via Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. "We all want to be the guy. We all wanted to bring in the targets and, you know, play well on Sundays."
The Dolphins will likely add to their options before the draft is over on Saturday, but it seems less likely that the expectations for the passing game are going to change significantly. That doesn't seem to bother Washington as he looks forward to his chance to seize a bigger profile this fall.
Are you an NFL team that struck out with your top targets in free agency? Are you a franchise pressed up against the salary cap and in dire need of low-cost starters and backups?
Each spring, all 32 teams band together to make more than 250 total picks aimed at the best players in college football. Hundreds more will sign deals as undrafted free agents in hopes of making their pro football dreams come to life. While we don't know who'll be selected where (with the exception of the first overall pick, which will almost certainly see Fernando Mendoza become a Las Vegas Raider), we have a pretty good idea which positions will be targeted by each franchise.
Here are each team's draft needs, presented in order of where they're slated to make their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Positions are listed randomly, not according to how badly a team may need help there.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB, WR, OT, CB, EDGE
2. New York Jets: QB, WR, CB, LB, EDGE
3. Arizona Cardinals: QB, OT, WR, LB, EDGE
4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE, WR, LB, IOL, TE
5. New York Giants: DT, LB, IOL, WR, CB
6. Cleveland Browns: QB, OL, WR, CB, S, LB, EDGE
7. Washington Commanders: WR, TE, IOL, RB, CB, S
8. New Orleans Saints: CB, EDGE, DL, WR
9. Kansas City Chiefs: CB, EDGE, WR, LB, S
10. Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE, CB, OL, TE, LB
11. Miami Dolphins: CB, S, WR, TE, EDGE
12. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE, DL, LB, S, CB
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): LB, DL, S, EDGE… QB?
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) and Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) battle for the loose ball as Houston calls a time out during the fourth quarter of game two in an NBA playoff game at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
In Tuesday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 111-97; Mason Plumlee and the San Antonio Spurs fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 106-103, while Luke Kennard helped lead JJ Redick’s Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-94 win over the Houston Rockets.
Tatum just missed a triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists in Boston’s loss.
For his part, Kennard had another outstanding game filling in for Luka Doncic with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Plumlee, however, got a DNP.
On Wednesday, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter will lead Orlando against Trajan Langdon’s Pistons, while Jared McCain and OKC face off against Mark Williams, Grayson Allen, and Khaman Maluach.
Over a dozen spring football practices are in the books for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks, and the team is now getting set to take the field in Autzen Stadium for the annual spring game on Saturday afternoon. This will be the third official scrimmage for Oregon this spring, but the first played in front of fans and a live television audience.
While this is nothing new for the majority of the Ducks' returning roster, it will be a new experience for many young players fighting for spots on the depth chart. With several months of offseason still ahead, nothing will be set in stone as far as starting spots go following the spring game, but this will offer up a great opportunity to see who is fighting for snaps and where the depth chart stands at this point.
Though we haven't been able to see any practices or scrimmages thus far, talking to players and coaches over the past several weeks has given us a look at who is playing where and which young players are stepping up and potentially grabbing top spots on the depth chart. Here is our prediction of how things will look when we see them on Saturday.
Nose Tackle
Starter: Bear Alexander
Backup: Matthew Johnson
Other Names to Know: Jerome Simmons / Aydin Breland
Analysis: Bear Alexander returns for another year and will slot in as the starter once again. Behind him, the depth gets a little bit interesting and hard to forecast this early on. Some early names to look at, though, are Jerome Simmons, Matt Johnson, and Aydin Breland, who can likely slot in across the defensive front.
Defensive Tackle
Starter: A'Mauri Washington
Backup: D'Antre Robinson
Other Names to Know: Matt Johnson / Aydin Breland
Analysis: A'Mauri Washington, a projected first-round draft pick in 2025, is back for another year, which is massive for the Ducks. Much like the nose tackle spot, though, things get a bit unclear behind him. With the mass of transfers out at this position, it's unclear who will be his backup. I'm looking at North Carolina transfer D'Antre Robinson, Aydin Breland, and Matt Johnson. Freshman Tony Cumberland was originally on this list, but after being involved in a car accident, he is out for the remainder of the spring season.
Defensive End
Starter: Matayo Uiagalelei
Backup: Elijah Rushing
Other Names to Know: Tank Jones / Prince Tavizon
Analysis: Matayo Uiagalelei returns for his senior season, which again is a huge win for the Ducks. But, just like on the interior defensive line, there are some questions behind him. The edges are in better shape than the inside, depth-wise, with guys like Elijah Rushing and Tank Jones projected to have an impact, but it will be interesting to see how this depth chart fleshes out in the spring and summer.
Jack Linebacker
Starter: Teitum Tuioti
Backup: Nasir Wyatt
Other Names to Know: Tank Jones
Analysis: Once again, Teitum Tuioti returns and provides some massive stability for the Ducks. Behind him, it's not hard to project that Nasir Wyatt is going to step up and have a bigger role, and Tank Jones can likely play in this spot as well.
Strong Side Linebacker
Starter: Nasir Wyatt
Backup: Tank Jones
Other Names to Know: Dutch Horisk
Analysis: Nasir Wyatt looks primed for a bigger role in this defense, assuming he continues to bulk up a bit this offseason, so I think he will slot in as the starter here, especially with Blake Purchase gone. I also want to see Tank Jones step up into this position as well.
MAC Linebacker
Starter: Devon Jackson
Backup: Brayden Platt
Other Names to Know: Gavin Nix / Dylan Williams
Analysis: There are some questions about the linebacker spots this offseason, with Bryce Boettcher graduating. I expect someone like Devon Jackson to step up and be the guy in one of these spots. The Ducks also have a lot of young and talented players ready to have an impact.
Money Linebacker
Starter: Jerry Mixon
Backup: Brayden Platt
Other Names to Know: Gavin Nix
Analysis: After stepping into a starting role this past season, Jerry Mixon projects to be one of the leaders of this defense next year, and potentially the green-dot linebacker that Oregon has been needing over the past couple of years. I am also curious to see what Brayden Platt and Gavin Nix can do with another year of growth under their belts.
Boundary Cornerback
Starter: Ify Obidegwu
Backup: Na'eem Offord
Other Names to Know: Aaron Scott / Dorian Brew / Davon Benjamin
Analysis: Ify Obidegwu had a great year in 2025 as one of the starting cornerbacks, and that shouldn't change next year either. He will undoubtedly be pushed by guys like Na'eem Offord, Doran Brew, and Aaron Scott Jr., among others, but that's not a bad thing for the Ducks. The more competition, the better.
Field Cornerback
Starter: Brandon Finney Jr.
Backup: Aaron Scott Jr.
Other Names to Know: Davon Benjamin / Dorian Brew
Analysis: Brandon Finney was the star of the show this year on Oregon's defense, dominating as a true freshman and earning true freshman All-American honors. He should once again be among the best cornerbacks in the nation next year and lead the Ducks' secondary. Again, I'm curious to watch guys like Scott, Brew, and Benjamin, as well as Na'eem Offord, who may play on the outside or in the nickel.
Boundary Safety
Starter: Aaron Flowers
Backup: Trey McNutt
Other Names to Know: Jett Washington / Xavier Lherisse
Analysis: After earning the starting spot this past year alongside Dillon Thieneman, Flowers projects to be one of the best players on Oregon's defense once again next season. He's going to be pushed by former 5-star Trey McNutt, who was injured for much of 2025, but the Ducks' secondary looks to be very strong once again.
Field Safety
Starter: Koi Perich
Backup: Peyton Woodyard
Other Names to Know: Trey McNutt / Devin Jackson
Analysis: With Dillon Thieneman going to the NFL draft, Oregon went into the portal and got a great replacement in Koi Perich, from Minnesota. Perich is a rangy safety who will excel in coverage, leading the secondary much like DT did last year. Behind him, I once again expect guys like Peyton Woodyard and Trey McNutt to step up.
STAR/Nickel
Starter: Carl Williams IV
Backup: Na'eem Offord
Other Names to Know: Davon Benjamin / Peyton Woodyard
Analysis: Oregon went into the portal to land Baylor's Carl Williams IV, who likely will slot into the Nickel position to replace Jadon Canady, who was great for the Ducks this past year. I am also intrigued by Na'eem Offord, who could play in the nickel or out wide, as well as true freshman Davon Benjamin.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
No. 18 Tennessee women's golf team won its first SEC championship in program history. The Lady Vols defeated No. 8 Auburn, 3-2, in a match play final at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
Tennessee recorded its fourth win of the season, setting a program record for tournament wins in a season.
The Lady Vols have finished as a runner-up two times in the SEC championship, most recently in 1999 before the league implemented a match play model in 2018.
Tennessee will next compete in NCAA regional play. A selection show is scheduled for April 29 and NCAA regionals will be held May 11-13.
Tennessee versus Auburn 2026 SEC championship match play final results
Anna Davis defeated Manassanan Chotikabhukkana (2&1)
Kyra Van Kan defeated Carys Worby (2&1)
Sophie Christopher defeated Katie Cranston (6&5)
Molly Brown Davidson defeated Madison Messimer (5&4)
Sofie Engesaeth defeated Charlotte Cantonis (6&5)
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Fagioli has resurrected his reputation as one of the most reliable midfield operators in Italy during his short stint at Fiorentina, with the club’s sporting director Fabio Paratici going as far as calling him Barcelona-esque.
While La Viola now look likely to remain in Serie A after looking destined for the drop for a significant portion of the season, holding on to Fagioli in the summer may prove to be a tall order. The 25-year-old has been one of the shining lights at the Artemio Franchi, having made 41 appearances across all competitions this season.
Despite Milan’s recent downturn, Allegri has done a commendable job in his first season since returning to San Siro and has the Rossoneri on the cusp of Champions League football. However, his future at the club is not secure, especially given the FIGC’s imminent overhaul.
While Allegri has distanced himself from the Azzurri gig, Giovanni Malagò, who is in the mix for the Italian FA presidency, has the 58-year-old at the top of his list to take the Italy national team job.
If he is to remain at Milan, however, Allegri wants the centre-back, central midfielder, wingback, and centre-forward positions reinforced with experienced operators. His presence at the Rossoneri dugout would thus make his reunion with Fagioli highly likely, whose €16m valuation and €3.3m-per-year contract shouldn’t prove to be much of a hurdle.
Milan will not be the only suitors going for Fagioli in the summer, however, and can at least anticipate interest from Spain, with Atlético Madrid also monitoring the situation closely.
With Mohamed Salah leaving Liverpool in the summer, there will be a massive gap in the squad to fill and a lot of lost goals and assists needing to be replaced. The question now is who the club bring in to replace their departing legend.
According to a report from DaveOCKOP, at least, the Reds are highly interested in the services of West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen.
As he points out in the report, Liverpool have had previous interest in Bowen, dating back to the 22/23 season. Bowen signed a new contract with West Ham that season.
West Ham are in a relegation battle, and should they go down, Liverpool could score a bargain-bin deal for the Hammers captain. However, DaveOCKOP’s report states that if West Ham stays up, a deal would still be possible.
Bowen is 30 years old and still performing at a decent level, with 8 goals and 8 assists in 32 Premier League appearances this season. Liverpool are historically wary of signing ageing players, but their reported interest suggests to me that they believe a really great bargain may be available. This rumour also seems to fit with Liverpool’s other attacker rumours like Yan Diomande, suggesting they may complement an injection of youth with a vet like Jarrod Bowen.
Marc Cucurella’s barber leaked Chelsea team news hours before Brighton kick-off
Chelsea were hit by an unusual off-field controversy ahead of their heavy defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion after team news was leaked online via Marc Cucurella’s barber.
An image posted on social media shortly before kick-off appeared to reveal that Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro would miss the match through injury.
The post, which was later deleted along with the account, included the caption claiming the information as an “exclusive”.
Neither player was named in the matchday squad, confirming the accuracy of the leak and raising fresh concerns within the club over internal information being shared externally.
The incident came ahead of a difficult night on the pitch, with Chelsea suffering a 3-0 defeat that extended their poor run of form.
The result marked their fifth consecutive league game without a win, during which they have also failed to score, representing their worst run in over a century.
Head coach Liam Rosenior was visibly frustrated after the match and did not hold back in his assessment of the performance.
“It was unacceptable in every aspect of the game,” Rosenior said, criticising both the attitude and execution of his players.
“Unacceptable in attitude… that performance tonight was indefensible,” he added, highlighting a lack of intensity and basic errors that contributed to the defeat.
Rosenior also acknowledged his own responsibility, stating that “the buck stops with me” while calling for immediate improvement from both staff and players.
He warned that anyone unable to cope with the pressure of representing Chelsea “should not be here”, underlining the growing tension around the club.
The defeat further intensified frustration among supporters, with travelling fans voicing their discontent throughout the match and displaying protest banners.
Rosenior was seen acknowledging supporters at full-time, appearing to apologise after another damaging result.
The leak adds to a pattern of similar incidents this season, with Chelsea having previously experienced team news emerging in the media ahead of key matches.
While Rosenior downplayed earlier leaks as part of modern football, the latest incident has raised renewed questions about internal discipline and information control.
On the pitch, Chelsea struggled to impose themselves despite periods of possession, continuing a trend that has seen their attacking output decline sharply in recent weeks.
Chelsea now face increasing pressure to arrest their slump, with both performances and off-field issues contributing to a challenging end to the season.
Marco Bezzecchi’s form in MotoGP reflects what can happen when a rider and team are in perfect sync, according to Peter Bom.
Bezzecchi has joined elite company by becoming just the third rider in the MotoGP era to win five straight races, following in the footsteps of Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi.
He also surpassed Jorge Lorenzo’s record for consecutive laps led during the United States Grand Prix. His run began late last season and has carried over into 2026, putting him squarely in the title picture.
Bezzecchi’s impact on Aprilia’s rise in MotoGP
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images
Bezzecchi has finished third in the standings four times across his Grand Prix career – once in Moto3, once in Moto2 and twice in MotoGP.
Only 25 riders in the history of the premier class have reached double figures for victories, but Bezzecchi’s next win will see him join that group. He is also in the top 40 all-time for podium finishes (21).
Bom doesn’t see him as a ‘super talent’, even if he does admire how Bezzecchi steps up when it matters. Bom believes that Aprilia is the ideal fit, and together they’ve found something that works.
Speaking on the Oxley Bom podcast, he said: “Apparently, he gets a lot better when everything’s on the line and everything is about the main race, the main points. When it really has to be done, he’s quite special.
“I never considered him, and I still don’t consider him, a super talent, but he’s a very good example of a guy that grows a lot more than you think he would ever do because he’s in the right moment with the right manufacturer.
“He was involved in that project from day one. He wanted to do it with them.”
Mat Oxley believes Bezzecchi is the best rider since Prime Marquez
Bezzecchi is aiming to join five other current riders who have won top-level titles, and he would be the first to do so by directly beating Marquez under equal circumstances.
When Joan Mir, Fabio Quartararo and Francesco Bagnaia won their championships, Marquez was either injured or facing significant disadvantages. In 2024, he was on an older Ducati model, which put him at a clear disadvantage against Jorge Martin.
Mat Oxley said: “We haven’t seen anybody this strong since Marc Marquez. We had Fabio Quartararo win a championship, we had Pecco Bagnaia win two championships, we had Jorge Martin win a championship, but none of them were doing what Marco Bezzecchi’s doing this year.”
Despite his dominance on Sundays, Bezzecchi currently leads the standings by just four points over Martin. He has crashed out of two Sprint races so far this season—a pattern he’ll need to fix if he wants to stay in front.
393323 03: Boston Red Sox Executive Vice President and General Manager Dan Duquette (L) smiles as newly named manager Joe Kerrigan speaks at a press conference August 16, 2001 in Boston, Massachusetts after being appointed to replace fired manager Jimy Williams. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s bad enough that the Red Sox are struggling out of the gate. But we are also constantly hearing complaints from fellow fans that the 2026 Red Sox are no fun to watch. It’s hard to blame them. They only managed to score four runs in three games over the weekend! They are nearly being out-homered by Yordan Alvarez alone! They were just brought to heel by the Yankees’ worst pitcher!
So, yes, the 2026 Red Sox are no fun so far. No argument from me. But what would it take for them to become the least enjoyable team of your lifetime?
For me, I’m not sure I’ll ever hate a team more than the 2001 Red Sox. That team, unlike this one, started great, sitting at 17-9 on May 1, after an offseason in which we spent dreaming about finally breaking the curse. But this was the year that we began to see cracks in Nomar’s armor (he didn’t even play his first game until the end of July after the aggravated his wrist in February). This was the year that the team was briefly led by the worst manager of my lifetime (yes, even worse than Bobby Valentine): Joe Kerrigan, who took over for a tired Jimy Williams and was clearly in way over his head. This was the year they lost 13 of 14 games at the end of August and start of September.
Use this space to talk about teams you’ve hated and whatever else you want and, as always, be good to one another.
Trades are a major part of the NFL draft experience, often creating the biggest moments and surprises of the entire weekend. While every team has its own internal system for valuing selections, the Rich Hill trade value chart provides a widely referenced baseline that helps fans and analysts understand what it might take to move up or down the board.
The New York Giants enter the 2026 NFL draft with eight total picks across seven rounds, including two first-round selections after sending three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick.
2026 trade value chart
Giants draft pick values
Round 1, No. 5 overall: 468 points
Round 1, No. 10 overall: 369 points
Round 2, No. 37 overall: 162 points
Round 4, No. 105 overall: 32 points
Round 5, No. 145 overall: 13 points
Round 6, No. 186 overall: 7 points
Round 6, No. 192 overall: 6 points
Round 6, No. 193 overall: 6 points
It’s easy to see how the Giants' allotment of picks starts strong with two top-10 selections before hitting a gap with no third-rounder and no seventh-round picks at all. Instead, they have a cluster of three sixth-rounders. That structure is partly the result of the 2025 draft-day trade, which landed quarterback Jaxson Dart in exchange for a third-round pick (Houston Texans, No. 69).
Trade-down scenarios
While the Giants are well-positioned with two early first-round picks and won’t need to trade up, they could look to trade down with either the No. 5 or No. 10 overall selection to acquire additional assets for the future.
Here are four potential trade-down scenarios for the Giants that make sense based on the trade value chart.
Morgan Geekie scored the most improbable goal of the NHL playoffs on Tuesday night for the Boston Bruins against the Buffalo Sabres.
That came about 48 hours after he passed up the most open net he'll see in these entire playoffs.
It's certainly already been an eventful start to the postseason for Geekie. He scored a goal in Game 1 before the Sabres rallied to stun the Bruins.
But in that same game, he passed up an incredible opportunity. With just a couple seconds left in the first period, he got the puck to the left of the goal, and Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was nowhere to be found. He had gotten caught on the other half of the goal in traffic, and all Geekie had to do was toss the puck into a wide open net.
For whatever reason, Geekie was so locked in on passing that he didn't even notice.
Contrast that to Tuesday night's Geekie goal, when he just lofted in a backhand flip toward the other end to allow Boston to go for a change.
Somehow, it took a wild hop past UPL and spun into the goal.
Wow.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen lets in a goal from center ice.
MUMBAI: Over the years, Deepti Sharma has been India’s rock, both with the bat and the ball. With 22 wickets in nine matches at 20.40, and 215 runs at 30.71, with three half-centuries, the 28-year-old ace off-spinning allrounder played a stellar role in India’s Women’s 2025 ODI World Cup triumph in Oct-Nov last year.
However, Depti’s performances in T20 cricket haven’t been up to her usual high standards this year. In the WPL, she took seven wickets in eight matches at 31.42, at an economy rate of 8.80 and scored just 131 runs at 21.83 as the UP Warriorz failed to make it to the playoffs.
In the ongoing five-match T20I series in South Africa, Deepti has failed to take a wicket so far, conceding 0-24 (in 2.1 overs) and 0-23 (in three overs) in the first two games in Durban, besides scoring 1* and 1 in India’s six-wicket and eight-wicket defeats. Missing Deepti’s knack of taking wickets and putting the opponents on the backfoot, India have gone down 0-2, and are in danger of losing the series if they are beaten in the third match at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Exuding confidence in Deepti rediscovering her best, India’s bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi said in a virtual pre-match presser from Johannesburg, “See, Deepti is a champion player. We all know that. I mean, one, two games or three games doesn't justify the kind of talent she is, the kind of performance she has done over the years. We all know that she has been a champion player. She’s been a champion bowler, batter, and all-rounder throughout her career.”
The former India pacer said that Deepti was working hard in the nets to find her best form again.
“So, she is not at her best as of now, but going into the drawing room, she is working hard, she is working hard on her fitness and on her bowling. In the nets, she is always there taking up those challenges where she is also bowling against the batter, she is also doing target bowling practice and she is discussing all her game plans, what she wants to use during the games,” Salvi said.
Salvi backed the India women’s team to bounce back in the series from this point. “I always thought that it will be a great series for us, where we would be challenged by a strong opposition and it was a good preparation for us for the upcoming T20 World Cup (In England in June). And obviously, we came charged up, prepared and fully motivated. Two games doesn't justify what sort of a side we are. So, there are another three games to go and the girls are feeling comfortable and confident about their own abilities and I'm sure they are going to bounce back stronger,” he asserted.
The India bowling coach said that India had their plans ready in the first two T20Is against the Proteas, but couldn’t execute them as they wanted to.
“In Durban, we were trying, we tried our plans, we were actually working on them. And we couldn't execute the plans as we would have wanted it to. Going ahead, we have already identified the grey areas and we have ironed it out. The girls are aware about it and they are practicing it.
"Before coming into the series also, we had practiced those plans, but somehow we couldn't execute them in the two games that we had. But obviously, girls are motivated and experienced enough to understand where they are missing out and they'll come back stronger,” Salvi explained.
Apr 21, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) hits an RBI triple during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
By beating the Houston Astros, the Guardians are now 14-11 and hold a 1-game lead over the 12-11 Twins.
For a while, it looked like the Guardians were going to blow their chance to face Houston’s terrible pitching, but a 6-run 8th inning saved the day. Chase DeLauter came up with the bases loaded and tripled home all three runners. Deborah has your recap here.
Franco Aleman has yet to give up a hit or a run in Columbus. Just in case Chris Antonetti was thinking we might need some bullpen help.
Houston fell to 9-16, banging into the floor of the trash AL West division. The A’s are now in first at 13-11.
Around baseball
The Mets are trying to rebound from a losing streak like the 2025 Guardians once did. Theirs is at 12 after the Twins came back to beat them yesterday.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Ridge Lovett of Nebraska University is shown during the NCAA Division 1 wrestling national championship finals on March 22nd, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
At the Senior level, Nebraska has seven contenders who are hoping to punch their tickets to Final X where Team USA determines its lineup for the World Championships — led by current assistant coach James Green and recent Huskers Ridge Lovett and Brock Hardy.
Outside of Green, the six other Huskers entered at the Senior level have all expired their eligibility in the last three years or still have college eligibility left. Liam Cronin’s final year was in 2023, Peyton Robb last competed in college in 2024, Ridge Lovett finished competing collegiately in 2025, and Brock Hardy and Chance Lamer just finished their college careers in March. Nebraska’s new transfer portal pick-up Vincent Robinson is also registered to compete at the Senior level — he has two year of eligibility remaining.
The Seniors wrestle Greco-Roman on Thursday and Friday, while freestyle will take place Friday and Saturday. The U20 division — which has a number of current and future Huskers — will compete Saturday and Sunday. Once their seeds come out, we’ll have a preview up for them as well.
Now for a deep dive into each Senior US Open entry for the Huskers and their potential paths. Here are the brackets using only the seeded wrestlers.
US Open Senior Men's Pre-seed Brackets – 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg
An All-American for the Huskers in 2023, Cronin has pretty quietly put together an impressive Senior-level resume since graduating.
Last year, Cronin earned a bronze medal at the Pan American Championships for Team USA and made it to the US Open final where he fell to Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl via technical superiority. At Final X, Cronin wrestled Stanford’s Nico Provo for true 3rd-place and won a 10-3 decision, earning him a spot on the US National Team (top 3 in the country at each weight).
With just the top 8 seeded, nothing is really known up until the quarters where Cronin would likely face 6-seed Eric Barnett — a three-time All-American for Wisconsin and 2018 Fargo Junior National Champion in 2018 in freestyle.
With a win over Barnett, Cronin would face 2-seed Luke Lilledahl out of Penn State, which will be a tall task after their last meeting. Lilledahl is a world champion at the U17 (2022), U20 (2024) and U23 (2025) level — completing the triple crown of age-level freestyle wrestling.
With an upset over Lilledahl, Cronin would face Olympic silver-medalist Spencer Lee in the final, an even taller task.
Unseeded Vincent Robinson
Nebraska’s newest addition via the transfer portal, Robinson is slick on his feet and seems to have a style tailored to freestyle, so it’s exciting that he’s competing this year in the international style after not doing so for many years.
A Fargo All-American in 16U in 2021, Robinson hasn’t done much freestyle since. As a redshirt freshman at NC State in 2025, Robinson shocked the wrestling world and won an NCAA title at 125 pounds. He followed that up with a 4th-place finish at NCAAs this past season.
Robinson’s path through the tournament is an unknown, as he’ll be randomly drawn in.
With Lee and Lilledahl entered, Cronin and Robinson are long shots to win, but their performance will tell us a lot going forward.
65 kg
5-seed Brock Hardy
One of Nebraska’s most accomplished freestylers is Brock Hardy. A two-time Fargo champion in high school, Hardy took some time off from freestyle between his LDS mission and his start in college, but Hardy returned to freestyle in 2023 when he won the U23 National Championship and went on to earn bronze at the U23 World Championships.
In 2025, Hardy was a finalist at the World Team Trials — he beat Seth Gross in a wild 19-16 match and took down high school phenom Bo Bassett 12-7 on the way to the finals where he lost to Real Woods 10-6. Bassett is considered one of the favorites at this weight, but you can watch their match from last year below. In my opinion, Hardy’s length, rubber-knee ability, and his chest wrap really gave Bassett problems in this matchup that Hardy was leading 12-3 with under a minute left.
Looking into Hardy’s path, not everything is known about the early-round matchups, but if seeds hold he’ll face Penn State redshirt freshman Nate Desmond in the Round of 16. Desmond was a three-time Pennsylvania state champion and one of the nation’s top recruits in 2025.
With a win over Desmond, Hardy would move on to the quarters to face 4-seed Jesse Mendez who just completed his career at Ohio State as a two-time NCAA Champion. Hardy and Mendez wrestled seven times in college with Mendez winning six of those. It’ll certainly be a tough match for Hardy to win.
With an upset win over Mendez, Hardy would likely see 1-seed Joey McKenna — a past U23 bronze-medalist and U20 silver medalist in freestyle — in the semifinal round.
A run to the final would likely pit Hardy against 2-seed Vito Araujo (a World Champion at 61 kg), 3-seed Aiden Valencia (just won a national title for Stanford as a redshirt freshman), or 6-seed Bassett (U17 World gold medalist and U20 World bronze).
Even against this stacked field, I do think Hardy stands a puncher’s chance of earning a spot at Final X — his toughest matchup could very well come in the quarters against Mendez — a U20 World silver medalist in 2023 and Olympic Trials Finalist in 2024.
70 kg
5-seed Ridge Lovett
One of the true title threats this weekend, Lovett is gushing with potential in freestyle. An NCAA champion and three-time All-American for Nebraska, Lovett has turned his attention to freestyle over the past year.
Back in his youth and high school days, Lovett was a monster in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Between both styles, Lovett was a Fargo All-American TEN TIMES. He won three titles in Greco and got a Junior Freestyle National Championship in 2020 at 61 kg.
Last summer, Lovett made it to the semifinal round of the World Team Trials but fell to PJ Duke of Penn State 3-2 on a late exchange that really could have gone either way — it was eventually called a step-out on Duke, but Lovett secured what was called the go-ahead takedown. Watch it below.
Duke went on to earn the spot for Team USA, so it’s evident that Lovett is right there with the best guys in America at 70 kg. A win this week would secure Lovett a spot in Final X — a three-match series to determine the World Team representative.
Looking at his path according to his seed, Lovett will likely face 12-seed Dayne Morton in the Round of 16. After a likely win in that match, Lovett will see 4-seed Ian Parker in the quarters. Lovett and Parker traded matches at last year’s Open, so this match is not one to look past by any means. Parker finished third at the Open and World Team Trials last season and made it on the US National Team.
If Lovett makes it past Parker, he’ll take on 1-seed Alec Pantaleo. A three-time All-American for Michigan, Pantaleo is a past US Open champ and has won multiple ranking series events, but he’s yet to make a Senior World Team and has been in the game a long time.
With a win over Pantaleo, Lovett would likely face 2-seed Caleb Henson, 3-seed Tyler Kasak or 7-seed Melvin Miller in the final. Henson beat Lovett at NCAAs in 2023 before Lovett returned the favor in the NCAA final in 2025, while Kasak is a two-time All-American for Penn State who owns multiple Folkstyle wins over Antrell Taylor. Miller is a high school phenom with multiple high-level wins who should be considered a potential finalist.
Lovett’s path in this bracket is manageable.
10-seed Chance Lamer
A newcomer to Nebraska’s lineup this year, Lamer finished his college career with his first ever podium finish, placing fourth at NCAAs at 149 pounds in March. Below you can see his second round upset of 4-seed Colin Gaj of Virginia Tech.
Now Lamer turns his attention towards freestyle. In high school, Lamer was very accomplished in freestyle. In 2017, he made the Fargo finals in both Greco and freestyle — he won a title in Greco and finished as the runner-up in freestyle.
In 2018, Lamer made the Cadet World Team and placed fifth at the U17 World Championships.
If seeds hold, Lamer will take on 7-seed Miller in the Round of 16. With a win over the talented youngster, Lamer would then face 2-seed Henson in the quarters. With an upset over Henson, Lamer would need another upset over 3-seed Kasak to make the final on the bottom side of the bracket.
74 kg
5-seed James Green
One of the most decorated American wrestlers this century, James Green is a legend who is still out there competing. A current Husker assistant coach, Green has been balancing both competing and coaching the past couple seasons in Lincoln.
A seven-time World Team member for Team USA at 70 kg, Green won bronze at the World Championships in 2015 and took silver in 2017. As a Husker, Green was a four-time All-American and a Big Ten champion.
Green officially moved up to 74 kg this year and has had some solid results as he works his way up. Green wrestled overseas at both the Zagreb Open and the Yasar Dogu, finishing with a bronze medal at both. He also lost a 4-4 match against Tajmuraz Salkazanov of Slovakia (via Russia) at RAF 02 — Salkazanov is a four-time World medalist at 74 and 79 kg. Green led the match 4-0 late but lost in the end.
Looking at Green’s path, he’ll have 12-seed Nicco Ruiz — an All-American and Big 12 Champion for Arizona State — in the Round of 16.
With a win over Ruiz, Green would likely face 4-seed Will Lewan in the quarters. Green lost to Lewan twice in 2022 but won their match at the 2024 Olympic Trials.
If Green makes the semifinal round, he’ll face 1-seed David Carr. A two-time NCAA Champion for Iowa State, Carr was on the World Team last year at this weight and fell just short of earning a medal. He’s the heavy favorite in this bracket and poses the toughest matchup by far.
If Green can beat Carr, he’d have a very winnable match against someone like 2-seed Jarrett Jacques or 3-seed Quincy Monday in the final.
6-seed Peyton Robb
The only one pulling double duty at the Senior level, Robb will compete at 74 kg in freestyle after wrestling at 72 kg in Greco. Robb is seeded fourth in Greco and sixth in freestyle.
Robb is well versed in both styles — he made the U23 National Team for Team USA in freestyle in 2021 and nearly made the finals of the World Team Trials in 2024 in Greco. He’s also won silver at the Bill Farrell and bronze at the 2025 US Open.
As a youngster, Robb was a double Pan American Champ at the Cadet level in 2017 and earned another Pan American title in freestyle in 2019, this time at the Junior level. In 2017, he also won a Fargo title in Greco and placed third in freestyle.
As a Husker, Robb was a three-time All-American, placing 4th, 5th and 7th at the national tournament. As a freshman, he made the blood-round.
In freestyle, Robb will take on 11-seed Kannon Webster in the Round of 16 — Webster once beat Antrell Taylor in freestyle. With a win there, he’d likely face 3-seed Monday in the quarters and 2-seed Jacques in the semifinal.
A run to the finals in freestyle isn’t likely, but I do like his path.
Kagiso Rabada has once again found himself at the center of public attention, but this time not for his fiery spells with the ball. The Gujarat Titans speedster is trending across social media after being spotted smoking in a hotel premises alongside team staff, igniting debate among fans and critics alike.
The footage, reportedly filmed from a balcony at the team hotel, captured the Gujarat Titans fast bowler smoking in an open area. While smoking a cigarette does not violate any anti-doping regulations or professional codes in cricket, the optics of the incident have raised eyebrows. As a high-profile international athlete and role model, Rabada’s actions have been scrutinized more intensely, especially considering his recent disciplinary past.
— isnwrld (@isnwrld)
This incident comes on the back of a much more serious episode in 2025 that briefly halted Rabada’s career momentum. During the SA20 league earlier that year, the South African pacer tested positive for cocaine metabolites (benzoylecgonine), leading to a provisional suspension.
He was sidelined from April 1 to May 1, 2025, missing a crucial phase of the IPL season. However, Rabada managed to avoid a lengthier ban after successfully proving that the substance was consumed out of competition. His cooperation with authorities and completion of a substance abuse treatment program played a key role in resolving the case.
Despite returning to professional cricket, the shadow of that controversy still lingers, making even minor off-field incidents like this one more amplified in public discourse.
Social Media Reaction: Divided Opinions
The recent smoking incident has triggered mixed reactions online. While some fans argue that it is a personal choice and should not be overanalyzed, others believe elite athletes carry a responsibility to uphold a certain standard, both on and off the field.
Amid the noise, Rabada’s on-field performances remain solid. Representing Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, he has already claimed 10 wickets in six matches, continuing to be a vital cog in the team’s bowling attack.
Receivers are most known for doing work in the passing game and catching touchdowns. The elite receivers and those who make the biggest impact are not afraid to get their hands dirty. Makai Lemon of USC fits that mold as a receiver who can be elite in a heavy passing or running offense.
In a unique breakdown of prospects and their skill sets, ESPN's Matt Bowen lists Trojan receiver Makai Lemon as the best perimeter blocking receiver. Here is what Bowen had to say about Lemon:
"Lemon plays with an NFL mentality as a run blocker, and he's willing to mix it up between the numbers versus safeties and linebackers. Lemon didn't have a blown block on 274 blocking reps in 2025."
Makai Lemon, even at his size, understands the importance of winning with physicality and being able to set the tone. His physicality is not just felt in his ability to force missed tackles and get yards after the catch; it is also there in finishing blocks. Those exact traits make him a big culture guy for the potential organization he will reside in for the bulk of his career. This is what makes a player stand out the most, and it is why he is so attractive to a team like the Los Angeles Rams. A team that has its receivers winning and finishing their blocks is a winning football team.
The Buffalo Bills aren't slated to be on the clock until late in Thursday night's first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
And when that pick arrives at No. 26, assuming no trades, there'll be many in Bills Mafia hoping for a wide receiver.
It's been a position of need for Buffalo in recent seasons, and drafting a first-round WR sure feels like a flashy move.
It's probably not one that the Bills can afford to make, and that's because of what they've already done this offseason.
The Bills traded away their 2026 second-round pick to the Chicago Bears to land DJ Moore. Essentially, that's Buffalo picking a wideout with its second pick in this year's draft -- it's just a veteran rather than a rookie.
If it was still just a pick, would the Bills use their first two picks on wide receivers? That seems highly unlikely.
Moore's addition has also made the depth chart a little crowded, if not perfect.
The Bills now have Moore, Joshua Palmer and Keon Coleman leading the perimeter receivers, with Khalil Shakir still in the slot. Buffalo also has the likes of Tyrell Shavers, Mecole Hardman, Jalen Virgil and Trent Sherfield under contract.
It's not an amazing group, but at least Moore, Palmer, Coleman, Shakir and Shavers will surely make the 53-man roster if no trades happen between now and then.
And the Bills can't afford to overlook all their other needs to add a young WR to the mix.
Buffalo needs a lot of help on defense, and most mock drafts have them focusing on that side of the ball with their first-round pick.
Given that their second-rounder went to get Moore, it'd add up that their first-rounder would be used to bolster the defense.
Real Madrid recruitment chief’s position under threat after summer signings underwhelm
Real Madrid’s investment in Franco Mastantuono has not delivered the expected impact, with concerns now growing over both the player’s development and last summer’s recruitment strategy.
The Argentine arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu for a fee of around €45 million, seen as a bold move aimed at securing one of South America’s brightest prospects.
Early signs at the start of the 2025/26 season suggested promise, but his momentum has faded significantly in recent months.
This situation has not gone unnoticed within the club, particularly regarding Juni Calafat, who played a key role in bringing the youngster to Madrid.
Calafat has long been regarded as one of the architects behind some of the club’s most successful signings, including Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, thanks to his deep understanding of the South American market.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, last summer marked a shift.
What’s the story?
Calafat was heavily involved in three arrivals, namely, Mastantuono, Alvaro Carreras, and Dean Huijsen, all of whom were considered players for the present and future.
Signed from River Plate, he arrived with significant expectations and was even loosely compared to emerging elite talents in Europe.
Franco Mastantuono has failed to make an impact at Real Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Within Real Madrid, he was viewed as a long-term investment with the potential to become a key figure in the team’s evolution.
Instead, his role has remained limited, and minutes have been scarce, influence minimal, and his development has not progressed at the pace the club had anticipated.
This can be understood by the fact that the last time he started a match for Real Madrid was back on February 2 against Rayo Vallecano.
This situation has led to clear disappointment within the scouting department.
As per the outlet, Calafat, in particular, is understood to be affected by how the situation has unfolded, especially given his direct involvement in the deal.
Looking ahead, this could have wider implications.
Real Madrid are already expected to reassess certain aspects of their sporting structure this summer.
Recruitment strategy, player profiles, and integration pathways are all likely to come under review as the club looks to avoid similar outcomes and with it comes the uncertainty regarding Calafat’s position at Real Madrid.
The Blues have also gathered just five points from their last nine league fixtures. Only Tottenham Hotspur have picked up fewer points during that period.
They trail fifth-placed Liverpool by seven points — though the Reds have a game in hand — leaving them with a slim hope of securing Champions League qualification.
He told ESPN FC: “I do not see any point in keeping Liam Rosenior in this role when things are spiralling downhill as fast as they are. What are their chances of getting into the top five?
“They play Leeds at the weekend. They have almost secured their Premier League status, they have just beaten United, and they won again at the weekend.
“They can sense an FA Cup final, and Chelsea look like a deflated side. They are a better-organised team than Chelsea.
“Are you going to allow the Champions League to slip away and then let a manager who is out of his depth take you into a huge FA Cup game where they are supposed to be favourites? How can you do that?”
Burley also criticised Rosenior’s management of the dressing room, citing Enzo Fernandez’s two-game suspension for ‘crossing a line‘.
“When you are in a team, you need to have players on board. But when you come out with the rhetoric he has been using since day one—suspending World Cup winners for innocuous statements and basically throwing them under the bus—it was ridiculous,” he added.
“And then we wonder why the other players are half-cocked, half-hearted, and performing the way they are.”
Chelsea’s hierarchy are still backing Rosenior, but that may change at the end of the season, particularly if there is no upturn in form.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks out to bat against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning at Oracle Park on April 21, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
These five words will never cease to amuse me: Shohei Ohtani made history, again.
Although the Dodgers suffered their third defeat on this current road trip— dropping Tuesday’s contest to the San Francisco Giants 3-1— Shohei Ohtani was able to extend his on-base streak to 53 games, tying Shawn Green for the longest such streak in Los Angeles Dodgers history. Ohtani is still five games off from tying Duke Snider for the longest in franchise history.
Ohtani is slated to pitch against the Giants for Wednesday’s game, and the Dodgers intend to have Ohtani resume his two-way duties after opting to only pitch in his previous start, notes Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
“I think that it makes a lot of sense that if you’re … hitting while pitching, it takes a little bit of a toll,” Roberts said. “He certainly has managed it really well, but if it makes sense, I’ll have that conversation with him.”
Now that the Dodgers are in the midst of their first season with Shohei Ohtani performing his two-way prowess for a full season, Mike Petriello of MLB.com writes about Ohtani potentially unlocking a new gear that the baseball world has yet to see.
Links
The Dodgers had their new bona-fide star closer for all of three weeks before landing on the injured list.
Edwin Díaz will miss the next three months after being diagnosed with loose bodies in his right elbow, which now raises a question about which Dodger reliever will take over as the team’s de facto closer. As for what Dave Roberts forecasts, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, the initial candidate is Tanner Scott but the decision will vary day-to-day.
“If I had to guess … I would say probably Tanner,” Roberts said. “And that could change. I honestly don’t know. I mean, Tanner can pitch in the seventh tonight, and Blake can get the save. So honestly, it’s kind of day to day. It really is.”
The Dodgers will shoot down trade talks involving the red-hot Dalton Rushing unless the return haul lands them something huge in return, reported Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic during his latest appearance on the Foul Territory podcast.
“At the deadline, anything is possible, but I can’t see the Dodgers entertaining this unless it was a major deal— unless they were getting something huge in return— and I’m not sure what that would be at this point.”
The Dodgers likely won't entertain a trade involving Dalton Rushing unless they're getting something huge in return, says @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/9WqS46ToyM
It’s the same story, just louder this time. David Benavidez isn’t backing off, and his latest comments aimed at Canelo Alvarez are easily his most direct yet. In a fresh interview, the unbeaten contender didn’t dance around it. He questioned Canelo’s willingness to fight him and made it clear he still sees that matchup as unfinished business.
“He’s scared, he has no balls. That’s what it is. I give Canelo all the respect… but I was the #1 contender in two weight classes for a long, long time.”
That tension has been building for years. Benavidez, now 30-0 with 24 knockouts, has consistently been near the top of the super middleweight division. At one point, he held the WBC interim title and sat as a mandatory challenger, yet the fight never materialized.
“He has shown that he doesn’t want to fight me. It’s really a shame because this is a fight everybody wants to see.”
David Benavidez vs Canelo Alvarez: A Fight That Never Came Together
On paper, this was the fight. Two Mexican stars. Same division. High stakes. Massive fan interest.
But boxing rarely follows the script.
Canelo Alvarez, now 35, has built a career on big names and calculated moves. He became a four-division world champion and one of the sport’s biggest pay-per-view draws. Even so, Benavidez believes he was consistently overlooked despite earning his position.
The situation shifted even more after Canelo lost his undisputed super middleweight title to Terence Crawford last year. That defeat changed the division and, in some ways, the urgency around a Benavidez fight.
Now, with Canelo Alvarez planning a return later this year and reportedly ruling out both Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol, the chances of that long-awaited clash look slimmer than ever.
Benavidez Moves On But Doesn’t Let Go
Here’s where things get interesting. While still calling out Canelo Alvarez, Benavidez isn’t waiting around anymore.
He’s moving up.
The 28-year-old is set to face Gilberto Ramirez at cruiserweight on May 2, a serious step into a heavier and more dangerous division. It’s not just a stay-busy fight either. Ramirez holds major titles, and a win would instantly legitimize Benavidez at 200 pounds.
Benavidez even claims he tried to make the Canelo fight happen financially, saying he offered a $150 million purse that went nowhere. Whether that number holds up or not, it shows how far he was willing to go to secure the bout.
Still, the tone hasn’t changed.
“I believe in myself and my skills 100%. If he says he’s the baddest man on the planet, why not give the fans what they want to see?”
The Window Might Be Closing
At this point, it feels like one of those fights that lives more in debate than reality.
Benavidez is moving up to a different weight class. Canelo Alvarez is picking his path carefully. The timing that once made this fight perfect is starting to slip.
Promoters know it. Fans definitely feel it.
And if Benavidez wins at cruiserweight, the conversation might shift completely. He won’t be chasing Canelo anymore. He’ll be building something new.
Still, until both fighters hang it up, this rivalry won’t fully disappear. Too much history. Too much talk. And honestly, too many people still want to see it happen.
🚨 Supreme Court clears Neymar, Rosell and Bartomeu of corruption
The Supreme Court has upheld the acquittal of former FC Barcelona player Neymar and the club’s former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu in the case concerning the Brazilian’s transfer, according to EFE.
Those involved had been under investigation for corruption between private parties and fraud in Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona in 2013 from Santos.
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Chamber has rejected the appeals against the ruling of the Barcelona Court.
The Supreme Court’s conclusions
The Supreme Court states: "In the present case, the proven facts have shown the inconsistency of the accusation and that, when the contracts were entered into, there was in no way any simultaneous intent to defraud DIS of its economic rights. This is because, although the appellant believes that all of this was done to harm those rights and alter the final transfer sale price, thereby reducing DIS’s economic rights, that was not the case, as the court has clearly explained, as we have set out. There was neither corruption in business dealings nor fraudulent misrepresentation. Not by the player, nor his representatives, nor FC Barcelona. Everything was due to a sporting decision by the club, which wanted to secure his signing and then decided to bring it forward and pay a transfer fee, even though it had a contract with the player for him to leave on a free transfer at the end of his commitment with Santos".
LeBron James simply refuses to age normally. His hairline may be receding a bit, and he may be developing a bit of a bald spot on the crown of his head, but on the basketball court, the 41-year-old is playing more like a 31-year-old.
On Tuesday, James had another excellent performance as the Los Angeles Lakers took a 2-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets with a 101-94 victory. He tallied 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and he consistently looked to create pace and attack the basket.
On one play in the third quarter, the Rockets' defense broke down, and he saw an open lane. He came barrelling down the paint and threw down a reverse dunk that reminded everyone that he still has plenty left in his tank.
When asked about that jam afterward, he seemed to be at a loss for words.
“I don’t even know what that was about,” James said. “I got to sit the hell down. I got to sit down somewhere.”
While James is rightfully getting lots of credit for these two improbable wins, the Lakers' defense has been the biggest factor. The team has held the Rockets under 100 points in both contests, and while the Rockets shot a little better in Game 2 than they did in Game 1, they made only 40.4% of their field-goal attempts.
After scoring 20 points in the first half, Kevin Durant, who missed Game 1 with a knee contusion, was shut down by the Lakers. They swarmed him and sent a second defender his way when he had the ball, and when he didn't have the ball, they often played solid ball-denial defense. He made just one of five shots in the second half, and overall, he committed nine turnovers.
James and crew will now have an opportunity to send the Rockets to the intensive care unit with another win in Game 3 on Friday. As it stands, they have already accomplished more in this series with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out due to injury than most thought they could before the series began.
With a little over 24 hours remaining until the first round of the 2026 NFL draft commences, the stock of Texas A&M's elite defensive end is on the rise.
At 6-foot-2 and 253 pounds, Cashius Howell brings electric speed and outstanding power off the edge. Tied for seventh in FBS and leading the SEC with 11.5 sacks in 2025, Howell's presence on Texas A&M's defense gave offensive coordinators nightmares. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year started all 13 games for the Aggies, recording 31 tackles, six pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Howell's burst and elusiveness are qualities that NFL scouts have clamored over since he announced his entry into this year's draft. He has struggled at times to set the edge, especially against the run, but his wicked counters and pursuit could make him a first-rounder.
Some draft analysts have openly criticized Howell's measurables, specifically his arm length. With the first round set to begin on Thursday night, Howell responded to the recent critiques of his game with a simple but affirmative response to NFL GMs and analysts alike.
"I feel like, at this point, the length of my arms hasn't deterred me in any way. I'm coming off a pretty great year this past year at A&M, and I feel like, as long as I continue to be a master of my craft and a master of my technique... the way that I play will definitely translate at the next level. I'll ball out, honestly."
During his two years at Texas A&M, Howell played in all 26 games and recorded 71 total tackles (46 solo), 22.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, 14 pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one interception. He also earned All-American honors from five publications (Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press, American Football Coaches of America, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports and The Sporting News).
There was no doubt that Howell would be one of the Aggies invited to participate in this year's combine and he did not disappoint in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, Howell recorded a production score of 74 (12th among DE/EDGE) and 71 athleticism score (17th among DE/EDGE) for a total of 76 (9th among DE/EDGE). His 4.59 40-yard dash and 1.58-second time in the 10-yard split ranked fifth and first in this year's defensive end class.
Howell's physicality, demeanor and flashy speed off the edge make him an intriguing selection for many teams waiting their turn late in the first round. Here is where recent mock drafts have Howell landing in the 2026 NFL draft:
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 Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
Washington's tenth spring practice was a light one, and as rain sprinkled down intermittently on the east field, it ended on an even lighter note. After the Huskies shed their knee braces and lined up in separate groups, Jedd Fisch mapped out an elaborate route between the practice field and Husky Stadium for his team to run three laps to finish out practice with a mile run.
But he couldn't contain the smirk on his face for long before yelling, "three horns," to signify the end of the workout, which was met with a rousing cheer and several hugs and high fives from the players.
The Huskies were in shells, which contributed to the light practice, but Washington's young unit of defensive backs continued to stand out working under secondary coach John Richardson, who was very pleased with his group's progress, especially his trio of true freshmen: Elijah Durr, Ksani Jiles, and Jeron Jones as they battle with an equally young and talented group of wide receivers.
"Watching them mature, watching them handle their academics with academics, they're doing a phenomenal job, and being able to handle all that," Richardson said of their adjustment to the college level. "But also, when you bring in a talented group of receivers as well, like Trez Davis and those guys, man, they make plays. And so naturally, in the same recruiting class, you're not trying to get shown up.
"So that type of competition, and when they go off, and they hang out in off time, too, I'm pretty sure they talk about those things. So that's kind of accelerating the curve as well. Getting Jordan Clay out there, getting Trez, and Asa Thompson, and all those types of guys, they're coming up, and they're showing out. And then when you're able to see a guy like Dez Roebuck and things like that, they've gotta grow up fast. And those types of things have been happening to them, and we were excited about them."
The battles between Washington's corners and receivers were on full display during Tuesday's practice in a microcosm of the biggest theme of spring camp: competition on a roster with plenty of young, relatively untested talent, but with high-end potential.
Wide receiver Justice Williams and cornerback Elias Johnson are a great example of that, as the two sophomore holdovers from Kalen DeBoer's final recruiting class have gone head-to-head several times this spring as they compete for spots on the depth chart. Williams won the battle on Tuesday, breaking away from Johnson to haul in a 25-yard touchdown from Demond Williams Jr. in the back right corner of the end zone.
The play that got the biggest reaction of the day came from walk-on receiver Asa Thompson, who showed off great concentration to haul in a pass that hit Jiles in both hands and could have been an interception, but slipped away, giving the Eastside Catholic product a chance to tiptoe up the sideline for a few extra yards.
Roebuck and sophomore Chris Lawson also put together solid days, as the pair showed off their strong hands and advanced feel for the defense, consistently finding soft spots in the coverage to pick up yards.
Here are some other notes from Tuesday.
Spring practice notebook
After sitting out Saturday's scrimmage with a minor injury, Jones returned to practice in a gold non-contact jersey. He was joined by sophomore linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale in that group, who appeared to be moving fine but may have gotten a little dinged up during the scrimmage.
While freshman defensive lineman Derek Colman-Brusa has taken most of his snaps with the first team, the former four-star recruit worked on the second team on Tuesday, alongside defensive tackle DeSean Watts, with Devin Hyde and Ramzak Fruean at outside linebacker to round out the front.
Fruean had a stellar end to practice, with a sack and a tackle for loss on back-to-back plays.
Watts also had a nice day, with a sack of backup quarterback Elijah Brown and a pass breakup after bursting through the line.
Roebuck and Durr were joined by wide receiver Mason James and cornerback Rahshawn Clark as returners when special teams coach Chris Petrilli was working with the unit on fielding punts.
Linebacker Xe'ree Alexander appeared to make one of the better plays of the day, tracking down receiver Rashid Williams from behind on a drag route over the middle of the field to punch the ball out from behind. Sophomore safety Rahim Wright recovered the fumble while Alexander was mobbed by his teammates for the day's only turnover.
Clemson baseball picked up another midweek win on Wednesday, taking down the USC Upstate Spartans 7-2 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium behind a steady mix of timely hitting and solid bullpen work.
The Tigers built control of the game early and never really let it slip. After grabbing momentum in the opening innings, they kept adding just enough offense to stay comfortably in front while the pitching staff handled the rest.
Justin Leguernic played a big role in that effort. Coming out of the bullpen, the left-hander gave Clemson three scoreless innings and racked up five strikeouts, helping shut the door on any chance of an Upstate push.
Offensively, several bats contributed across the lineup. Tryston McCladdie drove in a run, while Jacob Jarrell added an RBI by drawing a bases-loaded walk. Clemson also took advantage of free passes and situational hitting to create separation during the middle innings.
Talan Bell was used in a unique way, opening the game on the mound before sliding into a designated hitter role. He reached base multiple times via walks and came around to score twice, giving the Tigers a boost without recording a hit.
Luke Gaffney still delivered one of the biggest swings of the night, launching a three-run homer in the first inning and later adding a two-run single to finish with five RBI, continuing his recent surge at the plate.
Clemson improved to 26-16 with the win and now shifts focus to ACC play, heading to Louisville for a three-game series starting Friday evening.
TheNFL Draftis where logic meets chaos—and chaos usually wins. Every year, teams convince themselves they have a plan. Boards are set, needs are identified, and projections feel airtight. And every year, something blows it all up. Trades come out of nowhere, prospects rise (or fall) unexpectedly, and one bold decision can reshape an entire franchise.
That’s what makes the 2026 NFL Draft so intriguing. There’s talent at the top, depth across the board, and just enough uncertainty to guarantee surprises. So instead of playing it safe, let’s lean into it—here are five bold predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft logo at the Super Bowl LX Experience at the Moscone Center. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
There will be more than five trades in the first round
From Arizona’s pick at 3 down to Seattle at 32, there are many teams looking to get out of the first round and accumulate more picks in the loaded 2027 NFL Draft. Look for at least five trades in Round 1 as teams aggressively look to move picks.
Dallas will move up to draft a stud on defense
If the Jets select David Bailey, Dallas could move all the way up to 3 to select Arvell Reese. However, if the Jets take Reese, Dallas will still want to find a way to grab either Caleb Downs or Mansoor Delane, as Jerry Jones knows that neither will last to 12. With the NFC East up for grabs this year, Dallas is primed to act.
Arizona will shock everyone and take Jeremiyah Love
Even with the off-season signing of Tyler Allgeier and the presence of James Conner and Trey Benson on its current roster, Arizona has not ruled out the idea of taking Love, who is the single greatest impact player on offense in this draft. Unless they get overwhelmed by a trade offer, Love could be going to the desert.
Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA. Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates scoring against the Syracuse Orange. During the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Arizona trades back into the first round to take Ty Simpson
The NFL is a copycat league, and teams are looking at what the New York Giants did last year with Jaxson Dart and hoping to recreate the same thing with Simpson. Arizona is rumored to be enamored with him, so expect them to move back into the first round to get him.
Only one Running Back will be drafted in the first two rounds
Many draft pundits are talking up Jadarian Price as a possible late first-round pick (possibly to Seattle), but no running back outside of Jeremiah Love has made a pre-draft impact with NFL teams. A bevy of backs will likely go in Rounds 3-5, but during the first two days of the draft, only Love will hear his name called.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton spoke with reporters via Zoom on Tuesday, discussing expectations for the defense and recent veteran free-agent signings this offseason.
"Kind of the same as it's always been, you scrap the year before (and) you come here, and you lay the groundwork with the guys that you have in the building. Obviously, in years prior, we were able to build off – scheme-wise with the players we have in the building. It's a little bit different this year with the guys lost in the offseason," said Bolton, "We have to start from the bottom, build the groundwork, the foundation, find things that everybody in this defense plays well (and)does well. Coach Spags (Steve Spagnuolo) does a great job with that, along with bringing in great competition throughout the camps and OTAs. It's the same as it's always been, start from ground one with the end goal in mind of competing for a Super Bowl."
Bolton, a leader on the defense, shared his thoughts on the offseason signings of Alohi Gilman and Khyiris Tonga.
"Super big for us. (Alohi) Gilman, especially in the back end, I think he's going to be good for us. Being a vocal guy, getting guys orchestrated in the back end. He's played a lot of football (and) played in different schemes. Even last year, being able to go and play in Baltimore halfway throughout the season, I think that was super huge in terms of seeing his communication." said Bolton, "KT (Khyiris Tonga), another one of those guys you can tell is an intellectual, knows what he's talking about, knows ball (and) has been around different schemes -- big up front. Again, I love all the big guys we can get, but he's going to be a great guy, a good person to be around for sure."
Kansas City signed Tonga to a three-year, $21 million deal with $14 million guaranteed after spending last season with the AFC Champion New England Patriots. Gilman signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal with $15 million guaranteed after splitting time in 2025 with the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens.
The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods you’d totally do a movie marathon night with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Kung_Fu_Zizou (AKA KFZ), Juninho, Ezek and, of course… yours truly.
Nearing an End to the Saga
🚨 JUST IN: During meetings at Real Madrid, there were complaints about Vini Jr., which Florentino Pérez responded to FIRMLY: ‘That’s my business, leave Vini TO ME’.
The president believes that Vini’s renewal WILL HAPPEN, and that the player has much more to achieve.
See, there’s plenty of talk around a potential clear-out and “rebuild” for this summer. And yet, this is a conflicting report — possibly motivated by cash flows at company-level.
🚨 BREAKING: Florentino Perez believes there is NO NEED for a REBUILD at Real Madrid this summer.
The president plans to:
– Sign a midfielder – Sign a defender – Bring back Endrick – Bring back Nico Paz – Bring back Victor Munoz
Yet, you know, these changes that are mentioned aren’t exactly few. But then again, the defense needs some life injected and so do the midfield profiles. What happens to Pitarch?
Oh and speaking of the kid:
🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Real Madrid and Barcelona could be 𝗦𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 over Víctor Muñoz this summer, according to @TheAthleticFC 🗞️
Muñoz came through Barcelona’s academy (2014–2017) before joining Real Madrid in 2021. He even made his senior debut for Madrid… pic.twitter.com/Cld4LuCCVa
The UFC continues its April schedule on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 274, which goes down at Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there in "Sin City" to help guide viewers through the experience.
Details of who will be working as commentators and analysts for the show have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the plans – and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.
The main card lineup is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET following prelims slated to start at 5 p.m. ET.
UFC Fight Night 274 desk analysts
Dan Hellie serves as desk anchor and host at UFC Fight Night 274.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier, "The Ultimate Fighter 15" winner Michael Chiesa and welterweight veteran Alan Jouban will join Hellie in analyst roles throughout the event and on the post-fight show.
UFC Fight Night 274 roving reporter
UFC correspondent Charly Arnolt will conduct pre- and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC Fight Night 274 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event.
UFC Fight Night 274 octagon announcer
Legendary announcer Bruce Buffer will introduce the fighters before battle and read official bout results inside the cage at UFC Fight Night 274.
UFC Fight Night 274 cageside commentators
John Gooden will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC Fight Night 274.
He'll command play-by-play and be joined in the booth by UFC Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz.
Sunny Mehta introduced himself to Devils fans on Tuesday afternoon with a fantastic quote: “I have been you for 40 years.” This is not an exaggeration. The team’s new general manager is the kind of Devils fan that even other Devils fans might try to slip away from at parties.
He moved to New Jersey as a 4-year-old boy in 1982 — the same year, he points out, as the Devils — and frequently watched those early Devils teams practice at the old Ice World in Totowa. He has a photo of himself, then a 120-pound teenager in the late ‘80s, wearing a Devils bomber jacket that looks like it was roughly seven sizes too big.
“That was the style back then!” he laughed.
The former Florida Panthers assistant GM can’t name just one favorite Devils player when asked, but instead, rattles off one from every generation. (He isn’t picking the stars with their numbers in the rafters, either. Pat Verbeek and Alexander Mogilny received votes.) He believes the 2001 team, which lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to Colorado, is truly the best team in franchise history.
Mehta was even in the nosebleed seats at Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, and he will tell you — unprompted! — that goalie Martin Brodeur “got hosed” for the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs. He all but led the people assembled for his introductory press conference in a few chants of “MAR-TY’S BET-TER.”
So, yeah, it is not an exaggeration to say that the Devils have hired Puddy from Seinfeld as their GM.
“I mean, listen, this is where I’ve always wanted to be. This is where I grew up,” Mehta said. “In case it’s not obvious, this is my heart.”
That makes for a fantastic story. As fans, we all want to believe that the men and women running our favorite teams care as deeply about winning and losing as we do, and it rarely happens. The Devils have identified that person in the 48-year-old Wyckoff native. It isn’t the reason the Devils co-owner David Blitzer hired him, but it’s cool nonetheless.
Here’s the rub ...
In order to do his job well, Mehta might have to make some moves that make some of the fans who are professing their love for him today hate him tomorrow.
The Devils have a popular, talented core that has not lived up to its potential. It is possible that Mehta might use a scalpel to make improvements to that core in the coming months, but if he’s following the model that made his former team back-to-back Cup champs, he might decide to use a jackhammer instead.
The Panthers didn’t become a championship team until they shook up their core and traded for star Matthew Tkachuk, hardly the league’s most popular player, in a blockbuster deal with Calgary. How will Devils fans feel about their new GM if a popular player like captain Nico Hischier or winger Jesper Bratt are sent packing as Mehta tries to change the culture of this franchise?
Turning a middle-of-the-road team — and, yes, that’s being generous given how the Devils performed at times this season — into a true contender is often harder than taking one that’s hit rock bottom. Mehta understands this. He is, after all, also a Mets fan.
“I really, truly believe these talented players are about to hit an inflection point and get over that hurdle,” Mehta said. “It’s my job to make sure this roster is consistently flush with the right amount of talent to be a championship team, and I intend to do that.”
When pressed on specifics, Mehta pointed to the fact that he’s only been on the job a couple days. His first major decision on the future of head coach Sheldon Keefe will be an early indication on what he thinks of the roster. If Keefe is retained, it might be a signal that GM thinks his coach got more out of a flawed roster than the fans did.
Mehta already has met with most of the key Devils, including star center Jack Hughes. The golden boy from Team USA spent much of their meeting grilling Mehta about his former career as a professional poker player, but you have to think he also slipped in a question or two about finding him the kind of elite winger who can elevate his game into the superstar stratosphere.
In his first go-around in the Devils analytics department, Mehta’s data crunching helped the team steal Bratt in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Draft. Mehta tried to distance himself from being labeled just the “analytics guy,” but clearly, that skill is a big part of what made him appealing.
“I totally understand why I get put in that analytics bucket,” he said. “But I think if you look at my (career) path, the reason I ever cared about analytics, statistics, probability is because it helped me win.”
It was one more good answer in a press conference filled with them. Mehta is charismatic, funny, and authentically Jersey. He even knows our official state breakfast meat should always be called Taylor Ham.
He is one of you, Devils fans. But if he’s what this franchise needs as general manager, he won’t let his love of the team stop him from making some difficult and unpopular decisions.
During this past offseason, the Buffalo Sabres signed defenseman Zac Jones to a one-year, two-way contract. While the left-shot blueliner did not appear in a game this regular-season for Buffalo, he simply dominated at the AHL level with the Rochester Americans.
In 60 games with the Amerks this campaign, he scored 10 goals and led all AHL defensemen with 62 points. He also led the entire AHL with 52 assists, so it was a monster year for the 25-year-old defenseman.
Now, Jones has been rewarded for his huge year with the Amerks.
Jones has won the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL's best defenseman for the 2025-26 season.
When looking at the regular season that Jones put together for Rochester, it is hard to argue against him being named the AHL's best defenseman of the year. He provided fantastic offense from the point for Rochester.
Jones is a pending restricted free agent heading into the summer. Given how well he has played in the AHL for Rochester, it would not be surprising if the Sabres looked to keep him around for depth.
Apr 18, 2026; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs after catching the ball during the annual spring game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
We know that your life is busy, but that doesn’t mean you want to miss any news about your favorite team. So, we are rounding up all of the most important news, analysis, and commentary from LGHL and the rest of the Buckeye beat.
With the start of the 2026 NFL draft now just one day away, it's time for a final mock draft roundup for the Denver Broncos' second-round pick (No. 62 overall). Denver does not hold a first-round pick this year after trading that selection to the Miami Dolphins as part of the Jaylen Waddle trade.
There seems to be some late buzz for a certain second-round running back for the Broncos.
Chad Reuter of the league's official website and ESPN's Jordan Reid both have Denver landing Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price at No. 62 overall. In addition to running back, tight end and linebacker have also been popular mock picks for the Broncos.
WalterFootball.com predicts Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers going off the board at No. 62, and he's been heavily connected to Denver leading up to the draft. Some pundits believe Denver would have to trade up to land Stowers.
The 2026 NFL draft will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25. Denver holds seven picks, with their first selection scheduled for Friday evening during the second round.
Historically, the Oregon Ducks have had great success sending players to the NFL, with dozens drafted in the past decade, continuing their careers at the highest level. That is especially true under Dan Lanning and his coaching staff, with the Ducks breaking the program record for the most draft picks last year, sending ten players to the NFL. The year before that, Oregon also set the program record, sending eight players to the NFL via the draft.
While that record likely won't be broken again this year, due to the vast number of NFL-eligible players returning to Eugene for the 2026 season, the Ducks are once again expected to be well represented at the draft over the next several days.
What many fans are curious about, though, is whether or not Oregon can keep an impressive streak alive on Thursday night.
In total, Oregon has had 25 first-round draft picks in program history, dating back to quarterback George Shaw in 1955. On Thursday night, they would like to push that number to 26, and potentially 27 if things break the right way.
Will the Oregon Ducks have a player drafted in the first round?
Based on a majority of mock drafts that have come out this spring, Oregon fans should enter Thursday night with some real confidence that at least one Duck will hear his name called. There's a very solid chance that two players will be drafted in the first round as well.
The two players most likely are tight end Kenyon Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman. Both players have received first-round grades, with many expecting Sadiq to be the first name called of the two. While it is widely believed that Sadiq will be the first TE off the board, there is some speculation as to when that might be. It could be the Miami Dolphins at No. 11, or the Baltimore Ravens at No. 14. There's also a chance that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 15) or Minnesota Vikings (No. 18) take Sadiq if he is still on the board when they get on the clock.
As for Thieneman, one team that many people have circled is the Vikings at No. 18. He fits a major need for them on defense, and is the type of player who could excel in their scheme. It's also worth watching teams like the Dallas Cowboys (No. 20) and the Philadelphia Eagles (No. 23).
How to Watch the 2026 NFL Draft
Live coverage of the NFL draft can be found on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network. The first round of the draft starts on Thursday night at 5 p.m. PT.
Streaming coverage is also available on ESPN+, NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo TV, and Sling TV.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
In just under two weeks, the NHL will conduct the 2026 draft lottery. May 5, 2026, will be a significant day in franchise history as the Vancouver Canucks enter the draft lottery with the best odds at landing first overall. With potential franchise-altering players at the top of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Canucks hope that, for the first time, the lottery balls bounce their way and Vancouver leaves the lottery with a victory.
One of the big questions leading into the draft lottery is whether the Canucks will name their new General Manager before May 5. After firing Patrik Allvin less than a week ago, the Canucks have reportedly already started the search for the next GM. Many names have already been connected to the job, including Ryan Johnson, who is currently one of Vancouver's Assistant GMs.
According to a new report by TSN's Darren Dreger, the Canucks goal is to have a GM in place before the draft lottery. Dreger revealed the potential timeline while making an appearance on Sekeres and Price. In his report, Dreger revealed why Vancouver wants to get this hiring done sooner rather than later.
"Well, the hope is that they get something done around the draft lottery," said Dreger. "And there's reason behind that. You're talking about a relatively small window of influence and impact here on an organization. Especially one like the Vancouver Canucks, given their position in the draft and all of that. So how good would it be if your new head of hockey operations, or in this case, the General Manager, can participate in all scouting conversations leading up to the draft. And then he can quickly go through that crash course with the amateur scouts and everyone involved in that process with the Canucks. So that he is educated and feels part of very important days of decision making on the draft floor. It's a decentralized draft, so you're not going to have all of your hockey operations crew assembled in Buffalo, but the hope, the expectation, the target is to have that GM in place as early as the draft."
The Canucks enter the draft lottery with an 18.5% chance at first overall. According to the NHL, that equals 185 combinations out of a possible 1,000. The draft lottery broadcast will feature a live drawing and will be available to view on Sportsnet.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly (Photo Credit: @Canucks on "X")
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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BLOOMINGTON — By the end of the post-game interview, Liam Smith was just a face in a crowd.
It's kind of like that these days with the Bloomington North baseball team, which is getting hitting up and down the lineup and solid pitching from multiple sources. Different guys, different days, but always someone stepping up.
After the shock of seeing Terre Haute North rally with two runs to tie it in the top of the seventh inning just one strike away from defeat, Smith's RBI walk-off double to right center sent the host Cougars home happy, 4-3, with their sixth win in a row Tuesday, April 21.
"We got a lot of good bonds in the dugout," said Smith, with teammates quietly lined up behind him, taking a step closer with each question that came Smith's way. "We're all really comfortable with each other and we have a lot of fun.
"We just attack every day at practice. We're getting a lot better every day."
It also puts North in the catbird's seat in Conference Indiana play at 3-0, with rival South (1-1) and Southport yet to go. Not that anyone in maroon and gold is peeking ahead in the schedule.
"What's the next biggest game we have?" North coach Richard Hurt asked his team. "Saturday's game. That's the next biggest game. You can't get caught looking down the road."
Still, there's time to celebrate this key win, a tiny bit of revenge for last year's sectional final loss. It ended up making the most of another tough effort by Luke Freel, who had his best start this season, going 6⅓ innings.
"With Luke on the mound, that gives us a shot against anybody," Hurt said. "I thought he pitched very, very well. Very tough. Pitched through a lot of traffic. But then ran into the 120-pitch limit. But we made several plays throughout the game that really helped us."
Not the least of which was Smith's big hit.
"Liam obviously stepping up there at the end," Hurt said. "I bunted him the inning before. It's very rarely you bunt your No. 4 hitter, but we needed it. And then he stepped up and got the biggest hit there."
Along with the timely hitting, pitching has also been coming from several sources during the run.
Last week, Miller went three shutout innings to secure the win at Terre Haute South. Brogan Hanna went seven innings, giving up four hits, one run, one walk and fanning 10 in a win over Columbus North. Bohdi Pulley had a complete game against Martinsville in Game 1 of a doubleheader (six shutout innings, three hits, nine strikeouts) and a group effort got the job done in Game 2.
"It's amazing to see," Smith said. "Every single one of these boys work really hard all year round. All of them deserve each and every moment."
Mr. Smith walks it off
Zack Sipes got the rally started with a leadoff walk. North's Elio Miller tried to bunt him over, but pitcher Nate Millington was all over it to get the lead runner. Then Smith smashed his game-winner as Miller joyously rounded the bases.
Freel struck out 10, the last to start the seventh before giving up a base hit.
He gave way to Miller, who got a fly to left, then a single to Indiana University commit Briar Goda. A 1-2 offering to the next batter, Brayden Dean, had strike three written all over it. Not so, ruled the umpire, just a bit outside.
Next pitch, Dean laced a single to left that scored both runners, the last avoiding a tag at the plate. Miller fanned the next batter to keep it tied at 3 to pick up the W.
"I was just looking for something in the heart of the plate," Smith said. "I had a lot of confidence in my swing to catch it out front. He threw one right over the (plate) and I decided to take my best hack at it.
"It worked out. Just glad to get it done for my team and myself."
BASEBALL FINAL Bloomington North 4, Terre Haute North 3 Liam Smith walks it off with ringing double to right center, sends Elio Miller scooting home. Cougars (7-1) are 3-0 in CI play and winners of 6 straight. pic.twitter.com/ZP0mSEeiOZ
North had been playing small-ball all night, knowing it would likely be in a tight game against one of the conference favorites and last year's sectional champs.
"Because of last year, I knew we we're going to have to be really gritty and confident in the box, so that what we emphasized today, getting our swings off and playing really tough defense in the field," Smith said.
Defensively, Jack Williamson saved some big outs at first base.
Offensively, Hurt was looking for execution from the players he asked to bunt, not an easy thing to do on turf, and from the hitters that followed to bring home the guys in scoring position.
"Guys are doing what we needed them to do right now," Hurt said. "And that's all we need right now."
It worked in the second when two walks were followed by an RBI single from Harrison Lloyd.
In the third, North made it 2-0 when Freel walked, went to second on Sipes' sac bunt and scored when Miller greeted reliever Nate Millington with a sharp RBI single.
The Cougars couldn't make it work in the fourth, with a runner gunned down at the plate on a bunt. But in the fifth, after THN got within 2-1, Miller singled and was sacrificed to second by Smith, the cleanup hitter. Then with two outs and a 1-2 count, Jack Williamson came through with an RBI base hit for a 3-1 lead.
"We feel pretty good," Hurt said. "We're playing good baseball. We're doing the things we need to do to win.
"We did a lot of good things. There's some things we've got to work on, too. But I thought it was a very, very gutty performance from us."
The Penn State Nittany Lions will look like a wholly new football team when they take to the field this season. That's why this year, it will be highly imperative for Penn State fans to get to know some of their new stars at the spring game. While several, including potential starting QB Rocco Becht, will be sidelined, some will be looking to make big impressions on the coaching staff to earn more playing time. Some may even be true freshmen looking for their turn in the spotlight. Here are five names to know ahead of the traditional Blue and White game.
5. James Peoples, RB
James Peoples may be one of the Nittany Lions' most intriguing recruits, not only because he has no Iowa State connections, but because he comes from Penn State's biggest rival in Ohio State. In a crowded running back room, Peoples could potentially see a lot of reps in late down situations. However, head coach Matt Campbell has appreciated his burst and quickness in the open field and could see him as an asset in the passing game. Paired with Iowa State's leading rusher from last year in Carson Hansen, they could form an underrated duo in Big Ten play.
4. Jackson Ford, Defensive End
One of the early enrollees in Penn State's Class of 2026, Jackson Ford could prove to be the prime jewel of the bunch. Coming from Malvern, Pa., Ford could continue the homegrown pipeline of talent and lend a unique blend of size and strength off the edge. Defensive end has always been a position of pride over the years for the Blue and White, and Ford could end up being the next big star, with early plaudits already coming out of Happy Valley.
3. Kooper Ebel, Linebacker
Penn State has recently been hailed as one of college football's "LBUs", being able to rely on a stalwart group of linebackers. Now, the room will get a little bit more Iowa State flair in it, with three new linebackers form the Cyclones coming to Happy Valley. Kooper Ebel may be the best of the bunch. Along with Penn State's most important returning talent in Tony Rojas, Ebel will add a veteran presence in the middle of the defense for the Nittany Lions. His 2025 season in Ames, where he logged 77 total tackles, showed off his versatility and leadership. Look for the senior to have a massive year in State College.
2. Connor Barry, Quarterback
For many Penn State fans, this may not be the transfer QB they want to see. However, with both Rocco Becht and Alex Manske on the sidelines, it will be the former D-III man at the helm of the Penn State offense for the time being. While Penn State fans may not see a lot of Barry in his Penn State career, they are getting an experienced QB with impressive arm strength and program records in the D-III ranks, including an undefeated record last year with Christopher Newport.
1. Brett Eskildsen, Wide Receiver
With fellow Iowa State transfer Chase Sowell sidelined with injury, Brett Eskildsen will be the most intriguing wide receiver prospect on the field. For a program that has struggled to find elite talent at the position, Penn State fans will hope that a player like Eskildsen, who has flashed his deep threat potential, will bolster the position group. His 17.5 yards per catch showcased his elite game-breaking speed and the ability to maintain a connection with Becht. He will be squarely in the limelight come the Blue and White game, should Sowell still be unable to go.
The Kansas City Chiefs don't currently have the most sure-thing receiver room.
The 2026 NFL Draft class is strong at the WR position as usual, and the Chiefs may have a chance to benefit if they play their cards right.
In a new mock draft by ESPN's Peter Schrager on Wednesday, he has the Chiefs landing a first-round wideout, but not in one of their original draft slots.
First, he has them swing a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Both franchises enter Thursday with two first-round picks, and Schrager has them just swap the pairs.
That would leave Dallas with Nos. 9 and 29, and the Chiefs with 12 and 20.
He then has the Chiefs take Reuben Bain out of Miami with the 12th pick before getting Omar Cooper Jr. at the 20th slot.
Cooper is the national champion wide receiver from Indiana.
"This would be an A-plus first round for the Chiefs, with Bain and then Cooper," Schrager writes. "Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL, and the receiver room has some issues. Cooper caught 13 touchdowns last season, and I've heard some comps to Deebo Samuel for his toughness and versatility."
The pick with which the Chiefs would get Cooper is actually the one that originally went to the Cowboys from the Green Bay Packers in the Micah Parsons trade.
With this mock draft trade, the selection would move again.
The Chiefs could hardly draw up a better first round than Bain and Cooper, as Schrager writes. They'd sure love if Thursday night played out just the way it did in this mock draft by the ESPN insider.
Marc Cucurella joined Chelsea for £63m in 2022 from Brighton [Getty Images]
When the Chelsea team was announced as kick-off approached before Tuesday's game at Brighton, the news may not have been a surprise to some.
Screenshots of a post on social media platform X had been doing the rounds for hours, stating midfielder Cole Palmer and striker Joao Pedro would both be missing from the line-up. They were indeed absent.
It was claimed the post came from Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella's barber.
"[Cole] Palmer and Joao Pedro both injured tonight," it read. "There's your exclusive." There was also an image of the back of Cucurella's distinctive curly hair.
In Palmer's case, there was no public knowledge of his hamstring injury, while Joao Pedro had undergone a fitness test on the morning of the match.
Rosenior is known to keep his cards close to his chest when it comes to team selection and is said by those who know him to deliberately hold pre-match news conferences two days in advance in order to keep opposing managers guessing.
The post, which appeared to tag several accounts known for providing Fantasy Premier League advice, has been deleted, along with the entire account on which it appeared.
Having been deleted, it cannot be independently verified but the club has not denied its authenticity when asked about the post.
BBC Sport has also contacted the barber and Cucurella's representatives for comment.
It would be the third instance in which team news has reportedly been leaked from Chelsea since Liam Rosenior's appointment in early January.
Team news got out around both legs of Chelsea's Champions League tie with Paris St‑Germain. Rosenior said they had been "dealt with" and that they had "not come from any place of malicious intent towards me or the team".
Chelsea are currently seventh in the Premier League table with four league matches left to play. They next play in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley Stadium.
Barcelona will aim to take a step closer to the La Liga title on Wednesday when they host Celta Vigo at Camp Nou.
Having been eliminated from the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage by Atletico Madrid, Hansi Flick's team now only have the league on which to focus between now and the end of the season.
They began this latest round of fixtures with a nine-point advantage over Real Madrid in the standings, so the title race is firmly in their hands.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Barcelona vs. Celta Vigolive stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this La Liga match in the U.S.:
This game will be available to stream via the ESPN app.
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What time does Barcelona vs. Celta Vigokick off?
This La Liga clash takes place at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain and kicks off on Wednesday, April 22 at 9:30 p.m. local time.
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: USC Trojans WR Makai Lemon (6) during a college football game between the USC Trojans and Illinois Fighting Illini on September 27, 2025 at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IN (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
I’ll spare the long introduction. You know what a mock draft is. This is the last one. Let’s do it.
Trade
Los Angeles Rams receive: No. 21 pick, No. 85 pick, No. 135 pick, No. 161 pick
The Rams currently hold picks No. 13, 61, and 93 in the first three rounds. After that, they don’t have another pick until No. 207. The Steelers send them third, fourth, and fifth-round picks to move up eight spots and get a fourth-round selection in next year’s draft for their trouble.
Round 1, Pick 13: WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Steelers need another wide receiver, particularly one who operates in the slot, which Lemon does. Omar Khan raved about the USC product in his press conference on Monday, so don’t be surprised to se a trade up for the All-American.
Round 2, Pick 53: OT Gennings Dunker, Iowa
With the injury to Broderick Jones putting his status up in the air for training camp, the Steelers have a larger need at tackle than originally expected. While Dylan Cook played well in the final month of the season, going with the Joe Moore Award winner as the long-term answer at tackle is the way to go.
Round 3, Pick 76: LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
The Pitt product has been terrific in the leadup to the draft starting with a great week at the Senior Bowl. With Patrick Queen in the final year of his contract, the Steelers need to plan for the future at the position.
Round 3, Pick 99: G Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
The Steelers lost Isaac Seumalo to the Arizona Cardinals, and their current options at the position are Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman. Utilizing a top 100 pick on a guard is likely to happen, and they take Schrauth here.
Trade
Indianapolis Colts receive: No. 121 pick
Pittsburgh Steelers receive: QB Anthony Richardson
Instead of taking a flyer on Carson Beck or any of the other quarterbacks of that tier, Pittsburgh trades for the former top 10 pick for Mike McCarthy to try and groom into a quality starter.
Round 6, Pick 216: TE Oscar Delp, Georgia
After collecting tight ends in 2025, the Steelers are down to two with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Delp would serve as the No. 3 in jumbo sets.
Round 7, Pick 224: QB Taylen Green, Arkansas
The Steelers will go to Latrobe with four quarterbacks. Green is uber athletic and could be stashed on the practice squad, or even converted into a receiver i.e. Antwaan Randle El.
Round 7, Pick 230: RB Robert Henry, UTSA
Henry topped 1,000 yards last season with 11 total touchdowns. He’ll make for a good camp body and potential 53-man call-up in the event of injury.
Round 7, Pick 237: WR Lewis Bond, Boston College
Boston College was dreadful in 2025, but Bond was one of the few bright spots. He caught 88 passes for 993 yards and could compete for one of the final spots on the depth chart.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
Apr 18, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) hits a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images | Scott Marshall-Imagn Images
Happy Wednesday, everyone! Did you know the Cubs are in the most interesting division in baseball? Of course, we always knew that, but it seems like the NL Central is getting a lot of attention this week. Other things on people’s minds? The Phillies, Mets, and Astros are the talk of the town, and it’s largely because of how bad they’ve been. Not bad? Astros’ slugger Yordan Alvarez. Likewise, Japanese star Munetaka Murakami might be striking out a lot, but he’s still exactly what the White Sox hoped for.
We’ve got all that and more—including goats—in today’s news brief, so let’s just jump right into it.
JAIPUR: It was a truly instinctive and athletic piece of wicketkeeping as Dhruv Jurel, playing his part to perfection for Rajasthan Royals, stumped Cameron Green of Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden last Sunday. Even Sachin Tendulkar singled out his presence of mind. “Only one stump in sight, on the move and done in the blink of an eye! Simply magnificent Dhruv Jurel,” he posted on X.
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Jurel was partially unsighted as Green moved forward and across to counter a Ravi Bishnoi googly that spun viciously down the leg side. The 25-year-old gloveman reacted in a flash. Diving full-length to his left to collect the ball, tumbling and off-balance, he managed a blind, behind-the-back flick that arrowed straight into the stumps. For Jurel, being behind the stumps offers the best possible view of the game. “It helps me understand the game better. The best seat in the house,” he told TOI.
Despite his evident quality, he is yet to become India’s first-choice keeper-batter in any format. But that does not dishearten him. “Competition is good and it actually keeps me sharp. The mindset is rooted in Army discipline, where you don’t just prepare for the battle, you train every single day to be battle ready,” he said. For Jurel, temperament and mental toughness are everything, qualities he readily admits he inherited from his father. “Growing up in an Army environment and hearing my father’s stories about being on the front has taught me a lot about bravery and discipline. I bring the same frontline mindset to the crease,” the Royals’ keeper said.
— sachin_rt (@sachin_rt)
Love for Test cricket
“Red-ball cricket is like a game of chess. I love the format. Test cricket is the real test of your character. I have learned that patience is more important than speed, and you need to be in-the-game all through the five days. It’s tough to maintain that focus.
“Winning a Test match for India provides a sense of fulfilling a duty, that’s why I felt like dedicating my maiden Test century to the Indian Army, in honour of the real heroes,” said Jurel.
United want at least two midfielders in the summer as part of their rebuilding job and are considering the France international. Casemiro is leaving Old Trafford when his contract expires and, though Kobbie Mainoo is close to signing a new deal, United only have three specialist central midfielders, with Michael Carrick instead using captain Bruno Fernandes as a No 10 now.
Tchouameni, who cost Real €80m in 2022, has been a regular across four years at the Bernabeu, making 44 appearances so far this season. But Real are expected to look for midfield reinforcements while other players have voiced their interest in joining the 15-time European champions, including Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Manchester City’s Rodri.
Tchouameni, 26, has won La Liga and the Champions League during his time at Real as well as playing in the 2022 World Cup final for France. United have signed from Real Madrid in recent seasons, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Casemiro.
Celtic face Racing Club battle for Marcelo Saracchi
Celtic left-back Marcelo Saracchi is reportedly attracting interest from Argentine side Racing Club…
According to Argentine outlet El Crack Deportivo, the 27-year-old has caught attention following a string of decent performances since his arrival in Glasgow last summer.
Saracchi joined Celtic without an option to buy included in the agreement, leaving his long-term future at the Hoops uncertain. Earlier reports hinted at discussions over a potential permanent transfer, but no concrete progress with Celtic has been made.
The report suggests Racing Club are now monitoring the left-back as they prepare for possible squad changes. With current full-back Gabriel Rojas linked to a potential exit, head coach Gustavo Costas is believed to be assessing replacements, with Saracchi emerging as a viable option.
Saracchi’s agent confirmed last month that talks regarding his future were expected, though developments since then seem to have hit a stumbling block. Despite the uncertainty, Saracchi has been impressive this season for Celtic – contributing three goal involvements – two assists and one goal – in 22 appearances this season.
His energetic displays have resonated with supporters, many of whom are calling for increased playing time, especially given the inconsistencies of Kieran Tierney in recent weeks. Saracchi brings a wealth of experience, having previously featured for the likes of River Plate, RB Leipzig, Galatasaray, and Levante.
Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic takes a shot while under pressure from Jayden Richardson of St Mirren during the Scottish Cup Semi Final match between Celtic and St Mirren at Hampden Park on April 19, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
The SFA has confirmed the refereeing team for Celtic’s upcoming Scottish Premiership fixture against Falkirk this weekend.
O’Neill’s side return to action following the league split on Saturday, taking on John McGlynn’s Falkirk at Celtic Park. The match will be the fifth meeting between the sides this season, with Celtic having won all four previous encounters.
Ryan Lee has been appointed as the referee for the match, with Jonathan Bell and Dougie Potter AR1 and AR2.
Meanwhile, VAR responsibilities will be handled by Chris Graham at Clydesdale House. He will be supported by Greg Aitken who is AVAR.
Conor Spence
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
‘For sure, Man Utd are considering…’: Romano discloses what INEOS are now thinking about signing Real Madrid star
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that while Aurelien Tchouameni is ‘appreciated’ by Manchester United, Real Madrid have not received any word of an incoming proposal.
In addition, he adds that the Spanish outfit have given ‘no indication’ that they’d be willing to part ways with their star midfielder this summer.
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With at least one marquee signing anticipated in M16, it goes without saying that the majority of fans would’ve jumped at the prospect of adding the highly-regarded Frenchman to the squad ahead of 2026/2027.
Prior to his £85.3 million (£68.3m upfront and £17m in add-ons) switch to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2022, United were among Tchouameni’s admirers when he was making a name for himself at AS Monaco.
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However, as is the case for countless young players being targeted by Premier League sides, the then-22-year-old favoured the European giants, and eventually put pen to paper on a six-year deal in the Spanish capital.
His decision unsurprisingly paid off, as he has since claimed seven major honours in a Los Blancos shirt, including a La Liga title and the club’s 15th Champions League.
Tchouameni ‘appreciated’ by United, but no talks have taken place
When addressing the speculation, Romano told viewers that, for now, it’s relatively ‘useless’ to keep addressing each link to a midfielder, as United are doing their due diligence in the lead-up to the window and extensively scouring the market to find players who they believe could be a perfect fit at Old Trafford.
“Just to be clear, I told you that Man United will go for two midfielders in the summer. Let’s see if it will be more, but for now, the indication is two. Man United want to sign important names, not small names. So, for sure, Man United are considering several midfielders,” began Romano.
“There are some players they really appreciate; Elliot Anderson, I’ve already mentioned, Sandro Tonali as well. There are some that they really like.
“Tchouameni is, for sure, appreciated. But at the moment, from Real Madrid, they are not receiving any indication of doors [being] open for a potential exit in summer.”
Lazio are reportedly keeping close tabs on Celtic midfielder Arne Engels as they consider a possible move in the upcoming summer transfer window…
Arne Engels during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
The Belgian has recently returned to action after a two-month injury absence, rejoining Martin O’Neill’s squad during a crucial period of the season.
Celtic turned down a £25 million bid from Nottingham Forest in January, standing firm on their decision not to sell the player midway through the campaign.
However, interest in Engels has not faded, with Lazio now said to be weighing up a summer approach.
Arne Engels of Celtic scores his team’s third goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Celtic FC and FC Utrecht at Celtic Park on January 29, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Reports in Italy from Lorenzo Lepore claim the midfielder has impressed those at the Serie A club, who could view him as a replacement should Fisayo Dele-Bashiru depart.
Any potential move may hinge on the future of Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri, whose position remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are also believed to be considering a renewed bid, despite their managerial change earlier this year.
Engels is expected to assess his options carefully over the coming months, with his long-term future still unclear. During the winter window, O’Neill had made it clear that only an exceptional offer would persuade Celtic to sell.
RB Leipzig had previously been linked with the midfielder but opted to pursue a deal for Rocco Reitz instead.
Uncertainty also surrounds Celtic’s managerial situation heading into next season. Under O’Neill’s interim spells in charge, Engels has worked his way back into the starting line-up after Brendan Rodgers benched him on a few occasions at the start of the season.
Lazio currently sit ninth in Serie A, though they have lost just once in their last seven matches.
Engels made his first start in Sunday’s 6-2 victory over St Mirren since his hamstring injury which came against Livingston in early February.
Arne Engels. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)
Given the turnover of players that Celtic will go through in the summer, Engels might see it the perfect opportunity to land a big money move back to one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Conor Spence
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
Chelsea’s 114-Year Low: Boehly has burnt down the empire that Roman built
Amid a plethora of figures who would mourn the current incarnation of Chelsea, perhaps one will feel frustrated more than once.
Roman Abramovich spent almost two decades transforming Chelsea. From the moment he ushered in a new dawn at Stamford Bridge in 2003 to his exit under a cloud 19 years later, Abramovich had only one objective: To win.
A team that had occasionally competed for trophies began to collect them with regularity. 21 major prizes were lifted under Abramovich, including twoChampions League titles. No London side had ever previously been European champions, and none have since.
Abramovich's fall from grace in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent government-enforced sanctions was an unceremonious end to his ownership.
Putting that enormous elephant to one side of the room, from a footballing perspective solely, the contrast between Abramovich's Chelsea and Todd Boehly's bumbling Blues could not be more stark.
Chelsea suffer worst run of results since 1912 after Brighton defeat
A dismal defeat at Brighton has all but ended Champions League hopes, and was a fifth straight league loss. Chelsea have failed to score in any of those games, the club's worst run of form for 114 years.
"I've defended the players, and I am accountable. I've always said that. But after tonight, I think the players as well need to have a look in the mirror for what they put in. We lost 80 per cent of duels. We didn't win a header. Two of the goals come when we could head the ball. At any level, if you make those errors and lack of engagement, you're not going to win games of football."
Rosenior is not to blame for his appointment, but it's one of several poor decisions Chelsea have made. This is a coach with limited senior experience at any level, let alone managing a club with Chelsea's expectations. An internal BlueCo promotion without the required credentials for the job he inherited.
Chelsea have shattered transfer records under BlueCo, as Boehly and company have attempted their own 'Money-Ball' mission. There has been an absurd number of incomings and outgoings, with a focus on emerging talent. The oldest outfield regular is Tosin Adarabioyo, at just 28.
Chelsea have spread their bets and prioritised youth, with the hope that rough diamonds can become polished. Some might still bear fruit but Stamford Bridge, right now, is far from an idealistic environment to nurture novices. With an inexperienced squad and head coach, where will vital lessons be learned?
Somewhere along the line, the vision between long-term potential and winning has become blurred. This is not an organisation centred around success. The Abramovich era saw tunnel-like focus on big trophies. It may have been a ruthless 'hire them and fire them' policy, but nothing but the best was accepted.
Serial winners in Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte all paid the price for falling short. Patience was a virtue that came second to that of determination to win.
Football is not all about winning, but Chelsea is a club that has been accustomed to it. In such a short time, Boehly has burnt down the empire that Roman built.
MS Dhoni and Deepak Chahar have always shared a strong off-field bond, and a recent video shared by Mumbai Indians on X once again showcased their camaraderie, this time with a humorous twist.
As Chennai Super Kings prepare to face Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, the two five-time champions will meet for the first time in IPL 2026. Both teams have had a similar start to the season, winning two and losing four matches each, making this high-stakes clash crucial for regaining momentum.
The CSK vs MI fixture, often dubbed the “El Clasico of the IPL,” remains one of the most intense rivalries in the league. Mumbai Indians hold a slight edge in the head-to-head record, leading 22-19 across IPL and CLT20 encounters. In IPL 2026, MI and CSK is going to face for the 40th time and it is their 14th face-off in Mumbai.
Dhoni-Chahar Banter
Despite the fierce on-field rivalry, moments like these highlight the friendships that go beyond team colours. In a video from a recent net session, Deepak Chahar, now part of Mumbai Indians after his stint with CSK, approached his former captain MS Dhoni for a chat.
However, Dhoni jokingly pointed out the presence of the camera and quipped:
“Tum aaya, saath mein camera leke aaya… bhagao isko.” (You came along with a camera… get him out of here.)
Chahar then playfully told the cameraman to leave, saying: “Arey yaar bhaiya, jao aap.''(Come on, brother, please go.)
Dhoni added with a smile: “Haan, warna baat nahi kar paenge.” (Yes, otherwise we won’t be able to talk.)
— mipaltan (@mipaltan)
The duo is famous for their "elder brother-younger brother" bond. During the 2025 MI vs CSK match, Chahar hilariously tried to sledge Dhoni by gesturing he would field at short silly point as Dhoni walked out to bat. After CSK's win, Dhoni was seen jokingly "hitting" Chahar with his bat during the post-match handshakes, a moment that went viral as a sign of their enduring friendship.
When Formula E launched its Gen4 car on Tuesday at Circuit Paul Ricard, a much-discussed paddock topic was the yet to be announced calendar for the 2026-27 campaign when it will make its debut. That is because the all-electric championship faces a dilemma over whether to stick to its mantra of city-centre, street venues, to or visit more traditional and permanent tracks due to the insane performance of its new car.
The Gen4 has a top speed of 208mph with a peak power output of 804bhp – approximately 70% more than its predecessor, the Gen3 Evo – but the key is in its weight and size. It will be 87kg heavier, 439mm longer and 90mm wider, a significant step up from previous Formula E machines, and its scale really did take the audience back when it launched off the line for a demo run in the south of France.
With this step forwards in performance comes the issue that it may not be able to race at the circuits that the championship previously used, because if one thinks it is tricky for a Formula 1 car to race at places like Monaco, then it’ll be a similar problem for Formula E with the Gen4 just 110mm narrower than the all-new 2026 car.
And this puts London at risk. The British capital has been on the calendar with its ExCeL venue since 2021 and has proven to be a proper fan favourite – traditionally being the season finale. However, it is a very tight track with bendy sections such as Turns 10-13 and 18-20.
“It’s just a bigger, more muscular car, so it really has opened up circuits to us that we haven’t considered,” said championship CEO Jeff Dodds. “The bad side is there are circuits we love that we race on currently that it means the Gen4 car is going to find it very difficult to race on.
“London in the ExCeL, which is a fan favourite, a race that I really love personally, it’s already tight when those Gen3 Evo cars come out of the indoor section into the outdoor section and they’ve got a tight bottleneck that comes up.
“You simply won’t be able to do that in a Gen4 car. It would be too dangerous, it would be too complex. It would make for a very complex race.”
The Gen4 car is larger, heavier and faster than the Gen3 Evo
The Gen4 car is larger, heavier and faster than the Gen3 Evo
So, all signs are pointing to this year’s race, the final round of the 2025/26 season on 15-16 August, being the last for Formula E in London as it looks towards other venues and will submit its calendar proposal to the World Motor Sport Council in June.
It’s not yet known what will replace it, but general paddock chat puts Brands Hatch in the firing line as London’s obvious replacement. Yes, it’s not a city centre venue, but it’s rather easy to get to from the capital and, with the historic circuit lacking that headline event, it could really make Formula E its own.
Madrid’s Jarama has also set the benchmark, as the ex-grand prix venue made its debut in March and was a genuinely well-received event with a top atmosphere. Times are therefore changing and although one could argue that it means Formula E is losing its unique selling point, its chief championship officer and co-founder Alberto Longo holds the opposing view.
“We knew from the beginning that the more we have faster cars, the more challenging it will be to remain [at the tracks it has historically used],” said Longo. “City centre is one thing, what we’re used to is street racing.
“Let’s not forget about the track that we did in Moscow, Paris, Rome, those were purely street venues and when we talk about city centre, we can be talking about Mexico. Even if it’s a permanent track, it’s a city centre, you can go there by tube.
“Using permanent tracks, why not? This is about showcasing a car that is eventually going to be the fastest car on earth, so let’s start using the tracks that will showcase that. Our DNA is intact."
The Philadelphia Eagles have established one of the most consistent rosters in the NFL by focusing heavily on their offensive and defensive lines. However, this approach has raised questions about whether other positions should be the primary focus. Year after year, the Eagles invest significant draft capital in linemen, and while this strategy has proven effective, it has also led to a growing debate: are the Eagles neglecting key playmakers in a league that increasingly prioritizes explosive offenses?
The Eagles have been reluctant to use first-round resources on the tight end or safety position, while defensive tackle has been the first-round pick in two of the past five drafts, including going back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. General manager Howie Roseman has remained committed to building inside-out, prioritizing protection and pass rush above all else. But with evolving offensive trends across the NFL, some question whether the Eagles should adapt and load up on a game-changing safety.
Just two weeks ago, Philadelphia had Andrew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Andre Sam, and Brandon Johnson on the roster at the safety position following Reed Blankenship's departure. Then the Eagles traded Brown to Atlanta and quickly re-signed Marcus Epps and added J.T. Gray. Mukuba is a guaranteed starter in Year 2, despite returning from a season-ending injury as a rookie. The second safety spot is up for grabs. Epps is a solid contributor, but he's aging and not a dominant game-changer. Gray is a special teams standout, while Sam and Johnson are back after spending 2025 on the practice squad.
The roster is loaded, but not without questions. Depth at safety, wide receiver flexibility behind the dynamic duo, and long-term offensive evolution all linger as areas that could demand attention.
On the field, the defensive backs showed strong quickness in closing on short completions, a theme throughout the high-tempo practice.
The defensive backs reacting quickly and closing in on short completions was a common theme throughout practice. Cornerback Paulson Adebo would do it later on after a completion to wide receiver Darius Slayton.
Adebo also broke up a pass in the final team period, contributing to a productive day for the secondary as the Giants focused on communication, coverage fundamentals, and competitive 7-on-7 and team drills.
Texas A&M's success on the recruiting trail will more than likely lead to finishing the 2027 cycle ranked No. 1 by the end of the year, and after the Maroon & White Game last Saturday, which also served as another hosting opportunity for third-year head coach Mike Elko and his revamped staff.
Over the last four months, Elko and new cornerbacks coach Bryant Gross-Armiento have had their sights set on five-star cornerbacks John Meredith and Joshua Dobson, who are both taking official visits to College Station over the next two months. Two blue-blood programs will serve as the Aggies' primary competition for both blue-chip recruits, while Dobson has now placed Texas A&M in his final five program list.
Officially competing with LSU, South Carolina, Michigan, and Auburn, Texas A&M has received nothing but praise from the five-star corner during his last unofficial visit, noting Elko's background as a defensive backs coach, while current freshman and former five-star cornerback Brandon Arrington has already looked like a first-year contributor after an impressive spring performance.
Joshua Dobson transferred to Cornelius (N.C.) Hough, before his 2026 senior season this fall, recorded a tackle and an interception during the Under Armour All-America Game earlier this year. According to 247Sports, Dobson is the 43rd-ranked prospect in the 2027 class, the 6th-ranked cornerback, and the 2nd-ranked prospect in North Carolina.
NEWS: Five-Star CB Joshua Dobson is down to 5 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals⁰⁰The 6’1 185 CB from Cornelius, NC is ranked as the No. 6 Recruit in the 2027 Rivals300⁰ Where Should He Go?⁰⁰https://t.co/mkYg8P5GBtpic.twitter.com/q2h69KY701
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.
AI may have many uses. Predicting the NFL draft may not be one of them.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, draft experts around the internet have tried to predict the outcome of the first round in their own unique mock drafts. Each expert has provided their own spin on the first 32 picks in this year's draft, and most of them have provided analysis while explaining their thought process for those picks.
But what if we pawned off all of that lousy "thinking" and "analysis" to a large language model (LLM) powered by AI? Can the chatbots come up with their own versions of a mock draft that compete with the accuracy and predictive analysis provided by real draft experts?
Over the last month, USA TODAY Sports has consulted with five different AI chatbots, asking each one to come up with its own predictions for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. OpenAI's ChatGPT, xAI's Grok, Microsoft Copilot, Meta AI and Google Gemini each put together its own mock draft.
Here is a full roundup of the results of AI mock drafts ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft:
AI mock draft predictions before 2026 NFL Draft
Note: All five mock draft predictions were compiled before the Cincinnati Bengals traded the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Giants.
The only consensus pick of the entire mock draft roundup. Mendoza to the Raiders is the closest thing to a foregone conclusion in this draft, so even the artificial intelligence couldn't screw this pick up.
The Jets' selection at No. 2 was one of the picks that came the closest to a consensus in this roundup of AI mock drafts. One has to wonder how much of that came down to three out of the five chatbots seemingly forgetting about Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey's existence. Copilot's decision to have Love match Eagles running back Saquon Barkley's draft position at No. 2 overall was a real head-scratcher, but it's not even the worst pick of the group. ChatGPT's selection of Moore, who has already announced he would return to Oregon instead of declaring for the draft, was just a bit of foreshadowing for the disastrous mock draft OpenAI's LLM put together.
Microsoft Copilot: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Google Gemini: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
Grok: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Meta AI: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
ChatGPT: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Spoiler alert: Gemini's pick is the highest that Bailey goes in any AI mock draft in this roundup. Meanwhile, Copilot had Arizona opting for a different edge rusher – Microsoft's LLM had Bailey go later – and the two social media-owned AIs were in lockstep on an offensive tackle selection instead. Bailey and Mauigoa are among consensus selections for the Cardinals in the draft community, so those picks don't stand out. Bain at No. 3 is a bit of a reach in the post-NFL combine world where his arm length raised concerns. Elsewhere, ChatGPT continued to march to the beat of its own drum.
Microsoft Copilot: LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Google Gemini: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Grok: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Meta AI: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
ChatGPT: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Another near-consensus pick. Tennessee would love to have Reese fall to them as one of the top edge rushers in the class, and Love is otherwise a popular consensus pick for the Titans among experts' mock drafts. For ChatGPT, none of that meant anything. While building up the offensive line in front of Cam Ward makes sense, no draft expert has Proctor as the top offensive tackle in this class, which is where he lands in OpenAI's mock.
According to five different AI large language models, one thing was for sure when it came to the No. 5 pick: an Ohio State Buckeye was coming off of the board. Though the LLMs did not have a consensus pick, all of the selections made sense for New York. Downs and Styles provide a necessary upgrade to Big Blue's defense, while Tate is an excellent wide receiver to pair with lead wideout Malik Nabers to support quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Microsoft Copilot: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Google Gemini: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Grok: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Meta AI: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
ChatGPT: DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Build up the trenches! Getting an offensive tackle in the building is important for protecting whichever quarterback wins the starting battle in Cleveland for 2026, whether that be Mauigoa, Fano or Freeling (though the latter is a bit of a reach at 6). ChatGPT continues to do its own thing here, and while Woods is also a reach this early, he is also one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the class.
The Commanders' pick was another rare instance in which there were several different options from the different LLMs and all of them would make sense. Styles is a pick that would make a ton of sense for Washington if he fell this far – helping to replace Bobby Wagner in the linebackers group and provide a capable pass defender at the position. Downs would help give the Commanders an extra boost in the secondary, which they desperately need with a weak group of cornerbacks. Bain could slot in across from free agent signing Odafe Oweh to upgrade Washington's pass-rush attack in a big way, and Tate could be the No. 2 wide receiver the Commanders are in need of behind Terry McLaurin.
Addressing the worst pick first: ChatGPT's selection of Stewart was the second time in its mock draft it tried to pick a player that did not declare for the draft. Outside of that, it was either Tate – to give New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough a strong second option to throw to outside of Chris Olave – or Delane, a cornerback that fills a need across from Kool-Aid McKinstry after Alontae Taylor's departure in free agency. Not bad.
Giving Mahomes more wide receiver help with Tyson would make sense at No. 9, as would improving the secondary or edge rusher situation in Kansas City. The Chiefs have not done well getting after opposing quarterbacks on the edge – though Chris Jones has held things down in the interior – and they've lost some key defenders in the secondary this offseason.
What does not make sense in the slightest is wasting a top-10 pick on a player that already plays for another professional team. This is only the beginning of many (many) such moves by ChatGPT.
Improving the defense had to be a clear point of focus for the Bengals this offseason – which they made clear in their trade of this pick for Dexter Lawrence. These AI mock drafts were all put together before that trade, and each LLM understood that assignment except for ChatGPT. Offensive tackle is a position of need, but Cincinnati will have a hard time if it tries to draft one of the Saints' players.
Google Gemini: WR Makai Lemon, Southern California
Grok: WR Makai Lemon, Southern California
Meta AI: WR Makai Lemon, Southern California
ChatGPT: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Lemon's a good fit for a team that released wide receiver Tyreek Hill and traded away Jaylen Waddle this offseason. Bailey is a steal at the No. 11 pick in the draft and gets the Dolphins a high-ceiling replacement for Bradley Chubb, whom they also released in the offseason. But once again, ChatGPT is trying to use the draft to steal players from other teams. Johnson was the Cardinals' second-round pick last year.
Defense, defense, defense for the Cowboys, who finished last year with one of the worst units in the sport. Dallas allowed the third-highest completion rate, second-highest passer rating and most passing yards to opponents in 2025, so adding a cornerback makes sense. Styles, a super-versatile freak athlete, would be a steal for Dallas here as well. But not as much of a steal as Pearce, who is currently rostered by the Atlanta Falcons.
Fano would give the Rams talented extra depth at offensive tackle, while Tyson and Lemon would do the same at wide receiver to eventually replace Davante Adams. Notably, Grok just re-drafted Lemon two picks after sending him to the Dolphins. Sadiq would be a strong addition to an offense that loved to run three-tight-end sets in 2025, though there isn't an immediate need there. Meanwhile, ChatGPT tries to steal a player who is already in the NFL for a fifth straight pick.
Make it six straight stolen players for ChatGPT as Hunter, currently on the Jaguars, apparently manages to both play offense and defense and play for two different teams. Otherwise, Ioane is the most popular pick for a Ravens offensive line that just parted ways with center Tyler Linderbaum. Edge rusher is not as pressing a need for Baltimore after it signed Trey Hendrickson, and the Parker pick is also a bit of a reach by Copilot. Still not as bad as ChatGPT.
Microsoft Copilot: WR Makai Lemon, Southern California
Google Gemini: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Grok: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
Meta AI: Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
ChatGPT: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Replacing wide receiver Mike Evans is on the docket for the Buccaneers in the logic of Copilot and ChatGPT, but only one of them picked a draftable player. McMillan, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Carolina Panthers, isn't going anywhere. The three other LLMs opted to address a more pressing draft need for Tampa Bay: edge rusher.
A new quarterback for Gang Green? That makes sense, Copilot and Gemini. More wide receiver help across from Garrett Wilson? Solid decisions, Grok and Meta AI. An edge rusher that ranks outside the top 75 of USA TODAY Sports' draft expert Ayrton Ostly's big board? Well, ChatGPT, at least it's a 2026 draft prospect for the first time since No. 7 overall.
Offensive tackle is a clear need for the Lions with Taylor Decker's surprise release request, and four out of five AI LLMs got that memo. If you had one guess as to which missed it... That's right, ChatGPT picked another player that already plays in the NFL.
Thieneman is by far the most popular pick for the Vikings at No. 18 in draft experts' mocks around the web, so it makes sense to see him well-represented in the LLMs' picks. McCoy also makes some sense for Minnesota as help in the secondary at a different position. What doesn't make sense? Drafting an offensive tackle that already plays for the Houston Texans.
More pass-catching help for Bryce Young? Sure, even if it means a third straight year of taking a wide receiver in the first round. For Grok, this is the third time Lemon has been drafted, so that's not ideal. Gemini's Sadiq selection is the best of the bunch here by getting tight end help instead. While ChatGPT's "heart" was in the right place, its logic once again misled it by trying to draft yet another player that has already been employed by another pro team.
More defensive help for the Cowboys in most of the selections here at No. 20 after most LLMs had them taking a cornerback at 12. Meanwhile, ChatGPT is back to its old ways and trying to give Dallas another already-drafted player: first it was James Pearce Jr., now Walker, who was the Bills' fourth-round pick last year.
No real theme emerges from the collective AI picks at No. 21. In addition to ChatGPT continuing its tendency to select 2025 draft picks (Morrison was a second-rounder for the Buccaneers last year), Grok got in on the weirdness. The xAI chatbot tried to select Ioane a second time after sending him to the Ravens seven picks prior.
Microsoft Copilot: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Google Gemini: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Grok: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Meta AI: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
ChatGPT: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
So Grok apparently loves re-drafting players in the same draft. First Lemon, now Ioane gets drafted a third time. ChatGPT still loves stealing players from other teams, with the Commanders losing their offensive tackle this time. Tackle depth makes some sense here from Meta AI and Gemini's picks after last year's disaster. Johnson, one of the best small school prospects in this class, gets into the first round in Copilot's mock draft.
If the Eagles are able to get Sadiq, their eventual replacement for Dallas Goedert, at No. 23, their draft would be off to an incredible start. One thing Howie Roseman definitely won't do? Try to poach Luther Burden III from the Bears with his first-round pick, at least in any way that isn't via trade. McNeil-Warren and Faulk would address Philly's needs on defense, with edge rusher among the biggest roster holes.
Disregarding ChatGPT again here, the rest of the picks mostly make sense. Copilot's move to have Cleveland double down on offensive tackles in the first round is questionable, but the wide receiver picks from other LLMs make a ton of sense for a team needing more support in the receiving corps.
Once again, we're going to disregard ChatGPT's shenanigans at this point. The Bears could really use safety help after letting so many of their safeties walk in free agency this offseason. Grok and Meta AI's McNeil-Warren picks address that. Copilot's Omar Cooper Jr. selection serves as Chicago's replacement for DJ Moore, whom the Bears traded to the Bills, but is also a more questionable pick with more pressing needs elsewhere.
Again, ChatGPT makes a horrible pick of a 2025 draft prospect, and again, we disregard. Gemini and Grok's picks for an edge rusher make the most sense here to address one of Buffalo's biggest needs.
ChatGPT disregarded. Gemini and Meta AI have the 49ers drafting their possible Trent Williams replacement, while Copilot and Grok have them addressing one of their biggest needs at edge rusher. Outside of ChatGPT, solid choices all around.
All AI LLMs (except one, because of course) went with an interesting strategy of going defense with the Texans' first-round pick. Houston already has one of the strongest defensive units in the sport, and offensive line felt like a bigger priority heading into this draft. The chatbots seemed to disagree here at pick 28.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams)
Microsoft Copilot: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Google Gemini: Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Grok: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Meta AI: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
ChatGPT: CB Kalen King, Penn State
Similar to the Chiefs' first pick in this mock draft roundup at No. 9, pretty much every pick (except the one bad one, you know which) makes sense. Cornerback needs to be a priority with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson going to the Rams earlier in the offseason, and that's what Grok and Meta AI address. Wide receiver and edge rusher help is necessary as well, which jibe with Copilot and Gemini's selections.
Another pick, another nonsensical ChatGPT selection. Outside of that, more draft capital spent on building up the Dolphins' foundation makes sense after each AI took strides to do so with the No. 11 pick. Meta AI's selection stands out as the most unique of this bunch as a player at a non-premium position.
Copilot got in on the jaw-droppingly bad logic train with this pick. The Patriots are not drafting a quarterback in the first round after Drake Maye was the MVP runner up and led New England back to the Super Bowl. ChatGPT also picked another 2025 prospect, so nothing new there, and Meta AI reached for a linebacker. That leaves Grok, shockingly, with one of the better picks to give Maye some blocking help up front. Gemini's defensive tackle pick – getting Woods, a top-ranked player at his position as well – is the best pick here.
ChatGPT closes out its mock with a whimper. Copilot, Grok and Meta AI all make a logical pick for a cornerback with Riq Woolen departing earlier in the offseason. Gemini's selection of a wide receiver is a bit surprising given Seattle's retention of Rashid Shaheed in free agency, but the extra depth wouldn't hurt for the Seahawks' offense.
ST. LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 28: Duquesne Dukes guard Jimmie Williams (3) drives to the basket as Saint Louis guard Quentin Jones (1) defends during an Atlantic 10 Conference basketball game between the Duquesne Dukes and the Saint Louis Billikens, on Feb. 28, 2026, at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, MO (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
On episode 202 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are back to discuss the newest Ohio State men’s basketball transfer portal signee Jimmie Williams and what the roster looks like as of April 21.
With the addition of Williams, the Buckeyes bench depth is starting to take shape. We talk about what he did well at Duquesne, what he struggled with, and what the main things are that he brings to Ohio State.
Now, what is left for Jake Diebler and the staff to add, and who are the main players to look out for? What do we think the rotation will look like next season?
Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning.
This offseason, the Denver Broncos brought back most of their 2025 roster that reached the AFC Championship game.
They made a splash this spring when they acquired wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, but the Broncos didn't make any big outside signings during NFL free agency. They are now approaching the 2026 NFL draft with a second-round pick, two fourth-round picks, one fifth-round pick and three seventh-round picks.
With limited draft capital and a talented roster, Denver's draft class might not make huge contributions in 2026. Broncos general manager George Paton admitted as much during his pre-draft press conference last week.
"We typically like to draft high-trait players," Paton said. "Maybe they lack a little bit of polish, and it’s going to take some development. We’ve done a great job with the coaches in developing these types of players. We took Quinn Meinerz. He started his first year, maybe wasn’t quite ready.
"Sure, we’d like somebody to come in and start right away, but that’s not always realistic for first-, second-[round picks], no matter where they’re picked. It’s just hard. With the way our team is built now, it’s going to be hard to come in and start Day 1.”
That's something to keep in mind during the draft. Denver's looking for long-term talent to develop, but similar to cornerback Jahdae Barron in 2025, there might not be many immediate snaps available for the draft class. It's ultimately a good sign as it reflects the strength of the roster that Payton and Sean Payton have built with the Broncos.
In his two spells at Pirates he has made 69 appearances, scoring 39 tries.
"[Nelson] brings a wealth of Championship experience and his time in the Prem with Gloucester has added another layer to his game," joint-head coach Alan Paver told the club website.
"His leadership, both on and off the field, has been a major factor for us this season and we see him as a key part of the future at the Pirates."
Morgan is the latest player to agree a new deal with the side this week after Angus Mawson and Arwel Robson committed themselves to the club.
ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 27: Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor #74 of the Alabama Crimson Tide sprints down the field during the college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on September 27, 2025, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A lot of mock drafts project Kansas City to take Francis Mauigoa in the top 10, but I predict the Chiefs select a different offensive tackle at No. 9 overall. Kadyn Proctor fits the team’s prototype for the position and could slip into the starting RT spot following the release of Jawaan Taylor. The gargantuan Alabama product could also stay on the blind side in a scenario where 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons switches back to right tackle, where he started as a redshirt freshman at San Diego State.
The Chiefs have a strong track record of first-round trades. Kansas City has made a trade involving a first-round pick in seven of the last 10 drafts, with mostly strong results — including the 2017 deal that landed Patrick Mahomes.
The No. 29 pick came from trading cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams in March. That deal also netted a fifth-round pick, a sixth-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick.
Wide receiver could be the pick at No. 9. With Hollywood Brown now in Philadelphia and Rashee Rice entering a contract season, the position checks the boxes of team need, positional value and available talent — with Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson potentially on the board.
Edge rusher and cornerback are also major needs. Free agency departures including McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Mike Danna created holes. Many mock drafts project top edge rushers off the board before No. 9, which could push that position to No. 29.
Justin Fields has everything it takes to be a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs during this new stage of his career. During his early interactions with his teammates, he noticed a winning mentality that reminded him of his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Just the winning, to be honest, finding ways to win. Just having that culture, similar to when I was in Pittsburgh, just that winning mindset. You can tell why that happens,”
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The Chiefs haven’t picked in the top 10 of the draft since 2017. They took some guy named Patrick Mahomes.
If they play things right and get things back on track, this will be the last time they pick in the top 10 for a long time. That’s why rolling the dice on Jordyn Tyson is not a risk worth taking for Kansas City at No. 9.
Tyson is the ninth-ranked prospect on our big board and our top receiver by a narrot margin over Carnell Tate. But the injury risk has to be acknowledged.
Tyson has a concerning history of injury that needs to be considered. He tore his ACL, MCL and PCL as a freshman at Colorado and only played in nine games last season as he dealt with a hamstring issue down the stretch of his final collegiate campaign.
His skills will make him a tempting selection for a team that needs young playmakers to step up. However, needs at offensive tackle and edge-rusher should leave Kansas City with better, higher-floor selections.
Just to be clear, this isn’t about Mansoor Delane being overrated. Delane is 100% a first-round cornerback that feels like a very safe bet to be a quality cornerback from day one of his rookie season and should have a successful NFL career for years to come. The problem is that most experts agree he’s just shy of the true NFL shut-down corner tier prospect. If Delane was viewed as a Sauce Gardner/Jalen Ramsey/Darrelle Revis type of elite corner, he would be a surefire top five draft pick in a draft class that is seen as short on true elite talents, especially at the more premium positions.
Delane is incredibly fluid and excels in zone coverage and is very good in man coverage as well. He’s smart and has good technique. His size and speed are both good but fall just short of being ideal for a true shut-down corner that you can match up with any wide receiver in man coverage. While he ran an impressive 4.38 40-yard dash at his pro day, there are times on tape where really fast/twitchy wideouts can get away from him (KC Conception was one). While he plays physical, he isn’t overly strong, and his 30″ arms leave room for bigger/stronger wideouts to bully him a little at the catch point.
The Fox Sports commentator said a lot hinges on when Mahomes returns to the lineup and his overall recovery from the injury. Mahomes recently returned to the field for throwing work and Reid recently said there is a strong possibility that the star quarterback returns in time for Week 1.
“Can Steve Spagnuolo on defense continue to keep that defense rolling and carry the load with Chris Jones and some of those other good pieces? Sure,” Olsen said. “But make no mistake about it, your team is not as good without Patrick Mahomes than it is with Patrick Mahomes. The number one priority of that organization is getting him healthy on whatever timeline that is.
“If he’s not back for Week 1, so be it, because they got to ensure that when Patrick Mahomes is back, he is 100% the Patrick mahomes that we’ve seen for give or take a decade,” said Olsen. “They keep him lined up behind center, that is their two of their number one priorities this season. And from there, we’ll see how the draft goes. We’ll see. Can they continue to find some more offensive pieces to solidify the O-line? A couple other question marks that are out there, but never count out Mahomes, never count out Andy Reid. They’ve been doing it at a high level for a long time.”
“I’ve had some difficult conversations with people that I care about, with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players,” said Vrabel, who earned his second AP NFL Coach of the Year award last season while leading the Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance.
“Those have been positive and productive. We believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me, that starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. We never want to be the cause of a distraction. Those are comments and questions that I’ve answered for the team and with the team. We’ll keep those private and to ourselves.”
Notably, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN’s Ben Strauss that the league is not reviewing whether Vrabel violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy, which states that players, coaches and executives must not engage in “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in” the NFL.
Vrabel started his Tuesday statement by thanking the assembled media for their patience in what he described as a “personal and private matter” for both him and everybody involved.
Two days before the NFL draft, the New York Jets’ preference with the second overall choice is still shrouded in mystery. It’s expected to be either Ohio State’s Arvell Reese or Texas Tech’s David Bailey, whose scheduled top-30 visit last week was canceled by the Jets.
Don’t read anything into that, according to general manager Darren Mougey.
“In regard to David, we had good touch points with him at the combine, we went to his pro day, had a good dinner with him, and we were just kind of juggling our 30 [visits] and how to use them,” Mougey said Tuesday at a predraft news conference. “I wouldn’t look too much into a cancellation because there was other ones that we may have changed as well.”
Mike Tomlin, one of the most intriguing NFL TV prospects in years, is headed to NBC to be a top studio analyst on its Sunday night pregame show, “Football Night in America,” sources briefed on the move told The Athletic on Tuesday.
Tomlin, 54, has been eyed by sports TV executives for more than a decade because of his success as a Super Bowl-winning Steelers coach, his knowledge of the game and his unique phraseology.
Fox showed some interest in Tomlin, but NBC had the biggest need for his services. The network is reimagining its pregame show, a move that has already led to Tony Dungy’s dismissal after 17 seasons.
The roles of Rodney Harrison, Jac Collinsworth and Chris Simms are also in question as the network seeks more current star power and fewer people on the show. NBC Sports declined to comment.
Trade up from pick No. 9 to pick No. 3: Arvell Reese, Outside Linbacker, Ohio State
Chiefs trade picks No. 9 and No. 29 to the Arizona Cardinals for No. 3 and No. 104
Kansas City is in a rare position as a perennial Super Bowl contender picking in the top 10 after a down season, while also holding extra draft capital from trading cornerback Trent McDuffie. With an already strong core in place, the Chiefs are one of the few contenders where moving up makes real sense.
The ninth pick offers a chance to secure a franchise cornerstone for the next decade, which should be the priority. Rather than addressing only short-term needs, the Chiefs should focus on sustaining the long-term championship window.
The biggest long-term concern is the defensive line. Chris Jones is 32 years old and nearing the later stages of his prime. Replacing his impact will only become harder when the team returns to drafting near the end of the first round. Acquiring that type of player later often requires multiple first-round picks for an older, more expensive veteran.
That makes trading up now the smarter move: give up less capital, land an elite talent on a rookie deal and develop him in-house through his prime years.
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Highest win percentage when team allowed 28+ points in the Super Bowl era…
1. Patrick Mahomes – .483 (14-15) 2. Josh Allen – .435 (10-13) 2. Randall Cunningham – .435 (10-13) 4. Joe Montana – .409 (9-13) 5. Jim Kelly – .393 (11-17) 6. Jalen Hurts – .381 (8-13) 7. Tom Brady -… https://t.co/Ibhi2t1K8p
Charley Hoffman has shared how well he gets along with Rory McIlroy more than a year on from his letter to the PGA Tour membership that appeared to criticise the Northern Irishman in particular.
It does appear that brighter times lie ahead for the PGA Tour. There is more than a question mark hanging over the future of LIV Golf. Those at Ponte Vedra now seem to hold almost all of the cards in the game’s civil war.
But in the early stages of 2025, there was a lot more debate over the best way for the PGA Tour to move forward.
Charley Hoffman reflects on his 2025 letter to the PGA Tour membership that indirectly criticised Rory McIlroy
The likes of Justin Thomas and Charley Hoffman sent lengthy letters to the membership. Hoffman’s letter threatened to ruffle more feathers, with the veteran noting that stars playing on other tours do not help the PGA Tour.
He pointed out that players could not moan about how much they play while also turning up on the DP World Tour and TGL.
The problem was that Rory McIlroy was the one player who ticked every box on that front. Understandably, McIlroy felt that the point was directed squarely at him when asked about Hoffman’s letter after a TGL appearance.
He did not seem particularly impressed.
Speaking on the Fore Play Podcast, Hoffman opened up on his message to his fellow PGA Tour players, and how he and McIlroy have got along since.
“Rory and I, believe it or not, are on very good terms I think. I speak my mind in what I think and I think I’m very open-minded when it comes down to it. It was a lot of focus at the top players saying they wanted to play less, which is a bunch of BS. They just want to get paid when they play, which I don’t have a problem with by the way. I don’t have an issue with that,” he said.
Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images
“Unfortunately or fortunately depending on who you are, the PGA Tour doesn’t make you play any events. You don’t have to play in a playoff event, you don’t have to play in a signature event, you don’t have to play anything. But we’re lining up sponsors for $20 million. You need participation.
“So the Delaware group said we want to play less, we want to do this. And it’s like half the guys want to play less, half the guys want to play more. You’re never going to make the whole membership happy, but when people start talking like this is the reason why we’re doing this and then they go on to play the Race to Dubai, which I don’t have a problem with, playing in Australia for the Aussie Open, the reality is for the game of golf, it’s better to play globally. Rory’s taking this game across the world which is amazing. But it’s not the best thing for the PGA Tour.
“So if you’re sitting on the board representing the PGA Tour and you’re saying all these things, but you’re actually supporting the Aussie Tour, the DP Tour and all these other tours, you’re not really supporting the PGA Tour when you’re taking events off that need to be supported because you’ve got sponsorship domestically that need you in the field. So I was just calling that out.”
How PGA Tour players feel about how the product has changed since LIV Golf started
It is going to be fascinating to see how the PGA Tour looks in the coming years. It has already been announced that neither The Sentry or the Sony Open in Hawaii will be on the future calendar in their current forms.
It is a controversial step. And it also provides an indication of some of the brutal decisions that are to come from Brian Rolapp and the Future Competitions Committee.
Some – particularly those with connections to Hawaii – will not like the move. But speaking about the direction the tour is going in, Hoffman suggested that he is extremely optimistic.
“Obviously TGL was a very strategic move by the PGA Tour. There’s no need to go into depth about that, but the reason why TGL was formed was to keep players here domestically and not to play LIV. It is a league that was formed so that you couldn’t join another league. That’s the reality of TGL. And another way to make money, and it’s great, another way to make money for the players,” he said.
“It’s pretty up front that we’ve made a lot more money since LIV’s come around. It’s been a good thing to be an independent golfer, an independent contractor in the game of golf, no matter which way you went, you made a ton of money. The guys who stayed on the PGA Tour made more money. The guys who went to LIV made more money. Everybody made more money. It sort of trimmed the fat of which way we’re going to go. And who knows where we end up, and obviously a ton of rumours in this last week about what’s going on, but I think the tour is a better product now than it was three years ago, four years ago.”
The PGA Tour certainly seems to be in a much stronger position than when LIV emerged back in 2022.
And if they have learned from the complacency that opened the door for the breakaway league in the first place, then the PGA Tour has plenty to be extremely excited about.
Dec 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
One of the most underrated transactions of the offseason for the Cincinnati Bengals is re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco.
After starting six games in 2025, throwing for 13 touchdowns and four interceptions, Flacco has earned the respect of the entire team and the adoration of Bengals fans.
Flacco could have gone elsewhere to start this season, but he chose to stay with the Bengals and backup Joe Burrow.
“It’s not like I didn’t have opportunities. At the end of the day, I felt like I made a decision that was best for me and my family and what my gut was telling me and all that,” Flacco said. “It wasn’t like I just had to make the decision to go back to Cincinnati.
“I gladly made that decision, but at the same time, I think you always feel that way as a competitor. You want to be the guy, and when you don’t really feel like you’re given as many opportunities as you would like, of course, you’re going to feel a certain way about it.
But you know, I kind of say that half-seriously, half-jokingly. You know, I was serious for sure. But I gladly made my decision to go back to Cincinnati, and I’m excited about that.“
Not only have the Bengals pushed their chips into the center of the table by trading for Dexter Lawrence, but they have also insured themselves with Joe Flacco, giving Joe Burrow an insurance policy. If the worst happens, the Bengals aren’t doomed. That’s a good thing. This is all the product of a very good offseason for the Bengals.
“It wasn’t like I just had to go back to Cincinnati, I gladly made that decision”
Victor Wembanyama’s availability has suddenly become the biggest question in the San Antonio Spurs’ playoff series.
The Spurs star exited Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers after a concerning fall, immediately shifting attention from the result to his health.
With the series now tied, his recovery timeline could play a major role in how things unfold next.
Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images
NBA concussion protocol sets timeline for Victor Wembanyama’s return
According to NBA insider ShamsCharania, the process is clearly defined.
“Per NBA guidelines, Wembanyama cannot return to full participation for 48 hours but can resume gradual activity in 24 hours as long as his symptoms don’t worsen,” Charania wrote.
He added, “Then he must hit several benchmarks while being symptom-free before he is cleared to play. He’ll then require clearance from team doctor in consultation with league protocol director.”
The key factor is not just time, but progression. Every step depends on him remaining symptom-free, making his exact return difficult to predict.
How Victor Wembanyama’s Game 2 concussion impacts the Spurs series
The injury occurred midway through the second quarter, when Wembanyama lost balance on a spin move and fell face-first, striking his jaw on the court before being ruled out.
He finished with five points, four rebounds, and one block in just 12 minutes, a stark contrast to his Game 1 dominance.
Following his exit, the Trail Blazers rallied to secure a 106-103 win, leveling the series at 1-1 and shifting momentum heading into Game 3.
Wemby’s absence was immediately felt, especially on the defensive end, where his rim protection typically alters entire offensive schemes.
For the Spurs, the situation is simple. Their playoff outlook now hinges not just on adjustments, but on how quickly their biggest star can safely return.
The National Women’s Soccer League kicked off its 2026 season in March with a striking scene: an announced crowd of 63,004 watching Denver Summit FC’s inaugural home game, more than 20,000 tickets beyond the league’s previous high. But while an attendance record in a rollicking NFL stadium offered a visceral sign of the NWSL’s momentum, this week provided a perhaps even more impactful demonstration.
On Tuesday, commissioner Jessica Berman announced that Columbus, Ohio, had been awarded the league’s latest expansion franchise, due to begin play in 2028 as the NWSL’s 18th team. A group led by Jimmy and Dee Haslam, the billionaire owners of MLS’s Columbus Crew and the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, is paying a $205 million fee to secure the spot, a person with knowledge of the deal tells Forbes—$40 million more than Arthur Blank, owner of MLS’s Atlanta United FC and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, agreed to shell out for an Atlanta expansion club just five months ago.
The price is also nearly double Denver’s $110 million deal from January 2025, and almost quadruple the $53 million paid by Boston Legacy FC and the San Francisco area’s Bay FC in 2023. And it is more than 100 times the roughly $2 million expansion fees of 2021.
That sort of trajectory would have been unimaginable a few short years ago, when even the most successful teams would sell for less than $5 million, but all of the NWSL’s clubs have recently found themselves propelled skyward on a rapidly rising tide. Forbes now estimates that the league’s current teams (excluding Denver and Boston in their debut seasons) are worth $200 million on average, a 49% increase from last year. With particularly strong growth across the bottom half of the table, the median value is up even more—79%, exceeding $192 million—and the floor sits at $140 million, twice the figure from 2025.
At the top of the league, Angel City FC remains No. 1, worth $340 million, followed by the Kansas City Current at $325 million. Four other clubs—Bay FC, San Diego Wave FC, the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns—are worth more than $200 million as well.
For most of the teams lower in the ranking, the valuations have little to do with the current state of the franchises’ business and instead represent bets by eager investors that the league-wide upswell will someday justify the lofty price tags. For instance, Chicago Stars FC, valued at $144 million after a league-best 106% jump from 2025’s $70 million valuation, generated only $7 million in revenue during the 2025 regular season, according to Forbes estimates.
That number should take a significant step forward this year now that the team has left SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago’s southwestern suburbs for a better situation at Northwestern University’s Martin Stadium, more than an hour north. But the Stars’ long-term plans remain unsettled after they halted a push to play at a new Northwestern stadium next year in the face of resistance from Evanston residents.
Meanwhile, for all the buzz around the NWSL, the league saw its regular-season attendance dip 5% last year, to an average of 10,669 per game, from 2024’s 11,235. Explanations by soccer insiders vary, from unlucky weather to an overstuffed summer soccer calendar to macroeconomic trends that left fans with less disposable income to spend on tickets, but the most common hypothesis centers on the unavailability of big names like the Stars’ Mallory Swanson and the Thorns’ Sophia Wilson (who both gave birth in 2025) and Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (who had back and knee injuries) for all or most of the year.
Rodman and Wilson are back in action in 2026, and Swanson is expected to return later in the season, but the experience underlines the task ahead of newly installed NWSL chief marketing officer Rachel Epstein: cultivate a new generation of stars after the recent retirements of United States national team icons including Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe.
At the same time, no NWSL club is believed to have reached break-even yet, and with at least a couple of ownership groups projecting that they won’t cross over into the black until their top-line revenue gets into the $50 million range, profitability likely remains a long ways off for much of the league, even with several teams projecting year-over-year revenue growth of 20% or more for the next few seasons.
Of course, financial losses aren’t entirely uncommon even in more established men’s professional leagues—12 of MLB’s 30 teams, and 16 of 29 in MLS, had negative operating income in 2025, according to Forbes estimates—and the Current could get out of the red as soon as this year.
The NWSL has also recently notched some off-field victories, including an updated national broadcast schedule that features prime-time matchups on ESPN on Sundays and additional media partners in Victory+ and the Women’s Sports Network, along with new deals with CVS and Panini trading cards that follow league-level sponsorship revenue growth of almost 50% in 2025. And the NWSL is poised to maintain its position as the world’s most competitive women’s soccer league after implementing a “high impact player rule” to persuade stars like Rodman to stay in the U.S. with salaries that go beyond the salary cap.
Against that backdrop—and with Deloitte projecting global revenues in elite women’s sports to surpass $3 billion in 2026—the North Carolina Courage are believed to have an agreement to sell a significant minority stake to Avenue Sports Fund at a reported valuation of $155 million. On top of validating numbers across the rest of the league, the deal would bring another billionaire into the NWSL fold in Avenue chairman Marc Lasry, following recent transactions involving Gail Miller (Utah Royals), Bob Iger (Angel City) and Lauren Leichtman (San Diego), as well as powerhouse investment firms Carlyle (Seattle Reign FC) and Sixth Street (Bay FC).
“When I look back on my career in professional sports, the thing that has made the difference in all of the professional sports leagues’ success is having blue-chip ownership who not only have the resources but the desire and vision to invest in the product,” commissioner Jessica Berman recently told Forbes.
Putting the deeper pockets to good use, many teams have begun building new practice facilities, and Current owners Angie and Chris Long privately financed the $140 million construction of CPKC Stadium, which opened in 2024 and has turbocharged the team’s business. The Summit are also building a new home field, scheduled to open in 2028, and the Legacy are renovating Boston’s White Stadium for their sophomore season.
“Clubs are investing in the hard infrastructure that will change the economics of the game substantially for them for generations, not just for the next three years,” Legacy president Jennifer van Dijk says. “You see it most specifically in the business in terms of schedule preference—if I can play on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons and in the windows where I have the best chance at getting my stands full, that is a massive differentiator.
“The second place it shows up is that you’re actually participating in concessions revenue, parking revenue, some other operational revenue—any sort of venue sponsors, of course. When you’re a tenant, you don’t get any of that.”
The league could hit another inflection point in 2028 with the start of its next media rights package, which is expected to carry a dramatically higher price than the current deals’ reported average annual value of around $60 million. Adding to the optimism around that negotiation, regular-season TV viewership rose 22% in 2025, to 214,000 per game, and the CBS audience for the league championship game in November peaked at 1.55 million.
The bullishness is reflected in the revenue multiples underlying teams’ valuations. This year, Forbes generally pegs top NWSL clubs at between eight and ten times their revenue from the most recent completed season, and with help from the lower-ranked franchises, the league’s average value of $200 million is 11.1 times the trailing year’s average revenue—not quite at the level of the NBA (12.9 times trailing-year revenue) but outpacing the NFL (10.7x), the NHL (8.9x), MLS (8.9x) and MLB (7x). Only a year ago, the NWSL’s figure stood at 8.8x.
“Myself and a lot of my colleagues grew up in a world where being a pro athlete was not a viable career path as a woman,” van Dijk says. “And to see that change just within our career span, it’s really meaningful, but also it’s good business, which frankly is just as exciting.”
THE MOST VALUABLE NWSL TEAMS 2026
#1. $340 million
Angel City FC
One-Year Change: 21% | Revenue: $38 million | Owners: Willow Bay and Bob Iger
Karen Hickey/ISI Photos/Getty Images
#2. $325 million
Kansas City Current
One-Year Change: 18% | Revenue: $38 million | Owners: Angie and Chris Long
Jay Biggerstaff/NWSL/Getty Images
#3. $230 million
Bay FC
One-Year Change: 35% | Revenue: $23 million | Owner: Sixth Street
One-Year Change: 106% | Revenue: $7 million | Owner: Laura Ricketts
Scott Taetsch/NWSL/Getty Images
#13. $142 million
Utah Royals
One-Year Change: 49% | Revenue: $9 million | Owner: Gail Miller
Chris Gardner/NWSL/Getty Images
#14. $140 million
Racing Louisville FC
One-Year Change: 59% | Revenue: $10 million | Owner: John Neace
Chris Carter/NWSL/Getty Images
METHODOLOGY
To rank the most valuable National Women’s Soccer League franchises, Forbes examined recent transaction data and spoke to more than two dozen industry insiders, including team and league executives, team owners and investors, investment bankers, advisors and consultants.
Revenue figures are estimated for the 2025 season and are rounded to the nearest $1 million. Playoff and non-league games were excluded from the revenue calculations, as were player transfers.
Team values include the economics of the team’s stadium but not the value of the stadium real estate itself. The valuations similarly take into account ancillary revenue streams that are captured in the team’s financial statements, such as income from sponsor signage or events at the team’s practice facility, without directly measuring the value of those other assets. The listed team owners are the principal owners; other investors are omitted.
Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, expansion clubs that began play this year, were excluded from the ranking. The future expansion teams in Atlanta and Columbus, scheduled to begin play in 2028, were also excluded.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 08: Chloe Sotell #22 of the Missouri Tigers drives towards the basket against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first half at Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium on January 8, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brenda Frese’s second portal addition is a 6-foot guard with College Park ties. Maryland women’s basketball is adding sophomore Chloe Sotell to its 2026-27 roster, the program announced Tuesday.
— Maryland Women’s Basketball (@TerpsWBB) April 21, 2026
Sotell spent this past season at Missouri and two seasons ago at Pepperdine. If her last name sounds familiar to Terps’ basketball fans, that’s because her brother Lukas has been a walk-on on the men’s team for three years.
Chloe plays a lot more than her brother does, averaging eight points, five rebounds and 2.2 assists as a sophomore with the Tigers last season. She shot 38% from the field on 29.4 minutes per game.
The incoming junior is Maryland’s second portal addition, alongside Stanford forward Nunu Agara.
In other news
Maryland baseball crushed Mount St. Mary’s on Tuesday, 19-8, for a fifth straight midweek win. Zoe Hammond had the story.
Maryland football has secured a commitment from unranked 2027 wide receiver Davion Vanderbilt from Channelview, Texas.
Longtime Maryland men’s soccer assistant Jake Pace is leaving the program after 17 combined years.
Thank you to Jake Pace for his 17 years of service to Maryland Soccer!
A player for 5 seasons and a member of the staff for 12, Pace has helped shape the program through his leadership, passion and commitment to excellence.
We're a little over 24 hours away from the start of the 2026 NFL draft, and the Ravens are a team to watch despite being relatively quiet on the trade front over the past few years. Since taking over for Ozzie Newsome in 2018, GM Eric DeCosta has made one significant draft-related trade, and his best selection undoubtedly is All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. The Ravens have 11total picks: Nos. 14, 45, 80, 115, 154, 162, 173, 174, 211, 250, 253 in this weekend's draft, and ample opportunity to move up or down draft boards.
With the 2026 NFL draft fast approaching, we're looking at every first-round pick selected during Eric DeCosta's tenure as the Baltimore Ravens GM
2025: Malaki Starks
Starks, a 2025 first-round pick from Georgia, started 15 of the 17 games he appeared in this season, logging 1,060 defensive snaps (11th), 84 total tackles (49 solo) and four passes defensed, including two interceptions. Starks finished his rookie season with the third-most interceptions and the fourth-most total tackles on the Ravens' defense. Starks may not be Kyle Hamilton, but he was solid, and an improvement in pass coverage (64.9 PFF grade) could take him to a Pro Bowl level.
2024: CB Nate Wiggins
Wiggins was the Ravens' highest graded rookie and looks like a future star after recording 33 tackles while playing 15 games for the Ravens in the 2024 season and starting in each of the team's playoff games. Wiggins's 769 snaps were the seventh most on the Ravens defense that struggled against the pass early on but improved down the stretch.
2023: WR Zay Flowers
Baltimore made a trade and moved up to land Flowers out of Boston College. In his rookie season in 2023, Flowers recorded 77 catches for 858 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. Flowers has earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods.
A Swiss Army Knife, the ultra-versatile Hamilton earned his second AP first team All-Pro honor. Everything Minter wants to do on defense starts with Hamilton.
Hamilton joins Hall of Famer Ed Reed (2003 & 2004) as the only Ravens defensive backs to earn multiple Pro Bowl nods within the first three years of a career.
2022: Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa, Round 1, Pick 25
Linderbaum was the first Ravens offensive lineman to earn consecutive Pro Bowl honors since Orlando Brown Jr. (2019-20). He's now departed, joining the Raiders as the highest-paid center in NFL history.
2021: 1st (No. 27) – WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
After a career year in 2024, Bateman finished last season with 13 games played, 12 starts, 38 targets, 19 receptions, 224 yards receiving, and two touchdowns.
2021: 1st Round (No. 31) – EDGE Odafe Oweh, Penn State
Oweh was one of the most freakishly gifted athletes in the entire draft, at any position. At 6-foot-5, 251 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds. He had only played football for five years when Baltimore made the selection.
2020: Patrick Queen, Linebacker, LSU (28th overall)
Now a Steelers linebacker, Queen, the running mate for Roquan Smith, made his first Pro Bowl in 2023 after logging 125 tackles (78 solos) and matching a career high with six passes defended. He also added 3.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery for the best defense in the league. Queen is the only NFL defender to have produced at least 400 tackles (with 445), double-digit sacks (13.5), and double-digit takeaways (four interceptions and six fumble recoveries) since 2020.
The Ravens traded wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown to the Arizona Cardinals for the 23rd-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Baltimore also sent the 100th-overall pick (third round) to the Cardinals as part of the trade. Brown was the Ravens' leading wide receiver the year prior (2021), hauling in 91 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. But in the prior year's draft, Baltimore also used a first-round pick on Rashod Bateman. Brown posted 195 catches for 2,361 yards and 21 touchdowns in his three seasons in Baltimore.
Sparta Rotterdam hoping to appoint former Go Ahead Eagles and Wolfsburg head coach as Maurice Steijn’s replacement
ESPN are reporting that Sparta Rotterdam are hoping to appoint former Go Ahead Eagles and Wolfsburg head coach Paul Simonis as Maurice Steijn’s replacement for the 2026/2027 season. Steijn confirmed that he will be leaving the club a few weeks ago and it appears that Sparta Rotterdam will turn to Simonis as his replacement.
Simonis did a fantastic job at Go Ahead Eagles last season, taking them into Europe by winning the KNVB Cup. His success did not go unnoticed, with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg taking him away from the Netherlands last summer. However, Simonis’ time in Wolfsburg did not go as planned. Simonis only managed 12 games in Germany, with Wolfsburg losing seven, drawing two and winning just three. The Dutch head coach was sacked back in November.
Recently, Simonis had been linked with the vacancy at Anderlecht, showing how high his stock still appeared to be despite the struggles with Wolfsburg. However, the sides off field issues put off Simonis and many other candidates. Now, it appears that Simonis will be taking up the role at Sparta Rotterdam instead.
AHMEDABAD: Southpaw Tilak Varma had made 43 runs from 32 balls in five innings prior to his maiden IPL century on Monday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The noise surrounding his batting form was getting heavier with every passing match. Answering all those questions, the 23-year-old reinforced his value to the team with a knock that was composed and aggressive in equal measure. His 101 off 45 balls, studded with seven sixes and eight fours, took MI to 199/5, a total that proved too steep for the Gujarat Titans (GT), who lost by 99 runs.
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Coming in at the crease when Titans new-ball operator Kagiso Rabada was breathing fire and cranking up the speedometer with his thunderbolts, Tilak commenced his knock by nudging around for ones and twos and playing the odd dot ball, but crucially steadying the ship along with Naman Dhir to bring a semblance of calm to the Mumbai Indians innings. His innings was composed of two parts — the first 22 balls yielded only 19 runs, without a single hit to the fence. The rest of the innings was a blur of fours and sixes, an exhibition of unstoppable power hitting.
Tilak’s childhood coach, Salam Bayash reflected on the slight changes the batter has made to his game. “I told him to spend some time at the crease before going for shots and also to cut down on the reverse sweep and play straight. The pitch wasn’t that easy to bat on and the Titans’ attack was a good one. I’m happy with his century. He played no reverse sweeps. Almost all his shots were either straight or played square,” Bayash said.
Even the opposition was left in awe. Gujarat batting coach Matthew Hayden, in particular, was left gushing. “It was visible that the pitch had cracks, it was up and down. All credit to Tilak Varma, who put in a wonderful performance from 46/3. I once spoke to a fisherman and asked him a question about longevity in his life and in his career, and he said that when there’s plenty of fish around, everyone catches fish. But what he (Varma) did was that he caught fish when no one else was catching fish,” the former Australian opener said.
“We all know MI are a dangerous side. They’re notorious starters. As an opposition side, we knew that and we blinked. And when you blink against a world-class player like Tilak Varma, even on a wicket that’s kind of spicy, that leads to your downfall. We couldn’t really retract the negative momentum that was going our way because of the performance that we saw,” Hayden said.
A former TT rider has died after a crash on a test run on the Isle of Man.
Andreas Racing Association has confirmed that Ed Poole, 79, died following an incident at an Auto Cycle Union (ACU) test day at Jurby Circuit on 11 April, in which no other riders were involved.
An experienced rider from Rhencullen on the island, he began his Mountain Course racing career in 1994, and competed in the Isle of Man TT, Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT for over 25 years, the association said.
In a statement, it said he was a "valued member of our paddock community and will be greatly missed."
"Our thoughts are with his wife, his family, and all who knew him at this incredibly difficult time," it said.
"We know this news will be deeply felt across the racing community, and we ask that everyone respects the family's privacy as they come to terms with their loss," the association added.
After opening the scoring in West Brom's 3-0 win over Watford to go nine games unbeaten, midfielder Isaac Price says there's a togetherness about the squad since interim boss James Morrison took over.
Price, 22, told BBC WM: "There's a real togetherness around the place. I think he's [Morrison] probably instilled a little bit of confidence is us when we weren't feeling the confidence.
"I think its more about going back to the basics - run for each other, fight for each other and the rest will come with it. The nice little bit of play that you see, that's probably off the cuff from the lads that are good enough to do that. But the real key message is: just be together, outrun people, outwork them and the results will come."
Price's goal came after 21 minutes at The Hawthorns and the Northern Ireland international was quick to praise Crystal Palace loanee Danny Imray after he provided the assist.
"I think I've probably had a lot of them chances this season. It's helped since Danny's come in, the threat down the right side has been terrific. His pace and power, then his detail on his crossing has been superb and I think it was an easy enough finish for me," he said.
Albion's final two games come against promotion-chasing Ipswich at home before a final-day trip to relegated Sheffield Wednesday and Price said his side, who sit 18th in the table, are looking to end the season on a high despite the threat of a potential points deduction if the club are found guilty of breaching profitability and sustainability rules.
"Genuinely, in the dressing room it's something we don't think about. You go into every football game wanting to win and wanting to get three points, and I feel like in the last nine games we've been great at doing that.
"Whatever's going to happen is going to happen but our focus is to go and win the last two games that we've got this season.
"We're going into every game wanting to win every game and I think it's a great opportunity for us players."
He added: "We know we've not been good enough this season and this club should never be in the situation that we've been in, but we'll be going into every game thinking: come on lads, let's go get six points and finish really strong."
The schedule for the 2026 MLB All-Star week, which will be hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies, was released on Tuesday.
The events begin with the HBCU Swingman Classic on July 10, and culminate with the 96th Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia on July 14.
The MLB says it's all part of the celebration for America's 250th anniversary this summer.
"Set within a year when Philadelphia will host the world, All-Star Week captures a uniquely American perspective on that global spotlight, rooted in heritage, community, and the enduring spirit of the game," said Jeremiah Yolkut, MLB Senior Vice President, Global Operations & Events.
Full List of 2026 All-Star Week Events:
July 10: HBCU Swingman Classic at Citizens Bank Park
The HBCU Swingman Classic was co-created by Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and highlights the history and legacy of HBCU baseball programs while also providing HBCU baseball players with the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.
July 10-13: Youth baseball and softball tournaments at Philadelphia Phillies Urban Youth Academy in FDR Park
The All-Star Commissioner's Classic features teams of youth baseball players from MLB Youth Academies across the country and Puerto Rico.
The Jennie Finch Classic features teams of youth softball players from MLB Youth Academies and Jennie Finch softball programs.
July 11-14: Capital One All-Star Village at the Pennsylvania Convention Center
MLB's marquee fan festival is a unique, one-of-a-kind baseball theme park for fans of all ages. More details on specific activations and former players attending All-Star Village will be announced at a later date, along with ticket availability.
July 11: Opening rounds of the MLB Draft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Grand Hall
Attending the draft will be free and open to the public. More information, including attendees and ticketing for the Draft, will be announced at a later date.
July 12: All-Star Sunday Doubleheader featuring All-Star Futures Game and MLBx All-Star 3-on-3 at Citizens Bank Park
The All-Star Futures Game highlights baseball's top prospects playing in a seven-inning exhibition with some of Minor League Baseball's best promotions, mascots and entertainment.
The MLBx: All-Star 3-on-3 game is a new, co-ed competition bringing together male and female athletes with MLB legends and special guests. Lineups will be revealed at a later date.
July 13: T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park
The Home Run Derby features some of MLB's biggest power hitters competing in three rounds before crowning a champion.
July 14: The All-Star Red Carpet Show
The All-Star Red Carpet Show is where the MLB All-Stars will showcase their personal style ahead of the All-Star Game.
The location of this year's Red Carpet Show will be announced at a later date.
July 14: The 96th Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park
Events culminate with the All-Star game at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14, featuring some of MLB's best players from across the league.
Further details regarding 2026 All-Star Week, including ticketing and broadcast information, will be announced soon. For more information, visit AllStarGame.com.
James Tavernier has confirmed his 11-year spell at Rangers will end this summer, but the captain insists "this isn't the end just yet", with the team "fully focused on pushing for the league title".
The 34-year-old, who joined from Wigan in 2015, confirmed earlier this week he had not yet been offered a new deal.
He has now revealed his time at Ibrox will conclude at the end of the season, which he hopes will end in a second Scottish Premiership title triumph.
"After a lot of thought, I've made the decision that this will be my final season at the club," Tavernier said on Instagram.
"This hasn't been an easy decision. This club has been a huge part of my life and my family's over the past 11 years.
"It's given me so much, both on and off the pitch. From the moment I arrived, I've always tried to give everything I had to represent it in the right way.
"To have had the honour of being made captain of this club since 2018 is something I will always be incredibly proud of.
"Leading this team out, wearing the armband and being trusted in that role has meant more to me than I can properly put into words."
Tavernier has already captained Rangers to a Scottish top-flight title in 2021, as well as a Scottish Cup, a League Cup and a Europa League final.
He has achieved that while providing remarkable attacking output from right-back, contributing a combined goals and assists tally of 292 over 562 games.
Despite now not being a guaranteed starter, Tavernier has still featured from the off in 36 of his 49 appearances this term and is Rangers' top scorer with 14 goals.
Tavernier will hope to add another Premiership medal to his collection as Rangers go into their final five Premiership fixtures just one point behind leaders Hearts.
"We've shared the highs and the lows together and some truly incredible moments along the way," he added.
"These include lifting the Scottish Cup, League Cup, our journey to a European final and those unforgettable European nights at Ibrox against Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, where the atmosphere was something I will never forget.
"It also includes winning the league title and delivering 55, a moment that meant everything to this club and its supporters and one I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
"This isn't the end just yet. There is still a season to finish and we are fully focused on pushing for the league title. I will continue to give absolutely everything, as I always have, until the very last day."
Rangers fans, what do you think of the news that Tavernier is departing after 11 years? And how will you reflect on his time at the club? Send us your thoughts.
Kadidia Toure arrived as Wisconsin’s clearest plug-and-play frontcourt answer out of the transfer portal, a 6-foot-3 graduate student with one season left and a recent resume that screams immediate production. After stops at James Madison (2022-23) and Arizona State (2023-24 and a brief 2024-25 season), Toure broke out at LIU in 2025-26 as one of the most productive mid-major posts in the country, giving the Badgers a veteran scorer-rebounder profile they have lacked.
Toure averaged 19.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game on 46.9% shooting, earning NEC Player of the Year honors. Her shooting splits included 34.2% from 3-point range and 77.9% at the free-throw line.
One of the nation’s most productive players is headed to Madison!
— Wisconsin Women’s Basketball (@BadgerWBB) April 15, 2026
That free-throw production and her 100 offensive rebounds stood out as the kind of skill that creates offense through contact and tends to travel, even when the Big Ten’s size and athleticism change the shot diet. The question for Wisconsin is how cleanly Toure can scale up while tightening the rough edges. She averaged 4.1 turnovers and 3.3 fouls per game because high-usage forwards in the Big Ten get punished for loose decisions.
“Kadidia is a dominant presence on both ends of the floor and has proven she can take over games,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “As the NEC Player of the Year, she led her conference in scoring, rebounding, and double-doubles while ranking among the nation’s best in multiple categories. She’s tough, she competes, and she impacts winning. We’re excited to add her experience and presence to our program!”
If Wisconsin gets even most of the LIU version, scoring, double-doubles, defensive playmaking, and free-throw pressure, Toure has a path to becoming one of the Badgers’ most important players right away, and the next step is how quickly that physical style translates once she’s facing Big Ten frontcourts every night.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.
Eintracht Frankfurt in talks to sign Real Madrid’s Víctor Valdepeñas
Eintracht Frankfurt have shown concrete interest in signing Real Madrid’s Víctor Valdepeñas.
As reported by BILD, Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche have already held talks with the player’s representatives, while the possibility of a summer transfer is being explored. Although Valdepeñas, who made his Real debut in December under former head coach Xabi Alonso, is one of several candidates that Eintracht are showing an interest in.
Who is Victor Valdepeñas?
The Spain youth international plays for Real Madrid’s reserve team and has made 26 appearances this season while helping his side win the UEFA Youth League, although the left-back was an unused substitute in their penalty victory over Club Brugge.
Additionally, Valdepeñas can also operate in a central position, which is where Eintracht see the youngster but the Hessen side also face competition from Arsenal and Milan and like previous departures from the Spanish giants, Los Blancos will likely demand a buy-back option.
Captain James Tavernier has announced he will leave Rangers at the end of the season, after 11 years at Ibrox.
British football's highest scoring defender, 34, has led the Glasgow side for the past eight years, winning the Scottish Premiership in 2021, the Scottish Cup the following year and the League Cup in 2023. He also skippered Rangers in their 2022 Europa League final appearance, which they lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt.
As a right-back, the Englishman has scored 144 goals in 562 Rangers appearances and 152 goals overall.
He said in an Instagram post that departing at the end of his current contract "hasn't been an easy decision".
"This club has been a huge part of my life and my family's over the past 11 years," he said.
"It's given me so much, both on and off the pitch and from the moment I arrived, I've always tried to give everything I had to represent it in the right way.
"To have had the honour of being made captain of this club since 2018 is something I will always be incredibly proud of. Leading this team out, wearing the armband and being trusted in that role has meant more to me that I can properly put into words."
Ten managers, two divisions, three major trophies
Former Newcastle player Tavernier was signed by Mark Warburton from Wigan in the summer of 2015, when Rangers were in the Scottish Championship.
He helped the Ibrox side win that division and captained the side in the absence of the injured Lee Wallace as Warburton made way for Pedro Caixinha.
When Steven Gerrard arrived as Rangers manager in 2018, Tavernier became captain full-time as Wallace's contract ran down and was pivotal part of the Gerrard title-winning team, Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Europa League final and Scottish Cup-winning side and Philippe Clement's League Cup victors.
Tavernier also wore the armband during Graeme Murty, Michael Beale, Barry Ferguson and Russell Martin's brief stints as boss. This season under Danny Rohl since October, the defender has not been an automatic starter, with Dujon Sterling often preferred at right-back.
Jack Butland and Nico Raskin have deputised as captain, with both still under contract next season.
"We've shared the highs and the lows together and some truly incredible moments along the way," Tavernier said.
"To all the players I've shared the pitch and dressing room with over the years, thank you. The bonds that we've built, the battles we've been through and the memories we've created are what make this game so special.
"To the staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes every single day, thank you for everything you've done for me and the for the team. Your support often goes unseen, but it has never gone unappreciated.
"And to the fans, your support home and away, through every high and every difficult moment has meant more than I can ever fully express. You are the heart and soul of this club and it has been a privilege to play in front of you."
Tavernier added "this isn't the end just yet", without confirming where he would be next season.
Second-placed Rangers are in a three-way fight to win the Scottish Premiership, with Hearts one point ahead and Celtic two points off the Ibrox side and five games to play.
"There is still a season to finish and we are fully focused on pushing for the league title," Tavernier said. "I will continue to give absolutely everything, as I always have until the very last day.
"My focus right now is on finishing this season the right way, together."
The portal has officially closed and most of the big-name players have landed at their new programs.
With all that player movement, teams are now coming into focus and the landscape has certainly changed for the 2026-27 season. Top-10 teams are no longer top anything. And some teams that were entirely outside of Top 25 projections appear to have burst onto the scene as contenders who could make deep March runs next season.
With all that movement, here’s a look at the winners and losers of the 2026 portal season.
Winners
Oklahoma State
No team made a more precipitous jump from irrelevance to contenders for a deep NCAA Tournament run than Oklahoma State with this portal haul. Cowgirls coach Jacie Hoyt’s team lost nine players to the portal and graduated another two, returning just Stailee Heard. The rising senior is a two-time All-Big 12 selection, but it’s hard to put together a competitive team (or a team at all) with just one player and three incoming freshmen.
Hoyt’s early transfer portal signings weren’t splashy, but they had a theme — elite 3-point shooters. Ellie Brueggemann (Lindenwood), Talexa Weeter (Division II Fort Hays State) and Nene Ndiaye (Rutgers) all shot better than 40 percent from long range last season. Hoyt then signed Florida transfer Liv McGill, the high-volume shooter who’s an asset in the paint and in transition. But what really elevated Oklahoma State’s ceiling was center Audi Crooks’ decision to sign with the Cowgirls. With Crooks operating in the middle, 3-point shooters spacing the floor and McGill working in between, the Cowgirls became an exciting team in the span of two weeks.
In: Audi Crooks (Iowa State), Liv McGill (Florida), Ellie Brueggemann (Lindenwood), Talexa Weeter (Division II Fort Hays State) and Nene Ndiaye (Rutgers), LA Sneed (Utah)
Out: Achol Akot (North Carolina), Amari Whiting (Iowa), Jadyn Wooten (TCU), Macey Huard (Washington), Faith Acker, Praise Egharevba, Tyla Heard, Lena Girardi (Utah), Favour Onoh
The Hawkeyes lost five players to the portal. Only freshman Addie Deal had played more than 15 minutes a game during the season, and her production can be replaced by the returning guards and incoming freshman McKenna Woliczko. Even so, coach Jan Jensen went into the portal to bring more depth and talent to the Iowa backcourt with the additions of Dani Carnegie and Amari Whiting.
Adding Carnegie is particularly promising because she and Chit Chat Wright — who started 31 games in 2025-26 — played together as freshmen at Georgia Tech. They logged more than 250 possessions together that season. The only Iowa guard combos who played at least 250 possessions together in 2025-26 were Wright and Taylor Stremlow and Wright and Kylie Feuerbach. Wright and Carnegie’s experiences together should help establish a baseline for a team heading into the 2026-27 season eager to rewrite its early March Madness exit.
Hannah Stuelke’s graduation will hurt — she started 96 games the past three seasons — but Ava Heiden can be the interior centerpiece as Iowa continues to fill out the rest of the floor with talented guards and wings.
In: Dani Carnegie (Georgia), Amari Whiting (Oklahoma State)
Louisville’s offense this season produced its highest scoring since 2013-14, and though the Cardinals lost three of their top eight players from their Elite Eight team — forward Laura Ziegler (graduation), guard Reyna Scott (graduation) and wing Anaya Hardy (transfer) — they’ve reloaded quite well with key transfer additions.
Coach Jeff Walz landed Carys Baker, an experienced 6-foot-2 forward from Virginia Tech who had 16 points and nine boards against Louisville this season, to bolster the inside with Elif Istanbulluoglu (6-3 forward) and incoming freshman Ayse Melek Demirer (6-5 forward). Baker’s ability to knock down 3s and chase down rebounds will be a difference-maker for Louisville. Bringing in Zam Jones from NC State was another significant intraconference win for the Cardinals, making this already-strong rising junior core of Tajianna Roberts, Imari Berry and Mackenly Randolph that much better.
After losing seven of their top eight rotational players, the Horned Frogs needed to hit the portal hard and bring in some talent to continue their Elite Eight streak. Coach Mark Campbell did that, bringing in a talented group to surround center Clara Silva — the rare multi-year player at TCU.
Oklahoma State’s Jadyn Wooten brings experience as a ball handler and distributor, while North Carolina’s Lanie Grant is an elite floor spacer (42 percent from range). Lara Somfai, who started 32 games for Stanford as a freshman, averaged 11 points and nine rebounds a game. Paired with Silva, Somfai should be able to elevate her game even more in her sophomore season at TCU.
In: Lanie Grant (North Carolina), Jadyn Wooten (Oklahoma State), Lara Somfai (Stanford), Bella Hines (LSU), Avery Hjelmstad (Utah)
The Tigers lost four to the portal, but Jada Richard was the only player who averaged more than 14 minutes a game. Bringing in Iowa State’s Jada Williams, who averaged 7.7 assists per game last season, to distribute to and play alongside MiLaysia Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams and ZaKiyah Johnson is big. Florida’s Laila Reynolds will add key depth necessary for an SEC season.
Duke
After the graduations of Taina Mair and Ashlon Jackson, Duke needed to add instant guard depth. The Blue Devils got that and more with Texas’ Aaliyah Crump. The 6-1 guard seems like she just scratched the surface with the Longhorns in less than 18 minutes a game. Toby Fournier, Riley Nelson and Delaney Thomas played more than 300 possessions together this season, so they have an established chemistry. Bringing in an elite two-way player like Crump should elevate what they built together in 2025-26.
Ole Miss
The self-described “portalista,” coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, was at it again. With only two of the Rebels’ top eight rotational players returning, McPhee-McCuin got eight players out of the portal. Tennessee’s Talaysia Cooper is the most intriguing, and LSU’s Jada Richard, who started 34 games for the Tigers, will likely become the starting point guard tasked with bringing these new players together.
South Carolina
With their retention rate, the Gamecocks rarely need to add much through the portal, but after losing Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson to graduation, bringing in an experienced guard was a huge plus for a team that figures to be a Final Four contender again. In Jordan Lee, coach Dawn Staley landed a two-time Final Four finalist, a two-way non-stop player and a 3-point floor spacer.
Losers
Texas
The team that looked like it was going to be headed toward a third-consecutive Final Four is no longer that. Madison Booker remains, and she’s a great foundation around which to build, but not much else is left in the cupboard. Aaliyah Crump, Jordan Lee and Justice Carlton are gone, meaning the Longhorns will be young next season. Oklahoma guard Zya Vann is a nice backcourt addition. Otherwise, expect to see a lot of minutes go to the four top-25 players Texas signed in its 2026 recruiting class.
Out: Aaliyah Crump (Duke), Jordan Lee (South Carolina), Justice Carlton (Houston)
In: Zya Vann (Oklahoma)
Iowa State
The Cyclones lost nine players to the portal, including starters Audi Crooks, Addy Brown, Kenzie Hare and Jada Williams. Now, Iowa State returns just one starter — Ariana Jackson (6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game).
Coach Bill Fennelly has not backfilled his roster with talent similar to what he lost. The Cyclones have grown accustomed to being near the top of the Big 12, but that might not be the case next season. Iowa State has just one player in its 2026 high school recruiting class, 5-9 point guard Macy Comito, and the Cyclones have gotten another five through the portal. Three of those players — May Babbitt (Kent State), Alex-Anne Bessette (Loyola Chicago) and Ashleigh Connor (La Salle) — were starters at their previous schools, but none are transferring from a power conference.
Out: Audi Crooks (Oklahoma State), Addy Brown, Jada Williams (LSU), Kenzie Hare (Indiana), Reese Beaty (Mississippi State), Alisa Williams (Indiana), Alli Tanke, Lilly Taulelei (Rice), Reagan Wilson (Toledo)
In: May Babbitt (Kent State), Alex-Anne Bessette (Loyola-Chicago), Ashleigh Connor (La Salle), Gift Ezekiel (Florida), Sienna Harvey (Washington)
Stanford
The Cardinal lost five of their top six rotational players (four transfers, one graduate), including three starters who were potential returners. Hailee Swain, a rising sophomore, is the only returning starter. Stanford can build around her, but they need to pick up quite a bit more.
Stanford has missed two consecutive NCAA Tournaments. At this point, with the current returners (just three of whom averaged more than 10 minutes per game), one transfer pick-up and three Class of 2026 signees, it’s hard to gauge if Stanford can improve in Year 3 under coach Kate Paye.
Lost: Courtney Ogden (Michigan), Lara Somfai (TCU), Nunu Agara (Maryland), Chloe Clardy (North Carolina), Carly Amborn (Cal), Harper Peterson (Tennessee), Mary Ashley Stevenson (Columbia)
In: Inés Sotelo (Michigan State)
Tennessee
The Lady Vols were left with no returning players after graduations and a transfer exodus following a season of lows. In coach Kim Caldwell’s third season, Tennessee welcomes an entirely new team. To make matters worse, her 2026 recruiting class is down to just one player after Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 3 player in the 2026 class, requested a release from her letter of intent.
Tennessee signed six players out of the transfer portal, though only two were starters at power conference schools (Rylie Theuerkauf from Georgia and Harissoum Coulibaly from Auburn). Can this group make it work in Knoxville? To play at the same pace the Lady Vols established the past few years, they’ll need to add a few more players.
Duke Blue Devils, Stanford Cardinal, Tennessee Lady Volunteers, South Carolina Gamecocks, Ole Miss Rebels, Louisville Cardinals, Iowa Hawkeyes, TCU Horned Frogs, Iowa State Cyclones, LSU Lady Tigers, Oklahoma State Cowgirls, Texas Longhorns, Women's College Basketball
Nebraska softball (37-6) faced off against Omaha (29-9) for the third and final time this season on Tuesday night. The Huskers completed the seasonal sweep, taming the Mavericks 11-4.
Nebraska and Omaha traded three-run innings and a single-run inning in the first half of the game, heading into the fourth tied 4-4. The Huskers, however, pulled away in the fourth, doubling their run total before chalking up three more runs across the remainder of the game. Nebraska finished with 14 hits while the Mavericks totaled six.
Ava Kuszak dominated on the night to lead the Huskers, batting 4-for-5 for four RBIs, which included a double and a two-run home run. Jesse Farrell also hit one over the wall, striking a three-run shot to finish the game with three RBIs. Samantha Bland and Alexis Jensen both delivered a solo home run while Kacie Hoffmann and Hannah Camenzind each contributed an RBI. H. Camenzind, Bland and Jensen also finished with two hits, along with Jordy Frahm.
H. Camenzind (5-0) won in the circle for Nebraska, pitching the final 4.0 innings and shutting down Omaha's bats. She earned one strikeout and allowed one hit and no runs. Jensen started the game and threw five strikeouts against three hits and four runs across the first 3.0 innings.
Nebraska returns to Lincoln for its final home series of the season, playing host to Iowa starting Friday night. The first pitch is set to start at 5:30 p.m. CT on B1G+.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
Paulo Dybala’s future at Roma remains uncertain, with the Argentine, after returning to the squad, aiming for a call-up for next Saturday’s match against Bologna following meniscus surgery.
The match against the Rossoblu could be one of Dybala’s last appearances in the Giallorossi jersey, given that his contract expires in June and a renewal seems far off.
However, a possible extension hasn’t been ruled out, though the matter is complex. Adidas, the player’s and the club’s longtime sponsor, could play a key role.
The brand, which has been accompanying Roma since 2023-24, appears to be assessing Dybala’s media appeal, especially in light of the club’s centenary.
A possible renewal, writes Il Corriere della Sera, could represent a strategic move from a commercial standpoint, with Adidas eyeing the situation with interest.
Furthermore, Dybala is reportedly willing to reduce his salary, a key condition for considering a future with Roma.
For now, the Argentine has put all other offers on hold, trying to determine whether his experience in the capital can continue.
Despite the difficulties surrounding the renewal, hope for a possible agreement remains alive.
“The Vikings will draft (insert guess here), and it will be the (best player available/player of need). Book it!” Famous last words of everyone on the Internet banging out mock drafts, trying to either just have some fun speculating or trying to be a “Temu” Mel Kiper Jr.
I go with the first option for myself, but I’m not going to stay quiet if I’m right! Hey, even the experts get it wrong from time to time, so why not brag a little when someone like me guesses right? Kevin O’Connell and the entire Vikings staff are going to take their best stab at players in just a few days.
Contingency Paths Could Tilt Minnesota’s Draft Strategy
No matter how sure many of us and the experts are that the Vikings are going to draft Dillon Thieneman if he’s there, it doesn’t mean they will or even have the opportunity to if a team ahead of them thinks highly of him or another team jumps ahead of them for the same reason.
What do the Vikings do if the player they covet in a position they’re looking to fill is gone? Just like last year’s offensive line and quarterback, they’re going to have to go to the backup. That doesn’t necessarily mean a different position at their pick, but a hole they need to plug somewhere in the draft with the next guy in line that they can snag.
Sep 13, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive safety Cole Wisniewski (5) looks to the sideline in the first half during the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Last year, many people thought the team might get a chance at Grey Zabel until the Seahawks took him as he moved up draft boards for every team. The Vikings did take a guard, Donovan Jackson, at 24, who is a solid starter and most fans are happy with.
With that solid pick last year, it filled a need and took that position off the board for a “need” pick. We also don’t have to wait as long this year (18) as last year (24), but some of the spots we need to fill are similar.
Hitting on these positions and finding a solid player doesn’t matter what round you get them in, but some obviously have better skills and pedigree than others, with less risk in football’s biggest guessing game. Once again, I’m going to be clear that the team is NOT settling for a player just because they didn’t get the cream of the crop, but rather players similar to the consensus best player to choose at pick 18 in the draft.
Want: Safety – Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)
Draft: Cole Wisniewski (Texas Tech)
Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat. The Vikings need a smart, versatile safety to run Brian Flores’ scheme who can see the entire field and set the defense on the back end. Harrison Smith may come back for one more year, but the future may be now.
Thieneman was seen as a 2nd round pick for quite a while until he started gaining steam based on film and shot up boards. If he gets out of the Vikings’ reach, they may need to see who else is available at a different position and fill that role, and save safety for later. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is also in that vicinity to be picked at 18, but he seems to jump between the 1st Round and the 2nd on most experts’ opinions.
That may be a scenario where they trade back and get better value for the position. If they go a different position, they may take Wisniewski in the later rounds. He was a combine snub but has been on several Top-30 visits, including one with Minnesota. Maybe like Thieneman, he’s a player who was overlooked, and teams see him as a late-round steal based on the tape.
He’s bigger than Smith and Thieneman, at 6’3″and 219 pounds. In North Dakota, he had 8 interceptions two years ago that didn’t necessarily translate to Texas Tech, but he held his own in the tackling department. If Smith grinds out one last year, he would be a great person to bring along the younger talent.
They’re not “The Purple People Eaters” or even “The Wiliams Wall,” but the interior is pretty solid due to great late-round drafting and going outside of the league. Levi Drake Rodriguez has become a solid interior run defender with strong push, and Jalen Redmond is set to become a well-known NFL name for his ability to sack quarterbacks and make tackles in the backfield.
Taki Taimani and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins are great rotational players who splashed last year at times. The Vikings need a big man who makes it tough to move the line of scrimmage. McDonald should be there at 18, along with Clemson’s Peter Woods, but they should also be available later in the 1st, if not at the beginning of the 2nd.
If they trade back to snag one and miss out, they have a guy later in round 3 or 4 in Orange, also known as “Big Citrus”. That’s a fun nickname! More than that, he can plug the middle and absorb double teams, which should free up everyone else to mind gaps and rush the passer. He doesn’t have pass-rush upside, but who cares if teams get so one-dimensional and frustrated because they can’t run on them?
Sep 6, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive lineman Domonique Orange (95) celebrates after a play against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
He is truly a player the Vikings might be targeting later in the draft, no matter what happens earlier on, and they can get him in, possibly even in the 5th round, if they don’t move back up into the 4th.
Want: C – Sam Hecht (Kansas)
Draft: Jake Slaughter (Florida)
2026 is not a strong year for centers. There isn’t one seen as a 1st-round pick, and maybe not even one in the 2nd. Sam Hect is a solid technician at the position and doesn’t come with any injury baggage like Connor Lew from Auburn. Hecht could be snagged in the 3rd round or beyond, and no one would blink an eye.
Blake Brandel jumped in mid-season and was pretty solid at the position, with Michael Jurgens playing well when given the chance. If they want a true center, they may take Hecht and have him compete with the others, or give him time to develop. If they go a different direction or he gets snagged before they pick, the team could look to Slaughter.
The top three centers are ranked very similarly, and some say they could go in any order depending on team schemes. If the run doesn’t start until late, the team could steal one in the 6th or 7th Round, where, if they quickly develop into a starter, the team could look like drafting wizards. They could realistically think they already have the position covered, but competition is never a bad thing for a team or its players.
Want: RB – Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
Draft: Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
I never say never, but the chances of getting Love in the natural progression of the draft or by trading up are becoming less than 5% at this point if the experts are reading the tea leaves correctly. Love is generational, and the drop-off to the next level is significant, including his main backup, Jadarian Price. Why didn’t I name him?
He should be available at the 49th pick and maybe even in the 3rd at picks 82 and 97. I don’t think he fits the team scheme at this point for the type of player they need. Aaron Jones is getting old by running-back standards, and Jordan Mason is better known as a power back. Johnson is the quick twitch, make a cut, or even three, and get loose for a long run.
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) jumps to avoid a tackle from Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback A.J. Harris (4) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
He’s not going to bowl people over. He’s going to outmaneuver them and leave them grasping at air. He had a great number coming out of Nebraska, both on the ground and through the air. Having a threat coming out of the backfield where teams have to keep an eye on Jefferson, Addison, and TJ Hockenson can open up underneath routes for a speedy, shifty guy like Johnson to cause major damage catching or on delayed handoffs.
He gives Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy a great option to check down to or use in run/pass option plays. Being from Minneapolis and a Vikings fan who recently said the team better draft him or pay for it for the next ten years is a nice sense of professional confidence that teams appreciate when you can back it up.
Those who remember having David Palmer as a change-of-pace running back will appreciate a player like Johnson, who makes the offense that much more dangerous. He needs to improve his pass protection if he wants to be a serious rotational player or starter, as O’Connell covets that skill.
Want: CB – Mansoor Delane (LSU)
Draft: Chris Johnson (San Diego State)
Delane may be a target of the team, and he could reach them naturally, or the Vikings could trade up if it’s just a few picks. Let’s say he’s gone, and the other corner choices don’t fit Flores’ scheme. They decide they can find a player in the 2nd Round, and that player is Johnson.
Sep 6, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Chris Johnson (1) celebrates after a play against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
He is a bigger corner, which Flores likes in his system. At 6’0″ and 193 pounds, he fits the bill and is a solid tackler, which means runners don’t get far, and receivers either get the pass knocked away or are stopped in their tracks. Getting him at 49 in the 2nd Round might be tough, but if he’s there, he might be the best player available.
Last year, the team flirted with having only two viable starters, and the backups were either flops or questionable if they had to start regularly due to injury. They made it through unscathed, but they need an infusion of youth and true depth to lean on. Johnson can be that guy and should be able to play inside or outside when needed. They can’t risk it a second year, hoping no major injuries happen and there’s a big drop-off.
A father and son from Scotland are to make history while playing for England at the World Senior Curling Championships in Geneva, Switzerland.
Andy McGlynn lives in Forfar and his Inverness-born son Douglas in Nairn.
They will be the first father and son to compete in the same team at the championships and, at 83 years old, Andy will be the event's oldest ever competitor.
The men qualify for the England team because Andy was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Douglas, who describes himself as a proud Scot and curled with the Scottish Juniors, is the England team's skip.
He said he and his dad were "really excited" about competing and it was an opportunity too good to miss.
"I saw this as a way to circumvent the Scottish system because qualifying out of Scotland is so hard. There's so many good curlers in Scotland," said Douglas.
"I don't see it as representing England in terms of the shirt. For me it's just you're putting a top on.
"To be able to curl at this level and gain this amount of experience has been a long term dream for me."
Douglas, a father-of-two, added: "We have lots of sportspeople who are born in one country and play for another and I thought if they can do it why shouldn't I."
He said he had spoken to the dad of Scottish Olympic curler Hammy McMillan and he told him the opportunity to play at international level should be "grabbed with both hands".
"I felt a little bit more vindicated by that," said Douglas.
Proud son
Douglas, who lived in Canada for 23 years and curled competitively in the Canadian provincial league system, returned to Scotland during the Covid pandemic.
He then worked in Wales but curled in Preston and that was when he was invited to form a curling team to qualify for the world championships.
The England team successfully qualification and it is currently ranked ninth in the world.
Douglas said he was proud of his dad's achievements - which include coaching the England team last year, and a number of champion curlers over the years.
They have included Olympic silver medallist and world gold medal winner Greg Drummond, and Ricky Tasker who has represented Australia and won gold and silver at the Pacific Asia Championships.
Douglas said it was a special year for his dad, who has continued to compete after having had two knee and hip operations.
He said: "I think he hopes it's an inspiration for other people to look at that and go 'wow, if you're 83 and you're representing a national team at the worlds then I can go out and do that too'."
The pair are due to be in action on Sunday when England take on Hong Kong.
After almost three hours on their feet and the finish line in sight, two runners sacrificed personal bests to come to the rescue of an exhausted competitor at the Boston Marathon.
Aaron Beggs was first to stop to pull Ajay Haridasse up off the ground after he fell and could not get up.
With Haridasse still struggling to stay on his feet, another runner, Robson De Oliveira, stepped in and the pair put their arms around Haridasse to help him across the line.
Beggs is a member of North Down Athletic Club in Northern Ireland, which hailed him as a "superstar" who "couldn't pass an athlete in distress".
"What a gentleman! What a phenomenal sportsman. Our Aaron Beggs," the club said in a post in social media.
The incident was filmed by several spectators who witnessed Haridasse falling shortly after the 26 mile (41.8km) mark.
The footage showed a debilitated Haridasse making several attempts to get back on his feet while onlookers shouted encouragement.
Dozens of competitors passed the struggling athlete, until Beggs, dressed in a yellow and blue North Down Athletic Club vest, stopped to provide assistance.
He put both his hands out to pull Haridasse up off the ground, but struggled to steady the exhausted runner.
Then De Oliveira - who was on track to run his fastest-ever marathon - also paused his own race to help Beggs carry Haridasse over the line.
The pair's selfless actions, sacrificing their own race times, prompted cheers from the crowd who were lining the finishing straight.
Spectators filmed the incident from multiple angles and posted it on social media.
At the time of writing, one of the posts has been viewed more than two million times on X.
Speaking to the Boston Herald, Haridasse said: "After falling down the fourth time, I was getting ready to crawl."
He praised his rescuers, acknowledging that De Oliveira in particular had sacrificed a probable personal best in order to help him.
"If he didn't help me, that would have been his fastest race ever," Haridasse said.
Writing on Instagram, De Oliveira said he saw Haridasse collapsing in the distance close to the end but he knew he did not have "the strength to help him on my own".
"In that moment, I thought, 'God, if someone stops, I'll stop too and help him'."
De Oliveira praised Beggs for stopping, saying: "I knew I could help, because two are stronger than one."
Posting on Instagram, Beggs also acknowledged De Oliveira's "selfless commitment to put others before yourself" and called him a "true star".
NEW DELHI: At 6-foot-5, R. Sai Kishore brings a unique trajectory and relentless accuracy to the crease. Coming off a stellar IPL-2025 campaign where he bagged 19 wickets in 15 matches for Gujarat Titans, the Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner finds himself waiting for an opportunity in the early stages of IPL-2026.
Despite missing out on the playing XI so far this season, the 29-year-old remains remarkably grounded, putting the franchise’s objectives ahead of personal ambition.
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“Cricket is not an individual sport, it’s a team sport,” Sai Kishore tells TOI in an exclusive interview facilitated by the Gujarat Titans on Tuesday. “So, at the end of the day, you celebrate when you win the trophy, celebrate when you win the IPL. So, the team always comes first in all decisions. And me myself being a leader, I should understand this more than anyone else. As much as you’re disappointed that you’re not in the playing XI at present, it should be kept in mind that the team comes first and whenever the conditions are suited to play more spinners, I’ll get my chance.”
With 32 IPL wickets to his name, Sai Kishore knows the T20 game is heavily dictated by conditions. Early in the tournament, flat surfaces have always favoured the batters and continuing to do so even in IPL-2026, but the seasoned spinner anticipates a shift.
“IPL is a very dynamic tournament. How the tournament unfolds, how the wickets are playing, all those things are crucial factors in getting the combinations right,” he said. “The team always comes first, and whenever the wickets start to deteriorate, when the heat is more, slowly but surely the spinners will come into play. Not just for Gujarat Titans, but across the tournament. If you see, not a lot of spinners have been able to change games as of now. It’s mainly batting-friendly now.”
For a spinner, maintaining control on flat tracks that are dished out in the IPL requires a delicate balance between containing runs and hunting for wickets. “Role clarity” from the franchise surely makes this tightrope walk much easier.
“My role has been clearly mentioned and that is to provide control to the captain,” Sai Kishore said. “It becomes easy for any player to play to his full potential when the role is mentioned.”
When it comes to executing that control, he relies heavily on reading the game dynamically rather than sticking to a rigid script. “A lot depends on player to player, situation to situation. In what situation, what you’re trying to do. Let’s say if some batter is very settled, you would want to take him off strike, be more defensive to him. Somebody is new to the crease, you try and get his wicket. It is all about your decision-making skills at that moment, on that day, on that kind of wicket. So, if you have that instinct, it’s easy to manage between when to attack and when to defend,” he said.
In an era where T20 cricket is heavily driven by analytics and match-ups, Sai Kishore, who has previously captained Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, believes that numbers only tell half the story.
“No matter what kind of data you follow, your instincts always precede,” he said. “Because, at that moment, what you feel is what you’re gonna do. Data is important, knowing the game is important, but at the same time trusting your instincts, your inner voice is what this game is all about.”
Sai Kishore has already tasted international success, making his T20I debut during India’s gold medal-winning run at the 2023 Asian Games, where he famously claimed 3/12 against Bangladesh in the semifinals. However, he hasn’t been able to break into the Indian team again in any format. Rather than obsessing over a national call-up, his philosophy revolves around self-improvement and “absolute” preparation.
“To be relevant as a spinner, especially in India, you have to be able to hold yourself in all three facets of the game. You have to be a brilliant fielder, you have to be decent with the bat, which is not a very easy task. So, in that desire to play for the country, you naturally improve yourself to be a better cricketer.
“I feel I just have to make my garden very beautiful. I have to keep working on my game and be ready with the skill sets. And whenever a chance comes... more often than not when you’re absolutely ready, the chance comes. I think it will just happen on its own accord,” he said.
“Until then, I want to enjoy my game. I want to be very happy mentally, skillfully, emotionally, physically and everything.”
Chelsea Women are set to play all of their Women’s Super League (WSL) matches at Stamford Bridge from the start of next season.
The move signals a new era for the team, which has already hosted several fixtures at the men’s team’s home ground this season.
The team has played three WSL games at Stamford Bridge during the current campaign and is scheduled to conclude their season there against Manchester United in May. Additionally, the upcoming FA Cup semi-final clash against Manchester City has been relocated to the larger stadium.
This means Chelsea Women’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Aston Villa on 29 March was their final competitive outing at the 4,850-capacity Kingsmeadow in Kingston, which had been their home since 2017.
In a statement, the club outlined the strategic importance of the relocation: "Stamford Bridge will give CFCW a stage befitting the club’s achievements and ambition, a place to compete and win. This move reflects the club’s unwavering belief in the long-term opportunity in women’s football as well as the responsibility the club has to help push the game forward.
Chelsea Women will move to Stamford Bridge permanently next season (Getty)
“By establishing a permanent home at Stamford Bridge, CFCW is investing not just in today but in a legacy. Playing at Stamford Bridge will elevate visibility, provide consistency for fans, unlock potential and inspire the next generation as the sport continues to grow."
The decision is understood to be driven partly by the potential for increased matchday attendances and the enhanced commercial opportunities a larger, more developed stadium offers.
While Chelsea Women have seen fluctuating crowds at Stamford Bridge this season – over 30,000 for their 2-0 defeat by Arsenal in January, but around 10,000 for a win against London City Lionesses in November – the ambition is clear.
This contrasts with Arsenal, who averaged 34,110 for their nine WSL fixtures at the Emirates Stadium during the 2024-25 season, including more than 56,000 for their 5-0 victory over Tottenham.
An open letter from Chelsea’s first-team squad to supporters underscored the historical significance of the transition: "This moment is not just for us. It’s for every player to have worn the Chelsea badge. It’s for every person who has pushed the women’s game forward. It’s for every supporter who has been with us on our incredible journey.
“This is a new chapter, but our ambition remains the same. We want to win. We want to lift more trophies. We want to create further history. That is what Chelsea has always done – and we’re going to continue that legacy with our supporters beside us at the Bridge."
It is anticipated that Chelsea will also host Women’s League Cup, FA Cup, and – subject to qualification – Champions League fixtures at Stamford Bridge.
However, scheduling conflicts with the men’s team could necessitate the use of alternative venues for some cup matches.
Arsenal Women have played in front of significant crowds since moving to the Emirates (Getty)
The women’s team was sold to a subsidiary company, Chelsea FC Women (CFCW), in 2024.
Recent accounts for the men’s club, covering the year to June 2025, revealed a payment of £22.6m from CFCW, with sources close to the club indicating that almost £12m of this related to the sale of Kingsmeadow following an independent valuation.
The agreement for the women’s team to operate as a standalone business included a deal for Stamford Bridge to be used in exchange for a service fee.
Kingsmeadow will continue to serve as a venue for women’s academy and age-group matches.
Since the 'modern era' of snooker started in 1969, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry hold the joint record for most men's World Snooker Championship titles with seven.
Scotland's Hendry became the first to reach the mark - in 1999. All of his titles were won in the 1990s, including five in a row from 1992-1996.
O'Sullivan's Crucible titles have come over a longer period, with the Englishman winning his first in 2001 and repeating the feat in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022.
Ray Reardon and Steve Davis are the next most successful players at the tournament with six titles each. All of Reardon's titles were won in the 1970s, with Davis' haul coming throughout the 1980s.
John Higgins - one of two four-time champions competing at the Crucible again this year - won his titles between 1998 and 2011. Mark Selby is also on four - all between 2014 and 2021.
John Spencer and Mark Williams are both on three titles each. Williams - another of those in action this year - won the first of his in 2000, while Spencer's trio are dated between 1969 and 1977.
The only other player with multiple titles in the modern era is Alex Higgins, who won in 1972, and again a decade later.
Prior to the start of the modern era, only two players entered the competition and would play much longer matches with significantly more frames than the best-of-35 finals that have been held since 1980.
Joe Davis won the first 15 editions of the tournament between 1927 and 1946. Fred Davis and John Pulman also won eight titles apiece before 1969, with Walter Donaldson claiming two titles and Horace Lindrum one.
Full list of multiple World Snooker Championship winners
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry share the modern era record with seven World Snooker Championship wins each [Getty Images]
Shomurodov officially leaves Roma on permanent deal
Roma has said goodbye to Eldor Shomurodov.
The Uzbek striker, a key figure for the Giallorossi last year during Ranieri’s reign, will continue to play for Istanbul Basaksehir.
According to Il Tempo, the Turkish club has been forced to buy following their mathematical certainty of survival.
The purchase fee will be €2.8 million, while the loan fee was €3 million. Roma will retain 10% of the player’s future resale value.
This season, Shomurodov is putting up impressive numbers in the Turkish SuperLig: 18 goals and 4 assists in 30 league appearances for the Uzbek international striker.
Strong league finish could land Carrick top job, but United are in false position
As Manchester United slide inexorably into next season’s Champions League, it’s hard not to think that barring a biblical capitulation Michael Carrick has coached his way into a permanent position in the Old Trafford dugout.
The interim head coach won’t be counting his chickens just yet, given United’s propensity for abrupt self-destruction. But should he get the club back to the top table of European football he will surely have passed the audition set – formally or informally – by INEOS when he was brought in to replace Ruben Amorim in February.
Great achievement
What discussions took place during his appointment, and what conversations have happened since, is anyone’s guess. But it is reasonable to assume that securing Champions League football was the primary task set, and therefore that achieving it could lead to the permanent role.
United are two wins away from securing what would undeniably be a huge feather in the cap of the relatively inexperienced manager. He was anything but a sure thing; this was no short-term deal for an established winner, no six-month contract for Jose Mourinho.
The former Middlesborough boss turning around a floundering United and steering it to at least a top five finish would be impressive however you slice it.
If the bottom falls out at this point it would be disappointing bordering on devastating, but it would deliver the underwhelming league position many imagined when he took over.
Low standard
That said, United are far from the only flounderers. Liverpool have mounted a historically pathetic defence of their Premier League title, a disastrous Chelsea have now lost five in a row without scoring, and Aston Villa are gently burning out while fighting on several fronts.
The way is clearing for underdogs like Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford and Bournemouth to mount serious bids for Europe, revealing their own meteoric rises at the same time as the declines of everyone bar Arsenal and Manchester City.
It is therefore a distinctly low-calibre pack that United are currently leading, which risks rendering a potential high finish something of a false position, clearing a bar set only at knee height. The thought of the current United side, in their current form, facing Champions League opposition is terrifying.
Cause for concern
If Carrick’s side had maintained the breakneck form which swept aside both title contenders in his first two games in charge, then there would be little to discuss. An emphatic three months to ease into a third-place finish would certainly have landed the Englishman the job, and rightly so.
That he could still end up with it despite a worrying downturn in form starts to become a concern. What if he gets the nod but can’t reverse that trajectory? Time on the training ground clearly isn’t a magic bullet – there was plenty of that before the dismal defeat to Leeds United, which contained some of the very worst football of the Carrick era.
A more positive take would be that despite working with a squad with some glaring holes, Carrick will have done the job. A win is a win; you can only play what’s in front of you. History will look back on a league position, not form.
It’s hard to argue against appointing a coach who has delivered, in the circumstances, the best possible result and there is a strong case to make that his achievement, however many caveats there are, deserves a show of faith in return.
This summer will be make or break. Strong and decisive recruitment is essential to equip next season’s head coach – whoever that may be – with the tools to drag United back into the conversation for silverware.
In the current circumstances that could very well be the unassuming Englishman, but if he gets the nod then Slot, Rosenior and Villa’s busy fixture list could expect mentions in his acceptance speech.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 26: A screen shows Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders' name after being selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th overall pick during the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 26, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We will save the best-case scenario and optimism for Thursday. Today, with the first day of the 2026 NFL draft just a day away, we come back to our DBN readers with the question of the worst-case scenario. While we want to be hopeful, there are some options that we will start you off with as possible answers to the question:
QB would be a disaster. That includes trading 3 future 1st round picks plus more for Mendoza. Been there. Done that. Do it next year if you have to. There will be plenty to choose from that can see over the line.
Touchdownbrowns had a different take on the quarterback decision, but noted seeing two AFC North rivals snag players he is high on would be bothersome:
I’m so disagreeing with QB take! 😂😂😂 i really want us to take one! Hear me out though… I have to work backwards from my absolute worst-case scenario. I REALLY don’t want to see Watson on the field ever again. We are 1 Sanders injury away from that becoming a reality as of right now. So yes, taking Ty Simpson at 6 or 24 would not be worst case for me. Infact, it insures that my worst case never happens. The rest of the draft would be us consistently taking players that I’m low on when the other players that I’m high on are still available and then watching the ravens and Steelers take them.
Trading down was a concern for a couple of folks (Beast44 and tmartin5785):
Trading the #6 pick and passing on Downs.
Trading down from 6 too far and missing out on Freeling, Tate, Mauigoa, and Lemon while also not getting a 2027 1st in the trade
Now it is your turn, or theirs, to either change their choice or defend their almost month-old thoughts, in our comment section below.
What is the worst-case scenario for the Cleveland Browns in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft?
The Philadelphia Eagles head into the final hours before the 2026 NFL Draft with a wide range of projected outcomes at pick No. 23. Across mock drafts and league intel, several prospects and positions continue to surface as logical fits. Offensive tackle remains a popular projection, particularly with long-term questions surrounding Lane Johnson, while edge rushers and wide receivers have also been consistently linked to Philadelphia as potential impact additions.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is a huge supporter of trading up and down the draft boards, no matter the round or the assets at his disposal. Roseman, known for never sitting still, has always been an active draft-night trader and will likely make a move or two in rounds 1-3. Roseman has conducted over 60 draft-day trades over the past ten years, not including the 2015 draft when coach Chip Kelly snatched personnel control.
Despite the growing list of predictions, the Eagles are unlikely to lock into any single direction. Roseman has built his draft philosophy around flexibility and value, often capitalizing when top talent unexpectedly falls. That mindset leaves open the possibility of multiple outcomes — from selecting the best player available to executing a trade up or down the board. As the final projections come into focus, the Eagles remain one of the most unpredictable teams, positioned to adapt and maximize value when they're on the clock at No. 23.
As the draft nears, experts continue to connect a range of prospects to the Eagles at pick No. 23, offering insight into Philadelphia's potential Round 1 strategy.
Pro Bowl left guard Isaac Seumalo left the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency this offseason, but luckily, the 2026 NFL Draft is packed with capable replacements.
From premium first-round picks to seventh-round sleepers, here's a look at one guard the Steelers can select in each round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
First round: Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
The Steelers have been heavily linked to Ioane throughout the draft process, and while they may need to trade up a few spots to secure the talented guard prospect, there may be no better fit in the draft.
Second round: Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
A highly underrated guard out of Texas A&M, Bisontis may fall right into the Steelers' lap during the second round of the draft. Steadily improving in pass protection every collegiate season, Bisontis may be the most complete option the Steelers could acquire on Day 2.
Third round: Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
Farmer may be one of the most physical guard prospects of his class, a perfect fit for the Steel City brand of football. A force in the run game, Farmer would slot nicely into the Steelers' left guard vacancy.
Fourth Round: Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
While Schrauth carries some injury concerns heading into the draft, the Steelers cannot afford to pass up this exceptionally talented pass protector at fourth-round value.
Fifth round: Jeremiah Wright, Auburn
Violent in the run game, Wright is at his best when imposing his will upon defenders. Possessing outstanding upside as a physical guard, the Steelers would be wise to take a chance on this developmental prospect.
Sixth round: Kobe Baynes, Kansas
Owning one of the biggest wingspans of the 2026 guard class, Baynes typically enters most blocking opportunities with an instant advantage over defenders. Pass blocking has been a real strength for Baynes, while his nastiness and physicality in the run game also serve as major selling points.
Seventh round: Micah Morris, Georgia
What Morris is lacking in experience, he makes up for with raw talent and athleticism. While there are some glaring red flags, like his pad level and hand placement, his intangibles make him an interesting seventh-round option for the Steelers.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Pogba warns Man Utd they have a player in their ranks who ‘all the clubs’ will be after, he’s too ‘talented’
Paul Pogba believes Kobbie Mainoo is the type of player that ‘all the clubs’ will be after following his meteoric breakthrough.
The former Red was full of praise for Manchester United’s homegrown starlet when meeting with Rio Ferdinand recently.
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What did Pogba have to say about Mainoo?
When asked whether Mainoo should stay at Old Trafford long-term, Pogba told Ferdinand: “He’s such a talented kid. He’s still young. It’s really difficult. He’s going to have all the clubs after him, this is for sure. He’s such a great player, big potential, and he can have a great career at Manchester United, too.
“So I don’t know, but I just wish him the best. I don’t know what decision he’s going to make. I just want to see this kid play because it’s enjoyable to see him play football.”
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Mainoo ready to commit future to boyhood club
His comments come just a day after it was revealed that Mainoo and United had finally reached a verbal agreement over a new contract, one that will keep him tied to the club until 2031, plus the option of a further 12 months.
However, rewind only four months ago, and the 21-year-old was pushing for a move away due to his continued omissions under Ruben Amorim.
This season, Mainoo did not make a single Premier League start under Amorim before he was eventually relieved of his duties back in January, which had prompted him to explore alternative ventures.
United blocked a late-summer loan move for the midfielder back at the very beginning of the campaign, when he had been an unused substitute for the opening two league matches, and were prepared to rebuff his requests to leave again – until Michael Carrick was appointed and put matters right.
Carrick instantly restored Mainoo to his rightful place in the starting XI alongside Casemiro, and he has since started every fixture he’s been available for; he missed out against Leeds United through a minor injury setback.
Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston revealed that the London outfit had set their sights on the England international, and would’ve attempted to facilitate a deal had an opportunity presented itself.
Barcelona set to hand a trial to 16-year-old African midfield gem
Aboubacar Maiga has been making waves for some time as one of the brightest young prospects in African football. The 16-year-old central midfielder, known for his playmaking ability, had already been linked with FC Barcelona in recent months.
He is part of the Africa Foot academy in Mali, which has a collaboration agreement with Barça and previously facilitated the arrival of Ibrahim Diarra.
Maiga to have a trial at Barcelona
Now, according to SPORT, Barcelona will hand Maiga a trial at the club to take a closer look at him and evaluate a potential move for the teenager.
Alongside Diarra, who is already at Barça, Maiga is considered one of the standout talents to emerge from Mali in recent years.
Recently, the youngster spent several days on trial at Paris Saint-Germain. He was also seen during Easter at the Olympia Future Cup, a youth tournament held at the facilities of AFC Ajax.
PSG have a long-standing focus on the African market, particularly players of African descent born in France who hold French passports, which simplifies transfers as it removes the need to wait until the age of 18.
After spending time in Paris with the U-17 side, Maiga returned to Mali to take part in the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The initial plan was for him to travel to Barcelona earlier, but he is now expected to arrive after the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from 25 April to 15 May. After the tournament, the idea is for him to spend several weeks training in Barcelona.
Closely monitored by the Blaugrana scouts for some time now, Maiga is known for his technical quality, particularly with his right foot. He is effective from set pieces and has a strong ability to arrive late into the box, contributing goals from midfield.
His natural position is as an interior midfielder, although he can also operate in wider areas.
Final decision to come later
A final decision regarding a permanent move has not yet been made, although the reports on the player are very positive. Due to regulations, he would not be able to join officially until he turns 18.
It is worth noting that Barcelona, thanks to their agreement with Africa Foot Mali, hold priority over the player ahead of PSG, who may also consider signing him after their own evaluation.
The NFL draft will kick off Thursday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and will conclude Saturday after seven rounds.
Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman is projected as the No. 292 best available player for the 2026 NFL draft, according to ESPN.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end played at Tennessee from 2024-25 after transferring from Alabama and Hutchinson Community College.
Kitselman appeared in 24 games for the Vols, totaling 48 receptions for 554 yards and six touchdowns. His longest reception was 31 yards. The former Vol also scored one rushing touchdown on three attempts.
From 2022-23, Kitselman recorded two receptions for 18 yards in 19 games at Alabama. He totaled two receptions for 16 yards and one touchdown in three games at Hutchinson Community College in 2021.
Kitselman was granted an additional year of eligibility with a NCAA waiver in Dec. 2024.
17 former Vols have been selected in the NFL draft during the Josh Heupel era as Tennessee’s head coach. Tennessee has produced 391 all-time NFL draft picks, including the AFL draft.
In Columbus, and for the Ohio State Buckeyes football program, wide receiver excellence is not an exception. It is the expectation.
From Garrett Wilson to Chris Olave to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the program has become a pipeline for polished, NFL-ready talent. Now, the next name in that lineage is Carnell Tate. And what separates Tate is not just production.
It is how he produced, steadily, efficiently, and in ways that translate directly to NFL Sundays.
A three-year climb from depth piece to featured weapon
Tate’s Ohio State career followed the exact arc NFL teams want to see.
As a freshman in 2023, he entered one of the deepest receiver rooms in college football and still carved out a role, finishing with 18 receptions for 264 yards and a touchdown while appearing in every game. That early contribution mattered, not because of volume, but because it showed he could earn trust in a crowded, elite room.
By 2024, his role expanded significantly. Tate became a consistent part of the offense, posting 52 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns, while contributing to a national championship run. He was no longer a rotational player. He was a reliable option in high-leverage moments, including the postseason.
Then came the breakout. In 2025, Tate elevated into one of the most productive receivers in the country, recording 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging over 17 yards per catch. Despite missing time with injury, he still produced multiple 100-yard games and became one of the offense’s most explosive threats.
Across three seasons, the resume is clear, 121 receptions, 1,872 yards, 14 touchdowns in 39 games. That kind of steady progression is not accidental. It is development.
The production profile: Elite ball skills, zero drops, and winning through contact
What makes Tate’s production truly compelling is not just the volume. It is how clean and translatable it is.
Let’s start with the efficiency. Tate averaging over 17 yards per catch in 2025 is a reflection of explosive downfield playmaking. He consistently won on vertical routes and intermediate concepts, turning opportunities into chunk gains rather than simply moving the chains.
But the most important part of Tate’s profile shows up in two areas NFL teams value heavily, contested catches and reliability.
Tate has developed into one of the best contested-catch receivers in the country. According to PFF, Tate had a 85.7% contested catch rate in 2025, consistently converting throws in tight coverage and winning at the catch point. His combination of size, timing, and body control allow him to play through defenders and finish plays that many receivers simply cannot.
That trait translates immediately to the NFL. When separation shrinks on Sundays, receivers who can win in traffic become invaluable. Tate already operates comfortably in that environment.
Then there is his hands. In 2025, Tate recorded zero drops, a statistic that reinforces what shows up on film. He is a natural hands catcher who consistently plucks the ball away from his body, maintains focus through contact, and finishes plays in critical moments.
RD1 WR’s with 750+ career routes & a 75%+ career catch-rate:
(Since 2020)
– Devonta Smith (76.5%) – Carnell Tate (75.2%) – Justin Jefferson (75%)
That level of reliability is rare. Many receivers offer explosiveness. Others offer consistency. Tate offers both, and that combination is what elevates his projection. He is not streaky, he is stable.
More than a WR2: Why history says Tate can be a true NFL WR1
One of the laziest ways to evaluate receivers coming out of Ohio State is by labeling them based on their role. Tate was often viewed as a “WR2” within the Buckeyes’ offense. But at Ohio State, that label means something very different than it does elsewhere.
Being a secondary option in that system does not limit NFL projection. It often enhances it. Just look at Terry McLaurin, who was never a featured WR1 in college but became one of the most consistent and productive receivers in the NFL. Or Chris Olave, who shared targets in a loaded room and still translated into a high-level NFL playmaker.
Ohio State’s receiver room is built on distribution, not force-feeding. Tate’s production came within that structure. He was not schemed touches, he earned them. And when opportunities came, he maximized them.
That is exactly what NFL teams want to see. Because the transition to the league is not about being the only option. It is about being able to operate within a system, earn trust, and expand your role over time.
Tate has already done that. And that is why the ceiling is higher than many realize. He is not just a complementary receiver at the next level. He has the tools to become a true WR1, and the type of player who can lead a passing game, win against top corners, and produce consistently against elite competition.
This is just a “my guy is better than your two guys” throw.
Tate enters the NFL as one of the most polished and complete receivers in his class. At 6′ 2 1/4″ and 192 pounds, he brings ideal size and catch radius, allowing him to win both in space and in contested situations. His route running is advanced, built on timing, leverage, and an understanding of how to manipulate defenders.
He can line up outside, beat press coverage, operate in the intermediate game, and threaten vertically. That versatility makes him scheme-flexible, capable of fitting into multiple offensive systems.
But the most important trait he brings is trust. Quarterbacks trust receivers who are where they are supposed to be, who catch the ball when it is thrown to them, and who make plays when things break down. Tate has built his entire game around those principles. And that is why his transition projects so cleanly.
The bottom line
Carnell Tate is not built on hype, he is built on traits that translate. Consistency, ball skills, reliability, and physicality at the catch point.
At Ohio State, he proved he could develop, adapt, and produce within one of the most demanding environments in college football. He showed he could win without being the focal point, and still deliver when called upon.
In the NFL, that profile tends to scale. That is why Tate is not just a safe projection, he is a high-ceiling one. And if his development continues on its current trajectory, he will not just follow the path of past Ohio State receivers.
He will join them, not as a role player, but as a true No. 1 option at the next level.
The Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs is the ornately decorated area of the infield where the Kentucky Derby trophy is presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey after the "greatest two minutes in sports."
But the Winner's Circle hasn't always been such a special spot.
"It originally was a small area outlined in chalk where the winners were presented their prize," Kevin Kerstein, publicity manager for Churchill Downs. said.
Staring down a 2-0 deficit, the Penguins will head to enemy territory for Game 3 of their first-round series against the Flyers.
After stealing home-ice advantage with a 3-2 win in Game 1, Philadelphia shut down an elite Pittsburgh offense in Game 2 behind a stellar performance from Dan Vladar. The 28-year-old goaltender earned the first playoff shutout of his career, totaling 27 saves in a 3-0 victory.
Now, the Penguins must figure out a way to win four out of five in order to avoid elimination. Their comeback attempt will begin with a road contest on Wednesday night.
Here is everything you need to know about Penguins vs. Flyers, including TV and streaming options for Game 3 of the first-round series.
How to watch Penguins vs. Flyers Game 3: TV channel, live stream
Penguins vs. Flyers will air locally on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Game 3 will also be available to stream on SNP 360 and fubo.
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.)
Penguins vs. Flyers Game 3 start time
Date: Wednesday, April 22
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Penguins vs. Flyers is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 22. Game 3 will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Penguins vs. Flyers schedule: Philadelphia leads 2-0
The NFL Draft is not an exact science, to say the least. Even the wisest front office minds know selecting players is closer to an educated guess than anything else.
The draft isn't completely random, though. First-round picks have a much higher rate of success than fourth-round picks, and second-round picks have a much higher rate of success than sixth-round picks. A first-rounder flopping could cost a general manager his job, but a seventh-rounder never panning out is nothing out of the ordinary.
That doesn't mean all highly-drafted players fulfill expectations. The 2026 NFL Draft will inevitably have its share of busts, and a few players have already showed warning signs before hearing their name called in Pittsburgh.
Here are seven NFL Draft prospects who could be bust candidates in 2026.
The rate of success for quarterbacks with only one year of starting experience at the college level isn't particularly high. Simpson spent four years in Alabama's system between Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer, but he didn't take over as the Crimson Tide's starter until 2025. Will that lack of experience matter?
Simpson, in essence, has only a half-season of impressive football under his belt. He looked like an NFL quarterback over Alabama's first eight games in 2025, throwing 20 touchdowns to only one interception and beating some talented defenses, but his accuracy suffered late in the season.
Nagging injuries and health issues, including gastritis, might have hampered Simpson, but his slight build at 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds raises questions about his durability at the next level. Simpson's arm is fine and he generally keeps the ball out of harm's way, but it doesn't jump off the page compared to NFL starters.
If Simpson is over-drafted, it will be the result of a lack of elite-level quarterback prospects in this draft. The hit rate for first-round quarterbacks outside the No. 1 pick is much shakier than other positions because teams are desperate to find a franchise quarterback, and Simpson could be the latest to fall short of those expectations.
Bain was an absolute monster at times on Miami's defense in 2025, finishing the year with 15.5 tackles for loss and constantly disrupting opposing quarterbacks. By the eye test, he looked like a potential NFL star -- and he could be. If he is, he will be breaking precedent related to arm length.
Bain's arms measured in at 30 7/8 inches at the NFL Combine in February, which is one of the shortest measurements of any edge rusher in recent history. Since 2010, there is no comparison for a first-round edge rusher whose arms are as short as Bain's. Carl Lawson and Trey Hendrickson are examples of pass-rushers who found NFL success with arms below 33 inches, but Lawson (31 1/2) and Hendrickson (32) still came in ahead of Bain and weren't close to being first-round picks.
If Bain has found a way to be so successful to this point, there is little doubt he is capable of having a long NFL career. As he faces bigger bodies, however, it's worth wondering whether he will live up to the billing that comes with being a likely top-10 pick.
Outside of the arm concerns, off-field concerns have also surfaced for Bain. A recent report revealed Bain was charged with careless driving after a 2024 crash that killed a passenger in his car, though the charge was later dropped. Subsequent reports said NFL teams already knew about the incident and weren't concerned, but any red flag is something front offices pay attention to this time of year.
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
A talented player struggling to stay in shape is a tale as old as time. That doesn't mean Proctor will be the latest to deal with those issues, but his weight is a potential red flag as he prepares for his his NFL career.
Proctor measured in at 6-7 and 366 pounds at the NFL Combine, but he said weeks later that he was already down into the 350s and didn't consider 365-370 an acceptable playing weight. Proctor showed up to training camp weighing about 390 pounds in 2025.
While the offensive tackle insists he can manage his weight and keep it where his future team wants it, the fluctuations at Alabama and his inconsistency on the field are concerns, as is Proctor's mobility. The raw talent to be a strong pass protector is absolutely there, but more than a few offensive linemen have cost themselves money in the NFL by struggling to stay in shape.
Some consider Allar a boom-or-bust candidate. Others question whether there is any "boom" potential at all after the Penn State quarterback struggled to make the leap the Nittany Lions were hoping to see before going down with a season-ending injury in October.
Allar has the size and many of the tools of a prototypical NFL quarterback, but he couldn't put it all together at Penn State, making some costly mistakes and never breaking through in an offense that wasn't conducive to a great deal of success in the passing game.
All it takes for Allar to be drafted in the second or third round is one team that believes he wasn't put in the best position to succeed at Penn State and has physical traits that can still be molded in the years ahead. While some quarterbacks are the exception, most don't go from underwhelming at the collegiate level to quality starter at the NFL level. If Allar's talent was going to shine through, it's possible it would have by now.
Sadiq's measurables were off the charts at the NFL Combine, cementing his first-round status and validating what many NFL teams already believed: he is an absolute physical specimen.
Dominating the combine, however, doesn't always translate to dominating the NFL. Sadiq had all of those physical tools at Oregon, but it never quite resulted in dominant showings on the field. He didn't break out until his junior season, which saw him put up 560 yards and eight touchdowns on 11 yards per catch. Sadiq had nine catches for 51 yards between Oregon's two College Football Playoff games, which came against talented Texas Tech and Indiana defenses.
The talent is absolutely there, but the NFL team that selects Sadiq can't expect him to be a finished product when he steps on the field. If he doesn't end up in the right developmental situation, Sadiq could struggle to become one of the NFL's top tight ends.
Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) blitzes as Auburn Tigers take on Ball State Cardinals at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Ball State Cardinals 42-3. Imagn Images.
Shemar Stewart's career still has a long way to go, but after a rookie season dominated more by a contract dispute than anything he did on the field, he is a warning sign for pass-rushers who have all of the physical traits but didn't necessarily produce at the collegiate level.
Faulk produced more than Stewart did, to be clear. He posted seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2024, emerging as a first-round prospect with top-10 potential, but two sacks and five tackles for loss over 12 games in 2025 were disappointing marks that raise more questions than answers.
Faulk impressed at the NFL Combine with a massive wingspan and strong performances on the field, coming in at a 9.10 Relative Athletic Score, but Stewart serves as a reminder that betting on physical traits without production is a significant risk that might not be worth taking in the first round.
McCoy looked every bit like a first-round pick at Tennessee in 2024 after coming over from Oregon State, but there is always risk associated with using a first-round pick on a player coming off a major injury.
It's been about 16 months since McCoy last played competitive football, so a team looking to plug him right into its secondary has to expect rust at the very least. The Cowboys selected potential first-round talent Shavon Revel Jr. in the third round of the 2025 draft off a torn ACL, and Revel struggled mightily in his five-game stint as a rookie.
McCoy's injury is in the distant past compared to Revel, and he already impressed with a 4.38 40-yard dash in the lead-up to the draft. Given McCoy is expected to be available for the start of the season, it's not a one-to-one comparison. Still, spending a premium draft pick on a player who has been away from the field for so long and has a major knee injury on his record is riskier than the average selection.
Las Vegas will once again host some of the nation’s best wrestlers when they compete at the 2026 U.S. Open Wrestling Championships.
The multi-day event features various weight classes and events, as well as multiple age groups. The Expo at World Market Center will showcase matches from all levels, from youth and high school to U20, senior, and Masters.
Several NCAA champions will participate, including Spencer Lee, David Carr, Kyle Dake, and Wyatt Hendrickson. Meanwhile, Bella Mir, the daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, looks to stand out.
An incentive for some could be to enter the Final X in June. With the Olympics in 2028, several wrestlers aim to impress.
The Sporting News has all the details on how to watch the 2026 U.S. Open Wrestling Championships.
Where to watch U.S. Open Wrestling Championships 2026
The 2026 U.S. Open Wrestling Championships will not air on a national TV channel. You can keep up with the action on FloWrestling, which will be covering the entire event.
Senior Women Freestyle - Championship Finals
Senior Men Greco-Roman Group A - Championship Finals Round 2 (Best 2/3) & Round 3 (if necessary)
Saturday, April 25
Session 7
1 p.m. ET - 2:45 p.m. ET: Senior Men Greco-Roman Group B - Championship Finals Round 1 (Best 2/3), Consolation & Medal Matches (3rd, 5th, 7th place matches)
1 p.m. ET - 4 p.m. ET: Senior Men Freestyle - Consolation, Consolation Semifinals & Medal Matches (3rd, 5th, 7th place matches)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees stands for the national anthem during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 16, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB.com | Joe Vasile: The New York Yankees and the Hudson Valley Renegades announced yesterday afternoon that pitchers Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón will start for the Renegades on Thursday and Friday, respectively, as part of their rehab assignments. Cole will be making his second start, as he began his rehab assignment with the Double-A Somerset Patriots last week, while Rodón will be taking the hill for the first time this season. I’m not saying I feel bad for the Brooklyn Cyclones batters they’ll be facing, but, well, I kind of do.
The Athletic | Brendan Kuty and Jen McCaffrey: With the Yankees and Red Sox starting their first series of the season yesterday, The Athletic’s reporters on the New York and Boston beats teamed up to break down how the two teams have been going in the early weeks of the season. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the starting rotations of both staffs were highlighted: the Bombers need their rotation to cover for a shaky bullpen, while the Red Sox has been overtaxing their bullpen due to underperformance.
ESPN | Jeff Passan: The history of pitching is, in many ways, the search for more and more velocity. Two decades ago, a pitcher hitting triple digits was a rarity. Nowadays, though, so many pitchers — both starters and relievers — reach 100 miles per hour consistently that it no longer seems all that remarkable. Talking to players throughout the league — including Yankees starter/ace-in-training Cam Schlittler — Jeff Passan talks about the rise of the 100 mph fastball over the last few years, to the point where it has become an obsession even among high school students.
And, while Passan doesn’t get into it, probably also the reason for so many arm injuries.
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 28: Brett Thorson #92 of the Georgia Bulldogs punts against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is a day away as the New England Patriots continue the process of finishing their board. Things will look quite different for the team this draft picking 31st overall after back-to-back years selecting in the top-five. After spending two draft picks on specialists last season, New England may be looking to add more competition this go-around.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at some of the prospects that might make sense for the Patriots at the position.
Patriots’ current specialists situation
The Patriots dipped into the draft twice last year to upgrade their specialists group. That began in the sixth-round with kicker Andy Borregales, who finished his rookie season strong making 27-of-32 attempts in the regular season. Borregales is set to enter the year as the unquestioned starter. Seventh-round pick Julian Ashby now faces competition at long snapper, however, after the team signed Niko Lalos in free agency. Ashby, who started every game for the Patriots his rookie season, would still be considered the odds-on favorite.
Any addition in the draft would likely come at the punter position, as Bryce Baringer enters the final year of his rookie contract. While Baringer has had plenty of strong moments, some continued inconsistency may result in the team bringing in competition.
Patriots NFL Draft fits on special teams
Brett Thorson (Georgia): Last year’s Ray Guy Award winner as the best punter in college football, Thorson will likely be the first punter off the board. The Australian recorded 23 punts i20s last season in comparison to just four touchbacks, while his 8.7 percent return rate was the third lowest in the FBS. | Consensus ranking: 275
Ryan Eckley (Michigan State): Taking over for Bryce Baringer in 2023, Eckley has handled punting duties the last three seasons for the Spartans. His 2025 campaign was perhaps his best as he increased his average hang time and kicked just one touchback while 20 punts were downed inside the 20. | Consensus ranking: 344
Jack Stonehouse (Syracuse): One of the highest graded punters last season, Stonehouse ranked in the top-15 in yards per attempt and fair catches as his average hang time increased for the fourth consecutive season. His six touchbacks were a career-worst, however. Jack’s cousin, Ryan, served as Mike Vrabel’s punter in Tennessee. | Consensus ranking: 407
Tommy Doman (Florida): Beginning his collegiate career as a kicker, Doman switched to punting in 2023. He led the FBS in average hang time last season (4.52s) but must continue to improve his accuracy and touch. | Consensus ranking: 499
In addition to those prospects, others to watch include: Tyler Perkins (Iowa State), Ross James (Oregon), Wes Pahl (Oklahoma State), Cole Maynard (Western Kentucky), and Keegan Andrews (UMass).
Former US national team player Cobi Jones juggles a ball on the new test pitch for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on March 13, 2025. The pitch will be used for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League semifinals on March 20 when the US play Panama and Canada plays Mexico. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
While FIFA has been criticized in some circles for exploitative pricing of 2026 World Cup tickets, in most cases, ticket demand appears to be validating their approach, at least from an economic standpoint.
The report estimates that a bit over 2,000 tickets are still currently available for fixture against Paraguay, billed as special occasion to mark the opening of the majority portion of the tournament to be played on Ameican soil. And that may not include other tickets that FIFA has yet to release, since it continues to make some available at all matches on a rolling basis.
Tickets for the third group game in Los Angeles against Turkey may also be slower than other fixtures, the report adds.
FIFA has pushed back, saying that the documents used to draw this conclusion are misleading. Here’s the relevant paragraph on the FIFA perspective:
A FIFA spokesperson, responding after publication Tuesday, said in an emailed statement that “ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup remain strong with a high degree of interest for all matches, including the ones you have highlighted.” The spokesperson argued that the document “does not accurately reflect actual sales to date” (The Athletic’s report cites ticket data as of April 10), and said “it would be misleading and irresponsible to publish such figures as fact,” but did not say why or how the numbers were inaccurate reflections or misleading.
However, if The Athletic’s reporting does reflect an accurate assessment of demand for USMNT games staged in Los Angeles, it would not necessarily be surprising to those who follow American soccer closely.
Here are five reasons the Yanks might be struggling to lure ticket buyers for two of the biggest matches in American soccer history.
The Price (Duh)
This is Captain Obvious territory. But as The Athletic notes, prices for the June 12 match at the 70,000-capacity venue were the third-highest of all tournament games (behind the final and one semifinal) when ticket sales launched in September.
While the prices of other matches have climbed under FIFA’s variable pricing model, the cost for the June 12 USMNT opener remains at $2,730 for Category 1 tickets, $1,940 for Category 2 and $1,120 for Category 3. (General public ticket applications for all World Cup matches are split into three price categories.)
That’s in line with face value for “lower end” Super Bowl tickets (although secondary market prices typically exceed $5,000 for America’s biggest annual sporting event.) And given the fact that the United States will play twice in the same market in the space of two weeks, and that the real tournament opener will come the day before in Mexico City, it’s understandable that fans might not be convinced to make a Super Bowl-sized investment.
Lingering 2018 Resentment
The United States Soccer Federation is not tasked with pricing the USMNT’s games at the World Cup. But it has also come under criticism in recent years for making USMNT games less accessible while the product on the field hasn’t improved.
The average cost of watching the United States play in person nearly quadrupled between the 2002 and 2018 World Cup cycles, according to a 2025 story in The Athletic. That was well above the cumulative inflation of just under 40% between 2002 and 2018, according to the Consumer Price Index. And the 2018 cycle ended in the Americans’ failure to reach a World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Fast forward to 2025, and there are signs of a fanbase that is still sour. Four of the 10 home friendlies marketed by U.S. Soccer in 2025 drew under 20,000 fans, and only one crowd exceeded 30,000. Crowds at the Gold Cup – which is priced and marketed by Concacaf – were also own for matches featuring the American team, particularly in group stage games against poor draws like Trinidad and Tobago, and Saudi Arabia.
The news was much better last month, when the Americans played in front of two crowds greater than 60,000 in Atlanta against Belgium and Portugal. But the relationship between fans and the USMNT has been tenuous ever since the failure of 2018, a sentiment that FIFA’s price practices risk enflamming.
SoCal Market Demographics
INGLEWOOD, CA - JUNE 14: Fans celebrate during 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Tournament between Mexico and Dominican Republic at SoFi Stadium on June 14, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Edwin So/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
ISI Photos via Getty Images
Los Angeles is the nation’s second-largest metropolitan area. But it is not exactly known as a USMNT hotbed.
Given the city’s large Latin American diaspora, the Mexico national team is likely the most popular international side in Los Angeles, and Central American nations like Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala also have considerable followings. As far as other competitors in the 2026 World Cup, there are also significant Iranian and South Korean fanbases in Southern California. (Iran will also play two matches in Los Angeles.)
That’s one reason U.S. Soccer and Concacaf rarely schedule matches in Southern California where the American team is the main draw, instead opting for Midwestern or Southeastern locales.
In the 2022 World Cup cycle, the Americans’ home games were contained to five states: Texas, Tennessee, Minnesota, Ohio and Florida. In the 2023 and 2025 Gold Cups, Concacaf scheduled one United States group stage game in Northern California (San Jose), scattering the other five between Texas, Missouri, Illinois and North Carolina.
The World Cup has a far higher level of visibility. And the Americans were able to draw pro-USA crowds to the Rose Bowl in nearby Pasadena twice in 1994. But that was at a far lower price.
Concacaf Soccer Saturation
A last part of the equation is that,no nation on earth has more chances to watch their national team play in meaningful matches than the United States.
Because of its unparalleled ticket buying power in the region, the United States has hosted every major international Concacaf men’s international event since 2005. That adds up to 11 editions of the Gold Cup and four editions of the Concacaf Nations league, including 12 continental finals with the USMNT competing.
In its own pursuit of American consumers, CONMEBOL also staged the Copa America in the United States twice in the last 10 years, in 2016 and 2024.
Yes, the World Cup is more important than all of those games. But American fans balking at World Cup ticket prices can very reasonably expect there will be other relatively less expensive chances to see the USMNT in action in meaningful games in the near future beyond 2026.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Liverpool Could Hijack Juventus Plans for Kolo Muani
Juventus might face a formidable foe if they’ll try again to lure Randal Kolo Muani, as Liverpool have shortlisted him as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, who’s leaving the club, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs.
The Reds have taken an interest as they are intrigued by the Frenchman’s versatility. He’ll be very available in the summer, when he’ll return to PSG following a loan spell at Tottenham. He hasn’t produced much in the Premier League this campaign, scoring and assisting once in 25 appearances. Instead, he has hit the net four times and dished out two helpers in UEFA Champions League play.
Juventus risk encountering intense competition from Liverpool and other outfits if they don’t move quickly for Kolo Muani. The player waited for them until the end of the past summer window before heading elsewhere, though.
The striker’s valuation has decreased to about €35M, making the negotiation easier. PSG could be keen on Jonathan David, who was unearthed by their current director, Lucas Campos, back in the day. A swap deal could be on the table.
Our Take on Juventus, Liverpool, and Kolo Muani
It’s all up in the air for the Bianconeri since it’s not sure whether they’ll come to terms with Dusan Vlahovic. If they did, they might refrain from targeting another highly-rated center-forward. Plus, they have to find a landing spot for Lois Openda, which will be a chore. Even if a trade was a real possibility, it’s far from certain that David will agree to depart after choosing his next team very carefully last year. All those things will need precious time to get sorted. He’ll have to be very patient again if he’s hell-bent on returning.
SANTA CLARA - APRIL 26: VP of Player Personnel Scot McCloughan, Special Projects Manager Jed York and Owner John York of the San Francisco 49ers discuss their decision during the 2008 NFL Draft in the draft room on April 26, 2008 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images) | Getty Images
How 49ers can improve pass rush in the draft after they got exposed in 2025 (Paywall) “Malachi Lawrence (Central Florida) has a No. 39 consensus big-board ranking via NFL Mock Draft Database, an aggregation of publicly available big boards and mock drafts, but “the Beast” author Dane Brugler of the Athletic recently mocked Lawrence at No. 26. Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) appears in similarly unpredictable territory. Howell is No. 35 on the consensus big board but landed at No. 26 on a mock draft by NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Welcome to the season of guesswork, folks.
Lawrence and Howell are twitchy athletes with good get-off. Lawrence has longer arms. Howell has better bend. Lawrence shows a higher floor against the run, based on Brugler’s assessment of both. From a production standpoint, Howell was a consensus All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.”
“He’s a bundle of energy. He’s curious. He’s insightful,” Lynch said. “We always talk about there’s guys who drain a room and then there’s guys who give life to a room; he gives life to a room. He’s funny.
“His whole thing is, ‘If we draft this guy, I’m throwing a pool party.’ We’re hoping we’re having a lot of pool parties with Raheem.”
49ers mailbag: Why Kenyon Sadiq might fall; will team double up at edge? (Paywall) “I know we’ve been beating this drum all offseason, but it still feels like Mac Jones could be traded. The Arizona Cardinals, for example, don’t even have a starting quarterback on hand for their offseason program (Jacoby Brissett is staying away because he wants starter-level money.) If they miss out on a top quarterback in the draft, would they be interested in a trade, or are they merely positioning themselves for a quarterback in the 2027 draft?
The other spot the 49ers seem to have some overflow is at cornerback. They signed two in free agency, Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs.”
Hutchinson: This is my one and only 49ers Mock Draft (Paywall) “Why he’s available: Frankly, I think people overrate (negatively) the weird system at Tennessee in which he stayed on the right side of the formation, never went in motion, and was coached to be lazy. He also struggles to keep his feet in bounds and had some drops.
Why the 49ers will like him: He’s a 6’5” receiver who moves like a gazelle, with unfathomable deceleration and route-running craft at his size. Elite physical talent and tools who won’t have to produce Day 1 and gets to learn from Mike Evans. They have used this year-early model before with Ricky Pearsall. Remember, Evans could be a one-and-done, and neither Christian Kirk nor Demarcus Robinson are signed after this year. Brazzell is all upside with the runway to learn, without pressure on his shoulders.
What I think of this pick: My #2 receiver in the class. He’s special, or at least should be. I don’t like how he can’t drag his toes, but I do not care about the Volunteers’ ugly offense. The drops don’t bother me. He did it all at Tulane, and frankly, he blocks his tail off. He’s a rare guy who can truly be a star X receiver.”
Jan 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan speaks to reporters during his introductory press conference at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The NFL Draft kicks off tomorrow night and as of right now, the Miami Dolphins will be making two selections during the first round. With needs all over the roster, the Dolphins can go in any direction with their picks. It’s up to the new regime to reload this roster with some new talent and players with the right mindset. It will be interesting to see how Jon-Eric Sullivan approaches the draft. Will it be similar to how the Green Bay Packers did things?
You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
Chris Perkins: Dolphins have one job in this year’s NFL draft Here’s what Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley need to acquire in the NFL draft — players with the right attitude, guys who have a winning mindset.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid at Camp Nou on April 08, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images
All set for Barça taking on Celta – FC Barcelona La Liga returns after a weekend off due to the Copa del Rey final with a Wednesday game for Barça at home to Celta Vigo, kick off 9.30pm CEST at Spotify Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick: ‘The team has energy and enthusiasm’ – FC Barcelona When you fall down, you have to pick yourself back up again was the message from Barça boss Hansi Flick in his pre-match press appearance before his team’s game against Celta Vigo on Wednesday in La Liga at Spotify Camp Nou.
Five stats about Barça v Celta – FC Barcelona Matches between Barça and Celta can be considered classic LaLiga fixtures. Games are usually very intense, with a lot of goals scored as a result of the attractive and attacking football both sides play.
The tragic passing of Juha Miettinen at the Nurburgring was also lying heavy on the 6 Hours of Imola. With BMW and WRT dedicating their LMGT3 victory to the fallen Finn, it was the words of amateur driver Anthony McIntosh that truly moved the paddock.
The CEO of Global Power Components spoke up during the post-race press conference at the World Endurance Championship Imola race, earning a round of extra applause for his raw honesty.
"It’s strange in a way – I only started racing because I almost died. I was in the hospital, and at one point I had to say goodbye to my kids, which is an incredibly painful thing to go through. It was a very traumatic experience", the 51-year old said.
"So when I look back on it, I understand why people see something like that as a tragedy – and of course it is. But for me personally, it’s also how I found racing. I had never owned a nice car before, so I decided to treat myself and put down a deposit. Because of the pandemic, the car was never delivered."
This led him to look into renting a car for a track day, but no one would rent to him without a racing license. "So I Googled how to get one – simply because I wanted to drive on track. And that’s what led me down this path, all the way to IMSA and the start of my racing career."
Since then, racing has become a profound passion. Addressing the inherent dangers of the sport, he added: "We are always walking a fine line. If something were to happen, I would feel terrible for the people around me. But speaking purely for myself, I know that if I were to die racing, I would at least be doing something I truly love. In a way, racing saved me."
From the deathbed to the winner’s podium
Speaking to Motorsport.com afterwards, the American detailed just how close he came to the end: "A virus attacked the back of my brain. It felt like electric shocks – so intense that my hands were curling in.”
These seizures happened every 20 minutes, lasting about 10 minutes each, around the clock. “There was nothing that could stop them”, the American said.
He went through hell on Earth: Because the issue was neurological, doctors couldn't provide effective pain relief. McIntosh couldn't eat or sleep for days. "The virus was taking over my brain. I had already said my goodbyes."
His life was saved by a seemingly trivial question: Had he been to California? It turned out yes, as his daughter wanted to go free climbing after seeing the movie Free Solo. As a protective father, McIntosh insisted on testing the route (with safety ropes) in Yosemite National Park himself first.
"I thought the question was irrelevant because my symptoms didn't appear until months later in Wisconsin," he explained.
But it was the key. He had been bitten by a specific type of tick found in California, leading to Lyme disease that had spread to his brain. Once diagnosed, targeted antibiotics cleared the infection, and he was able to leave the hospital two weeks later.
Rapid rise in motorsport
Driven by his new lease on life, McIntosh entered the Mazda MX-5 Cup in late 2021. Just two years later, he was winning amateur titles in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo. By 2025, he had reached the big stage of IMSA and the WEC.
"I’ve always been good at what I did – triathlon, cycling, wrestling. But in a race car, I was terrible at first," he recalled. "It took a lot of hard work, and that’s what makes motorsport special. When you love something, you aren't naturally good at, but you work until it pays off – that means everything."
The Imola race itself was a thriller. The #10 Garage 59 McLaren of Marvin Kirchhofer, Antares Au and Thomas Fleming seemed destined for victory until a still unknown failure struck with just 30 minutes to go. This handed the lead to the WRT BMW, but the win was far from guaranteed.
Due to a communication error regarding fuel levels and the remaining laps, closing driver Dan Harper started celebrating a lap too early.
"I thought it was over, but then they told me the last lap was just starting," Harper said. With Nicky Catsburg’s Corvette breathing down his neck, Harper managed to hold on, crossing the line with a margin of just 0.265 seconds.
USC Trojans infielder Adrian Lopez (5) reacts after making a base it during an NCAA baseball game between University of Southern California and University of California Los Angeles on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles Calif
The No. 23 USC Trojans found their footing once again in their 9-2 victory over the Cal State Fullerton Titans, Tuesday night.
USC held an offensive clinic in Fullerton to end their five-game roadtrip. The Trojans totaled 17 hits on the night, with each batter in the lineup having picked up a hit and six batters finishing with a multi-hit game.
USC's offense wasted no time driving baserunners in against the Titans' pitching. USC loaded four runs in the first inning and batted around the order to force a Fullerton pitching change after securing just one out.
A bases-loaded walk from Kevin Takeuchi scored the first run of the game. The next came from a fly ball dropped by Titan's right fielder Andrew Kirchner to score Adrian Lopez. Then a two-RBI chopper to left field from Abbrie Covarrubias was enough to end Fullerton pitcher Nick Santivanez's start and introduce their bullpen.
Freshman Diego Velazquez made his first start of his collegiate career for the Trojans. Velazquez has come out of the bullpen and has also played in the infield throughout the season. He pitched two innings, stacked four strikeouts and gave up one hit.
Fullertons' two runs came in the third and fourth inning. The first from an RBI single to right-center field from Kirchner. The second from a towering home run by Max Ortega that landed on the rooftop of the Titans' clubhouse in left field for his first homer of the season.
USC continued to add to their lead in the fourth inning with a two-rbi double from Takeuchi, the team's leader in hits and batting average. Maximo Martinez brought Takeuchi home with an RBI single knocked to left field later in the inning.
The Trojans continued to tack on runs the remainder of the game. A wild pitch spiked in front of home plate and shot to the backstop gave enough time for Isaac Cadena to score in the sixth inning. Covarrubias snuck a ground ball into left field for an RBI in the ninth inning.
USC sent a total of seven pitchers to the mound and gave up six hits, their best performance since they hosted Iowa on April 12. This comes after a four-game losing streak that includes a three-game sweep against Nebraska where they were outscored 36-15.
This USC performance may be enough to bring back the winning energy seen prior to the UCLA series that has altered USC's season ever since. They will face the Purdue Boilermakers at home for a three-game series from April 24-26.
Purdue sits third in the Big Ten standings with a 28-12 record and are 15-6 within the conference. USC has fallen to fifth with a 31-11 total record and are 13-8 in the Big Ten.
USC will play Purdue at Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles on Friday at 7 p.m. PST.
Stockport County cannot complain about what they need to do to achieve a League One play-off spot, boss Dave Challinor has said.
The Hatters' 1-0 defeat by Mansfield Town on Tuesday ended a seven-game unbeaten league run and was their first loss at home in 2026.
Challinor's side are fifth in League One with a game in hand on their rivals, however fellow play-off chasers Stevenage and Luton Town both won on Tuesday.
"Three home games, no-one can have any complaints around us knowing what we need to do regardless of what happens elsewhere," he told BBC Radio Manchester.
"Play-off-wise, before Tuesday without any games being played 76 was probably the number we had to get to to guarantee [a play-off spot].
"I think with what's happened since, 74 is more likely as a minimum, not including goal difference, but our aim is solely on trying to win on Saturday."
Of Stockport's three games, two are at home, as they face Peterborough on Saturday, then already-relegated Port Vale at Edgeley Park on Tuesday before rounding off the season with a visit to Barnsley.
Stockport missed out on automatic promotion last season having finished third, but were knocked out of the play-offs at the semi-final stage by Leyton Orient.
"The disappointment for us is that the past couple of games, in my opinion, we've dropped points," Challinor added.
"We've got two home games. We can't complain about anything else. We have to make sure we turn up and produce a performance on Saturday.
"Again, it doesn't have to be too dissimilar to what we've done tonight [against Mansfield], but we need to be much better in the final third. And then that hopefully allow us to look at what Tuesday looks like and look at what next Saturday looks like."
Predicted Teams Barcelona-Celta Vigo: Ferran Torres to continue up front
Barcelona return to action for the first time since their Champions League exit against Atletico Madrid, hosting Celta Vigo at Camp Nou. The Blaugrana will be looking to restore their nine-point lead at the top of La Liga, after Real Madrid’s win. Meanwhile Celta require the three points to keep pace with Real Betis in fifth place, after they beat Girona.
The Catalan side remain without Andreas Christensen, while Marc Bernal has not recovered in time from an ankle sprain. Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong are one booking away from missing their clash with Getafe on Saturday. Claudio Giraldez is planning the game without key centre-back Carl Starfelt and Miguel Roman. He admitted that his side are conscious they have not been playing well, after losing their last three games by an aggregate of 9-1.
Ferran Torres to remain up front for Barcelona
With doubts about Robert Lewandowski’s future, Sport and MD both believe that it will be Ferran Torres who continues up front. The former see Marcus Rashford replacing Dani Olmo, restoring Fermin Lopez to the number 10 spot, and Pau Cubarsi returning from suspension to partner Eric Garcia intead of Gerard Martin.
MD expect just one change, with Cubarsi coming back in for Gavi, and Eric moving into midfield, but that otherwise Hansi Flick will not touch the line-up that beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 last week.
Celta Vigo question marks over wide positions
It seems that Giraldez is set on using the experience of Matias Vecino in midfield alongside former Barcelona midfielder Ilaix Moriba. Borja Iglesias, who scored a hat-trick in this fixture last season, is expected to lead the line, but there are doubts over who will accompany him. Fer Lopez and Pablo Duran are backed to start, while Ferran Jutgla and Williot Swedberg are the alternatives selected by Sport.
Oscar Mingueza seems far more likely to start as a wingback rather than a centre-back, and he is competing for a start with Javi Rueda and Sergio Carreira.
NEW DELHI: The buzz around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has reached a fever pitch in IPL 2026, with former India captain Kris Srikkanth making a dramatic call to fast-track the 15-year-old sensation into the national setup — while even rival skipper Shreyas Iyer has labelled him “one for the future.”
Srikkanth, known for his blunt takes, did not hold back as he urged selectors to act immediately. “This guy, Sooryavanshi… imagine someone playing such shots. That boy is simply outstanding and brilliant. Ajit, I’m telling you, you need to fast-track him. The next series, he should be playing,” he told The Week, addressing chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
‘No need to wait, he’s a match-winner’
The former chief selector dismissed the idea of a gradual approach, insisting the youngster is ready for the big stage. “I think Sooryavanshi should be fast-tracked. No question of ‘give him time, let him be consistent’. No chance. That guy can win matches for you just like that,” Srikkanth said.
He pointed to the fearless manner in which the teenager has taken on elite bowlers this season — smashing Jasprit Bumrah for sixes and hammering Josh Hazlewood without hesitation. “Imagine, first ball, he hits Bumrah for a six… he’s not bothered about who the bowler is. He’s a prodigy,” he added.
Tendulkar comparison raises stakes
In a striking comparison, Srikkanth invoked Sachin Tendulkar’s early rise. “When I went as captain in 1989, there was a prodigy — a 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar. Today, he’s the God of Cricket. Similarly, this boy could well become the next ‘demigod’ of cricket,” he said.
The excitement is not limited to former players. Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer also praised the youngster’s technique and temperament. “He is a spectacular talent… the way he has that bat flow, the rhythm and momentum… I think he is one for the future,” Iyer noted.
Sooryavanshi has backed the hype with numbers, scoring 246 runs in six matches at a staggering strike rate of 236.53 this season.
For now, all eyes remain on the prodigy as Rajasthan Royals face Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday, with the teenager at the centre of Indian cricket’s next big debate.
With 50 days until the World Cup kicks off, BBC Sport highlights some of the best kits that will be on show at this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Vote for your favourite kits at the bottom of the page.
Algeria (away)
[@lesverts.faf]
Algeria are a dream in green.
The Desert Foxes will return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, when they were beaten by winners Germany in the last 16.
Argentina (away)
[@afaseleccion]
Defenders will be left bamboozled when Lionel Messi twists and turns past them in this swirl patterned away strip.
The holders topped South American qualifying, finishing nine points ahead of second-placed Ecuador.
Austria (away)
[@oefb_1904]
Austria have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998. Ralf Rangnick's team will bring a touch of cosmopolitan sophistication to this summer's tournament in a marbled away shirt that's been designed as a nod to the country's cafe culture.
Belgium (away)
[@belgianreddevils]
Belgium's away shirt for the 2026 World Cup is inspired by Belgian surrealist artist, Rene Magritte.
Like Magritte's artwork, the Red Devils' qualifying campaign for the tournament certainly subverted expectations at times, with 6-0 wins over Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan sandwiched between draws against North Macedonia and Kazakhstan.
Brazil (home)
[@brasil]
Does anything say World Cup more than the bold yellow and green of the Selecao?
Brazil finished fifth in the Conmebol qualifying table, losing six of 18 matches, but who would rule out the five-time champions lifting the trophy again?
Canada (home)
[@canmnt]
Canada's home shirt draws inspiration from the country's national symbol, the maple leaf.
The co-hosts have appeared at two previous World Cup tournaments, but have never made it beyond the group stages.
Colombia (home)
[@fcfseleccioncol]
For fans of a certain vintage, the sight of Los Cafeteros playing in three stripes will evoke memories of a hirsute Carlos Valderrama at Italia '90.
In-form winger Luis Diaz will carry much of his nation's hopes at this summer's tournament.
Croatia (home)
[@hns_cff]
The red and white checkerboard of Croatia's home kit is another classic design that evokes tournaments past.
Despite being a relatively small nation, with a population of just over four million, the Kockasti have a strong record in the World Cup, finishing as runners-up in 2018.
Curacao (away)
[@thebluewaveffk]
With a population of roughly 156,115 people, the Caribbean island nation of Curacao became the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup when they booked their place for this year's tournament as Concacaf representatives under Dutch manager Dick Advocaat - who has since resigned.
Plenty of fans will advocate for the beauty of this shirt.
Czech Republic (away)
[@ceskarepre]
Czech out this jersey, with its crystal-inspired design.
The Czech Republic secured their place at a first World Cup tournament in 20 years when they beat Denmark via a penalty shootout in the play-offs last month.
The Leopards' 2025-26 home kit features a dramatic print motif.
Ecuador (home)
[@marathon_ecuador]
Moises Caicedo and the rest of the Ecuador team will be hoping to make an impression at this summer's tournament.
This year's edition will be the fifth time the South American nation has played at a World Cup. Their best showing so far was at Germany 2006, when they made it to the last 16.
Egypt (home)
[@egyptnt]
Egypt's home kit is adorned with geometric patterns that evoke the nation's historic roots.
The Pharaohs have won a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles but have only appeared at three previous World Cup tournaments, in 1934, 1990 and 2018.
England (home)
[@england]
England are hoping to make a big noise at this year's World Cup. Meanwhile, their home shirt is a rather muted affair.
Germany's 2026 home shirt is the last that will be made by native brand Adidas. Stylistically, it's a very intentional mash-up of their 1990 and 2014 World Cup-winning kits.
Ivory Coast (away)
[@fif.ci]
This kit manages to be loud and quiet all at the same time - with a mixture of repeated motifs emblazoned in soft green and orange hues.
Ivory Coast have played in three previous tournaments - 2006, 2010 and 2014 - but have failed to make it past the group stages.
The multi-colour stripes on their away shirt represent "colours beyond the horizon".
Mexico (home)
[@miseleccionmx]
This shirt goes deep, with an Aztec-inspired motif. It's also very reminiscent of the iconic kit that Mexico wore at France '98.
The last time the North American country hosted a World Cup, back in 1986, they made it to the quarter-finals.
Netherlands (home)
[@onsoranje]
The Netherlands home shirt for the World Cup is minimal and understated, in as much as one can use terms like those to describe a bright orange jersey.
This great footballing nation has never won the game's biggest trophy, despite reaching the final on three occasions - in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
Norway (home)
[@herrelandslaget]
There's Norway you could mistake this kit and it comes with a big plus...
The Scandinavian country make their return to the World Cup this summer after a 28-year absence. At France '98 Norway beat Brazil 2-1 during the group stages before being eliminated by Italy in the last 16. This year's squad boasts a few big stars, including Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland.
Panama (home)
[@selecciondepanama]
This shirt gets a tip of the hat.
Panama share Group L with England, Ghana and Croatia. Harry Kane will have fond memories of the last time the Three Lions played Los Canaleros, during the group stages at Russia '18, when the England striker scored a hat-trick during a 6-1 rout.
Portugal (home)
[@portugal]
Portugal will look wavy in this kit inspired by the Atlantic Ocean, which borders the country.
Roberto Martinez's men had a mixed qualifying campaign, with a 9-1 thrashing of Armenia followed up by a 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland and a 2-2 draw with Hungary - ranked 59th and 40th in the world respectively by Fifa.
Qatar (home)
[@qfa]
After hosting the 2022 World Cup, Qatar will be hoping to make a mark at this year's competition in a simple, but effective, home shirt based around the national colours and pattern of the Middle East country's national flag.
Saudi Arabia (home)
[@saudint]
Saudi Arabia shocked the world when they beat eventual champions Argentina 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup and they've made headlines again recently by sacking head coach Herve Renard just two months before this year's tournament.
The Middle East nation's home kit is bolder than previous editions, with new purple and gold accents alongside the traditional green base.
Scotland (away)
[@scotlandnationalteam]
Scotland are back at the World Cup, after a 28-year hiatus. Steve Clarke's men will be hoping to make it past the group stages for the first time in the nation's history, but face a tough task in Group C, which they share with five-time winners Brazil and Africa Cup of Nations champions Morocco, as well as Haiti.
Their away kit comes in a bold coral colour, reminiscent of Scotland's 1999 away strip.
South Africa (away)
[@bafanabafanaofficial]
South Africa's away shirt gives a nod to the kits worn by Bafana Bafana in 2010, when they hosted the World Cup - becoming the first African nation to do so. They recorded a historic 2-1 win over France in that tournament.
South Korea (away)
[@thekfa]
A blooming marvellous kit - South Korea's away strip featured an energetic, floral design set against a violet base.
This year will mark South Korea's 12th World Cup and their 11th consecutive appearance. They made it to the last 16 in Qatar and topped their group in Asian qualifiers.
Spain (away)
[@sefutbol]
Spain's away kit includes a graphic pattern inspired by ancient Spanish manuscripts.
The European Champions will be hoping to write another chapter in their country's rich footballing history. They enter this year's competition as the favourites, having enjoyed a near-perfect qualification campaign.
Sweden (home)
[@swemnt]
Sweden have a strong heritage in the World Cup, having finished runners-up in 1958 as well as finishing third in 1950 and 1994.
Their home shirt pays homage to the '70s and features an embossed print inspired by daisies.
Switzerland (home)
[@swissnatimen]
Switzerland teamed up with Swiss online personality Adrian Vogt for the launch of their new home kit. It's inspired by the country's futuristic-looking passports. Captain Granit Xhaka will be hoping for an easy journey through Group B, which they share with Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar.
Switzerland have played at 12 previous editions of the World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954.
Turkey (home)
[@millitakimlar]
Turkey's home strip features a marbled pattern, inspired by the Turkish paper marbling art of Ebru.
This will be the nation's first appearance at a World Cup finals since 2002, when they finished third.
Uruguay (home)
[@aufoficial]
Two-time World Cup winners Uruguay will look classy when they turn up to this year's competition in this simple home shirt.
Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have both retired from international football, but Federico Valverde and company will be hoping to write their own history under manager Marcelo Bielsa.
USA (home)
[@usmnt]
As co-hosts, the USA will be aiming to stand out at this year's tournament - having previously only hosted the World Cup in 1994.
The team are managed by Mauricio Pochettino and share Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey.
We asked for your views on which Hearts player has been the biggest disappointment in the club's memorable season.
Here are some of your views:
Kevin: Ageu seems to fit the pre-Jamestown mould of signings - lots of hype with little product, and very injury prone! Hope he can kick on next season, but even his limited appearances haven't been impressive.
John: No shortage of candidates for this unfortunately. Any of Islam Chesnokov, Rogers Mato or Pierre Landry Kabore could get the nod here but it has to be Ageu. Allegedly costing £1.8m and no doubt with considerable wages alongside that yet he's played about 60 minutes all season, appears to have all the strength of wet paper and looks like a colossal failure currently and a gargantuan waste of money.
Dave: Obviously Ageu, however the other has to be Calem Nieuwenhof. The boy has had absolutely no luck with injuries, I was hopeful we would see him kick on this season.
Richard: There are a few who've come in and not featured so that's disappointing. I don't want to name individuals who have underwhelmed but it's fair to say that Ageu, who came with a bit of a fanfare, hasn't been allowed to do his stuff due to injury so that's been a bit of a letdown.
David: There are several players who would fit in this category. I have, however, gone for Elton Kabangu - looked lively and with a few goals when he joined on loan - given a contract and he's completely disappeared from view! With no comments from the management then you have to wonder what has happened. An end of season exit surely - together with several others!
Alan: Underwhelming player is tough to come up with. If I had to I'd go for Ageu, right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock. Injured most of the time so unfortunately had to be.
Chelsea are facing a crisis of confidence, with former captain Gary Cahill describing the club as a "wounded animal" following their latest humiliating defeat under manager Liam Rosenior.
The pressure is now intensely focused on the club’s upcoming FA Cup semi-final, which Cahill believes is essential to salvage their season.
Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to Brighton marked a new nadir for the London club, representing their fifth consecutive league defeat without scoring – a dismal streak not seen since 1912. The result also saw Brighton leapfrog Chelsea into sixth place, seizing control of the race for European football qualification.
With Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds looming, Cahill, a two-time winner of the trophy with Chelsea, expressed deep concern.
"Leeds are probably watching this thinking, ‘we’ve got a wounded animal here, we’ve got a chance in the semi-final’," he told Sky Sports.
Cahill won the FA Cup twice while playing for Chelsea (PA Wire)
He continued: "Chelsea are going into a semi-final against Leeds, no disrespect, with an opportunity to hit a final. They should be licking their lips, ready to go, but this is a bit of a wounded Chelsea squad.
“Confidence and momentum is a big thing, so going into tomorrow’s training, it’s not the same vibe when you are on a good run or off the back of a good result. It’s going to be a tough few days for the manager and for the squad to galvanise themselves and get fired up for this semi-final."
Cahill underscored the gravity of the situation, stating: "The FA Cup now is, strong word, it’s a must to save the season. It needs to be a hell of a lot better."
Rosenior, who faced angry barracking from travelling supporters, was visibly furious with his team’s performance at the Amex Stadium, where goals from Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck sealed their fate.
Asked if it was the worst display of his tenure, the manager told Sky Sports: "By far. It was unacceptable in every aspect of the game, unacceptable in our attitude. I keep coming out and defending the players. That’s indefensible, that performance tonight.
“The manner of the goals we conceded, the amount of duels that we lost, the lack of intensity in the team. Something needs to change drastically right now."
Liam Rosenior was furious with his players after Tuesday’s loss (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)
He added: "The professionalism wasn’t there. It’s a really difficult night. The most difficult night not even just here, so far, at this magnificent football club, but in my career. Some of the things I witnessed today, I never want to see again."
Chelsea’s hopes of securing European football are dwindling, as they remain seven points adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool, having now played an additional game.
Rosenior, who was without key attacking players Cole Palmer, Estevao and Joao Pedro due to injury, concluded: "We need to look in the mirror; I need to look in the mirror. But I can’t keep coming out here and defending some of the things we’re seeing.
“The general attitude, spirit, determination was lacking apart from maybe three or four of the XI. That is nowhere near enough for this club. I can’t come out and lie. I’ll tell the truth. That was an unacceptable performance in every area."
The Washington Commanders head into the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 7 overall pick. In a draft often described as short on blue-chip talent, the Commanders are in an excellent position to land an elite prospect before the talent level drops off. Many draft analysts feel there are around six to eight blue-chip talents in this class, and very little difference between picks 15 through 40.
The problem for Washington is that other teams control the first six picks. While the Commanders may love Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, there's a good chance both will be gone. General manager Adam Peters is prepared for virtually every scenario, admitting as much last week.
Everyone knows Washington needs a wide receiver. The Commanders were aggressive in their pursuit of both Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs in free agency, landing neither. They've hosted all of the top wide receivers for visits, meeting with each multiple times. Washington will come out of this draft with a receiver, but will it be at No. 7 overall, or will Peters wait?
The top options at receiver are Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) and Makai Lemon (USC). There are other first-round options, too, such as Denzel Boston (Washington), KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) and Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana).
So, which direction will the Commanders go?
ESPN Analytics, using its NFL Draft Day Predictor, simulated the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and identified which prospects could be on the clock at each position, including No. 7 for the Commanders.
Here are all nine prospects named and their approximate chances of landing with Washington at No. 7:
Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami): 22.5%
Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State): 21%
Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State): 17.5%
Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State): 14%
Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami): 11%
Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU): 6%
Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame): 2%
David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech): 1.5%
Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State): 1%
It appears Delane and Tyson are a little low here, while Bain and Mauigoa are a bit too high. We shall see.
The Tennessee Titans are coming off back-to-back disastrous seasons, yet under new head coach Robert Saleh and after adding a solid free-agent haul, excitement is building in Nashville.
This excitement and belief in a potential turnaround isn’t limited to Nashville; some outlets see the Titans as a dark horse in 2026. The latest to tout this potential turnaround is Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports, who lists the Titans as a possible instant contenders if they nail this draft class.
They’ve got a new coach and an offensive coordinator who should be really good for quarterback Cam Ward. They also gave him a new weapon (receiver Wan’Dale Robinson), beefed up the offensive line and restocked the pass rush and defense for head coach Robert Saleh.
So they are already much improved, but it’s still a big leap from 3-14 to the playoffs. And they could use more offensive playmakers — receiver and running back — and a little more defensive help on the edge. They could find either with the No. 4 overall pick, where they could be eyeing Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love if he gets past the Cardinals at No. 3.
If they do that, and add an edge rusher and a receiver with their next two picks (Nos. 34 and 66), they’ll have addressed all their biggest needs. Making the playoffs will still be an uphill climb in a suddenly stacked division. But they’ll have the talent in place, at least, to give it a run.
General manager Mike Borgonzi has some big decisions to make when the draft kicks off on Thursday, and those choices will leave a lasting imprint on the franchise. While what they do in the first round is important, they will have to land some talent on Day 2 and Day 3 to have any chance to turn things around in 2026.
Another game closer to the end of the season and another defeat which gave Stoke City a close look at the most popular recipe for success in the Championship.
Take a consistent goalkeeper, add outfield players with strength, athleticism, power and reliability on the ball and garnish with a couple of individuals with match-winning quality who can offer something different and you're almost there.
Mix into a shape that gets players forward in numbers whilst retaining defensive solidity, bake for 46 games and you will be there or thereabouts.
Coventry, Millwall, Middlesbrough and Wrexham are all in the top six, none has the financial advantage of parachute payments and each team has most if not all of the characteristics listed above.
Stoke are missing the physicality, athleticism and reliability in possession and at times over the past few weeks some players in red and white have also lacked a bit of desire.
To be competitive at the top end of the division next season, they will need to add plenty of all of that to a squad about to undergo another significant transformation.
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez will accomplish the life-long goal of being selected at the 2026 NFL Draft this weekend.
Rodriguez – the most-decorated defensive player in college football last season and a potential first-round sleeper – is making the moment about everyone else. Rodriguez will not make the trip to Pittsburgh. He has other plans.
"I'm going to watch with family," Rodriguez told The Sporting News. "I think Emma and I will be around my family and it will be fun. This accomplishment for me is great, but it's more so for me along with my entire family who have pushed me to this moment and my friends have held me accountable and to all the people who have played a part in this process for me. I want them to be celebrated just as much as it is an achievement for myself."
Rodriguez's wife Emma – a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot for the United States Army – will also come into focus as part of the draft coverage. Jacob and Emma kept a long-distance relationship through college.
This is part of the mental makeup for Rodriguez, who swept the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award last season for the Red Raiders. It is yet another reason why NFL teams are getting a valuable pick in either Round 1 or Round 2.
Jacob and Emma Rodriguez's long-distance relationship
Rodriguez is partnered with USAA's "Salute to Service" program ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. He joined Emma on a helicopter flight simulator – and that was a learning experience for Jacob, who laughed when asked how that transpired.
"It's very difficult," Rodriguez said. "Try to fly a helicopter and not know there's everything you have to look at apart from looking outside the aircraft. You have to use both your feet and both your hands, and just trying to put it all together definitely takes a lot of practice.
"It was very fun and very eye opening to get to see and understand what she goes through on a daily basis," he said.
Jacob and Emma's relationship grew stronger throughout his college experience while she stayed in the military. Rodriguez was initially a quarterback at Virginia before switching to linebacker and transferring to Texas Tech. The couple now lives together as Jacob prepares to start his professional career.
"It helps us out a lot that we're both super busy," Rodriguez said. "I think long distance can be very difficult, but it can also build a lot of strong habits and you can build a really strong communication foundation."
Jacob Rodriguez's NFL Draft profile
Rodriguez – a 6-foot-1, 231-pound linebacker – was a key defensive standout for Texas Tech in 2025. The Red Raiders won the Big 12 championship and made the program's first College Football Playoff appearance. He had 128 tackles and 11 tackles for loss – production typical of elite linebackers. He also had four interceptions and a FBS-best seven forced fumbles. That is above-board at any level.
Rodriguez was one of the top performers at the Reese's Senior Bowl and held his own at the NFL Scouting Combine with a talented group of linebackers that includes Ohio State's Sonny Styles, Texas' Anthony Hill Jr. and Georgia's CJ Allen. Again, Rodriguez made that experience more about the players surrounding him.
"It was nice to be there with the best of them and show everybody that I can compete and be a part of that conversation," Rodriguez said. "I think more importantly it was cool to meet the people, and it was cool to get to know their personalities and who they are."
Rodriguez also was in full support of his Texas Tech teammates – which includes projected first-round edge rusher David Bailey, defensive tackle Lee Hunter and edge rusher Romello Height. The Red Raiders allowed 11.8 points per game in 2026 – which ranked third in the FBS.
"I would argue the best locker room in the country and we really cared about each other off the field," Rodriguez said. "I will be so happy getting to see those guys getting everything they ever dreamed of getting. I'm excited to see Texas Tech in the future and everything that Coach (Joey) McGuire is still doing at Lubbock."
Rodriguez could become just the second Texas Tech linebacker to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Seattle Seahawks took Jordyn Brooks with the No. 27 pick in 2020. Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas was a fifth-round pick in 1996.
Brooks and Thomas were known for their strong tackling skills, and that's what Rodriguez hopes the NFL scouts see in his evaluation.
"I'd love for that to pop off the tape," Rodriguez said. "The biggest thing for me and why I play football is I want people to see someone who plays extremely hard — and he plays one way all the time. There is never a play where he takes off and he's always going and wants to be the guy who his teammates look up to and see who is working extremely hard."
Daniel Jeremiah – a NFL.com draft analyst – knew Rodriguez's backstory before watching the film.
"You learn about the person, and you learn about the production, and a lot of times you're almost nervous to watch the tape because you're like, 'I just don't know if that's good enough,'" Jeremiah said. "Is the athleticism going to be there to match what you see? Because you already love the kid, and then you love the production.
"Then when you watch the tape, you're like, 'Oh, no. He passes the threshold,'" Jeremiah said. "He can run. He's got the ability to cover. He's a firm tackler. Obviously, the forced fumbles are outrageous, and that showed up at the Senior Bowl as well."
Jeremiah ranked Rodriguez at No. 42 on his top 150 prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Rodriguez is a second-round pick in Sporting News' latest mock draft.
Could that push that into the first round? Rodriguez impressed at the college level and through the NFL Draft process. That production – and the person – should be successful at the next level.
"He's not getting out of the second round," Jeremiah said. "There's no chance he gets out of the second round. If you're looking for, 'Who are these surprise first rounders that kind of come out of left field?' I wouldn't rule him out there either. I just think someone is going to fall in love with him."
Rodriguez is partnered with USAA ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, and his story with Emma was profiled on Instagram. "It means a lot to Emma and I to be able to show appreciation for military families and spouses. People in that area of work — they do a lot. They volunteer their time and their service to support the great country that we're in."
Manchester United look to Premier League and La Liga for midfield reinforcements
Manchester United Midfield Rebuild Takes Centre Stage Ahead of Defining Summer
The past week offered a telling snapshot of where United stand. A 2-1 defeat to Leeds United and a 1-0 win at Chelsea did more than produce mixed results, they reinforced a reality that has been building for some time. United’s midfield lacks both depth and balance, and the consequences are increasingly difficult to mask. As reported by The Telegraph.
There is no dramatic revelation in that conclusion, but there is clarity. When Kobbie Mainoo was absent against Leeds, United’s structure faltered. When he returned at Stamford Bridge, control and composure returned with him. That contrast alone explains why this summer carries such weight.
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Midfield Fragility Exposed Across Key Fixtures
Michael Carrick’s tenure has largely been defined by stability in central areas, yet even his system has shown its limits. The Leeds defeat stood out because it was the only match in which he could not pair Mainoo with Casemiro. The outcome, only his second loss in 12 games, spoke volumes.
Without that partnership, United looked disjointed. Manuel Ugarte struggled to impose himself, Casemiro found himself isolated, and transitions became chaotic. It was not simply a poor performance, it was a demonstration of how thin the margin for error has become.
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By contrast, the narrow 1-0 win at Chelsea showcased a more measured approach. Mainoo’s presence allowed United to dictate tempo more effectively, even in a match where defensive resources were stretched. Missing four of five centre-backs could have been destabilising, yet the midfield provided enough structure to hold firm.
That duality has sharpened the club’s focus. It is no longer about incremental improvement, it is about necessity.
Recruitment Strategy Shifts Toward Cohesion
In previous windows, United’s midfield recruitment has often felt reactive. There have been moments where it appeared, as the original report suggests, that the club had “thrown a load of mud at the wall and seen what sticks.” That approach is no longer viable.
Under the guidance of Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell, there is a clear intent to prioritise cohesion. The emphasis is on assembling a group of players who complement each other, rather than collecting individual profiles without a defined structure.
Photo: IMAGO
With Casemiro expected to depart and Mainoo set to sign a new contract, at least two midfield additions are required. If Ugarte also leaves, that number could rise to three. The challenge lies in identifying the right combinations within a restricted budget.
This is where tactical compatibility becomes crucial. United are not simply searching for talent, they are searching for fit.
Profile Puzzle Shapes Transfer Targets
The case of Adam Wharton illustrates the complexity of this process. His progressive passing has attracted admiration, yet there are concerns that he is too similar to Mainoo to form a natural pairing in a 4-2-3-1 system. That does not eliminate him as a target, but it reframes his role within a broader recruitment plan.
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Instead, attention has shifted towards players who offer mobility and defensive coverage. Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest fits that description in terms of age, energy and temperament. However, a potential £100m valuation presents a significant obstacle, particularly with Manchester City also showing strong interest.
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Aurélien Tchouaméni represents a different kind of opportunity. At 26, he is entering his peak years at Real Madrid, and circumstances in the Spanish capital could influence his availability. Florentino Pérez’s admiration for Rodri introduces a layer of intrigue, even if such a move would require multiple factors to align.
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United’s approach reflects a growing awareness of market dynamics. They cannot afford to chase every target, nor can they compromise on quality. Each decision must be deliberate.
Alternative Options Reflect Broad Scouting Network
Beyond headline targets, United’s scouting network has cast a wide net. Sandro Tonali has been identified as a player who aligns with the desired profile, though his price tag could exceed £80m. Interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba dates back to last summer, while Mateus Fernandes and João Gomes represent options whose valuations could fluctuate based on club circumstances.
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Alex Scott’s performances for Bournemouth have also drawn attention, adding another dimension to the shortlist. Each of these players brings different attributes, and the final composition of United’s midfield will depend on how these pieces fit together.
What is clear is that there are “many moving parts,” as highlighted in the original report. The task is not simply to add numbers, it is to build a unit capable of competing across multiple competitions.
With Champions League football likely returning to Old Trafford, alongside the demands of the Premier League and domestic cups, depth will be as important as quality. United cannot afford to rely on a narrow core of trusted players.
Strategic Importance of Summer Window
This summer feels like a hinge moment. The decisions made in the coming months will shape United’s trajectory over the next two seasons. A well-constructed midfield could provide the foundation for sustained progress, while missteps could prolong the cycle of inconsistency.
There is a growing sense that the club understands the stakes. The emphasis on planning, profiling and compatibility suggests a more disciplined approach. Whether that translates into effective recruitment remains to be seen.
What cannot be ignored is the urgency. The Leeds defeat and Chelsea victory served as reminders of both vulnerability and potential. United have seen what works, and what does not. The challenge now is to act decisively.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
This report strikes a familiar chord with United fans, equal parts optimism and caution. There is relief in seeing a more structured recruitment strategy taking shape, especially after years where midfield signings often felt disconnected from a broader plan.
Mainoo’s emergence has been a rare positive, a player who brings composure and intelligence beyond his years. Building around him feels logical. Yet relying on him so heavily at this stage of his career carries risks. Supporters will want to see experienced reinforcements who can share that responsibility.
The potential departure of Casemiro adds another layer of uncertainty. While his influence has waned, replacing his experience and leadership will not be straightforward. Finding a midfielder who can combine defensive awareness with progressive passing is easier said than done.
There is also scepticism around the financial aspect. Reports of £100m valuations for targets like Anderson raise questions about how effectively United can operate within their budget. Fans have seen big fees spent before without delivering the desired impact.
What stands out is the need for balance. Mobility, control and resilience must all be addressed. This cannot be another window where one problem is solved while another is created.
If United get this right, the midfield could become a strength rather than a weakness. If they get it wrong, the same conversations will continue into next season. Supporters will be watching closely, hoping that this time, the rebuild is built on solid foundations rather than short-term fixes.
Luca Kjerrumgaard never looked like scoring, captain Imran Louza was dropped to the bench and the heads of Egil Selvik and his backline dropped further as each goal went in.
You would expect a confident Selvik to come and punch away the cross for the second goal, but he freezes, leading to a finger-pointing blame game in the six-yard box.
While it was clear that West Brom had something to play for in a match that secured their Championship status for another season, a performance of that standard by Watford is not acceptable.
And now the attention of supporters turns to just how low we may finish in the table.
Not long ago the discussion was whether the Hornets would be the team to snatch the final play-off spot - and now it looks like we will finish closer to the relegation zone than the top six.
The Ed Still experiment has not been a total disaster, as nobody expected a play-off spot with the age, quality and profile of this season's squad.
But the worrying disconnect between the players themselves, as well as between the squad and the fans, is a cause for concern.
That mixed with a string of negative results may signal the end of the manager.
Whether the board will pull the trigger before the final two matches are played waits to be seen. But it certainly would not be unusual - or unjust - for them to do so.
The only positive to take is that the season is almost over - and relegation is not mathematically possible.
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 18: USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley yells at the official on the sidelines during a game between University of Southern California and University of Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on October 18, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
In some conversations with some of my friends and family, we’ve often talked about how politics has turned into sports with the most unathletic people on the planet. The incredible political divide in the country is akin to like living in Toledo or Findlay and dealing with the Ohio State and Michigan Rivalry. The absolute loyalty to whatever bullshit is being pushed is just incredible.
And that’s where we are with USC.
We all saw how the ending of the Notre Dame and USC rivalry went down — and we all saw it coming. Lincoln Riley started this nonsense by bringing up the game as being something USC might have to get out of so they could have a schedule more conducive to make the college football playoff. He was absolutely hammered by both fanbases and the media for being soft, shortsided, and a serious coward. And then… again… we all saw what went down and there’s no reason to really hash it all out again.
Which leads us to now. Lincoln Riley is really out here beating his chest about a “championship window.” Seriously. He said USC is in a championship window now with they way they have everything aligned… but conveniently leaves out that part of that alignment was made possible by running for the hills away from Notre Dame — a school that has owned them for a decade and a half. He talks about this in the same way he talked about needing to get Notre Dame off of the schedule.
Anyone who still thinks that Notre Dame is the one that “dropped the rivalry” is just a political lamb being led to the slaughter via bullshit covered in fake gold. Those people will believe anything other than the truth right in front of them… that a coach with a 35-18 record over the last 4 years has somehow found the secret sauce to winning. Even if you flip the Notre Dame losses around, he’s still just 38-15 — a real contender for a national championship run.
Lincoln Riley is just playing with tin soldiers in a make believe world where he doesn’t suck at his job, and his collection of stuffed animals are the only ones that believe in him.
NEW: Lincoln Riley believes USC has now entered its championship window, he tells @whalexander_✌️
“Taking this over, you knew you had to go fight like hell just to try to get this window opened.”
Grimaldo reportedly agrees personal terms over potential summer transfer
Bayer Leverkusen star Alex Grimaldo has reportedly agreed to join Beşiktaş at the end of the season.
Writing for the Swiss edition of Sky, Belgian transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri claims that the 30-year-old left-back recently met with representatives from the Turkish club, which led to a full agreement on personal terms.
However, an agreement still needs to be reached with Leverkusen, who are said to be demanding around €20 million to allow the Spaniard to leave.
Grimaldo has been an important player for Die Werkself since joining from Benfica in the summer of 2023.
The 30-year-old, who is under contract until 2027, has made a total of 140 appearances for the German club, scoring 30 goals and providing 44 assists.
Liverpool now 90% likely for Champions League after Chelsea loss
It felt like a big week in the race for the Premier League top five, and the numbers now show just how much it swung in our favour.
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After our dramatic win over Everton on Sunday and Chelsea collapsing against Brighton last night, Liverpool have taken a huge step towards securing Champions League football.
Opta update shows Liverpool in commanding position
According to Opta Analyst, our chances of finishing in the top five have now climbed significantly.
“Arsenal 100%, Man City 100%, Man Utd 98.66%, Aston Villa 98.33%, Liverpool 90.25%, Brighton 5.97%, Bournemouth 2.33%, Brentford 1.93%, Chelsea 1.45%”
That figure of 90.25% represents a noticeable jump from the 89.2% projection after the derby, showing how much impact Chelsea’s defeat has had on the wider picture.
It’s also telling that the London side now sit at just 1.45%, effectively falling out of the race entirely after their fifth consecutive league loss without scoring.
Why this week changed everything
The swing isn’t just about the data, it’s about the context around it.
Chelsea’s heavy defeat to Brighton, combined with our last-gasp winner at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, has created a gap that now looks incredibly difficult to close with only five games remaining.
Before facing Everton, the situation was still delicate, with projections suggesting we needed at least a strong run-in to be certain of qualification.
Now, we’re in a position where the margin for error is far greater, and that changes the pressure heading into the final stretch.
That’s crucial when you consider what’s at stake financially as well, with this season’s Champions League campaign already generating around £95 million in prize money alone.
From a footballing perspective, the importance is just as clear.
Qualifying ensures we remain competitive at the top level and continue attracting the calibre of players needed to push forward under Arne Slot.
Given how the season has unfolded, it hasn’t always been convincing and there have been moments where we’ve looked vulnerable.
But results like the derby win, combined with rivals slipping up at exactly the right time, have put us firmly in control of our own destiny.
‘Small adjustments’ – Luis Enrique outlines PSG’s transfer window plans
Paris Saint-Germain’s lack of activity in last summer’s transfer window has come into question at times throughout the season, but this summer won’t be any different, according to Luis Enrique.
Last summer, PSG signed Ilya Zabarnyi, Lucas Chevalier, and Renato Marin. None has gone on to become a guaranteed starter. Chevalier, the replacement for Gianluigi Donnarumma, did start the season as No.1 but lost his spot due to poor form and the guarantees provided by Matvey Safonov in his absence. Zabarnyi has struggled and has been used sparingly in the big games in the UEFA Champions League, whilst Marin remains the third choice in the goalkeeping hierarchy. Dro Fernandez, meanwhile, arrived from Barcelona in January. The Spaniard is seen as one for the future.
At times, the lack of squad depth has shown… and been criticised. But don’t expect a spending spree this summer. “There will be small adjustments, just like last year,” said Luis Enrique in a press conference on Tuesday. “We won’t sign a lot of players.”
Abhishek Sharma registered his ninth T20 century and his second-highest score in the IPL, while also batting through the full 20 overs for the first time in his IPL career. His brilliant unbeaten 135 powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a massive total of 242, which the team successfully defended, sealing a 47-run win over Delhi Capitals. Following the knock, his mentor Yuvraj Singh heaped praise on his protégé, saying, “Let the bat do the work!”
Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their strong run in IPL 2026 with a 47-run win over Delhi Capitals, powered by a sensational unbeaten 135 from Abhishek Sharma. His 68-ball knock, featuring 10 fours and 10 sixes, guided SRH to a massive 242/2, with support from Travis Head (37) and Heinrich Klaasen (37* off 13).
In response, Delhi Capitals showed early promise through a partnership between KL Rahul (37) and Nitish Rana (57), but lost momentum after their dismissals. Eshan Malinga starred with the ball, picking up 4/32, including two wickets in two balls, as DC were restricted to 195/9.
The win pushed SRH to third place, while DC slipped to fifth in the standings.
Reflecting on his innings, Abhishek said the team had a clear plan to attack the powerplay but had to quickly reassess conditions. “The way we started, I felt we had a plan… but the wicket was a bit slow, so we had to re-plan it again. I just wanted to utilise the powerplay and entertain the crowd,” he said, adding that judging a par score wasn’t easy until the innings progressed.
The left-hander also credited the environment within the SRH setup for allowing him to play freely. “You have to have the backing from the captain and coach… that is very important. The environment in Sunrisers in 2024 was a game-changer. It felt like they wanted to grow the youngsters,” he explained, pointing out that such freedom has helped him express himself consistently.
After his blistering knock he earned some praised from his mentor Yuvraj Singh, who wrote on X,
"Let the bat do the work! getting better each day well played sir Abhishek! keep up with the process,'' Yuvraj SIngh, Abhishek's mentor, wrote on X.
— YUVSTRONG12 (@YUVSTRONG12)
Yuvraj Singh has been mentoring Abhishek Sharma since around 2019, with their partnership intensifying during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown through a structured training camp in Mohali. He implemented a long-term “four-year plan” to help Abhishek transition from a domestic player to an international-level performer.
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The mentorship has focused on improving technique, discipline, fitness, and mental strength, with Yuvraj playing a key role in boosting Abhishek’s confidence during challenging phases. This guidance has paid off, reflected in Abhishek’s recent performances, including his stunning unbeaten 135 in IPL 2026.
Manchester City are now just about everyone's favourites to win the Premier League.
They have all the buzz words on their side; momentum, experience and belief. They 'know' they can win the title because many of the group have done it before, Arsenal only 'hope' they are still capable.
City's win over Arsenal provides the ultimate dream sporting scenario. They both could well end the season on the same points total now and that provides the conditions for a total change in attitude.
If either team is 2-0 up with half an hour to go, they will still have to go at it full throttle for more goals to increase their goal difference.
This is an alien concept these days because players have to rest and recover, so time wasting, constant substitutions and controlled play are the order of the day when the game is ostensibly won with 20 minutes left to play.
But these rules no longer apply and I can't wait to see the outcome.
Winning 3-0, you might still send your goalkeeper up for late corners to get another goal - how brilliant will that be?
No City or Arsenal player will feign injury, take the ball into the corner or take an eternity organising a corner or a free-kick. They will have to keep it moving and keep trying to score more goals.
As a kid, I was brought up with this attitude at Celtic. The phrase was "score an early goal and press on regardless". For years this was considered quaint and almost naive - but from here on in, it is absolutely necessary.
Former Arsenal technical director James Ellis is a serious contender to become Bristol City's new sporting director.
Ellis has been locked in talks with the Championship side over the past fortnight with a view to taking the leadership position at Ashton Gate.
Discussions are accelerating, with a move to Bristol for Ellis understood to be at an advanced stage.
However, Sheffield Wednesday have also taken an interest in Ellis in recent days as they look to revamp their leadership team before next season.
In an interview with BBC Sport last week, Ellis spoke of his desire to return to football following his sudden departure from the Emirates Stadium earlier this year.
"I feel I have unfinished impact and objectives I would like to achieve," he said
"I have been through rejection, education, coaching, scouting, senior leadership all in this and would like to carry on."
Ellis joined the Gunners from Fulham in 2021, and last summer was promoted to the role of technical director.
Prior to that he had been head of recruitment - playing a key role in identifying several of the squad battling to win the club's first Premier League title since 2004.
He left the club in February following a restructuring of the football leadership team.
NOBLESVILLE — “So many days, I never thought I’d make it out. So many days I thought about shutting down.” - Andy Riemersma, New Day
Andy Riemersma will sing those lyrics from his latest song, “New Day,” in roughly seven minutes. A crowd of Noblesville Boom fans and a few players from the Pacers’ G-League affiliate are waiting to hear the team chaplain perform.
But for now, Riemersma is in the tunnel by Section 8 inside the Arena at Innovation Mile. The 30-year-old hip-hop artist is swaying his arms back and forth to loosen his body. His knees aren’t as weak, and his arms aren’t as heavy as they were the first time he performed a spoken word as a sophomore at Indiana Wesleyan in 2016. But he’s still anxious.
He contemplates doing push-ups to calm his nerves before bending down to tie his Jordan 11 Concord sneakers. The performance holds weight.
Riemersma always wanted to play in the NBA. His 5-11 frame and three concussions in high school derailed his dreams. But here he is on March 20, living in what he called “God’s round-about” plan for him to pastor and perform in the NBA.
There are five minutes until show time. It feels like an “eternity” to Riemersma. He uses it to say a prayer and practice his set.
“So many days, I never thought I’d make it out. So many days I thought about shutting down,” Riemersma repeats as he holds his phone, which is playing the song’s instrumental, to his ear.
The line alludes to a time when Riemersma considered quitting music. He questioned why anyone would want to listen to him among all Christian artists. But it is also in reference to the grind of building momentum in the early days of planting ONE Church in Westfield, where he pastors. Riemersma sees a similar reality in the lives of the G-League players he counsels.
“Sometimes I can sense the players just don't know what's going to happen tomorrow — are they going to get a call-up, be out of the G-League, or go overseas? And so it's just like it feels almost like a lack of security with the grind that comes with the G-League,” Riemersma said. “But if I can bring the gospel in and teach them our security is in Christ, then ifthey lost basketball, tomorrow, you would be okay. You have enough of a foundation under you.”
Riemersma uses music to break down the walls players often hold up. Through pastoring, Riemersma reinforces a purpose bigger than basketball to players who are uncertain of what’s next. Current players like Gabe McGlothan and former ones like Stephan Hicks have reaped the benefits of Riemersma’s faithfulness with his two gifts.
Riemersma helps players on opposite career trajectories
“You be pickin’ me up every time I’m falling down.” - Riemersma, New Day
McGlothan’s season ended after he sustained multiple rib fractures in a late February game against Capital City. The injury allowed McGlothan more time to focus on his internship and grow his relationship with Riemersma. Riemersma carved out time in his busy schedule to disciple McGlothan, as the two occasionally went to lunch and had late-night phone calls.
Riemersma allowed McGlothan to preach at his church during a late March service. Afterward, the duo “went over film,” McGlothan said, in which Riemersma provided McGlothan with feedback on his sermon.
“Us going over that together was encouraging and very pivotal because it was like, ‘Oh, I can do this,’” McGlothan said. “I didn't know what my future was going to be with ministry. But because of that opportunity and us going over it, I could see the giftings that God has given. Right now, my time block is basketball, but Andy helped spark the foundation of what I could do in ministry later.”
McGlothan praised Riemersma for his intentionality and credited him for “going out of his way just to show so much care and love.” For Hicks, his journey is different from McGlothan’s. But his experience with Andy is the same.
Hicks spent eight seasons with the Boom franchise (formerly Mad Ants) and retired in 2023, having never played in an NBA game. Noblesville retired his jersey in March 2025. The former Cal State Northridge standout moved back home to Los Angeles, where he works in a post office.
“Being in the G League, there’s a lot of ups and downs, and if you don’t have your head on straight, it can have you shut down and get overwhelmed,” Hicks said. “I wasn’t being the best man I could be to my now-wife because of that, and Andy helped me get closer to God and understand my responsibilities as a man.”
Riemersma is a father of two daughters, with a third child on the way. Since becoming a chaplain in 2023, Riemersma has developed routines with his family to ensure they remain his priority.
The Westfield native takes a Sabbath rest day every Friday, during which he fasts from social media and turns off his phone for part of the day. He and his wife, Leanza, who plays acoustic guitar, often initiate worship jam sessions and go on family walks.
“Seeing how he puts his family first helped me grow as the leader of my family,” Boom assistant coach Bryce Taylor said. Taylor met Riemersma in 2023. Riemersma baptized the father of three a year later.
Added McGlothan: “That's something that you're always balancing as a working man — creating windows of time and opportunities just to spend time with your family. During the season, things are very busy, so just seeing how he navigates that because I think as a pastor of a church, you’re really there to be in support of 100s of people, and I think it would be easy to be overwhelmed at times, but he does it really easily or effortlessly.”
The role that appeared easy was once hard for Riemersma to accept.
How Riemersma got into ministry
“You been workin’ it all out for my good. You been doin’ everything You said You would.” - Riemersma, New Day
Riemersma wanted to focus on business after college. An advisor at Indiana Wesleyan encouraged him in 2015 to pursue full-time ministry.
Riemersma was hesitant. His view of a pastor is what he described as “jaded.”
Riemersma didn’t want to wear a suit and carry a big Bible. He wanted to don street wear and Jordans as a way to relate to the youth and “connect organically through the work of the Spirit,” he said.
God provided clarity amid his indecision. What he wore didn’t matter in comparison to how he led. Riemersma’s heart for others was clear, and God was going to use him just as he was to make an eternal impact.
Riemersma founded the campus ministry “Awaken” at Ball State in 2017. He served as a youth pastor in Fishers from 2019 to 2021 and opened ONE Church in 2022.
While Riemersma and Leanza felt compelled to plant a church in 2020, Leanza had not given up on her dream to do music with her husband.
Riemersma doubted it would come to fruition. Similar to pastoral care, he expected something contrary to the truth. He thought he would have to play guitar and different acoustic instruments. Leanza thought of rap.
She encouraged him to pursue it, watering the seed Riemersma’s dad, Randy, had planted when he introduced Andy to Christian hip-hop during his senior year in high school.
“It became clear with music — God wants me to use it to reach people that may not come into a church setting because a song can sometimes reach where a sermon can’t,” Riemersma said.
New season, same purpose
“It’s a new day.” — Riemersma, New Day
Riemersma is now comfortable in his call. He visits the studio at least once a month to record. At times, Riemersma uses a bar as a word of encouragement in a sermon or during chapel. Music is just as much a ministry as pastoring. “Two lungs working together,” as Riemersma described it.
As he grappled with perception and purpose, he needed the likes of his wife and an advisor to steer him in his giftings. Now it’s his job to help players recognize their own.
“He actually loves them, no matter if their career pans out or not,” said Mike Colaw, one of Riemersma’s mentors.
Riemersma still checks in with Hicks and other former players via text. He can’t forget the players of old. His shepherd’s heart won’t allow him.
The Boom ended the 2026 season with a 16-20 record and failed to make the playoffs. Next season will feature a new set of players. Which means new stories and new conversations. Maybe Riemersma and McGlothan’s go-to Thai or Mexican food spot will become a mainstay for meet-ups with players.
But certain to remain is Riemersma’s music and pastoral care as the means by which he speaks truth and life into each player who walks into the chapel. Reminding them that when the ball stops dribbling, they can look forward to life on the other side of basketball.
To a new day.
“One of the things I always say to the guys is, ‘I don’t want something from them, I want something for them,’” Riemersma said. “They’re not people’s first pick to watch and so much of life could be unpredictable in the G-League, but I’m so grateful to do ministry there because at the end of the day, I can let them know God is sovereign and he’s going to help orchestrate our steps even when things don’t make sense.”
NOBLESVILLE — “So many days, I never thought I’d make it out. So many days I thought about shutting down.” - Andy Riemersma, New Day
Andy Riemersma will sing those lyrics from his latest song, “New Day,” in roughly seven minutes. A crowd of Noblesville Boom fans and a few players from the Pacers’ G-League affiliate are waiting to hear the team chaplain perform.
But for now, Riemersma is in the tunnel by Section 8 inside the Arena at Innovation Mile. The 30-year-old hip-hop artist is swaying his arms back and forth to loosen his body. His knees aren’t as weak, and his arms aren’t as heavy as they were the first time he performed a spoken word as a sophomore at Indiana Wesleyan in 2016. But he’s still anxious.
He contemplates doing push-ups to calm his nerves before bending down to tie his Jordan 11 Concord sneakers. The performance holds weight.
Riemersma always wanted to play in the NBA. His 5-11 frame and three concussions in high school derailed his dreams. But here he is on March 20, living in what he called “God’s round-about” plan for him to pastor and perform in the NBA.
There are five minutes until show time. It feels like an “eternity” to Riemersma. He uses it to say a prayer and practice his set.
“So many days, I never thought I’d make it out. So many days I thought about shutting down,” Riemersma repeats as he holds his phone, which is playing the song’s instrumental, to his ear.
The line alludes to a time when Riemersma considered quitting music. He questioned why anyone would want to listen to him among all Christian artists. But it is also in reference to the grind of building momentum in the early days of planting ONE Church in Westfield, where he pastors. Riemersma sees a similar reality in the lives of the G-League players he counsels.
“Sometimes I can sense the players just don't know what's going to happen tomorrow — are they going to get a call-up, be out of the G-League, or go overseas? And so it's just like it feels almost like a lack of security with the grind that comes with the G-League,” Riemersma said. “But if I can bring the gospel in and teach them our security is in Christ, then ifthey lost basketball, tomorrow, you would be okay. You have enough of a foundation under you.”
Riemersma uses music to break down the walls players often hold up. Through pastoring, Riemersma reinforces a purpose bigger than basketball to players who are uncertain of what’s next. Current players like Gabe McGlothan and former ones like Stephan Hicks have reaped the benefits of Riemersma’s faithfulness with his two gifts.
Riemersma helps players on opposite career trajectories
“You be pickin’ me up every time I’m falling down.” - Riemersma, New Day
McGlothan’s season ended after he sustained multiple rib fractures in a late February game against Capital City. The injury allowed McGlothan more time to focus on his internship and grow his relationship with Riemersma. Riemersma carved out time in his busy schedule to disciple McGlothan, as the two occasionally went to lunch and had late-night phone calls.
Riemersma allowed McGlothan to preach at his church during a late March service. Afterward, the duo “went over film,” McGlothan said, in which Riemersma provided McGlothan with feedback on his sermon.
“Us going over that together was encouraging and very pivotal because it was like, ‘Oh, I can do this,’” McGlothan said. “I didn't know what my future was going to be with ministry. But because of that opportunity and us going over it, I could see the giftings that God has given. Right now, my time block is basketball, but Andy helped spark the foundation of what I could do in ministry later.”
McGlothan praised Riemersma for his intentionality and credited him for “going out of his way just to show so much care and love.” For Hicks, his journey is different from McGlothan’s. But his experience with Andy is the same.
Hicks spent eight seasons with the Boom franchise (formerly Mad Ants) and retired in 2023, having never played in an NBA game. Noblesville retired his jersey in March 2025. The former Cal State Northridge standout moved back home to Los Angeles, where he works in a post office.
“Being in the G League, there’s a lot of ups and downs, and if you don’t have your head on straight, it can have you shut down and get overwhelmed,” Hicks said. “I wasn’t being the best man I could be to my now-wife because of that, and Andy helped me get closer to God and understand my responsibilities as a man.”
Riemersma is a father of two daughters, with a third child on the way. Since becoming a chaplain in 2023, Riemersma has developed routines with his family to ensure they remain his priority.
The Westfield native takes a Sabbath rest day every Friday, during which he fasts from social media and turns off his phone for part of the day. He and his wife, Leanza, who plays acoustic guitar, often initiate worship jam sessions and go on family walks.
“Seeing how he puts his family first helped me grow as the leader of my family,” Boom assistant coach Bryce Taylor said. Taylor met Riemersma in 2023. Riemersma baptized the father of three a year later.
Added McGlothan: “That's something that you're always balancing as a working man — creating windows of time and opportunities just to spend time with your family. During the season, things are very busy, so just seeing how he navigates that because I think as a pastor of a church, you’re really there to be in support of 100s of people, and I think it would be easy to be overwhelmed at times, but he does it really easily or effortlessly.”
The role that appeared easy was once hard for Riemersma to accept.
How Riemersma got into ministry
“You been workin’ it all out for my good. You been doin’ everything You said You would.” - Riemersma, New Day
Riemersma wanted to focus on business after college. An advisor at Indiana Wesleyan encouraged him in 2015 to pursue full-time ministry.
Riemersma was hesitant. His view of a pastor is what he described as “jaded.”
Riemersma didn’t want to wear a suit and carry a big Bible. He wanted to don street wear and Jordans as a way to relate to the youth and “connect organically through the work of the Spirit,” he said.
God provided clarity amid his indecision. What he wore didn’t matter in comparison to how he led. Riemersma’s heart for others was clear, and God was going to use him just as he was to make an eternal impact.
Riemersma founded the campus ministry “Awaken” at Ball State in 2017. He served as a youth pastor in Fishers from 2019 to 2021 and opened ONE Church in 2022.
While Riemersma and Leanza felt compelled to plant a church in 2020, Leanza had not given up on her dream to do music with her husband.
Riemersma doubted it would come to fruition. Similar to pastoral care, he expected something contrary to the truth. He thought he would have to play guitar and different acoustic instruments. Leanza thought of rap.
She encouraged him to pursue it, watering the seed Riemersma’s dad, Randy, had planted when he introduced Andy to Christian hip-hop during his senior year in high school.
“It became clear with music — God wants me to use it to reach people that may not come into a church setting because a song can sometimes reach where a sermon can’t,” Riemersma said.
New season, same purpose
“It’s a new day.” — Riemersma, New Day
Riemersma is now comfortable in his call. He visits the studio at least once a month to record. At times, Riemersma uses a bar as a word of encouragement in a sermon or during chapel. Music is just as much a ministry as pastoring. “Two lungs working together,” as Riemersma described it.
As he grappled with perception and purpose, he needed the likes of his wife and an advisor to steer him in his giftings. Now it’s his job to help players recognize their own.
“He actually loves them, no matter if their career pans out or not,” said Mike Colaw, one of Riemersma’s mentors.
Riemersma still checks in with Hicks and other former players via text. He can’t forget the players of old. His shepherd’s heart won’t allow him.
The Boom ended the 2026 season with a 16-20 record and failed to make the playoffs. Next season will feature a new set of players. Which means new stories and new conversations. Maybe Riemersma and McGlothan’s go-to Thai or Mexican food spot will become a mainstay for meet-ups with players.
But certain to remain is Riemersma’s music and pastoral care as the means by which he speaks truth and life into each player who walks into the chapel. Reminding them that when the ball stops dribbling, they can look forward to life on the other side of basketball.
To a new day.
“One of the things I always say to the guys is, ‘I don’t want something from them, I want something for them,’” Riemersma said. “They’re not people’s first pick to watch and so much of life could be unpredictable in the G-League, but I’m so grateful to do ministry there because at the end of the day, I can let them know God is sovereign and he’s going to help orchestrate our steps even when things don’t make sense.”
Ederson: Man United refuse to give up on signing Atalanta star
Manchester United are refusing to give up hope of agreeing a bombshell hijack for Atalanta enforcer Ederson, if the latest report from Italy is to be believed.
Fixing the Engine Room
The Red Devils are prioritising an overhaul of their midfield unit this summer, with two new signings expected to arrive at Old Trafford. Despite enjoying a resurgent campaign, Casemiro will depart in May as INEOS have ruled against triggering a twelve-month extension in the 34-year-old Brazilian’s exorbitant contract.
Similarly, Manuel Ugarte has proven to be an abject recruitment decision by the club’s hierarchy, offering zero justification for the £50.5 million outlay to capture him from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
The primary target is Nottingham Forest powerhouse Elliot Anderson, while Carlos Baleba (Brighton), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Sandro Tonali (Newcastle) are also high on the radar, as Premier League-proven operators are the focus. However, the club are extending their search beyond these shores for the ‘second’ recruit in the hope of striking a cheaper deal for a midfielder on the continent.
This has led United to reignite interest in Ederson, the 26-year-old Brazil international who has been a long-term target in M16.
Contact is made
Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web claims the Red Devils have made “concrete efforts” to try and reach an agreement on a deal by holding talks with Atalanta.
A host of clubs across Europe are also interested, with Atletico Madrid understood to be the frontrunners after agreeing personal terms with Ederson in the January window.
David Ornstein (The Athletic) also reveals Arsenal are rivalling United for the Brazilian. Inter Milan are another side said to be carefully monitoring the situation at their rivals.
Ederson’s contract in Bergamo expires next year, meaning this is Atalanta’s last chance to command a fee for their midfield general. Despite this relatively weak negotiating position, La Dea are asking for between €45-50 million (£39-44m) as they hope to spark a bidding war between his big suitors.
Possessing a potent pairing of size and strength, the Campo Grande native offers a profile which appears perfectly suited to the cut and thrust of Premier League football. He has played in both a midfield three and a double pivot during his time with Atalanta, playing a pivotal role in their Europa League triumph in 2023.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear why United are preparing to hijack Atletico’s deal for Ederson, as the price, though steep for a player with an expiring contract, pales in comparison to the fees bandied about for targets in England.
Furthermore, Ederson fits the mould of hungry talents yet to enter their prime, looking to make that jump to an elite club. His attitude and work-rate are both outstanding, though there are concerns over his technical ability.
Ederson is understood to be keen on a move this summer, with interest in playing in either LaLiga or the Premier League. If INEOS are able steal in ahead of their rivals in Madrid and north London to convince the Brazilian his future lies in Manchester, it will be a signing as brutal as it is sweet.
Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, and Football Italia looks at the favourite teams to lift the coveted cup this summer.
Italy have once again suffered a World Cup heartbreak, losing the play-off Final on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy miss out on World Cup qualification once again
The Azzurri last played in the World Cup in 2014 and, next summer, they’ll be forced to watch the competition from home for the third time in a row.
Odds comparison from the best offshore sportsbooks shows defending Euro champions Spain as the favourite side to lift the 2026 World Cup.
However, competition is stiff, as La Roja is followed by England, France, Argentina, and Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil.
France reached the Final in the last two editions, first beating Croatia in 2018 and then losing to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in 2022.
England, on the other hand, reached the European Championship Final in the last two editions, losing to both Italy and Spain.
Marcus Rashford of England (R) celebrates as he scores his team’s second goal with Harry Kane of England during the UEFA Nations League A Group Four match between Spain and England at Estadio Benito Villamarin on October 15, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Only eight countries have ever won the World Cup, and despite the frequent shocks over the last decade, Italy remain one of the most successful countries in the competition with four victories, the same as Germany, and just one less than Brazil.
Arguably, the most prominent Italian at next summer’s 2026 World Cup will be Brazil coach Ancelotti, who took over the South American national team less than a year ago.
Ancelotti is already the most successful coach in the Champions League and the only manager to have won the domestic title in each of the top five European leagues: Italy, England, Spain, Germany and France.
“Brazilians want to see the national team win the World Cup. Of course, if you play well, you have better chances of going far, but in 1994 and 2002, they had great forwards yet won thanks to a very solid defence. I think it will be the same in the next World Cup,” Ancelotti said in a recent interview.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 26: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti waves before the international friendly match between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“We have high-level veterans and talented youngsters. We’re surrounded by incredible passion. They ask us to win the World Cup, and that’s what we’ll try to do. Brazil has been waiting far too long; they want the sixth title.”
The Italian tactician also named the favourite teams to win the World Cup and warned about possible surprises.
“France, Spain, England, Germany, Argentina, Portugal. The usual ones,” he said.
“But be careful. With 48 teams, there will surely be surprises. Tomorrow we play Senegal, who beat England 3-1. They’re very strong. Same for Morocco, they’re doing great. You have to be ready and prepared.”
The situation at Trigoria has become increasingly complex with the conflict between Gian Piero Gasperini and Claudio Ranieri, which has also involved Ricky Massara.
The sporting director, who has never had a good relationship with Gasperini, now finds himself in a delicate position.
If Gasperini gains the trust of the owners and remains on the bench, Massara could be the next to pack his bags.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Gasperini made it clear during discussions with the Friedkins that it would be preferable for him to find a new sporting director. However, some delays in transfer market operations may be attributable to the owners, not just Massara.
There’s a strong empathy and mutual respect between Massara and Ranieri, which suggests that if the veteran advisor were to stay at Roma, Massara could continue in his role.
However, the situation is constantly changing and will depend greatly on the ownership’s decision and the club’s internal dynamics.
If the Friedkins’ choice were to retain Gasperini as coach, transfer rumors about Massara’s possible replacement are already circulating.
Cristiano Giuntoli is the hottest name in the running for the role. Tony D’Amico and Sean Sogliano are the other two candidates who could be on Roma’s radar.
It's not very often fans cheer at the end of a 5-1 defeat, or strictly speaking about two minutes before the end when Oxford's result was confirmed, but the Pompey fans knew the job was done and Championship survival was ensured.
This was a game too far for Portsmouth, and Coventry were just too good.
A huge amount of physical and emotional energy was spent last week, the nine-point return put them on the brink. Wrexham finished the job for them on Tuesday night.
It's a funny old game. If you told anyone after the 6-1 drubbing at QPR on 21 March that Pompey would have been safe with two games to go they would have thought you were crazy.
Goal difference caveat can’t distract Manchester City in Premier League run-in, says Pep Guardiola
Guardiola says goal difference can’t distract City from fundamental requirement of winning games
City beat Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday courtesy of goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki
Blues can go top of the table with win away at Burnley on Wednesday night
Pep Guardiola has addressed the possibility of the Premier League title being decided by goal difference, insisting the scenario cannot distract his side from the primary objective of winning every remaining game.
Manchester City cut Arsenal’s lead to three points with Sunday’s 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland‘s 65th-minute winner proving decisive after Rayan Cherki had opened the scoring and Kai Havertz levelled for the visitors.
City now travel to Burnley on Wednesday in a game that could take them level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, setting up a finale of extraordinary drama.
Burnley vs Manchester City (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How to Watch
City won the season series against Arsenal, having beaten them 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium, meaning if goal difference and goals scored are also equal between the pair, the Blues would win the title.
The only previous instance of the Premier League title being decided on goal difference was the famous 2011-12 season, a precedent that gives the ongoing run-in a deeply resonant historical context for City supporters.
Guardiola: Goal difference cannot be a distraction
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Turf Moor, Guardiola acknowledged the possibility of goal difference coming into play while making clear it would not change how City approach their remaining fixtures.
“Yes, absolutely,” the 55-year-old said. “It can happen but it cannot be distracted from the fact that you’re going to score a lot of goals. It would be unbalanced, and without balance we’re going to concede a lot of goals. It’s the same question.
“I have the feeling that the opponents we face are going to score a lot of goals, I would say, the margin. The rivals are really, really good defensively when we talk mainly about the next opponent.
“So we have to try to go there, do what you have to do to win the game. It’s the same thing before Arsenal. What is the game plan? What do you have to do to play? Not the consequences. Not what happens if you win or lose?
Rodri ruled out of Burnley clash as Pep Guardiola provides Ruben Dias and John Stones update
“Before Arsenal everybody said, ‘What happens if you lose?’ Nobody asked, ‘What happens if you win?’ So that is the same. What do you have to do in the game plan to beat Burnley?”
The game will dictate if we score goals, admits Guardiola
The Manchester City manager was equally clear that any attempt to engineer a high-scoring performance at the expense of structural balance would be counterproductive, pointing to the quality of Burnley’s defence as the key factor shaping City’s approach on Wednesday.
“The game will dictate if we’re going to score goals or not,” Guardiola added. “As much as we play, more chances we’ll have to play. If you tell me, ‘Listen, if you’re going to play seven strikers you are going to score 20 goals’. Okay, I’m going to play with seven strikers, but that doesn’t work.
“So we have to defend well, all the throw-ins, set pieces, and after attack well, defend well, do all the things we are working on or talking about for the last month.
“So that’s what we have to do. After, maybe, we are able for our game, it’s fluid, it’s nice, in the momentum, we can score lots of goals.”
With City holding the head-to-head advantage and the title race now in the balance on every conceivable tiebreaker, Guardiola’s message to his players is simple: win the football games and everything else will take care of itself.
Liverpool set to lose dream player to Manchester United
Manchester United could be about to sign one of Liverpool's dream players. That's certainly a blow.
The Telegraph reports that Manchester United are ready to sign Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid if the Spanish side decide to sell. And they may well do - all reports after their UEFA Champions League exit to Bayern Munich suggest they want to rebuild their midfield.
United are looking for someone to replace the last defensive midfielder they signed from Real Madrid, Casemiro. And who better to do that than the defensive midfielder who replaced him at Real Madrid?
But it’s something that would be a blow to Liverpool. The Reds have long hoped to sign Tchouameni and battled Real Madrid back in 2022 to get him.
The midfielder himself has confirmed that, doing so in an interview with Le Parisien later that year. Liverpool have always maintained an interest but it appears the timing isn’t right.
We do expect the Reds to sign a midfielder this summer but it’s unlikely to be an out-and-out holding player like Tchouameni. Someone like Adam Wharton seems a lot more likely at this stage.
Instead, they may need to watch as the Frenchman signs for Manchester United. It would be a tough one to take, certainly - but football just works out that way sometimes.
Aurelien Tchouameni: Situation Summary
Real Madrid Consistency and European Exit
As of 21 April 2026, Aurélien Tchouaméni remains a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s midfield, described as one of the club's "most consistent performers" during a tumultuous season. The 26-year-old Frenchman has made 41 appearances across all competitions, recording two goals and two assists while maintaining an elite 93% pass completion rate. Despite his individual form, he missed the critical second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich due to a one-match suspension. In his absence, Madrid suffered a 2–0 defeat (6–4 on aggregate), leading to their continental exit and sparking internal debates regarding the squad's future direction under managers Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
Transfer Shortlist and Manchester United Interest
Tchouaméni’s future in Spain has become a major talking point as he enters the final two years of his contract. Reports on 21 April 2026 reveal that Manchester United have placed him at the top of their shortlist to replace the outgoing Casemiro. While Real Madrid reportedly prefer to partner Tchouaméni with a new signing—such as Manchester City’s Rodri—the club may consider significant offers to fund their own rebuild. Arsenal and Chelsea are also monitoring the situation closely, though Madrid's hierarchy is said to be more open to selling Eduardo Camavinga first. Currently valued at approximately €75 million, Tchouaméni is expected to be a primary figure for France at this summer’s 2026 World Cup.
Former Barcelona defender dreams of return to the club – ‘I think I’d fit in well’
Former FC Barcelona defender Sergino Dest has stated in a recent interview that he feels he still has unfinished business at the club and would love to return to Catalonia.
The American full-back, who joined Barcelona at a young age from Ajax, was unable to establish himself as a regular starter despite being considered a long-term prospect.
He was eventually loaned to AC Milan and then to PSV Eindhoven, where he eventually signed permanently and has now delivered an impressive campaign.
Dest open to Barcelona return
Now, speaking with NPO Radio (h/t SPORT), Dest made it clear that he would welcome a return to Barcelona.
“Signing for Barça would still be a dream. Hansi Flick’s style of play is incredible. I think I’d fit in well,” the USMNT right-back said.
Dest also revealed that he remains in contact with current Barcelona players and that they still rate him highly.
“I spoke to [Ronald] Araujo a while ago after the match between the United States and Uruguay, and we had a good chat. He told me that he and Frenkie [de Jong] sometimes say they don’t understand why they sold me, that I’d fit in well here,” he explained.
Sergino Dest enjoying a resurgence at PSV. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
After overcoming a serious knee injury, Dest believes he is ready to take another step forward in his career.
“I think PSV is a great club, so any other club must be a good one too. But I want to keep challenging myself. It’s also about the Eredivisie. I want to be able to improve every week in a bigger league and measure myself against the best,” he said.
“There’s interest from clubs, but nothing concrete yet. That’s still a long way off,” he added.
Dest admitted that his knee injury following his first year on loan at PSV from Barça, where he put up some incredible stats, was a huge blow.
“I would have really liked to see where I would have played after that season with PSV. I played very well and maintained a consistent level,” he declared.
Finally, Dest explained his decision to represent the United States instead of the Netherlands at the international level, saying:
“To be honest, at the time I was more drawn to the Netherlands, but American culture really appealed to me.
“Clubs like Bayern Munich and Barcelona had already shown an interest in me, but the Dutch Football Association wanted me to join the Netherlands’ Under-21 team first.
“At that point, I stopped taking them seriously, partly because I was already eligible to make my debut for the US national team. And that’s what I did.”
The club want to add two midfielders, but they could pursue a third if Manuel Ugarte also departs.
According to Tuttosport, United are willing to ‘take a gamble’ on Koopmeiners in the upcoming transfer window.
The 28-year-old joined Juventus in a €52 million deal in 2024, but he has failed to live up to expectations.
The Dutchman has played in different positions but has failed to establish himself as a regular under Luciano Spalletti.
He has featured in 28 Serie A games this season, but 12 of them have come off the bench.
Juventus are ready to part company with Koopmeiners, who has a contract at the Allianz Stadium until 2029.
United and Galatasaray have shown interest in the Netherlands international, who could be signed for €30m.
Koopmeiners initially played as an attacking midfielder for Juventus but has mainly taken on the defensive role this season. He also played as a central defender.
Given his struggles in Serie A, United may be wary of pursuing a deal for Koopmeiners.
However, the Premier League giants could make a concrete move if Juventus lower their asking price.
Barcelona captain steps up with heartfelt words for injured talent
Barcelona first-team captain Ronald Araujo has reached out with a message of support to young defender Patricio Pacifico following his serious knee injury, in a moment that shows the unity within Barcelona’s dressing room.
The setback comes at a difficult time for the 20-year-old, who had only recently begun to establish himself with Barça Atletic after arriving on loan from Defensor Sporting in January.
Pacifico had shown promising signs early on, quickly earning a starting role and adapting well to the demands of Spanish football.
His progress, however, was abruptly halted during the reserve team’s clash against UE Olot.
The injury occurred late in the game, turning what initially looked like a minor issue into a major concern within hours.
Subsequent medical tests confirmed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, one of the most serious injuries a footballer can face.
Araujo has sent a message of encouragement to Pacifico. (Source: Instagram)
The news has been met with strong support from within the club, particularly from senior players.
Araujo, one of the leaders in the squad, took to social media to send a direct message to the young defender, offering encouragement during what is likely to be a long recovery process.
“You will come back stronger, dear Pato,” he wrote.
Before the injury, Pacifico had made seven appearances for Barça Atletic, starting every match and contributing with a goal.
His performances had already caught attention internally, with opportunities to train alongside the first team further showing the club’s belief in his potential.
Real Madrid add surprise Bundesliga coach to manager shortlist – report
According to an update shared by Christian Falk, Real Madrid have added Sebastian Hoeneß to their shortlist of potential candidates, as the club evaluates managerial options ahead of the summer.
The 43-year-old has caught the club’s attention not through reputation, but through the clarity of his work at VfB Stuttgart.
His team’s performances this season have stood out across Europe, particularly because of how competitive they have been without relying on high-profile signings.
Real Madrid impressed with Hoeneß
Within Real Madrid, there is a growing appreciation for Hoeneß’s model.
Stuttgart’s structure, intensity, and attacking intent have made them one of the most watchable sides in the Bundesliga, and more importantly, one of the most efficient.
Sitting comfortably in the top four, they are on course for Champions League qualification, which is a significant achievement given their squad profile.
Even then, Real Madrid are not rushing into a decision, but they are preparing for one.
Sebastian Hoeneß is on Real Madrid’s shortlist. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
While he continues to have the backing of both the dressing room and the board for now, the club is already exploring alternative profiles in case a change becomes necessary.
Options like Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, and Didier Deschamps bring experience and pedigree, but each comes with complications – whether contractual, financial, or strategic.
This situation has opened the door for a different type of candidate, where Hoeneß represents a more progressive profile.
He is defined as a coach well-versed in modern football principles. His teams are built around high pressing, quick transitions, and positional fluidity.
For now, though, the club’s priority remains the current campaign.
Arbeloa is still in charge, and there is a shared focus on finishing the season strongly. However, once the campaign concludes, a full evaluation will take place.
Warning: This article contains themes of suicide, self harm and mental health
A 22-year-old motorcycle racer walking around a paddock in a top hat is going to stand out.
But that is the whole point for Storm Stacey. It's a conversation starter, a way to encourage people to open up about their feelings.
He was 13 years of age when he discovered his dad had died by suicide, and it has shaped his path, not only as a sportsman, but how he interacts through life.
"You wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy and nothing can prepare you for that," Stacey said on the BBC Bikes podcast.
"But do you know what? It toughens you up. I could have gone down the road of drugs, partying, gone off the rails, probably be in prison.
"But what kept me going was motorbike racing. It gave me purpose and something to do, something to keep fighting for, to keep progressing and keep going."
Engines are in Stacey's DNA. His first rode a motorbike at just three years of age and he got a love of both motorcycles and cars from his late father.
A love of classic cars comes from his father, including a 1966 Ford Mustang that was handed down to him.
His collection is extensive and ranges from a Rolls-Royce, a Dodge Ram to a Ford Fiesta R2 rally car.
He was even named after a Lister Storm, a rare, historic British sportscar from the 1990s.
But, despite his love for bikes, Stacey had very little interest in watching them race.
When his dad suggested going to watch MotoGP or World Superbikes at Donington Park or Silverstone, Stacey didn't want to go.
"Even if I did go, I'd be pulling the grass out the floor and stuff like that. I wasn't watching the racing because I wanted to do it. I wanted to ride the bike.
"I got really jealous. I see people doing stuff and I want to do it. I'm not a good watcher at all.
"I'd say there is a bug to race, but there's more jealousy."
'People love it, it's my armour'
After Stacey's father died, his mum used "the last bits of money we had" to pay for his season in 2019.
The one-year gamble paid off. He almost won the British Superstock 600 title and earned a ride in the British Superbike Championship.
"I said to mum 'right, this is one year, we'll do it now', and if it don't work out now then we'll knock it on the head.
"You hear things like the parents of Casey Stoner [a two-time MotoGP champion] sold the house and stuff like that.
"Fair play, it's absolute commitment, but it's too uncertain to take risks like that for me and for my family."
Stacey stepped up to the British Superbike Championship in 2020, and only missed out on becoming the youngest rider in the series' history as the start of the season was delayed because of the Covid pandemic.
He won his first race in 2024, and will return to the championship in 2026 with Batham's Racing.
So when you see a top hat when at the circuits, you don't just see a top racer, but also someone who is open about how he feels.
For Stacey, the eccentric headwear is his "armour" and an "accessory" to talk about mental health.
"People love it, people get behind it, and it's my armour," he said.
"I've always wore it, and my dad wore eccentric hats, he wore cowboy hats, top hats, and top hat always stuck a lot towards the end.
"That's why I wear it, in memory of my dad and to put my foot in the ground and try and change the male mindset to speak out to people, because men don't. People see it as a weakness, but it's not."
Stacey said his "inbox is always open", adding: "I'm not a superstar, I'm just a lad that rides motorbikes."
"You'd rather talk to someone than go to their funeral. With situations in life, suicide isn't the way out."
'Nervous' for North West 200 debut
Stacey will make his debut at the North West 200 road race with Batham's Racing in May and said it was an "itch I need to scratch".
"The North West is a box I'd really like to tick," he said.
"Racing at 200 miles per hour, five abreast and slipstream in turbulence. It's a whole new realm of stuff I've never had to deal with.
"The closest I've come to slipstream like that would be Thruxton in the heat and that is just ridiculous in itself."
Stacey believes he can challenge for the British Superbike title this season and while he admits the dangers of road racing could jeopardise his hopes, he says "you've got to live your life".
"I'll open up now and say, I am really nervous about doing the North West," he said.
"I'm nervous about BSB too. I'm nervous about the whole thing.
"I'm petrified about it going wrong. I really want it to go right, and on that inner weakness, because if I can beat them all, I will.
"I'm nervous, but nerves are good."
If you have been affected by issues raised in this article, there is information and support available on BBC Action Line.
Juventus set £26m price tag on ‘special’ star following Man Utd enquiry
Manchester United have been informed that Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners is available at an affordable price.
During his time at Atalanta, the Dutchman was one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.
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Juventus managed to recruit his services in August 2024 following a soap opera that ended with the player effectively forcing his way out of Bergamo by presenting three medical certificates to justify his absence from training.
Juventus open to selling Teun Koopmeiners for €30m
Sadly for Koopmeiners, his time in Turin has been vastly underwhelming, as he has thus far failed to replicate his Atalanta exploits.
Last season, former Juve head coach Thiago Motta continued to back the Dutchman, describing him as a ‘special’ player with a skill set like no other.
But nowadays, the 27-year-old is no longer a starter at Juventus, as Luciano Spalletti prefers to rely on the likes of Manuel Locatelli, Khephren Thuram, and Weston McKennie in the middle of the park
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Therefore, the Serie A giants are open to parting ways with the Netherlands international at the end of the season.
According to Italian journalist Gianni Balzarini (via TuttoJuve), Koopmeiners’ book value won’t exceed €30 million (or £26m) in the summer, so this figure should be enough to convince the Old Lady to sell the underperforming midfielder.
The source adds that Man Utd and Galatasaray have both been gathering information about the former AZ Alkmaar star, so it remains to be seen if they will follow it up by making a concrete move.
Should Man Utd consider Koopmeiners?
With Casemiro leaving and Manuel Ugarte considered dispensable, United might need to buy three new midfielders in the summer.
Therefore, the Red Devils will have to consider low-cost signings at some point. Nevertheless, Koopmeiners might not necessarily be the right profile.
The Dutch midfielder was sensational during his time at Atalanta, but he’s become a shadow of his former self since joining Juventus, hence why the Turin-based giants would be happy to cut their losses by selling him in the summer.
Koopmeiners is capable of playing almost anywhere in the middle of the park, but he hasn’t truly excelled in any position.
Thus, Man Utd would be better off investing in a player who’s on the rise rather than one enduring a steep decline.
Celtic's Belgium midfielder Arne Engels, 22, has caught the attention of Lazio. (Lorenzo Lepore on X)
Racing Club are keen on Marcelo Saracchi, the 27-year-old defender who is on loan at Celtic from Boca Rangers. (El Crack Deportivo - in Spanish)
Gordon Strachan is impressed by Martin O'Neill's impact back in the Celtic dugout but does not expect to make a similar return to management. (Herald - subscription required)
St Mirren goalkeeper Ryan Mullen faces four months out after coming off injured during Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic. (Sun)
Gareth McAuley urges former club Rangers to sign Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who is expected to leave Sheffield Wednesday this summer. (Record)
Assistant Steven Naismith puts Scotland's continued success down to head coach Steve Clarke, captain Andy Robertson and John McGinn. (Glasgow Times)
LOS ANGELES — Kevin Durant was back for the Rockets. That made the marquee matchup "LeBron James vs. Durant," a showdown of two of the all-time greats.
LeBron winning that showdown is not why the Lakers are up 2-0 in their series with the Rockets. It's because of their defense, which forced nine Durant turnovers. And it's because the Lakers have Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. That starting backcourt — forced into action because of the injuries sidelining Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — combined for 48 points on Tuesday night, made huge defensive plays and 3-pointers, which proved to be the difference. That Lakers' defense held Durant to three points in the second half and hung on at the end for a 101-94 win that has them holding serve on their home court. The Lakers are up 2-0 as the series heads to Houston on Friday night.
LeBron earned his share of the spotlight, finishing the night with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. He even had a reverse dunk at age 41.
"I don't even know what that was about," LeBron said postgame, shaking his head.
The biggest difference in this series through two games is that while both teams are missing key starters — the Rockets have been without point guard Fred VanVleet all season and also don't have center Steven Adams — it's the Lakers who have had players step up and fill the roles of their missing stars. LeBron had nothing but praise for Smart and Kennard.
"He's battle tested," LeBron said of Smart. "Guy has been to the Finals, been in multiple playoff games, big games in his career. So obviously, he's not afraid of the moment, and he's always been assigned with some of the best players ever played this game in his career. So to have someone like that, it just brings a lot of composure to our team."
Smart finished with 25 points, seven assists and five steals, most of those against Kevin Durant, who he guarded much of the night. Kennard finished with 23 points and six rebounds, but did so much more as a playmaker and passer.
"He's a sniper, we understand that, but he does so much more," LeBron said of Kennard. "He does so much more and I think that's what keeps defenses off balance. Sometimes you fall into the fact that he shoots 50 (percent) from 3, and you think that sometimes that's all he can do, but he is so much more than that."
Durant scored 20 points in the first half, but in the second the Lakers threw multiple bodies and different looks at the future Hall of Famer, trying to force the ball out of his hands. It worked, Durant had just three points in the second 24 minutes.
Nobody else on the Rockets stepped up. Alperen Sengun had a good box score game with 20 points and 11 rebounds, but that doesn't tell the story of his struggles — he missed bunnies all night and finished 9-of-19 in the paint. The Lakers would double-team Sengun when he had the ball in the post, and he would freeze, which cut off a lot of how the Rockets wanted to score in the halfcourt.
The Lakers' defense also doesn't fear the Rockets' ball handlers or shooters, and Houston isn't making them pay. As a team, the Rockets shot just 24.1% from 3 — Houston needs to hope that home cooking improves their shooting and changes the dynamic of their role players getting outplayed.
"I thought our guys at least matched their sense of desperation, or second efforts, or multiple efforts, all that stuff," Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "I mean, you got to win a bunch of little fights. That could be your catch position offensively, that could be your screens, that could be creating separation, that could be boxing out. But this team requires you to win a bunch of little fights."
The Lakers need to win just two more games to have won the big fight. The Rockets need to show some fight at home, or this is going to be a short series.
LeBron James is a four-time NBA champion and has been the league's Most Valuable Player four times [Getty Images]
LeBron James shone as the Los Angeles Lakers took charge of their NBA play-off series while Victor Wembanyama was concussed during a San Antonio defeat.
The Lakers were without leading scorers Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), but 41-year-old James continued to show his class.
The 22-time All Star claimed 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the Lakers to a 101-94 win over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
Fellow veteran Kevin Durant returned for Houston after missing the opening game of the series and scored a team-high 23 points but turned the ball over nine times and claimed just three points after half-time.
The Lakers now lead 2-0 in the first round of the post-season, with the Rockets hosting the next two games in the best-of-seven series.
Wembanyama had scored five points for the San Antonio Spurs when he was injured midway through the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The 7ft 4in France international, who has been named this season's defensive player of the year, hit his face on the floor after being knocked off his feet during a drive to the basket.
The Spurs said he had entered the concussion protocol and would not return to the game. They confirmed after Portland's 106-103 win that he had sustained a concussion.
Scoot Henderson scored a game-high 31 points for the Trail Blazers, who levelled the series at 1-1 and are at home on Friday and Sunday.
NBA guidelines state that Wembanyama must remain inactive for at least 24 hours and cannot resume full participation for 48 hours.
San Antonio - the Western Conference's second seed - won 12 of the 18 games the 22-year-old missed during the regular season.
VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey combined for 59 points as the Philadelphia 76ers bounced back from a dismal game one to level their series with the Boston Celtics.
Edgecombe claimed 30 points in a 111-97 win at the Eastern Conference's second seed Boston and the 76ers host the next two.
Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 36 points for the Celtics, with Jayson Tatum (19) the only other Boston player to reach double figures.
With Fernando Mendoza the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 in the NFL Draft to the Las Vegas Raiders, the real draft begins at No. 2 with the New York Jets.
Of course, the Jets would have loved if there were another quarterback worthy of a top-two pick available, but none of the remaining quarterback prospects are in that discussion. Therefore, the Jets have an important decision to make with the No. 2 pick, as there are many high-quality players available but no consensus option.
Unless the Jets go really off the board, New York will likely take a defender, as the top of this draft is full of defensive star power. The Jets' defense in 2025 was abysmal, setting a record with zero interceptions in the entire 17-game season, and New York has many prospects available who will improve the unit in 2026.
Here's a look at the five best prospects available for the Jets at No. 2.
Many analysts consider Reese to be the best player in the draft, even better than Mendoza. Just 20 years old, Reese's lone year as a starter for Ohio State went incredibly well, as he led a stout Buckeyes defense at inside linebacker, producing 69 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Although Reese's versatility means a team could try him out as an EDGE, his best position is likely at inside linebacker, where he can grow as the leader of the defense. The Jets need as much high-end talent as they can get, so taking Reese should give them a blue-chip player for at least a decade.
Reese has been the favorite for most of draft season and fits the mold if the Jets go with the best player available.
Bain Jr. might be the best three-down player on this list, as he recorded 20.5 sacks in three years at Miami, including 9.5 in 2025, helping lead the Hurricanes to the National Championship game. During the College Football Playoff, Bain was arguably the best player on the field in every Miami game and showed why he will be a first-round pick.
However, Bain Jr. comes with two concerns that could scare off teams. First, he was involved in a car accident in 2024 that killed a passenger in his career, an incident that NFL teams have reportedly understood throughout the process. Second, Bain has shorter arms than most EDGE players, which could be overblown as long as he remains productive.
New York will likely look for a different option, but Bain's production is hard to ignore.
The best attribute a defender in the NFL can have is sacking the quarterback, which Bailey does better than anyone else. The Texas Tech EDGE led the Big 12 with 14.5 sacks in 2025 and produced 29 sacks over four seasons, as he would give the Jets an instantly dangerous EDGE from day one.
While winning on passing downs is not an issue for Bailey, the question is whether he will have an impact on running downs. Bailey isn't known for being a strong run-stopper, and while that's not as important as sacking quarterbacks, it's still crucial for star defensive players to be able to play all three downs.
The Jets taking Bailey would mean focusing on adding immediate impact along a defensive line that needs playmakers.
Safeties rarely go in the top five, but if anyone is worthy, it's Downs. The Ohio State star was an Alabama transfer who became a two-time All-American in Columbus, producing 257 combined tackles in three years between the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes.
Downs' position is his biggest hangup since most NFL teams don't consider safety a premier position. While there were rumors about a knee injury, that Downs himself denied, the safety should be one of the safest picks available as long as his health checks out.
While the Jets are unlikely to take Downs, he's the type of player who would give his new team the best chance at hitting on the pick.
5. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
In five years, very few analysts will be surprised if it's Styles who turns into the best player from this class. Another star defender from Ohio State, Styles played alongside Reese and collected 22.5 sacks and 244 combined tackles in four seasons as a hybrid defender.
Styles dominated the NFL Combine with incredible workout numbers, which only helped his case to be taken high in the draft. Some analysts have Styles ahead of Reese, so picking between the two could come down to personal preference.
With Reese being linked to the Jets, Styles is more of a distant conversation at this point. but he'd still be a good pick.
Analysis: These stats prove why Liverpool are about to get their Arne Slot decision wrong
Arne Slot Under Scrutiny as Liverpool Stats Raise Serious Questions
Liverpool’s summer review has quickly turned into a debate about leadership, direction, and the weight of performance data. On the latest Big Decisions podcast, hosted by Dave Davis and featuring Trev Downey, the discussion centred on Arne Slot and whether the numbers now tell a story that can no longer be ignored.
Downey’s analysis was not reactionary, but cumulative, built on months of observation and supported by stark statistical decline. His tone reflected concern rather than outrage, yet his conclusions were difficult to dismiss.
Decline Reflected in Liverpool Stats
The most compelling argument came through performance metrics. Downey pointed directly to a dramatic drop-off, stating, “the evidence is absolutely indisputable at this point.” He referenced a split in results before and after a key point in the season, highlighting a fall from a 74.4 percent win rate to just 50 percent.
He did not soften the impact of those numbers, adding bluntly, “Appalling… it’s just absolutely shocking.”
This statistical downturn forms the backbone of the argument. Liverpool, once efficient and controlled, have become inconsistent, conceding more and scoring less. For Downey, this is not variance or bad luck, but a pattern.
Mounting Tactical and Structural Concerns
Downey’s critique extended beyond raw stats into structural issues within the team. He summarised the situation with a line that resonated throughout the discussion: “If all of these things are happening at the same time… maybe we have one problem.”
That “one problem” is implied rather than explicitly stated, but the context is clear. Issues with fitness, tactics, player form, and defensive fragility are not isolated. They point toward systemic failure.
He also challenged common defences of Slot’s tenure. On squad usage, he noted, “if you are going to deliberately shrink your squad… then you can’t go crying about lack of availability of players.” This critique suggests that some of Liverpool’s struggles are self-inflicted, rooted in managerial decisions rather than external misfortune.
Dressing Room Energy and Public Messaging
Beyond tactics and stats, Downey raised concerns about team cohesion and communication. He questioned the visible unity of the squad, asking, “do you really get the feeling that all these guys are together… are they all fighting for the same cause?”
This doubt was reinforced by his reaction to Slot’s public comments. Downey was particularly critical, saying, “he is making the club seem small time.” He referenced remarks about simply competing rather than aiming to win, adding, “we’re not there to… take part and have a chance to win it.”
Such statements, in Downey’s view, conflict with Liverpool’s modern standards and expectations.
Growing Doubts Despite Early Success
Importantly, Downey acknowledged Slot’s early success, including a league title, but suggested that momentum has since evaporated. “He was a fresh voice when it was needed… and since then it’s been all downhill,” he said.
This idea of initial uplift followed by regression is central to the debate. Was Slot the right appointment for transition, but not for sustained dominance?
Downey also expressed concern about the club’s direction if continuity is prioritised over performance. He warned that Liverpool “might be about to take a punt with the manager situation,” raising parallels with other clubs that delayed decisive action.
Conclusion
The Big Decisions podcast offered a detailed, data-driven critique of Liverpool under Arne Slot, led by Trev Downey’s measured but firm analysis. The combination of declining stats, tactical concerns, and questionable messaging has created a narrative that is difficult to ignore.
As Liverpool approach a crucial summer, the central question remains whether the club views these issues as temporary setbacks or evidence of deeper problems.
Ulster hooker James McCormick says he is "excited to get going" when Ulster travel to Thomond Park to face Munster on Saturday [17:30 BST].
With Ulster ravaged by injuries in the lead-up to this weekend's United Rugby Championship [URC] interprovincial clash in Limerick, there is an opportunity for others to step up as Richie Murphy's side enter the business end of the season.
McCormick is ready to take his chance if selected and stake his claim to be a part of some huge games in the weeks to come.
"When you're in my position and other lads the same, you're waiting on these chances all year," the 24-year-old told BBC Sport NI.
"We are hungry to play, so it's about taking these chances.
"You have to have a lot of self-belief when some weeks you don't get picked and others you do, so it's a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions.
"I'm an Ulster lad and you want to play in the big games at this time of the year. It's gutting for those [injured] lads but I'm excited to get going."
McCormick anticipates "a big challenge this week" against a Munster side that sits one point and place below Ulster in the URC standings.
With Clayton McMillan's side now out of Europe, the league is their final chance for silverware this season and McCormick, who scored a late try in the Challenge Cup quarter-final win over La Rochelle, is expecting them to throw everything at Ulster this week.
"They are going to be physical down in Limerick," he predicts.
"I played a couple of the 'A' games against them this year and if you don;t match them, don't go after them, they are very good.
"They have threats all over the pitch and don't have Europe, so will be fully stacked going after the league."
Manchester City keep Kompany in frame to succeed Guardiola as Bayern insist he’s committed
For some time now, reports have suggested that Manchester City are considering bringing back their former captain Vincent Kompany to succeed Pep Guardiola once the Catalan coach eventually departs the Etihad Stadium.
According to Sport Bild, the Premier League club still see Kompany as a “top candidate” for the role, despite the fact that the Bayern coach extended his contract until 2029 last October.
However, FC Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen believes Kompany remains fully committed to a long-term future in Munich.
"We just extended Vincent’s contract, so this question doesn’t arise for us at all," Dreesen told Sport Bild.
“I’m also convinced that Vincent doesn’t do anything without thinking it through carefully and considering all possible scenarios.
”I’m 100 percent sure he asked himself this question before committing. His answer was to extend his contract, so it doesn’t matter if anyone comes calling or how many more titles we hopefully win.”
Pep Guardiola: “Manchester will be in his heart and mind”
Pep Guardiola himself recently suggested that if Kompany were to seek a new challenge in the future, a return to Manchester City could be an option.
“He’s so young, still just one or two years in Munich, so still [he] will be there," Guardiola said, according to HaytersTV (via City Xtra).
“But sooner or later, I have the feeling, just in case he decides in a certain moment to come back to England, I'm pretty sure Manchester will be in his heart and mind, and hopefully the path will cross at a certain point in his life.”
Kompany, who played for Manchester City between 2008 and 2019, was appointed Bayern head coach at the end of May 2024.
Guardiola, his former manager at City, has been in charge of the Premier League club since 2016.
🥐 Bad blood between Arbeloa and Carvajal, today’s top 5️⃣ stories
If you’ve already made coffee and toast, you don’t need anything else to get the day started because we bring you the five stories that could shape the football conversation on Wednesday morning.
💔 Arbeloa’s coldness toward Carvajal
The lack of affection Álvaro Arbeloa shows Dani Carvajal in public, captain and Real Madrid legend, is causing plenty of talk and will continue to do so until the end of the season.
Does the full-back deserve this treatment? Do they really have a bad relationship? Several analysts (Santi Cañizares, Fermín de la Calle, Paco González...) point out that the situation goes back to the time when an emerging Carvajal pushed Arbeloa out of the first team.
📈 Barça going all in for the title
📸 David Ramos - 2026 Getty Images
Flick, currently in the middle of contract renewal talks, has a good opportunity today against Celta to move closer to the league title.
Real Madrid’s win yesterday means there can be no letting up, and Barça will field the strongest possible lineup.
Gavi is expected to return in place of Bernal, with Rashford back on the left wing.
🇬🇧🇧🇷 Lingard makes history in Brazil
The Englishman scored the decisive goal in Corinthians’ 1-0 win over Barra-SC in the Copa do Brasil.
He is the first British player to score in Copa do Brasil history. It’s true that Kazim-Richards had already scored in the 2027 Brasileirão, but Jesse’s was a goal for the history books.
😱 VAR like you’ve never seen it before
Chaos in the AFC Champions League Elite semi-final as Shabab Al Ahli’s last-gasp equaliser was ruled out because play had been restarted before Machida Zelvia’s substitution had been completed.
The 2026 NFL Draft is almost here. Teams have completed their pre-draft work, including meetings and workouts, leaving the media to run with all the latest draft rumors. Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters said it best last week:
"It's hard to really understand or figure out where everything's going to go, where everybody's going to go, and man, you hear something new every day, right?" Peters said. "Really everybody's, nobody's telling the truth."
Peters is right. No one, including him, is about to reveal anything of substance, although most teams will put some information out there to get others talking, which is why the rumor mill spins so aggressively.
We're rounding up all the latest rumors and reports surrounding the Commanders as the draft approaches, updating this story over the next two days, leading up to Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
When ESPN NFL insider Peter Schrager talks, you should listen. Schrager said he believes Carnell Tate is Washington's guy. He also said that USC WR Makai Lemon is sort of a wild card and something worth monitoring. Remember, the Commanders hosted both on top-30 visits.
Peter Schrager shares his latest intel on the #Commanders first round pick:
- WR Carnell Tate "is their guy" - Adam Peters would love to have his "future Fred Warner" in LB Sonny Styles if available - WR Makai Lemon is the wildcard if Tate isn't available pic.twitter.com/WagcWsOKaE
— Commanders on Roundtable (@WSHRoundtable) April 21, 2026
We've heard about how much the Commanders like Sonny Styles and Jeremiyah Love. Both are likely gone before Washington goes on the clock, but Todd McShay says he has it on "good authority" that Styles is head coach Dan Quinn's guy.
Peter Schrager strikes again. Most of the talk surrounding the Cardinals using the No. 3 pick on Love feels like them trying to drum up trade interest. However, the Titans and Love at No. 4 have been a hot rumor since the 2026 NFL combine. Schrager says not so fast. Don't get excited, Washington fans, because it sounds like the Giants at No. 5 are ready to pounce if Love gets past Tennessee.
Peter Schrager no longer believes the Titans will take Jeremiyah Love at no. 4.
We've heard of how much Washington likes Love throughout the pre-draft process. It's almost felt like, at times, that the Commanders are daring others to pick Love. As we've gotten closer to the draft, it's clear that Love is not falling to Washington. If he does, it's a guarantee that he does not fall any further, with SI's Albert Breer calling the Commanders the "floor" for Love.
Albert Breer on the #Commanders seventh overall pick via The Breer Report:
“I think this could be the floor for Jeremiyah Love”
Commanders GM Adam Peters almost said as much last week. He doesn't reveal a lot, but even he admitted it was more likely that Washington would remain at No. 7 and pick. This doesn't mean Peters wouldn't want to move back, but it could also be him realizing there are too few teams willing to move up. It could also be a case of Peters wanting to land a blue-chip talent, something that's less likely if the Commanders move back. The voice of the Commanders, Bram Weinstein, agrees, calling a move back "unlikely."
Of course, things could change on draft night if Washington's phone rings and a team is desperate. Remember, the Commanders are without picks in the second and fourth rounds.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ injuries haven't stopped, and the hope and expectation is that at some point, a lot of this will look different than what it currently does.
As things stand at the moment, maybe the Blue Jays have been one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball, though it's almost impossible to get upset about it considering the injuries they've dealt with on both sides of the ball.
At 10-13, Toronto hasn't put itself in a horrible spot, but it will need to get healthy. According to the words from George Springer, the star outfielder who is currently sidelined with a toe injury, it sounds like he could be back rather soon.
"I mean, I don’t really put expectations on it. I’ve just expected it to hurt," Springer said on Tuesday. "I’m not going into it thinking it’s going to feel good, and then when it hurts, I just get angry about it. It’s a broken bone. So, you know, not much I could do besides just say, ‘Screw it, is what it is.’"
Regarding when Springer could be back, it was reported that the veteran might be targeting a Friday return, which would be a home game in the first contest of a three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians.
“While a Friday return remains the optimistic target, Springer is finding ways to navigate the mental frustration of being sidelined by staying as active as possible within the clubhouse,” Courtney Hollmon of MLB.com wrote.
Springer, despite being older in his career now, is still a very good player and somebody Toronto needs back as soon as possible.
With a postseason that has already yielded a few unexpected results, the Thunder and Suns Game 1 was exactly the opposite. The defending champion Thunder coasted to a convincing 119-84 victory.
After finishing 19 games above the Suns at the end of the season, the Thunder remain the heavy favorites, with Game 1 being no different.
Oklahoma City had some expected top performers, like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's game-leading 25 points or Jalen Williams getting 22 of his own. But once the Thunder established a convincing lead, their bench kept it intact. Nine different players came off the bench, totaling 40 points.
To no one's surprise, Devin Booker led the Suns with 23 points. The major problem for the Suns was the lack of ball sharing, with no player securing more than three assists.
Here's what you need to know about Wednesday's matchup between the Thunder and the Suns, including broadcast information and start time.
Thunder vs. Suns Game 2 will be broadcast by ABC/ESPN and will stream live on the ESPN app.
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Thunder vs. Suns start time
Date: Wednesday, April 22
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs series between the Thunder and Suns is set to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Watch: Real Madrid duo faced Santiago Bernabeu’s wrath in Alaves win
During Real Madrid’s home game against Alaves, there was a noticeable edge inside Santiago Bernabeu even before the game had kicked off.
When the teams were announced, the reaction towards Vinicius Jr. hinted at growing frustration.
It was not overwhelming at first, but it was enough to signal that patience is starting to wear thin.
As the match unfolded, that tension did not fade – it built, as every involvement from the Brazilian seemed to amplify the reaction.
Instead of the usual energy and backing he often receives, there was a clear sense of dissatisfaction from sections of the crowd.
It created an uncomfortable dynamic, both for the player and for the team.
Carreras in spotlight too
What makes the situation more striking is that Vinicius has often been one of the emotional leaders of this side.
But this season, expectations have been different. With the arrival of Kylian Mbappe and the pressure to deliver silverware, the margin for inconsistency has become extremely small.
When performances dip, the Bernabeu does not stay quiet.
The frustration was not limited to one individual, either. Earlier in the match, Alvaro Carreras drew a reaction after a defensive lapse that nearly gifted Alaves a clear opportunity.
It was a sign that the crowd’s patience with mistakes had already run out.
Then there was Camavinga
The most intense moment, however, arrived in the second half.
When Eduardo Camavinga was introduced, the reception he received spoke volumes.
There is still a lingering memory among fans of the red card in Munich, a moment many associate with the club’s European disappointment, and that frustration resurfaced instantly.
On the touchline, Alvaro Arbeloa tried to lift the midfielder before he stepped onto the pitch, aware of the situation he was walking into.
Once on, Camavinga had to deal not just with the opposition but with the atmosphere around him.
In that moment, Federico Valverde stepped in quickly, offering encouragement and helping his teammate stay composed amid the noise, but ultimately, the message was sent.
NEW DELHI: It was India's opening match in the 2012 T20 World Cup. A star-studded line-up brimming with confidence on the back of a historic ODI World Cup victory in 2011, they were pitted against an Afghanistan side still trying to figure out the whims and fancies of ICC events, with this being their second appearance in World Cups.
Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag were the openers as India were asked to bat first by then-Afghan skipper Nawroz Mangal. Facing a bowler of 6 ft 2.5 in stature is always a formidable task. Ask Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag even today, and they’ll remember the name of Shapoor Zadran and how he blew the pair away in his opening spell of the World Cup, dismissing them for just 10 and 8 runs.
That well-built left-arm pacer is now bed-ridden, battling for his life in India.
Shapoor Zadran suffering from rare disease
The man who once sprinted to the crease with flowing hair and a menacing left-arm angle is now grappling with an enemy that cannot be caught behind the stumps. Shapoor, who will turn 39 this July, is suffering from Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
It is a rare and life-threatening condition where the immune system essentially turns on itself. Instead of protecting the body, the immune system begins to attack healthy tissues and organs, leading to hyper-inflammation and severe damage to the bone marrow, liver, and spleen.
While the disease predominantly strikes children, it can inflict adults susceptible to severe infection. Shapoor, who played 80 internationals for his country between 2009 and 2020, first felt unwell in October last year. What started as TB and a full-body infection eventually revealed its true, more sinister stage four HLH.
The treatment leading to Delhi
When the condition worsened, the medical advice in Kabul became unanimous. "Our doctor in Afghanistan advised us to come to India. Everyone said the treatment here is very good, and the whole world knows that India has some of the best medical care. That’s why we came," Shapoor’s younger brother, Ghamai Zadran, told TimesofIndia.com during an exclusive conversation.
Getting him to the right facility was a collective effort. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chairman Mirwais Ashraf and cricketer Rashid Khan used his extensive network to fast-track the process.
Shapoor arrived in India on January 18 and was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit of a New Delhi hospital.
For the Zadran family, who traveled from around the world to be by his side, the medical care in India has been a source of comfort.
"Honestly, it is even better than we expected," Ghamai, who stays in Canada, added. "His doctor calls him a 'hero' and a 'legend'. The doctor is very experienced, the staff is excellent, and the hospital is great. They’re taking really good care of him. We’re very thankful."
A fraternity stands guard
Cricket is often called a gentleman's game, but for the Afghan team, it is a brotherhood forged in the fire of shared struggle. The support for Shapoor has been visceral. Former captain Asghar Afghan didn't just call; he came to the hospital for a week to help physically.
Even now, he visits every few days to check on his old teammate.
"Raees Ahmadzai, Nawroz Mangal, Mohammad Nabi, they all call," Ghamai told this website. "During the World Cup, Rashid Khan and other players came to visit him. Even now, Rashid is in close touch with me. When Mumbai and Delhi had a match (in IPL), Allah Ghazanfar, who is playing for Mumbai Indians, came twice. He even offered to help shift him to Ambani Hospital if needed. Even yesterday, Afghanistan’s former President Hamid Karzai called to speak with us."
Despite the high-profile visitors and the offers of aid, the family is adamant about not seeking money.
"Alhamdulillah, our family is financially strong. We don’t need money. We don’t need financial support, just prayers. That’s all we need, prayers," Ghamai emphasized.
Shapoor is a now successful businessman in Kabul, running a large company that manufactures door, window, and other home accessories.
The battle is slow. There are small improvements, but the condition remains serious. Shapoor, once the spearhead of the Afghan pace attack, now finds himself in the longest match of his life.
He talks very little and lacks the energy for long conversations, but the spirit that saw him dismiss world-class openers in 2012 remains intact.
Ghamai concluded, "He’s fighting very hard, just like he did in cricket. He never complains about pain or difficulty. He just says, 'I’ve fought all my life, and I’ll fight this illness too.'"
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Scott Twine of Bristol City is challenged by James Bree of Southampton during the Sky Bet Championship match between Southampton and Bristol City at St Mary's Stadium on April 21, 2026 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Surprise
Arne Slot is expected to continue as Liverpool head coach next season, Sky Sports News understands, as the club close in on Champions League qualification 🔴 pic.twitter.com/twk9XFZrZa
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2026
Aston Villa have confirmed the North Stand of Villa Park will be shut for the entirety of the 2026-27 season as part of the club’s plan to expand the stadium.
Villa’s vision has long been to create a 50,000-plus capacity stadium, increasing the maximum crowd size by 8,000 in… pic.twitter.com/oAFAXe8IgC
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 21, 2026
Roma forced to record €80 million in capital gain by 30 June
The Friedkins have chosen, at least for now, not to make a final decision on the Gasperini-Ranieri dispute, but one aspect cannot be overlooked.
Roma must record approximately €80 million in capital gains by June 30.
This is a crucial financial objective for the club, which therefore finds itself forced to sell at least one big player to meet its financial demands.
The club is already working on negotiations to achieve this revenue, but the road still appears long and complex.
Commercially, Roma has signed two new sponsorship deals that will help strengthen its finances. Wizz Air will bring €2 million into the Giallorossi’s coffers in June.
Furthermore, the agreement with Eurobet.live will guarantee an initial payment of approximately €8 million. Another €15 million could arrive from the agreement between Serie A and IMG.
These new revenues, however, are not enough to completely bridge the gap, and Massara is already working to finalize the sales.
As Il Messaggero reports, Roma’s sporting director has already initiated discussions with several clubs regarding the initial transfers.
The first to leave is expected to be Baldanzi, whose €10 million buyout from Genoa will generate a €4.5 million capital gain.
Other negotiations could involve Salah-Eddine, destined for PSV Eindhoven for around €8 million, with the club merely recouping the purchase fee. Shomurodov’s buyout also appears imminent, as does Angeliño, who has asked to be sold.
As for the big names, Roma will need to make at least one high-profile sale to reach their capital gains target.
The most discussed players are Svilar, Koné, and Ndicka. The Frenchman, in particular, is in Inter’s sights, and currently appears to be the closest to a possible departure. Roma is asking €45 million.
AC Milan lose patience with Barcelona veteran and turn to new target
According to a report from MARCA, it has come to light that AC Milan have decided to step away from a potential move for Robert Lewandowski, bringing an end to speculation linking the veteran forward with a move to Serie A.
The Italian side had been monitoring Lewandowski’s situation closely amid uncertainty surrounding his future at Barcelona.
The Polish striker has been assessing his next step, particularly with no clear progress in contract discussions with the Catalan club.
The idea of joining a historic side aiming for a resurgence made the move appear logical from the player’s perspective.
From Milan’s side, the opportunity was financially attractive as a potential deal could have been structured without a transfer fee, making it a low-risk move for an experienced striker with a proven goal-scoring record.
However, the situation has now shifted.
Milan are out of the race
Milan have grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of clarity surrounding Lewandowski’s decision-making process.
AC Milan are no longer interested in Lewandowski. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
With the player still waiting to resolve his situation at Barcelona, the Italian club has opted not to wait any longer and has redirected their focus towards Alexander Sorloth as an alternative attacking option.
There has been no formal offer presented, and more notably, no clear communication.
Understandably, this lack of direction has left the striker in a holding pattern.
While he remains open to continuing at Barcelona, the absence of a defined plan from the club has created doubt over his long-term place in the project.
At present, Lewandowski appears to have already lost one suitor, but that does not mean his demand in the market has vanished altogether.
Despite being 37, he is still wanted by a few European giants as well as clubs from Saudi Arabia and the Major League Soccer.
“Manchester will be in his heart” – Pep Guardiola tips Vincent Kompany for Etihad Stadium return
Guardiola congratulates Vincent Kompany and Bayern Munich on winning the Bundesliga
City manager insists Kompany will have Man City “in his heart” if he ever returns to England
City face Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday as they chase Arsenal in the title race
Pep Guardiola has paid a glowing tribute to former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany after his Bayern Munich side clinched the Bundesliga title.
Kompany has guided Bayern Munich to back-to-back Bundesliga titles, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young managers in European football in the process.
The 40-year-old’s Bayern side are also through to the UEFA Champions League semi-final, underlining a remarkable rise that Guardiola insists he saw coming from the moment Kompany took his first steps in management.
Burnley vs Manchester City (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How to Watch
Manchester City travel to Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday night in a fixture that takes on added significance given City’s pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the table.
Guardiola: Not bad at all, congratulations Vinny
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Turf Moor, Guardiola was warm in his assessment of how far Kompany has come since their last managerial encounter three years ago.
“Well, I would say not bad at all,” he said. “So, congratulations of course (to) Vinny and Bayern Munich – a place (where) I was, a place I have a lot of friends.
“Again they show high, high quality football and entertaining football with a lot of goals and actions. I know the people are so happy in Munich, so they won again the Bundesliga. Just a huge congratulations for the whole organisation from Bayern because it’s extraordinary.
“Really, really extraordinary club, well managed on the sidelines, on the board, with all the people, to the fans. And now, yeah, ready for the semi-final of the Champions League. So I wish him of course all the best.”
Guardiola spent three seasons at Bayern Munich between 2013 and 2016, winning three successive Bundesliga titles before departing for Manchester City. His affection for the club and the city is well-documented, making his praise for Kompany’s work there carry a particularly personal weight.
Pep Guardiola close to three-game Manchester City ban
Manchester will be in Kompany heart, says Pep
Pressed on whether Kompany remains a future Manchester City manager, a suggestion Guardiola himself has floated publicly on more than one occasion, the 55-year-old was characteristically thoughtful.
“I’m not suspicious to say. I did it, I said that for a long time ago when he was in, I think in Burnley, in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup we played at home and I saw the games, I said that guy will be manager sooner or later,” he said.
“But he’s so young, still have just two years in Munich, one or two years in Munich, so still will be there. But sooner or later I have the feeling when just in case, just in case he decides in a certain moment, he will decide, Bayern will decide, to come back to England, I’m pretty sure Manchester will be in his heart and will be in his mind, and hopefully the path will cross at a certain point in his life.”
The comments will inevitably reignite speculation over Guardiola’s own future at the club, with the Catalan due to make a decision on whether to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium beyond the current season before the end of May.
Whoever fills the dugout at Manchester City in the years ahead, Guardiola’s endorsement of Kompany as a natural long-term successor is as clear as it has ever been.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 24: Paddy Pimblett of England reacts to the decison in the UFC lightweight interim championship bout during the UFC 324 event at T-Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
UFC 324 was supposed to be the Paddy Pimblett show.
Everything was lined up for “The Baddy” to capture interim gold on the biggest stage possible. Not only did Pimblett have a significant edge in momentum and youth over Justin Gaethje, but “The Highlight” was hampered by an apparent staph infection. Pimblett was supposed to dispose of another older fighter in the UFC’s Paramount debut, setting the stage for an Ilia Topuria title grudge match five years in the making.
Instead, Gaethje beat Pimblett from pillar to post (watch here), walked away with interim gold, and will now take Pimblett’s would-be opportunity against Topuria at the UFC White House. It was a bit of a bummer for Topuria, who was looking forward to a high-profile grudge match as his first title defense. Three months later, Topuria is less bothered by losing the chance to face Pimblett, but he still can’t believe how badly the Englishman performed and questioned whether he can ever become a true contender.
“I was a little surprised at how bad Paddy really is. I was expecting him to win, to be honest.
He really proved that he’s a little sausage… How is he going to gain the skills and technique needed in this sport? That’s basically impossible. He needs to die and be born again.
“I was a little surprised at how bad Paddy really is,” Topuria told Ariel Helwani. “I was expecting him to win, to be honest. I was expecting him to take Justin down, to do a different fight. What he did inside the Octagon in that fight, it surprised me a little bit. He really proved that he’s a little sausage.
… Rebound from a loss? Of course, but how he is going to gain the skills and technique needed in the sport? That’s basically impossible. He needs to die and be born again … now he’s too far [down the rankings], we don’t see him in the horizon anymore. Bye Paddy. I didn’t even have to step inside the octagon to beat him, so that feels even a little bit better.”
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 21: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammate Joshua Kimmich during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on March 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With Bayern Munich in the running for two cups that they haven’t won in six years, they will have to do without the resurgent Serge Gnabry (reSergent?) for up to four months due to an injury sustained from practicing penalties (weirdly enough). Vice-captain Joshua Kimmich is aware of the 30-year-old’s importance to the team and laments losing one of the team’s serviceable members.
“We miss Serge terribly. In the dressing room, on the pitch,” Kimmich said (as captured by X account @iMiaSanMia). “It’s a really, really big loss – both as a footballer and as a person. It’s going to hurt us a lot, but I hope we can somehow compensate for it.”
The Bavarians are fortunate enough to have Jamal Musiala slowly getting back up to speed because Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof are both out injured as well, though they will both return soon. With crunch games in the horizon for the newly crowned 2025/26 Bundesliga champions, the last thing they need is more injuries to key players.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Pulling on the red and black of Down was always an ambition for Danny Magill.
With his father, Miceal, an All-Ireland winner in 1994, football was in the blood and in the 2023 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final, Magill made his debut in the competition, scoring a point in the win over Donegal.
The 24-year-old won't play this Sunday when the teams meet in Letterkenny [15:00 BST]. A cruciate injury sustained in the first round of the Down SFC for Burren against Castlewellan has left him on the outside looking in throughout 2026 as he continues his recovery.
"I'm getting there, close," he says of his current status, but the desire to return to county colours mirrors his early ambitions as he seeks to get back on the pitch for Conor Laverty's side.
The initial pain, both physical and psychological has subsided with Magill "at one with it now" as he continues to work towards a return and has taken inspiration from some of Gaelic football's biggest names like Colm Cooper, Bernard Brogan and Ciaran Kilkenny who suffered the same fate but thrived upon their return.
"If you don't know me, know me personally, I've become sort of a psychopath with it all," Magill says of his recovery.
"I'm at one with it in terms of I know what to do every day and if I do that every day I sleep a wee bit better at night and I know how to attack the next day.
"I'm working out twice a day, four days a week and the other three days I'm hitting something else. I'm either on grass or in the gym for upper body. I'm at one with it in terms of I can't change it. The only thing I can affect is how I come back and the plan is to come back bigger, better, faster, stronger.
"I'm at one with it in terms of everyone knows where I want to get to and everyone's pushing me towards that goal."
'I have a fear of being average'
There have been "plenty of dark nights" as he worked on his own programme while his team-mates pushed themselves out on the training pitch.
It's all to reach one goal: to be the best version of themselves and bring the glory days back to the Mourne County.
"I think the group itself and the boys that I go to training with every day are completely obsessed with wanting to play for Down and I think that I am obsessed with playing for Down," he continued.
"I'm playing at the highest level. I have a fear of being average. I don't like the word average.
"I want myself and I want the boys and the group to play at the top level and to take on the likes of Donegal and the likes of Kerry and the likes of Galway, because I don't see why do you play football to go play, just to be a nobody. You want to be remembered.
"You want to leave your own legacy. Playing for Down, there's a proud history there. You've won five All-Irelands but you don't want to be a nobody playing for Down.
"We want to leave our own mark and I suppose I have the drive to get back there for myself personally and to be back playing for Down on a regular basis and to play at the top level on a regular basis."
'Our dream is to put Down back at the top'
They aren't quite there yet, but promotion to Division Two was secured earlier this year which gives them realistic hope of playing in this year's race for Sam Maguire.
Last year, Down enjoyed a positive championship campaign, bowing out at the hands of Galway after a thriller in Newry and these are the games and occasions they crave.
On Sunday, they take on back-to-back Ulster champions Donegal, exactly the type of test this group of Down players crave.
"I felt like we gave a really good record of ourselves last year and I felt like we were in a really good spot because we were disappointed we didn't beat Galway and that's the truth," Magill, a GAA coaching officer in St Louis, Kilkeel says.
"Every player here wants to be playing Sam Maguire football. Everyone wants it down at the top table. Everyone wants to play a Donegal, to bring a Kerry or a Dublin to Newry.
"You get big crowds and that's what the fans want. That's what the fans deserve and that's all the Down fans know is playing at the top level and challenging at the top level. So, it is a dream and an aspiration for us to get back there."
Of course, following in his father's footsteps with an All-Ireland title is the overall ambition.
Down did win the 2024 Tailteann Cup, but in a county with such a rich tradition, 32 years without Ulster or Sam Maguire success is an eternity.
"My dad still slags me, he's won an All-Ireland and I've none, so he still goes on about that," Magill says.
"It's always good craic with that, but I want to write my own history with this Down team."
NEW DELHI: The IPL 2026 Orange Cap race has taken a dramatic turn, with Abhishek Sharma storming to the top after a sensational unbeaten 135 against Delhi Capitals, a knock that underlined both his form and dominance this season. The Sunrisers Hyderabad opener now leads the charts with 323 runs, averaging 53.83 at a staggering strike rate of 215.33, setting the benchmark for the competition.
Close on his heels is teammate Heinrich Klaasen, who has been equally impactful with 320 runs. Klaasen’s consistency and finishing ability have made him a vital pillar in SRH’s batting line-up, keeping the pressure firmly on Abhishek at the summit.
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Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill occupies third place with 265 runs from just five matches, combining leadership with reliability. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli follows in fourth with 247 runs, continuing his steady run of form, while Rajasthan Royals young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi completes the top five with 246 runs in an impressive breakout season.
Further down the list, SRH’s stand-in captain Ishan Kishan has climbed to sixth with 238 runs, edging past RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, who sits seventh with 230. Punjab Kings’ Cooper Connolly and Rajasthan Royals’ Yashasvi Jaiswal are tied on 223 runs, occupying eighth and ninth respectively, while PBKS batter Priyansh Arya rounds off the top 10 with 211 runs.
With margins so tight and multiple players in peak form, the Orange Cap race is shaping up to be one of the most compelling storylines of IPL 2026. Each innings is proving decisive, with positions shifting rapidly as batters push the limits.
IPL 2026 Orange Cap Standings
Rank
Player
Runs
Matches
Innings
SR
Ave.
HS
1
Abhishek Sharma (SRH)
323
7
7
215.33
53.83
135*
2
Heinrich Klaasen (SRH)
320
7
7
153.11
53.33
62
3
Shubman Gill (GT)
265
5
5
151.42
53.00
86
4
Virat Kohli (RCB)
247
6
6
157.32
49.40
69*
5
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR)
246
6
6
236.53
41.00
78
6
Ishan Kishan (SRH)
238
7
7
188.88
34.00
91
7
Rajat Patidar (RCB)
230
6
6
212.96
46.00
63
8
Cooper Connolly (PBKS)
223
6
5
163.97
55.75
87
9
Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR)
223
6
6
152.73
55.75
77*
10
Priyansh Arya (PBKS)
211
5
5
248.23
42.20
93
In a match that briefly influenced these standings on Tuesday, Abhishek’s blistering 135 powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a 47-run win over Delhi Capitals, reinforcing his grip on the coveted cap.
It was another rather disappointing season for the Golden State Warriors, an organization that's used to winning NBA championships. I don't want to say that any season that doesn't end in a championship for the Warriors at this stage should be viewed as a disappointment, but most fans would probably see it that way.
The Warriors still have some very good talent, as well as a superstar in Stephen Curry, who's only getting older. That's something that the Warriors will have to figure out this offseason, and they need to give Curry another chance to win a championship.
It's uncertain who the Warriors could even go after at this point, as there isn't a guarantee that anybody will be available star-wise in a trade this offseason until it happens, but some have floated the idea that Kawhi Leonard is one of the players who could be.
Leonard, still one of the better players in the NBA, wouldn't require the same type of haul that the Warriors would have to give up in comparison to somebody like Giannis Antetokounmpo, if he becomes available.
Golden State Warriors Receive: Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Jimmy Butler, Will Richard, 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick swap
“The Warriors’ angle is simple. They just went 37-45, ranked 18th in offensive rating, 17th in defensive rating, and 20th in net rating. That is not a roster that needs another small tweak. That is a roster that needs a sharper top-end fit around Stephen Curry before facing the Suns in the Play-In,” Fran Leiva wrote.
Giving up two first-round picks plus Butler wouldn't be ideal for the Warriors, but it might be what has to happen to land a player of his caliber. Frankly, however, I'd be a bit surprised to see the Warriors want to get rid of two picks, Butler, and then a young player in Richard.
The NFL Draft begins Thursday and Channel 2 Action News is your home for everything draft related.
All seven rounds from Pittsburgh are airing LIVE on Channel 2. Our special coverage begins at 7 p.m. with WSB-TV Sports Zone: NFL Draft Special followed by the NFL Draft first round at 8 p.m.
🥐☕ FC Breakfast: surprise droughts, Yamal's bold Messi claim
The Most Surprising Title Droughts in Europe 🏆❌
A look at the winners of Europe’s top 10 leagues since the start of the century. Several anomalies stand out: Ajax have not been champions since 2022, and Fenerbahçe, Turkey’s most successful club, have been chasing another title since 2014.
The droughts of Panathinaikos (2010), AS Roma (2001), and Anderlecht (2017) are also surprising. Finally, Arsenal have not managed to dust off their trophy cabinet since the Invincibles’ title in 2004, despite picking up a few FA Cups here and there. Here’s an overview.
📸 Emilio Sansolini
Yamal’s Strong Statement on Messi 🎙️
Asked after winning the Laureus award for World Breakthrough of the Year, Lamine Yamal admitted that he dreams of following a Lionel Messi-like path.
Chelsea in Deep Trouble 🥶
Thrashed by Brighton on Tuesday night (0-3), Chelsea have now suffered five straight Premier League defeats, gone five matches without scoring, and sit in seventh place, which all but rules them out of the Champions League race.
OM Innovates 💎
A very techno light show is coming to the Vélodrome! Could it be enough to galvanize Olympique de Marseille’s players during this crisis period?
The New York Knicks are currently tied at 1-1 with the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. In typical New York fan fashion, some are already starting to panic about losing. The reality here is that the Knicks are the better team, and if they don't win, we will probably see major changes.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but the most likely outcome, or the hope at least, would be going out to get Giannis Antetokounmpo. It remains uncertain if the Milwaukee Bucks want to move on from him, but it's at least something the Knicks will attempt to do, if I had to guess.
If that plan doesn't work, the Knicks could look a few different ways, and in a recent trade proposal, they do exactly that with another veteran star, though he isn't as good as Antetokounmpo.
“New York Knicks Receive: Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Pacome Dadiet, 2032 first-round pick
“A Brunson-Towns-Leonard core would give the Knicks far more half-court shot creation than they have now, and OG Anunoby would still be there to keep the defensive wing structure intact. My read is simple: if the Knicks ever decide to turn Bridges into a bigger playoff ceiling, this is the version that actually makes sense on the numbers,” Fran Leiva wrote.
Somebody like Leonard would be very interesting in New York for many reasons. If we're going based on play alone, he's still among the elite of the elite. The injury history is certainly something to be mindful of, and the Knicks and every other team around the NBA understand that. However, it's also tough to say that Leonard would fit in perfectly in New York. He's someone who likes to keep to himself, and the New York media typically doesn't allow for that. He's playing in Los Angeles now, but it's just a different beast.
Regardless, I think this could work out, as he's a very good player and would be welcomed by most of the fan base.
The New York Yankees have been dealing with a ton of injuries throughout the year, and one of them is to starting shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Volpe, a youngster who some fans have grown frustrated with, has been a polarizing player, to say the least.
During his time in New York, he's found some success but has also had moments when things haven't gone as well as they should.
To me, some of that is due to the injury Volpe dealt with a year ago, as he had surgery during the offseason on his shoulder. Had Volpe not been injured, I believe he would have been better than what we saw.
Regardless, there's been a lot of positive news coming from the Yankees recently on injuries, and Volpe was the latest on that front. The team announced that he was sent from Double-A to Triple-A and even played in a Triple-A game after four games in Somerset.
“Today, the Yankees transferred the rehab assignment of INF Anthony Volpe from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.”
The youngster hit a home run and collected another hit during the contest.
When Volpe returns, the expectation is for him to be the starting shortstop. Some fans had hoped that Jose Caballero would be the guy who could fit in that role, but Caballero wasn't good enough to suggest him playing every day.
Volpe will have to work his way back, and it remains uncertain how long the Yankees expect him to be down there, but hopefully, it won't be too long until we see him back in the Bronx.
The Seattle Seahawks roster will look very different from a season ago, when they won a Super Bowl, but there's still a lot to like about what the organization has done in free agency and what it can do in the NFL Draft.
The Seahawks are in one of those positions where they can go out and make the necessary moves to improve this roster by replacing guys that they lost during the offseason, and there's reason to believe they'll do just that.
Whether they want to try to find a running back, help the secondary, or address a position they just think they need to improve, there are a wide range of places Seattle can take this.
“Coming off a championship season, picking 32nd and with just four picks total, this scenario seemed to have been designed in a lab for a John Schneider trade down. And maybe, just maybe, someone wants to come get Simpson at the bottom of the round (would Arizona want to leapfrog the Jets?).
“Regardless of how all that works out, Seattle will be on the lookout for guys to replace Kenneth Walker, Coby Bryant, Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen in the rotation at their respective positions. Should they get stuck at 32, Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price could be an interesting consideration for Schneider and Mike Macdonald, especially considering the drop-off at running back after he and Love come off the board,” Albert Breer wrote.
I wouldn't suggest taking a running back for the Seahawks too early. I understand the need to replace Kenneth Walker, but I also think this system is designed for running backs to be rather decent, as long as the options are at least suitable.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 13: Bennedict Mathurin #00 and Isaiah Jackson #22 of the Indiana Pacers block out Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the preseason game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 13, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
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MILWAUKEE – The Indiana Pacers were 13-38 when the NBA trade deadline arrived in February, which was the worst record in the Eastern Conference at the time. They owned their 2026 first-round draft pick thanks to a smart trade last summer, meaning their poor record was trending toward a top selection in a strong 2026 draft.
Then, the Pacers made a bold trade. To acquire defensive anchor Ivica Zubac, Indiana agreed to a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. Zubac and Kobe Brown went to the Pacers. Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a second-round draft pick, and two first-round picks went to the Clippers.
One of the two first-round draft picks is the Pacers 2029 selection, and the second rounder is the Dallas Mavericks 2028 pick that the Pacers had previously acquired. Those are straightforward. But the other first rounder included in the deal is what made the trade bold – it’s the Pacers 2026 first-round draft pick. But it wasn’t sent outright.
Instead, it was traded with protections. If the pick falls within the top-four draft slots after the draft lottery on May 10, the Pacers will keep it and send the Clippers a 2031 first rounder, unprotected. If the pick lands outside of the top four, it will go to Los Angeles.
What makes the protections fascinating is that the Pacers have no control over their destiny. The top four picks in the NBA Draft are currently determined by the lottery, and every pick afterwards is made in the inverse order of the standings. Even after the trade, the Pacers had no way of guaranteeing that their 2026 first rounder would land in the top four.
“That’s a business decision. I can’t predict what happens in the lottery. Whatever happens, happens,” Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith said of the projected 2026 pick being included in the trade.
What did the Pacers draft pick trade do to their season?
While the Pacers had just 13 wins at the time of the trade, their final spot in the standings was far from certain. On that same date, the Sacramento Kings (12 wins), Utah Jazz (16), New Orleans Pelicans (13), Brooklyn Nets (13), and Washington Wizards (14) were near the Pacers in the NBA’s basement. None of those teams had been eliminated from the playoffs yet, but they were about a month away, meaning draft positioning was already a focus for several of those franchises.
The Pacers couldn’t reach the postseason field with certainty on March 11. They were the first team in the league to be hit with that fate, and their early-February trade became even more felt at that point.
With no postseason action to play for, the Pacers spot in the inverse standings became a major point to follow. If they finished with a bottom-three record, they’d have the highest possible odds of keeping their pick in the draft lottery. But if they finished with the fourth-worst record or better, their odds would drop somewhat.
“We’d like to have a top-four pick,” Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan said with a laugh when asked what he still hopes to add to his team after the trade. “Depending on if we have the pick or don’t have the pick determines some of what we do roster-wise, what we have flexibility-wise with the cap.”
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 23: Kobe Brown #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers dives for a loose ball while being guarded by Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 23, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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A bottom-three finish would give the blue and gold a 52.1% chance at landing a top-four pick via the NBA draft lottery. The fourth-worst record would drop that percentage to 48.1%, then 42.1% at the fifth-worst spot. The Pacers, like every eliminated team, actually had a reason to aim for the bottom.
When addressing a question about teams angling to improve their draft position, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “I think what we’re seeing is modern analytics where it’s so clear that the incentives are misaligned.” The word incentive is fitting, and the Pacers had incentive to aim for a bottom-three record. They already did somewhat before making the trade for Zubac thanks to their 13-38 record. But after the deal, they had perhaps even more motivation.
After the All-Star break, the Pacers lost a franchise record 16 games in a row. Injuries mounted, just like they had all season. Their schedule was challenging from early March to the end of the campaign. The confluence of health, incentives, and opponent quality led to a pile of losses.
After making the trade to acquire Zubac, the Pacers went 6-25 the rest of the way. They finished 19-63, and that ranked as the second-worst record in the NBA. Only the Wizards were worse.
And that finish means the Pacers enter the upcoming draft lottery with the best possible odds of keeping their top-four protected pick. There’s a 52.1% chance their selection is drawn into the top four, and the 2026 rookie class is considered very strong at the top. The other 47.9% of lottery outcomes would have the pick going to the Clippers – the only possibilities there are pick five and six.
“We don’t control that,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of the draft lottery. “If it doesn’t happen, there’s a contingency plan to build the team up too. We’re going to view it as a win-win situation… If it turns out we don’t get one of the four picks, then we’ve fulfilled a pretty significant part of what we owe the Clippers and we’ve gotten a center.”
The odds that the Pacers end up with the number one overall selection is 14%. That would be quite the prize for the team after a crummy season. But the franchise has to wait just over two more weeks to know their draft fate, and that fate will be determined by the best-possible odds.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
All eyes are set to be on Fernando Mendoza at the 2026 NFL Draft, where he's expected to be the No. 1 pick to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mendoza has now been in the spotlight arguably more than any other college quarterback for months — after leading Indiana to an unbeaten season as the national champions, he's now set to be an NFL star.
In the weeks prior to the draft, however, an alleged old social media comment by Mendoza went viral, with him facing criticism over the words he left on a post about George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in 2020.
Here's what to know about Mendoza's alleged old comment on the Instagram post.
An Instagram post from LeBron James in 2020 was recently resurfaced, which shows a photo of police officer Derrick Chauvin kneeling on Floyd. Chauvin killed Floyd while he was being arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May 2020, and he was arrested and convicted of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
Alongside that was a photo of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick also kneeling, with the caption "This...Is Why."
Mendoza, would have then been in high school, allegedly left a comment on James' post that read: "You need to explain the context of the first photo of the cop on the man, because you never know what he did wrong."
Weeks before the NFL Draft, Mendoza's alleged comment on James' 2020 post was resurfaced on social media, including an X post from the account "Pop Crave" that got over 10 million impressions.
Fernando Mendoza is under fire following a resurfaced comment he made on LeBron James’ post about George Floyd:
“You need to explain the context of the first photo of the cop on the man, because you never know what he did wrong 🤷♂️” pic.twitter.com/hFGAhGoEUp
Running backs, across NFL history, have not been one of the more valued positions — both in free agency and in the draft.
Considering that most data will show an average running back can produce well behind a dominant offensive line, most teams invest their largest contracts on quarterbacks, receivers, defensive lineman or offensive lineman. But there are exceptions to that philosophy of not using premiere draft picks on a running back, especially when a special prospect comes around.
In 2026, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love — simultaneously viewed as one of the most electric and safest players available — is expected to become a top-10 pick, if not a top-5 selection. Should that happen, he'd join an exclusive list full of elite running backs in the 21st century who were drafted with a high slot.
Here's a look at the highest-drafted running backs in the NFL since 2000.
Since 2000, there have been 17 running backs to go in the top-10 of the NFL Draft.
Here's a look at each of those selections.
Jamal Lewis, 2000, No. 5 overall
The Baltimore Ravens took the first running back in the 2000 NFL Draft, selecting Tennessee's Jamal Lewis.
Lewis would spent seven years as a Raven, contributing to a Super Bowl title in his rookie year — he became the youngest player to play in and win a Super Bowl. He also had some outstanding seasons in the NFL, with 2,066 yards on the ground in 2003, which remains the third-most in a single season, named the Offensive Player of the Year.
In 2012, Lewis was inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor. He was also a one-time First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2003, later spending time with the Browns.
Thomas Jones, 2000, No. 7 overall
There were two top-10 running backs in 2000, with the Arizona Cardinals also selecting Virginia's Thomas Jones at No. 7.
Jones didn't wind up becoming a star in Arizona, but he would have five career 1,000-yard seasons between the Bears and Jets from 2005-09. When he retired, he was among the top-25 rushers in NFL history, with a 2008 Pro Bowl selection and over 10,000 rushing yards in total.
Jones played for the Cardinals, Buccaneers, Bears, Jets and Chiefs from 2000 to 2011.
The Chargers are certainly thrilled with how this selection panned out. LaDainian Tomlinson, coming out of TCU, went No. 5 in the 2001 Draft, then went on to become an MVP and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Over 11 NFL seasons, including nine with the Chargers, Tomlinson was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a three-time First-Team All-Pro selection, and a two-time rushing champion. In 2006, he had one of the greatest single seasons by a running back, winning MVP after breaking the record for touchdowns in a single season (31) and rushing for more than 1,800 yards.
In all but one of his nine seasons with the Chargers, Tomlinson topped 1,000 rushing yards. “L.T.” was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 and is regarded as one of the best running backs ever.
Ronnie Brown, 2005, No. 2 overall
After Alex Smith went No. 1 to the 49ers in 2005, the Miami Dolphins selected a running back, taking Auburn’s Ronnie Brown — who shared carries for the Tigers with another top-five pick that year.
As a rookie, Brown became Miami’s starting back after a Ricky Williams suspension, and by 2006, he was the featured back, rushing for more than 1,000 yards.
However, Brown’s first two NFL seasons were also two of his best. He remained in Miami until 2011, when he signed with the Eagles and played a limited role before later stints with the Chargers and Texans.
Over his NFL career, Brown totaled 5,391 rushing yards and one Pro Bowl selection.
Cedric Benson, 2005, No. 4 overall
There were three top-5 running backs in 2005, which is rather unheard of in the modern era. But at No. 4, the Bears selected Texas' Cedric Benson.
Benson's rookie season didn't go according to plan — he had a contract dispute with Chicago, then fell behind on the depth chart and went down with an injury. It wasn't until 2006 that Benson even had his first NFL touchdown, but he did help contribute to the team's Super Bowl run that season.
While Benson became Chicago's starter in 2007, he finished with 674 yards before his season ended with another injury. He was released by the Bears in 2008 following an alcohol-related arrest.
Benson did go on to find success in Cincinnati. He ran for a career-high 1,251 yards in 2009 for the Bengals, then another 1,111 in 2010 and 1,067 in 2011. Benson, who also dealt with various legal issues off the field, finished his NFL career with the Packers in 2012.
The second Auburn running back to go in the top-5 in 2005 was Cadillac Williams, who had shared playing time with Brown in college. While at Auburn, Williams set the school's record for career rushing touchdowns and helped the team go undefeated in 2004. The Buccaneers took him at No. 5.
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) July 9, 2024
Williams' best NFL season was his first — he won Offensive Rookie of the Year after posting 1,178 rushing yards for Tampa Bay. He never reached the 1,000-yard mark again, dealing with injuries over the next few seasons before falling behind on the depth chart, still putting up 832 yards in 2009.
Williams finished his career with one season for the Rams in 2011, owning over 4,000 career rushing yards. He has since coached at Auburn and for the Raiders.
Reggie Bush, 2006, No. 2 overall
As the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, there was plenty of buzz for Reggie Bush in the 2006 NFL Draft. He lived up to it, going second overall to the Saints.
Bush, however, wasn't quite the megastar running back in the NFL that he was at USC. He wasn't an immediate starter, struggling on the ground but making some impact as a pass-catcher as a rookie. In an up-and-down rookie year, he had 565 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
It's always a good day for Reggie Bush highlights. 🔥
Injuries played a role in Bush being off the field a bit, but he remained a solid running back — more notably, he was a First-Team All-Pro at punt returner in 2008. He also helped guide New Orleans to a Super Bowl in 2009.
Bush later joined the Dolphins in 2011, where he made his most impact as a rusher since his college days, totaling 1,086 yards in his first season. He also topped 1,000 yards for the Lions in 2013.
Bush finished his career with the 49ers and Bills as a backup, retiring in 2017 with 5,490 rushing yards in total.
Also the most recent running back to win MVP, Adrian Peterson went No. 7 to the Vikings in the 2007 NFL Draft. He set the freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards in 2004 at Oklahoma and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Success followed Peterson to the NFL — he played 15 seasons, including nine in Minnesota. As a rookie, he set an NFL record for the most rushing yards in a single game (296) and won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. By 2010, he was the fifth-fastest player ever to reach 5,000 rushing yards.
After a knee injury set him back in 2011, Peterson dominated for 2,097 rushing yards in 2012, coming up just short of the single-season record. He won MVP for the Vikings in 2012.
Peterson was suspended in 2014 for charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child. He also dealt with injuries to finish out his time in Minnesota, then would go on to spend time with the Saints, Cardinals, Commanders, Lions, Titans and Seahawks as a backup. In 2018, Peterson had his last 1,000-yard season for Washington.
He finished his career with four First-Team All-Pro and three Second-Team All-Pro nods, three rushing titles and 14,918 rushing yards in total.
Darren McFadden, 2008, No. 4 overall
After the Falcons took Matt Ryan at No. 3, the Raiders went with running back Darren McFadden at No. 4 in the 2008 NFL Draft. McFadden had a decorated Arkansas career, a two-time Heisman finalist who was later a College Football Hall of Fame inductee.
McFadden's NFL career, however, wasn't quite the same. He dealt with nagging injuries throughout his career, topping 1,000 rushing yards only twice in 2010 (1,157) for Oakland and again in 2015 (1,089) for the Cowboys. He was never a 16-game starter in the pros, despite making an impact in some other ways.
McFadden retired in 2017 with 5,421 career rushing yards.
At No. 9 in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills took Clemson running back C.J. Spiller, who had been a unanimous All-American.
Spiller had a slow start to his career, mostly contributing on special teams in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, he broke through with 1,244 rushing yards for Buffalo, then was selected to the Pro Bowl, then was also solid in 2013 with 933 rushing yards.
Throughout the rest of his NFL career until 2017, Spiller dealt with injuries and was also more of a special teams contributor. He spent time with the Saints, Seahawks, Jets and Chiefs before his retirement with 3,451 rushing yards in his career.
Trent Richardson, 2012, No. 3 overall
The Browns took a big swing at No. 3 in the 2012 NFL Draft, taking two-time national champion at Alabama, Trent Richardson.
Richardson had a great rookie season, running for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns — but those would be his peak numbers in the NFL. In September 2013, Richardson was traded to the Colts in exchange for the first-round pick that became Johnny Manziel, with Indianapolis needing a back to account for Vick Ballard's season-ending injury.
Richardson, however, didn't find the same elite production, finishing with just over 500 yards in 2013 and 2014. He wasn't active for the team's playoff run in the 2014 playoffs, including a team suspension for missing walk-throughs, and he was waived in March 2015.
Those would be Richardson's last NFL games, as he was waived by both the Raiders and Ravens over the next two years after signing deals with each squad. He later played in the CFL, AAF and FAM leagues, finishing with 2,032 NFL rushing yards.
Ezekiel Elliott, 2016, No. 4 overall
It had been a while since a team took a running back in the top 10 by 2016, when the Cowboys bucked the trend by selecting Ohio State star Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4. With the spotlight on him in Dallas, Elliott remained a star.
In his first seven NFL seasons, all with the Cowboys, Elliott was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time All-Pro selection, leading the league in rushing yards in both 2016 and 2018. Famous for his “Feed Zeke” mentality, he was one of the league’s best backs in the late 2010s, with four 1,000-yard seasons — including a career-high 1,631 yards (third most by a rookie) and 15 touchdowns as a rookie. The only significant time Elliott missed was a six-game suspension in 2017 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, which stemmed from accusations of domestic violence.
He was released by Dallas after rushing for 876 yards in 2022, then had a one-year stint with the Patriots. Elliott returned to the Cowboys in 2024 in a backup role, which was his final NFL season. He finished his career with 9,130 rushing yards.
Leonard Fournette, 2017, No. 4 overall
There were two top-10 running backs in 2017. Leonard Fournette first went at No. 4 to the Jaguars, coming off various school records at LSU as a dominant back in college.
September 19, 2015: Leonard Fournette runs for 228 yards and 3 TDs and LSU beats Auburn 45-21. pic.twitter.com/b86OEC9mWf
Fournette did find plenty of early-career success in Jacksonville, running for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie, then another 1,152 yards in 2019 after dealing with injuries and a one-game suspension for fighting in 2018.
He signed a one-year deal in Tampa Bay for the 2020 season, which resulted in a Super Bowl title alongside Tom Brady despite Fournette not being the regular starter in the backfield behind Ronald Jones II. In Super Bowl LV, Fournette had 89 rushing yards, 46 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, becoming the third player in NFL history to score touchdowns in four games in a single postseason.
Fournette was the Buccaneers' starter in 2021, posting 812 yards, and spent one more year in Tampa Bay before his last NFL season with the Bills in 2023, appearing in just two games before his release after the season.
He has not appeared in the NFL since 2023, totaling 4,518 rushing yards in his career.
The Panthers took one of the NFL's most versatile weapons ever in 2017, with Stanford star Christian McCaffrey going at No. 8 overall. In 2015, McCaffrey had been a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, still holding the NCAA record for most all-purpose yards in a season (3,864).
Outside of some injury issues, McCaffrey has become one of the more dynamic running backs in NFL history. By his second season, when he became the full-time starting back in Carolina, McCaffrey posted 1,098 rushing and 867 receiving yards as a dual-threat weapon. In 2019, he then dominated the Panthers' offense, totaling 1,387 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns to go along with 116 receptions for 1,005 receiving yards and four receiving touchdown.
After injuries held him back in 2020 and 2021, he was traded to the 49ers midway through the 2022 season. He has remained a star in San Francisco, winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and appearing in Super Bowl LVIII with the squad.
McCaffrey, to date, has been a three-time First-Team All-Pro and one-time Second-Team All-Pro selection, a four-time Pro Bowler and owns 7,589 career rushing yards.
The last running back to go in the top-5 was Penn State star Saquon Barkley, who followed the Browns' selection of Baker Mayfield at No. 1 by going No. 2 to the Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft. After posting plenty of Penn State records, Barkley remained an elite weapon at the next level.
Throwback to the number 2 overall pick in the 2018 Draft before he won a Super Bowl 🦅@saquon | @PennStateFball
In New York, Barkley posted 1,307 rushing yards, 721 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns as a rookie, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. He topped 1,000 rushing yards again in 2019, then had a torn ACL in 2020 that held him to just two games.
Returning in 2021, Barkley finished with 593 rushing yards in 13 games, but bounced back in 2022 with a Pro Bowl nod after posting 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Barkley hit free agency after the 2023 season, opting to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, a Giants division rival. And in his first year as an Eagle, he had one of the greatest single seasons ever, regardless of position.
Philadelphia won the Super Bowl, with Barkley also rushing for 2,005 yards in the regular season to approach the single-season record. He won Offensive Player of the Year, breaking the record for most rushing yards in one season including the playoffs.
Barkley has signed an extension in Philadelphia, now 29 and one of the league's best weapons.
Bijan Robinson, 2023, No. 8 overall
Another active running back who went in the top-10 was the Falcons' Bijan Robinson; after starring at Texas, Robinson went No. 8 in the 2023 NFL Draft, viewed as an elite prospect. That broke a drought of five drafts without a top-10 running back.
Robinson has proved Atlanta right in its selection thus far. Through three NFL seasons, he has one First-Team All-Pro selection, one Second-Team All-Pro selection, two Pro Bowl nods and 3,910 rushing yards in total. In 2025, he had career-highs with 1,478 rushing yards and 820 receiving yards as the engine of the Falcons' offense.
The last running back to go in the top-10 was last year. After finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up and leading FBS in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2025, the Raiders made Ashton Jeanty the No. 6 overall pick.
Jeanty had a good-not-great rookie season, rushing for 975 yards and five touchdowns in a Raiders offense that struggled as a unit. However, he's still viewed as one of the best young weapons in the NFL, with a powerful build and a knack for running through defenders.
In other words, we're neither right nor wrong about Arch Manning yet. The Texas quarterback is one of four quarterbacks who were on our top 10 last year. Dante Moore, LaNorris Sellers and Sam Leavitt all returned to school along with Manning, which our list still holds up on some level aside from missing out on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The 2027 quarterback class is loaded with talent. Manning and Moore are at the top of that list, which includes 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin, 2026 Heisman Trophy preseason favorite CJ Carr and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, a breakout star last season whose NFL value is difficult to gauge.
Ultimately, however, most of the draft-day buzz is going to re-circle Manning in 2026. Will he emerge as the top quarterback and be the No. 1 pick, like his uncles Peyton and Eli, who went on to become two-time Super Bowl winners in the NFL? Manning showed signs he could be that No. 1 pick toward the end of the 2025 college football season, and we are buying in once again.
Sporting News breaks down the top 10 quarterbacks for 2027.
Manning (6-4, 219) is our No. 1 quarterback for the second straight season – but there is no guarantee he will be the first quarterback given the first half of last season with Texas in 2025. Manning struggled with accuracy and was labeled a bust after a Week 6 loss against Florida. He had a 60% completion percentage or better in each of Texas' last six games – which isn't off the charts but was an improvement in a stretch where he passed for 14 TDs and two interceptions. He had 13 TDs on passes of 20 yards or more – and he added 399 rushing yards and 10 TDs. Manning has a strong supporting cast with the Longhorns this season. We expect him to live up to the renewed hype in 2026, which started after this run.
Arch Manning - 60 yard TD run to twist the knife on Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. pic.twitter.com/DjWHktNk8j
Moore (6-3, 206) was No. 10 on this list last season – and SN wrote, "We are going to trust that patience leads to a breakout season with Dan Lanning at Oregon." That happened. Moore passed for 3,565 yards, 30 TDs and 10 interceptions and led the Ducks to the CFP quarterfinals. Moore had six games with three TD passes or more, and he picks his spots in the running game effectively. He had 15 TDs and two interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more. Moore struggled in the losses to Indiana – a two-game stretch where he had a 60% completion percentage and took eight sacks – which were outliers from the rest of the season.
3. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
2025 statistics: 3,610 yards, 77%, 32 TDs, 8 INTs
Sayin (6-1, 208) led the nation in completion percentage as a Heisman Trophy finalist, and yet he's already being labeled as a "game manager" given the supporting cast at Ohio State. Sayin had a 62% completion percentage on passes of 20 yards or more, and he made more mistakes in the short passing game. He's going to benefit from the addition of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Sayin limited mistakes under pressure. While there is excitement around sophomore Tavien St. Clair at Ohio State in the future, Sayin remains the first-round caliber quarterback right now. Sayin faces more scrutiny now than he will at the NFL Scouting Combine, and it's easy to under-appreciate the five-star talent producing at a high level.
Chambliss (6-0, 200) will be projected all over the draft board. He's 23 years old and entering a sixth college-football season after receiving a waiver to play one more year with the Rebels. That might knock him out of the first round – but we trust the on-field production and play-making skills that showed up against Georgia and Miami. Chambliss had 527 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs, and that's ability to make improv decisions outside the pocket that carried the Rebels to a berth in the CFP semifinals. He did not have an interception in the intermediate passing range (10-19 yards according to PFF). Height will be a question mark, but Chambliss is bound to impress at the on-field workout portion of the NFL Scouting Combine. Will that value fluctuate without Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. at Ole Miss.
Carr (6-2, 210) is among the Heisman Trophy favorites heading into his second season at Notre Dame – and our projection is tempered by the belief he could return to school in 2027 with the hopes of being the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NFL Draft. He's a high-end prospect who showed accuracy with eight TDs and no interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more. He took just 12 sacks and has escapability in the pocket. Carr will have to deal with higher expectations in Year 2 at Notre Dame – and that is the challenge before entertaining his first-round value. Still, the accuracy is ahead of schedule, and he is on track to end the Irish's first-round quarterback drought, which extends back to Brady Quinn in 2007.
Maiava (6-4, 230) checks a lot of boxes for the next level. He's a big quarterback with a quick release who led the Big Ten in passing yards last season. He had 300-plus yards in regular-season losses to Illinois, Notre Dame and Oregon. Maiava did throw 10 interceptions, but we're less worried about that given the high-volume passing attack under USC coach Lincoln Riley. Maiava ranked 13th in the FBS with a 157.8 passer efficiency rating. He had a 55.6% completion percentage with 13 TDs and seven interceptions on passes of 10 yards or more – numbers that will have to improve if he wants to stay in the conversation as a first-round pick.
Mensah (6-3, 205) is Miami's third transfer quarterback in three seasons, and he is an interesting sleeper among 2027 QBs. He led the ACC in TD passes in 2026 – and 28 of those TDs were on passes of 10 yards or more. He passed for 56 TDs and 12 interceptions the last two years at Tulane and Duke – where he compiled an 18-9 record and played in two conference championship games. According to PFF, Mensah had 15 TDs and one interception on play-action passes. Cam Ward and Carson Beck had success on their one-year tours with Miami. Mensah likely will fall somewhere in between those in the NFL Draft – and for now he is in between a Round 1 and Day 2 pick.
Sellers (6-3, 240) could end up being the most-talked about quarterback in this draft cycle – especially when he shows off the strong arm at the 2027 NFL Combine. Sellers has a 43.5% completion percentage with 16 TDs and eight interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more the last two seasons with the Gamecocks. He took 42 sacks last season – including seven games with four sacks or more. The upside is tremendous given the talent Sellers possess – and he might get drafted in the first round on that potential alone. It's still a gamble for a quarterback with a 12-12 record as a starter the last two seasons. He needs to have a bounce-back season first.
Hoover (6-2, 200) is the most-proven quarterback to transfer to Indiana the last three seasons, and that's saying something considering Mendoza is set to be the No. 1 pick after winning the Heisman Trophy. How will the Hoosiers help Hoover? It starts with cutting down turnovers and better decision making. Hoover averaged 28 TDs and 12 interceptions with the Horned Frogs. He can refine that under coach Curt Cignetti, and that could help maximize his draft-day value. He still feels like a high Day 2 pick – but we won't underestimate the improvement in efficiency Hoover should see with the defending national champions.
Leavitt (6-2, 205) was No. 6 on this list last season. So, what happened? He suffered a season-ending foot injury which kept him out of spring football with LSU. How much will that impact his mobility – which was key to his success the last two seasons with the Sun Devils? He averaged 374.5 rushing yards and five TDs per season. Leavitt has a 50.4% completion percentage on passes between 10-19 yards the last two seasons, according to PFF. That is the range where he will have to show improvement with Lane Kiffin at LSU. We like pairing Leavitt with Tigers offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. Leavitt projects as a Day 2 QB with a chance to move up.
Manchester United star agrees terms on huge new contract
Kobbie Mainoo Contract Signals New Manchester United Direction
Midfield Revival Under Carrick
There is something quietly symbolic about Kobbie Mainoo’s resurgence at Manchester United. Only months ago, the academy graduate stood on the periphery, contemplating a loan move to Napoli, uncertain of his place and his future. Now, as reported by The Mirror, he is on the brink of signing a contract worth £120,000 per week, tying him to Old Trafford until 2031.
“Kobbie Mainoo is poised to quadruple his wages after agreeing a new deal with Manchester United.” It is a line that captures more than financial reward. It reflects a shift in mood, in trust, and perhaps most crucially, in direction.
Under interim manager Michael Carrick, Mainoo has rediscovered both rhythm and relevance. His reintroduction into the starting XI has coincided with United’s climb to third in the table, a rise built not on spectacle but on control. Mainoo’s composure in midfield has provided exactly that.
Contract Talks Reflect Long Term Vision
“The England midfielder has been in negotiations with club bosses for the last three months.” That prolonged dialogue suggests careful planning rather than reactive decision making. United appear determined to secure one of their brightest prospects before his value, both symbolic and financial, escalates further.
It is understood that Carrick, while maintaining distance from negotiations, “spoke to club bosses to outline the long-term value of Mainoo.” That endorsement carries weight. Carrick, a former midfield orchestrator himself, recognises nuance where others may have overlooked it.
Mainoo’s new deal is not simply about retaining talent. It is about restoring identity. For a club often criticised for drifting between philosophies, investing in a technically assured, homegrown midfielder feels deliberate.
From Frustration To Opportunity
The contrast is stark. “Mainoo had become fed up with life at Old Trafford, after former boss Ruben Amorim refused to pick him.” At that stage, his concerns extended beyond club football. “Mainoo feared his chances of making England’s World Cup squad would be dead and buried due to Amorim’s treatment of him.”
Photo IMAGO
That anxiety now feels distant. His recall to the England squad has revived ambitions that once seemed to be slipping away. With the World Cup approaching, Mainoo’s trajectory has shifted from uncertainty to expectation.
England Ambitions Back On Track
There is a growing sense that Mainoo belongs at the highest level. His performances have been measured rather than flamboyant, yet increasingly influential. He dictates tempo, protects possession, and understands space in a way that cannot be taught quickly.
As his confidence grows, so too does his standing within the squad. “Mainoo won back his place in the England squad last month, and is growing increasingly confident he will be on the plane to the World Cup in North America in June.”
In many ways, this contract feels like confirmation of what United now believe he can become, not merely a squad player, but a cornerstone.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this development feels overdue but still significant. Mainoo represents something the club has lacked for years, a calm, technically intelligent midfielder developed in house, capable of dictating play rather than reacting to it.
There will be some scepticism around the wage figure. £120,000 per week for a 21 year old carries risk, especially at a club that has previously handed out inflated contracts too easily. Yet this feels different. This is not a panic decision, it is a reward aligned with performance and potential.
Carrick’s influence is also encouraging. Fans have long wanted to see clearer footballing logic behind decisions. His backing of Mainoo suggests a more coherent approach is emerging, one that values control in midfield rather than chaos.
There is also a wider implication. If United are serious about rebuilding, players like Mainoo must be central. Not just as contributors, but as leaders of a new identity. His development could define the next phase of the club’s evolution.
For supporters, the hope is simple. This is not just another contract announcement. It is the start of something more stable, more thoughtful, and ultimately more successful.
Roma meet with Alajbegovic’s father, submit contract bid
Roma is looking to build its future with a transfer move that has the potential to excite fans and unite everyone within the club.
The name being circulated persistently is Kerim Alajbegovic, a Bosnian talent who stood out with his performances against Italy.
The negotiations began with a lunch under the spring sun of Rome, with Miralem Pjanic and Alajbegovic’s father, Semin, discussing not only the youngster’s future but also Roma’s project.
Massara struck the deal. A direct, face-to-face meeting was held to advance a deal that Roma wants to make a priority. Because for Alajbegovic, there’s a clear desire to outperform Napoli and Milan.
As Corriere dello Sport reports, Pjanic’s mediation wasn’t just a simple matter. Initial contacts date back to late March. And it’s possible Massara may not have played the Fulvio Bernardini card.
Show Trigoria, discuss the Friedkin project, and explain why Roma is now a hub for growth, with Gasperini ready to transform talent into performance.
The salary isn’t daunting: a base salary of under €1 million, with a gradual increase in bonuses and fixed salary.
The real sticking point is the player’s transfer fee, with a valuation ranging between €25 and €30 million.
A significant figure, sparking interest from clubs across Europe. This is why the father is continuing his tour. England, Spain, Italy.
Roma was the first to move in Serie A, but they won’t be the only ones: Naples and Milan could be the cities on Semin and Pjanic’s new “tourist” tour.
Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) and center Logan Cooley (92) celebrate after Cooley's goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period in Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
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Ian Maule
LAS VEGAS — Kailer Yamamoto is a man of few words, but the three he used to describe the Utah Mammoth’s locker room after its first-ever playoff win said it all.
“It was hyped.”
The Mammoth’s series with Vegas Golden Knights was one of the biggest question marks in the league going into this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
On one hand, you have a somewhat-recent championship team that significantly underperformed in the regular season. Yet, after a coaching change, the team went on a 7-0-1 run to clinch the division title.
On the other hand, you have a young, inexperienced team — both on the ice and behind the bench — that has found ways to beat good teams all year, including the Golden Knights.
The result, at least through two games, is a deadlock. Not only is the series knotted at 1-1, but neither team has even maintained any semblance of dominance for more than a few minutes at a time.
Both games were decided by one mistake.
“That’s what playoffs are all about, you know?” said Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar after Utah’s 3-2 win at T-Mobile Arena Tuesday. “Tight games like that, and we willed our way to get that win tonight.”
The teams now head to Salt Lake City for a two-game set. With each team having won a game, they’re guaranteed to make at least one more trip to Sin City.
Passing the torch
For the first couple years of their respective careers, Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley chipped in secondary offense, with guys like Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz doing the bulk of the heavy lifting.
This season, it has begun to switch — and in the playoffs especially, the two young guns have been the Mammoth’s primary source for offense.
“These two are unbelievable,” said Yamamoto of his two line mates. “Everything they do, you know, very easy to play with for myself and they just use their speed. They’re so quick and heavy on pucks.”
Much has been said about the difference between the playoffs and the regular season. Around the league, there are plenty of stars who score a point per game or more from October through the first two weeks of April, but lose their touch as soon as the postseason rolls around.
It’s still early into their playoff careers, but it seems as though that won’t be the case for Guenther and Cooley.
“The games are so intense, physical, fast, and I think that fits my game,” Cooley said.
He also expressed how much he cares — a trait he shares with every difference-maker in the history of the game.
“It’s so exciting playing these games,” he said. “You’re playing for the Cup. It’s what you dream of since you’re a little kid, and you just want to leave everything out there.”
Also, really quickly: Yamamoto’s contract is up at the end of the season. With how well he has complemented Guenther and Cooley — including registering two assists on Tuesday — it’s time to start thinking about an extension for No. 56.
He has played the last two seasons on two-way deals worth the league-minimum salary at the NHL level. Perhaps it’s time for him to get a raise akin to what Michael Carcone received in March.
It’s all about balance
Good playoff teams know how to play physically without taking unnecessary penalties.
That’s how Game 1 was: A combined 82 hits with just one power play for each team. But in Game 2, the penalty box attendants probably endangered their rotator cuffs with how much they had to open and close the gates.
There’s a fine line, and the Mammoth are learning to walk it. But where that line is changes from one series to the next.
“When you get in the series, (you need) to find the standard to what will be called, what won’t be called,” Tourigny explained. “We were not disciplined enough at some points. But at the same time, we had some opportunity on our power play as well.”
The NHL has a mechanism in place to promote consistency and fairness in the playoffs. Each series is assigned a supervisor — usually a retired referee — who meets with the officials to go over trends, flaws and anything the teams complain to them about.
The system allows the teams’ complaints to be heard and addressed, which helps decrease frustration levels.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) crashes into the boards after failing to check Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) during the second period in Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
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Ian Maule
Injuries have been very prevalent for the San Francisco 49ers over the past few years. That's the harsh reality of what this organization has dealt with, and something that will need to be fixed. If the 49ers want to be the team they know they can be, a lot of it will start with being healthy.
It'll be interesting to see what the organization decides to do during the NFL Draft, as drafting young players who have proven they can stay on the field might be a priority.
Addressing this health issue among young guys should be a priority, as should eventually replacing some of the older guys. One of those guys is Trent Williams, who recently agreed to a new contract. It doesn't look like Williams is leaving relatively soon, but finding his replacement should be a priority. From the sound of things, it will be.
“Also, at some point the Niners are going to have to find and groom Trent Williams’s successor. Someone like Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor would be appealing along those lines as an athletic freak who could begin as a right tackle (his college position) with the hope he could eventually move over to take Williams’ spot. And with fewer picks overall than normal, trading down is something that the Niners will certainly seriously consider,” Albert Breer wrote.
Offensive line picks are typically not ones that fans get too excited about. However, these are the type of moves that can truly come back to put San Francisco in a position to win a Super Bowl. I'd love for the 49ers to take a tackle and have him learn from Williams, one of the best in the NFL over the past decade.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21: Ryan Walker #74 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates a win against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on April 21, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants have not developed a reputation for intelligence early this season, but on Tuesday they did something very, very smart. They jumped on Yoshinobu Yamamoto early.
You’re familiar with Yamamoto. You hoped he was as good as everyone said he was when the Giants appeared determined to not be outbid for his services two years ago. You feared that he was as good as everyone said he was when he instead signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. You confirmed that he was as good as everyone said he was when did his best Madison Bumgarner impression last fall while leading the Dodgers to a second consecutive championship, collecting a World Series MVP award and a top-three Cy Young finish along the way.
So the Giants did the sensible thing. They pounced before Yamamoto had time to realize where he was.
Willy Adames led off the bottom of the first inning with an infield single, and took second on an error by shortstop Hyeseong Kim. Luis Arráez followed by doing the one thing he does better than anyone on the planet: hitting a single.
Yamamoto was just seven pitches in, and found himself both in trouble and unsure what had happened. Lost in a haze of confusion and crisp Bay Area fog, he proceeded to walk Matt Chapman, loading the bases with no outs.
The Giants are not always prepared to capitalize on these situations. You might go so far as to say that they’re rarely prepared to capitalize on these situations.
But they capitalized on this situation.
On the very next pitch, Rafael Devers looked nothing like his old self, as he barely made contact on a get-it-in fastball, ever so lightly dusting a foul tip into Dalton Rushing’s glove.
But on the pitch after that, Devers looked very much like his old self, dipping below the zone to grab a sinker and still smacking it loudly into the outfield, scoring a run.
The Giants had achieved the rare act of capitalizing, and had a rarer act left in their back pocket: adding on.
Casey Schmitt hit next and flew a ball into left field, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly which, it turns out, was the absolute best-case scenario for the Dodgers. Despite it being a fairly routine fly ball for Teoscar Hernández, center fielder Alex Call flew full speed after it, robbing his teammate of catch and instead gifting him a head-on collision. Miraculously, Call hung onto the ball. Even more miraculously, neither player was injured on the type of play that catches an entire stadium’s collective breath.
After the dust from that had settled, Jung Hoo Lee wisely seemed to predict that Yamamoto would be a little out of sorts, and so he jumped on a first pitch curveball that hung up in the zone, and toasted it into right field, scoring a third run.
Just like that, the Giants had put a three-spot on Yamamoto and forced 26 pitches out of him. The ref was counting to 10, and the star pitcher was wobbling his way back to his feet and falling against the ropes.
And then Yamamoto retired the next 10 batters he faced, quickly and with almost dismissive ease, and went around the lineup two full times before giving up another hit.
Things got entertaining when he did finally give up another hit, though. In the sixth inning, the Northern California rain started to come down in droves. But being the grandson of one adverse weather condition apparently gets you in with all adverse weather conditions, as Lee was utterly unbothered by the large amounts of water falling on his face, and again hit a single to right field, this time with two outs and nobody on, giving him his sixth multi-hit game in the last 10 contests.
Heliot Ramos followed and, I’m pleased to report, the swing that he found in Washington D.C. appears to have made the trip back to the West Coast, as he worked the count full before blasting a 108.5-mph single right back up the middle.
Which is where the fun — and pain — began.
Lee, who had a two-out jump, who knew that the wet baseball would be hard to throw, and who had watched for innings on end as none of his teammates could get a hit off of Yamamoto, decided to try to score.
From first.
On a single.
A hard-hit single that was directly to the center fielder.
More accurately, Héctor Borg took all of that into consideration, saw the speed at which Lee was flying at, and watched Call lazily get the ball back in, and decided what the hell, let’s get funky.
Funky indeed.
It didn’t work, but it was fun. And in Borg’s defense, it took a wonderfully-thrown relay by Alex Freeland and a perfect tag by Rushing to retire Lee, and I’d put the odds of that not happening as higher than the odds of Drew Gilbert getting a rain-soaked hit off of the second-best pitcher in the National League when they’re in a flow state that we sports mortals simply cannot relate to.
But Lee was out indeed, and in more than one sense of the word. He walked off the field gingerly, and was replaced two innings later by Jerar Encarnación. Thankfully, the Giants did not sound concerned about the injury, which Tony Vitello described as a banged-up right quad. Unfortunately, the Giants do not have a great track record with expressing a lack of concern in an injury. But that’s an issue for another day.
Yamamoto returned for the seventh inning and struck out Gilbert, Patrick Bailey, and Adames, in order, all looking, capping an exceptional night that had felt impossible just six innings earlier: seven frames, six hits, no extra-base hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts.
But the Giants had not only jumped on him early, but stacked more than half of their baserunners in one inning, using sequencing to get a few runs on the board. And now all that was left was to rely on the pitchers, and hope that they could teach Yamamoto about the glorious and dreadful (but today just glorious) art of The Caining.
It’s funny. When you watch sports with a rooting interest, you inherently see everything through the lens of your team. The old adage that hitters don’t hit home runs, but rather that pitchers throw them, is emphatically true when your team is pitching. And it’s a crock of manure when your team is at bat.
Such it is that when we think of a Caining — or a Webbing, to use the parlance of the youths — we associate it with the Giants hitters being feckless numbskulls incapable of the teensiest shred of offensive life. We never really frame it as a great pitcher showing off their talents at the Giants’ expense. But really, it’s both.
Enter Landen Roupp.
Roupp’s season has been a revelation, and with every start he inches a little further away from “encouraging start to the season” and a little closer to “wait a dang minute, this guy might be really, really good.” But he hadn’t faced a team like the Dodgers this year, and this felt like the test. And it felt like he knew it was a test, and was screaming the answer when he opened the game by striking out Shohei Ohtani, something he would do twice on the day.
It also felt like Roupp was yelling his answer when, after ceding a two-out first-inning walk to Freddie Freeman when Bailey chose not to challenge a pitch that probably was strike three, Roupp calmly took his spot on the mound, glared at the opposing hitter, and needed just two more pitches to end the inning.
But it was the third inning where Roupp really stated his top-of-the-rotation case, when he struck out Freeland swinging, then struck out Ohtani swinging, then struck out Kyle Tucker swinging. That’s a whole lot of hundreds of millions of left-handed dollars (a few even not deferred!) that Roupp mowed down easily, with both a demeanor and a talent that look more and more like Bumgarner with every passing day.
Yet while Roupp’s excellence was the main story of LA’s stuck-in-first offense, it was the fourth inning where the Caining really transpired. That’s the inning where the Dodgers and their fans shook their heads and questioned how this could happen to them, while Yamamoto sat somewhere on the bench wondering why his own teammates hate him so much.
Freeman opened the inning by drawing a walk. Hernández worked three balls before rolling over a pitch, hitting it softly into a fielder’s choice. Max Muncy walked. And then the play that briefly shifted momentum: Rushing took a 3-1 curveball, called for strike two. He challenged, and won by what could generously be described as an eyelash. Suddenly the bases were loaded, and there was just one out.
And then Roupp walked Kim, putting the Dodgers on the board and doing nothing to ease the danger of the situation. But after falling behind to Call 2-0, Roupp battled back and, thanks to an infield defense that lived up to its potential and paycheck, got a gorgeous inning-ending double play.
Roupp’s fifth inning was much cleaner, as he took down the side in order, sandwiching an Ohtani fly ball with Freeland and Tucker strikeouts. It was an outing that, true to the Bumgarner comparisons, was as steeped in grit as it was in talent. He needed a career-high 106 pitches to get through just five innings. He threw just 58 of those pitches for strikes. He walked five batters, including a run home.
But he gave up just one hit — a soft two-out line drive by Kim — and that one run was the only one he would allow.
Baseball enthusiasts and keen eyes alike will note that Roupp pitching five innings still left four innings unaccounted for, and the Giants were legally required to give those innings to the bullpen, which really added to the Caining/Webbing of the Yamamotoing. No Dodgers fan will sleep well tonight with the thought that the Giants bullpen preserved a lead for four innings, and, armed with that knowledge, you should sleep well tonight.
But Vitello pressed the right buttons, and, more importantly, the arms delivered.
Against an almost entirely left-handed lineup, Vitello turned to lefty killer/killed by righties southpaw Ryan Borucki for the sixth, and it was the perfect time to go in that direction. Borucki easily dismissed of three lefties — Freeman, Muncy, and Rushing — and did so with such comfort that you barely noticed that a righty (Hernández) snuck in there to bop a double that went nowhere (righties are now hitting 8-15 with four extra-base hits against Borucki this season).
Vitello stacked his lefties, turning to Matt Gage in the seventh, who got two quick outs before walking Freeland.
That brought up what was, at the time, the most intriguing bullpen decision by Vitello, and one that you rarely ever see. With his lefty reliever cruising, looking good, and having thrown just 14 pitches, and with a trio of left-handed hitters up next, the Giants skipper trudged out to the mound, took the ball, and brought in a different lefty. The oh-so-rare lefty-replacing-lefty.
But if you know anything about Erik Miller, it’s that no one on earth has proven as capable of getting Ohtani out, and so Vitello turned to his secret weapon. And in a cruel twist of fate, Ohtani hit a soft infield single to keep the inning going.
Just long enough for Tucker to strike out swinging.
Vitello’s decision to turn to Miller was unconventional, but it was both savvy and analytically sound. What happened in the ninth, however, was a bit more controversial.
After a smooth eighth — Miller retired two batters, and left one runner on for Keaton Winn, who absolutely obliterated pinch-hitter Will Smith, with a nasty sequence of sinkers and splitters — Vitello had a choice to make. I assumed it would be a four-out save opportunity for Winn, who has had perhaps the most electric stuff of anyone in the bullpen this year.
But no. Vitello turned to Ryan Walker. The same Walker who was fresh off a blown save in a similar opportunity. The same Walker who has flirted with disaster enough recently that you can hear — even through the TV — the reaction in the stands as the nerves kick in.
Arguably the biggest selling point of Vitello was his ability to manage players and get the most out of them. Bob Melvin lost his job because once the Giants started slumping they simply couldn’t stop, and that wasn’t just a team issue: it happened at the team level because it happened so frequently at the individual level.
That’s why Vitello is in San Francisco where, he admitted before the game, he finally stepped out to enjoy the local culture on Monday night.
I don’t want to give all the credit for good baseball plays to one of the few people in uniform who wasn’t making baseball plays, but I had to wonder: had Vitello’s motivational ways worked some magic on Walker?
He looked fantastic striking out pinch-hitter Andy Pages, who has been one of the best hitters in baseball this year, on just four pitches. Perhaps Vitello’s show of trust was helping him settle in.
He looked excellent getting Call to fly one out to left field, never falling behind in the count. Maybe Vitello, who has refused to name a closer publicly, has said the perfect things privately.
He looked dynamic striking out Freeland with an other-worldly sinker, then unleashed the roar of someone who felt like himself for the first time in a while. Like someone who has made no attempts to hide that they want to be the closer, and that they believe they should be the closer.
The buttons correctly pressed. A Caining on the other foot. Another data point suggesting Roupp is That Guy. Some timely hits. And a bullpen that maybe isn’t so bad, after all.
Most importantly, LA beaten. By a delightful 3-1 margin.
Tyrique George of Everton thanks the supporters after the Premier League match between Brentford and Everton at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, United Kingdom, on April 11, 2026. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
“There are still five games to go and plenty of points to play for…I’m just happy to keep on playing. I’m enjoying it, but we’ll see what happens for the rest of the season…there are still points to play for, it’s really tight. We know what we need to do and keep going,“ says Dwight McNeil. [Echo]
Jonathan Nsangou scored a worldie for the Under-16s the other day.
Blues linked with 22-year-old Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia. [TEAMtalk]
Enjoy this long read from Beto on his current form and future Everton aspirations. [EFC]
Some Michael Keane and Vitaliy Mykolenko contract news from the Bobble.
Everton are planning to trigger extensions in both contracts of Michael Keane and Vitalli Mykolenko that will keep both players at the club until 2027 🔵 pic.twitter.com/YkiXMJoMto
There's a lot that can happen during the 2026 NFL Draft, but it'd be rather surprising to see the Chicago Bears pass on a defensive player. The Bears have shown that they need to improve on the defensive side of the football, and finding a young edge rusher who can pair with some of the veterans on the defensive side of the football could take this team from being one of the best in the NFL to the best in the league when things go as planned.
The Bears were very good last season but are still looking to improve, and there are a lot of ways for them to do that in the draft. From the sound of things, one of them will be finding an edge rusher.
“Since acquiring Montez Sweat three years ago (Sweat turns 30 in September—time flies), Chicago has been looking for his bookend. With the sorts of big, long ends that Dennis Allen likes, with Auburn’s Keldric Faulk and Missouri’s Zion Young possibly available, this could be the year they find one.
"Left tackle is another spot to keep an eye on. The team really liked Ozzy Trapilo as a rookie, but he tore his patellar tendon, throwing his future into flux (and making his ability to play at all in 2026 uncertain) and pushing the team to bring back Braxton Jones for another run and take a flier on former first-rounder Jedrick Wills Jr. So given what GM Ryan Poles and HC Ben Johnson typically value, it’d hardly be a shock for the Bears to pick up another potential long-term answer at the position,” Albert Breer wrote.
The only problem here for the Bears is that they aren't exactly in a prime spot to land an elite edge. That doesn't mean they can't develop one into a very good player eventually, but if the Bears were about four to five picks higher, they'd probably find themselves in a better position.
Lancaster Park damaged after the 2011 earthquake (Marty Melville)
A new $400 million stadium that was a symbol of Christchurch's struggle to rebuild after a deadly earthquake struck the New Zealand city will host its first match Friday in front of a sellout rugby crowd.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake killed 185 people in February 2011 and toppled or damaged buildings, including the city's old Lancaster Park.
The stadium, which hosted international rugby and cricket and was home to rugby team the Canterbury Crusaders, was badly damaged and never reopened.
It was bulldozed in 2019 and turned into sports fields, leaving the Crusaders without a permanent home.
Government funding for a new stadium was finally approved in 2020, and Super Rugby side the Crusaders will run out at the NZ$683 million (US$404 million) Te Kaha stadium on Friday.
The 30,000-capacity state-of-the-art arena is one of the last projects to finish following the devastation 15 years ago.
"It's real beautiful and a great representation of our region," All Blacks and Crusaders back Leicester Fainga'anuku said.
"This place has become the heart of the city and it's something our people deserve.
"From the moment we heard about the new build and what it means to us and our people, it gets you excited.
"Now it's finally here, we're just ready to get into it and put on a good show."
Coach Rob Penney, whose side face the NSW Waratahs to open the stadium, said it had been "a long wait".
Taha Kemara, who will start at fly-half for the Crusaders, added: "It's something we've been looking forward to for a long time and something the city's been waiting for."
Canterbury found a temporary home after the earthquake at Rugby League Park, where the team won eight Super Rugby titles in nine years.
The ground was a fortress for the Crusaders, partly because of the freezing conditions that could greet unsuspecting away teams.
Under a roof at Te Kaha the conditions will be milder, but Penney hopes the fans keep the atmosphere hostile.
Fainga'anuku, who usually plays at wing or centre, will switch to flanker for the game and Penney said it was something the All Black had wanted to try for some time.
"This stadium felt like the right place to do it," Penney said.
"He loves big environments, loves pressure moments, and we feel he'll add real value against this opposition."
The Crusaders are also bolstered by the return of All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor, while David Havili is back in the starting side at centre.
Logan Cooley didn’t just score a goal—he announced Utah’s arrival on the playoff stage.
The 20-year-old forward buried the decisive marker midway through the third period, lifting the Utah Mammoth to a 3–2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their Western Conference First Round series Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena. The victory marked the first postseason win in franchise history and evened the series at one game apiece.
Cooley Delivers Defining Moment Late
Cooley’s breakthrough came at 14:00 of the third, the product of relentless pressure and timing. After Dylan Guenther drove the net and rang a rebound off the post, Cooley crashed the crease and slipped the loose puck past Carter Hart’s right skate, turning a chaotic scramble into a defining moment.
Utah’s approach was evident throughout the night—speed through the middle, pressure on the puck, and a willingness to get dirty in front of the net. That identity paid off in a game where clean looks were scarce and second-effort chances proved decisive.
Guenther delivered a standout performance, recording his first career playoff goal along with an assist. Kailer Yamamoto quietly orchestrated much of the offense with two helpers, while goaltender Karel Vejmelka turned aside 19 shots to secure his first postseason victory.
Utah’s Speed And Depth Tilt The Ice
Vegas, the Pacific Division’s top seed, found production from familiar sources but struggled to maintain control as the game wore on. Mark Stone opened the scoring on the power play late in the first period, benefiting from a fortunate bounce off a defender in front. Ivan Barbashev added a highlight-reel effort in the second, intercepting a pass in the neutral zone, slicing through the defense, and finishing with a slick backhand.
Jack Eichel contributed two assists, and Hart made 26 saves, but the Golden Knights were largely outpaced during Utah’s dominant stretch in the middle frame, where the Mammoth outshot them 13–4 and began to tilt the ice.
Utah’s equalizer came late in the first period when a long-range attempt from MacKenzie Weegar created confusion in front, ultimately finding its way into the net off a Vegas defender. Guenther then gave the Mammoth their first lead late in the second, hammering home a one-timer off a cross-ice feed from Yamamoto.
The Miami Dolphins have shown over the past few years how you shouldn't build a team.
For any general manager around the NFL, the Dolphins have quite literally given them the blueprint of what not to do. It was fun at times, but at the end of the day, paying two wide receivers a lot of money and paying an average quarterback star money typically doesn't end well.
The Dolphins had some great moments, and we can definitely look at injuries as part of the reason why the team struggled, but it's important that they learn from their past mistakes. Right now, the Dolphins have the 11th pick, and if they make the right decisions, they could put themselves in a very good position to finally turn this thing around a little bit.
According to the latest, it sounds like the new decision-makers in Miami are going to put their hands all over this draft and really show what they're all about.
“It’d be easier to narrow down what the Dolphins don’t need—though the holes at receiver and corner are particularly deep.
“And with seven picks in the top 100, they’ll have a good shot to address those and, as we mentioned earlier, build up the guts of their roster. Two things I’d look for from new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan at 11 … The first would be for guys who are safe, both from an injury and character standpoint (making the first pick for him and new coach Jeff Hafley stand for something).
"The second would be top-end traits, which align with his shared philosophy with Packers GM Brian Gutekunst. Fano is someone I have circled. Delane is another. Tate, too, though I have a hard time seeing him slip this far. Downs would fit the “safe” part of this equation. The reality is Miami is wide open, and 11 might be right after the first “cliff” in the round, opening up a wide range of outcomes,” Albert Breer wrote.
This will be the first draft in a very long time that Miami doesn't have Chris Greer making decisions. Many fans have grown frustrated with Greer, and rightfully so. However, the new regime will have a chance to show that they're much different than the past, so hopefully this all goes well.
Ranieri won’t step down, Friedkin want him at Roma
The final reckoning will only be settled at the end, even if, in reality, decisions will be made beforehand, both in the minds of the owners and the two contenders.
While Gian Piero Gasperini wants to move forward with his Roma project, Claudio Ranieri has every desire and will to continue contributing to the Giallorossi cause.
The Friedkins’ senior advisor has, in fact, received renewed trust from the owners. Dan and Ryan, who even in discussions with Gasperini himself, reiterated the centrality of the former Giallorossi coach.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, the coach, among the requests made to the Roma president, also included that of no longer having a direct working relationship with Ranieri himself.
After the two famous interviews he gave shortly before Roma-Pisa, Ranieri, who was considered a Giallorossi icon, also faced considerable criticism.
There was some bitterness, though it quickly dissipated. Like the possibility of his resignation, which in reality never gained traction.
Before Pisa, Ranieri knew he spoke out of concern for Roma, defending a group of players and the team as a whole. That was precisely the intent, but the result may have differed from the objective.
The sentiments expressed are certainly the same as those of the owners, otherwise he would have already been fired. And so it’s clear that from now until the end of the season, both sides will remain in the running.
Ranieri on one side, Gasperini on the other.
There will be a forced “coexistence,” though it’s highly unlikely that this coexistence will become a truce or armistice. Which is what the Friedkins are hoping for. After all, Ranieri also has a contract for another year and a strong desire to prove he’s up to the task, even as a manager.
The impact made by two Manchester City defenders has been immense
Early in 2026, Manchester City were faced with a defensive crisis. Josko Gvardiol had suffered a right tibial fracture, Ruben Dias was sidelined with a hamstring injury, and John Stones and Nathan Ake were battling constant injury issues. Abdukodir Khusanov stepped up in City’s hour of need, as did Max Alleyne. The January signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace solidified City’s defence, and Pep Guardiola’s side has powered on since that moment. More recently, Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov have formed a solid defensive partnership for Pep Guardiola’s side, and their impressive displays together have drawn well-deserved praise from Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City look to have found their ideal centre-back partnership for the remainder of this season.
Typically, as Manchester City enter a critical stage of the season, Pep Guardiola settles on his preferred starting eleven. That helps City build momentum and continuity in their play, which has been evident in Manchester City’s past four matches. City have beaten Arsenal twice, Liverpool, and Chelsea and have played their best football during the 2025-26 season. A key component of Manchester City’s play in their four impressive wins has been the centre-back pairing of Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi.
Guehi and Khusanov have formed almost the ideal centre-back pairing for Manchester City. In Khusanov, City have a centre-back blessed with tremendous pace and strength. Khusanov’s ability to track back at speed is a key attribute to City’s defensive system. Marc Guehi adds stability, leadership, and poise in possession to Pep Guardiola’s side. When the pair play together, their games complement each other perfectly. This has formed a strong ingredient of Manchester City’s play, and the chemistry between Khusanov and Guehi cannot be ignored.
Pep Guardiola has praised the play of Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Burnley, Pep Guardiola has praised the performances of Guehi and Khusanov. He said their efforts have been extraordinary. The Manchester City manager explained: “Extraordinary. Like Nathan [Ake] when he played the Carabao Cup final, one of the best players on the pitch. Johnny’s [Stones] coming back. Unfortunately Josko [Gvardiol] and Ruben [Dias] have been injured.”
“But of course, in the last games Marc and Khusa… When I said the team, the future will be bright, because I see young, young players, grew up a lot this season and will be for the next year, many, many years there and that is really good for us.”
As Pep Guardiola said, Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi will be an important part of Manchester City’s future. They have also been a key component of Manchester City’s recent run and will play a crucial role in Manchester City’s bid to win this season’s Premier League title.
DENVER (AP) — Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog scored the equalizing goal with 3:35 remaining to send a game that featured a delay to fix shattered glass behind the Los Angeles Kings bench into overtime tied at 1-1 on Tuesday night in Game 2 of the teams' first-round playoff series.
The Kings took the lead on Artemi Panarin’s power-play goal with 6:56 left. But Landeskog got loose in front of the net to score and energize the capacity crowd.
Anton Forsberg and Scott Wedgewood were brilliant in net. Forsberg had 33 saves in regulation while Wedgewood made 21, including one on a penalty shot.
The game was halted for roughly 17 minutes in the second period when a pane of glass broke behind the Kings bench, sending pieces raining on interim coach D.J. Smith. The incident occurred right after Quinton Byfield was stopped on a penalty shot by Wedgewood and fans began to celebrate by pounding on the glass. It gave way as Smith covered his head and then brushed the glass off his suit.
BOSTON — With their pitching depth decimated, the Red Sox are turning to a young arm who will be making the jump straight from Double-A to the big leagues when he debuts.
Boston will call up left-handed pitching prospect Eduardo Rivera ahead of Wednesday’s game, sources confirmed late Tuesday. Righty Jack Anderson will be optioned to Triple-A Worcester to clear a spot on the active roster. The Red Sox will also need to clear a 40-man roster to select Rivera and can do so by moving an injured player (like Triston Casas or Kutter Crawford) to the 60-day injured list.
It’s unclear whether Rivera will start or relieve in the majors. The 22-year-old dominated in two starts for Double-A Portland to start the year (1 earned run and 16 strikeouts in 10 innings) and was promoted to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday but didn’t pitch. He last threw Thursday in Altoona, striking out nine in 5 ⅔ innings.
The Red Sox are in something of a fire drill when it comes to their pitching staff just three-plus weeks into the season. With Sonny Gray (hamstring strain) on the injured list, the club will need someone to make a start in the coming days. For now, Ranger Suárez (Wednesday) and Brayan Bello (Thursday) are set to start the next two games with Gray’s spot set to come around Saturday in Baltimore. Pitching prospect Payton Tolle seems like the most likely candidate to take Gray’s rotation spot but has not pitched in nine days. The pool of depth starters is limited with Johan Oviedo (flexor strain) and Tyler Uberstine (shoulder inflammation) sidelined and Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval both shut down after recent setbacks while on rehab assignments.
The Red Sox signed Rivera, 22, as a minor league free agent in 2024. He’s a former Athletics prospect who was a 10th-round pick in 2021 and released three years later. SoxProspects ranks Rivera as the No. 33 prospect in Boston’s system. Standing 6-foot-7, the Puerto Rico native had a strong season in 2025, logging a 2.48 ERA in 87 innings across two levels (High-A and Double-A). Rivera, who has struggled with a high walk rate as a minor leaguer, pitched for Puerto Rico in this year’s World Baseball Classic.
Anderson, a 26-year-old rookie, has made three multi-inning appearances since making his big league debut Wednesday in Minneapolis. He owns a 3.38 ERA with six strikeouts in eight innings, but allowed a run and four hits across two innings during Tuesday’s loss to the Yankees.
When Rivera pitches, he’ll be the fifth Red Sox pitcher to make his major league debut this season, joining Anderson, Tyler Samaniego, Uberstine and Ryan Watson. The Rivera-for-Anderson swap is the second pitching-related roster move of the last 48 hours for the Red Sox, who recalled Samaniego and placed Gray on the 15-day injured list before Tuesday’s game.
MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 28: John Blackwell #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after scoring against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half of the game at Kohl Center on January 28, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Duke Blue Devils have reeled in what may be the most significant transfer in the program’s history. John Blackwell, who was widely seen as the best scoring guard in the transfer portal has committed to Jon Scheyer, locking in a crucial piece of Duke’s 26-27 team. Duke Basketball Roundup co-hosts Jason Evans and Donald Wine have a complete breakdown of his game and what his presence in Durham will mean for Duke.
After the break, the guys switch their attention to another key piece as Sebastian Wilkins has confirmed that he will be back in Durham after a season spent as a redshirt. The DBR Podcast is super excited to see how the team will use the unique skill set that Seabass provides.
Oh, and before they go, the guys have a few words about Maliq Brown, who has added yet another award to his trophy case.
Make sure you’re following us! Head to our Linktree to get all our available social media and links to follow and subscribe to the show. That includes our affiliate partnerships, from Homefield Apparel (use the code DBRPODCAST to save 15% off your first order) and Fanatics to the NBA Store, NFL Shop, and even Fubo TV. And…we have some more coming! Save some cash on the latest gear or follow the Blue Devils on the go by hitting those affiliate links and it helps support the show as well. We are now on YouTube! Subscribe there, rate, and review our episodes on there and everywhere you get your podcasts. Also, follow us on Bluesky @DukeRoundup!
Back for the 11th annual edition, the 2026 Big Ten women's lacrosse tournament will bring the best programs in the conference to Michigan this week.
This year's bracket will be made up of seven teams, with the regular season champion earning a first-round bye. The winner of this conference tournament will secure an automatic berth to the 2026 NCAA Championship taking place in May.
The No. 1 overall seed belongs to Northwestern — a historic program in collegiate women's lacrosse. The Wildcats have won eight NCAA championships throughout the years, and were runners-up in 2025. Maryland, Johns Hopkins and Michigan State follow behind as the second, third and fourth seeds.
Don't miss out on a second of the action.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Big Ten women's lacrosse tournament, including TV channel and streaming options for the annual competition.
Where to watch Big Ten women's lacrosse tournament
The first round of the 2026 Big Ten lacrosse tournament will stream on B1G+, and the semifinals and championship will air live on Big Ten Network. Cord-cutters can stream the BTN games on fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Big Ten women's lacrosse tournament schedule 2026
The 2026 Big Ten women's lacrosse tournament will begin on Wednesday, April 22, and conclude with the championship game on Sunday, April 26. All games will take place at the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Journalist: Chelsea hierarchy are responsible for turning club into financial experiment
The Independent journalist Miguel Delaney has declared that the Chelsea hierarchy are responsible for turning club into a financial experiment.
All the focus has been around head coach Liam Rosenior and whether he should be sacked or not right now, and of course he does need to be sacked, he’s well out of his depth.
EXCLUSIVE!! Chelsea now tracking Premier League winger – his name will universally excite Chelsea fans!! 👀
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But the issues at Chelsea are rooted problems. And those problems all come from the very top of the club – the owners. They’re the ones who have put this bizarre project in place, they are the ones who have spent £2bn on the squad in four years, they are the ones who have hired the lame sporting directors, and they are the ones who keep hiring managers who are proving not to be good enough.
Delaney on Chelsea
Behdad Eghbali and the SDs during embarrassing defeat to Brighton
“The focus should stay on the Chelsea hierarchy. They are responsible for this. They are responsible for turning a social institution into some kind of financial experiment.
“They’ve made the common mistake of thinking they are smarter than the norms of a 166-year-old sport and have been shown reality.”
In other news today
Gary Cahill tried his best to be positive about Chelsea’s performance against Brighton, but even he found today’s game a “hard watch” and says there were “no positives”.
Chelsea’s loss at Brighton means they’ve lost fives league games without scoring for the first time since 1912. So they have now broken one of the oldest records in history.
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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany celebrates after the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart in Munich, southern Germany, on April 19, 2026. Harry Kane scored his 32nd goal of the campaign as Bayern Munich cruised to a 4-2 home win over Stuttgart and claim a record-extending 35th Bundesliga title. (Photo by Alexandra BEIER / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO | AFP via Getty Images
Believe it or not, being a football manager is a very demanding job. Bayern Munich’s head coach Vincent Kompany, for example, certainly spends more than 8 hours a day working during the week. And, unlike a usual 9-5 job, the weekend is certainly not stress free. So one has to take all the breaks one can get in that profession.
That is probably why Kompany insisted on a work free summer. According to Daily Mail reporter Mike Keegan (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), this means also turning down being involved in some small way at the 2026 World Cup:
Vincent Kompany has rejected punditry offers from multiple broadcasters ahead of the World Cup. The Belgian instead intends to relax and re-energise over the summer following an intense season.
How much of a break from football Kompany can take is the question. Will he relax on the beach somewhere tropical or will he still watch the biggest football sporting event in the world? One must imagine, given how much of a football fan he is, that the temptation to watch the World Cup will be strong.
The Boston Red Sox are reportedly bringing up one of their top prospects much sooner than anticipated.
On Tuesday, the Red Sox promoted left-handed pitching prospect Eduardo Rivera from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, where he was expected to debut on Thursday.
However, there's already been a change of plans. Following Boston's 4-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, MassLive's Chris Cotillo reported that the Red Sox are already promoting Rivera to the Majors.
Sources: Red Sox calling up pitching prospect Eduardo Rivera, who has never pitched above Double-A.
According to MLB Pipeline, the 22-year-old southpaw ranks as the No. 26 overall prospect in the Red Sox organization and the club's No. 13 pitching prospect. However, MLB Pipeline didn't project him to reach the Majors until next year.
While he's never pitched above Double-A, Rivera faced Major League hitters while pitching for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. The towering lefty also dominated his first two starts at Double-A this year with a 0.90 ERA, a 1.67 FIP and a .167 BAA.
After accelerating Rivera's promotion, Boston presumably plans to use him against the Yankees this week, likely out of the bullpen. The Red Sox have a history of having their top prospects make their MLB debuts against New York, so they must be confident in Rivera to have him skip Triple-A and go straight to facing the Yankees' lineup.
Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe says the west Wales region helped him achieve his dream of becoming a Springbok as he prepares to leave Llanelli for Irish province Munster.
The 29-year-old South African international will join Munster ahead of the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship (URC) season after agreeing a two-year deal, bringing an end to an influential spell at Parc y Scarlets.
Van der Merwe made his South Africa debut in July and played his part in their Rugby Championship triumph, featuring in victories over New Zealand and Australia after impressing during his time in west Wales.
Reflecting on his spell with the Scarlets, Van der Merwe said the region played a major role in his rise to international rugby.
"Looking back at it, a lot of stuff happened in the year and a half that I've been here. A lot of good happened, more good to me personally," he said.
"I'm grateful for Scarlets and everyone that supported me – the team, fans, all of them. I'm grateful for each and every one.
"Even coaches that were hard on me, players that were hard on me, they made me the player who I am now. I'm very happy – I couldn't have picked a better club to be at."
Van der Merwe says the challenge of testing himself in a new environment helped him develop and pushed him towards international recognition.
"The players here have stepped up and they helped me improve as much as I helped them," he added.
"We were hard on each other and tried to leave the jersey in a better place than we found it."
Asked what his main memory of the Scarlets would be, Van der Merwe pointed to fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
"The friends I've made and the fact they have driven me to become a Springbok. I think that's the main thing," he said.
"The coaching staff helped me achieve my dream and every step from the start I joined here they told me they wanted to push to get me there.
"I'm grateful every step of the way for actually achieving that and making my dream come true, so I'm grateful for Scarlets for doing that. I'll never forget this place."
Before his departure, Van der Merwe is hoping to help Scarlets finish the season strongly, starting with this weekend's tough test in Llanelli against a Bulls side packed with Springbok talent.
"They're loaded with Springboks, a lot of good players, a lot of physical players," he said.
"They're the favourites, so we as a team just go out there as the underdogs.
"They are a good scrummaging side, a good mauling side, good ball runners, tough tackling and very physical.
"We just need to step up physically, make sure we are in the game physically, then you will have a good game at hand."
Jack Kochanowicz #41 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches during an MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium on April 21, 2026 in Anaheim, California.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — In a matter of six pitches, the wheels fell off for the Angels.
Left-hander Drew Pomeranz was tasked with facing the top of the Blue Jays’ lineup in the eighth inning in a tie game, and after retiring the leadoff hitter and getting the next batter to two strikes, things went south fast.
Pomeranz proceeded to give up three runs over the next six pitches and earned the loss in the Angels’ 4-2 loss against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.
He had second baseman Ernie Clement down in the count, but Clement took Pomeranz’s 2-2 knuckle curve that was well below the strike zone and hit a double to left field. With first base open, the Angels opted to intentionally walk the ever-dangerous Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to avoid his bat and to create a chance for a double play.
Pinch hitter Lenyn Sosa then sharply lined a 1-1 fastball that didn’t get as high as Pomeranz wanted off the bottom of the wall in right field to score both runners. Two pitches later, designated hitter Eloy Jiménez grounded a ball through the right side to score the third run of the inning.
“We like (Pomeranz) against their best guys,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “And he really executed the pitch. Clement did a good job hitting a ball for a double. You walk Vlad, and Sosa hit that ball to the gap it was a good piece of hitting. Jiménez rolled on right through the right side. I felt like (Pomeranz) threw the ball good. It's just one of those nights.”
The Angels tried a late rally of their own in the ninth as Blue Jays closer, right-hander Jeff Hoffman, was also tasked with facing the top of the order.
Center fielder Mike Trout delivered a one-out single to put the wheels in motion, and Hoffman kept them spinning with his own mistakes.
Hoffman proceeded to hit right fielder Jo Adell and designated hitter Jorge Soler in consecutive plate appearances to load the bases. He then allowed an RBI single to pinch-hitter Yoán Moncada to make it a two-run game.
Manager John Schneider saw enough and went to the bullpen to bring in right-hander Louis Varland, who got first baseman Nolan Schanuel to ground out into a double play to end it.
It was too little, too late for the Angels’ bats, as they didn’t get a runner into scoring position until the fifth inning and wouldn’t have another until the ninth. After tearing the cover off the ball in their recent road trip, the Angels have now scored just six runs in their last four games.
“It looked like we were just out in front a lot,” Suzuki said. “We really minimized threats that would move the ball forward. Just couldn't find any holes tonight. (Patrick Corbin) kept us off balance. I thought he mixed in some offspeed pretty well.”
The lineup wasted what was another solid start from right-hander Jack Kochanowicz.
Kochanowicz’s quest for a bounce-back season added another chapter Tuesday night when he pitched 5 ⅔ innings while only giving up one earned run on five hits and two walks, lowering his ERA on the season to 3.10.
“I thought Jack was good,” Suzuki said. “He was throwing strikes, keeping them on the ground. Really making some good pitches and kept us in the game the whole time.”
What made this an interesting start for Kochanowicz is that, despite the suppressed offense, he really didn’t dominate.
Kochanowicz only struck out one hitter and only got swing and misses on 14% of his pitches that induced swings, where his season average before Tuesday was 25.3%.
More notably, his offspeed pitches weren’t as effective. Before Tuesday, his whiff rate on his slider was 42.9% and 38% on his changeup. In Tuesday’s outing, those numbers were only 20% for both.
“I wouldn't say my stuff felt the best today,” Kochanowicz said. “But just some deep breaths at the right times got me through some innings.”
The Angels have now lost four straight games and look to avoid getting swept in Wednesday’s matinee affair with José Soriano on the mound.
Each year, the NFL Draft draws in millions of viewers. However, not every fan can stay up late to watch all 32 names called in the first round, and the NFL may have helped viewers out this year.
This past December, the league announced that it would shorten the maximum time limit for each first-round selection from 10 minutes to eight. This change should shorten the first draft night by 64 minutes.
Typically, the first day of the draft would end after 11:30 p.m. ET. Now, if all goes to plan, viewers can be in bed by 11 p.m. after watching the entirety of the first round.
Here's an inside look at why the league opted to change the time limit, and how long the other rounds will take at this year's draft in Pittsburgh.
In December 2025, Adam Schefter reported that the NFL was shortening the first-round pick limit from 10 minutes to eight. The league was looking to shorten the duration of the first round, which was ending just before midnight in most years.
Two-minute warning: The NFL notified teams today that it will shorten the time between picks in the first round of the draft from 10 to 8 minutes starting with the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh.
This will shorten the length of the first round, which had been finishing around 11:45p… pic.twitter.com/yMsym354PY
At a minimum, the change will save 64 minutes while shortening every first-round selection period by two minutes. With coverage starting at 8 p.m. ET, the NFL is hoping to conclude the opening round by 11 p.m. ET.
This is the first time the league has changed the duration of the first round since 2008, when the first-round pick time was shortened from 15 minutes to 10.
After the first round, where teams will have eight minutes per selection this year, the draft will have the same time periods to draft as last year, according to the NFL. Here is a breakdown of time limits per round.
Round 1: Eight minutes
Round 2: Seven minutes
Rounds 3-6: Five minutes
Round 7: Four minutes
Teams will always need the most time to pick in the first round, as the importance of selecting the right player is paramount. Along with this, it is important for them to monitor draft trends and other team movement in the draft that can impact landing their desired star player. After the first round, teams will look to address roster needs in the ensuing rounds.
In years prior, the NFL Draft's first round took just under four hours. The first-day event typically starts at 8 p.m. ET and would end around 11:45 p.m., according to Schefter. Last year's draft ended at roughly 11:30 p.m.
After the first round, the second and third rounds will ensue on Friday night. The second round will have a pick limit of seven minutes, while the third round will take five minutes per pick. Day 2 will start at 7 p.m. ET and last until roughly 10 p.m., according to the draft's event operations page.
On Saturday, coverage from Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET and last until 6 p.m. The fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds will all have five minutes per pick, while the seventh round will have a pick limit of four minutes.
For the modern seven-round format, which began in 1994, the fastest total draft time came at the 2012 draft. Across three days, teams made all their draft picks in a lightning-fast 14 hours and five minutes.
This year's draft will most likely break that 2012 record, with pick limits being shortened by two minutes per selection.
A player who will play a pivotal role for Manchester City tonight knows the challenge ahead
Manchester City will be without Rodri for tonight’s Premier League fixture against Burnley. Paul Hirst has reported for The Times that Manchester City’s midfield general that Rodri sustained a calf injury in the second half of City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal. As per Hirst’s report, Rodri’s injury isn’t believed to be too serious, but he is unavailable for tonight’s match. It is expected that Nico will slot into Rodri’s role in Manchester City’s midfield at Turf Moor tonight. Speaking on mancity.com, Nico knows that City are in the ideal scenario for them entering the final stages of this season.
Nico seems certain to start in midfield for Manchester City against Burnley.
With Rodri ruled out of tonight’s match against Burnley due to injury, Nico seems certain to start for Manchester City at Turf Moor. Tijjani Reijnders and Mateo Kovacic look to be the other alternatives to step into Rodri’s role tonight, but Nico is the standout candidate to play as a number six tonight. Nico was superb for City earlier this season in Rodri’s absence, and his fine performances in midfield helped lay a platform for City to launch into the second half of this season.
Nico is the player to step into Rodri’s role tonight. He played superbly in the heart of Manchester City’s midfield earlier this season. Nico’s performances showed that Manchester City has the ideal replacement for Rodri in their squad. Not having adequate cover for Rodri has been an issue for Manchester City in years past. It isn’t an issue now due to Nico and his rise.
Also, if Nico starts, Pep Guardiola doesn’t have to change the system that has served Manchester City so well recently. Nico slots into Rodri’s role perfectly, so his selection in Manchester City’s midfield tonight against Burnley seems to be a no-brainer.
Nico has said that City are exactly where they want to be for the run-in.
Ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Burnley, Nico said that Manchester City are the scenario that hoped to be in when the season started. He explained: “It was hard to think a few weeks ago about this position. If you said at the beginning of the season, we had the chance to be first with five games left, we would have all signed it.”
However, Nico knows that City cannot afford to look too far ahead, they simply must focus on beating Burnley tonight. He added: “It’s amazing – we can see it’s close, but we have to focus on Burnley. We will see what happens and take it game by game.”
“We are really happy about the job we are doing. It is 50/50. It’s going to be a nice race until the end. I really trust my team and I’m happy we are in this position.”
Nico has an important role to play tonight in Rodri’s absence for Manchester City, especially tonight at Burnley, as Pep Guardiola’s side knows that they must pick up three points to go top of the Premier League. The Spanish midfielder also believes that City are in an ideal situation for the final stages of this season to try and claim the Premier League title over Arsenal.
Bournemouth vs Leeds United – Predicted lineup and team news
Andoni Iraola targets a club-record finish for Bournemouth before his announced departure after the current campaign, as they entertain Leeds United on Wednesday.
Bournemouth sit eighth in the table after a clinical win on Tyneside last weekend. They look to avoid a fifth successive home draw on Wednesday night. The Cherries have struggled against promoted teams this season. They have taken zero wins from five such matches so far. Despite this, their 13-game unbeaten run provides the squad with immense confidence.
Iraola has revolutionised the side’s attacking output since taking charge at the Vitality Stadium. His team averages nearly ten attempts per game in their free-flowing system. That said, the side has only two wins in fifteen league meetings with Leeds. They must overcome this historical hurdle to secure continental football for next year. Success today would keep them level with Chelsea and Brentford in a tight race.
Bournemouth team news
The hosts will be without Justin Kluivert for tonight’s crucial league fixture. He has been sidelined since January with a knee injury. Meanwhile, Lewis Cook and Julio Soler are nearing a return after returning to training. A decision on their involvement will likely be made on Wednesday morning. In their absence, Alex Scott and Ryan Christie will control the midfield.
Djordje Petrovic will keep his place in goal behind a settled defensive line. Adrien Truffert and Alex Jimenez should occupy the full-back positions tonight. Marcos Senesi remains a key figure at the heart of the defence. He will be tasked with containing a resurgent Leeds strike force. That said, Tyler Adams might face his former employers from the substitutes’ bench.
Eli Junior Kroupi netted the equaliser at Elland Road earlier this season. He could become the first teenager to score home and away against Leeds. Marcus Tavernier remains a goal threat following his recent strike against Newcastle. Evanilson will lead the line as the primary focal point for the Cherries. The Brazilian’s movement will be essential against a compact Leeds backline.
Bournemouth predicted lineup
Bournemouth Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Christie; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium begins tonight, Wednesday, 22 April 2026, at 20:00 BST.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Leeds United?
UK fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League, with streaming available via Sky Go and NOW.
Elche vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news
Atletico Madrid face Elche in their next La Liga encounter away from home on Wednesday evening.
Atletico Madrid are sitting comfortably in fourth position in the league table with 57 points from 31 matches while Elche are fighting for survival as they are in 18th position in the table with 32 points from 31 matches.
Elche vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news
Date: Wednesday, 22nd April.
Kick-off: 6pm BST.
Venue: Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, Elche.
Elche team news
Managerial focus is currently on the fitness of Buba Sangare, who is recovering from a concussion, and Adam El Mokhtari; both players face late fitness tests before the squad is finalised.
A major boost for the hosts is the return of Pedro Bigas, who is expected to slot straight back into the heart of the defence after serving his suspension.
Elche is expected to field a compact 3-4-1-2 formation, relying on the physical presence of Rafa Mir upfront to pressure a makeshift Atlético defence.
Atletico Madrid team news
Diego Simeone is forced to navigate a mini-injury crisis, most notably losing key attackers Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sørloth to injuries sustained during that final.
José María Giménez remains sidelined with a muscle issue, while David Hancko is considered a major doubt despite nearing a return from an ankle injury.
With a critical Champions League semi-final against Arsenal on the horizon, Simeone is expected to rotate to manage fatigue.
This could see prospects like Julio Díaz and Javier Bonar earn rare starts. On a more positive note, veteran goalkeeper Jan Oblak is set to return to the starting XI after being rested, and Marcos Llorente has been cleared to play.
Form
Elche
Elche CF shows signs of a late-season revival in their battle against relegation, having won two of their last three league outings. This positive run includes a crucial 1–0 home victory over Valencia CF on April 11, which moved them within a point of safety. While they currently sit 18th, their formidable home form is a major asset; they boast the league’s eighth-best record at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, losing only twice there all season.
Atletico Madrid
Atlético Madrid’s season has hit a rough patch, with six losses in its last seven matches across all competitions. Their recent 2–1 league defeat to Sevilla FC was compounded by a heartbreaking penalty-shootout loss to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final on April 18. Despite sitting fourth in the table, Simeone’s side has struggled for domestic consistency, failing to win a league match since mid-March. Their focus now shifts toward securing their top-four spot and an upcoming Champions League semi-final against Arsenal F.C.
PSG hosts Nantes on Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes in a Ligue 1 clash.
Luis Enrique’s side will aim to maintain their impressive scoring streak at home, having found the net in 47 straight league matches — the longest current run across Europe’s top five leagues.
PSG sit top of the table with 63 points from 29 games, just one point clear of Lens, while also holding a game in hand. However, they come into this match after a 2-1 home defeat to Lyon last weekend. Before that setback, they were in strong form, winning six matches in a row in all competitions, including a Champions League quarter-final triumph over Liverpool.
PSG team news
In terms of team news, Enrique has several concerns as he manages a stretched squad ahead of a crucial Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
Vitinha is a major absentee after picking up a heel injury against Lyon, and his fitness for the European tie is uncertain.
In defence, Nuno Mendes remains sidelined with a thigh problem, while youngster Quentin Ndjantou is not expected back until May due to a hamstring injury.
Fabian Ruiz made a brief return from injury as a substitute in the last game but is likely to miss this one. As a result, Senny Mayulu is expected to continue in midfield.
There could also be changes in attack. Goncalo Ramos and Desire Doue started the previous match, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele are in line to feature from the start.
Merson ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if PL star with 68 G/A in 111 apps is playing for Man United next season
Paul Merson believes there’s a chance Cole Palmer could make the switch to Manchester United this summer – much to Chelsea fans’ dismay.
With Champions League qualification now slipping further from the Blues’ grasp, they might also struggle to keep hold of some of their most prized assets when the transfer window rolls around.
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Why Palmer is being tipped for a move elsewhere amid Chelsea’s UCL struggles
Palmer, who was part of Manchester City’s treble-winning squad in 2022/2023, has recently suggested that he is keen to continue plying his trade in Europe’s elite competition in the coming seasons.
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Since making the switch to Stamford Bridge in September 2023, he has only added to his UCL experience in one of the three campaigns he’s represented Chelsea, making five appearances this term as the side reached the last-16 before being hammered 8-2 on aggregate by Paris Saint-Germain.
That’s perhaps why Merson has tipped the coveted 23-year-old for a return to the North West – but this time in red and black as opposed to sky blue.
Weighing in on Chelsea’s struggles in his Sky Sports column, the pundit said: “Do you think Cole Palmer will be at Chelsea playing in the Europa Conference League? I don’t think so. Manchester United will get into the Champions League, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was playing there next season.”
His Premier League record speaks for itself, as the young talent has returned a scintillating 46 goals and 22 assists in 111 top-flight appearances.
Palmer’s record in all competitions for Chelsea
However, with the midfield poised to take the utmost priority for INEOS, there’s little to no chance the funds would be available to facilitate a deal for the England star – not to mention the fact that the London outfit will do everything in their power to keep hold of him.
Palmer actually touched on his frequent links to United this month in an attempt to play down the speculation. He told The Guardian: “Everyone just talks. When I see it [speculation over a move back to Manchester], I just laugh.
“Obviously, Manchester is my home. All my family are there, but I don’t miss it. I’ve got no plans to move from Chelsea.”
Bournemouth vs Leeds United – Match preview and team news
Bournemouth host Leeds United on Wednesday night as they chase a historic finish to an incredible campaign.
The Cherries chase European qualification after extending their record-breaking unbeaten run to thirteen matches. Recent victories against Arsenal and Newcastle have propelled the side into eighth place. They currently sit level on points with Chelsea and Brentford in a tight table.
However, Andoni Iraola’s side must fix their home form to stay in the continental hunt. They have drawn four consecutive matches at the Vitality Stadium and seek an elusive home win tonight.
Leeds, meanwhile, look to secure their top-flight status following back-to-back victories against Manchester United and Wolves. The Whites carry an eight-point cushion over the relegation zone with five games remaining.
Daniel Farke’s men remain unbeaten in their last five away fixtures in the Premier League. They are looking for their first consecutive top-flight away wins since April 2022. A victory today would likely seal their survival and allow a focus on the upcoming FA Cup semi-final.
Bournemouth vs Leeds United – Match preview and team news
Date: Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Referee: Michael Salisbury
VAR: Peter Bankes
Last Meeting: Leeds United 2–2 Bournemouth (27 Sept 2025, Premier League)
Team news
Bournemouth
The hosts remain without Justin Kluivert for this midweek encounter. Lewis Cook and Julio Soler could return to the squad after training this week. In their absence, Alex Scott and Ryan Christie have performed admirably in the midfield engine room. That said, Tyler Adams may start on the bench against his former club tonight.
Leeds United
Daniel James and Joe Rodon are both fit and available for selection. Anton Stach misses the trip as he recovers from an ankle injury sustained in the FA Cup. Farke expects the rest of the squad to travel to the south coast. Noah Okafor should keep his place after scoring in his last two away games.
Form
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have drawn four consecutive home games at the Vitality Stadium. They have not beaten a promoted side in five attempts this season. However, they have opened the scoring in five of their last seven matches. Their win ratio against Leeds historically stands at a lowly 13 per cent.
Leeds United
The Whites are unbeaten in eight away games across all competitions. They recently booked an FA Cup semi-final spot after beating West Ham. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in three consecutive away matches this term. Daniel Farke has never lost a Premier League game against Bournemouth in three meetings.
Predicted lineups
Bournemouth Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Christie; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson
Leeds United Predicted XI (4-4-2): Darlow; Justin, Bijol, Struijk, Bogle; Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Aaronson; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin
How to watch Bournemouth vs Leeds United?
The match is live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage begins at 19:00 BST.
Burnley vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news
Manchester City can seize the Premier League summit when they visit Turf Moor on Wednesday evening.
Pep Guardiola’s side trail leaders Arsenal by three points ahead of this crucial fixture. A victory by more than two goals would lift the visitors into top spot. City have found their stride lately following their recent triumph over the Gunners. They look to extend a run of 29 games unbeaten against newly promoted sides.
Burnley, meanwhile, face the daunting prospect of relegation confirmation if results go against them this week. The Clarets occupy 19th place and have not tasted victory since February. Scott Parker’s men must find a way to stop an 11-game losing streak against the visitors. They have struggled at home, conceding 25 goals at Turf Moor so far this campaign. Survival appears unlikely unless they can produce a perfect performance against the title challengers.
Burnley vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news
Date: Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Venue: Turf Moor
Referee: Andy Madley
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Last Meeting: Man City 5–1 Burnley (27 Sep 2025, Premier League)
Team news
Burnley
Scott Parker deals with a depleted squad for this difficult midweek encounter. Josh Cullen, Zeki Amdouni, and Hannibal Mejbri remain unavailable due to various injuries. Jordan Beyer and Connor Roberts are also ruled out of the matchday squad. Axel Tuanzebe remains a doubt, while Kyle Walker could face his former club.
Manchester City
The visitors must cope without influential holding midfielder Rodri due to a groin issue. Ruben Dias is also set to miss out as he continues his recovery. Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined, forcing further changes to the defensive line. That said, Nico Gonzalez is expected to deputise in the middle of the park.
Form
Burnley
Burnley have won just one of their 19 Premier League meetings with City. They currently endure a 12-game winless run at Turf Moor in the top flight. Parker’s side has conceded 212.5% more home goals than they did last season. Despite snatching draws against top sides recently, the Clarets look physically and mentally drained.
Manchester City
City have collected 21 away points since December, more than any other Premier League team. They have scored five or more goals in five different matches against Burnley. Erling Haaland averages one goal every 36 minutes against the East Lancashire outfit. Guardiola’s team has not lost a league game in April since 2021.
Leeds XI vs Bournemouth – Predicted lineup and team news
Daniel Farke aims to secure Premier League safety during a brilliant April run for Leeds United as they travel to Bournemouth.
Leeds occupy fifteenth place and sit eight points clear of the drop zone. They are the only top-flight side to win back-to-back games this week. Farke remains unbeaten against Bournemouth in three previous Premier League meetings. Despite this, Leeds lost 4–1 on their last visit to the Vitality Stadium. They must maintain their current focus to avoid another South Coast slip.
The Whites are currently enjoying their longest unbeaten away run in twenty-five years. They have not lost on the road in five Premier League matches. This streak extends to eight games across all competitions during an impressive period. A victory today would likely guarantee another year in the top division. Meanwhile, it would also build momentum for their upcoming FA Cup semi-final clash.
Leeds United team news
Daniel Farke has confirmed that Daniel James and Joe Rodon are fit. Both players have returned to team training following spells on the sidelines. However, the encounter comes too soon for German midfielder Anton Stach. He remains out with an ankle injury sustained against West Ham. The manager expects the rest of the squad to be available for selection.
Karl Darlow continues in goal while the regular outfield starters return. James Justin should start at right-back after his stunning goal against Wolves. Pascal Struijk and Jaka Bijol will form the central defensive partnership today. Joe Rodon is fit but might start on the bench following injury. In his absence, Ethan Ampadu has led the side with great composure.
Noah Okafor has been the catalyst for Leeds’ recent away success. He scored in the historic win at Old Trafford and at Molineux. Dominic Calvert-Lewin seeks to score in a fourth straight away game tonight. Brenden Aaronson and Ao Tanaka will provide the energy in a 4-4-2 setup. They must disrupt Bournemouth’s possession-based style to find success on the counter.
Leeds United predicted lineup
Leeds United Predicted XI (4-4-2): Darlow; Justin, Bijol, Struijk, Bogle; Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Aaronson; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium begins tonight, Wednesday, 22 April 2026, at 20:00 BST.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Leeds United?
UK fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League, with streaming available via Sky Go and NOW.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup and team news vs Elche
Atletico Madrid travel to face Elche in La Liga on Wednesday evening, with both sides chasing very different goals at this stage of the season.
Atletico currently sit fourth in the table with 57 points from 31 games, while Elche are down in 18th place on 32 points, battling to avoid relegation.
Diego Simeone’s team are going through a difficult run, having lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions. Their struggles continued with a 2–1 defeat to Sevilla in the league, followed by a painful Copa del Rey final loss to Real Sociedad on penalties on April 18.
Despite holding a top-four position, Atletico haven’t won a league game since mid-March and are now under pressure to maintain their Champions League spot ahead of a semi-final clash with Arsenal.
Atletico Madrid team news
Injuries are also a concern for Simeone. Key forwards Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sorloth are both ruled out after picking up injuries in the cup final.
Jose Maria Gimenez remains unavailable due to a muscle problem, while David Hancko is doubtful as he recovers from an ankle issue.
With the Arsenal match approaching, squad rotation is expected. Young players like Julio Díaz and Javier Bonar could be given opportunities to start.
There is some good news, though, as Jan Oblak is set to return in goal after being rested, and Marcos Llorente is fit again.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup
Possible Atletico Madrid starting XI: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Bonar, Diaz; Mendoza, Cardoso; Almada, Baena, Gonzalez; Alvarez
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 6pm BST on Wednesday, 22nd April.
How to watch Elche vs Atletico Madrid?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports 1.
PSG is set to face Nantes in a Ligue 1 encounter on Wednesday night at their home ground Parc Des Princes.
Luis Enrique’s men will look to continue their goal-scoring form at home as they have scored in 47 consecutive home league matches, the longest active run by any team in Europe’s top five leagues.
PSG vs Nantes – Match preview and team news
Date: Wednesday, 22nd April.
Kick-off: 6pm BST.
Venue: Parc Des Princes, Paris.
PSG team news
For Paris Saint-Germain, manager Luis Enrique faces a delicate balancing act as he manages a squad thinned by injuries ahead of a busy schedule that includes a Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
The biggest blow is the absence of Vitinha, who is sidelined with a heel injury picked up during the recent loss to Lyon; his availability for European duty remains a major concern.
Defensively, the Parisians are still without Nuno Mendes, who is continuing his recovery from a thigh issue, and young talent Quentin Ndjantou, who isn’t expected back until May due to a hamstring strain.
Midfielder Fabian Ruiz returned from his injury to feature off the bench in their last outing but he is expected to sit out this match as well.
Senny Mayulu is once again set to start in Midfield due to the absence of Vitinha and Ruiz.
Goncalo Ramos and Desire Doue started the last match but there might be changes in attack as well with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele expected to start.
Nantes team news
Nantes enters this daunting fixture in a precarious position, battling both relegation and a depleted roster.
The Canaries will be without their leader on the touchline, as manager Vahid Halilhodžić begins a four-match suspension following his dismissal against Brest.
On the pitch, the injury list is extensive: Fabien Centonze is out long-term with a cruciate ligament injury, joined by Kelvin Amian (groin) and Tylel Tati (thigh).
Furthermore, Remi Cabella has been ruled out until May alongwith Mohamed Kaba and Abakar Sylla. Adding to their woes, Dehmaine Tabibou is suspended following his recent red card.
Form
PSG
PSG remains at the top of Ligue 1, with 63 points from 29 matches, still one point ahead of Lens and also with one extra game in hand. They recently suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Lyon last Sunday. Before this loss, the Parisians had been in dominant form, securing six consecutive wins across all competitions, including a Champions League quarter-final victory over Liverpool.
Nantes
Nantes is currently mired in a difficult run as they fight to avoid the drop, sitting in 17th place and five points away from guaranteed safety. Their most recent result was a heartbreaking 1-1 draw against Brest, where they conceded a 96th-minute equaliser that denied them a much-needed victory. The Canaries are now winless in their last six matches and have struggled significantly on the road, failing to score in their last three away outings.
The Utah Mammoth defeated the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday to tie their series 1-1.
LAS VEGAS — Lady Luck was not on the side of Vegas on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena as The Utah Mammoth (1-1) defeated the Vegas Golden Knights (1-1) , 3-2 to knot the first round series at one. Both teams capitalized on mistakes by their opponent, but both teams also took advantage of some puck luck. In Game 2, it was Utah that had just a bit more luck on their side in what was otherwise a pretty evenly played game.
In an eventful first period, Lady Puck Luck was with both teams. With Utah’s Logan Cooley off for interference, the Vegas power play went to work. Mark Stone (2) gained control of the puck down low and attempted a cross-crease pass to teammate Tomas Hertl. However, instead of the puck reaching Hertl, it deflected off the skate of Utah defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and into the net at 11:42 of the first. The tally was Stone’s 12th career post-season power play goal, the most in Vegas franchise history and his 43rd overall post-season goal.
Utah got some puck luck of their own when it tied the game at one. With 3:01 left in the first MacKenzie Weegar (1) took a shot from the point that tipped off Vegas defenseman Noah Hanifin, then off the stick of netminder Carter Hart, then deflected once more off Vegas defenseman Rasmus Andersson’s right shin pad and past an unsuspecting Hart.
There was a total of eight penalties called in the first period, five against Utah and three on Vegas. To nobody’s surprise, five of the eight penalties in the first period were for roughing. The parade to the penalty box would continue to start the second period. At the 2:27 mark of the second frame, Nick Dowd was whistled for tripping and the Utah power play went back to work. This power play was notable, not because of a Utah goal, but because of four Vegas blocked shots during the penalty kill, two of which severely stunned Hanifin and Jeremy Lazoun, respectively. While both players hobbled to the bench, they were both able to continue on in the game after some recovery time. Vegas would kill all four Utah penalties in the game.
Failed clearing attempts by both teams lead to the game’s next two goals. Four second after Utah killed another Vegas power play, the Mammoth took that momentum and then took their first lead of the night. Mitch Marner attempted to clear the puck from below his own goal line, but Utah defenseman Kailer Yamamoto was able to flag down the clearing attempt with his right glove and then complete a backhand, cross-ice pass to Dylan Guenther (1) who was stationed at the top of the left circle. He then unloaded on a one-time blast that beat Hart high to his stick-side. The goal came at 14:56 of the second and gave Utah a 2-1 lead. That lead, however, would be short-lived.
Just 1:02 later, Ivan Barbashev (2) picked off a Sergachev pass attempt at center ice and then skated in one-on-three, but somehow managed to dance all three Utah players like the Bellagio Fountains and then backhand the puck up and over the glove of Utah netminder Karel Vejmelka to knot the game at two and that is how the score remained heading into the second intermission.
The goaltenders took center stage in the third period as both teams peppered the opposing netminders, but each was stellar. However, late in the third, Utah was able to solve Hart for a third time through sheer tenacity. Guenther took a shot on Hart, then got his own rebound and rang it off the post. As Geunther looked to the heavens in disbelief, his teammate Logan Cooley (2) doggedly swooped in and corralled the rebound off the post and pushed it past Hart to put Utah ahead 3-2 with exactly six minutes left in regulation. With the goal, Cooley became the youngest U.S.-born player to score a goal in his first two career playoff games.
Vegas pulled Hart for the extra attacker and had some sustained pressure late, but could not get the equalizer. The win for Utah is considered their first in franchise history because they were considered an expansion franchise after their relocation to Utah from Arizona last season. While it was the first-ever playoff win for Utah, it was the first regulation loss for Vegas under coach John Tortorella. Vegas had been 8-0-1 since Tortorella became their new bench boss on March 30.
The series will now switch venues to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City for Games 3 and 4. Game 3 will take place on Friday night and will be Utah’s inaugural home playoff game.
Notes
The final shots on goal favored Utah, 29-21.
Hits favored Utah, 33-31.
Blocked shots also favored Utah, 17-15.
Faceoff winning percentages were a dead even split at 50% apiece.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Tereza Vanisova had a goal and two assists as the Vancouver Goldeneyes held on for a 4-3 win over the Montreal Victoire on Tuesday night.
Sarah Nurse scored her eighth goal of the season, Ashton Bell added a power-play goal midway through the second and Claire Thompson rounded out the scoring for the Goldeneyes (9-2-4-14).
Thompson’s goal at the 5:06 mark of the third period gave Vancouver a 4-0 lead, before Montreal (16-5-2-6) pulled goalie Sandra Abstreiter with more than seven minutes left on the game clock in favor of an extra attacker.
Hayley Scamurra responded with three goals over 2 minutes and 44 seconds to cut the Victoire’s deficit to a goal with the first hat trick of her PWHL career. Nicole Gosling had three assists and Erin Ambrose added two.
Vancouver goalie Kristen Campbell stopped 25 of the 28 shots she faced, and Abstreiter made 14 saves for Montreal.
The Victoire have locked up their playoff spot and are still looking to secure first place so they can pick their semifinal opponent. The Goldeneyes have been eliminated from postseason play, but are aiming to rack up draft order points with strong showings in their final games.
Up next
Victoire: Visit the Seattle Torrent on Saturday.
Goldeneyes: Close out their inaugural season Saturday when they host the Minnesota Frost.
Retired Eagles center Jason Kelce drew a packed crowd and a rock-star welcome during a campus visit Tuesday at Rowan University.
He spoke with students and faculty about his football journey, life and the upcoming NFL Draft.
Kelce, the former All-Pro center who spent his entire NFL career in Philadelphia, reflected on his path, including before becoming a household name.
Now retired, Kelce has shifted his focus to new roles as a podcast host and ESPN NFL analyst. With the NFL Draft just days away, he said he expects plenty of unpredictability.
"It's going to be chaotic. Things are going to happen that no one sees coming. We're going to add some new teammates here in Philadelphia, which will be very exciting," Kelce said in an exclusive one-on-one interview with Action News.
Kelce was also asked about Eagles WR A.J. Brown, who could be traded, according to some reports. He described Brown as both a great player and teammate.
"I know AJ personally. I played with him, he's an awesome teammate. He's an incredibly talented player. At the same time, you've seen the frustrations over the last couple years. I don't know where he's at or where the teams is. Everything gets to a point where it's gonna come to an end and maybe it's at the point," Kelce said.
"AJ has clearly been frustrated and sometimes that frustrates the fans, but one thing I do find unique is that the players really haven't manifested in a negative way towards AJ, which lends me to think that a lot of people understand AJ's frustrations. I think AJ is a great player where if he is moved, the Eagles will miss him. He's not the reason the offense wasn't good last year," Kelce added.
Kelce spent 13 seasons anchoring the Eagles' offensive line, playing a central role in delivering the franchise's first Super Bowl title in 2018.
Even in retirement, Kelce remains a vocal ambassador for Philadelphia sports culture, extending his enthusiasm beyond football.
"If you play hockey all out, it's just such a fun sport to watch, and the Flyers are definitely making Philadelphia proud through two games right now," he said.
Tuesday, Kelce met with Rowan students in the Sports Communication and Media program and the football team.
He offered this advice to the students who packed the Pfleeger Concert Hall: "Enjoy every second of this because once it's gone -- I played in the NFL for 13 years -- nothing replicates being in college and that experience," Kelce said.
Kelce said it was his first visit to Rowan University and added that he plans to return for a future football game, prompting cheers from the crowd.
Jul 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) reacts against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury’s Sami Whitcomb never hid where she wanted to spend the 2026 WNBA season.
Oct 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) against the Las Vegas Aces during game three of the 2025 WNBA Finals at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“[Phoenix] was my first choice,” Whitcomb said. “I have no problem saying that. I told [the Mercury] that when I left. This is where I wanted to be.”
The WNBA’s CBA negotiations stretched deep into the offseason, creating unease across teams and front offices. At times, the delay raised concerns about whether the 2026 season would even begin on time — leaving players like Whitcomb to navigate an unpredictable few months.
After an offseason filled with uncertainty surrounding the CBA, Whitcomb is back in the Valley on a two-year deal — a move that brings continuity and stability to both the player and organization at a pivotal moment.
However, the guard revealed that there were other options available to her, although she didn’t name what those options were.
“You know, there were a lot of things that were going to be unpredictable about the offseason,” she said. “There were times where I wasn’t so sure that this would be where I’d land. I stayed in constant communication with them, and I really appreciated that.”
Even through that uncertainty, both parties maintained consistent communication, something she said made the difference.
“We were really honest and open,” she said. “… I’m just really, really grateful that it ended up working out.”
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) dribbles the ball past Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) in the second half during game one of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The guard’s return is significant for the Mercury, a team that leaned heavily on her experience and shooting in 2025. In her first year in Phoenix, Whitcomb provided steady backcourt production from the bench that helped stabilize a roster in transition. Her perimeter shooting and playmaking often sparked the offense, while her composure proved valuable in close games — especially during the club’s deep playoff run.
In 2025, Whitcomb averaged 9.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Jun 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) against the Dallas Wings at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Beyond the stats, her familiarity with the system and culture gives Phoenix continuity at a time when many teams have completely reshaped their rosters. Whitcomb joins Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Kahleah Copper, Natasha Mack, Monique Akoa Makani and Kathryn Westbeld as returning faces.
For the Mercury, retaining a trusted contributor signals an intent to remain competitive while building cohesion. In a turbulent offseason, both sides got what they wanted, and that may matter as much as anything else once the season tips off.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
On Tuesday, Sanders took the majority of first team reps as Cleveland held their first session of voluntary OTAs, with Deshaun Watson also getting reps with the starters.
But last year at this time, Sanders —who nearly every NFL talent evaluator had pegged as a first round pick — was prepping for the draft.
And when the 2025 NFL Draft came around, the entire country watched the first round pass without Sanders hearing his name called. It continued all the way to the fifth round, when the Cleveland Browns finally selected Sanders.
There are always players who slide during the draft, but this one felt unprecedented. Absolutely nobody had the former Colorado star QB slipping to the fifth round.
To make things worse, Sanders received a call on the second night of the 2025 NFL Draft that he believed was from Saints GM Mickey Loomis. It turned out to be a prank call from the son of Jeff Ulbrich, the defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons.
“[I have] been waiting on you,” Sanders said on the call, which was documented in a livestream. “You’re gonna have to wait a little bit longer,” the caller replied and hung up the call. Sanders was visibly confused. “What does that mean?” he asked on the livestream
Due to the unfortunate incident, and other players like Abdul Carter and Kyle McCord also reporting they were prank called on draft night, the NFL has implemented a new system to prevent these incidents moving forward.
The relevant contact information will be provided by the league to a single point of contact at the club in football operations,” an NFL spokesman told The Athletic. “This individual will be responsible for safeguarding the numbers.”
According to reports, Ulbrich’s son found Sanders’ contact information on an iPad that belonged to his dad or the Falcons. The NFL ultimately fined the Falcons $250,000 and another $100,00 for Ulbrich.
It will be interesting to see if the new protocols actually prevent these kinds of pranks from happening on draft night moving forward.
It could not be much tenser in the race to reach the Championship's play-offs.
And yet Wrexham are relaxed. Or at least that is what manager Phil Parkinson claims is behind their well-time turnaround and return to the top six.
On Saturday morning, the north Wales club were four points behind sixth-placed Hull City having suffered back-to-back defeats, including a crushing 5-1 beating by rivals Southampton and a flat 2-0 loss at Birmingham City.
Four days later the gap is gone, with Hull's hiccups and back-to-back victories pushing Wrexham ahead on goal difference.
"We never stopped believing, but the key to us in the last two games is that we've relaxed a bit," Parkinson said after Josh Windass' goal sealed a 1-0 win over Oxford United on Tuesday night.
"We just regrouped. I felt against Birmingham we were almost too desperate to go and win it, so we just tried to take a step back and had a week to reflect on what we need to and got our performance levels back to where they need to be."
And the side back into the position they want to be heading into the final week of the regular season.
Parkinson admitted his explanations may sound overly simplistic but – with a tinker to his team and the return to fitness and form of key midfielder Matty James – it has worked.
All of a sudden, the team who know better than most what it takes to win promotion have the bit between their teeth again.
Wrexham's challenge is to remain relaxed when the Championship carries on without them on Wednesday night and Saturday before they next play.
While Wrexham wait until midday on Sunday to face a Coventry City side enjoying the spoils of the title in their final home game, rivals above and below will be in anxious action.
Hull face a Saturday lunchtime trip to Charlton Athletic, while Middlesbrough – without a win in seven and now only three points ahead, albeit with a significantly better goal difference – welcome Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday and then Watford on Saturday.
To add to the intrigue, Boro travel to the Cae Ras on the final day while Hull welcome Norwich City.
Derby County – four points behind Wrexham with two to play – take on Queens Park Rangers away and Sheffield United at home hoping for others to slip-up.
'Can't stop the Reds?'
In the three years to the day from the first promotion out of non-league, Parkinson has rarely allowed himself to publicly predict what could happen in a promotion race or let himself be accused of getting carried away.
He was not about to start at Oxford, chuckling to the question of what will be needed to get over the line as he responded "more points than the teams around us", and not prepared to guess whether Coventry's title-sealing win over Portsmouth on Tuesday night was good news ahead of Sunday.
But he did accept the significance of Wrexham's return to form at just the right time, saying: "We're in a far better position than when I woke up Saturday morning.
"Did we believe (Hull) would drop points going to Leicester? We knew Leicester needed to win so we felt they would have a right go, but it was all about what we did and we performed really well.
"We spoke to the lads prior to the Stoke game about pushing all the way; we got a brilliant win and we have backed it up with a really hard-fought victory.
"To hit 70 points in our first season in the Championship is a good achievement – but it's not the achievement we want to be remembered for.
"It's a good benchmark for us, now can we add to that in the final two games?"
Co-chairman Rob Mac believes so, stating on social media, "Can't stop the Reds."
Rivals will try to have their say and keep the tension in the final two games.
The challenge for Wrexham will be to keep calm and carry on.
Apr 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Randy Vasquez (98) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
DENVER -- The San Diego Padres, who are coming off a fifth straight series win over the weekend, posted a narrow 1-0 shutout over the Colorado Rockies in their series opener on Tuesday at Coors Field.
In what was an underwhelming performance offensively for both clubs, the stars of this contest were San Diego's starter Randy Vásquez and Colorado's right-hander Chance Dollander, who came in to replace starter Jimmy Herget after he struck out the side in the first inning.
Despite the lone run given up by Dollander, the Rockies rotation of arms were nearly perfect on the mound, as they combined for 15 strikeouts, six hits and one walk. The key moment for Dollander was striking out six consecutive batters, which was two shy the Rockies' franchise record set by current Padres pitcher Germán Márquez.
"They pitched great," Padres manager Craig Stammen said. "Dollander got some really good stuff. (He's) got that really hard heater. We just couldn't quite catch up to it tonight. And then they got some good bullpen guys too. You know, they got a much improved pen from years past. And you know, they're going to be a tough out with those guys at the back end."
Vásquez, along with relievers Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon, not only combined for the shutout, but they set down 18 batters in a row. Earning his second win of the season and posting a 1.88 ERA through five starts, the 27-year-old tied a career high seven innings pitched, a benchmark he's reached now three times.
"It's fantastic", Stammen said. "Hard to pitch like that at Coors Field. You know, (he) did a tremendous job throwing strikes, getting his pitch countdown, got a lot of swing and miss. Just an outstanding outing for Randy.
He finished the night throwing 84 pitches and only allowed three hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
Morejon earned his first save of the season, but to some surprise, it was expected in a one-run game to see the usual dominate closer Mason Miller, who is one scoreless inning away from breaking the franchise record for consecutive scoreless innings. However Stammen decided on Sunday that since Miller pitched Saturday and Sunday, he would receive the next two days off, and at this point of the season, Stammen just wants to be careful with his roster.
"We decided Adrian was a good person for the ninth," Stammen said. "Mason will be fine going forward but you got to take it easy on him. We've used him a lot over here over the last week or so. You know, he's not a robot."
Even with the victory in hand, the Padres offense could not provide any run support for Vásquez. The team often had a difficult time making contact and posted a season-high 15 strikeouts, including from players who have been consistent at the plate: Ramón Laureano (3), Fernando Tatis Jr. (2), Jackson Merrill (3) and Xander Bogaerts (2).
The only generated offense came during the sixth inning when Dollander gave up a hustle double from Jake Cronenworth, followed up by a barehand misplay by third baseman Kyle Karros to allow Tatis Jr. to reach first base. On the very next pitch, Merrill would get plunked to load the bases with two outs, which led to an RBI walk by Manny Machado.
"We weren't getting anything going, we struck out on the side," Stammen said. "Their pitchers kind of had us in a tailspin. Jake gets one through the hole and then, you know, like he always does hustling everywhere gets in that double... Those finishing plays is what we talk about can win us some games, today it won us a game."
San Diego had a good chance to add a little cushion in the ninth inning with Miguel Andujar and Freddy Fermin in scoring position, but the pair would get left stranded after Cronenworth struck out following an overturned ABS challenge that touched the top of the strike zone.
The Padres will look to take the series on Wednesday with their starting right-hander Walker Buehler (1-1, 4.58 ERA) and he will face-off against Rockies right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (1-1, 3.92 ERA). First pitch is at 5:40 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO — “Whatever we do, we gonna do this s*** together!” — Keldon Johnson
A few minutes before tipoff of Game 2 against the Trail Blazers, the entire Spurs team and coaching staff formed a huddle near half-court, with the backdrop of adoring fans, cheering and congratulating Victor Wembanyama on his first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award.
Roughly 30 minutes later, with a little over a quarter of basketball played, that same huddle formed, only this time off the basis of confusion, trepidation and angst. Moments earlier, Wembanyama, in an attempt to drive to the basket while being defended by Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, got his feet tangled up and hit the ground — the velocity so high that his face planted directly into the floor before briefly bouncing off the surface.
For a moment, Wembanyama lay motionless on the ground before resting against the stanchion in an attempt to gather himself. In some ways, the Spurs’ hopes and dreams laid there with him. He would later be followed to the locker room after leaving on his own power before being officially ruled out with a concussion and entered into protocol. Per NBA rules, there is a 48-hour mandatory recovery period from the onset of a concussion before a player can be evaluated by a team physician or athletic trainer for a return to action.
Right then and there, San Antonio’s unspoken horrors manifested: the worst-case scenario of Portland’s physicality, a game plan in need of a major audible and an unknown postseason territory without Wembanyama.
“Give a lot of credit to Portland, the staff, the game plan and their players,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said following San Antonio’s 106-103 loss. “There was a level of fatigue there that kicked in, in terms of the intensity of the game and the output in minutes the guys had to play. And that’s a playoff game. That’s what it’s gonna feel like.”
Victor Wembanyama's scary fall shifted the tone of the night and left the Spurs staring at an uncertain series.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters
To the Spurs’ credit, even without Wembanyama, there was an admirable effort on the defensive end of the floor. San Antonio held Portland to just 76.1 points per 100 half-court possessions, one of the best defensive outputs both in the regular season and playoffs. They also won the rebounding battle despite going small for large portions of the evening, won the transition battle and held the Blazers to just 34 percent from 3 and 43 percent from the field overall. “We didn’t give up 150 or anything like that,” Johnson added. “I thought the guys actually fought their butts off, did a really good job.”
The problem with silver linings, however, is that a dark cloud frequently accompanies it. San Antonio, a top-half team in 3-point rate, attempted just 24 shots from behind the arc — including just four corner 3s for the NBA’s most proficient corner shooting unit — converting only seven(!) of them. A Spurs team that finishes nearly 70% of shots at the rim only saw 44 percent go down. In the fourth quarter, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox combined to shoot a woeful 2-for-10 from the field, the majority of which came in hotly contested back-and-forth final minutes with the game hanging delicately in the balance. Devin Vassell finished with 16 points on 16 shots, missing all five of his 3-point attempts, including the final chance at forcing overtime.
Moreover, San Antonio committed the one cardinal sin in a playoff series against an underdog: They gave them momentum, life and a chance. Portland, which has performed as one of the NBA’s top-10 defenses since Feb. 1, presented its deck of why this series is anything but over. The Blazers, led by the defensive grit of Holiday, Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson, are as pesky of a trio as any around the league, able to use their abundance of physicality and lateral quickness to crowd the airspace of even the quickest opposing guards. Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III are about as shrewd of a frontcourt one-two punch as there is around the Association, not only because of their ability to protect the interior but because of their snarl, soft touch and uncanny nature of their in-between game. What once appeared to be a breeze of a first-round series now has all the makings of a grueling, risky marathon.
As the entire city of San Antonio awaits Wembanyama’s immediate next steps, the Spurs coaching staff will reconvene to determine how to avoid letting go of the rope altogether in what will surely be a deafening Moda Center for Game 3. The Spurs are quite familiar with playing without Wembanyama, only being outscored by a single point in around 2,000 minutes this season. Their ability to remain even-keeled with Portland in non-Wembanyama minutes nearly brought them over the finish line on Tuesday evening and will certainly be at the forefront of any Game 3 preparation.
“We’ve played tough games without him,” Castle said about the prospect of Game 3 without Wembanyama. “Obviously, we want everybody healthy and to have him on the court, but I’ll get whatever five guys we have on the court. We’re gonna play like ourselves.”
(Within that game plan will certainly come some tough decisions. San Antonio’s most-played lineup without Wemby in Game 2 — regular starters plus Luke Kornet — were outscored by seven with a -46.7 net rating. Playing four guards alongside Kornet swung the pendulum to a +66.7 net rating in four minutes. There’s also the question of whether rookie Carter Bryant, who was deputized as a small-ball five, can withstand the pressure and physicality of the Clingan/Williams tandem on the road.)
Still, some tough questions remain. How did San Antonio’s elite defense allow Henderson — who has played in just 30 games all year and scored more than 25 points twice — to command the show like that with a game-high 31 points? How can the Spurs replicate Wembanyama’s vertical spacing and gravity, the centripetal force of their inside-outside balance, spacing and efficiency? What happens when Wembanyama, who literally forced Portland to adjust their line of offensive — and defensive — thinking, is not there to save the day? (San Antonio allowed 117.4 points per 100 possessions without Wembanyama this season, which would rank inside the bottom 10 among NBA defenses.)
How do you account for Deni Avdija, who was largely kept in check in Game 2, knowing one of the league’s most adept drivers will roam freely without the Defensive Player of the Year at the rim?
“It’s really the same game plan,” Castle said. “Most of their offense ends in guard-to-guard screening or one-on-one dribble drives. So being able to contain the ball, still be able to help each other. Obviously, we can’t make up for what Vic is for us defensively, but you’re trying to do it as a team. Stay in shifts for each other, communication and rotations.”
PHOENIX (AP) — Rookie Munetaka Murakami homered for the fourth straight game, Sean Burke won for the first time in 17 appearances, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-5 on Tuesday night.
Chicago scored four runs in the first inning and hit three consecutive homers — by Murakami, Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery — in the second for a 7-0 lead.
Montgomery and rookie Sam Antonacci led the White Sox with three RBIs apiece.
Montgomery began the scoring with a two-run double and he scored on a triple by Antonacci, who recorded his first RBI in the majors. Montgomery added a 440-foot shot in the second for his third straight game with a homer.
Murakami, who went 3 for 5, joined Montgomery, Matt Davidson (2017), Ron Kittle (1983) and Rich McKinney (1970) as the only rookies in White Sox history to hit a homer in four straight games. Murakami’s nine homers, seven coming on the road, are the most in MLB history by a Japanese-born player in his first 23 career games.
Antonacci’s first MLB home run came in the ninth on an inside-the-park effort to make it 10-2. The ball appeared to make contact with the ball boy down the left-field line and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. gave up on the play, allowing Antonacci to score. The play was not reviewable.
Burke (1-2) allowed two earned runs and five hits in six innings for his first win since last season against the Diamondbacks on June 25. He entered winless in 13 road games since 2025.
Merrill Kelly (1-1) surrendered eight runs in 4 1/3 innings — a game after starter Ryne Nelson was rocked for eight runs and got just one out.
Ildemaro Vargas hit a three-run homer in the ninth to extend his hit streak to a career-best 19 games.
Up next
Chicago continues a six-game, seven-day trip on Wednesday with LHP Anthony Kay going against Arizona LHP Eduardo Rodriguez.
Aurelien Tchouameni: Real Madrid respond to Man United interest
Manchester United’s interest in signing Aurelien Tchouameni has sparked an immediate response from Real Madrid as the summer window draws nearer, Fabrizio Romano reveals.
Midfield Monster
The Red Devils are on the hunt for a successor to Casemiro as the Brazil international is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Despite turning 34 in February, the former Madridista has enjoyed a resurgence under interim boss Michael Carrick, having been restored to a double pivot alongside Kobbie Mainoo. While his legs have clearly gone, Casemiro’s abilities with his feet and threat with his head have seen him roll back the years to retain his place as one of the Premier League’s best enforcers.
It will require a defensive midfielder with a complete skillset to properly replace him – with Elliot Anderson seen as the first-choice target. Competition will be fierce for the Nottingham Forest maestro, however, as Manchester City are understood to be leading the charge to secure his signature this summer.
Other operators in the Premier League are also on United’s radar, such as Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton. However, each player poses an issue, be it stylistically or financially relative to their skillset.
Shopping in Spain
This has forced INEOS to look towards Spain as an option to bolster the stalling engine room, with Tchouameni a long-term target at Old Trafford dating back to his early days in France.
Former teammate Chema Andreas has described Tchouameni as the world’s “best defensive midfielder”. Lofty praise indeed, but apt for the undisputed starter of Real Madrid and the French national side.
The 26-year-old is an imposing shield for the defence, possessing a powerful frame and outstanding aerial abilities – an important trait for Casemiro’s replacement. While he is smart and neat on the ball, progressing play from deep is not one of his strengths.
This is understood to have led Los Blancos to consider more technical reinforcements in midfield, with Manchester City’s Rodri the top target and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez an alternative. In order to prise either player from their respective club in England, Real are believed to be considering the sale of an existing option, such as Tchouameni or fellow Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga, to fund a raid.
This has sparked hope in the red half of Manchester that Pep Guardiola’s maestro may leave the Etihad and Tchouameni arrives in M16 to make space for the Spaniard at the Bernabeu. A transfer merry-go-round that strengths United and weakens City.
Final Thoughts – Romano rules out an exit
Romano has poured cold water on the prospect of seeing the France international in a red shirt next season, however. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Italian transfer expert confirms the Red Devils are in the market for “important names” in midfield, with INEOS’ plan being to sign two from their wish list.
Romano reveals there are “some players they really like”, including Tchouameni who is “appreciated”, but goes on to state, “there is no indication of [any] intentions” for Madrid to sell their prized asset.
It seems if United want to find the heir to Casemiro this summer, they have little hope of recreating the trick which saw the Brazilian arrive at Old Trafford in the first place.
When Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones and Brian Schottenheimer logged onto a Zoom meeting in January, they were, Schottenheimer admits, tired.
The Dallas Cowboys brass had already interviewed eight defensive coordinator candidates in short order. Energy was fading as they prepared to meet candidate No. 9.
Then a candidate 21 years younger than any of the Cowboys’ last three coordinators presented his vision.
Christian Parker knew how and when he wanted to coach cornerbacks on the nuances of press coverage and how today’s corner can integrate safety and linebacker responsibilities. Parker knew how and when he wanted to feature five-man fronts to smother quarterbacks, and he understood the nuances of third-down responsibilities from his most recent responsibilities as Eagles defensive pass game coordinator.
And Parker wasn’t afraid to shake up a Cowboys scheme and personnel group that has rooted its identity in a 4-3 base (four defensive linemen, three linebackers) for the last 13 seasons.
“Whenever you form a defensive structure, it’s about the players that you have,” Parker said at his introductory news conference. “So core principles, we’ll be a 3-4 by nature. But 4-3 spacing will be appropriate — 4-2-5 in nickel. Different front structures, coverages behind it.
“I would say being multiple is probably the most important thing.”
Parker was resolute — if not quite as cavalier as Bill Parcells 20 years ago, who “walked down the hallway and said, ‘Boys, we’re switching,’” then-Cowboys quarterbacks coach Sean Payton remembers.
Then-defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, whose background was in the 4-3, was becoming a 3-4 play-caller.
“It wasn’t much conversation,” Zimmer told Yahoo Sports.
This Cowboys shift is different, coming from the coordinator up rather than the head coach down.
Nonetheless, two decades after the Cowboys took two seasons to feel like their personnel makeup and player buy-in could successfully green-light the transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, Dallas is at it again.
The 34-year-old who has coached under top defensive minds Vic Fangio, Vance Joseph and Ejiro Evero plans to blend a background in exotic fronts and shutdown secondaries as he aims to compel a struggling Cowboys defense to threaten like its potent offensive counterpart.
Cue the addition of some key personnel, the evolution of some returning players and a step-by-step development plan? The Cowboys are banking on the combination to help them contend in 2026.
The next step in that process comes Thursday night, when the Cowboys currently own the 12th and 20th picks in the NFL Draft.
Jerry Jones did not promise Parker both first-round picks would go to defense when he was hired. But Parker was asked at his Feb. 18 introductory news conference whether he would advocate for that.
He didn’t hesitate: “Absolutely.”
It will not be surprising if he wins his case.
New Cowboys DC: ‘Sometimes, players got to touch the stove’
The 3-4 defense has surged in recent years, responding in part to offensive principles from the Shanahan-McVay system that emphasizes outside-zone runs. Twenty NFL teams are currently employing 3-4 base defenses, an NFC talent evaluator who tracks schematic trends told Yahoo Sports. Twelve are running a 4-3.
Neither scheme is inherently or indisputably dominant, coaches and evaluators say. But 4-3 defenses, which front two defensive tackles and two defensive ends, tend to create more pressure on the quarterback and allow players to penetrate more simply in order to generate maximum pressure.
Meanwhile, 3-4 defenses tend to front bigger and stronger players as the three defensive linemen are often asked to defend two gaps (two spaces between offensive linemen) each, thus requiring more size and stoutness.
Coordinators implementing a 3-4 prefer bigger players as well as players who can read and react sharply, given the complexities of accounting for two gaps and determining exact responsibilities after the snap requires a high level of communication and processing in order to fulfill assigned responsibilities before it’s too late.
Parker has explained that vision and those needs to the Cowboys' draft room in recent weeks, sources said.
“He’s so detailed when it comes to explaining things,” one Cowboys front-office member told Yahoo Sports. “It's the best I've been around as far as communicating what he wants, what his vision is for the guy.
“Right now, we're like in a honeymoon period. But it's been amazing.”
Like in his initial Zoom and in-person interview, Parker has walked evaluators through the traits he values and his plan to develop prospects. In three seasons with the Denver Broncos, Parker helped develop defensive backs including two-time All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II. In Philadelphia, he tutored Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean into All-Pro honors within their first two pro seasons.
Parker helped DeJean grow in his spatial awareness and route feel at nickel cornerback, an Eagles colleague told Yahoo Sports, while helping Mitchell learn press coverage and refine both his transition footwork and his combativeness at the point of attack. Parker, the Eagles’ defensive backs coach as well as defensive pass game coordinator in 2024 and 2025 under Fangio, instilled confidence in each player. Parker wasn’t afraid to give them extra quizzes or footwork drills outside of practice when he thought it’d help.
“You have to know the student first and foremost,” Parker said of his teaching philosophy. “What might hit one player’s brain is going to hit different than another. So being thorough and detailed, being very clear and concise in terms of your messaging and when to correct, when not to correct.
“Sometimes players got to touch the stove. You just want to do it in a controlled environment.”
The Cowboys’ front seven, making a major transition, may need a couple extra touches this spring.
Will 3-4 help Cowboys D more against run or pass?
Transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4 can sometimes take longer than the opposite direction, coaches say, because of the size required to make that transition.
Edge rushers in a 4-3 system don’t need to drop in space and coverage as much as outside linebackers in the 3-4 system. Front-seven length is key to help ward off blockers on screens as well as to tackle. Whereas 4-3 defenses often value speed and twitch up front, 3-4 defenses prioritize strength and stoutness against the run.
“You’re changing your F1 car’s body type,” Payton told Yahoo Sports. “The Cowboys' race is that: the transition from an even to an odd front.”
A transition was needed after the Cowboys followed up three top-10 scoring defenses under now-Commanders head coach Dan Quinn with cellar-dwelling units in consecutive seasons. After allowing the second-most points and fifth-most yards in 2024 under Zimmer, the Cowboys' defense allowed the most points and third-most yards last season under Matt Eberflus.
Losing Micah Parsons a week before the season opener didn’t help matters. But Parsons’ absence was far from the only problem for Dallas’ defense last year. The Cowboys hope their new scheme will make them sturdier against the run, thus leaving teams more one-dimensional.
“You affect the quarterback by stopping the run,” Parker said. “Sometimes affecting the quarterback comes through pressure, sometimes it comes through disguise, sometimes it comes through just the talent that you’re able to have and the ability to play the play style.
“If you can stop the run, you can get teams in predictable downs.”
Expect the Cowboys also to bring their outside linebackers to the line of scrimmage routinely, presenting five-man fronts that muddy quarterbacks’ defensive reads.
The Cowboys have already shifted some personnel to anchor the transition. The Cowboys dealt the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last August in exchange for two first-round draft picks and 6-3, 314-pound interior defender Kenny Clark.
The Cowboys then dealt first- and second-round picks and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to acquire 6-4, 303-pound defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets at the trade deadline. They traded a fourth-round pick for 6-5, 277-pound edge rusher Rashan Gary last month. And for a third-round pick, the Cowboy sent the 49ers the 6-2, 280-pound Osa Odighizuwa and his $20 million per year salary in a move that returns Odighizuwa to a 4-3 front where his size and speed can offer maximum value.
“We’ve made a conscious decision to be a blend of the equivalent of the 3-4,” Jerry Jones said. “The 3-4 concept can give you a better run support. And the question is, can that outside guy do a little pass covering, cover a little space, plus give you the pressure on the outside?
“When you see a player [who can] get some pressure on the outside, slide out in that flat and to cover that flat for you, that's a rare dude. He's important. And it's hard to do.”
But there are players on Thursday night who can help.
Cowboys’ new vision changes how they value draft traits
Right now, the Cowboys’ projected starters at outside linebacker would be 2024 second-round pick DeMarvion Overshown and 2025 second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Zimmer touted Overshown’s acceleration as a trait that will help him with sideline-to-sideline pursuit at outside linebacker. Jerry Jones said last month that Cowboys decision-makers agree Ezeiruaku should have played more last season than he did, the franchise confident in his ability to create more pressure and pass rush than he’s shown so far.
With the trade of Parsons, as well as the midseason death last year of 2024 second-round defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, expect the Cowboys to target additional edge rushers in the draft.
Front-seven help could come as early as Thursday night, the Cowboys more malleable than usual with the 12th and 20th overall picks that could land two immediate contributors or be packaged to move up for one of the best defenders in the draft.
“You can’t go wrong taking big, long, athletic guys,” one Dallas evaluator said. “That’s what we want to get back to.”
There are players who would have fit the Cowboys regardless of their scheme. Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, Ohio State versatile linebacker Arvell Reese and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (evaluators consider his quick hands and lower-body strength sufficient to compensate for his lack of length) are talented enough to transcend any system and elevate a defense regardless of base front.
Inside linebacker, often the irreplaceable defensive quarterback and top communicator, is a glaring need for the Cowboys to fill either in the draft or free agency. (When asked if he would be comfortable with a rookie leading Cowboys defensive communication, Jones said “yes, yes, a big yes.”) And the Cowboys value more depth at corner, both for the ability to play nickel and because of Parker’s track record developing the position.
As the draft goes on, there are some players whose value to the Cowboys have changed because of their schematic shift.
Texas Tech edge rusher Romello Height, on the other hand? The 66th player on Yahoo Sports draft expert Charles McDonald’s board would have been considered too light for the Cowboys’ ideal 4-3 defensive end profile but could now offer more value as a stand-up outside linebacker.
The Cowboys’ young coordinator with a shoe collection that has left impressions in buildings across the NFL will influence who leaves the board at 12 and 20 on Thursday night — if not sooner, should the Cowboys choose to package the picks and trade up.
And if the Cowboys can pair an improved defense with an offense that last season ranked seventh in scoring and second in yardage?
Expect Parker’s stock to continue to boom.
“He has a great chance to look good because he’s not coming in with a Super Bowl defense,” Jerry Jones said. “Should he end up with one, then he’ll look like one of the greatest defensive-minded coaches there is.”
SEATTLE (AP) — Shea Langeliers hit his eighth homer, Jacob Lopez pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Athletics beat the scuffling Seattle Mariners 5-2 on Tuesday night.
Langeliers homered for the second straight night, hitting a 417-foot shot to center in the seventh inning. Jeff McNeil also went deep for the Athletics, who have won seven straight road games.
Seattle's Cal Raleigh hit his second homer in as many nights and fourth of the season as he tries to shake off an early slump. Raleigh, who hit 60 homers last year, went 2 for 3 to raise his batting average to .177 as the Mariners lost for the sixth time in eight games.
Raleigh connected in the fifth inning and Josh Naylor had a sacrifice fly in the third against Lopez (2-1), who allowed two runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Scott Barlow got four outs in relief, Hogan Harris retired the final batter in the seventh and Jack Perkins worked the final two innings, retiring all six batters for his first save.
After Raleigh's homer made it 2-2, Jacob Wilson hit a go-ahead double in the sixth off Eduard Bazardo (0-1).
Tyler Soderstrom had an RBI double in the first for the Athletics.
Seattle's Julio Rodriguez went 2 for 3 with a walk, extending his on-base streak to 18 games.
Up next
The Athletics go for a three-game sweep on Wednesday, sending RHP Aaron Civale (2-1, 3.54 ERA) to the mound against RHP Logan Gilbert (1-3, 4.03).
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) being celebrated by teammates during an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings on March 1st, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers' star Luka Dončić has won the 2025-26 NBA season scoring title and claimed his name in history. Dončić maintained an average of 33.5 points per game (PPG) across 64 games this season, which was obviously the highest in the entire league. As a result of this incredible scoring performance, he defeated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.1 PPG) and Anthony Edwards (28.8 PPG), and Dončić will proudly display the scoring champion trophy on his shelf.
The Lakers presented Luka Doncic with trophies for the 2025-26 scoring title and being named the Western Conference Player of the Month for March during a first quarter timeout pic.twitter.com/aRpS76YUIi
This is Dončić's second scoring title; he previously achieved this honor in 2023-24 while playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Surprisingly, despite this achievement, Luka was traded from Dallas to Los Angeles in February 2025 to acquire Anthony Davis.
His performance this season has shone in a remarkable way, as Dončić was also named Western Conference Player of the Month for March 2026. During this month, he averaged an impressive 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.3 steals across 16 games at a star level. Thanks to his outstanding performances, the Lakers achieved a 15-2 record in March and successfully reached third place in the standings. These awards were presented to Dončić during the Lakers-Houston Rockets playoff Game 2 on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers management presented him with the scoring title and March Player of the Month trophies during a timeout in the first quarter.
Although a player must play 58 games to be eligible for the scoring title (which he completed by playing 64 games), other awards require a 65-game rule. Dončić won an appeal against this rule because he missed some games to return to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter, and the NBA and NBPA granted him eligibility without penalty. The six-time NBA All-Star sustained a painful Grade 2 left hamstring strain during his 64th game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This has broken the hearts of Dončić and Lakers Nation, and analysts believe he could miss the entire first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Dončić went to Spain and Europe for special treatment and returned to Los Angeles on Monday. Head coach JJ Redick said that Luka is in "good spirits" and is "motivated" to return to the court in a positive direction, as the gym is his "happy place."
Austin Reaves' injury update
Along with Luka Dončić, the Lakers' backcourt star, Austin Reaves, who is the same age as Dončić at 27 years old, is also injured and sidelined from the court. However, Shams Charania reported that Reaves could return before the end of the series against the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers' medical team and management are closely monitoring the recovery of both players to get them fit as soon as possible for the playoff run.
With the women's lacrosse regular season wrapped up, it's time to name a conference champion. The 2026 ACC tournament gets underway in Charlotte this week.
For the seventh time in the last 10 tournaments, North Carolina has secured the No. 1 overall seed. The Tar Heels are defending NCAA champions after defeating Northwestern 12-8 in last year's title game. Following close behind in the bracket are No. 2 Stanford, No. 3 Clemson and No. Syracuse.
All eight teams competing in the tournament are ranked in the latest IWLCA poll, including four in the top 10. The ACC has the most programs in the poll amongst all conferences on the collegiate level.
Be sure to tune in for all the action.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 ACC women's lacrosse tournament, including TV channel and streaming options for the annual competition.
Every game of the 2026 ACC lacrosse tournament will air live on ACC Network. Cord-cutters can stream games on fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
ACC women's lacrosse tournament schedule 2026
The 2026 ACC lacrosse tournament will begin on Wednesday, April 22, and conclude with the championship game on Sunday, April 26. All games will take place at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
Teams in need of a pass-rusher in this year's NFL Draft have come to the right place. From Rueben Bain and David Bailey to Keldric Faulk, Akheem Mesidor and more, there is a combination of high-level talent and depth at the position that gives every team a chance to add an impact player.
Not every team will have a chance to select Bain. The Miami star was one of college football's most disruptive forces in 2025, recording 15.5 tackles for loss and helping power the Hurricanes to the national championship game.
In the lead-up to the draft, however, some concerns have followed Bain. Questions about his arm length culminated in a surprisingly underwhelming measurement at the NFL Combine, and word later leaked of a fatal 2024 crash involving Bain that initially resulted in charges.
While reports indicate the information wasn't new or particularly significant to most teams, the news caught most fans by surprise.
Here's what you need to know about the fatal crash involving Bain.
According to The Read Optional, citing a police report, Bain was driving on Interstate 95 in Miami close to 4 a.m. ET on March 17, 2024 when he hit another car and subsequently hit concrete barriers on both sides of the parkway. Bain was one of five individuals in the car at the time. One, Destiny Betts, never regained consciousness and died nearly three months later.
Two other passengers were then-teammates of Bain: Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly.
After the crash, Bain was cited for careless driving. The police report claimed Bain "operated his vehicle in a careless or negligent manner," resulting in the crash, but the charge was dismissed two weeks before Betts died.
While some wondered whether the incident would impact Bain's draft stock, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported that teams he spoke to were already aware of the crash and considered the matter "handled." Other reports echoed the same sentiment, though The Read Optional claimed to have spoken to one executive who felt Bain had not been transparent when asked about the crash.
The entire police report can be accessed through The Read Optional's original report, which is found here.
Bain was driving the car at the time of the crash. He was the only individual in the car who was charged, though that charge of careless driving was later dropped.
Bain was one of three uninjured individuals in the car. Two passengers were taken to the hospital, and Betts did not survive her injuries.
Who is Destiny Betts?
Betts was a 22-year-old college student from Georgia at the time of her death. She was visiting Miami for spring break when she was fatally injured in the accident, according to reports.
While little else is known about Betts' life, she spent nearly three months in a coma before succumbing to her injuries on June 13, 2024.
The Betts family released a statement in the aftermath of The Read Optional's report, saying they "wish Mr. Bain the best" as he enters the NFL.
"Destiny’s passing was the result of a tragic accident that occurred several years ago. While the loss remains incredibly painful for our family, we have worked hard to find peace and move forward," the family said. "At this time, we are not seeking public attention surrounding this tragedy and respectfully request that our family’s privacy be honored. We also wish Mr. Bain the best as he continues his life and career."
Baseball and glove on field high school scores (Getty Images)
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL, SOFTBALL SCORES
Tuesday’s Results
BASEBALL
CITY SECTION Birmingham 8, Granada Hills 0 CALS Early College 13, East College Prep 1 Port of LA 8, Locke 0 Rise Kohyang 15, CNDLC 5 University Prep Value 9, Smidt Tech 3
SOUTHERN SECTION ACE 11, Lucerne Valley 6 Alhambra 10, Mark Keppel 0 Alta Loma 3, South Hills 1 Anaheim 1, Orange 0 Anza Hamilton 7, California Lutheran 4 Arcadia 7, Burbank 2 Banning 7, Desert Hot Springs 2 Barstow 13, Silverado 3 Bishop Diego 6, Santa Clara 5 Bishop Montgomery 3, Bosco Tech 1 Bloomington 4, Carter 3 Burbank Burroughs 30, Crescenta Valley 5 Burbank Providence 4, Buckley 2 Cajon 12, Redlands 0 Cathedral 9, Cantwell-Sacred Heart 4 Century 5, Westminster La Quinta 0 Cerritos 7, Glenn 1 Cerritos Valley Christian 6, Heritage Christian 2 Chadwick 5, Rio Hondo Prep 0 Chaminade 12, Crespi 5 Chino 7, Chaffey 6 CIMSA 15, Silver Valley 15 Citrus Valley 2, Beaumont 0 Colton 10, Eisenhower 3 Cornerstone Christian 19, NSLA 0 Corona del Mar 5, Marina 4 Crossroads 5, Brentwood 4 Culver City 13, Beverly Hills 0 Dana Hills 9, Tesoro 1 Dunn 5. Villanova Prep 3 Estancia 5, Garden Grove 3 Firebaugh 4, Dominguez 0 Fullerton 5, Costa Mesa 2 Gahr 2, Warren 1 Garden Grove Santiago 5, Magnolia 0 Grace 3, Thacher 1 Grand Terrace 7, Rialto 5 Great Oak 10, Murrieta Mesa 2 Harvard-Westlake 2, St. Francis 0 Hawthorne 17, Inglewood 14 Hesperia Christian 13, Redlands Adventist Academy 3 Huntington Beach 6, Los Alamitos 3 Indian Springs 5, Palm Springs 1 Jurupa Hills 6, Summit 4 Kaiser 11, Arroyo Valley 1 Katella 3, Ocean View 2 La Canada 9, San Marino 5 Laguna Hills 3, Segerstrom 2 La Mirada 6, Downey 1 La Palma Kennedy 3, Tustin 0 La Quinta 16, Xavier Prep 2 Leuzinger 16, Compton Centennial 2 Loara 3, Savanna 2 Los Altos 5, Colony 2 Loyola 9, Alemany 3 Maranatha 8, Charter Oak 7 Miller 7, Indio 4 Mission Viejo 6, El Toro 5 Monrovia 4, South Pasadena 3 Montclair 1, Don Lugo 0 Montebello 15, Schurr 0 Muir 14, Glendale 1 Newport Harbor 8, Fountain Valley 1 Newbury Park 6, Calabasas 5 New Roads 13, Rolling Hills Prep 2 Nordhoff 8, Cate 5 Norwalk 10, Lynwood 0 Nuview Bridge 10, SJDLCS 0 Ontario 13, Diamond Ranch 2 Ontario Christian 8, Riverside Prep 7 Orange County Pacifica Christian 6, Western Christian 0 Orange Lutheran 6, Santa Margarita 3 Oxford Academy 11, Whitney 5 Oxnard 5, Ventura 4 Paramount 4, Mayfair 2 Pasadena 10, Hoover 2 Rio Mesa 2, Dos Pueblos 0 Riverside Notre Dame 1, Fontana 0 San Clemente 4, Aliso Niguel 1 San Jacinto Valley Academy 11, Desert Christian Academy 0 Santa Ana 8, Godinez 2 Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 8, Buena Park 0 Santa Monica 9, Lanwdale 4 Santa Rosa Academy 15, California Military Institute 0 St. Anthony 9, Bellflower 1 St. Bernard 10, El Rancho 2 St. John Bosco 6, Servite 0 St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 19, St. Genevieve 2 Tahquitz 12, West Valley 3 Temecula Prep 14, San Jacinto Leadership Academy 4 Temescal Canyon 5, San Jacinto 3 Temecula Valley 14, Murrieta Valley 4 Trabuco Hills 7, Palm Desert 2 Victor Valley 2, Adelanto 1 Villa Park 5, Anaheim Canyon 2 Vista Murrieta 7, Chaparral 6 Westlake 5, Thousand Oaks 3 Whittier Christian 3, Village Christian 2 Yorba Linda 2, Esperanza 1 Yucaipa 12, Redlands East Valley 0 Yucca Valley 16, Twentynine Palms 15
INTERSECTIONAL Loma Linda Academy 12, Public Safety Academy 0 Stella 12, Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 7
SOFTBALL
CITY SECTION Alliance Ouchi 32, Alliance Levine 18 HMSA 14, Alliance Bloomfield 2 Smidt Tech d. CALS Early College, forfeit Stella 17, Animo Robinson 14 Triumph Charter 22, Bert Corona 2
SOUTHERN SECTION ACE 20, Lucerne Valley 0 Agoura 5, Westlake 2 Alemany 19, Immaculate Heart 0 Alhambra 17, Mark Keppel 2 Aliso Niguel 12, Mission Viejo 1 Alta Loma 13, San Dimas 3 Anza Hamilton 22, La Sierra Academy 4 Aquinas 2, Linfield Christian 1 Artesia 7, Glenn 2 Beaumont 15, Redlands 1 Bell Gardens 17, Montebello 7 California 1, La Serna 0 California Lutheran 31, Sherman Indian 22 Carter 6, Kaiser 5 Cathedral City 23, Desert Mirage 5 Cerritos 25, Oxford Academy 0 Cerritos Valley Christian 7, Yorba Linda 3 Chadwick 20, Westridge 7 Chino 5, Chaffey 4 Chino Hills 10, Rancho Cucamonga 0 CIMSA 25, Silver Valley 7 Colton 15, Arroyo Valley 2 Crean Lutheran 12, Westminster 5 Crossroads 13, Oakwood 12 Culver City 18, Beverly Hills 2 Cypress 3, La Habra 1 Desert Christian Academy 9, San Jacinto Valley Academy 2 Don Lugo 17, Montclair 0 Gahr 4, Downey 3 Eastside 25, Knight 5 El Dorado 3, Brea Olinda 2 El Modena 5, Anaheim Canyon 1 Etiwanda 12, Upland 6 Firebaugh 22, Dominguez 4 Flintridge Sacred Heart 10, Marymount 2 Grace 3, Santa Clara 1 Harvard-Westlake 10, Sierra Canyon 1 Hawthorne d. Inglewood, forfeit Hesperia Christian 19, Redlands Adventist Academy 2 Highland 13, Palmdale 0 Irvine 8, Woodbridge 5 JSerra 4, Orange Lutheran 2 Lakewood St. Joseph 6, St. Paul 1 La Mirada 14, Mayfair 0 La Salle 12, Ramona Convent 0 Lancaster 23, Antelope Valley 12 Lennox Academy 14, Compton Early College 1 Leuzinger 30, Compton Centennial 5 Long Beach Jordan 24, Long Beach Cabrillo 6 Los Alamitos 4, Huntington Beach 0 Los Altos 5, South Hills 2 Louisville 3, Burbank Providence 2 Marina 2, Edison 1 Millikan 3, Lakewood 2 Monrovia 3, La Canada 2 Moorpark 7, Royal 0 Murrieta Valley 8, Chaparral 6 Newport Harbor 14, Corona del Mar 9 Northwood 3, Irvine University 1 Norwalk 18, Bellflower 0 Oak Park 1, Camarillo 0 Ontario 15, Diamond Ranch 9 PACS 15, Desert Christian 5 Paraclete 13, Bishop Montgomery 3 Paramount 24, Lynwood 2 Pasadena Poly 9, Flintridge Prep 2 Quartz Hill 13, Littlerock 0 Redlands East Valley 13, Citrus Valley 2 Rialto 5, Eisenhower 4 Rio Hondo Prep 13, Mayfield 1 Rosary 22, Portola 0 San Marcos 8, Oxnard Pacifica 1 Santa Ana Foothill 18, Troy 0 Santa Margarita 2, Mater Dei 1 Santa Monica 22, Lawndale 5 Santa Rosa Academy 14, California Military 5 Schurr 24, San Gabriel 0 Silverado 13, Barstow 4 South Pasadena 19, Blair 0 St. Genevieve 13, St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 3 St. Monica 18, Mary Star of the Sea 5 Sunny Hills 19, Esperanza 0 Tahquitz 17, West Valley 6 Temecula Prep 30, San Jacinto Leadership Academy 5 Temescal Canyon 5, San Jacinto 2 Temple City 18, San Marino 8 Tesoro 10, Capistrano Valley 7 Thousand Oaks 15, Calabasas 0 Trabuco Hills 2, Beckman 1 Twentynine Palms 11, Yucca Valley 10 United Christian Academy 16, CSDR 0 Vasquez 12, Faith Baptist 5 Victor Christian Academy 19, King-Chavez Community 2 Victor Valley 20, Adelanto 9 Viewpoint 10, Brentwood 0 Village Christian 12, Heritage Christian 6 Villa Park 6, Sonora 4 Western Christian 23, Downey Calvary Chapel 0 Whittier 12, El Rancho 6 Whittier Christian 8, Maranatha 4 Wiseburn-Da Vinci 11, Mira Costa 0 Yucaipa 5, Cajon 4
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa scores their 3rd goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on April 19, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins - AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images) | Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Want to have your say on all things Sunderland? Drop us a line and we’ll publish your views! RokerReport@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Roker Report,
I can only assume Dan Ballard was deemed unfit to play a whole match, otherwise it was a costly error not to have started him — we never looked remotely secure at the back at any stage of the game and ultimately paid the price after a gritty fightback.
Ollie Watkins was having a field day and proved far too elusive for Luke O’Nien, who despite his willing and boundless energy was unable to justify his inclusion and in my humble opinion hardly comes close to being regarded as a Premier League-standard central defender. It’s of little use keeping trying to defend the indefensible.
We would’ve been far better off with Trai Hume at right back and Nordi Mukiele or Lutsharel Geertruida at centre half. I can only hope that it’s a lesson learned and we can resume defensive soundness against Nottingham Forest.
Incidentally, I’m not suggesting O’Nien takes the whole blame (Reinildo was also having a shocker).
Arthur Gray
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Arthur. Thank you for your letter.
You raise an excellent point and amid all of the grumbling about Habib Diarra’s late missed opportunity, the reality is that we were defensively ropey against Villa and always looked vulnerable in the face of their attacking play.
Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and John McGinn were superb on Sunday, moving our backline around with ease at times, and we never looked fully comfortable as a result.
That can happen, of course, and I don’t see it as anything to panic about, but it was a reminder that against the league’s elite teams, you’ll pay a price for mistakes made at the back, and that was certainly the case at Villa Park.
Dear Roker Report,
The Legends’ Way decision is a bad decision, I think most will agree on that to some extent.
It is a bad decision by the club, but the thing that worries me most is that it’s the first bad decision since David Bruce left?
Are we going back down the road of looking after what the club wants and not what the fans want? Maybe it’s just my pessimism, but I hope not.
Hope you’re all well.
Guy Manning
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Guy. Thank you for getting in touch.
My view on the initial round of selections for stones at the new Stadium of Light exhibit remains unchanged: the idea itself is excellent; a superb way of commemorating Sunderland greats of years gone by, but too many of the names listed among what I hope is only the first crop of inductees are highly questionable — with some of them wholly unjustified.
Let’s hope that at some stage in the near future, the club addresses it, opens the books again, and rewards many of our as-yet overlooked and true red and white greats with a stone on the Legends’ Way.
Until that happens, it’ll feel incomplete, to me.
Dear Roker Report,
There isn’t and can never be any sentiment in football — especially at the highest level. However, I’m afraid it seems to be happening with our very own ‘Mr Sunderland’, Luke O’Nien.
I was hesitant when I heard he was in the first team against Aston Villa.
I just don’t feel 100% comfortable knowing he’s in the last line of defence and whether we like to admit it or not, he’s unfortunately struggling to make it at this level, especially against the high-flyers. He’s always prone to a clanger and he may have gotten away with it in the Championship, but at this level it’ll be severely punished.
He’s been a superb servant for the club, and it’s wonderful that he genuinely believes he can improve, but I just don’t think he is quite up to this level.
Maybe I’m wrong, and I would love him to have two or three barnstorming games to rub my face in it, as he loves the club inside out. He’s a wonderful advocate and influence amongst the youngsters coming through, but maybe his days in the first team are now fading away as the team grows.
Am I wrong, or is this a view that’s spreading among our fans?
Peter Milton
Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Peter. Thank you for your letter.
After almost a decade at Sunderland, I suspect O’Nien has become accustomed to dealing with criticism — particularly of his defensive ability — but you don’t play such a key role in our rise from League One to the Premier League without being a resilient character and I doubt that he lets it get to him, which is to his credit.
I actually didn’t mind his selection against Aston Villa.
It made sense to start him with Dan Ballard on the comeback trail and given that O’Nien had been as solid as a rock last time out against Tottenham, but he did struggle at Villa Park and it did highlight the step up in quality that he and Sunderland have often experienced this season.
When everyone is fully fit, I don’t believe he gets into our strongest starting eleven but I also wouldn’t be eager to freeze him out altogether — although the centre of defence is undoubtedly an area in which we’ll look to strengthen this summer.
On the other hand, I think we should’ve all learned to never write this man off, and if he has a role to play during the final five games, it wouldn’t surprise me if he does so impressively.
Preston North End were the opposition in this 1934/35 season. Jimmy Connor had picked up an injury in the game at Birmingham just two days earlier in the hectic Easter programme of three games in four days and with the ‘mighty atom’ Patsy Gallacher absent through suspension, the call went out for replacements. George Goddard would fill in for Gallacher and with the squad pushed to its limits, veteran winger, “junior team” coach/assistant trainer and masseuse Tommy Urwin was drafted in.
Sunderland had beaten Preston at Roker Park just three days earlier by three goals to one and now the rematch at Deepdale would see a last hurrah for the remarkable Tommy Urwin, twenty-two years after he made his league debut for Middlesbrough.
Tommy Urwin was born in Haswell, County Durham on 5 February 1896. He lived most of his early life in the Sunderland area. In the 1901 Census he was living at 7 South View, Ryhope. By 1911 he was living with his parents at 39 Eglinton Street, Monkwearmouth, with his parents, however the census records that five of his nine siblings are deceased.
Tommy, recalling his childhood, fondly remembered starting to play football with a milk tin or “a penny bullock’s bladder on killing day”, dreaming of playing for Sunderland and hoping for a ticket to their next game.
He played schools football in Sunderland and in 1910 played for Sunderland Boys in the English Schools Shield at Roker Park, impressing enough to win an English Schools cap shortly afterwards.
He played for Fulwell FC in the Sunderland Non-Conformist League, also turning out for Lambton Star. In 1913 he was working as an engine fitter at the colliery and he signed amateur forms with Shildon and was persuaded to sign professional forms in early 1914. Shildon knew what they were doing – a number of clubs were tracking Tommy and as a professional (earning 25 shillings per week) they could expect a good fee for the flying winger.
Middlesbrough won the race for his signature in late 1914. Shildon pocketed £100 and he got ten golden sovereigns as a signing-on fee. His contract would see him paid £3 per week rising to £4 when in the first team. In the close season his weekly wage dropped to £2.10 per week.
Tommy remembered with mixed feelings his first-ever game against Sunderland on New Year’s Day 1915, a 3-2 defeat at Ayresome Park. The legendary Frank Cuggy took a shine to him and offered some useful tips and encouragement.
Tommy played for Middlesbrough until 1924, playing years he described as very enjoyable.
His career was interrupted by the First World War. He tried to enlist in the Coldstream Guards, but at five foot six inches they declined his application, so he went to the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) and saw active service at Gallipoli and in India. He continued to play football during his military service in morale-boosting and war-fund-raising games, playing not just in the UK but all over the world. He himself particularly remembered playing in India in front of massive crowds and was in Aleppo when he got an improved offer to re-sign at Middlesbrough on an improved contract of £6 per week.
In 1924, Urwin signed for Newcastle (moving a little closer to his Sunderland home in Eglinton Street). Tommy had great respect for Hughie Gallacher the Newcastle captain and was proud to have played alongside him in the championship-winning team of 1926/27.
Tommy earned four England caps as a Newcastle player, three in 1923 and one in 1924.
In 1930 he played his last game for Newcastle against York City. It was time to go home to Sunderland. Tommy claimed he was “homesick” and also a little irritated at having to pay fines for being late when the trains were not running on time!
Johnny Cochrane the Sunderland manager was determined to build a team that would bring success back to the club and the town and Tommy was keen to be part of this, though at thirty-four years old he was clearly in the veteran stage of his career.
Tommy Urwin joined a small select band of players to represent all three North-east teams with distinction when he signed for Sunderland.
He was now living at 37 Hawarden Crescent in Sunderland, with his wife Bertha who would soon present him with a son (David).
Despite being able to play on either wing, Tommy eventually lost his place in the Sunderland team to Jimmy Connor and Bert Davis (who in turn lost his place to Len Duns).
Urwin was extremely fit and retained a good degree of sharpness despite his advancing years. He also had a clever footballing brain that stood him in good stead and made him invaluable as a squad member.
He was soon passing on his experience to younger players and by the time season 1934/35 had arrived, whilst still registered as a player, he was coaching the “junior” players, assistant trainer to the first team and a masseuse to boot!
Johnny Cochrane’s team were really beginning to hit their straps in this season and ran Arsenal very close, finishing runners-up. The Easter programme had depleted resources somewhat but Cochrane appears to have had no qualms about drafting Urwin into the left-wing position for the injured Connor, even though the diminutive flyer had not played a first-team game since February 1932.
The Sunday Sun reported the next day “Spectators were amazed at the trim and sprightly figure revelling once more in first-class football after a two-year absence from the field, he played a gruelling game with all the signs of his pre-war dash”.
Tommy himself commented “It felt a bit strange after two years although I soon felt the old tricks coming back”.
Sunderland went on to draw the game, with Preston scoring a very controversial equaliser after Goddard had forced a goal from a Bill Murray free-kick on fifty-one minutes. The referee (Mr Mellor) had missed a stonewall penalty for Sunderland in the first half and then awarded a goal to Preston, which he viewed as having crossed the goal-line in mid-flight. His linesman and most of the Sunderland defence disagreed. Captain and future manager Bill Murray was booked for his protestations and the goal stood. Liverpool legend Bill Shankly was playing half-back for Preston in this game and had the audacity to hit the cross-bar in the first half.
An injury to left-back Alex Hall saw him leave the field for treatment and eventually return (though heavily encumbered) to the left-wing, with Tommy moving to left-half and Alex Hastings to left-back to see out the game.
Tommy Urwin, though he did not know it then, became Sunderland’s oldest player at 39 years and 76 days.
He heads a list of veterans that include – Bryan ‘Pop’ Robson 38 years and 183 days, Steve Bould 37 years and 280 days, Charlie Parker 37 years and 204 days, Dwight Yorke 37 years and 159 days. Ted Doig, Brian Deane, Tony Norman, Colin Cooper and John O’Shea also figure in that veterans list as 37 years and some.
Back in Sunderland in April 1935 the Chronicle caught up with Tommy outside his house. He was making his way to the Roker tram to get into Roker Park and had clearly enjoyed his outing. He told the reporter “I have never regretted the day I went in for football to earn my bread and butter”, he then sprinted for the tram (probably not wanting to incur any fines for lateness). The reporter turned his attention to Tommy’s wife and their eight-year-old son. Mrs Urwin remarked “he’s not quite so keen on football as his father”!
Burnley look set to be relegated in the coming weeks and spurned a lead at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, eventually losing 4-1 at the City Ground. Scott Parker’s side are 12 points off safety with five games remaining.
As for City, their massive 2-1 win over title rivals Arsenal puts them three points behind the table-topping Gunners. Yet just one goal behind on goal-difference - and with more goals scored - any victory on Wednesday will take them to the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola’s side thrashed Burnley 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium back in September, with Erling Haaland scoring twice. The Norwegian is currently the Premier League’s top scorer with 23 goals this season and is on a high after his match-winner against Arsenal on Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Burnley vs Man City?
Burnley vs Man City is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 22 April at Turf Moor.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 7pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go or NOW.
Team news
Josh Cullen and Connor Roberts remain absent for Burnley due to knee and calf injuries respectively, with Parker hopeful of retaining his side who faced Forst on Sunday.
City’s star midfielder Rodri limped off in the closing stages of the win against Arsenal on Sunday with a groin injury and, if not match-fit, Nico Gonzalez could deputise. Otherwise, Guardiola is likely to continue with an in-form starting XI.
It was mentioned by one of our distant fans on the Haway The Podcast episode from the International Fans’ Day, that when you’re an ‘exile’, you often don’t have anyone to chat with ‘all things Sunderland’.
There could be some exciting game to discuss, or a massive moan that you need to get off your chest – but unlike local fans, we have no one to turn to. Thank goodness for podcasts! Being an exile in Worcestershire, I certainly know the feeling. My ears are also on constant high alert for a north-east accent that I can relate to or chat to.
So it was last week, when I was sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, and heard an elderly chap talking to the receptionist. As he sat down, I went to sit beside him (the kind of mad, desperate thing I do since moving south over two decades ago). ‘Excuse me,’ I said, ‘and I might be way off the mark, but is that a Wearside accent I detect?‘
The guy looked at me and pointed a finger straight in my face. I was starting to think I might have offended him, or had started an unwelcome conversation. ‘Spot on!’ he said. ‘Occasionally I get called a Geordie, but no one ever notices it’s actually a Wearside accent. I’m impressed.’
I then had to own up to the fact that I was from the area and could tell the difference between the North East localities.
I got a potted history of his life. He was born in County Durham and worked in the Durham coal mines. When they were closed, he became a policeman. For promotion purposes, he had to move south (much like myself) – and had led a happy life and career, until his retirement. I noted that he had not lost his accent, ‘no – and nor will I.’
We, of course, got chatting about Sunderland, and what a fantastic season it had been. Although he still visited the area two or three times a year, he no longer went to matches. But without any pushing, he went straight on to telling me about his early visits to Roker Park.
‘I saw Len Shackleton,’ he proudly announced, ‘the Crown Prince of Soccer. An absolute magician. I can still remember the beautiful green turf, and the high bank of The Roker End.’
We sadly had to curtail our conversation shortly after I had brought him up to date with all the goings-on at The Stadium of Light, and The Legends’ Way, where of course Leonard Francis Shackleton, or just ‘Shacks’, was chosen for one of the fourteen chosen names. Fourteen names that many hope will be added to over the future years. Shack played 348 times for The Lads, scoring 101 goals, from 1947 to 1958.
I personally didn’t get to see him play, but the brief memories mentioned by my waiting-room pal got me to reminisce about those same early visions of my football-supporting life.
I am told (by my big brother) that it was probably in the 1966/67 season that I was taken to watch my first match. England had just won the World Cup, and that had injected a lot of excitement around the country. Walking into The Clock Stand as a young lad, the pitch was actually slightly above my eye line.
Unlike today at the SoL, which has been dug down into the ground, so the playing surface is always below the fans as they enter. But yes, I vividly recall the lush green playing surface, and the smell of beer, baccy and Bovril!
I remember being in awe of kids my age who were there, who were so experienced that they had the wherewithal to bring their own stool to stand on, or a plank of wood with rope on either side, so that they could hook it over the fence and stand on it, to enable themselves to see over the top of the wall. The perfect viewing spot. Football programmes being sold by sellers wandering around the pitch perimeter.
There were also blokes with white lab coats on, selling peanuts for a tanner (sixpence) from wicker baskets, and they’d sometimes toss a bag into the crowd, to save the buyer pushing their way to the front. The pitch, programmes and peanuts! Getting out of the ground was my most clear recollection. My feet didn’t touch the ground! I was hemmed in by my ears, between two or three big blokes’ shoulders! I could only look ahead and hope they were going in the same direction as my brother.
Sunderland AFC are never far from the front of my mind, but it was nice to chat to a native of the area and cheer up my visit to the doctors! You can take the boy out of Sunderland . . . but you can’t take Sunderland out of the boy. Happy days then – and very happy days now!
Mumbai: Are legendary captain MS Dhoni and England star all-rounder Will Jacks set to return to action in the big-ticket Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings clash at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday night? After days of anticipation, that could well be the case.
Dhoni trained intensely in the CSK nets at the Wankhede on Tuesday night. Notably, he kept wickets for around half an hour and also batted for about 30 minutes. The 44-year-old, who suffered a calf strain during the pre-season camp, was seen striking the ball fluently without any visible discomfort. However, Dhoni had also been practising with the CSK squad in Chennai earlier. CSK are currently placed eighth on the IPL 2026 points table, with two wins and four losses. His potential return would add valuable depth to their batting.
Meanwhile, Jacks has finally arrived in India after missing MI’s first six matches. The England star, who was a standout performer in the 2026 T20 World Cup with four Player of the Match awards, trained in MI’s nets at the Wankhede on Monday between 5 pm and 6 pm, and also took part in an optional practice session under lights on Tuesday. The 27-year-old off-spinner bowled in the nets and batted for nearly an hour. His arrival is a major boost for MI, whose campaign regained momentum after a dominant 99-run win over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday night.
Jacks’ arrival had been delayed for undisclosed reasons, with the MI management refraining from revealing details about his absence during the first three weeks of IPL 2026. His presence was eagerly awaited by both the management and fans.
As a powerful middle-order batter and a capable spinner, Jacks strengthens both departments for MI. His inclusion could force the team to leave out one of their overseas spinners — Allah Ghazanfar or Mitchell Santner.
Having delivered several useful cameos at No. 6 and 7 for England during the T20 World Cup, Jacks also offers MI a reliable finishing option.
Spencer Johnson joins CSK squad
In another boost for CSK, Australian pacer Spencer Johnson, signed as a replacement for Nathan Ellis, joined the squad in Mumbai on Tuesday ahead of the marquee clash. The left-arm quick trained with the team at the Wankhede and is expected to feature in the playing XI on Thursday night, likely replacing Khaleel Ahmed, who was ruled out with an injury last week.
Injuries have significantly dented CSK’s campaign after a slow start. In their previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, young batter Ayush Mhatre suffered a hamstring injury, ruling him out of the remainder of IPL 2026.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: A general view of the stadium from the new 'Keel Crossing' bridge prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light on November 03, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s no easy game in the Premier League. We all know that by now and every weekend, there’s a ‘banana skin’ with somebody’s name on it — and more often than not, it’s been ours.
Nottingham Forest will rock up at the Stadium of Light on Friday night.
Sixteenth in the table and unbeaten in five (with three draws in there, mind, so not exactly pulling up trees), but that’s sort of the problem. When a team is going about its business quietly, refusing to lose and with a new manager doing his level best to haul them clear of trouble, you don’t want them turning up at your place with anything to prove.
And make no mistake: they’ll have something to prove. Vitor Pereira is their fourth manager of the season. Yes, fourth.
Forest are awkward and dour. They’ll sit in, give us the ball and dare us to do something with it. That, whisper it, is where we’ve wobbled this season.
We’re class on the counter and superb when there’s space to run into, but give us a packed defence and a clock ticking down, and suddenly the legs get heavy and the passes start going sideways. A cheap shot? Maybe, but you’ve seen it too.
Friday is a chance to put all of that right — at home, under the lights, with the crowd up for it and on the front foot from the first whistle.
We need the midfield dictating, not drifting. We need the full backs bombing on, not tucking in. We need somebody, anybody, to put their foot on the ball and make something happen in the final third. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel against Forest. We just need to do the basics better than they do, and trust the quality we know we’ve got.
Get three points. Keep the European dream flickering. Show the rest of the division that one bad afternoon at Villa Park doesn’t undo the graft this team has put in all season.
And now, because I’m a selfish man, I’m going to tell you exactly what’s at stake beyond league position and European qualification.
Friday is my birthday.
Yes, I know, spare the card, but it does rather focus the mind and there are two versions of this Friday night sat waiting for me: one where we put Forest to the sword, the Stadium of Light is bouncing and I crack open something decent and go to bed as the happiest Mackem in the North East.
The other is where we scrape a 0-0, somebody hits the woodwork late on, Pereira does a fist pump on the touchline and I spend the weekend staring at a cold pint and trying very hard not to think about it.
Lads, don’t make me choose between my birthday and my sanity. Turn this Forest side over, put three past them, let me sing myself hoarse and wake up on Saturday morning with a hangover, a grin and three points in the bag — not a 0-0 and a face like a slapped arse.
Sawyer Haessly was 3-for-3, while Valerie Baranczyk added two hits for North.
Grace Danoski pitched a complete game for Hortonville. She allowed eight hits, walked three and struck out four.
Kimberly 11, Appleton West 4
APPLETON - The Papermakers scored in all but two innings en route to the Fox Valley Association win.
Kimberly scored one in the first, three in the second, five in the third, one in the fourth and one in the sixth.
The Terrors scored one in the second, one in the fourth and two in the fifth.
Lillian Hanke was 2-for-4 with a double, while Ali Raddatz added a double for Appleton West.
Fox Valley Lutheran 22, Shawano 2
SHAWANO - Natalie Bromm drove in seven runs on four hits to lead Fox Valley Lutheran to the Bay Conference win.
Bromm hit an inside-the-park home run in the seventh inning to score three runs, hit a two-run double in the second, an RBI double in the third and drew a bases-loaded walk.
Madison Babcock earned the win, striking out four and walking none. Paige Leavitt pitched three innings in relief for the Foxes. She gave up three hits and one run, while striking out one and walking none.
Kadence Meyers took the loss for Shawano. The starting pitcher went three innings, surrendering 10 runs (five earned) on nine hits, striking out two and walking none.
FVL amassed 18 hits in the game as Leavitt, Claire Pfrang, Babcock and Tenley Wolfrath each collected multiple hits.
Kadence Meyers and Jacey Cowden each drove in one run for Shawano.
Seymour 13, Xavier 1
APPLETON - The Thunder scored in all but one inning en route to the Bay Conference win.
Seymour scored one in the first and second, two in the third, three in the fifth, one in the sixth and five in the seventh.
The Hawks scored their lone run in the fifth.
Kendra Rettler powered the Thunder with four hits, including one double, one homer and four RBIs.
Kaylee Rettler added three hits and two RBIs, while Adde Smith had two hits and three RBIs and Aryah Krahn added two hits, including a double, and one RBI.
Abby Ourada had a hit and an RBI for Xavier.
New London 3, Menasha 1
MENASHA - The Bulldogs snapped a 1-1 tie with two runs in the third to earn the Bay Conference win.
Ellie Winkelman was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, while Laine Fiane was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Also picking up two hits for New London was Chesney Magolski.
Menasha was led by Bella Sonnenberg and Haylee Stobb, both with two hits.
Luxemburg-Casco 12, Little Chute 0
LITTLE CHUTE - Alayna Deprez was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Rylan Kaminski was 2-for-3 with a double, home run and four RBIs as the Spartans cruised past the Mustangs in North Eastern Conference action.
Claire Schleis was also 2-for-4 with a double, triple and three RBIs for Luxemburg-Casco.
The Spartans scored one run in the first, six in the second, two in the fourth and three in the fifth.
Jasmine Jandrin earned the win in the circle, pitching five innings and allowing three hits and two walks while striking out 10.
Denmark 7, Freedom 3
FREEDOM - The Vikings scored two runs in the first, one in the fourth and four in the seventh to outlast the Irish.
Freedom scored two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.
Shae Kraschnewski pitched 5⅔ innings to get the win. She allowed two hits, one run (unearned), walked two and struck out two.
Kraschnewski, Kylee Kersten and Maggie Frank each had two hits for Denmark. Kersten hit a home run, and Vanny Umentum and Kersten each drove in two runs.
Brooke Sowinski led the Irish with two hits, including a double, while Kourtney Moeller added a double and two RBIs.
Clintonville 1, Amherst 0
AMHERST - Claire Papendorf blanked the Falcons, pitching seven innings and allowing three hits and one walk while striking out eight to power the Truckers to the nonconference win.
Emily Hagman was 2-for-2 with a run scored to lead Clintonville. Also powering the Truckers were Maddy LaViolette with a double and Caitlyn Prue with an RBI.
Sam Nooyen had two hits for Amherst.
St. Mary Catholic 9, Hilbert 0
FOX CROSSING - Gabby Guerrero pitched a complete-game shutout to lead the Zephyrs to the victory over the Wolves.
Guerrero allowed five hits, walked two and struck out eight for the victory as the Zephyrs improved to 3-0 in the Big East Conference and 5-2 overall.
Emmi Weiss had two hits, including a double, drove in three runs and scored two runs for the Zephyrs. Breanna Neubert had three hits, a double and drove in two runs. Scarlett Reichenbacher added two hits and Illa Moder hit a double.
Leigha Wunrow hit a triple for Hilbert.
Iola-Scandinavia 9, Manawa 8
IOLA - Trailing 6-0, Iola-Scandinavia scored three runs in the fourth inning and six runs in the fifth inning and held on for the Central Wisconsin Conference-East victory.
The Thunderbirds improved their conference record to 2-2 and are 4-3 overall. Manawa dropped to 1-3 in the conference and 2-4 overall.
The T-Birds outhit the Wolves 13-9. Brooklyn Berrens, Rayanne Clendenning, Brylee Jueds, Maggie Maus and Ava Printz each had two hits for Iola-Scandinavia. Berrens, Charlotte Isermann and Braelyn Jueds each had a double. Clendenning added a triple.
Clendenning went the distance to earn the win. Clendenning had three walks and four strikeouts.
Menominee Nation 17, Weyauwega-Fremont 10
WEYAUWEGA - The Eagles outlasted the Warhawks in a Central Wisconsin Conference slugfest.
Menominee Nation scored two in the first, two in the third, four in the fourth, three in the fifth, one in the sixth and five in the seventh.
Weyauwega-Fremont scored one in the second, two in the fourth, three in the sixth and four in the seventh.
Gloriana Wayka had the hot bat for the Eagles, going 5-for-5 with three RBIs and four runs scored. Cecilia Grignow was 2-for-6 with an RBI and three runs scored, while Natalie Peters added a triple and two RBIs for Menominee Nation.
Appleton East 14, St. Mary Catholic 8 (Monday)
FOX CROSSING - The Patriots scored three runs in the first inning and four in the second to jump out to a 7-2 lead in the nonconference win over the Zephyrs.
Nina Kubiak was 3-for-3 with two home runs, three runs scored and four RBIs for the Patriots. Reese Reichelt, Lydia Dahlman and Miley Bee added two hits each. Aubrie Erickson, Grace Fecteau and Aubrey Heinz each added two RBIs.
Breanna Neubert was 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI for SMC. Sammi Weiss had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs. Scarlett Reichenbacher also had two hits.
Emma Jacobs pitched five innings to get the win. She allowed five hits, five runs (zero earned) and struck out two.
BASEBALL
Neenah 6, Appleton East 1
APPLETON - The Rockets scored two runs in the second inning, two in the fifth and two in the sixth in the Fox Valley Association win over the Patriots.
Gus Weinholzer pitched a complete game for Neenah. He allowed three hits, one unearned run, walked one and struck out nine.
James Weiland had two hits and drove in two runs for Neenah. Henry St. Clair had two hits and one RBI.
Nick Verbeten pitched a complete game for Appleton East. He allowed eight hits, three earned runs, walked one and struck out two.
Kimberly 13, Appleton West 0
APPLETON - The Papermakers hit four home runs in the five-inning Fox Valley Association victory over the Terrors.
Lex Knaebe had two hits, including a home run, and drove in four runs. Shaefer Peterson had two hits, a home run and scored three runs. Beckett Hermus hit a home run and scored two runs, and Maddux Hermus hit a home run and drove in four runs. Ryan Halfmann added two hits, including a double, for Kimberly.
Maddux Hermus pitched five innings, allowed one hit and struck out 10 batters to get the win.
Reeder Luedtke had the only hit for Appleton West.
Appleton North 4, Hortonville 1
APPLETON - Cash Christianson pitched six innings to get the win and lead the Lightning to the Fox Valley Association victory over the Polar Bears.
Christianson struck out six batters and allowed one run (unearned).
Matthew Hietpas was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs for North. Aedan Waterstreet and Owen Reuland also had doubles.
Little Chute 3, Luxemburg-Casco 0
LITTLE CHUTE - The Mustangs scored twice in the first inning and once in the third to defeat the Spartans in a North Eastern Conference game.
Jaden Hermsen had an RBI single in the first inning for Little Chute. Gerrit Wittman had an RBI single in the third inning.
Wittman and Trevor Verhagen each had two hits for the Mustangs.
Hermsen earned the win for Little Chute. He allowed three hits and no runs in 5⅔ innings, striking out nine and walking four.
Gavin Lax started, went five innings and took the loss for Luxemburg-Casco.
Wrightstown 8, Freedom 5
WRIGHTSTOWN - The Tigers notched 11 hits in the North Eastern Conference win over the Irish.
Michael Besel had three hits for Wrightstown, while Bennett Stengel and Rogan Thompson both had two hits. Theo Van Rossum had a solo home run, his first career homer.
Thompson pitched four innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on four walks and two hits to get the win for Wrightstown.
Carlton Romitti had two hits and an RBI for Freedom. Luke Schmidt added two RBIs, and Chase Calmes hit a double.
Oconto Falls 1, Waupaca 0
OCONTO FALLS - Teagan Tate pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, striking out six, as the Panthers downed the Comets in North Eastern Conference play.
Teagan Tate was 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Logan Berg was 1-for-2 with a run scored and one stolen base.
John Zeamer led Waupaca, going 1-for-3.
Carson Jameson took the loss, pitching six innings, while allowing five hits and one earned run, while striking out two.
Seymour 8, Shawano 2
SEYMOUR - The Thunder took a 3-1 lead in the first inning on its way to the win over the Hawks.
Seymour, which had 10 hits, got three hits from both Cayden Staffeldt and Xavier Salzman. Romy Oskey had a double and drove in three runs. Salzman drove in two runs.
Salzman pitched four innings and got the win for Seymour. Brayden Banker pitched the final three innings.
Denmark 13, Clintonville 2
DENMARK - The Vikings scored six times in both the second and third innings in their win over the Truckers.
Denmark had only five hits but took advantage of nine Clintonville walks. Caden Kersten had two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs. Braedon Heezen drove in two runs.
Clintonville got two hits from Conner MaGee, Zach Johnson and Rogan Schertz.
Caden Peterson got the win for Denmark.
Brillion 19, Two Rivers 0
BRILLION - The Lions scored three runs in the first, four in the second, nine in the third and three in the fourth en route to the Eastern Wisconsin Conference win.
Aiden Reinke paced the Brillion offense, going 2-for-3 with five RBIs. Landon Mathes was 2-for-3 with two doubles and one RBI, and Weston Schmidt was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Derek Klinkner doubled to help power the Purple Raiders.
Chilton 9, Valders 2
VALDERS - The Tigers built a seven-run lead and cruised to the Eastern Wisconsin Conference win.
Chilton scored three runs in the first and fourth, before adding one in the fifth and two in the seventh.
The Vikings scored their two runs in the fifth.
Easton Wagner led the Tigers, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while Kale Wagner and Lucas Groeschl had two hits each.
Carter Valleskey led Valders with two hits and two RBIs.
Hilbert 9, St. Mary Catholic 8
FOX CROSSING - The Wolves scored eight runs in the seventh inning to erase a six-run deficit, and then held on to earn the Big East Conference win.
Trailing 7-1 entering the seventh, Hilbert rallied before giving up one late run as it overcame seven errors.
Brody Hein had two hits and Cashtan Konen had two RBIs to lead the Wolves.
The Zephyrs were led by Caleb Vogel with three hits and an RBI. Jacob Ernsting was 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs, and Tarver Trinkner was 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
Winneconne 14, Green Bay East 0
WINNECONNE - The Wolves scored nine runs in the first inning and tacked on three more in the second in cruising past the Red Devils.
Green Bay East had three hits and committed four errors. Two pitchers also walked six batters.
Weyauwega-Fremont 25, Menominee Nation 15
WEYAUWEGA - The Warhawks trailed 12-11 when they scored 10 runs in the fourth inning to break the game open in their win over the Eagles.
Weyauwega-Fremont had 12 hits, while Menominee Nation had five.
Caleb Grignon had two hits, including a double, for Menominee Nation. Craig Penass had two hits, including a double, and drove in four runs.
Hortonville 10, West De Pere 0 (Monday)
HORTONVILLE - Gary Wuest had three hits and drove in five runs to power the Polar Bears to the nonconference win over the Phantoms.
Wuest singled in the first inning to score two runs, doubled in the second to score two and singled in the third to score one.
Isaac Behnke earned the win for Hortonville. The starter surrendered zero hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out two and walking three.
Little Chute 9, Freedom 3 (Monday)
FREEDOM - The Mustangs led 4-3 after three innings, then scored once in the fifth inning and four runs in the sixth inning to pull away for the win.
Reece Joten and Noah Faccio each had two hits for Little Chute. Blake Ruesch and Griffin Hank each drove in two runs.
Corey Mathison had three hits and three RBIs for Freedom. Elijah Shepard added two hits.
Hank pitched 3⅓ innings to get the win. He allowed six hits, no runs and struck out one.
Waupaca 13, Wrightstown 3 (Monday)
WRIGHTSTOWN - The Comets scored three runs in the first inning and four in the second inning to build a 7-0 lead in the five-inning victory over the Tigers.
Jay Card was 3-for-3, including a double, with three runs scored and five RBIs for Waupaca. Ollie Waller and Dougie Williams each had two hits and an RBI. Reed Rogers added a double and two RBIs.
Anikan Stern pitched a complete game to get the win. He allowed five hits, three earned runs, walked two and struck out five.
Theo Van Rossum had two hits and an RBI for Wrightstown. Van Rossum had a triple and Rogan Thompson had a double.
Campbellsport 12, Chilton 1 (Monday)
CHILTON - The game was tied 1-1 in the fourth inning before the Cougars exploded for the nonconference win over the Tigers.
Jace Goebel had a three-run double in the fourth inning for Campbellsport. The Cougars then scored seven runs in the fifth inning.
Carter Gellings had two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs for Campbellsport.
GIRLS SOCCER
Kimberly 7, Appleton East 0
KIMBERLY - Emily Urban and Ali Vander Wielen each scored two goals for the Papermakers in the Fox Valley Association win over the Patriots.
Lindsey Owens, Kennedy Ebben and Ashlyn Krueger also scored for Kimberly. Katie Owens had two assists.
Luxemburg-Casco 2, Wrightstown 0
LUXEMBURG - Emi Kuhn scored a pair of goals to lead the Spartans past the Tigers in North Eastern Conference action.
Casidee Jacobson added an assist.
Teagan Gunderson made five saves in net for Luxemburg-Casco.
Freedom 8, Clintonville 0
CLINTONVILLE - The Irish scored five goals in the first half in the North Eastern Conference win over the Truckers.
Pulaski 8, Menasha 0 (Monday)
MENASHA - Kara Barber scored two goals for the Red Raiders (2-1-1) in the nonconference win over the Bluejays.
Anya Hasser and Ruth Krause both had one goal and two assists. Other goals were scored by Estella Vieaux, Caitlyn Burkel, Sydney Kunstman and Elizabeth Dornfeld.
Lucia Di Gennaro had one save in goal for Pulaski and Tatum Wentland had zero saves in the combined shutout.
BOYS GOLF
Hortonville 163, Appleton East 172
At Grand View
Hortonville: Carter Rohde 37, Connor Graf 41, Dylan Wloszczynski 42, Carter Skalmoski 43.
Top individuals: Shaymus Smith LTC 71, Connor Eastman MAR 71, Dylan Clark OF 74, Stanley Peot L-C 78, William Hilbert DEN 79, Carson McDermid OF 80, Devin Derricks DEN 80, Kade Christensen WAU 81, Drew Decoster FRE 81, Jake Bohn DEN 82, Cayden Hansen WAU 82, Walter Larsen DEN 82.
Fox Valley Metro Championship (Monday)
KIMBERLY 284, SEYMOUR 291, KIMBERLY 2 301, XAVIER 305, APPLETON EAST 314, KAUKAUNA 317, HORTONVILLE 325, FOND DU LAC 327, XAVIER 2 328, NEENAH 330, ST. MARY CATHOLIC 334, NEW LONDON 336, APPLETON NORTH 337, FOX VALLEY LUTHERAN 343, WRIGHTSTOWN 357, APPLETON WEST 360, KAUKAUNA 2 377, SHAWANO 383, FREEDOM 399, FOND DU LAC 2 401
At High Cliff
Top individuals: Tyler Steeno KIM 66, Vince Sigl SEY 66, Collin Hermann KIM 68, Jonathan Huenink AN 69, Owen Sigl SEY 70, Tyson West KIM 72, Andrew Ostermann KIM 73, Drew Grant KIM 73, Derek Watry XAV 73, Sam Hussin KAU 75, Parker Johnson NL 76, Brady Deleeuw SMC 76, Peter Van Grinsven KIM 77, Tyler Bell AE 77, Evan Troestler KIM 77, Tristan Drath SEY 77, William Bauman XAV 77, Grant Neumann XAV 77, Bax Benson KAU 77.
Eastern Wisconsin Conference (Monday)
NEW HOLSTEIN 182, SHEBOYGAN FALLS 182, TWO RIVERS 185, KIEL 190, RONCALLI 190, CHILTON/HILBERT 193, VALDERS 193, BRILLION 210
At Autumn Ridge, par 36
Top individuals: Alex Ballantine SF 39, Parker Spierings BRI 41, Sam Bast SF 42, Ben Gates TR 43, Cameron Jaschob KIE 43, Mason Schmitz NH 43, Adam Bunnell C/H 44, Evan Grasse C/H 44, Braydan Hofmeyer RON 45, Kyle Lisowe NH 45, Luke Ramminger KIE 45.
BOYS TENNIS
Kimberly 6, Appleton East 1
Colin Meixl K def. Oliver Kapila 6-0, 6-3; Preston McGinnis K def. Henry Taylor 6-0, 6-3; Murphy Matz K def. Owen Kiekhaefer 6-1, 2-6, 10-8; Ben Salvo AE def. Tyler Dietrich 6-2, 6-2.
Hunter Holschuh/Jackson Lawson K def. Oliver Heinritz/Lucas Van Grinsven 6-1, 6-1; Andrew Lindsay/Evan Marsicek K def. Zachary George/Daniel Daye 6-2, 6-3; Brayden Schueller/Mason Scheberl K def. Noah Kauth/Corbin Schwartz 6-0, 6-3.
Hortonville 5, Oshkosh North 2
Kallum Larson-Poeschel ON def. Callhan Hartjes 6-3, 6-2; Luka Kovaceic ON def. Spencer Anderson 6-3, 6-4; Nolan Marman H def. Quasi Alqawasmi 6-0, 3-0 retired; Braedon Karls H def. Max Friedrich 7-6, 3-6, 10-2.
Grant Decker/Ethan Bruce H def. Elias Sturtz/Otto Pinnow 6-0, 6-0; Blake Meyer/Max Chan H def. Hendrix Ortega/Akuei Ajou 6-0, 6-0; Benjamin Decker/Liam Adkins H def. Jordan Witt/August Pinnow 6-0, 6-1.
St. Mary Catholic 5, Sheboygan Falls 2
Nicholas Miller SMC def. Noah Flees 6-3, 6-0; Aiden Tines SMC def. Dominic Cotter 6-2, 6-0; Zach Beyer SMC def. Chris Mueller 6-1, 6-3; Jameson Tines SMC def. Marshall Miller 6-0, 6-1.
Sean Osland/Dominic Todd SMC def. Colton Pelletiere/Zachary Pyykkonen 6-2, 6-4; Ethan Teunissen/Miles Hanke SF def. Colin Osland/Frederic Staner 6-4, 6-1; Ricky Estrada/Trey Jensema SF def. J.P. Foord/Brandon DeBraal 3-6, 6-2, 10-8.
Apr 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly reacts in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In the words of Jack Sommers, regression is a harsh mistress. And the past 2 games the Dbacks have played, there couldn’t have possibly been more regression. This game seemed like a game where absolutely nothing went the Dbacks way and everything the White Sox’s way. From baseballs getting stuck in Nolan Arrenado’s mitt, to inside the park home runs due to golden glover interference. The Dbacks could absolutely not catch a break in this game.
The starting rotation may have been a storyline of the early season, but the Dbacks have now allowed 12 runs in the previous 2 first innings. Merrill Kelly flat out stunk in this one allowing 4 ER in the first inning and 3 consecutive home runs to put the Dbacks into a 7 run deficit almost immediately.
The offense was able to come up with 5 runs tonight, however they should’ve come up with a lot more. Dbacks had leadoff hitters on base 6 of the 9 innings tonight, a 45.5% hard hit percentage and an xBA of .277. The White Sox defense seemed to be positioned perfectly all night to take hits away from the Arizona offense. It felt like almost every single inning there would be some base traffic followed by a diving catch in the outfield or a snared line drive by a White Sox infielder. Certainly a frustrating loss for the fans and the team, however with slightly better luck the score could’ve certainly been much closer.
About the only positive from tonight’s game may have been the the bullpen did a good job of holding the White Sox in check. They had to really shoulder the load tonight because of Kelly’s ineffectiveness, and they did a pretty good job of doing just that silencing the White Sox offense to mostly singles the rest of the game.
In addition, Ildemaro Vargas continued his hitting streak in this one with a 3-run home run in the 9th inning. This marks the 16th straight game he has hit safely in to begin the season. What an accomplishment!
As if this game wasn’t already lopsided enough against the Dbacks favor due to batted ball luck, things really got ridiculous in the 9th inning when a ball was hit down the 3rd base line that was clearly interfered with by the golden glover and the umpire team ruled that the play wasn’t reviewable despite the challenge by Torey Lovullo. This was the second time in the past 3 games a golden glover interfered with a ball in play. The official scoring came back as an inside the park home run. Clearly one of the most bizarre plays you will see and a clear head scratcher as to why that play wasn’t reviewable. Home plate umpire Doug Eddings had already had himself a game by not allowing several players to challenge ball strike calls, and then he didn’t allow Torey to challenge the clearly blown call by the 3rd base ump.
Obviously none of the above matters a whole lot when your starting pitcher allows 7 runs in the first 2 innings, however nothing much was going the Dbacks way tonight. There is still time to salvage this series to maintain their series winning streak, however it doesn’t appear as thought the White Sox are going to just roll over and just let them take it. The Dbacks are going to have to do a better job this season of playing when they have expectations on them to win, something this team has struggled with in previous seasons.
New jerseys of new, losing streaks of old. One was introduced, and another stayed the same on Tuesday night in Mizzou baseball’s 11-4 loss against SIUE at Taylor Stadium. After two straight SEC series, which have now accumulated to two sweeps and seven straight losses, Mizzou’s offensive struggles reached their compounding point, accumulating just five hits against the Cougars.
The Tigers started well from the plate, with a lead-off homer from Blaize Ward, his second over the last four games and of his freshman season as a Tiger. Missouri bats continued to slowly chip away at SIUE pitching, as catcher Juliomar Campos’ RBI double and an infield RBI single by Eric Maisonet gave the two Puerto Ricans with an RBI apiece and a 3-0 Missouri lead by the bottom of the fourth.
The main difference between SIUE and Mizzou? The Cougars’ offensive production wasn’t slow but surely, and it wasn’t spread out; it was condensed to just two innings of pure offensive devastation. A three-and-eight run slot in the sixth and eighth innings was too much to overcome for Kerrick Jackson’s squad, on a night where the debut of brand-new COMO jerseys and free admission aimed to set a more positive evening tone for the Tigers.
The visitors did exactly that from the sixth inning onward, scoring 10 runs against the Tigers’ bullpen, to the one run in response by Mizzou, which came on a Kam Durnin sac fly in the bottom of the sixth.
“[From an offensive standpoint] just not consistent and focused in what their approach needed to be,” Jackson said. “We had flashes and had a couple of guys that were consistent on the day with how they went about their business. But again, just getting anxious. The worst thing for us was Blaize hitting a home run in the first, and the reason why that was the worst is that that’s his second home run of the year. Everybody else after that thought I should hit a home run too.”
THE INFAMOUS EIGHTH
After the Cougars scrapped their way back from a 3-0 deficit, Kam Durnin’s sacrifice fly gave the Tigers a one-run lead. In the space of an inning, two in-game replays, and what felt like a slow-motion collapse, SIUE turned a one‑run deficit into an 11–4 lead before the Tigers recorded the third out.
An error on a routine grounder by Ward at second base resulted in Gage Franck reaching first. The inning grew more complicated from there for Tigers reliever Juan Villarreal, who didn’t end up earning any earned runs due to the error by Ward.
A passed ball moved Franck up, a balk pushed him to third, and suddenly, Juan Villarreal was working with a runner ninety feet away and no real margin for error. He walked Joshua Heyder, and SIUE brought the game even when Ethan Willoughby lifted a sacrifice fly to right.
Missouri still had a chance to settle things, but the Cougars kept stacking up runs. Mack Mitchell jumped ahead in the count against Villarreal and turned a 3–0 pitch into a two‑run homer that traveled well over the left field fence.
Brenden Fry followed with a double to right‑center, prompting a move to the bullpen, but the momentum didn’t shift. A pitching change by Jackson led to PJ Green didn’t stop pinch hitter Cooper Eggert from attacking the first pitch he saw and sent another two‑run shot out to right.
Even after the opening onslaught, Missouri couldn’t slow the inning down. A walk and a wild pitch set up another run when Daniel Gierer punched a single through the left side. Another wild pitch moved Gierer up a base, and a throwing error on a comebacker to Green brought in yet another unearned run.
By the time the Tigers finally recorded the third out, SIUE had turned a one‑run game into an 11–4 lead, fueled by a mix of hard contact, free bases, and defensive mistakes. A bullpen game for the Tigers rotation ultimately led to seven total pitchers being used, starting with Dane Bjorn and ending with a very sudden and devastating end in the infamous eighth.
“Guys come in and throw strikes, but you also need to execute pitches,” Jackson said. [SIUE] was aggressive. Their ball club was aggressive, and we threw pitches in the zone, and they attacked them. Hopefully, if anything, our guys are watching that thinking to swing the bat. If a guy’s coming in, he’s coming in to throw strikes, and if he’s gonna throw strikes, then you could be on time, that’s what they were.”
THE MENTAL ERRORS
What was going wrong for the Mizzou offense and defense was compounded by mental mistakes that drove the point home of Tuesday evening being one to forget for the Tigers. Two players, Isaiah Frost and Juliomar Campos, were sent to the bench mid-game by Jackson. Jamal George replaced Campos to begin the fourth, and Donovan Jordan replaced Frost to begin the ninth.
The common theme? Errors on the base-paths. After a Tyler Macon walk occurred in the bottom half of the second, Campos inexplicably wandered too far off of second base and was caught in between the baselines between third and second, thrown out at third, by Jose Fichera behind the plate.
Frost, after reaching base on a hit-by-pitch in the eighth, was doubled off at first base following a line drive hit by Eric Maisonet. Jackson was critical of both of these moments post-game when I asked about the thought process behind the two substitutions.
“[The subsitutions] were based on stupidity.” Jackson said. “You can’t just take off running when you’re Campos in a situation where we just drew a two out walk, where were you going? Isaiah Frost, we talk all the time about when a line drive is hit, you go back on a line drive. This is the second time that as a fifth year senior, he’s looked to advance, and you just can’t do bad things on the baseball field, and then think that you’re still going to have the opportunity to be out there. If you’re going to do that, then just come out and let me put somebody who is hopefully is a little bit more mentally locked in.”
UP NEXT
Missouri turns its attention back to Southeastern Conference play later this week. The Tigers stay home to open a three‑game series against No. 24 Arkansas on Thursday night at Taylor Stadium, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. The matchup begins another stretch of conference play where Mizzou will look to steady its bullpen and bounce back from its seven-game losing streak.
As of the writing of this article, there are 43 hours left in Fernando Mendoza's amateur career. He may have been testing his options Tuesday night in Miami.
Mendoza threw out the first pitch at the Miami Marlins game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The presumptive number one pick in Thursday's draft is a Miami native and graduated from Christopher Columbus High School.
Mendoza showed off his much-celebrated right arm with a pitch that soared a little high, but was surely a strike in the hearts of Hoosier fans.
Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Fernando Mendoza tossed out the first pitch prior to tonight's @Marlins game! pic.twitter.com/OCSlrl3Kot
DENVER (AP) — Los Angeles interim coach D.J. Smith quickly ducked when shattered glass fell on him after a pane broke behind the Kings bench Tuesday night in Game 3 against Colorado.
It happened right after Quinton Byfield was stopped on a penalty shot by Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood with 16:48 remaining in the second period. The glass began to sway as fans pounded on it in excitement and then gave way, with pieces raining on Smith. He covered his head and then brushed the glass off his suit before heading down the tunnel to the locker room. He returned a few minutes later.
The Avalanche cleanup crew brought out shovels and buckets to clean up the fragments from the LA bench. The Kings players mingled on the ice as they waited for a new pane to be brought in and installed.
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog told ESPN hockey analyst Erik Johnson he's never seen something like that happen before. Landeskog added: "It was loud there when ‘Wedgy' made that save and fans got a little too excited."
The delay took more than 15 minutes. The score was 0-0 when play was halted.
Continuing our series, which began earlier this month and will run until the 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23, The Detroit News will spotlight one prospect a day who could be a first-round fit for the Detroit Lions, who own the 17th overall pick. Assuming the Lions don't trade out, it'll be their highest selection since running back Jahmyr Gibbs went No. 12 in 2023.
Today's focus is on Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller.
Blake Miller stats
▶ 13 appearances in 2025
▶ 14 pressures allowed (10 hurries, two quarterback hits, two sacks)
▶ 875 offensive snaps (529 pass blocking, 346 run blocking)
▶ 72 special teams snaps (52 field goal, 10 punt coverage)
Career overview
A four-star recruit in the Class of 2022 who was a multi-year starter at left tackle for Ohio's Strongsville High School, Miller verbally pledged to Clemson in October 2020 and never wavered from that commitment. "Blake is a very quiet young man, doesn't have much to say. Probably one of the easiest guys there was to recruit," former Tigers offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell said in an interview with Clemson's team website. "He knew what he wanted." Miller played on both offense and defense as a freshman and senior at Strongsville. He ran track in 2020 and wrestled as a child, winning an Ohio Athletic Committee state championship in 2012.
Miller quickly earned a first-team role with the Tigers and became only the third true freshman since 1944 to start a season opener at offensive tackle for Clemson. He allowed 25 pressures and three sacks in his first collegiate season, according to Pro Football Focus. Miller's pressure numbers improved in 2023 (22) and 2024 (18) before he was at his best in 2025, allowing 14 pressures and two sacks. His pass blocking efficiency (98.4), a statistic from PFF "measuring pressure allowed on a per-snap basis with weighting toward sacks allowed," was tied for 10th among 146 qualified FBS tackles in 2025 (minimum 400 reps as pass blockers). He was also voted a team captain.
No one at Clemson has played more snaps from scrimmage than Miller (3,778), and only specialists have made more consecutive starts (54). He's the fourth offensive lineman in program history to record All-ACC honors in three straight seasons (third team in 2023, first team in 2024 and 2025). He never missed a game at Clemson, and he was absent from only one practice because he needed surgery to repair a broken bone in his wrist. Miller, an ironman at Strongsville, has played eight seasons in a row without being sidelined.
Blake Miller NFL draft analysis
Miller (6-foot-6¾, 317 pounds) has all the tools to succeed in the NFL. His arms (34¼ inches) are longer than all but one other offensive tackle who's receiving first-round consideration (Georgia's Monroe Freeling has him beat by half an inch), and he flexed his athleticism at the combine, with promising results in the 40-yard dash (5.04 seconds), 10-yard split (1.75 seconds), vertical jump (32 inches), broad jump (9 feet, 5 inches) and bench press (32 reps).
At Clemson's Pro Day in March, Miller participated in the three-cone drill (7.75 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.65), a couple of workouts aimed to demonstrate lateral mobility. His times would've ranked second and first among OTs at the combine, respectively. His size, measurables and testing numbers resulted in a Relative Athletic Score of 9.90 out of 10.
Most critics of Miller will first highlight his upright nature (pad level), which could be a problem against better opponents in the NFL. He also occasionally leans when taking on incoming defenders. Additionally, The Athletic's Dane Brugler noted how Miller "delivers adequate pop but doesn’t have overwhelming power to create knock back." His 54 starts of experience have helped Miller polish his game more than most prospects coming out of college, but by no means is he a finished product.
Lions coach Dan Campbell has been open about his willingness, and perhaps eagerness, to move Penei Sewell to the left side of the offensive line, which is where he played at Oregon. A shift in Sewell's responsibilities would create an opening at right tackle, where Miller could come in and, ideally, start right away. He'll have to earn it, though, with Larry Borom serving as his main competition on a one-year, $5 million deal. Rookie tackles will almost always have hiccups (even Sewell allowed 35 pressures in his first season), but if anyone from this group is going to come in and make an early impact, Miller could be the best bet.
The Philadelphia 76ers had a magical night on Tuesday, as they managed to steal Game 2 from the Boston Celtics. Considering the 76ers are heavy underdogs because they do not have Joel Embiid, this was a monumental result for Philly.
Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe combined for 59 points in Game 2. However, it was Edgecombe who had the more impressive performance, considering he played at that level as just a rookie.
Tyrese Maxey is proud of VJ Edgecombe's maturity
Even if he is only a rookie, Edgecombe has been amazing all year. He immediately entered head coach Nick Nurse's starting lineup. VJ even displaced a returning Jared McCain, who eventually got traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It was one of the biggest long-term decisions for the 76ers because they fully committed to Edgecombe. That has paid off because Edgecombe continues to be a star-level player in just his rookie season, as proven by his first few games in the Playoffs.
In just his second game in the Playoffs against the Celtics, Edgecombe scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. It was one of the most impressive breakouts of the year because it showcased Edgecombe's star potential and maturity.
"We've been saying it all year, but what he showed tonight was maturity. Last game, he missed those threes, and he started driving, and started cutting... Look, he did that, he hooped," Maxey said after the 76ers' upset win in Game 2.
Even Jaylen Brown was impressed with the rookie, as he commended him after the game. It is difficult to get this kind of warranted praise, but Edgecombe continues to prove himself as one of the most promising youngsters in the NBA.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are all even in their Eastern Conference First Round series against the Montreal Canadiens after a series-tying 3-2 overtime win in Game 2 at Benchmark International Arena on Tuesday night.
Defenseman J.J. Moser’s first career playoff goal evened the series at one win apiece, with the next two games set for Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday and Saturday. The goal also ended Tampa Bay’s seven-game playoff losing streak in overtime games.
The Lightning had dominated the extra period, outshooting Montreal 8-0, before Anthony Cirelli won an offensive-zone face-off to the right of goalie Jakub Dobes. Moser took the puck near the left point, worked his way around to the right circle and fired through a screen. The sellout crowd of 19,092 erupted as the puck hit the back of the net to even the series.
Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov had the other goals for the Lightning, and Andrei Vasilevskiy rebounded from a middling showing in Game 1 with 25 saves.
Lane Hutson scored a first-period power-play goal and Josh Anderson put Montreal ahead 2-1 late in the second period. Dobes made 31 saves.
The win at home has to be a relief for the Lightning, who were 1-10 in their previous 11 playoff games in their own building They lost three times at home to the Florida Panthers in the first round in each of the past two seasons after falling to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023. The last time Tampa Bay got past Round 1 was 2022, when they lost to the Colorado Avalanche in the Final while trying to win their third consecutive championship.
Lightning even series with OT win against Canadiens in Game 2
The Canadiens had the better of the play in the early going, holding the Lightning without a shot for more than eight minutes after the opening face-off. But the Bolts turned their first shot into the opening goal.
Hagel circled into the high slot and fired, but his shot hit a body and caromed to the left boards. He chased it down and fired again — but this time, the shot went through a screen and past Dobes at 8:20 to put the Lightning up 1-0.
Tampa Bay got the game’s first power play at 10:11 when Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj got the extra minor after a scrum with Yanni Gourde. But it was the Canadiens who nearly scored; Vasilevskiy stopped Jake Evans on a 2-on-1 break and the rebound caromed off the foot of Alex Newhook, who was all alone but couldn’t get his stick on the puck.
Then it was time to fill the penalty box. A huge scrum behind the Montreal net turned into a Canadiens power play after referees Frederick L’Ecuyer and Graham Skilliter handed out 11 minors — with Lightning forward Corey Perry getting the extra one.
Montreal made it 4-for-6 with the extra man in the series when Hutson’s straightaway slapper from just inside the blue line caromed off Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak and went past Vasilevskiy at 16:11.
The Canadiens couldn’t score on their next power play after a cross-checking call against Nick Paul at 17:49, and the period ended even at 1-1.
Hagel and Game 1 hero Juraj Slafkovsky of the Canadiens dropped the gloves at 5:14 of the second period and earned the first fighting majors of the series, with Hagel dropping the much-bigger Montreal forward to end the fight.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The goaltenders exchanged clutch saves with just under six minutes remaining in the period, but the Canadiens began to get the better of the play and went ahead with 1:24 left in the period. Anderson, who scored the opening goal in Game 1, got to the front of the net and converted a pass by Phillip Danault, who won a puck battle behind the net. Anderson got position between two defenders and snapped the puck past Vasilevskiy to give Montreal a 2-1 lead.
The Bolts nearly tied it five minutes into the third period when Moser beat Dobes but rang the post. They got a power-play chance shortly after when Montreal’s Ivan Demidov was called for tripping but didn’t generate much pressure.
But Kucherov lit up the crowd when he took the carom of Cirelli’s blocked shot, swooped around the back of the net and tucked the puck inside the right post at 12:33 to tie the game 2-2. It was the star forward’s first playoff goal in 17 games.
The Lightning had to survive one more threat to get to overtime. Scott Sabourin’s needless interference penalty with 2:15 left in regulation gave Montreal a late power play, Hutson teed up a straightaway slapper with just under a minute remaining that caught Vasilevskiy’s arm before plinking off the post.
Dobes was brilliant in the overtime but had no chance on Moser’s game-winner.
Key takeaways after Lightning top Canadiens 3-2 in OT
You could cut the tension with a knife as the third period progressed and the Lightning continued to trail by a goal. The thought of going to Montreal down 0-2 wasn’t an appetizing one, especially after two more home losses.
But that’s when a couple of the Bolts’ stars saved the day.
Kucherov had gone 16 playoff games without a goal — since Game 1 of the 2023 first round against Toronto — before he tied the game. The NHL’s No. 2 scorer during the regular season looked like a giant eagle as he swooped in to grab the blocked shot, fly around the net and deposit the puck into a wide-open net as Dobes couldn’t go right-to-left in time.
Then it was Vasilevskiy’s turn. He preserved the tie after Sabourin’s penalty gave the Canadiens a late power play by making a pair of big stops on Hutson.
A “Gordie Howe” for Hagel
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
This is the 18th time the Lightning is taking part in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but Hagel became the first player in franchise history to have a Gordie Howe Hat Trick (goal/assist/fighting major) in a postseason game.
The first-period goal was his third in the first two games, and he got the secondary helper on Kucherov’s goal. Nothing surprising about either of those.
It’s the fighting major that was out of the ordinary. Hagel had just two fighting majors during the regular season despite playing on the NHL’s fightingest team — the Lightning led the NHL with 43 majors. He was also spotting Slafkovsky nearly 40 pounds. Despite that, he landed a punch that knocked the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft to the ice before officials broke up the fight.
The Hagel-Slafkovsky fighting majors are the only ones assessed during the first two games of this series, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been plenty of physicality.
There were 77 hits in Game 2 (43 for Montreal, 34 for the Lightning). That follows the 86 hits (a 44-42 edge for the Bolts) in Game 1. Tuesday’s game also saw 23 penalties, including the two fights and 14 minors for roughing.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper noted that his team had been pushed around physically in recent postseasons, and said that the reason for dressing players like Sabourin, who’s known for his physical play.
“It’s two proud teams,” Cooper said. “You have to do what you have to do to advance. Regardless of how we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Xavi Simons of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to one report, Bayern Munich could be back in on a pursuit of Tottenham attacker Xavi Simons. Last summer, there was an internal disagreement over Simons between head coach Vincent Kompany and supervisory board member Uli Hoeneß.
💰 Transfer packages → Over €50M require board approval.
It does not seems like this would be a move that Bayern Munich would pursue. Simons has six goals and seven assists in 42 games across all competitions this season. For now, it is more than fair to raise an eyebrow and be skeptical of this one.
Chelsea might make a push for FC Köln attacker Said El Mala:
✅ It is TRUE: Brighton are in the lead for Said El Mala. But it could be that other interested clubs still have a chance in this race, like Newcastle and Chelsea. That’s because the Brighton offer was about €35m plus €4m in add-ons, and Cologne want €50m. If they don’t get this money, perhaps they’ll be open to talking with Chelsea again. This could happen. At the moment, the way is clear – El Mala looks very likely to be playing Premier League football next season. Now we have to see whether he ends up at Brighton, which is the current plan, or if FC Köln say it won’t work because of the money on the table.
Right now, El Mala seems like he might be favoring a move to Brighton because he brother could go in a package deal with him from Cologne. As for Chelsea, they could tempt the youngster with a big offer if they really want El Mala that bad.
Bayern Munich is reporttedly interested in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr:
“Spurs insist Sarr is not for sale, but privately they know that big clubs are going to come calling, and some may already have done so,” one source said.
“Sarr’s value is growing and there’s a real possibility of him moving on this summer whether they go down or not. Real Madrid, PSG, and Bayern Munich are all big fans of the player, and offers of around £50m would probably be enough,” another added.
Tottenham are facing an increasingly real threat of relegation this season and that’s inevitably started to lead to serious behind-the-scenes conversations about players who could be snapped up by bigger clubs this summer.
While there are clearly a lot of players in this squad that have under-performed, there is also some appreciation for a few of their younger talents who could still go on to improve a lot in the right conditions, so that creates the potential for one or two major summer transfer sagas in the months ahead.
One name being mentioned a lot is Pape Matar Sarr, with several of my sources in the industry telling me that Spurs are aware of growing interest in the 23-year-old from some of Europe’s elite clubs.
“Spurs insist Sarr is not for sale, but privately they know that big clubs are going to come calling, and some may already have done so,” one source said.
Manchester City could attempt to beat Bayern Munich to the punch for Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read:
✅ It is TRUE: Manchester City have joined the race for Givairo Read and are prepared to go toe-to-toe with Bayern Munich. It’s a hard punch for Bayern Munich, as they’ve known the player for a long time. They were in talks, they want him, and they’d like to bring him to Munich. But if the price rises, then things are getting difficult, as they don’t really want to pay more than €30m. For Bayern Munich, that’s a lot of money for a right back.
Read is reportedly one of the players Bayern Munich could pursue this summer.
FC Barcelona was thought to be leaning toward keeping Marcus Rashford, but that might no longer be the case:
Barcelona could pass on activating the permanent option clause to sign on-loan Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford, according to Marca. The Blaugrana have the option to sign the 28-year-old for a fee of €30 million, but it is reported that the club’s hierarchy are concerned about his recent drop in performance, with Rashford having scored just two goals in his last 16 matches. They are beginning to explore potential alternatives for the upcoming summer transfer window.
If you saw rumors linking Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to Brighton & Hove Albion, Sport Bild’s Christian Falk wants you know that info is not true:
❌ It is NOT TRUE: Brighton are considering a move for Manuel Neuer if he leaves Bayern this summer. The German will decide whether he stays for another year in Munich or quits at the end of the season. I spoke with him after the match against Real. He wants to make a decision in the relatively near future. The game itself was really tough for him. The first two goals from Real were, I’m afraid to say, two mistakes from Manuel Neuer. But the match before he was brilliant, and he was good in the second half of the second leg in Munich. I think he’s still having fun, and I heard that if he’s still enjoying himself, he’ll want to do another year at Bayern. We have to see! He’s set to become a father again; his wife’s pregnant with his second child. Perhaps that’s why he doesn’t want to play the World Cup. Perhaps he wants to be a family guy. But I think, as we saw yesterday in the match against Real Madrid, Neuer’s having so much fun that he could very well play one more year.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
The San Diego Padres are so hot right now, not even Coors Field can do its thing against them.
San Diego became the first team since 2006 to win a road game 1-0 at Coors Field on Tuesday, defeating the Colorado Rockies for their third straight win and 11th in 12 games. Their record is now 16-7, a half-game back from the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in MLB.
It was starting pitcher Randy Vásquez who mostly kept the home team down, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing three hits, walking none and striking out five. That continues a hot start to the season for him, bringing his ERA down to 1.88.
Set-up men Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon completed the shutout, combining to strike out three in the eighth and ninth innings. Comically dominant closer Mason Miller had the day off after pitching in back-to-back games over the weekend, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The lone run of the game came during a sixth-inning jam for Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander, who was working as the bulk guy behind opener Jimmy Herget. Dollander loaded the bases on a Jake Cronenworth double, Fernando Tatis Jr. single and Jackson Merrill hit-by-pitch, then Manny Machado drew a bases-loaded walk.
Dollander then struck out Xander Bogaerts to end the inning. In another world, the story would praise for his nine strikeouts across six innings of on-run ball.
It was only the fourth 1-0 road win in the history Coors Field, which has a well-earned reputation for hostility toward pitchers’ ERAs. In an interesting quirk of the record book, all three of the previous 1-0 wins were in the 2006 season, per Stathead: the Philadelphia Phgillies on April 16, the St. Louis Cardinals on July 25 and the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 1.
SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 23: Brian Ortega prepares to face Aljamain Sterling in a 153-pound catchweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Shanghai Indoor Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Heavyweight MMA peaked over 20 years ago. Look how fast some of these exchanges were …
Fedor Emelianenko x Mirko Cro Cop. Two of mma’s greatest icons collide in front of 47,000 fans at Saitama Super Arena in one of the biggest fights in mma history. (8.28.2005) 🌟 pic.twitter.com/BLEF8BDFrp
VJ Edgecombe registered a historically rare postseason double-double by a rookie, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a Game 2 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
Edgecombe finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in the 111-97 win at TD Garden to even up their first-round playoff series at one game apiece. He shot 12-of-20 from the field, including six of the Sixers' 19 3-pointers, and was a game-high plus-17 on the court.
The third overall pick surpassed Hall of Famer Magic Johnson as the youngest player in history to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game (20 years, 265 days). He is the first rookie to reach that stat line in a playoff game since Tim Duncan in 1998.
"He has been impressive all season long," said Paul George, who had 19 points. "When you think about it, how he started his first NBA game here in this building (with 34 points), I'm sure he was in a small group of players that did what he did on that opening night and then to put a whole season together and get to this point where he is showcasing who he is, he is far past a rookie. ... It is just impressive, man."
Jaylen Brown produced a game-high 36 points and seven rebounds, while Jayson Tatum neared a triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists and Derrick White had eight points to lead the Celtics, who led by as many as 13 points in the first quarter.
Edgecombe tallied 20 points in the first half alone to help the Sixers overcome their double-digit deficit and carry an eight-point lead at the intermission. With Edgecome carrying the load early, Tyrese Maxey scored 14 of his 29 points in the second half to seal the win.
"We got to a better job on Edgecombe," Brown said. "He definitely affected the game. ... I thought Edgecombe was just too comfortable. He built a rhythm and was able to have an extreme impact on the game. He hit six 3s, which he is a capable shooter, so we've just got to adjust and be ready to guard him because he is a ballplayer. He is a rookie, but he can play. We've got to be better on him."
Though Edgecombe logged 35 minutes, 18 seconds on Tuesday, the Bahamian worked through some discomfort after landing on his back. Afterward, Edgecombe confirmed that he was "good" since he was able to finish out the game on the court.
Hobbled a bit, Edgecombe bounced back from an inefficient playoff debut on Sunday after recording 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in their Game 1 loss. He went just 6-of-16 from the field, while missing each of his five 3-point attempts in 34 minutes.
"We've been saying it all year, but what he showed tonight was maturity," Maxey said. "Last game, a couple of times, he missed those 3s, and he started driving or cutting, and I told him, 'You're not going 0-for-5 from 3, so whenever they're on the nail, and I swing it to you, you shoot it. I don't care what the outcome is.' ... He did that. He hooped, man. He hooped."
HISTORIC NIGHT FOR VJ EDGECOMBE 🔥
First rookie with: ✅ 5 threes and 10 REB in a playoff game in NBA history ✅ a 30-PT double-double in a playoff game since Derrick Rose in 2009 ✅ 30 PTS and 10 REB in a playoff game since Tim Duncan in 1998 pic.twitter.com/fgXjRXLacr
Edgecombe on Sunday was named a finalist for Rookie of the Year, averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals on 35.4% shooting from beyond the arc in 75 games. He led the NBA in loose balls recovered (79) and was third in scoring among rookies.
The former Baylor guard emerged as a key contributor for coach Nick Nurse as the Sixers dealt with several injuries. He maintained a high level of confidence throughout the year and wants to continue to do so throughout their postseason run.
"I just try not to overthink it," Edgecombe said. "I try not to put pressure on myself; everyone else is already putting pressure on us to perform. I try not to put pressure on myself. I'm around a great group of guys, that has also helped me keep instilling confidence in me to keep going regardless of who is on the floor, who is not on the floor. It is just a big shout-out to my teammates and coaches."
Three years ago, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Texans defensive end Will Anderson entered the NFL as back-to-back top-three picks.
On Tuesday, Anderson met with reporters to discuss a contract extension that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, based on new-money average.
He was asked if he heard from Stroud after agreeing to terms.
“He had texted me," Anderson said. "It was great. But coming in with C.J. has been awesome. It can be kind of hard when you come in by yourself and you got to figure things out, figure people out. But coming in with C.J. was great because we had each other our rookie year and we still got each other now. But to be able to come in with somebody who's also God-fearing as well but also loves his craft, loves to get better, and loves to see the guys around him succeed and also is a leader, too.
"It was great for me because the days I was down, he was picking me up. The days he was down, I was picking him up. We just toughed it out and we did it."
The job is only half finished, however. Anderson has his long-term deal. Stroud does not. Despite the Texans' foresight when it comes to getting first-round picks who work out signed to a new contract after their third NFL seasons (they've done it with Anderson and, a year ago, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.), Stroud has yet to get a new deal.
The situation highlights the basic realities of Stroud's status with the team. The Texans have made it clear that he’s their guy. Given his struggles in 2025 (especially in the postseason), a second contract possibly will wait until after 2026.
The absence of a new deal, if that's how it goes, raises the stakes for the coming season. With Stroud fifth-year option exercised, decision time would arrive in 2027 — unless the jury remains out on the value of a second contract and the Texans decide to wait until after Stroud has completed five NFL seasons before negotiating a second deal.
NEW YORK — MVP chants, loud ones, thundered down tongue-in-cheek from a peeved and restless Citi Field crowd as journeyman reliever Austin Warren bounded his way back to the dugout.
It was an odd scene: The anonymous right-hander, the opposite of a household name, a guy with just 10 innings as a New York Met, getting showered with affection from a sparse, frigid, April crowd in a game his club had just bungled away. Warren entered the proceedings in place of star closer Devin Williams, who, with the score knotted at three in the ninth, allowed two runs and failed to record a single out. The unlikely hero then proceeded to strike out three consecutive Minnesota Twins to give the Mets a chance at redemption in the bottom of the frame.
"It's tough. I don't know,” Williams admitted after the game. “I've never been a part of something like this.”
The contest Tuesday began well for the Mets, who, playing at home for the first time in a week, were looking to rebound after an 0-6 roadtrip. Starting pitcher Nolan McLean was brilliant, legitimately perfect through five frames. Fifteen Twins strolled to the dish; all 15 returned to the dugout. Along the way, the rookie righty racked up eight strikeouts. He was supremely locked in, willing and able to end New York’s skid all by his dang self.
Francisco Lindor provided the offensive jolt in the third inning, clocking a cathartic, three-run homer to give New York a much-needed lead. It was just the fourth non-solo shot the Mets have hit all season. After returning to the dugout, Lindor was handed a fluorescent orange hard hat and work vest — symbols, it seemed, of the club’s attempt to adopt a workmanlike mindset to endure and overcome their schneid.
But that, at least on Tuesday, was not to be.
McLean’s run at perfection ended with a leadoff single in the sixth. His evening got worse a few batters later, when Team USA WBC teammate Byron Buxton obliterated an elevated 3-1 cutter to trim New York’s lead to one. That swing sucked any and all optimism out of the confines like a gigantic vibe vacuum. The Twins tied it up the next inning on an RBI single. Over the final four frames, Mets hitters failed to reach base as the club’s fortnight of woe continued in inexplicable fashion.
“It sucks. It sucks because you’re feeling good, especially because of the way the game was developing there,” skipper Carlos Mendoza said afterward.
Luke Keaschall puts the Twins ahead in the ninth! The Mets are lookin at their 12th straight loss pic.twitter.com/ww52LHIVnu
Mendoza, whose job security has understandably come into question as his club has collected losses like baseball cards, was impressively positive before Tuesday’s game. He took responsibility for the team’s unsavory streak but remained adamant that better days are ahead. He did not sound like a manager on the hot seat.
“You continue to trust your ability. You continue to trust your people,” he said. “My ability to manage and to lead guys. We got no time to start second-guessing ourselves.”
New York’s players, too, were more upbeat than you might expect, given the circumstances. Coaches and officials championed the team’s process, its work and the quality of its personnel. Owner Steve Cohen insisted he is remaining calm. At least before their latest loss, the Mets did not give off the energy of a club with an 11-game anchor around its neck.
The mood around the ballpark was more one of morbid curiosity than righteous rage, with about 15,000 souls — the announced paid attendance was a very generous 32,798 — rubbernecking a runaway train. The SNY broadcast wafted sage and hung horseshoes and wore necklaces made of garlic. At one point, a fight broke out in the crowd. There were more Bronx Cheers than runs scored.
“I hope everybody doesn't put all the pressure on him because it would be a little unfair,” Lindor said after the game. “But I know he's going to help us a ton."
Soto should solve many of New York’s problems. Maybe he’ll even get a few MVP chants like Warren if he plays well. But the task ahead of Soto and his club is daunting.
No team in MLB history that lost 12 games in a row has ever made the postseason.
The Boston Celtics did not look like their formidable and championship-winning selves against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2. Coach Joe Mazzulla and Jayson observed that their collapse in this NBA Playoffs game started before halftime. It is safe to say that they do not wish to repeat the same mistakes entering Game 3 of this series.
Mazzulla, Tatum blast Celtics' 2nd Quarter defense in NBA Playoffs loss to 76ers
After the first quarter, the Celtics still looked like the more dominant squad over the 76ers. Coach Joe Mazzulla saw his squad lead 28-25 before everything started falling apart. The 76ers would go on to have a 37-point outburst in the second quarter that proved to be lethal against the Celtics. By the end of this Game 2 NBA Playoffs bout, the lead was too insurmountable.
Coach Mazzulla knew that the Celtics' hopes of sweeping the 76ers in the NBA Playoffs flew out of the window right then, via Justin Turpin of WEEI.
“One of the ways you have to defend them is with offense. I thought we got great looks, thought we missed them… You have to be able to score in close games against a team like that, and they made more shots than us down the stretch," the Celtics head coach declared.
The Celtics ended up taking questionable shot choices as desperation mode hit after halftime. Nothing was falling and, by the end, they were left only knocking down 26% of their three-point attempts while having an overall field goal percentage of 39.3%.
Jayson Tatum, who was clearly bothered by the 76ers defense, only scored 19 points despite playing 39 minutes. The reason? Well, their opponents forced him to an unfortunate 25% three-point percentage and 44% from the field. The Celtics star also thinks that a lot of their mistakes happened in that second quarter.
"Second quarter, we gave up 37 points. Doing that in a playoff game, it's tough," Tatum said.
The Celtics have the second-best offensive rating with a 120.8 while knocking down a team average of 36.5% of their three-pointers all season. Coach Mazzulla also crafted a league-leading defense that only allows 107.2 points per night and a three-point percentage of 35.8%. If there is any team in the NBA Playoffs that could fix these woes, they are very likely named the 18-time champions Boston Celtics.
Wyatt Plyler didn’t feel like he had his best stuff on the mound Tuesday afternoon against visiting Emerald Ridge.
“Today I had my ‘C’ stuff, battled through for my boys,” he told The News Tribune after the game.
Plyler gave up two hits and no runs over five innings, walking three and striking out 10. If that’s as bad as it gets, Sumner’s in pretty good shape.
“If your C+ game, you give up zero runs, I’ll take that every day of the week,” Sumner coach Dylan Mclauchlin said, laughing. “It was good stuff. He got into bad counts, a lot of full counts, which isn’t usually like him, but he found ways to get out of it. Once again, dude loves to compete.”
Sumner didn’t need a full seven innings, posting a 10-0 mercy rule win over Emerald Ridge, which has been one of the 4A SPSL’s top programs this spring. But in the field and at the plate, the Spartans were better than the Jaguars.
The Spartans took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a Jake Miller double. Miller, who has been a hitting machine with runners in scoring position this season, delivered again in the sixth inning, knocking in another run with a hit in the sixth.
“It’s honestly just trusting my bat skills,” Miller said of his success delivering with runners on base this spring. “All the season, all the work I put in in the offseason, just putting it out on the field, seeing balls, outside corners, taking it oppo, just trying to do my job to get them in.”
Mclauchlin is practically expecting a clutch hit when Miller steps up to the plate these days.
“If there’s guys on base, I feel like the baseball gets bigger for him,” he said.
In total, Sumner collected 12 hits and seven walks, scoring two runs in the first, five in the third and three in the sixth.
The highlight was left fielder Bryce Carl’s three-run home run to left field in the third inning. Mclauchlin, who works third base when Sumner is up to bat, joked that he was happy not to have a pulled line drive screaming in his direction from Carl.
“Didn’t pull a ball and it didn’t kill me, so that’s all I care about,” he said, laughing. “He’s missed a few this year, gotten a lot of warning track.”
Not this time.
“He’s a great hitter,” Mclauchlin said.
Sumner moves to 13-2 with the win and will face Emerald Ridge in the series finale on Wednesday.
“We’re just gonna get after it tomorrow, again,” Miller said.
The Spartans certainly have the confidence and feel they’re peaking at the right time.
“I think we’re the best team in the state,” Plyler said. “If we’re on, no one’s beating us.”
This Avalanche game has seen it all. And it’s only 3:12 into the second period.
Following a Quinton Byfield penalty shot that was stopped by Avs goalie Scott Wedgewood, a fan behind the Los Angeles Kings bench started to bang the glass, causing it to shatter and fall into the Kings’ bench. There was glass everywhere, in the stands, on the bench, and on the ice.
Byfield had a penalty shot after getting slashed from behind by Cale Makar while on the breakaway. The Avs, while on the power play, won the faceoff back to Makar. It bounced over his stick, leading to a shorthanded breakaway.
Colorado has 1:52 remaining on the power play. The delay began at 9:33 p.m. local time, and lasted well over 15 minutes.
Khalilah Mitchell, an assistant with the program for the past seven seasons, has been elevated to head coach of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine basketball program, UH athletic director Matt Elliott announced today.
Mitchell, who has been credited for being an integral figure in UH’s ascent to Big West prominence, succeeds Laura Beeman, who announced her retirement on March 30 after 14 years as UH coach.
Mitchell agreed to an initial three-year term with UH and her promotion marks the start of a new era for Rainbow Wahine basketball as it joins the Mountain West on July 1.
“After an extensive search that drew interest from across the country, it became clear that the best leader for our program was already right here in Manoa,” Elliott said in a press release. “Khalilah Mitchell embodies everything we look for in a head coach: integrity, a relentless work ethic, and a deep-seated passion for the student-athletes. She has played an instrumental role in our championship culture, and demonstrated that she is ready to be our head coach. I am confident she is the right person to lead the Rainbow Wahine into this next chapter.”
Mitchell joined the UH coaching staff in 2018 and helped guide the Rainbow Wahine to four postseason appearances and three Big West regular-season championships.
BOSTON — Almost 1 year ago, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum thought his NBA career was over when he ruptured his Achilles. He imagined the worst, wondering if he'd ever be able to take the court again and enjoy the game that he loves. That worst-case scenario never occurred though, as Tatum put in the work to not only return to action, but to also play like a superstar once more. With this grueling journey in mind that involved re-learning how to walk, among other difficult things, it's no surprise that the 28-year-old wasn't deeply bothered by the Celtics' 111-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.
Of course, Tatum wanted to win at TD Garden and take Game 2 in the first-round playoff series to go up 2-0. Yet, he's been in the NBA long enough to know that not every game will go as planned, and that fretting over a result is mentally taxing as well as distracting. So, instead of sounding perturbed at the podium after the disappointing defeat, Tatum embraced the silver lining.
Jayson Tatum said despite the loss, he feels healthy:
“I’m feeling good.”
“I get to walk off the court on my own two feet, so as long as I do that every game, I win a little bit.” pic.twitter.com/FISLfZdwRh
"I'm feeling good," he replied when asked about his health. "It sounds cliche but, man, I'm back in the playoffs. For me, it's a win every day that I've come back from what happened last May and being able to play at this level for the last month. And obviously (I'm) going to continue to get better, but I get to walk off the court on my own two feet. So as long as I do that every game, I win a little bit."
When Tatum injured his Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals last May, he had to be helped off the court and was eventually rolled out of Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair.
It was a traumatic experience for the six-time All-Star and it's clearly left a lasting impact on him. But, the brutality of that moment hasn't stopped Tatum from shining since his return in early March. He averaged almost 22 points per outing through 16 games in the regular season and nearly recorded a triple-double against the Sixers on Tuesday, finishing the loss with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists in 39 minutes.
Still, it wasn't enough to stop the rival 76ers, who burned the C's with hot 3-point shooting and improved defense from Game 1.
"(I'm) obviously frustrated after the loss," Tatum said. "I wish I would have played better, wish we would have played better. But even before getting injured, I think just being through it so many times — the playoffs are a roller coaster."
Tatum has now played in 123 playoff games with Boston, which is just outside the top-10 in franchise history. As a result, he's been a part of series where the Celtics are predicted to lose and series — like against the seventh-seeded Sixers — where they're expected to dominate. The media often dictates those projections, and Tatum has learned to ignore them, regardless of whether they're gloomy or hopeful.
Jayson Tatum on blocking out the outside noise and those saying it would be an easy series:
“I’ve been doing this for 9 years. We all respect the role that the media plays in this ecosystem…But we all got a job to do, and our job is to focus on the things that we can control.” pic.twitter.com/0Nz25WajFV
"Our job is to focus on the things that we can control," Tatum stated. "And going out there playing — good or bad — we can't necessarily listen to the outside noise. And I've been dealing (with) or doing that for the last 9 years."
He'll have to do it again on Friday night for Game 3 in Philadelphia when the pressure of losing homecourt advantage arrives.
"Throughout my career and obviously throughout the playoffs, it’s just about emotional stability," Tatum explained. "Don't get too high after a win or too low after a loss. They all count as one. You’ve just got to stay level-headed.”
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Viktor Arvidsson #71 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on April 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Ben Ludeman/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
After the Bruins melted down in the last eight minutes of Game 1, Marco Sturm and several of the players cited a desire to learn from the experience and move forward for Game 2.
Tonight’s last seven minutes showed they learned a thing or two—but not quite enough to avoid nearly giving their fans a collective heart attack in the process.
After taking a 4-0 lead into the final half of the third period, the B’s held on down the stretch to skate out of Buffalo with a 4-2 win and a series even at a game apiece.
Viktor Arvidsson scored twice for the Bruins, while Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie added one goal each.
Jeremy Swayman was immense for the Bruins, making 34 saves, including 18 in the third period alone.
Buffalo scored twice in a span of 1:14 in the last few minutes of the third period, raising blood pressures across New England, but Swayman made a few more saves and the Bruins emerged with the win.
Exhale.
After a scoreless first period, Arvidsson got the scoring started five minutes into the second period to make it 1-0 Bruins.
Geekie doubled the lead ten minutes later, beating Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with a hiiiiiiiiiiiiigh fly ball from center ice to make it 2-0 Bruins. As Judd Sirott said on NESN, “E-1” for Luukkonen.
Peyton Krebs would add another for Buffalo (with the goalie pulled) a little more than a minute later, making it 4-2 Bruins, as Sabres fans were thinking about another crazy comeback.
Buffalo would continue to push in the last five minutes, but the Bruins held on (for dear life, at times).
Bruins win, 4-2.
Game notes
Aren’t the playoffs fun? As a few of you said in the comments, that was probably the most nerve-wracking two-goal win I can remember for quite some time, especially given what happened at the end of Game 1.
Speaking of the playoffs, it was funny to see Buffalo getting really angry about a penalty call on Connor Timmins, only for the penalty to be as clear as day. “It’s the f***ing playoffs” generally doesn’t excuse a crosscheck to the neck, but maybe I’m just sensitive.
This game featured plenty of rough stuff, with Mark Kastelic fighting Logan Stanley (one of you fine commenters told us prior to the series this would happen at some point) and ten-minute misconducts for Nikita Zadorov, Andrew Peeke, Tage Thompson, and Zach Benson. In total, the game featured 94 penalty minutes, split evenly at 47 each for both teams.
The Sabres seemed to be seeking opportunities to “accidentally on purpose” make contact with Swayman, with Buffalo players running into the Bruins goalie multiple times in the first half of the first period alone. Something to file away, I guess, and something Zadorov noted postgame.
Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy had monster nights for the Bruins, skating 27:40 and 27:22, respectively. Some of that was due to the third period misconducts for Peeke and Zadorov, but it was also evidence of Sturm leaning on his two most dependable defenders.
Swayman grabbed the bull by the horns and told his coaches to call a timeout after the second Buffalo goal, something Sturm failed to do to stem the tide in Game 1.
After a bad game in Game 1, the Bruins got a much better performance from their second line tonight. Arvidsson’s two goals get the headlines (along with Zacha’s, though that was on the power play), but they were much more involved across the board (in a good way) than they were in Game 1.
Arvidsson’s first goal came via a backhand that beat Luukkonen. In the first period, Arvidsson skated onto a loose puck for a mini-breakaway after coming out of the penalty box. Because he was in tight, he elected to hold onto the puck and go forehand, only for Luukkonen to make the save. I can’t help but wonder if that was on his mind when he went backhand on the second opportunity.
Speaking of mini-breakaways, tonight saw a few more (mini or standard) for the B’s, coming on the heels of a few breakaway opportunities in Game 1. I’m not sure if the Bruins are a making a conscious effort to try to sneak behind the Buffalo D or if it’s a circumstantial thing.
While they didn’t end up on the scoresheet, the Bruins’ third line had another good night. Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov, and James Hagens were involved in a good way, creating a handful of half-decent chances and generally bringing positive energy. Hagens did take a stick foul penalty with nine minutes left in the third period, but I’d imagine Sturm won’t hold that against him when looking at the big picture.
Along with the aforementioned fight, Kastelic also had four shots on goal and won more than 71% of his face-offs. The Bruins had a much better face-off night in general, winning 36 out of the game’s 66 draws.
David Pastrnak had two assists tonight, giving him 1G-4A-5PTS in the first two games of this series. He’s now tied with Bobby Orr for eight in all-time franchise playoff scoring.
Game 3 will be at TD Garden on Thursday night. That game is slated for a 7 PM start (not 7:30), so plan accordingly.
After a stellar junior campaign with San Jose State, Colby Garland is taking his talents to the ACC. On Tuesday, the talented guard committed to Georgia Tech and will look to build on his breakout 2025-2026 season with a new program. For a team in need of a boost on offense, Garland will be a welcome addition.
In his only season with the Spartans, Garland set career highs in points per game with 20.3 and assists per game with 4.6. He was also very effective from three-point range, shooting a career-high 37.2 % from beyond the arc. Due to his play, Garland was a hard piece to keep out of the lineup.
While the Arkansas native was adjusting to a new program, he made the transition seem easy. He improved across every area of his game, boosting his stock in the portal. While Garland will again be starting over, it is a situation he is familiar with.
NEWS: San Jose State transfer Colby Garland has committed to Georgia Tech, a source told me.
The 6-0 guard averaged 20.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 4.6 APG. Chose the Yellow Jackets over Oregon. pic.twitter.com/IRXAG2cnrU
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) April 21, 2026
After high school, Garland began his college career at Drake. As a Bulldog, he appeared in 31 games, averaging 5.7 points and two assists. While he was able to carve out a role, Garland only started two games during the 2023-2024 campaign. He left to find a program that could offer him more playing time.
Following a few brief stint in the portal, the newest Yellow Jacket landed at Longwood. With the Lancers, Garland saw his playing time skyrocket, as he started 28 games. He was able to make the most of his playing time, averaging 12.1 points and 0.9 steals per game. While Garland was a productive piece, he set his eyes on the transfer portal again to join Jan Jose State.
In Garland, Georgia Tech is getting a talented scorer who has taken his game to another level every year. As a junior, he showed he could handle a heavy workload and be a focal point of an offense. That will be a major boost as Georgia Tech hopes to make a deep playoff run.
Although more roster moves could be on the horizon, Georgia Tech has crossed off one of their majors needs with Garland in the mix. In just a few months, Garland will get to make his Yellow Jacket debut and show why he was highly coveted in the portal.
Three Michigan State recruits will represent Team USA at the world U18 hockey championships in Bratislava and Trencin, Slovakia.
The U.S. opens against Czechia on Wednesday (10 a.m., The Hockey Network).
The future Spartans are: defenseman Nick Bogas (Royal Oak), defenseman Tyler Martyniuk (Washington Township) and forward Brooks Rogowski (Brighton).
Other local commits include: defenseman Abe Barnett (University of Michigan) and goalie Luke Carrithers (Western Michigan).
Team USA's head coach is Nick Fohr (Dexter) with Kevin Porter (Northville) and Dan Darrow (Livonia) among the assistant coaches.
The tournament features 10 countries with the final scheduled for May 2.
Bruins tie series with Sabres
The visiting Boston Bruins scored three second-period goals and held off a late Buffalo Sabres rally to post a 4-2 win on Tuesday and even their Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series at one victory apiece.
Viktor Arvidsson scored in the last two periods, giving the Bruins 1-0 and 4-0 leads. Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha also lit the lamp for Boston, which heads home for Game 3 of the best-of-seven series on Thursday.
Jonathan Aspirot, Casey Mittelstadt and David Pastrnak each dished out two assists for the Bruins, and Jeremy Swayman made 34 saves.
Bowen Byram and Peyton Krebs scored as Buffalo climbed within 4-2 in the closing minutes.
Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed four goals on 19 shots before Alex Lyon entered in relief following Arvidsson's second marker, which came just 16 seconds into the third period.
Buffalo had a 36-26 shot advantage, including 20-8 in the third period, but its power play went 0-for-5. Boston finished 1-for-6 on the man advantage.
The physical contest featured 47 penalty minutes for each team.
Following a scoreless opening period, the Bruins took over in the second, scoring on three of their 11 shots against Luukkonen.
Arvidsson broke the deadlock 4:54 into the middle frame, taking Aspirot's lob pass in ahead of the defense and beating Luukkonen five-hole with a backhander from the left circle.
A gaffe by Luukkonen helped Boston double its lead with 3:31 left in the period, as Geekie's high backhanded dump from the far side of center ice eluded him over the glove.
The Bruins' power play got in on the action 1:41 later. After Geekie's one- handed keep-in at the blue line extended the play, Zacha tipped in Pastrnak's shot from the top of the right circle while stationed in the bumper position.
Arvidsson made it 4-0 early in the third, prompting Sabres coach Lindy Ruff to change goaltenders. Aspirot banked a long feed off the boards to set up the play, leading Arvidsson down the left wing to score on a 2-on-1 rush with Zacha.
The Sabres struck twice in a 1:14 span to make things interesting. Byram accepted Beck Malenstyn's back pass for a wrister from the top of the right circle to break Swayman's shutout bid with 6:06 left.
Krebs soon made it 4-2, batting down and scoring the rebound of a Rasmus Dahlin point shot that caromed off the post and back into the crease.
The NFL has started the process of renegotiating the current portfolio of broadcast deals by talking to CBS. It's expected that, once the NFL does a new contract with CBS, it will move on to the others.
For now, the others are waiting — including NBC.
In an appearance on The Varsity podcast with John Ourand of Puck, NBC Sports president of acquisitions Jon Miller fielded a simple and direct question: "Where does NBC stand with the NFL right now?"
"The NFL is obviously a hugely important part of our ecosystem," Miller told Ourand. "We’ve been very proud of our relationship with them, and obviously the success speaks for itself. At the right time, when the NFL decides they want to have a conversation with us, our leadership will sit down with them. We put a very strong product out there that they recognize. It’s not a coincidence that Sunday Night Football has been the number one show on television. But I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t know when the NFL is going to come to us."
From NBC's perspective, there's a contract that runs through 2033. The NFL has the ability to opt out after the 2029 season, which it undoubtedly will do.
The difference this time around, as it relates to all existing broadcast deals. is the expectation that the league will be asking for an increase not in 2030 but immediately. That's where things could get tricky, in time.
For now, the time has yet to come for talks between the NFL and NBC.
And, yes, NBC licenses all PFT content (but doesn't own the outlet). And I separately work for NBC. To NBC's credit, it has always given my full editorial freedom when it comes to anything written here since the moment the relationship began on July 1, 2009.
We have almost run out of time for mock drafts with less than 48 hours until the start of the 2026 NFL draft. The Athletic, after speaking to NFL executives, put together a mock draft for the top 10 picks of the first round.
Naturally, we care about the third overall pick, which the Arizona Cardinals have.
In this mock draft, the Cardinals land Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey.
One exec said, "Bailey is the safest pick," which is absolutely true. The Cardinals passed on Will Anders in 2023, electing to trade back. They need pass-rushing help, and he has the look of a consistently productive pass rusher.
The third pick "is where it gets interesting," another executive said. It is unknown whether the Cardinals will trade back and, if they stay, who will be their pick.
Bailey is the simplest pick to make if he is on the board. Ohio State EDGE/LB Arvell Reese could be there if Bailey is taking second overall, which is not as cut-and-dried as Bailey. But the talk surrounding Jeremiyah Love is interesting because he might be the best player in the draft. The problem is the Cardinals' running back room doesn't look like it could use another back.
Over the last few weeks, the talk surrounding the Cardinals has gone from debating between a pass rusher and tackle to whether they should trade back, to whether Love should be the pick, and then there is the part where they want to get quarterback Ty Simpson, which means getting back into the first round. Now, as things are settling, it appears that they could end up just making the easiest pick.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 21: Relief pitcher Chase Dollander #32 of the Colorado Rockies looks on after walking in a run in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on April 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies get together, anything can happen, especially at Coors Field where games can quickly escalate into unruly slugfests.
That wasn’t the case tonight, however, when both teams’ pitching staffs silenced the opposing team’s offense in a game that can only be described as almost meticulous in its pitching.
In the end, however, the Padres managed to eke out a 1-0 run win to kick off the three-game series in what would be only the 12th 1-0 game in the history of Coors Field, and just the fourth time the Rockies were on the losing end of one. (It last happened in 2006, when it happened three times!)
A Rockies pitching clinic
Opener Jimmy Herget got the game off to a sparkling start by striking out the side (Ramón Laureano, Fernando Tatís Jr., and Jackson Merrill) on a tidy 14 pitches, 10 for strikes.
Chase Dollander took the mound in the second and was absolutely on fire with his slider and four-seamer especially effective.
In the third inning, Dollander struck out Laureano which began a string of six consecutive Ks until Miguel Andujar grounded out in the fifth. (For those keeping score at home, Germán Márquez set the Rockies record for consecutive strikeouts in 2018 with eight.)
The Padres did not have a player in scoring position until Jake Cronenberg hit a double in the sixth inning. And that’s when things got complicated for Dollander. Tatís Jr. hit a soft single, and then Dollander grazed Merrill, loading the bases for Manny Machado.
Dollander walked Machado on six pitches, and the Padres took a 1-0 lead.
He came back to strike out Xander Bogaerts, but the Rockies were down in a game that had seen little offense.
After allowing the run, Dollander returned to pitch the seventh inning and retired the side after hitting Fermín.
His final line was 6.0 IP giving up one run, earned, on three hits. He walked one and struck out nine on a career-high 102 pitches, 67 for strikes.
Currently, Dollander has a 2.88 ERA in 25 total innings.
Also worth noting, Dollander’s nine Ks ties the Rockies record for strikeouts by a reliever, which was set by Bruce Ruffin in 1993.
“He was great tonight. What a well-pitched ballgame on both sides of the ball,” manager Warren Schaefer said. “He looks like a completely different guy this year.”
The Rockies turned to the bullpen in the eighth when Juan Mejia entered the game. He allowed one hit, but no runs.
The ninth inning went to lefty Brennan Bernardino. After getting two quick outs, he allowed a two-out single to Andujar followed by a Fermín double — only the second Padres extra-base hit of the evening. With the count 2-2, Cronenworth took a pitch that was called a ball. Goodman was quick to tap his helmet, and the call was overturned.
In total, the Rockies pitching staff struck out 15 — the most strikeouts the Padres have recorded in a game this season. They issued only one walk and allowed one run (earned) on six hits.
A Padres pitching clinic, too
On the Padres side of Coors Field, starter Randy Vásquez was dealing. Although the Rockies were able to get players on base in every inning until the fifth, none of them managed to get past second base.
Vásquez went 7.0 IP giving up just three hits and no runs. He struck out three and did not issue a walk and now has a 1.88 ERA.
“Vásquez was awesome. It was the cutter,” Schaeffer said. “We just didn’t have an answer for it tonight.”
For the eighth inning, the Padres sent out Jason Adam, who easily handled the bottom of the Rockies order.
In an odd move, the Padres did not bring in stellar closer Mason Miller for the ninth. Instead, that duty fell to Adrian Morejon, who made quick work of the top three hitters.
A work-in-progress offense
On a low-scoring game when the Rockies needed offense, they could not figure out Randy Vásquez and fared no better against the Padres bullpen. They managed only three hits and were 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position.
Rockies hitters struck out eight times and had no walks. They did not manage a hit after Goodman’s single in the fourth inning.
That said, although no one likes losing, this was an encouraging showing for a rebuilding team.
One other note: In the postgame, Dollander gave a shoutout to Alon Leichman for his pitch calling.
Join us for Game 2 tomorrow night at 6:40. Walker Buehler will start for the Padres while Tomoyuki Sugano will take the mound for the Rockies.
The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by a final score of 12-6 on Tuesday. Cincinnati now holds a 16-8 record and the ball club looks like one of the best teams in the National League. The pitching has been respectable for most of the season, but the lineup struggled to begin the campaign. However, it is heating up in recent action.
The Reds have now scored at least five runs in each of their past four games. Overall, Cincinnati has earned five consecutive victories. The offense has led the way over the past few games, which may be considered surprising after the lineup's performance to begin the year.
"I'm really happy for our hitters," Francona said. "If they can breathe a little bit, they'll be better hitters."
Elly De La Cruz led the scoring outburst with two home runs, three hits and five RBIs. Sal Stewart had two hits and three RBIs. Dane Myers and Spencer Steer also both hit home runs in the victory.
Cincinnati knows that players such as De La Cruz and Stewart can make a significant impact. When players who are not necessarily stars help matters from an offensive standpoint, however, then the Reds find themselves in a tremendous position. Depth is of the utmost importance, of course.
Reds' Lineup Silencing Doubters
There was a time earlier in the season that the Reds were last in runs scored. They are now 21st in runs after their recent strong scoring performances. Cincinnati is also sixth in MLB in home runs. The ball club is still just 30th in team batting average, but the lineup is still trending in an encouraging direction without question.
They are silencing their doubters, but there still is work to do. Finding consistency and performing at a respectable level throughout the entire season is the goal. Momentum is unquestionably on the Reds' side at the moment.
Cincinnati now leads the series with Tampa Bay 2-0. The Reds earned a 6-1 win on Monday before cruising to the aforementioned 12-6 victory on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the teams will go head-to-head once again in the final contest of the series.
Brandon Williamson (2-1, 4.35 ERA) will get the start for the Reds. Meanwhile, Nick Martinez is set to start for the Rays. Williamson is surely hoping to receive run support like the offense has been providing.
🚂 It’s come off the rails! La Máquina have forgotten how to win
Cruz Azul scored twice and still could not win in their visit to Querétaro on matchday 16 of the Mexican tournament.
El Azul took the lead with a goal from Jéremy Márquez before the 10-minute mark.
Seconds before halftime, the same player scored an own goal and the score did not change again. Cruz Azul had the clearest chance to take all three points, but a dreadful mistake by "Toro" Fernández prevented it.
Cruz Azul now has gone ¡9 matches without a win! and the football crisis has arrived at the worst possible time for the team from La Noria.
The Atlanta Braves are hopeful that starting pitcher Spencer Strider will be able to return from his oblique injury soon. On Tuesday, the right-handed pitcher made another injury rehab start. According to Mark Bowman, Strider recorded eight strikeouts across 4.1 innings of work for the Braves' Triple-A team. He did not allow any runs and surrendered only one hit.
Braves catcher Sean Murphy, who is also recovering from injury, started the game at catcher. Throwing to a Braves teammate potentially helped Strider in the contest. It was a strong overall second injury rehab start for Strider, who certainly seems like he is getting close to being able to return to the big league squad.
The next step for the right-handed hurler will be pitch count. Starters often return once they are able to reach 75-85 pitches without trouble. If he can reach that mark in his next rehab start, perhaps Strider will return not too long after.
With that being said, Atlanta is going to continue to proceed with caution. The Braves will not rush him back. If Strider performs like he did on Tuesday in his next outing, though, Atlanta will surely feel comfortable about bringing him back to the starting rotation sooner rather than later.
Braves Lose to Nationals on Tuesday
The Braves have played well to begin the 2026 MLB season. However, Atlanta was defeated 11-4 on Tuesday by the Washington Nationals.
Reynaldo Lopez pitched only one inning and surrendered four earned runs on five hits. The bullpen proceeded to allow seven more runs in the defeat.
Offensively, the team scored four runs in the game. Drake Baldwin continued to swing the bat well as he recorded a home run. Mauricio Dubon added two hits and a run scored.
The Braves are now 16-8 overall this season. The Nationals, meanwhile, improved to 11-13 overall. Atlanta continues to lead the National League East, as they hold a three-game lead over the Nationals and Miami Marlins, who are tied for second place in the division.
Washington will host Atlanta once again on Wednesday night. Martin Perez (1-1, 2.21 ERA) is set to start for the Braves while Zack Littell (0-2, 7.11) will get the start for the Nationals. The series is now tied 1-1. Wednesday's matchup will be the third contest of a four-game series.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM EST as the Braves hope to jump back into the win column.
The Lakers courtside seats felt more like a Hollywood red carpet.
Here’s the list of actors, musicians, and athletes in attendance for the showdown between Kevin Durant and LeBron James:
AJ Dybantsa, Su’a Cravens, Jake Shane, Will Ferrell, Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Scott Speedman, Byron Allen, Trevor Ariza, Will Anderson Jr., Sebastian Maniscalco, Iman Shumpert, Jay Mohr, John David Washington, Ray Nicholson, Diane Cannon, Max Kellerman, Micah Parsons, Finneas, Shannon Sharpe and more!
Some of the celebrities spotted courtside for Rockets vs. Lakers Game 2:
AJ Dybantsa, Su'a Cravens, Jake Shane, Will Ferrell, Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Scott Speedman, Byron Allen, Trevor Ariza, Will Anderson Jr., Sebastian Maniscalco, Iman Shumpert, Jay Mohr, John David… pic.twitter.com/99CLPvKfGI
The Kansas City Royals are running out of ways to explain their early-season slide. Kansas City entered Tuesday tied with the New York Mets for the worst record in baseball at 8-15, and their eight-game losing streak has only intensified the frustration surrounding a team expected to take a step forward in 2026 and make the MLB playoffs.
The offense has been terrible, the pitching has been inconsistent, and the fan base has made its displeasure known. After Monday’s loss, Bobby Witt Jr. did not shy away from addressing the reaction inside Kauffman Stadium.
"Yeah it sucks. But if you're the worst team in baseball, you might deserve to get booed every once in a while. It should motivate us to get better. Just motivate us to go out there and lay it all on the field each and every night,” Witt said (h/t Jaylon T. Thompson of the Kansas City Star).
"Yeah it sucks. But if you're the worst team in baseball, you might deserve to get booed every once in a while. It should motivate us to get better. Just motivate us to go out there and lay it all on the field each and every night."
Witt’s honesty reflects the reality of the moment. Kansas City has not played to its potential, and even its franchise superstar has yet to find his full rhythm. Witt entered Tuesday hitting .287 with a .370 on-base percentage, but his .726 OPS and zero home runs stand out for a player who has launched 20-plus homers in each of the past four seasons. His power drought is unusual, though it is difficult to pin the team’s struggles on him given his all-around impact.
Witt remains the best defensive shortstop in baseball, a threat to steal 30-plus bases every year, and one of the most dynamic players in the sport. He has finished top-10 in AL MVP voting in each of the last three seasons and is already a two-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner and two-time Silver Slugger. Even without the early power, he continues to influence games in multiple ways.
The bigger issue has been the lack of production around him. The Royals have received minimal support from the rest of the lineup, and the inconsistency has put added pressure on Witt to carry the offense. Kansas City’s pitching staff has also struggled to keep games close during the losing streak, creating a cycle the team has yet to break.
It is still early, and the Royals have time to recover, but the hole is getting deeper. Witt’s message was clear: the boos are not the problem, the performance is. And if Kansas City wants to climb out of this early-season slump, it will need its entire roster, not just its shortstop, to respond.
BUFFALO, NY – The Boston Bruins (1-1) evened their first-round series against the Buffalo Sabres (1-1) with a 4-2 win on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
The game started physical, and the Sabres drew a penalty after a 5-on-5 scrum behind Jeremy Swayman’s net.
On the ensuing penalty kill, Mark Kastelic had a breakaway chance. Viktor Arvidsson had one after the power play expired, but Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped them both.
The Bruins had two power plays in the first period but capitalized on neither; the opportunities overlapped for just three seconds, but the Bruins only got one shot off.
James Hagens played on the second power play unit.
Both teams skated to the locker room scoreless after 20. The Bruins won 18 of 20 faceoffs in the first period; they were down 8-7 in shots.
Jonathan Aspirot played the puck through to Viktor Arvidsson, who beat out Mattias Samuelsson and broke in on another breakaway. This time, he pulled the puck to his backhand and beat Luukkonen through his pads to open the scoring at 4:54 of the second period.
And then Morgan Geekie jumped back onto the scoresheet with a goal from behind the center ice line. He lobbed a shot that bounced over Luukkonen’s glove and into the back of the net to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead in the second period.
Pavel Zacha recorded his second career playoff goal moments later, redirecting a David Pastrnak feed behind Luukkonen to extend the Bruins’ lead to three. The goal came on the Bruins’ fourth power-play attempt, and it was just their second shot on the man advantage.
They finished 1-for-5 on the power play on Tuesday; the penalty kill went 5-for-5.
They skated into their locker room with a 3-0 lead and an 18-16 advantage in shots. Jeremy Swayman stopped all 16 Sabres shots through 40 minutes.
Viktor Arvidsson scored 16 seconds into the third period, extending the Bruins’ lead to 4-0. He beat Luukkonen on his glove side, and Lindy Ruff pulled him for Alex Lyon.
Luukkonen allowed four goals on 19 shots in 40:16.
Then the game got ugly. A total of 68 penalty minutes were handed out in the first six minutes of the third period.
Four minutes later, Nikita Zadorov threw Zach Benson to the ground after he poked Jeremy Swayman, and mayhem followed. All five Bruins skaters paired off with a Buffalo skater, and 52 of the game’s 94 penalty minutes were handed out during the scrum.
The Bruins held on in the final five minutes as the Sabres pushed after cutting the lead to two. They used their timeout and fired six more shots, but it was not enough to mount their second straight third-period comeback.
The Bruins will travel home to play Game 3 at the TD Garden on Thursday at 7:00 PM.
The Minnesota Twins are searching for answers after dropping their fourth straight game this past weekend that included a sweep at the hands of the Cincinnati Reds. The current stretch that has exposed both their rotation depth and their overall inconsistency to open the season as they have been hot and cold throughout each week in April.
Minnesota’s pitching plans were disrupted earlier in the week when right-hander Mick Abel was placed on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right elbow, leaving the club with a hole to fill as it begins a demanding stretch of 13 games in 13 days. Abel had been one of the team's best arms to open up the season looking like he was beginning to reach his potential.
With the team needing fresh pitching and a spot opening on the staff, the Twins made a move to reinforce the roster. The Twins announced that left-hander Kendry Rojas had been recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to the active roster.
Rojas’ promotion comes at a time when Minnesota is juggling multiple moving pieces. Kody Funderburk was placed on the paternity list, creating an immediate bullpen vacancy, while top prospect Connor Prielipp traveled with the team as part of the taxi squad but was not formally added to the roster. For now, the Twins appear committed to giving Rojas the first opportunity, and his MLB debut could come soon this week.
The 23-year-old left-hander has shown flashes of promise since being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at last year’s trade deadline. Rojas missed time earlier this season with a hamstring injury but has yet to allow a run in 7 1/3 innings in the minor leagues. He has recorded seven strikeouts in that span. Rojas has struggled with command at times yet he still has the ability to be an impactful arm at the big-league level, especially if he limits how many walks he surrenders.
During the team’s current series against the New York Mets in Queens, the Twins could turn to either Rojas or Prielipp depending on how the bullpen is used in New York. But for now, Rojas is the one getting the call, and Minnesota is hoping the young southpaw can provide stability at a moment when the pitching staff needs it most.
The Twins have surpassed expectations in April and younger pieces have continued to adjust well in MLB.
DENVER (AP) — Randy Vásquez threw seven shutout innings to help the San Diego Padres edge the Colorado Rockies 1-0 on Tuesday night.
The win was the Padres’ 14th in their last 16 games following a 2-5 start to the season. They improved to 15-3 since the start of last season against the Rockies, who they’ve defeated seven times in a row.
Coming off his worst start of the young season — a no-decision against Seattle on April 15 in which he gave up four runs in four innings — Vásquez (2-0) allowed only three hits, struck out five and walked none.
Jake Cronenworth scored the game’s lone run after Rockies starter Chase Dollander (2-2) walked Manny Machado with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth inning. It was Dollander’s only walk. He struck out nine in six innings and threw a career-high 102 pitches.
Adrián Morejón pitched a perfect ninth to earn his first save of the season and just the sixth of his eight-year MLB career. The Padres turned to Morejón rather than usual closer Mason Miller, who has a scoreless streak of 32 2/3 innings.
After Hunter Goodman's single in the fourth inning, Padres pitchers retired the final 18 Colorado batters.
Fernando Tatís Jr. had two singles for San Diego and was the only player from either team with more than one hit.
The Rockies have lost nine of their past 12 games.
Up next
Colorado RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-1, 3.92 ERA) will face San Diego RHP Walker Buehler (1-1, 4.58) in the second game of the three-game series on Wednesday.
VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey combined to make 11 3-pointers and score 59 total points as the Philadelphia 76ers bounced back to even their Eastern Conference playoff series with the host Boston Celtics in a 111-97 decision on Tuesday.
Seventh-seeded Philadelphia shook off a dismal Game 1 performance, which included making just four 3-pointers in Sunday's 123-91 loss, with a complete reversal on the offensive end. The 76ers will host Game 3 on Friday.
The Sixers shot a torrid 19 of 39 (48.7%) from beyond the arc in Game 2, with Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Paul George each adding a pair of triples to supplement Edgecombe and Maxey.
Grimes and George were key to Philadelphia surging in the middle quarters. Grimes knocked down the second of his two 3-pointers off the bench to ignite a 13-4 run in the second period, which gave the Sixers the lead after trailing by as many as 13 late in the first quarter.
George scored the first five points of the second half as Philadelphia stormed out of intermission with a 7-2 spurt that pushed the advantage to 13, giving the Sixers a cushion to weather Boston's comeback efforts.
"In the second quarter, we gave up a free-throw (offensive) rebound," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. "We gave up two catch-and-shoot 3-pointers to Grimes. When he makes shots, they're a different team."
Philadelphia being a different team from Sunday's debacle was a theme that Edgecombe also noted in his postgame media availability.
"This is who we are. Game 1 isn't who we are," Edgecombe said in his interview with Peacock. "We let our offense dictate our defense (on Sunday), and we didn't do that tonight."
The rookie Edgecombe finished 12 of 20 from the floor, including 6 of 10 from beyond the arc, and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.
Maxey, meanwhile, knocked down back-to-back critical 3-pointers in the fourth quarter after Boston cut the deficit to two. The pair of triples jump-started an 11-0 run that put the game away.
"He just wanted them," Sixers coach Nick Nurse said of Maxey's decisive shot attempts. "He looked at me for a play call, and I looked at him and called it. He was like, 'Nah, I got it.'"
Maxey capped his 29-point effort with an exclamation-mark 3-pointer with 69 seconds remaining. After his stepback attempt went down, Maxey flexed toward a stunned Boston crowd.
With their offense clicking, the Sixers defense carried over to limit the Celtics to 35 of 89 (39.3%) from the floor. Philadelphia's game plan focused on shutting down the rest of the lineup around stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Brown went for a game-high 36 points and Tatum finished with 19 points to go with his game-high 14 rebounds. No other Celtic reached double-figures scoring, however, a stark contrast from Game 1 when the entire Boston starting five notched at least 10 points.
While Brown shot 5 of 12 from long distance, Boston's other shooters combined to go just 8 of 38.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, got 19 points from George and 12 from Oubre. After foul trouble limited him in Game 1, Andre Drummond came off the bench to provide quality minutes on the interior with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Bulls coach Donovan steps down
Billy Donovan is stepping down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, the NBA team said on Tuesday.
Donovan announced his decision just over a week after the team closed out a 31-51 season that saw them miss the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.
"I believe it is in the best interest of the Bulls, to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit," Donovan said in a statement.
The Bulls fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley on April 6. The next day, CEO Michael Reinsdorf said he wanted Donovan to remain as head coach.
"While we clearly wanted Billy to return as our head coach, we had open dialogue about the importance of respecting the process of bringing in new Basketball Operations leadership," Reinsdorf said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Together, we mutually agreed that giving that person the freedom to shape the organization was the best approach for everyone involved."
Donovan, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last year, has spent the past 11 seasons as a head coach in the NBA, including five seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Bulls posted a 226-256 record under Donovan. He led the franchise to one playoff appearance in 2022 when they lost in the first round.
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said the team is "deeply grateful for everything (Donovan) has given to this organization."
Mark Pope's Kentucky Wildcats had a rather underwhelming season by Kentucky standards. Finishing 22-14 and 10-8 in conference. They entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed. The Wildcats handled Tennessee State in the first round but failed to get past No. 2 Iowa State team.
According to On3, Kentucky has six players either in the transfer portal or expected to enter the transfer portal. Denzel Aberdeen is has entered the portal while Mouhamed Dioubate, Jaland Lowe, Jasper Johnson, Brandon Garrison and Andrija Jelavic are all expected to enter the portal but haven't yet.
Kentucky Wildcats basketball transfer portal live updates
Kentucky Additions
Status
Name
Pos
Last Team
New Team
Signed
Zoom Diallo
G
Washington
Kentucky
Signed
Alex Wilkins
G
Furman
Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats transfers
Status
Name
Pos
Rating
Prev Team
New Team
Entered
Collin Chandler
SG
96.83
Kentucky
BYU
Entered
Denzel Aberdeen
CG
94.17
Kentucky
Florida
Expected
Mouhamed Dioubate
SF
93.78
Kentucky
LSU
Expected
Jaland Lowe
PG
93.33
Kentucky
Georgetown
Expected
Jasper Johnson
SG
92.00
Kentucky
Oregon
Expected
Brandon Garrison
PF
92.85
Kentucky
Alabama
Expected
Andrija Jelavic
PF
No Rating
Kentucky
Ohio St
Kentucky transfer news:
April 20
Kentucky transfer Mouhamed Dioubate commits to LSU,
April 19
Kentucky transfer Jasper Johnson commits to Oregon.
April 18
Furman guard Alex Wilkins has officially committed to Kentucky according to Joe Tipton of On3.
April 15
Washington guard Zoom Diallo has officially committed to Kentucky according to On3.
April 15
Colorado Buffaloes transfer Sebastian Rancik is allegedly in Kentucky for a visit today, 4.15 according to The Kentucky Report.
April 14
Brandon Garrison has committed to Alabama according to On3.
April 13
Kentucky's Jaland Lowe commits to Georgetown, according to On3.
April 12
According to On3, Zoom Diallo is 100% committed to Kentucky.
April 12
Alabama has landed Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison, according to thefieldof68.
April 11
Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler commits to BYU, according to On3
April 10
Andrija Jelavic has committed to Ohio State according to On3.
April 10
Denzell Aberdeen has committed to Florida according to The Field of 68. This is a return for Aberdeen who began his collegiate career at Florida in 2022.
April 9
Washington PG Zoom Diallo is set to visit Kentucky the weekend (W/E 4.12) according to A Sea of Blue.
April 9
Kentucky conducted a zoom call with Colgate guard Jalen Cox according to On3/KSR
April 8
SG Collin Chandler has officially entered the transfer portal.
April 8
Update: Chandler has a do not contact tag on his entry according to On3- a typical indicator he already knows where he's going.
April 7
Andrija Jelavic plans to enter the transfer portal
April 6
Denzel Aberdeen entered the transfer portal
April 6
Mouhamed Dioubate plans to enter the transfer portal
April 3
Jasper Johnson plans to enter the transfer portal
Brandon Garrison plans to enter the transfer portal
Kentucky transfer portal rumors:
April 20
7-foot-5 transfer USC center Gabe Dynes wil visit Kentucky on Tuesday, according to On3. "Since entering, the Independence, Kentucky native has received interest from double-digit programs and has now scheduled four official visits."
April 20
Syracuse transfer forward Donnie Freeman visited Kentucky last week and called off his trip to UConn, according to On3's Pete Nakos. "At the time, the move appeared to bode well for the Wildcats. But in recent days, St. John’s has entered the mix and now has the momentum in the recruitment."
April 18
Kentucky transfer Mo Dioubate had a Zoom yesterday with Texas Tech and will take an official visit Monday at LSU, according to Adam Zagoria.
April 17
Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman has cancelled his UConn visit according to KSR.
April 16
FAU forward Devin Williams spoke with KSR about his recent visit with Kentucky. “It’s about the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back. It’s different when you go there, for sure," Williams said.
April 16
Colorado forward Sebastian Rancik donned the Wildcats uniform for his visit to Kentucky.
Colorado transfer forward Sebastian Rancik suited up inside Rupp Arena for his Kentucky visit today.
UK Wildcats Wire reports Kentucky is hosting Furman guard Alex Wilkins on a visit.
April 15
Rob Wright is headed back to BYU, according to Field of 68's Jeff Goodman. This is a blow after he took a visit to campus this week.
April 15
Kentucky is battling BYU for transfer guard Rob Wright, according to On3's Pete Nakos. As of Wednesday morning, barring something unforeseen, sources tell Nakos that Wright is currently expected to return to BYU.
April 15
Syracuse transfer Donny Freeman shows off Kentucky gear during visit to campus via Jenna Lifshen
April 14
Travis Braham via CBS Sports adds some pessimism to the Wildcats' ability to land Rob Wright from BYU. Video posted by Cameron Waddle.
April 14
Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman is scheduled to visit Kentucky on Tuesday according to UKWildcatsWire.
April 14
Top-overall 2026 recruit Tyran Stokes favors Kansas, according to KSR's Jack Pilgram. This appears to be a two-team race with the Jayhawks and Kentucky.
April 14
St. John snags guard Quinn Ellis, a top-flight prospect from the EuroLeague. The Johnnies got him over Duke, Louisville, Kentucky and more, according to NY Post.
April 14
Colorado transfer PF Sebastian Rancik and Yale SF Isaac Celiscar had a Zoom meetings with Kentucky coaches this week, according to On3.
April 14
Kentucky transfer Mo Dioubate is back in NYC and will visit St. John's this week, according to Wildcats reporter Jenna Lifshen.
April 14
Tyran Stokes held a mock shootaround at Rupp Arena last night and was reportedly pleased with the UK campus, according to Wildcats reporter Jenna Lifshen.
April 13
“Rob Wright gets there at about 6pm… the heavy favorite is Kentucky for Rob Wright. It’s basically down to Kentucky and BYU at this point. Unless they screw this thing up, he’s probably going to end up in Lexington.” According to Jeff Goodman by way of ChurchBall: A BYU Hoops Pod.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope met with Furman guard Alex Wilkins in South Carolina over the weekend, according to On3. Wilkins is eying a visit to Kentucky for "later this week."
April 13
Colgate Transfer guard Jalen Cox will visit Kentucky on Wednesday, according to Bleed Blue Network.
April 12
In case anyone missed it, a Kentucky frat house started the day with a banner that read, "Come Home Stokes". Throughout the day, that house has added banners. Including "Come Home Rob" and "Come Home Donnie". That would be entertaining if not news all on its own. Tyran Stokes, No. 1 high school SF in the country, liking the IG story is intriguing on another level.
Kentucky had a Zoom call with four-star transfer Magoon Gwath today, sources tell KyInsider.
April 12
Kentucky is heavily interested in San Diego State's BJ Davis, sources tell BleedBNetwork.
April 12
Kentucky could be looking to pair Robert Wright III and Zoom Diallo according to @BleedBNetwork
April 12
Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman will visit Kentucky on Tuesday per BleedBlueCasey.
April 12
BYU Guard Rob Wright will visit Kentucky on Monday. Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 reporting Wright's options are down to Kentucky and return to BYU.
April 12
Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 SF high school recruit and one of the big names from the Nike Hoops Summit, will visit Kentucky on Sunday (4/13) according to KSR.
April 12
BYU transfer Rob Wright will visit Kentucky on Monday, according to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein. He averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds last season.
April 12
Kentucky guard Trent Noah has signed a return deal with the Wildcats, according to On3. He averaged 3 points and 2.3 rebounds last season off the bench.
April 11
Kentucky is looking to host former Colgate guard Jalen Cox, per his representatives to Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR). Cox was named to the All-Patriot League first team as well as their All-Defensive team. He averaged almost 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists last season for Colgate.
April 11
The nation's No. 1 player in 2026 Tyran Stokes is visiting Kentucky on Monday, per Krysten Peek. Could this change Kentucky's approach in the portal if he commits.
April 11
Butler transfer guard Finley Bizjack has made contact with Kentucky, according to On3. He’s a top-50 available transfer in the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings.
April 11
UConn center Eric Reibe has received interest from Kentucky, according to On3. The 7-foot-1 center averaged 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds this season.
April 10
Monmouth transfer Jason Rivera-Torres is receiving interest from the following programs, he told LeagueRDY. He is considering 21 programs, but Kentucky is at the top of that list. :
April 10
Kentucky, Oklahoma, St. John’s, NC State and Louisville will meet this weekend with 6-foot-8 Robert Morris transfer Dasean Goode, per Travis Branham.
April 10
Mississippi State F Jamarion Davis-Fleming according to The Portal Report, is considering ten teams. Kentucky, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, Memphis, DePaul, USC and Marquette.
April 10
Jon Rothstein reported Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas is drawing interest from eight teams. Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, Florida State, Michigan, Arkansas, St. Johns and Oklahoma State. Avdalas also does not plan on any visits to any of these schools.
April 10
Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 named six programs VCU guard Terrance Brown is considering. Kentucky, North Carolina, USC, Kansas, Oregon and Ole Miss.
April 10
Jalen Cox had a zoom call with Kentucky on Thursday and will "coordinate a visit to Kentucky in the next few days" according to On3/KSR.
Kentucky's Collin Chandler has "left the door open" for a return to the program, according to On3.
Washington State guard Ace Glass III is receiving interest from Kentucky, according to Bleed Blue Network.
Miikka Muurinen and his commitment plans could change transfer portal plans for Kentucky. The five-star forward 6-foot-10, 185-pounder with the nickname "Slim Jesus" from Finland playing at AZ Compass Prep. Mark Pope's team is in the running with Duke, UNC, Michigan, Arkansas and others.
Colgate guard Jalen Cox is eying a visit to Kentucky after his recent Zoom call, according to On3's Jacob Polacheck.
April 9
Syracuse transfer forward Donnie Freeman has a few early schools, including Kentucky, according to On3.
Kentucky is among the programs to monitor for BYU's Rob Wright, according to On3. "The No. 5 overall player in the portal. His list is expected to grow, as many programs are in need of a starting point guard. There is also a chance he could return to BYU, though things remain fluid."
UTRGV G Koree Cotton has received interest from Kentucky, according to The Portal Report.
Kentucky transfer Mo Dioubate has Zoom meetings Wednesday with St. John’s and Virginia, according to Adam Zagoria
April 8
San Diego State's Miles Byrd, the Mountain West DPOY and all-league junior, is expected to announce his decision tomorrow, source told @TheFieldOf68. Byrd, a 6-6 wing who averaged 10.4 points and is an NBA prospect, will choose from Baylor, Louisville, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Providence, Texas and Vandy.
Sources have told Matt Jones of KSR, "two days ago Chandler asked for a number that would have been the 2nd largest amount any player has gotten at UK. UK declined to match."
Kentucky is expected to be in play for Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman. He is ranked 10th overall in the transfer portal by USA Today, according to A Sea of Blue. Freeman averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds for Syracuse in 2025-26.
Top-5 transfer target Paulius Murauskas will speak to Kentucky via "zoom call" on Thursday according to Jacob Polacheck of KSR/On3. Murauskas is a 6'8, 235-pound forward from Saint Mary's. However, in 2023 Murauskas was a 4-star (90) recruit who played his rookies season with Arizona.
In the first 24 hours, Kentucky has made confirmed contact with two portal targets according to the Lexington Herald. LSU junior point guard Dedan Thomas Jr and Butler junior guard Finley Bizjack. Both players averaged over 15 points per game and both shoot the three at 35% or better.
The Herald also expects to pursue two players that had previously been contacted by Kentucky. San Diego State junior guard Miles Byrd and San Francisco sophomore guard Tyrone Riley IV.
April 7
Kentucky is expected to show some interest in BYU guard Rob Wright. The Wildcats previously showed interest in Wright when he was transferring from Baylor, according to A Sea of Blue.
Apr 21, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Viktor Arvidsson (71) takes a shot on goal during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Morgan Geekie bounced in a shot from beyond center as part of Boston’s three-goal second-period surge and the Bruins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 to even their first-round playoff series at 1 on Tuesday night.
Viktor Arvidsson scored twice and Pavel Zacha also scored. David Pastrnak had two assists to give him five points in the series and tie Bobby Orr for eighth on the Bruins career playoff list with 92 points.
Jeremy Swayman stopped 32 shots, and this time Boston managed to not blow a multigoal third-period lead.
Bowen Byram and Peyton Krebs scored 1:14 apart to cut Boston’s lead to 4-2 with 4:52 remaining in regulation before being stymied by Swayman, who stopped the final eight shots he faced.
The Sabres opened the series with a 4-3 win in which they overcame a 2-0 third-period deficit by scoring four times in the final 7:58 of regulation on Sunday.
The series shifts to Boston for Game 3 on Thursday night.
Rather than carry over the momentum from Sunday, the Sabres gradually sagged due to spotty goaltending and an anemic power play.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 15 saves and was pulled after allowing Arvidsson’s second goal 16 seconds into the third period to put Boston up 4-0. Alex Lyon mopped up and finished stopping all seven shots he faced.
Luukkonen looked shaky on three of the four goals allowed.
Arvidsson opened the scoring 4:54 into the second period by beating Buffalo defender Mattias Samuelsson to a loose puck. He then drove in and beat Luukkonen through the legs after the goalie was late in getting his stick down.
Then came Geekie’s goal some 12 minutes later. From just outside the center line, the forward flipped a high backhander at the Buffalo net. Luukkonen came out of his crease in an attempt to glove it, only to have the puck bounce past him.
After Zacha redirected Pastrnak’s centering pass for a power-play goal with 1:50 left in the second period, Arvidsson scored by driving up the right wing and beating Luukkonen through the legs from 25 feet.
Buffalo’s power play continued to struggle in going 0-of-5 on Tuesday and 0-of-9 in two games. The drought extends into the season, after Buffalo closed 0-for-22 over its final seven games.
The Sabres are making their first playoff appearance after winning their first Atlantic Division title and snapping an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought.
With the city still buzzing from Buffalo’s stunning win in Game 1, Bills quarterback Josh Allen kicked things off by beating the drum to lead the “Let’s go, Buffalo!” chants. The new father, wearing the jersey of Sabres forward and occasional golf partner Alex Tuch, then chugged a can of beer before violently throwing it to the ground to a crescendo of cheers.
The LSU Tigers got awful news on Tuesday with star outfielder Jake Brown being lost for the season with a broken hamate, but they came together to pick up a 10-7 win over the New Orleans Privateers, though.
With the win, the Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 24-18 on the year. That is not at all the season that LSU saw for themselves. With the recent losses of both Brown and Cooper Moore, it's feeling more and more like a lost season.
One benefit of focusing on the future is that the open plate appearances will go to some younger players, like William Patrick and Jack Ruckert. Both of those freshmen started this game and they both produced.
In total, the Tigers' freshmen combined for 5-10 in this game, with six of the 10 RBI.
Omar Serna is the most exciting first-year player on the team. He earned the trust of Jay Johnson and has consistently shown potential. He had one of the weaker nights among the freshmen, but still went 1-for-4 with two RBI. He's now batting .280 on the season, a great start to the career for the young slugger.
William Patrick has only had a couple of plate appearances in year one, so it'll be fun to watch what he does over the last few weeks of the year. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI and logged his first career extra-base hit with a double. He also drew the first walk of his career.
Jack Ruckert has had a rockier first season, but has showcased a good eye. He's already drawn six walks in 24 plate appearances and still hasn't struck out. He went 2-for-3 with two RBI and is now hitting .278 for the season.
The last freshman to step up to the plate was Mason Braun, who pinch-hit for John Pearson. He went 1-for-1 with an RBI.
Zion Theophilus was the only freshman to see the mound. He faced two batters, walking one and getting the other to fly out. Danny Lachemayer is a sophomore, though, and had a great game. He went 1.2 innings with a walk and five strikeouts.
Getting younger pitchers more innings is just as important as getting the hitters. Pitching has been horrendous for the Tigers this season, so they need to figure out who they can trust next year.
LSU will face the No. 13 Mississippi State Bulldogs on the road this weekend, as they hope to break an SEC losing streak.
Louisiana's LHSAA baseball postseason got under way last weekend with the state's various divisions contesting the bi-district playoffs in best-of-3 series.
In the Non-Select brackets, the top eight seeds in each of the four divisions received byes to the regional round. That included the #1 seeds in each division with the Barbe [Lake Charles, LA] Bucs (Division I), Brusly [LA] Panthers (Division II), Sterlington [LA] Panthers (Division III), and Welsh [LA] Greyhounds (Division IV) getting free passes to the next round.
The Select brackets also contested the bi-district round where the top 12 seeds all received byes. The #1 seeds will take the field this week for the first time, including the Brother Martin [New Orleans, LA] Crusaders, Vandebilt Catholic [Houma, LA] Terriers , University Lab [Baton Rouge, LA] Catholics, and Opelousas [LA] Catholic Vikings.
There were three upsets in Division I as the #10, #11, and #15 seeds were all booted from the playoffs in the opening round.
The biggest upset was the No. 23 Live Oak [Watson, LA] Eagles taking down the #10 Prairieville [LA] Hurricanes in three games, losing the opener 2-1 in 14 innings on Friday before winning two games on Saturday by scores of 5-4 and 10-6 to steal the series.
The other two upsets came via the sweep with the #22 St. Amant [LA] Gators beating the #11 Central [Baton Rouge, LA] Wildcats by scores of 8-7 and 7-0 to move on. The #18 Haughton [LA] Buccaneers, meanwhile, beat the Southside [Youngsville, LA] Sharks, 3-2 and 7-6, to advance to the next round.
The regional matchups will also be contested in a best-of-3 format, and those are scheduled to get under way Wednesday, April 22.
There was only one minor upset in the Select Division I ranks as the #17 Pineville [LA] Rebels swept the #16 Riverdale [Jefferson, LA] Rebels in two games, 12-1 and 8-2.
The regional matchups will follow the same schedule and format as the Non-Select Division I schools.
Regional matchups (April 22-25)
#1 Brother Martin vs. #17 Pineville
#8 Alexandria vs. #9 Captain Shreve
#5 Archbishop Rummel vs. #12 St. Paul's
#4 St. Thomas More vs. #13 Lafayette
#3 John Curtis Christian vs. #14 Evangel Christian
#6 Jesuit vs. #11 Tioga
#7 Holy Cross vs. #10 Acadiana
#2 Catholic [Baton Rouge] vs. #15 St. Augustine
Key dates for the Louisiana LHSAA baseball playoffs
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Caleb Durbin #5 of the Boston Red Sox throws down his helmet after striking out to end the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on April 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the most unfortunate things about being an American sports fan is you’re relentlessly inundated with erectile dysfunction advertisements. Are you unable to perform like you used to? Having trouble getting it up? Not making enough hard contact?
The saving grace is these inquiries are generally quarantined to the commercial breaks. But lately, and especially tonight, the bottom half of every inning at Fenway Park is resembling one of these uncomfortable questionnaires.
The Red Sox didn’t just get shutout tonight. They were held to a mere two hits over 6.1 innings against Luis Gil, who entered the game with a 7.00 ERA and has stuff so underwhelming, even this lineup walked more times (three) than they struck out (twice). Not a single pitch thrown by a Yankee arm tonight registered higher than 96mph, and the Red Sox couldn’t do anything in the box. These are the games you’re supposed to post crooked numbers! If the Sox are getting shutout and frankly not coming close to scoring runs against this competition, what are they possibly going to look like when they start facing some real flamethrowers?
Accompanying this latest listless performance was an 0-7 effort with runners in scoring position, which now leaves Boston with a .159 batting average with runners in scoring position on this homestand.
Needless to say given the score, the bats once against failed to go deep, which means they’ve now hit just five home runs in their last 16 games. During this stretch, they’re more likely to score two runs or less in the game (seven times) than they are to hit a home run at any point in the game (five times).
The at bats were so terrible and widespread in this one, it’s not even worth dissecting any key moments because there weren’t any that stood out. It was just one never-ending conveyor belt of uninspiring and boring at bats. They were so bad they didn’t even create a key spot in the game to fail in.
On the mound, Connelly Early was mostly solid until the sixth inning when he lost command of the zone and walked three guys. The overall outing was a mixed bag, but with a normal offense, this would have been enough to make it a competitive game that likely would have been decided in a nail biter in the ninth.
Unfortunately, the impotency of this lineup is anything buy normal. Ask your front office if a power hitter is right for you.
Studs
No player is going in this category tonight, but we can give it to …
The Pitch Timer: Not only did it get this disaster class game over with in a reasonable amount of time, but it also provided a couple of the most interesting exchanges of the night (both involving Jose Caballero).
In the sixth inning, when Jack Anderson came in to relieve Connelly Early, Caballero successfully baited Anderson into a violation twice by waiting until the eight second mark (when you have to be ready and address the pitcher) to address Anderson. As a result, Anderson was early both times and got called for it.
But then, Anderson showed us a little something and came back to to strike out Caballero, including on a perfect pitch down and in on 3-2.
Not only has the pitch timer improved the game by tightening it back to where it was for the majority of last century, but it also provides some drama as teams push the edge.
Three Duds
It really should be the entire offense, but we’ll specifically give it to the three guys who never got on base.
Wilyer Abreu: 0-4 tonight, and his OPS has fallen from 1.101 to .796 over his last nine games.
Masataka Yoshida: 0-4, easily his worst day at the dish so far this season.
Strikeouts: 0-3 with two strikeouts. The only reason he wasn’t 0-4 like the others is because the lineup was so bad it didn’t get around to him again. He’s now hitting .155 with a .475 OPS on the season.
Play of the game:
There was this really sweet highlight reel catch from Ceddanne Rafaela tonight. It’s just too bad it happened late in this complete nothing game instead of to keep the score tied in the eighth or something like that.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, this offense gets to face Max Fried. I’ve been told it’s not possible to score negative runs in a baseball game, but if it is, these guys are going to find it soon.
SAN ANTONIO — When San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama jogged to the locker room Tuesday night at 8:57 of the second quarter after his face slammed to the floor, everything changed for San Antonio.
He was ruled out for the game shortly after entering concussion protocol, and the Spurs were forced to regroup.
Here are the key takeaways for how the Trail Blazers capitalized on their big opportunity Tuesday night:
Life without Wemby
With Wembanyama ruled out early in the second quarter, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson turned to a seldomly used lineup to keep his team afloat: Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie and Luke Kornet. The combination of four guards and Kornet played just 29 minutes together this season, but outperformed teams by a +12.6 net rating — as well as operated at a pace that would rank at the top of the league.
The drawbacks to a lack of size against one of the larger playoff teams around were apparent, but the benefits and potential tradeoffs were too tantalizing to ignore. All four guards are capable of initiating and finishing plays, can create for others as well as themselves and can space the floor. At the other end, what they lack in size they make up for in speed, smarts and connectivity. San Antonio played Portland evenly for the remainder of the half and those players helped the Spurs extend their lead in the fourth quarter, something to monitor moving forward depending on how many non-Wembanyama minutes the Spurs will play in the coming days.
Unfortunately with no Wemby available, the smallish Spurs were exploited on the glass late and the offense collapsed down the stretch as the squad seemed to lack the connectivity and familiarity that had been its hallmark.
Around the six-minute mark of the first quarter, Blazers guard Scoot Henderson drilled his second 3 of the game, giving him 10 early points and the Blazers a surprise 22-9 lead over the Spurs. But it wasn’t his shot-making ability that was making the most waves. Henderson’s activity at the other end — pressuring the ball and more importantly, being an active ballhawk in passing lanes — was the key to Portland keeping Frost Bank Center on edge.
On two separate occasions, Henderson was at the heart of breaking up a Castle alley-oop and what would have been a key entry pass to Wembanyama. Henderson appeared in only 30 games during the regular season due to injury, but his defensive impact as a sharp, rangy lateral stopper is clear. Henderson ranked third in deflections per game, and the Blazers were nearly four points better per 100 possessions defensively in his minutes, good for 79th percentile.
Offensive consistency has always been an issue with the 22-year-old electric guard, but he seems to be figuring things out on the biggest stage and his penchant for making defensive plays — even in his limited time — is a huge chunk of the Blazers’ viability.
Henderson scored five points in the last five minutes of the game and was vital as Portland closed things out down the stretch.
Henderson led all scorers in Game 2 with 31 points, hitting five 3s and finishing plus-9 in what seemed to be a legit breakout performance.
Spurs will need to step up
When Spurs reserve Keldon Johnson first stepped on the floor, his team trailed 17-9 and looked like it was sleepwalking. By the time the buzzer for the first quarter sounded and Johnson walked off the floor, San Antonio had retaken the lead.
Johnson's plus-9 led all players on the floor at the time, an indication of his simple approach to basketball that continues to yield positive results. Johnson's game isn't particularly flashy — he recorded a steal, assist and rebound during his initial stint — but his constant motor, energy and intangibles are vital for a team that was somewhat lethargic to begin the game.
The combination of Johnson and rookie guard Harper — the latter of which continues to provide a huge boost in the playmaking, downhill driving and gravitational department but seemed to aggravate his left thumb Tuesday night — is an underlying storyline in a series that just got a whole lot more interesting.
Johnson finished the game plus-7 with 7 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, but more will be needed if Wembanyama misses Game 3 in Portland.
Nolan McLean was outstanding again on Tuesday night.
After being handed an early 3-0 lead on a Francisco Lindor homer, the young right-hander was doing everything he could to make sure he brought the Mets’ 11-game losing streak to an end.
McLean absolutely cruised his way through the Twins’ lineup in the early-going, retiring the first 15 batters he faced and picking up eight strikeouts along the way over the first five innings.
Matt Wallner immediately brought both the perfect game and no-hit bids to an end, though, leading off the top of the sixth with a clean single.
The righty retired the next two hitters easily, but then fell behind Byron Buxton 3-1 before he lifted an up-and-away cutter for a towering two-run homer down the left-field line.
McLean gave up another hit but was able to escape without any further damage.
Even with the youngster starting to show some signs of fatigue, Carlos Mendoza elected to stick with him to start the seventh, and Minnesota was quickly able to break through again.
Back-to-back knocks from Kody Clemons and Luke Keaschall completely flipped the script, evening things up at three apiece and chasing McLean from the game.
“He’s our guy,” the skipper said afterwards. “With the way he was throwing on a day when we had a couple of our guys down, we knew we were going to push him, so we felt good with where he was at and he gave us a chance."
"I’d like to go a bit longer," McLean admitted. "But Bux made a good swing and things snowballed from there."
The 24-year-old finished giving up just three runs on five hits while matching his career-high with 10 strikeouts.
McLean was outstanding the first two times through the order once again, but this isn’t the first time that he’s been hit a bit harder that elusive third time around.
As pointed out by Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com, opponents have just a .075 average against him over the first five innings, compared to a .360 mark in the sixth and beyond.
It’s something McLean knows he has to work on moving forward.
“These guys are getting paid to play baseball, too,” he said. “At the end of the day, I just have to execute a little bit better, maybe do a little bit more homework on how guys are adjusting, but I just have to execute better at the end of the day.”
The Mets are in the midst of a lengthy losing streak that has seen some of the best hitters in the league go cold, and starters and relievers implode in various ways.
On Tuesday night, it was Devin Williams' turn. After blowing his first save as a Met on Sunday, Williams was called upon to keep the team's series-opener against the Twins tied at three in the ninth. Williams, however, just could not control his signature changeup and allowed two runs on a hit and three walks in the team's 5-3 loss at Citi Field.
"Felt a little out of sync, mechanically," Williams said of his outing after the game. "Couldn’t really land my changeup for strikes. It was tough to beat guys with just the fastball."
“Today, the command. Getting behind hitters, not able to execute," manager Carlos Mendoza said of his closer. "Once you start walking people, you’re in dangerous territory there. He’s gotta come back in the zone, and when he’s getting behind, good hitters are going to make him pay. Overall, the walks kinda hurt him there."
Williams has thrown his changeup 48 percent of the time this season, but he just couldn't rely on it on Tuesday. Of the 21 pitches he threw, Williams only tossed eight to the five Twins hitters he faced; only one was thrown for a strike.
For a two-pitch pitcher, their job is much harder when one of those pitches is taken away from them. But is it the reason for Williams' recent struggles? After allowing four runs in 0.1 innings against the Dodgers on April 15, Williams allowed a run in the aforementioned blown save in Chicago before Tuesday's performance.
Those seven earned runs have ballooned his ERA to 9.95.
But Williams and Mendoza said today's outing was the result of bad command. Williams, who inked a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets this offseason, was asked if the team's now 12-game losing streak is adding more pressure on him to perform. The right-hander, who is in his eighth season, didn't agree but can't pinpoint anything specific for his recent tough stretch.
"Obviously, you want to do well," Williams said of pitching during the losing streak. "We’re in a tough stretch here. It’s the same as any other game."
He added, "All three outings were something different. Today, I didn’t have command. Couldn’t throw my changeup for a strike. It’s tough to be one-dimensional."
Although he doesn't place blame on the added pressures of the Mets' losing streak for his recent performances, he acknowledges that it hasn't been easy.
"It’s tough, man. I’ve never been a part of something like this," he said of the streak. "I think we just need to get the one win out of the way and I think everything else will take care of itself. It’s proving pretty difficult right now... Every day is a new day. We have a chance to win a new game every day. Everyone knows the situation; it’s just stacking on top of each other."
If you’re looking for a team that’s locked in right now, go ahead and look at Alabama softball.
On a Tuesday night in Birmingham, the Crimson Tide didn’t just win, they controlled every inch of the game, shutting out UAB 6-0 and making it look routine in the process. And that’s the scary part about this team… this kind of dominance is starting to feel normal.
Alabama moves to 43-4 on the season, and this one was powered by a little bit of everything: elite pitching, timely hitting, and the kind of confidence that travels no matter where they play.
Let’s start in the circle, because Vic Moten was simply untouchable.
Moten didn’t just throw a shutout, she owned the game. After allowing a couple of early baserunners, she flipped a switch and completely slammed the door, retiring 16 straight UAB hitters to close things out. Ten strikeouts later, she walked off the field with her fifth complete-game shutout of the season, and another reminder that Alabama’s pitching staff is one of the best in the country.
And here’s a stat that should make every upcoming opponent pay attention: Alabama pitching hasn’t issued a walk in the last 27 innings. That’s not just good… that’s elite-level control.
Offensively, the Tide didn’t waste opportunities.
They got on the board early and never looked back, scratching across the first run on a sacrifice fly before Lauren Johnson stepped up and set the tone in a big way. Her solo home run to open the third inning gave Alabama breathing room and injected even more energy into a lineup that’s already dangerous from top to bottom.
Then came Brooke Wells, who continues to be one of the most reliable bats in the lineup. She delivered a clutch two-RBI double in the fifth, stretching the lead and putting UAB in a hole they weren’t climbing out of.
And just when you thought Alabama was done, Alexis Pupillo reminded everyone why she’s one of the most feared hitters in the SEC. Her laser home run in the seventh pushed the Tide’s season total to 79, tying for the fifth-most in program history, and she’s now knocking on the door of the single-season top 10 herself.
Oh, and don’t overlook Ana Roman quietly putting together one of her best nights of the season, racking up two doubles after having just one coming into the game. That’s the kind of depth that makes this team so dangerous.
This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement.
Alabama is playing clean, confident softball in every phase of the game, and it’s showing up in results like this night after night.
Now, the focus shifts to a massive road test against a top-10 Tennessee team. That’s where we’ll learn even more about just how high this team’s ceiling really is.
But if Tuesday night proved anything, it’s this: Alabama softball isn’t just winning games… they’re dominating them.
And right now, nobody looks comfortable stepping in their way.
BOSTON-- In an offseason full of Boston Red Sox discourse, there was no hotter topic among fans and media alike than what Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow would do with the glut of outfielders on his major league roster. Despite rumors surrounding the Red Sox outfield running rampant, Breslow chose to stand pat with his group, leaving manager Alex Cora to juggle five players through four spots, creating a situation that, 23 games in, has become more untenable than first thought.
Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Roman Anthony have yet to see major drop-offs in their playing time, leaving Jarren Duran and Masataka Yoshida, arguably two of the team's six best hitters, as the odd men out.
It’s been a slow start for the 29-year-old Duran at the plate, hitting just .164 with a .497 OPS in 74 plate appearances, also with a 28.4% strikeout rate. His struggles, paired with Yoshida's strong start, have all but forced Cora's hand.
Duran has been out of the starting lineup in three of Boston's last four games. In his lone start, Monday's win over Detroit, he was lifted in the seventh inning in favor of Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, who struck out via a fouled-off bunt attempt. With Yankees lefty Max Fried slated to take the mound on Wednesday night, that number figures to grow.
When asked about the decision to sit Duran against New York's starter, right-handed Luis Gil, on Tuesday, Cora told MLB.com's Ian Browne, "Masa is swinging the bat well, taking his walks, putting together good at bats. It was his turn to play." As for what Duran needs to do to get back in the lineup, Cora cited a high chase rate, "Chasing pitches, early on he was taking walks and now he’s chasing, we've got to make sure we swing at the right ones. As a group we did a good job yesterday, controlling the strike zone, putting the ball in play. We just got to keep continuing to do that."
According to Baseball Savant, Duran ranks in the 24th percentile in chase rate at 34.5%, but the Red Sox' problems chasing pitches outside extend far beyond Duran. Boston has four players in the bottom 30 percent in chase rate, including Rafaela, who ranks in the bottom 1 percent.
Overplaying their hand
Apr 17, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) beats a throw to Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Duran's usage thus far is a far cry from the reported price tag that was placed on him during offseason trade discussions, with ESPN's Jeff Passan reporting Breslow was valuing him as the top ten MVP finisher he was in 2024. "The Red Sox are valuing Duran more like the seven-win player of 2024 than his 4-win version in 2025." Passan wrote in December, "At some point, though, the Red Sox will have to move Duran or Wilyer Abreu. Keeping full-time-quality players for less than full-time roles rarely works out well," he continued.
The reality of the situation is that with each passing day, the logjam becomes more and more untenable for Cora to manage, and eventually, frustration will start to mount as Duran, who is still in his arbitration-eligible years, sees his playing time continue to suffer.
Similarly, rival general managers see the situation that Breslow has cornered himself into. If Duran were truly the seven-win player worthy of the astronomical price tag being placed on him, then surely he would be an everyday player on a team in desperate need of a spark at the plate. With each moment of indecisiveness from Breslow, the return only becomes more hampered.
As Passan wrote all the way back in December, at some point, the dam will have to break, and a move must be made to alleviate some of the pressure being put on Cora on a night-in-and-night-out basis.
The Red Sox bats once again went silent as they lost to the Yankees 4-0 on Monday night, falling to 9-14. They'll be back in action on Wednesday night. Max Fried will get the start for New York opposite Ranger Suarez for Boston. First pitch from Fenway set for 6:45 p.m. ET.
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BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach James Franklin of the Virginia Tech Hokies walks on the field prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Lane Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin was speaking to Hokie Nation on Saturday at the annual spring game in Blacksburg, he was fired up, speaking to the crowd and said the 2026 Hokies were going to “shock the world.”
Those comments immediately fired up Virginia Tech fans and, of course, brought out the Penn State fans who still obsessed with every moves Franklin makes or every word he speaks.
After the spring game, Franklin spoke to the media, and he was asked about those comments. He explained what he meant.
“There is an excitement right now, and we want to keep that excitement going,” Franklin said. We have been fortunate to be a part of two turnarounds in two different conferences, and we plan on doing that again. This place knows what it looks like. They’ve done it before. That’s what this whole re-establish is all about. For us to go where we want to go, it’s going to take the players, the coaches, the community, the fans, that’s going to take the lettermen. We had a bunch of lettermen show up today.“
Coach Franklin with more on his statement that Virginia Tech is going to “shock the world” pic.twitter.com/cwdPvS7BFT
— Sons of Saturday Virginia Tech (@SonsofSatVT) April 18, 2026
It’s difficult to take too much out of the spring game. However, the Hokies looked different. The talent was better. They were deeper. And, most importantly, Virginia Tech looked like it had multiple functional quarterbacks, led by projected starter Ethan Grunkemeyer.
There’s a long way to go, but it’s a good time to be a Hokie.
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 21: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal with teammates Darren Raddysh #43, Anthony Cirelli #71, J.J. Moser #90, and Brandon Hagel #38 against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Two of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena on April 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)
NHLI via Getty Images
TAMPA, Fla. — J.J. Moser scored 12:48 into overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, tying the first-round playoff series at 1-1.
The series shifts to Montreal for two games, with Game 3 set for Friday night. Game 4 is Sunday.
Brandon Hagel had a Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, assist and a fight, and teammate Nikita Kucherov also scored for Tampa Bay. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 25 shots.
The Lightning had lost four consecutive home playoff games and 10 of the past 11, dating to Game 4 against Colorado in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.
Lane Hutson and Josh Anderson scored for the Canadiens. Jakub Dobes finished with 31 saves.
Kucherov forced overtime at 12:33 of the third period, collecting a deflected puck off the stick of Hagel and scoring on a wrap-around. The goal was the first playoff goal for Kucherov since April 19, 2023, a span of 17 postseason games.
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — After three top-five finishes to end the regular season, Illinois women’s golf feels its best golf is still ahead.
The Illini, ranked 49th nationally, will travel to Glendale, California, to play in the Big Ten Championships.
“We certainly take our experiences from the season and learn from them, implement them,” said head coach Renee Slone. “We also understand every day is a brand new day and so going into it with that attitude, but utilizing everything that we have experienced to our advantage.”
Play begins at Oakmont Country Club on Friday, April 24 and continues through Sunday.
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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — J.J. Moser scored 12:48 into overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, tying the first-round playoff series at 1-1.
The series shifts to Montreal for two games, with Game 3 set for Friday night. Game 4 is Sunday.
Brandon Hagel had a Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, assist and a fight, and teammate Nikita Kucherov also scored for Tampa Bay. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 25 shots.
The Lightning had lost four consecutive home playoff games and 10 of the past 11, dating to Game 4 against Colorado in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.
Lane Hutson and Josh Anderson scored for the Canadiens. Jakub Dobes finished with 31 saves.
BRUINS 4, SABRES 2
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Morgan Geekie bounced in a shot from beyond center as part of Boston’s three-goal second-period surge and the Bruins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 to even their first-round playoff series at 1 on Tuesday night.
Viktor Arvidsson scored twice and Pavel Zacha also scored. David Pastrnak had two assists to give him five points in the series and tie Bobby Orr for eighth on the Bruins career playoff list with 92 points.
Jeremy Swayman stopped 32 shots, and this time Boston managed to not blow a multigoal third-period lead.
Bowen Byram and Peyton Krebs scored 1:14 apart to cut Boston’s lead to 4-2 with 4:52 remaining in regulation before being stymied by Swayman, who stopped the final eight shots he faced.
The series shifts to Boston for Game 3 on Thursday night.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 21: Maikel Garcia #11 of the Kansas City Royals scores against Adley Rutscman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium on April 21, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles coughed up two different leads on Tuesday night as starter Shane Baz was, yet again, inconsistent, and the team’s bullpen had a rare stumble. All of it led to a frustrating 6-5 loss to the Royals, evening up the series at one game apiece.
The Orioles’ half of the second inning felt like a game-changer in the moment. They made Royals starter Kris Bubic throw a ton of pitches. Jeremiah Jackson saw five pitches before singling, Weston Wilson walked after nine pitches, and Leody Taveras lined out on the seventh pitch of his at-bat.
That all happened before Coby Mayo gave the O’s an early lead with his first home run of the season, a 114-mph bomb that went 439 feet down the left field line. Swings like that are why the organization continues to believe in Mayo.
Normally, when someone throws 38 pitches in one inning, they aren’t in for a long night at the office. Bubic would prove otherwise. The southpaw rebounded from the nightmarish second frame and then delivered four consecutive scoreless innings to protect the Royals bullpen for as long as possible. That is both an indictment of the Orioles’ offensive showing for much of this game, but also an impressive bit of veteran moxie from the 28-year-old Bubic.
Orioles starter Shane Baz had himself yet another uneven outing in the black and orange. Over 6.1 innings, the righty allowed four runs on eight hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.
Kansas City’s first run of the day came in the bottom of the second. Carter Jensen doubled with one out, moved to third base on a wild pitch, and then trotted home on a Michael Massey sac fly to right field. That made it a 3-1 Orioles advantage.
Baz worked out of trouble in both the third and fourth inning. The third saw him get a big groundout of Vinnie Pasquantino with two outs and two runners in scoring position. In the fourth, he again stranded runners at second and third by getting a strikeout followed by a pop out.
That luck would run out in the fifth inning, when the Royals would tie the score up at 3-3. Kyle Isbel opened the frame with a double, and then moseyed home on a single by Maikel Garcia. The speedy Garcia then scooted to second base on a ground out before stealing third base. That then put him in position to cross the plate on a Pasquantino sac fly to knot things back up.
It seemed like O’s manager Craig Albernaz was testing Baz from there. The righty worked a shutout sixth inning, which included two big strikeouts on what felt like a finale to his day. But he had only thrown 85 pitches, and the bullpen was thin after going to extra innings on Monday. So, Albernaz brought the starter back for the seventh. That would prove to be a poor decision.
Isbel doubled yet again to begin the inning. This came right after he had taken a pitch that was called ball two but should have been strike three. The Orioles had a challenge to use, but Rutschman decided against it. After the double, Isbel advanced to third on a wild pitch and was then joined on base by a Garcia walk. Albernaz followed that with a visit to the mound, where it seemed like he was prepared to yank Baz from the game. Instead, they had a quick chat, and he stuck with him for one more batter. That batter was Bobby Witt Jr. It worked out fine, relatively. Witt did drive in Isbel with a sac fly, and Baz was then removed. But Grant Wolfram came in and limited the damage from there, leaving his one inherited runner stranded and keep the game at 4-3 after seven innings.
The Orioles would go back ahead in the eighth inning. Gunnar Henderson led off with a double down the left field line. Then Adley Rutschman, fresh off of his brief IL stint, came up clutch with a two-run homer to left field off of reliever Matt Strahm.
Despite a really rough patch in the game’s middle innings, somhow the Orioles found themselves ahead 5-4 going into the late frames. Considering how good their bullpen has been to this point, it felt like a win was incoming.
Think again.
Rico Garcia was called on for the eighth inning. Prior to today’s game, the righty had basically been perfect this season. He had yet to allow a hit or run on the year. That streak ended with the first batter he faced on Tuesday. Michael Massey led off the eighth inning with a solo homer to give us yet another deadlock, this one at 5-5. Garcia did look really good outside of that at-bat, but the damage had been done.
The Orioles failed to score in their half of the ninth inning, and then they brought on closer Ryan Helsley for the bottom of the frame. He had not control in this one, as he issued walks to both Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. to begin the inning. A strikeout of Pasquantino didn’t help much because it came on a pitch in the dirt that allowed the two runners to advance anyway. Then, with Salvador Perez at the plate, Helsley spiked another pitch in the dirt. Rutschman blocked it, but it bounced too far away from him in front of the plate, leaving plenty of time for Garcia to sprint home from third as the winning run.
This was one of the rare Orioles losses that can mostly be pinned on the bullpen. That’s not to say that Baz was great, because he wasn’t. But he provided 6.1 innings. And that’s not to say the offense had some incredible performance, because they didn’t. But they scored five runs and produced a lead late. The Orioles need to count of the duo of Garcia and Helsley to lock down those wins. It didn’t happen tonight.
There was good news buried within the loss.
Rutschman’s return was a welcome one. He instantly adds depth and credibility to the lineup. It also freed up Samuel Basallo to be a pinch-hit option late in the game. It turns out that when your best players are healthy, your team is more dangerous. Very interesting discovery, that is.
Mayo’s homer was awesome too. The young slugger still has some runway here while Jackson Holliday is out to figure things out at the plate. Could that dong be the first step? We sure have to hope so. The Orioles, as a team, need to be hitting more home runs. Mayo should be a reliable source of them.
Outside of that, it was just a tough loss to the take. Can’t dwell on it. Just go get the series win tomorow.
Speaking of which, he Orioles will wrap up this series, this roadtrip, and the 13-day run without a day off on Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City. Chris Bassitt (0-2, 6.19 ERA) will be on the bump to face Michael Wacha (2-0, 1.00 ERA). First pitch is set for 2:10 from Kauffman Stadium.
Philadelphia evened the series in Game 2 Tuesday night at TD Garden with a convincing 111-97 victory in which it out-shot Boston and remained in control for most of the evening.
Here are the key takeaways for how the 76ers claimed home-court advantage:
VJ Edgecombe is going to be incredible
The 76ers are in good hands in the backcourt with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. In Philadelphia’s regular-season opener, the two guards combined for 74 points on 50 shots, showing a blueprint for how to beat Boston: win the backcourt matchup.
Maxey was his usual spectacular self Tuesday night, totaling 29 points and 9 assists, and the 76ers needed his electricity at the forefront of their offense. But it was Edgecombe, the rookie, who came up big as a release valve for Maxey, totaling 30 points in only the second playoff game of his career. Thirteen of them came off assists from Maxey.
Edgecombe even helped sustain Philly’s offense in the absence of Maxey and Paul George at the end of the third quarter, keeping Boston at bay. To do that on this stage as a 20-year-old against this Celtics defense says all we need to know about his future. That he might finish third in Rookie of the Year voting — behind Dallas’ Cooper Flagg and Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel — says as much about this rookie class.
Philadelphia’s 3-point shooting
After shooting 4-for-23 (17.4%) from 3-point range in a 32-blowout loss in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Celtics, the 76ers needed to both attempt more and make more 3s in Game 2 if they had any chance. Mission accomplished.
The Sixers launched almost as many 3s (19) in the first half of Game 2 as they did in Game 1 and made more than half of them (10), staking themselves to a 62-54 lead. They finished 19-for-39 (48.7%) from deep, outshooting the Celtics (13 of 50), who finished fourth in total attempts and eighth in accuracy during the regular season.
Maxey and Edgecombe made 11 of 22 combined attempts. Paul George, Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre added two apiece. Even Andre Drummond got in on the fun.
The shooting opened the floor against a Boston defense that had packed the paint in the series opener. Philadelphia failed to take advantage in Game 1. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse even suggested his team had passed up some open shots in their blowout loss, hesitating after a poor shooting start. That wasn’t a problem in Game 2.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, dynamic duo
Most impressive about Philadelphia’s win? The Celtics got solid games from both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and still got worked. Their advantage was on the wing, where Philly only has 35-year-old George and … Oubre to stop them. I’m not sure Justin Edwards or Dominick Barlow is scaring them off the bench, either.
Brown totaled 36 points, seven rebounds and four assists in defeat. Tatum was one assist shy of a triple-double (19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists). Granted, they combined to shoot 19-of-43 (44.1%) from the field, but they made 40% of their 3s (7 of 20) and were the two best players on the floor, if not for Maxey and Edgecombe.
After finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a stellar 56–26 record, the Celtics will enter the Eastern Conference playoff bracket as the No. 2 seed and face the No. 7 76ers in the first round.
Despite playing without Jayson Tatum for most of the season, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics finished with a top-five offensive rating (No. 2), defensive rating (No. 4) and net rating (No. 4). Boston continued to perform at an elite level when Tatum returned from an Achilles injury, winning 13 of its last 16 games before the start of the NBA Playoffs.
The Celtics will look to keep rolling against the 76ers, who clinched a postseason berth after defeating the Magic in the NBA Play-In Tournament. This will be the first playoff meeting between Boston and Philadelphia since 2023.
Here is the complete series schedule for Celtics vs. 76ers, including TV and streaming options for playoff games.
Under the NBA's new broadcast agreement, the first round is more accessible than ever. The Celtics will be featured across major platforms, including ABC and NBC. Streaming options for the first round include DIRECTV, the ESPN app, Peacock and Prime Video.
Catch every game — try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live NBA, NHL, MLB and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network — all included with DIRECTV.
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NBA Playoffs bracket 2026
Eastern Conference
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic
(2) Celtics vs. (7) 76ers
(3) Knicks vs. (6) Hawks
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Raptors
Western Conference
(1) Thunder vs. (8) Suns
(2) Spurs vs. (7) Trail Blazers
(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Timberwolves
(4) Lakers vs. (5) Rockets
NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason:
After finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a stellar 56–26 record, the Celtics will enter the Eastern Conference playoff bracket as the No. 2 seed and face No. 7 seed Philadelphia in the first round.
Despite playing without Jayson Tatum for most of the season, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics finished with a top-five offensive rating (No. 2), defensive rating (No. 4) and net rating (No. 4). Boston continued to perform at an elite level when Tatum returned from an Achilles injury, winning 13 of its last 16 games before the start of the NBA Playoffs.
The Celtics will look to keep rolling against the 76ers, who clinched a postseason berth after defeating the Magic in the NBA Play-In Tournament. This will be the first playoff meeting between Boston and Philadelphia since 2023.
Here is the complete series schedule for Celtics vs. 76ers, including TV and streaming options for playoff games.
Under the NBA's new broadcast agreement, the first round is spread across three different national partners. The Celtics and 76ers will be featured across major networks, including ABC and NBC. Streaming options for the first round include DIRECTV, the ESPN app, Peacock and Prime Video.
Catch every game — try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live NBA, NHL, MLB and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network — all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
The best rivalry in baseball will be renewed this week.
The Red Sox and Yankees will collide for the first time since New York defeated Boston in a competitive American League Wild Card Series last year. The Yankees are currently sitting atop the AL East standings, while the Red Sox are hoping to knock them down.
New York is coming off a three-game sweep of Kansas City in which it outscored the Royals, 24-6. Boston split its last series against Detroit, most recently defeating the Tigers, 8-6, in the annual Patriots' Day game.
Which team will gain the upper hand?
Here is everything you need to know about Red Sox vs. Yankees, including TV and streaming options for games.
How to watch Red Sox vs. Yankees: TV channels, live streams
The Red Sox vs. Yankees series will air locally on NESN and NESN+. All three games will also be available to stream on NESN 360 and fubo.
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.)
The Dallas Cowboys have their way of doing things when it comes to team building. They aren’t going to spend money on big impact free agents, and they choose to build with a draft-and-develop strategy, signing bargain free agents and making smart trades for veterans. It hasn’t led to championship rosters, but it isn’t changing anytime soon with Jerry and Stephen Jones in charge.
Dallas has to take that into account as the draft approaches. The picks they make could depend on factors other than who the best player is when they are picking. Attempts to move up or back, which positions they target, and when, could all be dictated by factors beyond who is the best player left on their board.
Corners who could start as rookies stretch further than other defensive positions
When the Cowboys select at No. 12, a tie-breaking factor in their decision-making could be position depth at their need positions. At No. 92, drafted cornerbacks have a higher probability to start than defensive ends and pass rushers. Players like Texas corner Malik Muhammad or Duke's Chandler Rivers could be starters as rookies, and they could be the pick at 92. Linebacker depth guys who need to develop and situational defensive ends were the options at those positions. Dallas could look ahead to that and choose defensive ends and linebackers early, while waiting on cornerbacks.
Available veteran defensive trade targets could influence how the Cowboys draft in the first round
The Cowboys have three major holes in their defense. They must get a defensive back to fill out their unit, a starting linebacker, and a defensive end with pass-rush upside. They could plan to attack two of these at picks 12 and 20 and use pick 92 as trade bait to fill the final need.
Looking at players Dallas has been linked to, defensive ends and linebackers are the positions being asked about. Players like Minnesota Vikings edge Jonathan Greenard and Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks led the way in veteran trade rumors. Dallas could look to lean towards Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or Tennessee corner Colton Hood and then trade for the position they don’t fill with their second draft selection. If Dallas drafts edge Ahkeem Mesidor from Miami(FL), they would then offer a pick for Brooks.
Dallas sees the 20th pick as too valuable to use in a trade-up scenario
That second pick in the first round could be a prime spot for another team to move up for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, or one of the receivers or offensive linemen still available. Dallas doesn’t pick between 20 and 92 currently, and the Cowboys could look to change that by moving back from 20 and adding another top-100 selection to their arsenal, one who could challenge for a starting role on a rebuilding defense.
Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard speaks with media Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Colts practice facility in Indianapolis. | Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
To the reader:
First, I’d like to start by saying this article is presented as a “conspiracy theory” because that’s how this series started. I noticed that general manager Chris Ballard didn’t lie in his press conferences. He usually gave winding vague answers but he never said one thing and then did another. Armed with this observation I set out to use those interviews to read between the lines and provide you with a conspiracy article for the ages. In the beginning that’s what this was: little more than a long conspiracy theory article. But something happened along the way, I started to notice real life patterns. And I now believe that I can make real predictions based off of those patterns, and frankly, anyone paying attention could do the same.
So while my methodology continues to evolve as the patterns unveil themselves some things never change. I’ve spent countless hours over the past few weeks doing research, listening to old pressers, and watching every relevant interview I could get my hands on. Taking notes on the new information we’ve been given, while going back over my notes from years past.
As I’m writing this letter to you this year, like every year, I have no idea what this article is going to say. I don’t have some grand idea I’m writing toward, all I know is that this has become my favorite article to write each and every year. It’s a lot of fun to see what I can gather from the information that has been put out and by the end of the day on Saturday, April 25th, we will all be able to sit back and marvel at how wrong I have most likely been.
So put on your tinfoil hat, pour your favorite drink and settle in to a comfortable chair for these next several thousand (or so) words, as I read through the lines, follow the money, listen to my gut and draw conclusions (that may or may not actually be there) all the way to exposing the Colts 2026 draft plans. This is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition. This is the dimension of imagination. Welcome to the Twilight Zone.
The History of this Series
For the past seven years, I have believed that I could piece together the puzzle that was the Indianapolis Colts 2019, 2020, 2021,2022,2023, 2024. and 2025 draft plans.In each of the past seven years, I’ve invested a lot of time and effort sifting through the clues to find possible answers to the question: what will the Indianapolis Colts do in the draft?
A question that I found some success in answering a year ago, which was a much needed bounce back from my complete whiff in 2024. Prior to 2024, however, I was on quite a run.
Both 2022 and 2023 were banner years for this series. In 2023 I hit on four picks. Correctly naming Anthony Richardson, Juju Brents, Darius Rush and Daniel Scott. In 2022 I was able to predict four of the first five picks, correctly naming Jelani Woods, Alec Pierce, Bernhard Raimann and Eric Johnson. I also listed UDFA signing Ryan Van Demark. I did name both Marcel Dabo and Dallis Flowers in the article as special teamers the Colts might be interested in- but I won’t give myself too much credit for those two, as they failed to make my final list of 14 names, so they don’t really count.
In 2021 I missed every single name, zero correct picks. 2020, I hit on Michael Pittman Jr.. And in 2019 I hit on Rock Ya-Sin and Ben Banogu. So from the start of this series I correctly predicted by year; two, one, zero, four, four names again, then zero and two.
What does it mean? I believe it means that the Colts have a fairly predictable process when it comes to the draft, in reality I think most teams likely do but it’s impossible for someone with a busy professional life, who maintains a social calendar, complete with a complex, albeit highly rewarding, full set of familial obligations, to organize, track, research, maintain and update (never mind actually doing anything with) the data of more than one team. And because the NFL draft, in it’s nature, is so unpredictable that even a predictable process can turn in unforeseen results. Leading up to the 2018 NFL draft everyone knew that the Cleveland Browns would be taking a quarterback with the first pick of the draft. Few people believed (until the day/night before the draft) that Baker Mayfield would be their pick. Mock drafts slotted a lot of other quarterbacks that year (Darnold, Allen and even Josh Rosen) into being the Browns signal caller of the future, but the few who slotted Mayfield into that slot were ridiculed for their prediction. So when the Browns selected Mayfield, it created a butterfly effect of sorts for the rest of the draft. Many people believed that Denver (who drafted fifth) would take a quarterback but what if the quarterback they wanted was Baker Mayfield? What if the Jets board had Sam Darnold as QB1 and Josh Allen as QB2? Does that mean that if the Browns would have taken Darnold, the Jets would have taken Josh Allen and the Broncos would have taken Mayfield instead of pass rusher Bradley Chubb? 2018 turned in another surprising pick from the Browns at number four overall, with their selection of cornerback Denzel Ward. Most expected them to draft Chubb and had they done so, does that mean the Broncos would have taken Quenton Nelson? Maybe linebacker Roquan Smith? How would those things have impacted every other teams strategy for the rest of the draft? It’s impossible to know but one single surprise has the potential to ripple in massive, unpredictable ways.
In 2019 we saw an even more surprising selection of edge defender Clelin Ferrell at fourth overall to the Oakland Raiders.
In 2020 the Green Bay Packers traded up to select quarterback Jordan Love. The Seahawks took linebacker Jordyn Brooks (who many believed would be a day two pick) and the Philadelphia Eagles selection of Jalen Hurts at 53.
2021 saw the San Francisco 49ers take Trey Lance third, instead of Mac Jones. Many people believed the Carolina Panthers would take a quarterback and selected cornerback Jaycee Horn with the 9th pick instead.
The next year, the Jaguars picked Travon Walker over Aiden Hutchinson and five defensive players went in the first five picks (the first time that had happened in more than 40 years). A.J. Brown was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Eagles and Bill Belichick made it clear that his best days as a GM were far gone when he took Cole Strange at 29.
In 2023 the Texans traded back into the top five to pick edge Will Anderson Jr.. Many people expected the Colts to take Will Levis Jr. and few people expected the Atlanta Falcons to use a top 10 pick on running back Bijan Robinson, despite having second year back Tyler Allgeier coming off of a 1,000 yard rookie season.
2024 turned in one of the most shocking top 10 picks that I can remember when the Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. after having just signed Kirk Cousins to a massive deal in free agency (as it turns out we were right to be shocked, it was an incredibly dumb move at the time and hindsight shows us we were correct to think so). That move coupled with six quarterbacks being picked inside the top 12 and no defensive players being selected until the Colts took Laiatu Latu with the 15th overall pick which probably only happened because the Raiders surprised everyone with their move to take tight end Brock Bowers, despite having taken Michael Mayer at 35th overall the year before.
And a year ago no one should have been surprised that the Chicago Bears took a tight end with the 11th pick, but many were surprised they took Colston Loveland over Tyler Warren, which freed the Colts to sprint to the podium with their card (and despite what weird people on the internet will tell you, so far it looks like both teams made the right decision for them). The Jaguars made a seemingly insane trade to move up to number two overall to take Travis Hunter. And I understand why they did it. I don’t go to many college games in person. Maybe one every few years. But I sought out tickets to watch Colorado and Travis Hunter when they played the Kansas Jayhawks in Arrowhead Stadium (30 minutes from my house), I desperately wanted to see him play, live. The more surprising part was that the Browns made the move for what looked like the most exciting two-way prospect potentially since Deion Sanders. The Falcons make this list again by trading their 2026 first rounder to move back into the draft to take edge James Pierce Jr. (who has since been charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor for various domestic violence allegations) and just a year later the LA Rams will happily use the 13th overall pick they got from Atlanta.
And those things, those surprises and the things that ripple off of them more than anything else, is what makes predicting the Colts draft so difficult each and every year. Far more than predicting what positions the team will take, what types of players they desire and the priority they place on filling each position.
Last season this is what I said about the two players that were hits from THE List:
Tyler Warren Penn State- N/A RAS (did not test due to being good enough not to)- Just click on that link. It’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report for Warren. It reads like Steichen talking about his ideal tight end up above. Go find any scouting report you want from any reputable person who grades players year in and year out and you’ll likely find the same. Look, I get it. Everyone is tired of seeing mock draft after mock draft list Tyler Warren to the Colts. But rarely is there so obvious a player who so perfectly fits what a team needs, roughly in the area of the draft that it could all come together. My question isn’t “would the Colts draft Tyler Warren if given the opportunity” it’s “will they have the opportunity” and that’s a tough question to answer. He isn’t the prospect that Brock Bowers was a year ago, but 31 teams watched Bowers break records and 12 of those teams select before Indy this year. The Colts have a unicorn shaped hole in their offense and Warren is a unicorn.
Jalen TravisIowa State– 9.08 RAS Travis is a name to know for the Colts for a few reasons. First, Chris Ballard seems to have a thing for massive offensive linemen and Travis clocks in at nearly 6’8” 340 pounds. The last time Ballard drafted a prospect built in a similar way was 2017 and Zach Banner never panned out for Indy. The difference between Banner and Travis is that Banner’s RAS score was an astounding 1.45 with Travis, Ballard, has the opportunity to draft a massive human who is also a very good relative athlete. If you were to slide him in to guard Travis’ RAS jumps to 9.43. He started his college career at Princeton before transferring to Iowa State as a fifth year senior (I presume as a graduate transfer). He also won the 2024 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, an award that athletes from across all sports were nominated for. Interestingly his cousin is former Colts tight end Ross Travis, whom Chris Ballard brought to Indy from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. He is absolutely massive, has ties to Ballard, an RAS score over 9, very smart, very good person by all accounts. Look, I don’t know where he fits on the 2025 Indianapolis Colts, I just know there are a lot of arrows pointing at this guy.
I can’t take too much credit for Warren, it was such an obvious pick and I really didn’t think he would be on the board when Indy selected. Jalen Travis, however, was about as firm as a hit as you’ll find. He ticked off every metric the Colts desire and was available in the fourth round, right about the time I believed Indy would be looking to find offensive line depth.
I also want to point out what I said about Wyett Ekler in last years article:
Wyett Ekeler, Safety, Wyoming- 8.5 RAS The brother of UDFA legend Austin Ekeler, Wyett is unlikely to be drafted, but this kid is going to be in someone’s camp. If not for his size 5’11” 199 pounds, his RAS score would have been well over 9, His nearly 42” vertical, almost 11’ broad jump and 6.8 second 3-cone are wild. Ekeler might not be a natural fit at safety but could potentially find a role coming downhill as a star defender eventually. But he will be able to help someone on teams from day one. In a draft that lacks star power, finding starters and contributors becomes the name of the game and with those athletic traits it would probably be a good idea for some team to nab him in the seventh so they don’t miss out on this kid.
The Colts didn’t draft Ekeler (or sign him as a UDFA post draft) but go ahead and click on this link. I can’t count it in any real way, but it’s hard to say I wasn’t right about the Colts likely having some level of interest in this kid.
In the history of this series I’ve gotten a lot of things right, but I’ve still missed on more than I’ve hit. A season ago I found some success but I need to improve. I’ll probably never get back to the success I had in ‘22 and ‘23 and that’s alright.
No matter what happens I’m still proud of that run.
But there’s still hope I can make it back.
I had a bit of success a season ago, but it wasn’t enough. And we can all laugh when I inevitably fail to get a single name right and I go right back to my 2024 ways. But I believe that this series has absolutely hit on something more than just luck. I still believe the clues are out there and I still believe I can find them.
But you don’t have to believe me. Let me show you, again.
What Went Wrong
2025 was, ultimately, a good year for this series. A hit is a hit, though predicting Tyler Warren was almost like predicting that I’ll wake up tomorrow and my grass will still be green. But my entire goal is to give you names on THE List that will be Indianapolis Colts come training camp and Tyler Warren counts all the same. Jalen Travis, on the other hand. That was a solid hit. I dug through dozens of offensive line prospects and I found a guy that I thought would be a Ballard pick. Turns out, I was right but the Colts made 8 picks last season and I only gave you two guys. That’s a 25% hit rate. The only way to do better is to figure out where I went wrong.
They didn’t prioritize linebacker.
Last year at the Combine, Chris Ballard was seemingly asked 500 questions about the quarterback competition. Meanwhile he was asked, what felt like, a throwaway question at the end of that press conference about a position that lost a starter and didn’t fill it in any meaningful way in free agency. Ultimately, I heard what I wanted to hear.
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2025
Pay attention to the very first words he said: “It’s um, I mean I know ya’ll think the sky (is falling) it’s a position we’ve been pretty good drafting and developing… we drafted JC that we thinks gonna be really good” he then went on to list all of the success they’ve had growing players from special teams contributors to starters at the position and it’s tough to argue with what he’s saying. He’s right, they’ve done a great job finding guys who grow into starting caliber linebackers (of varying quality). What I didn’t want to hear was that they were counting on a late day three converted safety to play a major role on the defense, and that’s exactly what he was saying here. While 2024 was the infamous “we like our guys” offseason, 2025 was undoubtedly the “we like our linebackers” season, which worked exactly as well as the “we like our guys” season. Ballard did a very good job adding competition last season in the secondary and it’s tough to say he didn’t add a lot to the defensive line (with less success, but the effort was there). But for a guy who wanted to add competition all over the roster, he failed to do so at linebacker. But he did say they would look to add depth and competition. I just mistakenly believed he would do so much earlier than he did.
Now, it is possible they were going to add someone earlier than Hunter Wholer (who was drafted as a linebacker) in the 7th and it just didn’t work out. Looking at the draft in the second round there’s no way they expected Carson Schwesinger or Jihad Campbell to be available at 45 and they obviously valued Tuimoloau more than Demetrius Knight who went 49th to the Cincinnati Bengals. In the third round the 49ers took Nick Martin five picks before Indy selected CB Justin Walley, but Martin (all 5’11” 221 pounds of him, complete with 31” arms) likely wasn’t very high on their board and Martin was the only ‘backer taken in the third round. The fourth round is where it gets interesting. The Colts originally had the 117th pick. Linebackers went with the 107th pick: Jack Kiser to Jacksonville, the 112th pick: Danny Stutsman to New Orleans and the 115th pick: Cody Simon to Arizona.
All three of those players are 6’2”or taller and weigh 230+. All of them have RAS scores of 8.35 or higher. Kiser was the only player who did the broad jump and the Colts seemingly have a 10’ threshold on the broad jump and Kiser’s was only 909. Coupled with his just over 30” arms, the Colts may have liked him but it’s entirely possible he wasn’t that high on their board. Stutsman tested far more athletically than he looked on tape. He looked like a downfield run stopper but his 4.52 second 40 yard dash time put that into question. But if they were interested in any of these players I think it was likely Cody Simon, and not just because he went two picks before they were scheduled to be on the clock. Simon was noted as being better (though still not great) in man coverage (valuable in Lou Anarumo’s system) and showed enough on tape to think he could improve in space over time. He put things on tape that Stutsman never did. Simon also racked up a host of awards for the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes as well as being a team captain.
Ultimately we’ll never know. It’s likely I overestimated how many players there were available that the Colts would view as early difference makers. It’s possible that the Colts did plan to add competition and depth earlier than they did. And it’s interesting the only trade they made in the draft came two picks after the potential best fit (at that point in the draft) was taken.
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 13, 2025
At the 2025 Annual League Meeting, Shane Steichen was asked about his defensive line. He mentioned that he felt good about the edges. So, I (like a moron) crossed edge off of my list- not completely but I wasn’t serious in taking a look at day two prospects.
All things considered the team was pretty set at edge. So when Steichen gave this answer it was all I needed to look the other way. What seems likely is that the front office was looking ahead to 2026 and after doing some math, they realized that Kwity Paye was unlikely to re-sign in Indy. So taking a replacement a year early isn’t the worst idea. Especially at a position that can always use fresh players to help with a rotation. That’s not exactly what they got out of Tuimoloau’s rookie season, but I understand if this was the thought process.
Had I had my eye on defensive ends (instead of linebackers), Tuimoloau is likely someone I would have gravitated toward. His 9.33 RAS, coupled with his nearly 34” arms would have gotten my attention and the scouting report looking a lot like a Kwity Paye clone, likely would have gotten him on my list.
This year I’ll be looking for potential future starters on day two.
They drafted a running back
This was my Mostly Unsubstantiated Theory, but I didn’t think they would prioritize running back because they signed Khalil Herbert in free agency. I believed Herbert was the sort of veteran coming off of a down year the team would feel good about coming off the bench to give Jonathan Taylor the occasional breather. Instead Herbert was cut after training camp and never appeared in a game for the Colts. Instead Indy drafted DJ Giddens in the fifth round. Giddens had a solid showing early on in his rookie season but ended up as a healthy scratch more often than not, likely due to his lack of special teams ability and liability in pass protection.
I would tell you that I’ll make my MUT more carefully this year but I won’t. That’s the whole point of the MUT. That said because it’s Mostly Unsubstantiated, I’ll likely do a better job of treating it as such once I get to THE List, this year.
So let’s get into the process.
How do they stack their board and what does “Best Player Available” mean?
Free agency and roster holes have always been very predictive of what positions Chris Ballard will look to draft. If you had created a checklist of the Colts biggest needs entering each draft since 2018, you would magically find that checklist filled in, almost always in order, by the players the Colts drafted. 2024 departed from this for the reasons listed above, but Ballard talked at his end of season press conference about doing more of the things they did in the past, alluding to having made mistakes in 2024.
It’s wild to me when I see people argue that Chris Ballard simply drafts the best player available. I think that term “best player available” means something very different to most, than it does to him. If you ask Chris Ballard if he drafts the “best player available” he’ll give you one of a couple different answers (he literally has). What “best player available” actually means, is complicated.
But the long and short of it is this: They don’t just stack their board vertically. They don’t just number their prospects 1-500 like all of the “draft experts” do. They don’t do it like I do. They grade the players and stack their board across all positions by round, too.
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2025
Why would they stack them by round?
Lets say the team has a draftable grade on 12 linebackers this year (I don’t know the actual realistic number I just pulled that one out of the air). Let’s say they have a first round grade on two of them. Now lets say they have a second round grade on two of them and a third round grade on three of them. The other five are sprinkled in on day three.
Now lets say the team has a draftable grade on six safeties. Let’s say they have none graded out as a first rounders, two are graded as second rounders, one graded out as a third rounder and the other three sprinkled in on day three with varying grades.
In this scenario the team has a need at both linebacker and safety. If using a vertical board the two linebackers with the first round grade would be higher on the board than any of the safeties. But if all of them made it to the Colts pick and the team takes the linebacker then the chances of completely missing out on one of the six draftable safeties goes up, significantly. Meaning that stacking the board horizontally allows teams to visually manage priority and risk much more effectively.
By organizing the board horizontally by position and round it allows teams to track the depth of the draft as well as the quality of the players that are currently being taken. Here is an example from Blogging the Boys back in 2013:
Back in 2013 this exact scenario played out for the Dallas Cowboys as they only had draftable grades on three centers. At the time the Cowboys took heat for trading back in the first round, passing on players with higher consensus grades to take center Travis Fredrick. It turns out the Cowboys actually did have higher grades on several players who were on the board with their initial pick but they did not want to miss out on one of the only draftable centers available. History looks favorably on this move. This story was made possible by the now defunct Inside the Pylon. RIP to Inside the Pylon- a website that fueled my football knowledge for the better part of a decade.
The Colts also compare draftable prospects against players currently on their own team. Why would they stack draftable prospects against guys currently on the roster?
Let’s say it’s the fourth round and the Colts are on the clock. They look up at their board and the highest rated player on their board is a cornerback. They believe he will compete for the third or fourth outside corner position in training camp and contribute right away on special teams. Their second highest rated player is a tight end prospect. They believe he will be the fourth tight end on the roster behind Warren, Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree. Their third highest rated player is a running back. They believe he will be RB2 behind Jonathan Taylor.
If all three player grades are pretty close (not one of them is projected to be an impact player from day one) what player should they take?
If they draft pure “BPA” they take the cornerback and hope he’s good on special teams. If “best player available” actually means “best player available based on the situation” then you might draft running back given Jonathan Taylor’s injury history and the offenses reliance on running the ball. So “BPA” isn’t always what fans think it is and need is a heavy part of Chris Ballard’s drafting process. Although, Dayo Odeyingbo proves it isn’t absolute. Odeyingbo was likely, truly, the best player available on their board at the time they took him and they took him because they probably believed he was he best player available by a wide margin. He was in a different tier than everyone else. The same can likely be said for Latu in 2024.
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 23, 2024
To recap: need matters, the depth of the draft matters. If the team’s need is great and the depth of the draft is poor, the team will be more likely to fill the need early if the players there are all graded similarly.
I’m not trying to start any arguments, here, it’s just an observable fact of their process as shown over time.
What Year Is It?
Looking at Chris Ballard’s history as general manager the Colts drafts have had themes, especially in the early rounds.
In 2017 they took defenders with six of their eight picks.
In 2018 with a new head coach they took six players on offense and five on defense.
In 2019 they took seven guys on defense and three on offense.
In 2020 they went with five offensive players and four defenders (three defenders coming in the sixth round).
In 2021 they went with three defenders and four offensive players (three offensive players coming in rounds six and seven).
In 2022 they took four players on offense and four players on defense (two defenders coming in the sixth and seventh round).
In 2023 they took six players on offense and six on defense (three of the first four coming on offense. Only one defender was selected before day three.)
In 2024 they took four offensive players and five on defense (with four defenders coming in rounds five, six and seven.
In 2025 they took four offensive players and four guys on defense (three of the four offensive players coming on day three.
The numbers themselves might not stand out but aside from 2018 and 2023 the Colts, under Chris Ballard, have alternated priority on offense and defense early in each draft. In 2023 they should have been in line to draft defense early and often. But both times Chris Ballard has gone into a draft with a new head coach his draft strategy has differed. I want to focus in more so than I have on this aspect than I have in years past, so let’s just take a look at the first three rounds by year:
2017- three out of three picks (100%) went to the defense (one pick in each round)
2018*- three out of five picks went to the defense (Quenton Nelson at sixth overall and then four second round picks)
2019- three out of four picks (75%) went to the defense (three second rounders and one third)
2020- two out of three picks (66%) went to the offense (two second rounders and one third)
2021- two out of three picks (66%) went to the defense (one pick in each round)
2022- three out of four picks (75%) went to the offense (one second rounder and three thirds)
2023*- two out of three picks went to the offense (one in each round)
2024- two out of three picks (66%) went to the offense (one in each round)
2025- two out of the three picks (66%) went to the defense (one in each round)
the * denotes a year with a new head coach and also the only times Ballard has drafted inside the top 10
If this is a coincidence, it’s truly an amazing one. The only times Ballard has strayed from it are in ‘18 and ‘23 with the aforementioned circumstances surrounding those years and then the following year he falls right back into the pattern like nothing changed.
When the name of the game is making draft predictions, it seems silly to ignore this. The thing I’m less sure of are the drafts in ‘19 and ‘22. In each of those years the Colts had four premium picks and both times they kept the offense/defense ratio above 50% for the correct side of the ball for that year’s pattern. That said, I’m not entirely sure they would always stick to that. If they were to trade down at some point this year and pick up an extra day two pick, it wouldn’t be that surprising to see them even the ratio out and go two offense and two defense. We only have two data points (sans ‘18 which is unique for other reasons) so it’s hard to make a more definitive statement in years with more than three picks in those first three rounds. For years with only three picks, it seems obvious to point out, two of them will be on the “correct” side of the ball for that years pattern.
One thing that I’m just now realizing, when looking at these numbers (and I can’t believe I didn’t recognize it before year eight) is that when they go heavy on one side of the ball early, they usually go heavy on the other, late. I mean, I realized it (obviously, I wrote about it above) but I didn’t really consider what it meant. You can expect this years late round picks listed on THE List, to fall more in line with the other side of the ball. We’ll see how it goes.
Prediction #1
This is an offensive draft.
Yeah, I get it. I just used a whole lotta words to tell you why I’m making this prediction. But again, the name of this game is making predictions and this is one I think I’ll get right. So I am predicting that at least two of the Colts first three draft picks will be on the offensive side of the ball. It’s just the offenses year to get that infusion of talent.
Where this one gets tricky this year is that Indy only has two premiere (first, second and third round) picks. At present there are at least a handful of teams who draft after the Colts 47th pick, with the kind of draft capital it would take (a late 3rd rounder) for them to move up, while the Colts moved back picking up another top-100 pick in this years draft. But as things progress the number of teams with the ammo is sure to fluctuate. If the Colts want to trade back they need to find a team with both the ammo and desire to move up. Another thing to watch is that at the time of this writing, Anthony Richardson is still on the roster. Teams like the Eagles and Steelers have the kind of capital to make a move for a guy they really want and those teams may want a young backup QB with a lot of untapped potential.
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 11, 2026
And of the seven or so interviews I’ve watched of Ballard leading up to this draft, he mentions trading back and acquiring more picks in most of them. Which makes sense. Chris Ballard had built a team full of good but not great players. Guys like Zaire Franklin (traded), Michael Pittman Jr. (traded), Kenny Moore (actively being shopped at the time of this writing), and those guys were leaders on a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in half a decade. This offseason is shaping up to be a soft rebuild, they’re jettisoning established starters and team leaders and while they’ve backfilled depth in some places, they haven’t added many starting caliber players in free agency. It’s fair to be skeptical of their plan to add those pieces via the draft (especially without a first round pick) but if the Colts believed it was time to move in a different leadership direction (it was) and that void couldn’t be filled via free agency (tall task), what other choice do they have but to try to fill it in the draft? The best way to potentially fill that void is to throw as many picks at the problem as possible.
Chris Ballard has gone into drafts without a first round pick three times and in each of those drafts he has had at least three, day two picks. In 2021 the team only had first and second round picks due to trading away their third for Carson Wentz – the only time the team has failed to have multiple day two picks. This was also the year Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo both fell into their laps as neither player was expected to be available when Indy selected them. I believe had they not had the opportunity to draft these players they would have worked hard to find a trade partner to add another top 100 pick. I could be wrong about this but the rumor at the time was that in the draft room Ballard had to be talked out of taking Odeyingbo in the first round while Odeyingbo was recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. If that’s true, even if they were sticking and picking in the first, there’s absolutely no way Ballard was passing on Dayo in the second, regardless of how many top-100 picks he did or didn’t have that year.
This year he only has one second rounder and one third rounder. If he isn’t able to move a player for an additional day two pick (he won’t be unless he’s willing to move on from someone like Jonathan Taylor or maybe Deforest Buckner (in my opinion his contract, age and injury status would make this a tough sell for more than a late third at absolute best, I think he’s worth more to the Colts than he would be to any other team) his options for getting another day two pick are slim. His best bet will be a move back from 47. There may be a couple of options to move back from their pick in the third (78) to pick up two late third round picks but those seem like longshots and would likely require additional picks or players to make those moves happen.
Another scenario that I think has real legs is if Indy packages 47 with someone like Moore or Anthony Richardson during the draft to get one of those additional day two picks. The other (very real) possibility is that the Colts move Kenny Moore and Anthony Richardson before the draft for additional picks, but those players would likely net mid to late day three picks at this point.
Another scenario is that the Colts don’t want three day two picks and would be happy picking up additional third, fourth and fifth rounders, instead of targeting a trade back in the second, as Chris Ballard talked about where the strength of this draft falls here:
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2026
No matter what happens this prediction is almost sure to be correct given Ballard’s history and his repeated answers leading up to this draft.
Also, this is interesting to note, it doesn’t really fit here, but it doesn’t really fit anywhere else, either. But I still want to include it:
On young guys playing a big role. Talks about Walley and Wohler playing big roles last year had they been healthy and then talks more about his belief it JTT. pic.twitter.com/TNfon830MC
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2026
So we know Ballard thinks the strength of this class comes in the third, fourth and fifth rounds and he thinks linebacker, edge, receiver, interior offensive line and safety are deep this year. Interesting.
I wrote almost all of the above before Chris Ballard said this at his annual pre-draft press conference on Monday April 20th:
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 11, 2026
Both of these interviews took place on the same day, both took place at the Owners Meetings and Ballard has on the same clothes so his talking points are largely the same. In the second video he does confirm that the Colts were in on Trey Hendrickson but that it didn’t work out. In both interviews he said that they like the pieces they’ve added for depth. Those pieces include Arden Key (DE), Michael Clemons (DE), Jerry Tillery (DT) Derrick Nnadi (DT) and Colby Wooden (DT) via the Zaire Franklin trade. On paper the Colts have added an entire defensive line so far this season. Fortunately for us, they view these four players as “depth” players. It seems like they don’t want to go into next season with these four as starters.
In the first interview he mentions “Jaylahn” (J.T. Tuimoloau) by saying “…having Jaylahn back, having Latu, we think, we think Latu is gonna take a whole ‘nother step.” and then you combine that with his belief that they’ve built a good foundation with depth and that they still have some time left, you can easily infer they believe they still need to add another player.
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2026
The important part for this prediction is what he says about J.T. Tuimoloau. Before he said this, I was sure they were hoping to find a starting edge prospect. Now, I’m not as sure.
And now I’m pretty sure they’re not looking for a starter:
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2026
At the start of the Josina Anderson clip, she mentions players like A.J. Epinessa, Maxx Crosby and Jadeveon Clowney and she’s absolutely right there are several decent options (likely more than she mentions here) that could be in play for Indy via free agency or trade. With that said, we know unequivocally, Chris Ballard wants to build through the draft. He has also drafted six defensive ends on day two of the NFL draft. He has drafted five wide receivers, four cornerbacks and three offensive linemen on day two as well.
So the Colts have a need at the position but it’s a need for a situational speed rusher, not a starter on the edge. Chris Ballard has taken Edge defenders on day two more than he has any other position, but will the value line up with the need, or will the need elsewhere trump the value?
Prediction #4
The Colts are going to draft offensive line
Chris Ballard drafting OL is a very safe bet.
Chris Ballard wants to win up front.
He’s drafted at least one offensive lineman every year he’s been in Indianapolis. So this isn’t as much about if he’s going to draft help on his front five but when will he do it?
If we are to believe that this is an offensive draft and I do, the Colts will look to the offensive line earlier than most people probably expect. And probably another on day three. Why do I think this?
This is a big part of it:
Chris Ballard End of Season Presser
On what the team needs to improve: adding speed and youth to the defensive line and being able to run it when they want to run it (that's an offensive line shoutout) pic.twitter.com/hkxohpeKTs
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 1, 2026
“…when Daniel got hurt it took away some things we could do from a mobility standpoint which I think effected it but that’s something we’ll dig into.”
The offensive line was good last year but Ballard is right, when Jones went down, teams shut down the run. Some of that was likely due to teams needing to defend against Jones rolling out of the pocket and just in general using his mobility to spread out the defense. Jones ability to move would often pull at least one defender out of the play and made blocking assignments that much easier. So with Jones back, the problem is solved, right?
Not based on this answer.
He starts by saying he’s never going to use injuries as an excuse. So if the team “need(s) to be able to run the ball, when they want to run it” and that means when Jones is playing or not, how can they ensure that happens?
One option is to upgrade the running back position. On a team starting Jonathan Taylor already, it’s almost impossible to upgrade there.
Option two, is to make sure your QB2 can do all of the same things Daniel Jones can do. If Daniel Jones is your unquestioned starter and you have a second QB who can do all of the same things Jones can do, Jones wouldn’t be your unquestioned starter. This probably isn’t realistic.
Option three, upgrade your blocking at tight end. The Colts used a first round pick on Tyler Warren last season, who had a great year taking snaps at multiple positions. His blocking was adequate but will likely improve as time goes on. The team also brought back Mo Allie-Cox and Drew Ogletree to likely fill that blocking role. Both Allie-Cox and Ogletree are good blockers at the position. While this isn’t out of the realm of possibility, I don’t think Chris Ballard was talking about needing better blocking from his TE2-4.
Option four, add to the offensive line. The Colts have to feel good about the play they got from Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini. That said Bortolini was the better player but both men were too often beaten when the Colts wanted to run the ball. Center is generally the more difficult position to play and Bort looks like he might end up being the kind of long-term starter teams search for at the position. Goncalves, on the other hand would seem to have some position flexibility and struggled in his first year at right guard.
Option five is to change your play calling to ensure you’re not using concepts that won’t work as well when that concept was designed to be used with other players in the game.
My bet, is that the answer will be a combination of options four and five. Shane Steichen talked about needing to do a better job making sure they can run it, so when they dug into it like Ballard said they would above, I’m betting they found some things they would like to do schematically. That said Indy will look for someone that can fill the void left by the departure of backup center Danny Pinter. Backup center has always been a priority for Ballard, having filled the position well with Pinter. Now that Danny is gone, he’ll want to have someone ready if Bort has to miss time. Finding someone with position flexibility up front is always valuable and could help the team in a multitude of ways. That said the team also lost Braden Smith to the Houston Texans. Jalen Travis played well a season ago and earned the opportunity to take over at right tackle, vacating the swing tackle spot he previously held. Which means Indy needs to find both a swing tackle and a backup center.
For these reasons I think the Colts will likely double dip at the position and it’s possible versatility will be important.
Prediction #5
If the Colts are going to draft a linebacker, it’ll be late.
Well, here it is. My annual linebacker prediction. Here’s why I believe, what I believe, this year:
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2025
I already covered how I believe the plan may have been to take a linebacker in the fourth round in 2025 and things just didn’t work out. “We got some young players we really like, so we’ll add some depth and competition hopefully in the draft.” But listen to that first video again. They like Akeem Davis-Gaither. There are free agents they’re still considering. They still believe in Jaylon Carlies. “We’re not afraid to go into this really young. And we feel good about the guys we have, some young players, but also some guys that are out there and plus the draft.”
So Akeem Davis-Gaither is a starter. They have hope for Jaylon Carlies. They believe Hunter Wohler can play for them on passing downs. They re-signed Austin Ajiake. They like some guys that are still free agents. And there are always some options in the draft.
The counter to this is that the Colts jettisoned Zaire Franklin, have not re-signed Germaine Pratt, and got rid of the young guys he said they really liked this time, last year. Are they really planning on replacing them with Akeem Davis-Gaither, Jalon Carlies, Hunter Wohler and Austin Ajiake? I know it doesn’t make sense. It didn’t make sense last year, either. But they did it. So this year, despite my belief that linebacker is a bigger need than defensive end, I don’t think they’re prioritizing linebacker early but I’ll probably have a couple day two prospects make THE List, anyway.
So now that I’ve come to this conclusion, they’ll absolutely trade up to take a linebacker with the 33rd overall pick, just watch. Chris Ballard won’t get my favorite team a division championship nor will he allow me to be right about a linebacker.
Prediction #6
The Colts will draft a receiver and probably early
I don’t have an accompanying clip because at the time of this writing no one has really asked Ballard, Steichen or Carlie Irsay-Gordon a question about the position since the Michael Pittman Jr., trade. I hope this changes during Ballard’s pre-draft press conference but as of now, no evidence exists. EDIT: not much was said outside of Ballard believing the draft was deep at the position. This is a prediction based mostly on logic which means there’s a very real chance I’m going to be completely wrong.
Ultimately, the move off of Pittman was likely the right decision. With a quarterback on a big deal, there’s only so much money to go around and Alec Pierce was the more explosive player with far more upside than Pitt. Ballard did mention, when talking at the Owner’s Meetings, that Pierce and Josh Downs would be expected to take on a bigger role and the team did sign Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to a one year deal. But he isn’t someone, anyone believes will be an impact player. He should make the roster and the team might be comfortable with a combination of Westbrook-Ikhine, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould and Laquon Treadwell to fill that WR3 spot, but one thing to consider is that Josh Downs is headed into a contract year.
A season ago Indy opted to pre-fill the defensive end position via the draft and this year, given the hole left by Pittman, Downs’ contract status beyond 2026 unsettled and the fact that this is the year to add to the offensive side of the ball via the draft, now would be a great time to bring someone in with the hopes they could learn and develop into a contributor for 2027 and beyond.
Here’s the part where you complain about the Ad Mitchell trade.
Prediction #7
The Colts will draft a Safety
Like receiver, the safety position hasn’t really been addressed in the media much beyond well wishes for Nick Cross, after leaving for the Commanders. The team has signed Juanyeh Thomas, Jonathan Owens and Nasir Adderley. I believe Owens will be a very good Rodney Thomas replacement on special teams and I think the team has high hopes for what Juanyeh Thomas can do at safety filling the role left by Nick Cross. Adderly has been retired for three years and I don’t see his addition being anything more than taking a flier on a formerly talented player. With that said I think it’s possible they add a player who can fill in behind Cam Bynum more completely and with more upside than Owens and who has played football in the last three years.
The Colts have drafted a day three safety under Chris Ballard in all but 2017, 2018 and 2020. In 2017, they selected Malik Hooker in the first round. In 2020 they drafted Julian Blackmon in the third. So if you’re keeping track at home, Chris Ballard has drafted a safety every year except for 2018. Investment at the position include one first round pick, three day two picks and six day three picks. It’s possible 2026 is the year they skip again given the Adderly, Thomas and Owens signings but they lost a starter who played 98% of the teams defensive snaps over the past two years, I have a hard time believing they only plan to replace him with someone who has missed a total of 14 games in that same span and a career special teamer. But I’ve always believed the same thing about the Linebacker position and yet here we are.
I believe the addition of Thomas will make them more comfortable using a day three pick to bring someone along, having him work into a rotation and grow into the kind of player they hope to have long-term at the position.
Mostly Unsubstantiated Theory
The Colts will draft a Quarterback (again)
So far the only quarterback questions that have been asked have been about Daniel Jones’ Achilles, Anthony Richardson’s trade and if they’re happy with Riley Leonard, all are fair questions. But a season ago we all saw what happened and if both QB1 and QB2 are hurt, Philip Rivers isn’t walking through that door (again). Based on what Ballard has said about Leonard, I don’t think they’ll look to add to the position early. Before I started my research this year, I knew it would be an offensive year and I thought that Quarterback had an outside chance to be a day two pick. After doing the work I no longer believe that, but my gut tells me they’ll want a young, third quarterback on the roster given the Richardson trade feels inevitable.
I still feel this is Mostly Unsubstantiated but Chris Ballard did say this at his pre draft presser:
Ballard and his staff obviously value length, placing an emphasis on long-armed defenders.
Most Colts draft picks since 2020 have had high Relative Athletic Scores. The Colts probably don’t use RAS in their evaluation but it’s impossible to overlook the fact that Colts draft picks (with a few exceptions) have had a high RAS.
They value high football character. Team captains are held in high regard.
The Colts have “reached” on players like Darius Leonard and Julian Blackmon on day two of the draft. They don’t care when you think a player should be drafted and will reach to fill a hole if the draft is shallow at the position.
Ballard wants to take players with high-end traits:
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) March 29, 2026
Casting a Wide Net
I am going to give you a position by position breakdown listing players at each position that, I believe, fit what the Colts might be looking for come draft day, before giving you my definitive list. I’m giving you both lists because frankly, it’s really hard to take 400+ players and whittle them down to the few most likely to fit what the Colts want and then predict who might, possibly, be available when the Colts make their selections. So I’m giving both lists, not as a way to increase my own ability to hit on a name, but it allows for additional analysis of each position that we already know the Colts want to add.
I won’t give myself credit for hitting on the players that don’t make THE List because I am giving you A LOT of names. That said, I’m not just throwing these names out, I have reason to believe each name on this list is there for a good reason.
Defensive End
Before drafting Laiatu Latu in 2024 the book on Chris Ballard at Edge was that he liked to take unrefined, athletic freaks at the position. By itself, it’s not a bad plan. You can always teach someone technique, you can’t teach someone to be bigger and faster than everyone else. Latu signaled a change. Latu was a fine athlete but he was a refined pass rusher who lacked power. He was the anti-Ballard defensive end and Ballard took him. J.T. Tuimoloau’s RAS was actually higher than Latu’s but his scouting report reads like a power rusher who lacked quickness. So how do we predict what kind of player Ballard might look to draft at the position?
“America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, bad-ass speed” – Eleanor Roosevelt (according to Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights)
On getting younger and faster on the front seven. "Need to add speed to the defense" pic.twitter.com/7bRNwqKlPB
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) March 30, 2026
And this
More on the front seven… stopped himself from saying it was a deep draft at a specific position instead kept it at "front seven" pic.twitter.com/LvkjhhKVUm
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) March 30, 2026
So either Chris Ballard is pulling the rug out from underneath me at he’s talking about Linebackers here or he’s talking about Defensive Ends and he wants to get faster on the Edge. Which makes sense given that no one on the 2025 Colts had the kind of first step explosiveness that force Quarterbacks to step up into the waiting arms of someone like Latu, who wins not with speed and quickness but a well developed set of pass rush moves.
But wait, there’s more. I had written that before Chris Ballard said this on Monday 4/20/26:
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2026
Lou likes length and power but Ballard, the guy making the final decision, believes they need a “fastball” at edge.
He went on to say this about JTT, after just talking about how play on special teams can predict production on defense:
On young guys playing a big role. Talks about Walley and Wohler playing big roles last year had they been healthy and then talks more about his belief it JTT. pic.twitter.com/TNfon830MC
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2026
What this tells me is that they are very confident in JTT’s ability to start at defensive end opposite Latu. But he absolutely feels they need to add a fastball to the mix.
So with that (very limited) set of criteria in mind, let’s jump into who might be available when the Colts will pick.
Names to know:
Malachi Lawrence UCF- 9.95 RAS if you’re looking for speed off the edge (and I believe the Colts are) Malachi Lawrence has it. The book on Lawrence is that he’s a twitchy speed rusher with plenty of moves to go along with it. He’s inconsistent at best on run downs and will likely be limited early in his career to a role of pass rush specialist. This likely fits what the Colts want from the position given where they’re drafting. If Lawrence were a complete player, with those kind of testing numbers, he would be a high first round pick. As it stands I still believe Lawrence may hear his name called late on day one, just due to how freaky of an athlete he is at the position. If he’s on the board whenever the Colts pick, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in blue and white this fall. Lawrence went to the East-West Shrine Bowl on the West Team. He was coached by Colts Senior Assistant defensive line coach, Matt Raich during the week.
Jaishawn Barham Michigan- 8.82 RAS Barham transferred from Maryland to Michigan in 2023. He started 47 games in his college career. A converted off-ball linebacker, Barham’s RAS clocks in at 8.82 because he’s just 6’3” 240 lbs. Barham has the ability to play inside linebacker or rush from the edge and is explosive when on the line of scrimmage. He’s noted as playing with attitude and as Lance Zierlein called it “a salty demeanor”. What intrigues me the most about Barham is his positional flexibility. On early downs Indy can use him as a linebacker and slide him to the edge on passing downs to get that explosion off the edge. Lou Anarumo can probably think of all kinds of interesting blitz packages for a guy like Barham, as well.
Joshua Josephs Tennessee- 8.45 RAS the production from Josephs is lacking and the pass rushing burst isn’t always there on tape, but it does show up from time to time and it’s hard to call it anything other than explosive when it appears. His vertical jump (38.5) and broad jump (10’9”) bare that out. He is just 242lbs but he has 34” arms and Chris Ballard has to love that. The question becomes, do the Colts think they can get that burst, that jump off the line out of him consistently enough to give them the speed they’re looking for at the position? I can’t answer that question, I’ve only watched about 2.5 games of Josephs and I’d probably have to learn a lot more about Tennessee’s defensive system to be able to and I just don’t have time for that. I will say that he’s not my favorite realistic prospect at the position but if they do select him, I see the vision. Hopefully, if Indy takes him, the Colts staff has more ideas than I do about how to pull that burst out of him more than a handful of times a game.
Michael Heldman Central Michigan- 9.90 RAS I saw Heldman’s RAS score and I wanted to find a scouting report on the kid because I absolutely do not have Central Michigan tape from last season. And I couldn’t find a scouting report either. So I fired up the ole YouTube to find TV copy of Central Michigan games from 2025. The first game I turned on was Central Michigan vs. Michigan. I wanted to turn the tape on, see that he didn’t belong and then move down my list of prospects. Instead, Heldman showed a quick first step, good bend, solid hand usage to get off blocks and he held up well against the run, even stalemating a couple of double teams from the Michigan o-line. He not only belonged against that level of competition, he played well. So I fired up their game against Northwestern. It was a step down in competition, but still better than the rest of the MAC, and I saw the same thing (he did leave the game early due to injury, but point stands). Then I watched him against UMass and saw the same things as before. This kid is legit. He also stood out at the Hula Bowl, you can find several clips of him winning in full team drills on Twitter if you’re so inclined. He played more of a base end role last season and if the Colts are wanting to add a base end with the kind of first step and speed they’ve been talking about all offseason, rather than just a pass rush specialist, I think Heldman could fill the role really well. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him sneak into the back of the third round. I don’t know that he’ll ever be a 10 sack guy at the next level but the only reason he won’t be picked much higher than he is, is because he played at Central Michigan. Heldman played in the East-West Shrine Bowl on the West roster, he was coached by Colts Senior Assistant defensive line coach, Matt Raich during the week.
Keyron Crawford Auburn- N/A RAS Crawford transferred from Arkansas State to Auburn and became a productive player at their “Buck” linebacker spot. As I understand it, the Buck position comes with a lot of responsibilities, more than he is likely to have at the next level. He only played one year of high school football and the word on him is he’s still developing a feel for the game. He is also a highly athletic, twitchy rusher off the edge. As of the time of this writing he hasn’t done any athletic testing, I did find that he played through an injury in 2025, so one would assume he may have had offseason surgery and will be unable to test. Crawford profiles as a highly athletic, ascending talent that should be a better pro than college player.
Mason Reiger Wisconsin- 9.64 RAS if explosion grades told the whole story Reiger might just be the guy the Colts picked. I won’t lie, Reiger was a guy I was excited to watch, I turned on the tape and was disappointed by what I saw. I don’t think he has the kind of initial burst the Colts are looking for. With that said he looked quicker at the East West Shrine Bowl, both during the week and by racking up three sacks and earning himself the defensive MVP award in the process. Reiger is a Wisconsin guy and while I don’t think Ballard drafts from Wisconsin just to do it, it doesn’t hurt that it is Ballard’s alma mater. Reiger started as a walk-on at Louisville, before playing in 43 games at Louisville and Wisconsin (transferring in 2025). He did miss the 2024 season due to a knee injury that required a bone graft. Reiger played in the East-West Shrine Bowl on the East roster, he was coached by Colts assistant defensive line coach, Kalon Humphries during the week.
Keyshawn James-Newby New Mexico- 7.54 RAS his RAS score is low, I know. But James-Newby ran a blazing 4.53 second 40 yard dash and has 33” arms, which we know Ballard loves. He started his career at Montana Tech, then transferred to Idaho and then to New Mexico, and he was highly productive at each stop. He finished his college career with 247 tackles and 37.5 sacks. He also had two forced fumbles in each of his final two seasons. His RAS is what it is because he’s 6’2” 238lbs. Normally that would be somewhat of a dealbreaker but if the Colts are looking to double up at the position on day three, there are few prospects with more unteachable physical tools than KJN. James-Newby played in the East-West Shrine Bowl on the West roster, he was coached by Colts Senior Assistant defensive line coach, Matt Raich during the week.
Aidan Hubbard Northwestern- 8.76 RAS with his 6’4” 260lbs frame and 32” arms, Hubbard looks the part in uniform. His 40 yard dash time was slower than Indy would probably like to see, but his 38.5” vertical and 10’ broad jump likely go a long way in making up for that. Hubbard is a loose fit in that he doesn’t play the run well and his tape doesn’t exactly make him seem “twitchy” on the field. But once again Hubbard played in the East-West Shrine Bowl on the West roster, he was coached by Colts Senior Assistant defensive line coach, Matt Raich during the week. Hubbard is another “if they double up” candidate, late on day three.
Honorable Mention:
Cashius Howell Texas A&M- 8.11 RAS Howell has a lot of things going for him. Tons of experience, a finalist for a long list of defensive awards, highly productive, transferred from Bowling Green to the SEC, twitchy, bendy rusher- all good things. The reason he lands himself on the honorable mention list, and the reason his RAS is so low despite running a 4.59 second 40 yard dash is his size. Howell is 6’2” 253 lbs. But more than just that he has 30” arms which are 3” shorter than anyone Ballard has ever drafted at the position, regardless of skillset. It’s possible they fall in love with everything else but Ballard believes that the NFL is a big mans game and Howell doesn’t check all those boxes. His arms are only 1.5” shorter than some of the guys that made the lists above, but Howell could end up being an earlier day two pick and I just don’t see Ballard taking a swing on a size outlier at this position, that soon.
Dani Dennis-Sutton Penn State- 9.96 RAS with Dennis-Sutton’s height 6’6”, weight 256lbs and insane testing numbers (4.63 40, 39.5” vert, 10’11” broad jump) I was excited to turn on his tape. What I saw did not match those numbers. Dennis-Sutton’s first step and subsequent burst across the line of scrimmage, doesn’t look like someone who put up those kind of numbers. He’s not slow out of his stance by any means, but those numbers are deceptive compared to what the guy showed in game. Given his height, weight and testing, I expect him to be pushed up boards but I’m hopeful the Colts pass on him unless they’re wise to the fact that there’s something in the water in State College, PA as they always turn out players who test extremely well but their ability to actually play in the NFL doesn’t line up, and judge his testing numbers accordingly.
Final thoughts on the position:
This year the draft is incredibly deep with defensive end prospects. In other years guys like Dennis-Sutton might have gone late first, early second, this season he should be available in the third (unless teams are ignoring tape completely). I’m banking a lot on all of the speed talk we’ve heard all offseason. If I’m right on the type of player they’re looking for, I’ve got a chance. If I’ve evaluated these players differently than they have, well all bets are off. I will tell you I like the fit of Jaishawn Barham, with his first step quickness and his ability to play linebacker on early downs if that’s the direction the team wants to go. I think he kills two birds with one stone. I don’t know that Malachi Lawrence will even be available by pick 47 and the second round is probably too early for my favorite prospect of the group Michael Heldman. Predicting defensive ends has been hard to do of late and picking which flavor of defensive end the Colts want adds to the difficulty.
Wide Receiver
The wide receiver position has been a “tale of two coaches” for Chris Ballard, early on with Frank Reich at the helm, the team seemed to select big-bodied receivers with a penchant for contested catches and their ability to run block. During the Shane Steichen era, the team has focused primarily on smaller, quicker, polished route runners who have an ability to separate from defenders, getting open quickly against man coverage. After trading away Ad Mitchell a season ago and Michael Pittman Jr., earlier this offseason the Colts should look to add a player to produce and grow with their newly re-signed franchise quarterback (like it or not) Daniel Jones.
Like the Edge position, this year’s receiver class is deep. It lacks the star power at the top of the draft that recent drafts have had but this year is littered with future starters and contributors on each day of the draft. So who’s it gonna be?
Names to know:
Skyler Bell Connecticut- 9.83RAS the two biggest knocks on Bell are that his route running is too mechanical and he isn’t a natural hands catcher. But I do remember Reggie Wayne forcing a lot of body catches early in his career, as well. I’m not saying Bell is on par with Reggie Wayne as a prospect, but it is a similarity I remember from watching Wayne those first few years, believing firmly that Bill Polian has lost his fastball. His other knock isn’t that he fails to create separation or that he’s a bad route runner, just that he’s mechanical. These negatives may be overcome by his absolutely insane athletic ability. He isn’t the route runner (or playmaker) that Ad Mitchell was coming out of Texas, however Bell’s vertical and broad jumps are on par with the latest Chris Ballard day two pick at the position.
Germie Bernard Alabama- 9.06 RAS a vertical jump of 32.5” is really, really good for the average person you meet in your day to day life. For an NFL receiver, it’s not great. Outside of that vertical jump Bernard grades out as a very good athlete. His 4.31 shuttle time couldn’t get more average and his 4.48 speed isn’t elite, but it’s still very good. His broad jump, 40 time and 3-cone scores are in-line with Josh Downs, while being nearly four inches taller and weighing 35 pounds more than the Indy slot receiver. Bernard is considered a polished route runner who excels against zone coverage but struggles to separate versus man to man. He is a willing blocker and was used in a variety of ways in multiple roles at Bama. He also played in more than 50 games in college and Chris Ballard told us they’re looking for highly experienced rookies who can contribute right away. The two things that might prevent Indy from turning in his card are 1. he may not be available when Indy is on the board and looking for a wideout and 2. his inconsistency against man coverage. I think Steichen could use him in really interesting ways but we’ve only seen guys who win quick against man coverage get drafted early under Steichen the question becomes, are his strengths enough to overcome this deficiency?
Antonio Williams Clemson- 8.58 RAS Williams stepped on campus at Clemson and at 18 years old, and instantly became The Guy in the receiver room reeling in a team leading 56 catches for 605 yards and 4 touchdowns. His sophomore year was derailed after five games with ankle and foot injuries. His junior year he was named to the first team All-ACC as a receiver catching 75 balls for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also named Honorable Mention All-ACC as a return specialist. His senior season he suffered a hamstring injury on the first drive, of the first game of the season against LSU. Despite missing multiple games he still led Clemson with 55 receptions for 604 yards and 4 touchdowns. Lance Zierlein describes his route running as containing a “freestyling” element, that helps him create separation from Cornerbacks. We saw similar qualities from Ad Mitchell. Like Mitchell, those freestyle routes may create timing issues between Williams and his quarterback. He’s noted as being a playmaker with the ball in his hands and someone who can run, pass the ball and catch, also similar qualities to Ad Mitchell. Where Williams falls short to the Mitchell comps (among other things) is that he isn’t nearly the athlete that Mitchell is. His 4.41 second 40 yard dash is excellent but, it’s still seven one-hundredths slower than the New York Jet and his broad jump a full foot shorter. Coupled with being three inches shorter and 18 pounds lighter, Williams doesn’t quite match up. However expecting anyone to matchup with Ad Mitchell as an athlete is absolutely asking for too much. I think Williams is a good candidate for Indy who just might be available when the Colts start looking for help at the position.
Deion Burks Oklahoma- 9.11 RAS if Burks lands in Indy he would instantly become the teams fastest receiver. Running a 4.30 second 40 yard dash at the combine. With that said, he didn’t consistently win on deep routes, not that he needs to as Alec Pierce has that role locked down for the Colts, it’s still interesting to note a guy with that kind of speed. Burks is noted as a good route runner and is good after the catch. Burks has short arms and might be a slot-only receiver at the next level but the route running and athleticism might be too much to pass up in the third round.
Ja’Kobi Lane USC- 9.39 RAS if Lane were a better route runner he would be a slam dunk for Indy on day three. That said if they want a Michael Pittman Jr. replacement, Lane is a great option. He does struggle to get off of press coverage, something Chris Ballard has talked about as being a detriment in the past and he doesn’t consistently create the kind of separation Shane Steichen seems to covet. That said, he wins a lot of contested catch situations and it highly valuable near the goal line. At 6’4” and 200 pounds he doesn’t have the bulk that MPJ had, but MPJ didn’t have the speed and acceleration JKL has, either.
Cyrus Allen Cincinnati- 8.69 RAS Allen is noted for being able to create separation with his speed and acceleration. He plays faster than his timed 4.49 second 40 yard dash and he grades out athletically similarly to Josh Downs (if you squint). Allen isn’t a polished route runner, but if he were he likely wouldn’t be a day three option. The real issue I see with the Cincinnati man is that while most of the other players I’ve listed so far have all had potential out wide and in the slot (due mostly to the potential of losing Downs in free agency after next season), Allen is mentioned as being limited to the slot receiver role. Chris Ballard has talked about Josh Downs having the ability to play outside, but in practice we’ve yet to see him produce much in that role. Taking someone like Allen signals the teams absolute belief that Downs actually can play outside and that they have plans to do so.
J. Michael Sturdivant Florida- 9.96 RAS we have arrived at the part of the article where we’re picking out traitsy, freak-show athletes who show just enough skill to maybe, kind of, fit what the Colts are looking for that the position. Sturdivant’s father played receiver at Virginia Tech and his uncle was none-other than Floyd Little. At this point he isn’t a great route runner but he isn’t limited physically in any conceivable way, so there is reason to believe this aspect of his game can improve. He has good footwork, tough over the middle and displays good ball skills working the sidelines. His biggest weaknesses can all be taught. Being 6’2” 207lbs, running a 4.40 40, having a 39” vertical and 10’11” broad jump, cannot. On day three you have to live with some warts and betting on a guy with Sturdivant’s physical tools in the middle of day three, is a pretty good bet to make. If he was a good- not even polished route runner, Sturdivant wouldn’t be a day three prospect.
Ted Hurst Georgia State- 9.90 RAS Hurst is another 6’4” receiver to make this list. Unlike Lane he isn’t a contested catch king. Instead he can create separation with good footwork and knows how to defeat press coverage. The biggest downside is that he doesn’t have much experience run blocking, something that we know Ballard likes from his receivers. He did transfer up in competition going from Valdosta State to Georgia State, but his level of competition was still poor. Hurst is an athletic freak with more developed skills than most athletic freaks that come out of places like Georgia State, but he may not be available when the Colts look to add to the position.
Honorable Mention:
Zachariah Branch Georgia 9.12 RAS athletically Branch is pretty similar to Josh Downs, only he’s more than a 1/10th of a second faster in the 40 yard dash. He’s better with the ball in his hands known for creating explosive plays. Where Branch and Downs really deviate is in how they go about actually getting the ball. Downs was a high level route runner, whereas Branch lived on screens and manufactured touches in the SEC. He was able to use his ability as a playmaker to pick up yards after the catch. Conversely, Downs lives over the middle, reeling in passes after making his defender look silly. Branch is another player most consider to be a slot only prospect. There are two reasons Branch finds himself in the Honorable Mention section of this article. The first is that I expect him to be gone long before the Colts are looking for receiver help and second, because, I just don’t see Chris Ballard rolling out a team with multiple sub 5’10” receivers making up it’s top three players on the depth chart. I don’t think the receiver they take this year needs to be the kind of 6’4” tower that they liked under Frank Reich, but successful 5’9” receivers are outliers and Ballard once said of size, if you draft a bunch of outliers, then you have a team of outliers. Branch might develop into a fantastic playmaker from the slot receiver position, I just don’t think he’ll do it in Indy.
Malik Benson Oregon- 6.05 RAS Malik Benson’s ability as a deep threat is heralded. In fact if DK Metcalf were 4” shorter and 30 pounds lighter, and his vertical jump were 8” shorter and his broad jump 12” less, then we’d be talking about practically the same player. Alright, so Benson and Metcalf aren’t really that much alike outside of their ability deep, their great play speed and their really bad agility testing. When looking through day three prospects, I wasn’t expecting to find a ton of guys who were finished products, especially not when it came to the more technical aspects of playing the position. What I was looking for were guys with some of the tools and the traits to succeed and grow into the type of player Shane Steichen could use in his offense. When I got to Benson I found a guy with track speed and the kind of size you would expect to see from a guy with some ability to develop those more technical aspects. Instead I found a guy who’s exceptional creating separation deep with all of the agility and explosion of a security guard at Greenwood Park Mall. With that said, he’s noted for having a big catch radius and playing with a lot of toughness over the middle. I don’t see the fit in Indy but I will understand the thought process for the team that takes him.
Final thoughts on the position:
Receiver is another position that has become somewhat tough to predict for Indy. In the past you found big prospects, who were productive and could block and if he was a good athlete, Bob’s your uncle. Now, despite having more data on Chris Ballard’s drafts, that data has only worked to muddy the water on the picture that is what the Colts will look for at the receiver position.
It’s entirely possible the Colts want a more direct replacement for Michael Pittman Jr. It’s possible they want another big bodied chain mover and if that’s the case, my list of players above is sure to be more wrong than right. With that said, let’s hope I’ve estimated correctly.
Offensive Line
Ah, here we go, a position group I’m confident I at least have a somewhat firm grip on what Chris Ballard and his staff will be looking for. Ballard has consistently looked for a few things along his offensive lines. First he needs you to be big, unless you’re playing center, then as long as you’re more well put together than the average guy in an I70 truck stop at 2 AM, you’re good to go. But otherwise, height and weight seem to matter. You also need to be an elite athlete, all of Ballard’s biggest day two and three hits along the offensive line have graded out as exceptional RAS athletes and I think they’ll continue to look in that direction unless the situation is juuuust right.
Historically the Colts have cared less about arm length on the edges, with Jalen Travis’ nearly 35” arms being the exception. Travis also boasted a 9.09 RAS score to go along with those long arms so when considering the preponderance of evidence, it’s tough think that Travis’ selection marks some sort of shift in philosophy, the way the philosophy has shifted at Edge and receiver in the past few years. That said Chris Ballard does have a history of drafting huge players for his offensive line and it’s hard to argue with his methodology at the position, finding good offensive linemen on all three days of the draft.
The challenge of the offensive line isn’t knowing what the Colts are looking for, it is always narrowing down the field of guys into a list and then picking the right ones for THE List. This year we believe the focus is going to be on finding depth and competition up front, specifically someone who can fill in at center and swing tackle. But I’m not going to completely ignore guards, either. So lets get into it and see what we come up with.
Names to know:
Brian Parker II Duke- 9.13 RAS Parker started most of his 40 games played at right tackle. He never played a game at center but the belief is, it will be his best position in the NFL. Part of the reason most are projecting him to the center position is his lack of arm length. That’s true for most NFL center prospects but at 32 7/8” arms, he measures identically to Bernhard Raimann. To be fair Raimann was a better, albeit older, prospect but my point is, while he is projected to move inside at the next level I don’t believe the Colts would mind kicking him out to right tackle in a backup role if the need should arise. He likely wouldn’t do much to push Goncalves but his addition would provide the team with a solid second option at multiple OL positions.
Travis Burke Memphis- 9.05 RAS Chris Ballard really does love massive offensive linemen and Burke fits the bill. Standing at nearly 6’9” tall and weighing in at 325 pounds, you won’t find many guys like him out in the wild. Oh except for Jalen Travis 6’8” 339 pounds with a 9.09 RAS. Burke isn’t going to fill the hole left by Danny Pinter’s departure, but he will fill the hole left by Braden Smith’s departure to the Houston Texans. The plan wouldn’t be to slot Burke into the starting right tackle but rather let Burke take over as the backup swing tackle if either Raimann or Travis has to miss any time at all. Previously Travis filled the swing tackle role but he’ll be a little preoccupied starting to worry about filling in at left tackle if the need were to arise.
Caleb Tiernan Northwestern- 9.37 RAS Tiernan is nearly 6’8” tall. Ultimately Tiernan may not fit the teams need for a backup center but he is exactly the kind of prospect Indy would be interested in on day two of the draft to fill in at swing tackle. A team captain who played in 52 games, making 43 starts. Most of his starts came at left tackle but he did start games as a redshirt freshman at right tackle. Tiernan’s biggest weaknesses are his 32” arms, which are surprising given how massive he otherwise is. Due to his arm length some people believe he’ll have success moving inside to guard at the next level, if he moves inside his RAS jumps from 9.37 to 9.66. Both scores are solidly elite but it’s tough to argue he has the size and athletic profile the Colts will be interested in.
Diego Pounds Ole Miss- 8.57 RAS Pounds is another large man at 6’6” 325 pounds. Athletically he’s not a perfect fit but he’s still a very good athlete for the position. He only played left tackle in college and he wasn’t a stand out run blocker either. That said if he continues to develop as a player you could do a lot worse than Diego Pounds as your swing tackle.
Jake Slaughter Florida- 9.97 RAS Slaughter is a centers, center who is unlikely to provide much help at guard and you can probably forget about tackle. Slaughter is a highly experienced center playing in 51 games for the Gators in his five years in Gainesville. He was a multi year captain, second team All American, first team All-SEC and was a Rimmington Trophy finalist. If Indy misses out on someone with more position flexibility, Slaughter has what the team is looking for, for depth at the center position.
Austin Barber Florida- 9.81 RAS another player nearing 6’7” makes the list as Barber checks the size box. He has started games at both right and left tackle in his college career. He is someone else on this list that may not be the best run blocker but has the athleticism time to improve all facets of his game and would fit nicely in Indy as their third tackle.
Jager Burton Kentucky- 9.88 RAS last year UK had a center I really liked named Eli Cox. Cox was an excellent athlete who I thought was better than the discourse around him leading up to the draft. The NFL disagreed with me and he went undrafted. He did latch on with the Houston Texans and is currently on their roster. In 2025 Burton took over the spot in the middle of UK’s offensive line and played well. Because of Cox’s play, Burton has started games at left guard, right guard and now center. I don’t like Burton’s tape as much as I liked Cox, but I do like him more as a guard than a center. Either way I think he could be the type of player the Colts take a shot on, on day three.
Trey Zuhn III Texas A&M- 9.99 RAS having started 50 games, 48 at left tackle and two at center, Zuhn is the kind of prospect Chris Ballard was talking about when he said that targeting experienced players could yield immediate results. Zuhn, when moved to center on the RAS website, has the second highest RAS score for a center of all time. The Colts value athleticism on the offensive line and Zuhn has it in droves. The general belief is that due to his shorter than ideal arms he’ll need to move inside in the NFL. The Colts generally don’t concern themselves too much with shorter armed tackle prospects but his potential to play at multiple positions on the line coupled with his ability to be the backup at center from day one may be too much for them to overlook. He played his entire career at left tackle, but if Indy believes there is any chance he could swing to the right side too, his value just goes up that much more. I’m not sure, yet, that Zuhn will make THE List at the end of this article, but this guy’s fit with what we believe the team wants is hard to ignore.
Riley Mahlman Wisconsin- 8.01 RAS Mahlman has the experience the Colts typically look for out of their offensive linemen, starting all four years at both right and left tackle. He is also 6’8”. He has room to add weight only tipping the scales at 308 pounds currently and notably lacking core strength. He is an effective run blocker but was beaten too often in pass protection that may have been due mostly to his shorter arms. Being from Wisconsin doesn’t hurt as Ballard himself was no doubt aware of Mahlman just from being a Badger fan. He may be a good option late on day three if the Colts miss out on a swing tackle prospect earlier in the draft.
Honorable Mention:
Conner Lew Auburn- N/A RAS Lew is considered by many to be the top center prospect in this class. With that said he was a true Junior who only started 25 games at Auburn and will be coming into his rookie year off of a torn ACL. Given the fact that he seems likely to go on day two of the draft and the uncertainty of when Lew will be ready to practice and play this offseason, I don’t think he is a great fit for what Indy is looking for at the position.
Pat Coogan Indiana- 6.80 RAS the only reason I’m including Coogan’s name in this article is because he is almost as Hoosier as it gets. He is from Illinois originally, but he went to Notre Dame as a freshman, played there for four years, transferred to Indiana, helped the Hoosiers win their first national championship in school history and was named the Offensive MVP of the Rose Bowl the first time the award went to an offensive lineman since 1944. Coogan better never pay for a drink in the state of Indiana as long as he lives. But having said that, he just doesn’t fit the Indianapolis Colts OL profile at all. His size is fine for the position, his short arms don’t matter, it’s his athletic makeup that prevents me from giving him the greenlight to be considered. It probably would have been better for him to not run the shuttle drill and his 10 yard split in the 40 yard dash was awful. His vertical jump and broad jump were fine but for a team with a GM who has famously said there’s a reason you test the players athletically, Coogan just doesn’t fit. IF the Colts do take Coogan, it will be because of everything else, not because of who he is as a player and I wouldn’t bet on that happening.
Final Thoughts on the Position:
The number of offensive linemen this year who fit what the Colts might be looking for is smaller than in years past. We’re looking for position flexibility and the ability to fill in at center. Those guys don’t grow on trees but they are easier to find than a day one starter at any offensive line position. If I’ve miscalculated the team’s need for their next offensive line draftee, then there’s a good chance none of the names on this list end up on the teams website on the evening of April 25th. But if that is the case, just know there are a lot of very good prospects who fit the Colts typical mold for OL available at every level of this draft.
Safety
Chris Ballard drafts a lot of safeties. On one hand it feels like he’s been trying to convert one to linebacker, successfully for a long time now. He tried to convert Marvell Tell III to cornerback, back in 2019 and that didn’t work out. But alas, each year (sans 2018) he takes a safety either for his defense immediately (Blackmon, Willis, Hooker) for development (Carlies, Cross, Thomas, Tell) or for special teams (Wohler, Scott). Sometimes he takes guys and I have no idea what the plan was supposed to be (Simpson, Davis).
You can argue that Blackmon was for the future, but at that point Hooker was going into the final year of his deal, had never played a full season and the team declined to pick up Hooker’s 5th year option a week after the 2020 draft ended. Hooker only played two games in 2020, but either way the writing was on the wall. They were looking for a replacement with Blackmon and they didn’t have much time to wait on development.
The investment at defensive back for the 2026 Colts has been substantial. They’re paying Cam Bynum, they’re paying Mooney Ward, they’re paying Sauce Gardner and while they’re currently seeking a trade, they’re paying Kenny Moore as a top-flight nickel corner. They’re spending a ton of money on the back half of the defense. So in that way it’s far different than it was in 2020. In other ways it feels very similar.
Going into the 2025 draft they didn’t have Sauce Gardner, they were paying Ward and Bynum, sure. But they didn’t know what they were going to do at CB2. There was every reason to let Nick Cross play out his contract, see if he continued to grow as a very young player, if his first year starting was an aberration or if 2024 was who he was. Once they determined if they wanted to bring him back, or rather what price to bring him back at, this time last year there was no way they could have known what was about to happen. We can debate good decisions versus bad decisions all day, but the fact of the matter is that’s what happened. It makes sense and this is where we find ourselves at the position. After bringing in the aforementioned free agents (all on one year deals) there are players in place who can take snaps this year but they’re all only here for a year and the most direct Cross-replacement has had serious injury concerns during his career.
And in that way it feels just like 2020. Since this is an offensive draft it’s safe to expect safety to come on day three and if I were a betting man, I would bet it would happen early on that third day. Let’s jump into the names to know.
Names to know:
Bud Clark TCU 8.90 RAS Clark is described by Zierlein as being a safety in a cornerback’s body. He’s also noted for being willing to come downhill and make plays in the run game, but at 188 pounds, you do worry about injuries from someone willing to get in there and throw their bag of bones around. Clark ran a 4.41 and posted great explosion scores. His scouting report and testing numbers read like a more athletic Kenny Moore. Clark also has the experience Ballard is seeking, spending six seasons at TCU and playing in 61 (not a typo, sixty-one) games. He was a three time team captain and had 15 interceptions over the course of his last four college seasons. Clark missed time in three of his six seasons at TCU and in Lou’s defense he might be more of a Kenny Moore replacement than a one to one replacement for Nick Cross. But Clark’s playmaking and athleticism might be enough for Lou to want to scheme around that loss rather than replace it directly.
A.J. Haulcy LSU- N/A RAS at nearly 6’ 215 Haulcy has the size to play in the void left by Nick Cross. He’s a noted playmaker and wood-layer willing to fill against the run and break up passes via violent contact. He’s the kind of guy you love to have on your team and hate on your opponent. Haulcy started his career at New Mexico before transferring to Houston and then on to LSU where he became a first-team All-SEC member in his only season in the conference. Not only is he a violent finisher he intercepted 8 passes total during his junior and senior seasons. He played in 48 career games and his football IQ seems to match that experience. He is noted as having deficiencies in man coverage and his acceleration and long speed are questionable.
VJ Payne Kansas State- 9.74 RAS playing in 52 games in a power four conference is something I’m used to seeing out of offensive linemen. It’s rare to see someone with that much experience at defensive back and it’s rarer still for someone with that type of experience to play that many games in a major conference that tests as a legitimate athletic freak and team captain. At 6’3” 208, running a 4.40 second 40 yard dash, a 10’7” broad jump and a 6.94 second 3 cone drill he has great long speed, acceleration and agility. Not to mention his nearly 34” arms (that Chris Ballard has to love). At K-State he was used in a multitude of ways, playing single high, split, in the box and man to man against tight ends. In fact he was very good against several very good tight ends his senior season. Payne isn’t a perfect fit, however. He isn’t a one to one replacement for Nick Cross. He doesn’t provide nearly the run support of Cross but Payne isn’t a liability either. He’s fine coming down hill to make a tackle. He doesn’t get around blocks consistently enough for my taste and in my opinion he didn’t play to his size against the run, while he absolutely does in coverage. Anaroumo will likely have to account for this change if Payne is on the field but it might be something they’re willing to deal with if they like his trajectory of development overall.
Kamari Ramsey USC- 8.48 RAS Ramsey’s biggest flaw is that he is said to have improved his tackling a lot in 2025 but still isn’t great against the run. He is, however, solid in coverage with experience playing all over the defense including in the slot. Outside of his run game issues, Ramsey has also only played in 35 games, missing six games over the past two seasons (though one game was due to food poisoning). Regardless no matter how good he is in coverage, no matter how versatile he is on the back end, the Colts will have to be sure they’re willing to sign off on someone who has consistently missed so much time while in college.
Robert Spears-Jennings Oklahoma- 8.92 RAS in 2024 RSJ forced four fumbles, had 2.5 sacks and an interception. He has played in a total of 47 games for Oklahoma and is a decisive run defender with good tackling technique. Zierlein states that he fills run lanes like a linebacker. He has the speed (4.32 40 time) to keep up with man but hasn’t developed this skill require to excel at it. His eagerness to fill run lanes combined with his downhill speed too often work against him running past his target and missing out on tackle attempts he could have had a chance to make. His agility testing matches his poor on field change of direction ability, compounding his lack of feel for angles. Spears-Jennings should be available well into day three and if not for the warts on the scouting report, he wouldn’t be. Ultimately he’s 6’2” 205 pounds and converts his 4.32 speed to power when tackling, and there aren’t that many guys available on day three that have those traits. If he can find a home on special teams he may develop into a quality starter in time.
Cole Wisniewski Texas Tech- N/A RAS Wisniewski made the fairly rare transition from linebacker to safety while at North Dakota State. He transferred to Texas Tech in 2024 and missed the season due to a foot injury. The reason he’s on this list at all is because he is 6’4” 220 pounds. His arms are short at 30.5” but as far as safety to linebacker conversion projects go, Wisniewski would be a good option. One concerning aspect is that he didn’t run the 40 yard dash but did the vertical (36.5”) and broad (10’2”) jumps. He is an interesting name to watch on day three of the draft just due to his unique path and size. He will likely have to make his way on special teams early in his career but I expect him to land in a camp somewhere.
Honorable Mention:
Treydan Stukes Arizona- 9.77 RAS a fifth year senior, former walk-on turned multiple time team captain, all of that makes for a great story. What makes for an even better story is when that guy, becomes a top draft prospect at his position. Stukes isn’t a downhill run stopper but he is a playmaker, noted hard worker and is said to possess “infectious passion” for the game. Stukes has the experience, character and speed the Colts would love to have. I just don’t think they would love to have it as early in the draft as he is likely to be taken. Stukes is a good enough prospect to be worked into the Indy back end despite his flaws as a run defender and with his blend of athleticism and work ethic, he will no doubt become a very good safety for someone in the NFL, I just don’t see it being the Colts.
Zakee Wheatley Penn State- 7.68 RAS noted for driving downhill and finishing plays and having played in 58 games at Penn State over the past five years Wheatley seems like just the kind of player the Colts would be looking for to replace Nick Cross. He is good enough now to earn playing time right away and could grow into a good starter at the position in time. The hang up for me is that for a guy that seems so set on adding speed to his defense, I don’t see any way Chris Ballard could take a safety who runs a 4.62 second 40 yard dash. And I’m not even saying that he will somehow be less than good because of his 4.62, that’s a completely fine time for a safety to run. There are safeties in the Hall of Fame who no doubt ran slower times. But the major talking point all offseason long has been adding speed. While it’s true they’re unlikely to improve on Cross’ 4.34 second 40 time (and play speed that matched) but you can’t preach speed and then draft a replacement (as early as they would have to take Wheatley) who ran nearly 3/10th’s slower.
Final Thoughts on the Position:
There are a lot of options to replace Nick Cross but few guys would be a one to one replacement for what he brought to the defense. Cross was very good coming down hill, but struggled at times in coverage. Many of the prospects listed above excel in coverage while having more to be desired against the run. It will be an adjustment to the back end of the defense but even if they don’t find someone to erase running backs in the hole, having someone who can erase elite tight ends and oversized receivers would be a welcome change for the Indy defense.
Quarterback
This one is tricky. On one hand if they move Richardson (which seems likely) they’ve never gone into a season with only two quarterbacks on the roster under Shane Steichen. So their options are roll with Daniel Jones fresh off of his Achilles tear and Riley Leonard as QB2, or sign a veteran to come in and compete with Leonard for his spot. That would make some sense, the team should have the cap room available and there will be several options available post-draft that have enough experience to make things interesting should the need arise.
But I think the most likely option is a day three dart thrown at a traitsy prospect that needs some time to develop and grow in an NFL program behind an established vet like Daniel Jones (cue the Anthony Richardson was mismanaged complaints). I am still going to include at least a couple of day two prospects in this one even though I really think it’s likely to happen on day three. The reason is, I could see a world where the team misses out on the receivers and offensive linemen they have graded out as being worth their third round pick. If that happens and they aren’t able to find a trade partner, because this is an offensive draft, there’s a real chance the highest ranked prospect on their board at the time is a quarterback.
It’s unlikely, yes. But far crazier things have happened during the NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at who might be on the Colts short list for Quarterback.
Names to know:
Drew Allar Penn State- N/A RAS Drew Allar has all of the tools you could want in a quarterback prospect. The issue is the production and play never aligned with his physical gifts. If a team brings Allar in and lets him get comfortable in the system and his role, he could improve his processing and his confidence and he could turn out to be a better pro than college quarterback. It’s a longshot, but every quarterback prospect is, and Drew Allar’s physical traits might make him a longshot worth betting on.
Garrett Nussmeier LSU- N/A RAS Nuss is small. He’s not quite 6’2” which isn’t terrible but he’s just 203 pounds and he has some injury history, which is less than ideal. He has a big arm and plenty of physical gifts even at his smaller size. His issue, like Allar, is mostly between his ears. His processing is slow as he struggles to see what defenses are giving him after the snap. One thing that Nuss has going for him is that his confidence never seems to wane. But that is a double edged sword as he truly isn’t ever afraid to make a mistake. Bringing in someone with Nuss’ skills, mindset and shortcomings to a QB room with a guy like Daniel Jones obsessed with film study, could lead to Nuss growing into the kind of pre and post-snap processor he needs to be to find success. My only hang up with him is the size and holding up to the rigors of the NFL.
Taylen Green Arkansas- 9.99 RAS having played in 53 games in college, Green is an experienced college quarterback with a lot of tools. His feet and eyes worked well when working his reads in the pocket (I watched one game so this isn’t gospel) but his throwing motion is a touch slow. If this can be cleaned up it might help with his accuracy which isn’t bad, just inconsistent. His arm isn’t massive but he can make all of the throws. He is a fantastic option for any team hoping to draft someone with a full bag of tools to develop long-term.
Mark Gronowski Iowa- 9.61 RAS Gronoski is the NCAA’s all time winningest QB, starting 68 career games and winning 58 of them. He received a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering with a 3.76 GPA and had a 4.0 GPA as an engineering management graduate student. He transferred from South Dakota State to Iowa for his fifth year. Gronowski won more awards than could possibly be listed in this article, was constantly recognized for his academic achievements and was a multi time team captain. He was also the Shrine Bowl offensive MVP. He is only 6’2” but he’s a solid 226, ran a 4.71 40 yard dash, had excellent explosion and agility scores. His 9.61 RAS is 45th highest for Quarterbacks all time. The downside is he doesn’t have the biggest arm and his production tanked the second he stepped on the field for Iowa- most of that is due to the Iowa offense but it is worth noting. Gronowski doesn’t even have a scouting report from a reputable analyst. I watched Iowa vs IU and what I saw was a guy comfortable in the pocket, scanning the defense, throwing to open receivers and taking checkdowns when he should. It’s tough without all-22 to give you a fair and complete evaluation but the only film I have on this guy is from 2022, when he was in the midst of leading the Jackrabbits to back to back FCS natties. But what I saw was an accurate passer with poise and enough athleticism to make the defense pay on scrambles and designed runs alike. Gronowski should be available late on day three and would be an excellent fit as QB3 in Indy.
Cole Payton North Dakota State- 9.87 RAS this draft class is full of late round, freak athlete quarterbacks and Cole Payton fits that bill. He only started for one year at NDSU but had a package of plays in each of his five seasons on campus. In 2023 he tied for the team lead with 13 rushing touchdowns and has started at running back. In 2025 as the teams starting quarterback he threw for 16 touchdowns and added another 13 on the ground. I’ll be honest, I don’t love Payton as a prospect. His arm is on the weaker end and he isn’t accurate, but he could improve both greatly. See, his throwing motion is what I would describe as “wild”. It’s bad, bad. And if the Colts believe their mechanics people can fix his mechanical issues, there’s potentially a lot of meat on the bone. But this is a complete teardown of both his upper and lower body as it relates to his throwing motion and the guy plays the only position where throwing motion really matters. That said he would provide a lot of value in a package of plays and potentially on special teams with his athleticism and seeming willingness to play other positions.
Haynes King Georgia Tech- 9.62 RAS a sixth year senior King started his college career at Texas A&M where he earned a starting role, only to lose it after losing to Appalachian State. He then transferred to Georgia Tech and went on to become a three time team captain. In his sixth season he set single season records for total yards of offense and completions and career records for completions and completion percentage. Most of his issues come down to footwork and ball security, both of which can be improved. In the right situation King could continue to grow as someone’s QB3 given his tremendous athletic potential and resilience to just keep grinding until he finally became a productive college player.
Honorable Mention:
Carson Beck Miami- N/A RAS after tearing his UCL in his throwing elbow, Beck’s arm strength seemed diminished. He has tremendous size and as much experience in big games as anyone you’ll find in the draft. With that said someone with his level of experience shouldn’t make the kinds of mistakes he consistently makes. With time and development, these things could improve but they are a concern. Also, he’s ending up on the honorable mention list mostly because… well have you seen him in interviews? There’s just something about this guy that rubs me the wrong way. I realize that’s not hard hitting analysis, but it’s true and this is my article, I can do whatever I want.
Final Thoughts on the Position:
What a weird year for quarterbacks. We have maybe two guys worthy of first round picks (don’t kill me but I don’t love Mendoza as a prospect) a handful of guys with tons of high level college experience, that just never developed into great players and a highly athletic group of late rounders with massive holes in their game. I wouldn’t blame Indy for passing this year on a prospect, but if they’re looking at the board in the sixth or seventh round and one of those athletes is still on the board, they’re just as good of an option as anyone else they could draft and you never know. Every pick is a lottery ticket.
Linebacker
I miss on linebackers every year and I’ve already predicted that they’re not taking one early this year which probably means they’ll trade up to take one. With that in mind I’m going to give you some names to watch both early and late in this years draft.
This is also an interesting nugget on what they have historically done at the position:
On if given the success of drafting day three linebackers, has made them more patient for finding the position. pic.twitter.com/af3JycSd86
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2026
I’m going to post this one again because it is telling when it comes to the position:
— Not Chris Shepherd's Burner Account (@NotShepsBurner) April 21, 2026
Names to know:
Anthony Hill Jr. Texas- 9.81 RAS it feels like Chris Ballard was talking directly about Hill when he talked about passing up a special player for need. The one thing Hill doesn’t have going for him is that he is a true junior. He lacks the experience of some of the other guys on this list and we know that’s important to Ballard going into this season. With that said, Hill has absolutely everything the team could want at the position. He can run, he has the instincts, he seemingly has rare playmaking ability (eight forced fumbles, three interceptions, 17 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss all in just 32 starts at Texas). Athletically he’s as good of a fit as it gets and his size 6’2” 238 pounds with 32” arms are textbook Ballard traits for the position. Depending on who you listen to there’s a chance he’ll be available late in the second round. And if he is, there may not be a better fit for the 2026 Colts in this draft.
Jake Golday Cincinnati- 9.85 RAS Golday has it all for what the Colts seemingly need at the position. He’s big, he’s fast, he’s explosive and he’s coming to the NFL after an extensive and productive college career. There is a chance he’s gone before the Colts are on the clock at 47. But if he ends up being the pick it’s completely understandable.
Jaden Dugger Louisiana- 9.60 RAS Dugger is nearly 6’5” with 35” arms. He ran a 4.60 second 40 yard dash, had a 10’6” broad jump and posted the shuttle and three cone of a much smaller man. A converted safety, Dugger is still learning the position and isn’t a natural at taking on or getting off blocks. His measurables and tested athleticism make him an intriguing name to watch late on day three for the Colts.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr TCU- 9.33 RAS if adding speed is truly the name of the game for the Colts defense this offseason, they’ll need to look no further than KEO. He ran a blazing 4.47 second 40 yard dash and showed plenty of explosion with his 40” vertical and 10’4” broad jumps. KEO is noted for being beaten by play action too often and a lack of instinct for the position. On the upside he plays to his timed speed and acceleration and is an excellent blitzer, something that Lou would love. If the Colts want KEO there’s a slight chance he’ll be there on day three and they might consider him then.
Jack Dingle Cincinnati- 9.82 RAS Dingle started for three seasons at Cincinnati and yet seems like he hasn’t developed at all. He struggles with the finer points of playing the position and instead relied on just being a better athlete than everyone else. His way to a roster is going to be via special teams. If he plays well on teams there’s always a chance he can grow into a solid pro just due to his athletic gifts.
Jack Kelly BYU- 9.72 RAS I went back and forth on Kelly. I was going to add him to the article I just wasn’t sure if I should include him with the linebackers or at the end with the special teamers. To be completely fair I think Kelly would crack the linebacker rotation with Indy in his rookie season, maybe sooner than later but that’s more to do with how I feel about the Colts talent at the position and less to do with Kelly. Ultimately I think he could have a role early on as blitzer but he may need more time to develop into an every down player. In the meantime he should star on special teams.
Honorable Mention:
Eric Gentry USC- 7.74 RAS there aren’t a lot of NFL players walking around who are almost 6’7” tall with 35” arms and of the guys who are, almost all of them play offensive line. Gentry is a converted safety who struggles to bend and change direction in man coverage. Like Dugger, Gentry is still learning the finer points of football but at just 221 pounds I have serious questions about his ability to ever gain the weight and strength that would be needed to seriously contribute on defense. Conversely, I think he could become a professional kick blocker on special teams. Ultimately, if a team believes that he can develop into more than a sideshow act and someday play on defense, he’ll likely find an easy home on special teams from day one. For a Colts team that needs immediate help and is looking for experienced, pro ready players I just don’t see Gentry’s fit. He is too light for the position and will need a lot of development to be able to hold up to the rigors of NFL life as a down to down player in the defensive front seven. For those reasons I don’t think Gentry is right for the Colts in this draft at linebacker.
Final Thoughts on the Position:
This is a really good year for linebackers. Day two is littered with guys who could end up being really good starters for a long time. And early on day three you’ll have quite a few solid starters come off the board. With Lou Anarumo on board it does feel like they may not value the position as much as they did with previous defensive coordinators. Time will tell if I’m right and I know for a fact I would love to watch Jacob Rodriguez run around with a horseshoe on his helmet but I’m highly skeptical that’s going to happen.
Special Teams
This is a fun section. Pretty much anything goes down here, the only thing I’m looking for are late-round prospects with elite athletic testing, or unique traits and abilities. Not much else matters.
Chip Trayanum, Running Back, Toledo- 9.62 RAS described as a straight line pile mover, Trayanum is the kind of back that has excelled behind Jonathan Taylor. He has experience in all four phases of special teams and is a good pass catcher and blocker. He’s not the pure runner than DJ Giddens was a year ago but he does all of the things Giddens didn’t and Ol’ Chip could find himself active on gameday because of it.
Jordan Van Den Berg, Defensive Tackle, Georgia Tech- 10.00 RAS Van Den Berg’s story isn’t so different (at least not to the average NFL Draft fan) from Bernhard Raimann’s. Born in South Africa, played rugby growing up and didn’t play American football until he was a Sophomore in High School. He has the second highest RAS ever recorded for the position and his tape looks like it. His first step is so, so fast. He’s into the offensive lineman’s chest in a split second and then the problems start. He has seemingly no idea what to do after the ball is snapped. Very little hand fighting, doesn’t get off a block, almost always pushes forward taking away the middle of the pocket, but if he had any technique at all, he wouldn’t be a borderline draftable player. He also routinely stalemated double teams against Georgia, just stood two Georgia offensive linemen up eating both blockers. The physical tools are there and someone almost has to take a flier on this kid and hope they can teach him how to play football because if he ever figures it out, he could be a beast of a 3-tech. He was also a team captain his senior season.
Ja’Qurious Conley, Safety, Charlotte- 9.94 RAS Conley stands two inches shorter than Hunter Wohler, but his arms are two inches longer. He’s also faster and stronger than Wohler. He may not be the same hitter that Wohler is but it wouldn’t surprise me to see someone bring Conley in late to have him play in a third down linebacker role and play on kick and punt coverage.
Uar Bernard, Defensive Tackle, Nigeria (country not university)- 9.90 RAS the good news about Bernard is that he’s 6’4’ tall 308 pounds, has nearly 36” arms, 11 inch hands, ran a 4.63 second 40 yard dash, posted a 39” vertical and 10’10” broad jump. He is an extremely rare athlete. The bad news: he’s never played a snap of football. He is a prospect from the International Player Pathway program. He was found at a local (I assume to him) pro day hosted by the IPP. His inclusion on a roster won’t take up a roster spot as he essentially becomes an extra practice squad player. I don’t know if he’ll get drafted, but man, what a story.
Evan Svoboda, Quarterback/Tight End, Wyoming- 9.89 RAS Svoboda spent time at both Quarterback and Tight End but his position going forward will be at tight end. With elite speed, explosion and agility scores, someone might take a late round flier on him as he seems willing to do anything to continue his career. At 6’5” 250 pounds, I wouldn’t want to try to block him as he’s flying down the field on kick coverage.
Jaren Kanak, Fullback, Oklahoma- 9.70 RAS a converted linebacker, Kanak moved to tight end his senior season, before realizing a 6’2” 234 pound tight end with bad route running and questionable hands wasn’t going to cut it. He needs to improve as a blocker as well as at all of the other aspects of actually being a fullback but the good news is he has plenty of experience tackling people and he runs a 4.52 40 yard dash. The guy could live on punt and kick coverage teams while he learns the finer points of playing offense.
Malick Meiga, Wide Receiver, Coastal Carolina- 9.60 RAS first, I just need to say Meiga isn’t getting drafted. His production at Coastal Carolina was only barely better than mine. But prior to transferring, Meiga played at Penn State where he was a multi-time captain and was named by his teammates as their best special teams player. He might not make a roster, he may never play a down of football again, but his background on special teams may warrant a look in someone’s camp.
Kyle Dixon, Wide Receiver, Culver-Stockton- 9.42 RAS if you’ve ever watched an NAIA football game you will recognize quickly if someone on the field has a realistic chance at playing in the NFL, and watching Kyle Dixon it’s immediately apparent he is far and away the best player on the field. He was uncoverable at that level and his athletic testing showed why. He’s 6’2” 220 pounds ran a 4.50 second 40 yard dash and posted a 40.5” vertical and 10’11” broad jump. Dixon has since been invited to several top-30 visits. He’s either going to be drafted late or will be a priority free agent pick up for someone.
THE List
Going into the draft the Indianapolis Colts have seven picks. As is tradition, I will give myself 14 chances, two per pick, to hit on a name. I’m not listing them in any order, I think that the 14th name on this list is just as likely to be drafted by the Colts as the first.
Without further ado, here it is, the list of 14 names that this article will forever be judged on:
VJ Payne, Safety, Kansas State
Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan
Antonio Williams, Wide Receiver, Clemson
Jaden Dugger, Linebacker, Louisiana
Anthony Hill Jr., Linebacker, Texas
Brian Parker II, Center, Duke
Jack Kelly, Linebacker, BYU
Mason Reiger, Edge, Wisconsin
Jake Slaughter, Center, Florida
Jordan Van Den Berg, Defensive Tackle, Georgia Tech
Deion Burks, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
Robert Spears-Jennings, Safety, Oklahoma
Trey Zuhn III, Tackle/Center, Texas A&M
Caleb Tiernan, Tackle, Northwestern
THE Bonus List
Travis Burke, Tackle, Memphis
Drew Allar, Quarterback, Penn State
Michael Heldman, Edge, Central Michigan
Mark Gronowski, Quarterback, Iowa
What Is THE Bonus List?
Since 2017 Chris Ballard and his staff average more than 9 selections per year. His lowest total is seven (2021) his highest is 12 (2023). Therefore, I give myself two bonus picks (equaling four more names) to account for his average number of picks. But THE Bonus List has some rules.
First, this list is ranked.
Second, if the Colts finish with 7 total picks, THE Bonus List won’t count at all. If they finish with 8 picks, the last two names on THE Bonus List, don’t count. If Indy finishes with 9 or more, all of THE Bonus List counts.
Third, no I won’t be taking names off THE List if they finish with fewer than seven picks. THE List isn’t ranked.
There you have it, THE List is complete. 14 to 18 names to watch out for starting tomorrow night.
Where I Will Get It Wrong
This year the pre draft press conference helped to clear up a lot of questions I had while putting the finishing touches on this years set of predictions. But I still find myself guessing about safety. I’m guessing about quarterback. I’m guessing about linebacker, but that’s due to my own personal issues about never being able to sus out what they’re going to do at the position. I’m guessing they won’t look for a cornerback and I’m guessing they might like a running back late but Ballard did say they expect DJ Giddens to take a step forward, but they’re still down a proven 3rd down back, but I’m not confident enough to list any running backs anywhere but in my Special Teams section.
I know it seems like I’m complaining (I’m really not) and I know it probably feels like this is all one big guess so why am I complaining, anyway? But every year there are massive hints that are dropped for what the Colts are going to do early. All the way back to 2020 I felt like I had an idea the direction they were going to go and if I had that one clue, predicting the rest of it got a lot easier. This year I was guessing they were going to go edge early, Ballard’s interviews led me part of the way there sure, but more than anything his history drafting edge on day two is what led me to that place. Now after listening to his press conference I’m less sure. I think a linebacker, someone with special traits like Anthony Hill Jr. might be the play, especially if he’s available after a trade back in the second round.
This being an offensive year is odd too. It’s odd that they only have two premium picks. In the past when they traded away a first round pick, they didn’t count the players received as being in any way a part of their draft class but outside of the guy who will likely be at best the 4th receiving option behind Pierce, Downs and Warren and a couple of backups on the offensive line, they don’t have many needs on that side of the ball. Conversely on defense they need help, immediate help, on all three levels of the field.
So if I miss on their direction early, the way I did in 2023, THE List is useless. I’m confident I found some players the team will like, I’m just not sure they’ll end up being realistic options for them WHEN they’re ready to add to that position.
But that’s the name of the game, right? That’s what makes this thing so hard to do. Time will tell if I’ve pulled it off .
Final Thoughts
Thanks for coming along with me on this ride once again. We’re over 21,000 words. Earlier today my daughter asked me why I’m still writing in my office (I’ve been planted here for every second of free time I’ve had for the last month) and I told her I was basically writing a short book. According to Google an 80 page novel typically contains between 20,000 and 28,000 words. So thanks again for reading this novel.
Based on how last season ended and my current level of expectation for next season, I believe this will be our last Ballard Draft Leak article. I thought last years edition would be my last, too, but here we are. If it is, I’ll try my hand at something a little different next year. If Chris Ballard is back once again, well, then, we’ll do it all over again.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: Starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez #40 of the Atlanta Braves is pulled by manager Walt Weiss #22 in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 121, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On April 21, 2024, the Braves began the day with a six-game winning streak. It ended in fairly routine fashion: the Braves took an early 3-0 lead over the Rangers, but Darius Vines couldn’t prop it up, and they lost, 6-4. That was the last time (before now) the Braves had a winning streak of six games or more when the wins actually mattered. On April 21, 2026, the Braves also began the day with a six-game winning streak. This one ended in far more ignominious fashion, as the pitching (and defense) had a horrific day en route to an 11-4 walloping at the hands of the Washington Nationals.
Though many Braves arms struggled in this one, Reynaldo Lopez set the tone, or whatever the correct idiom is for being horrendous out of the gate. When Bryce Elder struggled early in the series opener on Monday night, it was attributed to a mechanics deficiency associated with the cold weather, and, perhaps, the dreaded “road pitcher first inning penalty” associated with a starter warming up and then having to sit before going back out and pitching. I don’t know if either of those two reasons applied to Lopez tonight, but either way, it was just terrible.
Lopez’ first pitch of the night was a sub-89 mph “fastball,” and that was only the beginning of his issues. For the entirety of that inning, his pitches were either nowhere near the zone, or basically right down the middle. Walk-single-single plated the first run, then there was another walk, then a run-scoring walk on five pitches that all missed the zone, and then a bloop hit to make it 3-0. Lopez managed to get out of the inning with some pitches that were in the middle of the zone but taken or mishit, but it wasn’t a very good start.
And then got it far worse, when he once again could barely flirt with the strike zone against James Wood to start the second, only to throw a 93 mph fastball on a full count that caught enough of the zone to be absolutely obliterated into left field. I’ve seen fielders stop and watch (or not watch) on pulled homers before, but on an opposite field shot on a cold day? Yowza. A single by the next batter chased Lopez, who had one of the worst outings of his career in this one — a 1/3 K/BB ratio and a homer allowed while getting just three outs.
The procession of Braves’ pitchers that followed Lopez wasn’t much better. Jose Suarez actually pitched three scoreless frames with four strikeouts… but he also walked four, including three in his final inning of work before escaping with a weak flyout. Dylan Dodd got two strikeouts and a pop out (great), but was victimized by a couple of bloops that led to the fifth Washington run. After Aaron Bummer mercifully worked a 1-2-3 frame with a strikeout, the Braves gave Ian Hamilton a shot to do something… and it went terribly. A couple of walks and a single loaded the bases, and then Luis Garcia Jr. hit a mediocre line drive into the right-center gap that should’ve been caught, except Ronald Acuña Jr. basically flubbed the catch, leading to two more runs. A groundout scored another. So, then, the Braves went with Joel Payamps, who issued two walks ahead of a three-run homer by Curtis Mead, who entered the game in the middle innings as a pinch-hitter.
Basically, in this game, the Braves’ arms walked twelve Nats, only struck out ten, and gave up two homers. Gross. Both Lopez and Grant Holmes feel like they’re going to be bullpen-bound eventually. Before the season, I surmised that they’d be deficient in availability and not performance, but instead, it’s been the opposite: no injury troubles yet, but other than whatever results they’re scrounging up from pitching in front of a defense that’s played well, they’ve been disappointing.
Offensively, the Braves did some stuff, but they couldn’t really keep up with the 11-run drubbing that their soft underbelly arms (and Lopez) handed to the Nationals on a gilded platter. The first inning had a bizarre sequence where, with Laz Diaz behind the plate, both Acuña and Nationals catcher Drew Millas challenged consecutive pitches, with neither challenge succeeding and Acuña striking out. Back-to-back doubles by Mauricio Dubon and Michael Harris II plated a run against Foster Griffin in the second, and Drake Baldwin took him deep in the third. Eli White then collected his first homer on the year with a hard shot into the right-field corner, which pulled the Braves within one, until the Other Relievers gave it all back and then some. The Braves scored their fourth and final run on a bizarre play that went 3-6-3 but wasn’t a double play, as the throw from the first baseman was not anywhere near the second base bag but ended up being corralled and returned to first for an out anyway. Braves batters ran a fine 6/3 K/BB ratio and hit two bombs to go with three doubles. The problem was that a bunch of their grounders didn’t get through (seven different grounders off Braves’ bats went 100+ mph but turned into outs)… and also that the pitching was really bad.
Well, tomorrow is a new day and a chance to start another, and hopefully longer, streak. Thankfully, whatever the Mets are doing right now is not baseball but rather some kind of abstract performance art trying to communicate the flavor of despair, and the Phillies currently resemble the zombies in a cerca-1988 straight-to-TV zombie movie, so the Braves can afford a pitching stinker like this one. But it’s more fun when they don’t do that and just hit a bunch of dingers and win.
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics sounded ready heading into Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers. They knew their opponent would be better, and they were. However, that preparation didn't show on Tuesday night, as the Celtics lost on the margins, struggled down the stretch, and fell to the Sixers 111-97 at TD Garden.
After shooting over 36 percent from deep in Game 1 (and winning by a whopping 32 points), the Celtics missed 37 of their 50 attempts from 3-point land in Game 2. Conversely, the Sixers were an abysmal 17.4 percent from beyond the arc in Game 1 and shot 49 percent in Game 2, converting on 19 of their 39 triples.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum still nearly put together a triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists in 39 minutes. And fellow Celtics star Jaylen Brown had a game-high 36 points and was responsible for 5 of the Green Team's 13 triples. But, it wasn't enough, as no other Celtic scored in double figures.
As for the Sixers, rookie guard VJ Edgecombe dazzled with 30 points and 10 rebounds, which felt reminiscent of the regular-season opener when he scored 34 points in his first NBA game ever. Sixers star point guard Tyrese Maxey also finished with 29 points and helped Philadelphia overcome the absence of 2023 league MVP Joel Embiid, who was sidelined for Games 1 and 2 due to surgery recovery from an appendectomy.
The Celtics next opportunity to bounce back arrives on Friday evening for Game 3 in Philadelphia, with the series tied 1-1.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Elly De La Cruz hit two of Cincinnati's five home runs, rookie Sal Stewart added three RBIs to reach 24 on the season and the Reds scored the first nine runs to cruise to a 12-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.
De La Cruz, who went 3 for 6 with five RBIs, hit a two-run homer to begin the scoring in the first inning and he added a solo shot in the ninth for his eighth of the season to make it 12-2. It was De La Cruz’s sixth career multihomer game, passing Pete Rose for the most in Reds history by a switch-hitter.
Stewart drove in two runs on a single to center field in the sixth for a 9-0 lead and he added a sacrifice fly in the seventh. He's tied with Houston's Yordan Alvarez for the major league lead with 24 RBIs.
Cincinnati (16-8) has won five straight for its best start after 24 games since the 2006 team began 17-7. The Reds are eight games over .500 for the first time since early August of 2023.
Chase Burns (2-1) struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings, allowing only two runs on Jonathan Aranda’s homer in the sixth. The Reds had not allowed a home run in their previous six games.
Tampa Bay starter Steven Matz (3-1) only lasted three innings after permitting four runs.
Ke’Bryan Hayes, Dane Myers and Spencer Steer each hit a solo home run in the first five innings for Cincinnati. Myers finished with four runs scored.
Hayes, who entered 4 for 56, drove a shot over the wall in right field for his first extra-base hit of the season and Myers followed with his first home run for the Reds.
The Rays have lost four of their last five games.
Up next
Cincinnati goes for a series sweep on Wednesday with LHP Brandon Williamson on the mound against Tampa Bay RHP Nick Martinez.
BOSTON (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit a solo homer in the second and added a two-run double as the New York Yankees extended their winning streak to four straight with a 4-0 win over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.
Stanton, who sat out a 7-0 win over Kansas City on Sunday after going 0-for-9 in his previous two games, drove in the first three runs for New York and gave starter Luis Gil all the offense he needed against the struggling Red Sox.
Gil (1-1) picked up his first win of the season holding Boston to just two hits as the Yankees outhit the Red Sox 10-4 and cruised to their major league-leading fifth shutout of the season. Cody Bellinger extended his hitting streak to nine straight with a single in the eighth and scored on Randal Grichuk’s double to center.
The Red Sox went without a hit from Marcelo Mayer’s double in the second until Carlos Narváez singled in the eighth. Boston lost for the third time in four games.
Gil hadn’t gone more than five innings in either of his previous two starts. He went 6 1/3 on Tuesday with two strikeouts and three walks.
Stanton led off the second with a towering shot to left, driving a 1-0 slider from Connelly Early (1-1) over the Green Monster for his third homer of the season and New York’s 19th in the last eight games.
Stanton drove in two more in the sixth with a drive off the scoreboard in left-center, bringing in Amed Rosario and Aaron Judge after the Yankees led off the inning with back-to-back walks. Stanton was robbed of another hit in the eighth when Mayer made a leaping catch at the center-field wall.
New York’s Ben Rice, who had homered in four straight games, was 0-for-4 — striking out all four times.
Up next
Yankees LHP Max Fried (2-1, 2.97 ERA) faces Boston lefty Ranger Suarez (1-1, 3.22) in the second of the three-game series.
The Zurich may be an off week for the casuals, but, as that famous soccer (or futbol?) meme states, "We will be there no matter what."
Sure, the field is not exactly strong and the odds at the top of the board are hardly juicy, but the volatile team format certainly widens the pool of potential winners, and allows you to go fishing for some longshots.
The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, Ryan Noonan of Betsperts, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line.
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Ryan Gerard/Sudarshan Yellamaraju (17-1, DraftKings) — God blessed us with this last second swap from Ford to Sudar McGavin. Gotta bet it now.
Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Aaron Rai/Sahith Theegala (22-1, FanDuel) — Looking for a breakout team? Pair a scorer with an extremely consistent ball striker. Aaron Raiworks for the highway commission. The man paints straight lines with his golf shots. Precise, consistent, and calm. Sahith Theegalais a pure scorer. Together, they have eight appearances in the Zurich Classic and six top-25 finishes. I love Rai to keep Theegala out of trouble, and Sahith to help Aaron convert on the greens.
Ryan Noonan, Content Manager 4for4/Betsperts: Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (12-1, FanDuel) — Matt is arguably the hottest player in the world right now, and little brother, Alex, has three straight T-14 or better finishes on the DP World Tour, including a win last time out in India. This is a natural bye week on the schedule for Matt, sandwiched between signature events with the PGA Championship coming quickly, so the fact that he's even here means he's serious about getting this win with Alex.
Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Michael Brennan/Johnny Keefer (22-1, DraftKings)— Two of the most talented young studs in pro golf are partnering up, so people are betting this team—moving from their opening number to 22-1. I’m still willing to bet on the insane distance advantage they’ll have as both players are in the top 20 on tour this year. Both players have been inconsistent, but I think the vibes will be strong and they can feed off each other to move to the top of the board.
Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Michael Thorbjornsen/Karl Vilips (20-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — If not for a brutal double bogey on the par-3 17th a year ago, these two may have won this thing already. Would be stunned if they aren’t at least in the mix again to avenge that run. Thor’s problem this year has been closing on Sundays. This week, he’s got a partner—one who has two top-20 finishes on tour this year—to help alleviate some of that pressure.
Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Matt McCarty/Mac Meissner (27-1, DraftKings) — The Matt McCarty and Mac Meissner team is my pick to win this week as both players have been playing some really solid golf of late. McCarty is coming off back-to-back top-25s at the Masters and Heritage, and Meissner has back-to-back top-30 finishes in his own right.
Past results: We have our SECOND winner of 2026, with Ryan Noonan hitting his first-ever outright as a member of the panel, correctly predicting Nico Echavarria’s win at the Cognizant Classic at 60-1. That makes two 60-1 hits for our panel this year, with Stephen Hennessey nailing Justin Rose’s Farmers win at 60-1, too.
Zurich Classic picks 2026: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win
Mayo: Jacob Skov Olesen/Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson (45-1, Bet365) — Another pair of Danes took home a silver medal last year in this event. Why can’t another contend as well? Especially the two that grew up playing together.
Stewart: Chad Ramey/Justin Lower (72-1, DraftKings) — In his last three Zurich starts, Chad Rameyhas finished ninth, second, and eighth. Justin Lowerhas two more top 10s in his last four starts in New Orleans. Neither guy is an elite player on the PGA Tour, but when it comes to this team competition, they get it done. Ramey’s consistent ball striking and Lower’s ability to go low pair perfectly. With the reduced strength of the field, maybe two guys can break through as Griffin and Novak did one year ago.
Noonan: Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge (70-1, DraftKings) — Neither golfer is trending particularly well, but they’re streaky and good course fits for TPC Louisiana. Horschel has had a lot of success here in the past, winning this event as a solo back in 2013 and as a member of a duo with Scott Piercy in 2018.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Tony Finau/Max Greyserman (45-1, BetMGM)— I love this pairing—they have similar games, and they should have plenty of birdie chances with their off-the-tee advantage. Greyserman is one of the best players to not have won yet on tour, and he’ll have a veteran presence like Finau, who will be hungry for his first victory in over 1,000 days, which will certainly help.
Powers, Golf Digest: Chris Kirk/Patton Kizzire (80-1, Bet365) — Kirk handles all the tee-to-green stuff. Kizzire handles the chipping and putting. Profit.
Lack: Austin Smotherman/Andrew Putnam (47-1, DraftKings) — I love the potential of this duo, as Austin Smotherman is an excellent ball-striker, and Andrew Putnam’s strengths are around-the-green play and putting. Both players make a ton of birdies, and their contrasting styles should complement each other well.
Mayo: Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (9-1, BetRivers) — Who putts on this team?
Stewart: Michael Brennan/Johnny Keefer (22-1, DraftKings) — Playing a team format can help inconsistent ball-strikers achieve greater success, but inconsistent putters? Both Johnny Keeferand Michael Brennanlose strokes to the field inside 10 feet with their flatstick. Imagine the alternate shot format where Brennan and Keefer keep struggling with six to eight-foot putts because they only putt under pressure every other hole. Lose that much ground to the field, and it will be very hard to catch up against much better putting teams.
Noonan: Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (9-1, BetRivers) — I'm interested in watching the chemistry and vibes of this team, but I'm not interested in backing them at their current price. I like both players a lot more when the test is difficult, but when we need birdies in bunches, I’m not sure I can see these two climbing to 25 or 30-under.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Marco Penge/Matt Wallace (22-1, FanDuel) — It’s tough to ignore Penge’s recent approach play here. His length paired with Wallace’s solid ball-striking should be an asset at TPC Louisiana, but the stats are too ugly to be confident at these odds.
Powers, Golf Digest: Andrew Novak/Ben Griffin (+1850, DraftKings) — This has been a surprisingly tough title to defend since going to the team format. Too many good players making too many birdies and way too much volatility in the alternate shot portion of the event. They’ll play well and maybe even contend, but winning again is a huge ask.
Lack: Marco Penge/Matt Wallace (22-1, FanDuel) — I simply think that the Matt Wallace/Marco Penge duo is overvalued. Penge has shown some serious signs of brilliance this year, but he remains extremely raw and inconsistent. This will also be his first appearance at this event, and Wallace hasn’t been great in the Zurich either, missing two of his last three cuts.
Zurich Classic picks 2026: Matchups
Mayo: Michael Brennan/Johnny Keefer (-110) over Taylor Moore/Wyndham Clark (Coolbet) — Give me the bomb squad of Brennan and Keefer over just about anybody in this field.
Stewart: Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (-110) over Brooks Koepka/Shane Lowry (Bet365) — The Fitzpatrick brothers have three wins in the last five weeks. Two by Matt Fitzpatrickon the PGA Tour, and one by Alexon the DP World Tour. Brooks Koepkaand Shane Lowryhave both been excellent ball-strikers in 2026, but how about scoring? Both Koepka and Lowry are outside the top 65 in this field for Putting Inside 10 feet. Team formats are all about converting scoring chances. I’ll take two of the hottest players on the planet, who just so happen to be related, against two Florida neighbors.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Michael Brennan/Johnny Keefer (-120) over Marco Penge/Matt Wallace (Bet365) — Easy one here with my pick to win over my team to fade.
Powers, Golf Digest: Sudarshan Yellamaraju/Ryan Gerard (-120) over Andrew Novak/Ben Griffin (Bet365) — Two scorching hot golfers vs. the defending champs who I am fading.
Lack: Matt McCarty/Mac Meissner (-130) over Alex Smalley/Hayden Springer (Southpoint) — This is an easy one for me, as McCarty/Meissner are my pick to win, and I have serious questions about the Smalley/Springer duo. Alex Smalley is a solid PGA Tour pro, but Hayden Springer has been primarily playing on the Korn Ferry Tour this year, and his results there are very uninspiring.
Matchup Results from the RBC Heritage: Stewart: 1 for 1 (Harman (-125) over Poston); Noonan: 1 for 1 (McNealy (-105) over MacIntyre); Mayo: PUSH (Straka (-110) over Lowry); Powers: 0 for 1; Lack: 0 for 1; Hennessey: 0 for 1
Mayo: Michael Brennan/Johnny Keefer (+255, DraftKings) — Two of the most fun young guys on tour playing together vs. 90 percent of a Korn Ferry field? Can’t stay away.
Stewart: Taylor Moore/Wyndham Clark (+230, Bet365) — The Zurich always pulls together a couple of classic pairings. Taylor Mooreand Wyndham Clarkhave both had roller coaster seasons. When it comes to battling in the bayou, each has proven they can contend. In nine combined starts between the two of them, they have four top-10 finishes. Two each. I’m going with experience at TPC New Orleans for this top-10 ticket.
Noonan: Michael Thorbjornsen/Karl Vilips (+185, FanDuel) — The Stanford Cardinal duo finished T-4 here last season, and both players finished T-33 at Harbour Town last week with encouraging tee-to-green performances. Their ability to take advantage of the par 5s here is essential for success, and this duo can make birdies in bunches.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Tony Finau/Max Greyserman (+380, FanDuel) — Backing up my sleeper pick with a top-10 bet here. Finau and Greyserman have too much talent to not hang around on the weekend and make a move up the board.
Powers, Golf Digest: Kristoffer Ventura/Kristoffer Reitan (+300, Caesars Sportsbook) — Same name, same country? Say less. But, actually, I’ve been a Kristoffer Ventura truther for years now, though that has not been a fun time in 2026 (he’s missed six out of seven cuts). He does have boom or bust potential, and being paired with a fellow countryman in Reitan, who has been far more dependable this year, might allow him to finally realize that potential this week. Both these guys are excellent off the tee, hopefully they can ham and egg it in the other departments and sneak in the top 10.
Lack: Wyndham Clark/Taylor Moore (+180, DraftKings) — This American duo has a serious chance to contend this week in Louisiana, and I have been particularly impressed by Wyndham Clark’s play of late. Clark has strung together back-to-back top-25s at the Masters and Heritage, and he is finally starting to regain form off the tee.
Top-10 results from the RBC Heritage: Powers: 1 for 1 (Patrick Cantlay +225); Lack: 1 for 1 (Matt Fitzpatrick +165); Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Matt Fitzpatrick +165); Everybody else: 0 for 1
Top-10 results from the 2026 season: Mayo: 5 for 14 (up 12.15 units); Noonan: 4 for 14 (up 3.3 units); Stewart: 4 for 14 (up 1.85 units); Lack: 3 for 14 (down 1.65 units); Powers: 3 for 14 (down 2.25 units); Hennessey: 2 for 14 (down 5.65 units)
About our experts
Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME.
Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor and content partner with Golf Digest. Stewart is a co-founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the PGA Tour, LPGA and TGL. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter for the industry's best betting narratives. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_.
Ryan Noonan is the Betting Content Manager for 4for4 and Betsperts Golf, writing articles and hosting multiple shows under the Betsperts Group umbrella, including Move The Line and our Betsperts Golf Betting Show. Find him on Twitter: @RyNoonan.
Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.
The Philadelphia 76ers responded in emphatic fashion in Game 2, riding standout performances from V.J. Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey to secure a 111-97 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, evening their first-round playoff series at one game apiece.
Edgecombe delivered a gutsy performance, finishing with 30 points and 10 rebounds despite playing through visible discomfort after taking a hard fall early in the game. The rookie showed resilience, knocking down six 3-pointers as part of Philadelphia’s strong perimeter attack. Maxey complemented him with 29 points and nine assists, orchestrating the offense with pace and precision.
After a lopsided 123-91 loss in Game 1, the 76ers needed a response—and they got one. Philadelphia shot an efficient 47.8% from the field and connected on 19 of 39 attempts from beyond the arc, a stark contrast from their earlier struggles.
Boston threatened to make things interesting late. The Celtics trimmed a seven-point deficit entering the fourth quarter down to just 91-89, fueled by strong play from Jaylen Brown, who led all scorers with 36 points. Jayson Tatum added a near triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
76ers surge past Boston Celtics late to even series despite absence of Joel Embiid
But Philadelphia answered with authority. An 11-0 run midway through the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 102-89, effectively putting the game out of reach. Boston eventually pulled its starters in the final minute.
The Celtics struggled offensively, shooting just 39.3% from the field and 13 of 47 from 3-point range. Turnovers also proved costly, with 13 miscues leading to 16 points for the 76ers.
Notably, Philadelphia remained without Joel Embiid, who continues his recovery following an appendectomy earlier this month. Even so, the 76ers showed depth and resilience.
With the series now tied, the focus shifts to Philadelphia for a pivotal Game 3 on Friday, where momentum will be up for grabs.
The New York Mets' losing streak has reached 12 games.
The Mets blew a 3-0 lead in a 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, April 21. Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams allowed two runs without getting an out in the top of the ninth as Minnesota pulled away for the victory.
The Mets (7-16) have been one of the biggest disappointments to start the 2026 MLB season. Superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor is slugging just .341 with two home runs so far this season. The Mets' big offseason acquisition in Bo Bichette is doing even worse. However, the biggest disappointment is their record.
The 12-game skid makes the Mets the first team to lose that many games consecutively since the 2022 Los Angeles Angels lost 14 consecutive games. You heard that right. Even the historically bad 2024 Chicago White Sox and 2025 Colorado Rockies never experienced losing streaks of this magnitude.
What are the longest losing streaks in Mets history?
The longest losing streak in franchise history came during the team's inaugural 1962 season, when they lost 17 consecutive tilts. Funny enough, that same 1962 team also experienced losing streaks of 13 games and 11 games throughout that season. They finished the year with a 40-120-1 record.
Mets' MLB ranks
Coming into Tuesday night's game, the Mets ranked dead last in team OPS at .624. They ranked 27th in home runs with 16 and 28th in walks with 64.
On the pitching side, they rank middle of the pack in team ERA at 4.06 — 16th in MLB. They also rank 16th in strikeouts (160) and eighth in walks (75).
Simeon Woods Richardson, a Mets draft pick in 2018, gave up three runs in five innings pitched. All three scored on a Francisco Lindor home run in the third inning. Woods Richardson allowed four hits, walked three and took a no-decision.
Player of the Game
Luke Keaschall provided both the game-tying and game-winning hits for the Twins.
An inning after the Twins finally broke through against Mets starter Nolan McLean, Keaschall sent a single to center to even the score at 3-3 in the seventh inning.
In the ninth, after the first two batters walked and everyone was safe on Kody Clemens’ sacrifice bunt, Keaschall’s second hit of the game gave the Twins their first lead. The Twins tacked on another run when Matt Wallner walked with the bases loaded.
Key moment
McLean was perfect through the first five innings, absolutely dominating the Twins. He struck out every batter in the Twins lineup except for Josh Bell, but the Twins finally broke through off him in the sixth inning.
Matt Wallner’s single to lead off the frame halted McLean’s bid for perfection, and later in that inning, Byron Buxton hit a pivotal two-run home run which cut the Mets’ lead to 3-2.
The Mets have lost 12 straight games.
Up next
The Twins and Mets will play the second game of their three-game set on Wednesday night at 6:10 p.m. CDT. Top pitching prospect Connor Prielipp is expected to be added to the major league roster and make his debut against the Mets. Clay Holmes (2-2, 1.96 ERA) will start for the Mets, who have lost 12 straight games.
BOSTON (AP) — V.J. Edgecombe had 30 points and 10 rebounds while playing through pain after taking a hard fall early in the game, Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 111-97 on Tuesday night to tie their playoff series at one game apiece.
Edgecombe connected on six of the 76ers’ 19 3-pointers. Maxey also had nine assists as Philadelphia bounced back after getting blown out 123-91 in Game 1.
The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday.
The Celtics cut a seven-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to 91-89 before an 11-0 run put the 76ers back in front 102-89 with just over four minutes to play. The Celtics pulled their starters with a little more than a minute remaining.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 36 points. Jayson Tatum added 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
After struggling from the field in Game 1, the 76ers needed much more from Maxey and Edgecombe. They got it, with the pair carrying the load for a team that shot 47.8% from the field, including 19 of 39 from the 3-point line.
Boston was only 13 of 47 from the 3-point line and shot 39.3% from the field overall, while committing 13 turnovers leading to 16 points by the 76ers.
Philadelphia, which was again without center Joel Embiid for Game 2 as he continues to go through a strength and conditioning program following an appendectomy on April 9, was twice without Edgecombe for brief stretches Tuesday.
Edgecombe limped off in noticeable pain and went straight to the locker room for treatment in both the first and third quarters.
He returned each time and kept scoring to help the 76ers build as much as a 13-point lead in the third.
The intensity was high throughout the game.
It hit a high point in the opening minutes when Brown was assessed a technical foul after his emphatic one-handed dunk over Adem Bona that sent the 76ers big man to the floor.
Replays appeared to show that Brown’s momentum after the jam carried him into contact with Bona, who fell to the floor and left Brown in a hovering position over him.
But referee Marc Davis didn’t see it that way and called Brown for the tech.
Josh Allen has a new baby daughter, but Buffalo's favorite son hasn't changed.
Allen brought the energy to KeyBank Center on Tuesday night, firing up the crowd before Game 2 of the Buffalo Sabres' first-round playoff game against the Buffalo Bruins.
Wearing an Alex Tuch goathead sweater, Allen was introduced to a roaring crowd arena and embraced the moment. He screamed "Let's (expletive) go!" while pumping his arms, then grabbed the ceremonial drumstick and got to work.
After slamming the drum to a "Let's go Buffalo" chant, Allen flipped the mallet, reached into his back pocket, pulled out a beer and chugged it. It send the building into a frenzy.
A perfect Buffalo moment.
JOSH ALLEN HAS THE CROWD BUZZING IN BUFFALO!!! 📣 #StanleyCup
Allen hinted Monday at his Bills minicamp press conference while waring a Sabres hat and sweatshirt that he was hoping to make it to the game after missing Game 1 while on a plane to Buffalo. He said the other passengers cheered the Sabres' 4-3 comeback victory while landing and he watched the highlights upon arrival.
“For the city of Buffalo, I think it’s a better place when the Sabres are playing well, and it being the first playoff game in, was it 15 years?” Allen said. "It's a team people kind of wrote off at the beginning part of the season. And they've come together rather quickly. They're playing for each other. You can see that. You can feel that. I think the buzz in the city right now, it's electric."
Behind every elite fighter sits a mastermind coach. For Japanese kickboxing star Kaito Ono, that guiding voice belongs to the man who raised him.
The featherweight standout brings a lifetime of shared sacrifice into the ring when he clashes with Armenian striking icon Marat Grigorian.
That high-stakes kickboxing showdown takes place at ONE SAMURAI 1, which broadcasts live from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, April 29.
As Kaito prepares to face one of the most feared kickboxers in the world’s largest martial arts organization, he leans entirely on a highly unusual training dynamic.
Unlike traditional camps built around established trainers, Kaito’s head coach possessed absolutely no formal combat sports background. When the young athlete first discovered “Glove Karate” – a version of karate utilizing boxing gloves and full-contact strikes – his father decided to embark on the journey alongside him.
Driven by an obsession to help his son succeed, his dad relentlessly studied fight footage and taught himself the intricacies of the striking arts. Decades later, that self-taught dedication continues to steer the ship.
Kaito recalled:
“When I was young, my mother wanted me to be involved in sports, and I took up Glove Karate. From there, I started to train constantly.
“My dad also learned along with me. When we started, we both didn’t know much about fighting. My dad never did any martial arts. But my dad was very determined to learn so that he can help me train, and he is still my coach to this day. He is a very valuable voice in my corner.”
That meticulous, studious approach could prove vital against a veteran like Grigorian.
The matchup originally materialized last year before infamously falling through due to a weight dispute, giving the father-son duo an extended window to dissect the Armenian powerhouse.
Rather than resting during the delay, Kaito’s dad doubled down on his film study. He crafted a specific blueprint designed to neutralize Grigorian’s relentless forward pressure and expose his openings.
The Japanese sensation explained:
“Since my fight with Marat Grigorian was first announced last year, my father studied my opponent’s style extensively. Then it was cancelled, but since then, we knew we would face Grigorian some time in the future, so my dad continued to study his style relentlessly.
“We know what his strengths and weaknesses are, and my dad has made a strong game plan for me to fight him.”
Kaito’s unbreakable bond with his father forged a level of trust impossible to replicate in a traditional gym. Every combination he throws and every defensive read he executes traces directly back to the hours spent working together.
Navigating the global stage brings intense pressure, but the Japanese star finds ultimate confidence in the voice guiding him. He views his entire martial arts identity as a direct reflection of his lifelong mentor.
The 28-year-old added:
“I believe my father is the one who shaped me into the fighter I am, so he’s everything to me. My fighting is entirely shaped by my father. He’s someone I truly respect, and I’d say he’s a one-of-a-kind trainer.”
To execute that game plan, Kaito Ono maintains a single-minded lifestyle.
While many athletes rely on outside hobbies to decompress from the rigors of training camp, the Japanese star refuses to disconnect.
He embraces a 24-hour martial arts mindset, viewing the constant immersion not as a burden, but as the strict foundation of his success. If he ever steps away from the gym, it will only be to repay the people who built him.
Kaito said:
“My entire life is just all about fighting and training. It’s all I do. I just do martial arts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Of course, I sometimes go out and have dinner with my friends and catch up. But even then, I am still thinking about martial arts. It is my life.
“I think my family has sacrificed a lot for me to reach my dreams in martial arts. So, I think I would want to take them on vacation and spend some time with them outside of martial arts.”
Before any vacations can materialize, he must handle the business in front of him. Grigorian publicly promised to break through Kaito’s guard and score a knockout in Tokyo.
The Japanese striker hears the threats, but he plans to flip the script and deliver a highlight-reel finish of his own in front of his home crowd.
He concluded:
“It is a very important fight in my career. Of course, I want to make my dad proud. This fight means a lot to the both of us.
“It will not be easy, but I am going to finish him. I think this will be a very exciting fight, and I think it’s not going to go the distance. It’s going to be a good fight for the fans. But I see myself beating him and knocking him out.”
Five years after the Atlanta Hawks took care of the New York Knicks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the two franchises are once again locked into a competitive series.
CJ McCollum, doing his best Trae Young impression, put the Hawks on his back Monday night, leading his team in scoring with 32 points on 12 of 22 shooting from the field. He was consistently knocking down must-have shots down the stretch of Game 2.
The Madison Square Garden faithful let McCollum have it during the game. Expletive chants rained down on the veteran throughout the third quarter of Game 2. But it was McCollum who ended up having the last laugh, and he seems to be embracing his new role.
CJ McCollum responds to hatred from Knicks fans
After Game 2, McCollum was asked about the expletives from the Garden faithful, and he did his best to downplay the narrative of becoming the new villain in New York.
"I ain't no villain, I'm a nice guy with two kids and a wife. I think it's admiration. Great, passionate fans. Really hostile environment. It's fun, it's basketball, it's the playoffs. I love it. It's why we play the game," McCollum said via Clutch Points' Kris Pursiainen.
Clearly, McCollum isn't interested in playing the role of villain for Knicks fans, but it may not be up to him.
If he keeps playing as he did in Game 2 throughout the series, he'll etch his name in the recent history books with the likes of Trae Young and Tyrese Haliburton.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 20: Grey Zabel #76 of the Seattle Seahawks runs onto the field before the NFL 2025 game against the Houston Texans at Lumen Field on October 20, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It is almost time for the 2026 NFL Draft to begin, and that means that the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are on the brink of adding young talent to the roster.
General manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald enter the draft with just four selections in their arsenal, however, as only a pair of starters from the roster that won Super Bowl LX by pasting the New England Patriots 29-13 departed in free agency, there may not be a lot of holes that need filled before the start of the season.
With all of that in mind, it is time for the annual event that is the Field Gulls Armchair GM Challenge, and while the methodology is the same this year as it has been in years past, the system used is different and more restrictive. Basically, no more gaming the system by selecting the same player multiple times because the submission system has been greatly tweaked.
The scoring system for the challenge will be the same as in years past: each entrant chooses 20 players they believe the Seahawks may select in the draft. Each of those selections is assigned a point value from 30 points down to 11 points, with the entrant who finishes the contest with the most points declared the winner.
The difference this year is that instead of just a simple Google Form, there’s an actual website that handles the submissions, making the process a bit different compared to years past. Specifically, this year entry is a multi-step process. The first step is to navigate to the 2026 Field Gulls Armchair GM Challenge, where you will be greeted with a page that looks like this:
On this page you will be able to add the twenty players you would like on your entry to your board by first selecting a position, and then selecting the desired player from the panel in the middle of the screen. The following image shows what happens when IOL is selected in the left panel.
Then it’s simply a matter of clicking on a player’s name to add them to the board on the right. There is no need to worry about order at this point, as this part of the process is only about adding the players to the board. Once the board has been filled and there are twenty players in the list, the “Proceed to Next Step” button at the bottom of the right panel will turn green.
You may need to scroll down to reach that button, but once you have scrolled down to it, clicking takes you to a page on which you may rearrange the value of the twenty selections made.
On this page each of the twenty players selected for the entry will be on a draggable card that may be moved to rearrange the order of the players on your entry. Once you have the entries arranged in the desired order, enter your SBNation username in the space at the bottom of the screen and click “Submit Entry”.
Good luck to everyone, and time depending there should be standings updates at least daily during the draft, with final results likely to be published Sunday morning.
The Los Angeles Lakers, who continue to be without the injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, got a big break prior to Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series versus the Houston Rockets on Saturday when Kevin Durant was ruled out due to a knee contusion. They took advantage and got themselves a 107-98 win to take a 1-0 series lead.
They will have no such advantage for Game 2 of the matchup on Tuesday. Durant has reportedly been cleared to play, per ESPN.
"Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has been cleared to return for Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers after missing Game 1 due to a knee tendon bruise, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
"Durant suffered the injury in practice on Wednesday. He was seen getting shots up shortly before Game 2, and coach Ime Udoka said that Durant wouldn't be on a minutes restriction if he plays."
Without the future Hall of Famer on Saturday, Houston shot just 37.6% from the field. Durant's return will mean that the team will have a legitimate offensive go-to guy, as well as someone who can set the table for others at times.
For the Lakers, LeBron James had 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds on Saturday, while guard Luke Kennard scored a career playoff high 27 points. Every member of their starting lineup got into double figures in scoring.
The Denver Broncos are approaching the 2026 NFL Draft with championship aspirations, looking for a few extra pieces to get over the hump this coming season.
After trading away several picks to obtain wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins, the Broncos have much less draft capital than they began with, but could still get creative enough to come out of the selection process sitting pretty. But which direction will the team go in with its first pick?
The Broncos could use more depth at inside linebacker, tight end, running back and defensive line. It would also be a good idea to consider another offensive tackle to be developed into an eventual replacement for either Garett Bolles or Mike McGlinchey.
With only seven picks at their disposal, the Broncos will have to work a trade or be fortunate with the way the board falls in order to come out of this draft with all of those things but if last year's draft was any indication, the tandem of Sean Payton and George Paton don't really put much stock into positional needs and just take the top player on their board.
But you're looking for an answer to the question of which position the team will target, right? Let's take a closer look at what many consider the team's top needs.
What will Broncos do with pick No. 62?
The Broncos don't have a pick until late in the second round, No. 62 overall, and because of all of the unpredictability in front of them, they likely don't have any one player or position etched in stone with this pick.
Running Back: If Notre Dame's Jadarian Price falls to this spot, it would be quite difficult to pass on him. Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr. would be another option. But the Broncos like their running back room much more than most of the fanbase seems to and Payton is likely not bothered by waiting until Day 3 to address this spot.
Tight End: Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers may have emerged as the top mock draft selection for the Broncos with this pick and it does make sense. He would give Payton the ability to be much more versatile at the tight end position due to his natural ability to make plays with the ball in his hands.
Defensive Line: The Broncos need to find a replacement for John Franklin-Myers, who departed in free agency, but it's much more likely that the team will turn to a player already on the roster, such as Sai'vion Jones, to fill that role before looking for that player with this pick.
Inside Linebacker: There could be some great options at this spot, including Anthony Hill, Jr., Jacob Rodriguez and Josiah Trotter. With Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad as the current starters, any of those players could knock them out of the lineup. At the very least, the Broncos need more depth here, but the potential move of Jonah Elliss to the inside could be a big factor.
In all likelihood, the Broncos are going to take the best player on their board at No. 62, regardless of position. That could even be a player who doesn't fill any of these positions. If the team does take a player at one of these positions, inside linebacker is probably the correct move.
Enmanuel Valdez hit the second-longest home run in baseball this season as the Indians raced to an early lead and beat the Saints, 7-5, at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
All of the Indians’ runs were scored on home runs.
Valdez, who played 31 games for the Pirates last season,hit a two-run home run that was measured to have traveled 466 feet to center field to give Indianapolis a 3-0, third-inning lead in the opener of a six game series.
Top Twins prospect Walker Jenkins hit his first home run with the Saints, a solo shot to start the fourth and cut the Saints’ deficit to 3-1, and two-run homers by Kyler Fedko and Gabby Gonzalez in the fifth inning cut a 6-1 deficit to 6-5, but that was as close as the shorthanded Saints got.
Because of a bug going through the Saints clubhouse, manager Brian Dinkelman had to revise his starting lineup a few times before the opening pitch.
The teams resume the series at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday. Right-hander Andrew Bash (0-1, 4.41) is scheduled to start for the Saints against Indianapolis left-hander Hunter Barco (0-0, 7.71).
TORONTO (AP) — Allyson Simpson scored at 2:42 in overtime as the New York Sirens played spoiler in defeating the Toronto Sceptres 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Kayle Osborne stopped 21 shots for New York, which came in three points back of the Sceptres and needed a regulation win to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention.
The overtime result ended the Sirens’ postseason hopes.
Raygan Kirk made 32 saves for Toronto, which remained two points behind the Ottawa Charge for the fourth and final playoff spot.
The Sceptres would have moved past the Charge for that spot with a regulation win, but will instead wait to see Ottawa’s result against Boston on Wednesday.
Toronto did not play with the urgency of a team with a playoff berth on the line. The Sceptres had four shots through 20 minutes and just 10 through 40 minutes. The Sceptres came in with the worst offense in the league, seven goals behind last-place Seattle (58) and the second-worst power play. But coming off a 2-0 win over Minnesota on Sunday on the strength of two power-play goals — a first for the season — Toronto failed to carry the momentum over.
Entering Tuesday, Kirk had three shutouts in her last six starts since March 15 with a .968 save percentage during that stretch. Three of the five goals she allowed in her last six games came against New York in her only start against the Sirens this season.
Up next
Sirens: Visit the Boston Fleet on Saturday.
Sceptres: Visit the Ottawa Charge for the regular-season finale on Saturday.
Two events, UFC Fight Night 273 and PFL Belfast, took place last week, causing movement in the pound-for-pound and divisional rankings.
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 273, Mike Malott announced his official arrival into the upper echelon of the promotion's welterweight division – and into our rankings – as he defeated Gilbert Burns by third-round TKO.
Also on the card, Charles Jourdain defeated Kyler Phillips to add his name to the list, even if only as an honorable mention.
BOSTON — Hours before the Yankees faced the Red Sox for the first time this season, Aaron Boone was asked if he thought his series-opening starter, Luis Gil, had been thinking about his uncertain job security.
“I think [Luis is] in the moment, and knows he’s got another big start tonight,” the Yankees manager said, adding that Gil is focused on what’s in front of him. “He expects to do well when he walks out there, and I think that’s where his focus is.”
Gil did, in fact, do well on Tuesday, tallying two hits, three walks, two strikeouts and 83 pitches over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the Yankees’ 4-0 win. Giancarlo Stanton provided most of the offense for the Bombers, first crushing a second-inning solo homer that dinged off the left field light tower that stands atop The Green Monster. The slugger added a two-run double off the oversized wall in the sixth inning.
Gil, meanwhile, enjoyed better results than the ones he got in his first two starts of the season, which saw him surrender seven earned runs over nine innings. The righty didn’t exactly rediscover his electric, 2024 Rookie of the Year form at Fenway, though, as his four-seam fastball averaged 93.6 mph, a 1.8-mph decrease, on Tuesday. His slider was down 3.6 mph, and he only yielded four whiffs with his change-up and sinker also lacking zip. Gil’s command issues popped up at the end as well, as he walked the last two batters he faced.
Keep in mind, he also threw to a Red Sox lineup that entered the game 23rd in runs scored and 24th in wRC+.
Nonetheless, Gil, who has been working on his release point and delivery since camp, will take the scoreless outing after some spring training struggles, a season-opening assignment to Triple-A and a pair of forgettable starts.
It’s a solid building block for the 27-year-old, who still needs to show more if he is to remain in the Yankees’ rotation. And even then, the decision could be out of his hands.
With Carlos Rodón, set to make his first rehab start Friday, and Gerrit Cole, scheduled for his second rehab start Thursday, working their way back from injuries, a logjam is coming to the Yankees’ rotation if everyone else stays healthy. Even after Tuesday’s start, Gil, who still has a minor league option and isn’t an ideal candidate for the bullpen, remains the low man on the depth chart.
Once Cole and Rodón are ready, another starter will be forced out if no other injuries occur. That could be Ryan Weathers, who only threw 38 1/3 innings last year, or Will Warren, who proved durable with 33 starts in 2025.
For now, both appear to have the edge over Gil, as Weathers and Warren possess sharper stuff.
Of course, no rotation shuffling is imminent with Rodón expected to make at least three rehab starts and Cole moving at a slower pace following Tommy John surgery. A lot could happen before either makes their season debut.
As far as Gil is concerned, a few more starts like his one on Tuesday won’t hurt his case, even if it may be too late to significantly help it.
As of Thursday night, the Houston Texans own the 38th overall pick in Round 2, but given general manager Nick Caserio, a trade could already be in the works.
The Texans are coming off an NFL Draft a year ago, where they technically landed three starters on Day 2. Jayden Higgins ended up becoming a quality No. 2 receiver while Tay Ersery started every game at either left or right tackle. Jaylin Noel rotated in between reps in the slot and outside, but saw most of his success come on special teams.
All three selections were made within the first 80 picks. As of now, Houston has four picks in the top 70, including three on Day 2.
Throughout the past two decades, teams haven't had the most amount of success with pick No. 38. Most players have either underperformed or been transformed into nothing more than depth pieces on different teams.
Here's every player drafted 59th overall since 2006
2020-2025
2020 - New York Jets: WR Denzel Mims
2021 - Carolina Panthers: WR Terrace Marshall
2022 - Minnesota Vikings: OL Ed Ingram
2023 - Buffalo Bills: OL O'Cyrus Torrance
2024 - Houston Texans: OT Blake Fisher
2025 - Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Mike Green
Well, there are two Texans on the list. Ingram never found his footing in Minnesota, but he graded out as one of the league's best interior run blockers last season as Houston secured its first 12-win season since 2012. He was rewarded with a three-year deal, keeping him in Houston through 2028. Fisher, who was once viewed as a potential starting right tackle, served as the swing option as the "blocking tight end" that would report as eligible.
For the rest of the group, Mims and Marshall are two of the bigger busts in their draft classes, with the former already being out of the league. Torrance is one of the more stable interior linemen and could be up for a new deal this offseason in Buffalo.
2010-2019
2010: Cleveland Browns: RB Montario Hardesty
2011: Cleveland Browns: WR Greg Little
2012: Philadelphia Eagles: DE Vinny Curry
2013: New England Patriots: WR Aaron Dobson
2014: Indianapolis Colts: OT Jack Mewhort
2015: Denver Broncos: OT Ty Sambrailo
2016: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: PK Roberto Aguayo
2017: Kansas City Chiefs: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
2018: Washington Commanders: RB Derrius Guice
2019: Indianapolis Colts: WR Parris Campbell
Nearly every player was either a bust or a role player. Guice had a promising future with Washington before legal troubles took him out of the league and ended his career. Campbell looked like a decent secondary receiver, but injuries eventually led to him becoming a secondary element on other teams.
Sambralio and Mewhort never met their expectations despite starting several seasons. Aguayo, whom Tampa Bay traded up for, might go down as one of the worst picks of all-time since he only lasted one season in Pewter Town. Really? A kicker in the top 60?!?!
2006-2009
2006: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Jeremy Trueblood
2007: Carolina Panthers: OL Ryan Kalil
2008: Indianapolis Colts: OL Mike Pollack
2009: Carolina Panthers: CB Sherrod Martin
Kalil was one of the best centers in the 2000s. A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Kalil was the anchor of Carolina's offensive line for over 12 years before eventually closing out his career with the New York Jets in 2019. As for everyone else? They barely made impacts in the pros.
The Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging in Game 2 of their NBA Playoffs series against the Boston Celtics. Despite not having Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe sucked the life out of TD Garden before halftime. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Coach Joe Mazzulla were just not equipped enough which led to a 111-97 demolition and an even first-round series.
Edgecombe, Maxey pop off to give 76ers NBA Playoffs life vs. Celtics
The first quarter of this NBA Playoffs game was nothing special. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were doing their work against the 76ers for an early three-point lead. Then, V.J. Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey just erupted which led to a 76ers barrage in the second quarter. This single-quarter outburst had them scoring 37 points while the Celtics only notched 26 points.
From there, it was all about running away with the win. Maxey finished the game with an impressive 29-point explosion after making 39% of his shots from the field. The 76ers also saw him rise to become a prolific NBA Playoffs playmaker as he dropped nine assists too. Defensively, he did all the work to prevent the Celtics from getting any momentum through his four rebounds and two steals.
Edgecombe, on the other hand, had a historic night. Coach Nick Nurse entrusted him with 35 minutes of playing time and he did not disappoint. The 76ers rookie scored a team-high 30 points after going ballistic to knock down 60% of his field goals and 60% of his three-pointers. More than that, he was also a pesky defender with 10 rebounds and two steals.
The secret to the 76ers tying up this NBA Playoffs series? Coach Nurse forced their rivals to live or die by the three-point line. The Celtics chucked up 50 attempts from beyond the arc and they only sank 26% of them. The 76ers defense also stole the ball six times and were able to get their opponents to turn the ball over 11 times.
The 76ers are awake because Edgecombe and Maxey breathed life into them. Has their longing for Embiid in the NBA Playoffs now died down or are the Celtics going to go on a hot streak starting in Game 3?
Fantasy expert consensus rankings (“ECR”) are starting to pop up across the Internet, giving managers an early glimpse into how the market might value hundreds of players this summer. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, here are the biggest Commanders busts based on ECR.
Terry McLaurin’s incredible 2024 campaign was not replicated in 2025. Not even close. It wasn’t his fault, as injuries to him and to Jayden Daniels made the alpha receiver nothing more than a streamer. Experts are mostly willing to forget last season, giving him a WR24 ECR. But even that’s too bullish.
He was the WR7 in 2024, not because he got more looks (his target rate was his lowest since 2019), but because he caught 13 TD passes. His yearly average entering that season was five. That eight-touchdown bump equated to 48 fantasy points, which catapulted him from fringe weekly starter to near-elite asset. That level of productivity cannot be easily replicated, especially for someone turning 31 years old in September. McLaurin’s a long shot to finish in the top 24.
Daniels is the other likely bust. While he should rebound nicely, his QB5 ECR assumes he’ll pick up where he left off in 2024. There are many other rising quarterback talents, including Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, Trevor Lawrence, Bo Nix, and Jaxson Dart. In other words, this isn’t the same fantasy landscape from two years ago. Daniels will be competing for top-10 value, not top-5 value. He’s a strong fade.
After initially announcing he would be returning for his sophomore season, Florida State forward Thomas Bassong is entering the transfer portal, according to ESPN's Jeff Borzello.
Bassong became a key member of Luke Loucks' inaugural team down the home stretch, playing in all 33 games with 17 starts, including in 16 of the final 17 games. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game to go with 21 steals and 13 blocks.
While his shooting will need to improve, his defensive ability made him a priority for FSU to retain. He scored in double-figures five times last season, including a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double on the road against Georgia Tech in the best offensive game of his young career.
He is originally from Paris, France, and shot 48.6% from the floor, 26.0% from 3-point range, and 54.4% from the free-throw line. The 6-foot-8, 203-pounder was the first high school commit that Loucks landed and will have three seasons of eligibility at his next school.
FSU has added four transfers this offseason, all of whom are considered four-star prospects. The group consists of point guard Anthony Robinson II (Missouri), guards Kameron Taylor (UNC Asheville) and Shon Abaev (Cincinnati), and forward Sebastian Rancik (Colorado). They also have a top 10 high school freshman class coming.
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San Antonio star center Victor Wembanyama was forced from Game 2 of the Spurs’ first-round playoff series with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday with an apparent concussion after hitting his face on the floor early in the second quarter.
The Spurs later announced that Wembanyama had entered concussion protocol and would not return to the game.
Wembanyama hit his face on in the floor at near-full speed after being knocked off his feet during a drive to the basket at the 8:57 mark of the second period, with the contact leaving him dazed enough to struggle standing up before jogging off the floor to the locker room.
San Antonio trailed 34-32 at the time of Wembanyama’s exit and he had amassed five points, four rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 11:41 of court time when he was injured. The game was tied 57-57 by halftime.
The Spurs have had plenty of success without their star this season. Wembanyama missed 18 games this season with various injuries, with San Antonio going 12-6 in those games.
Rob Thomson of the Philadelphia Phillies finds himself on the hot seat, something that the organization will have to make a decision on. At 8-14 at the time of writing this, the Phillies have been one of the worst teams in baseball to start the season and have been brutal over their last 10 games with a 2-8 record.
Simply put, if the Phillies are hoping to be the team they were expected to be entering the year, there's just no excuse for what Thomson is doing. It's impossible to blame all of these problems on one guy, but ultimately, this is the reality of the league, and players have to do what they need to do to keep their coaches on the staff.
Regarding who could potentially replace Thomson, there aren't a ton of perfect options out there, but one recent one floated is Don Mattingly, a former New York Yankees legend.
“The Phillies won 95 and 96 games the past two seasons with essentially the same cast. Like the Mets, they are talented enough to snap out of it. If they don’t, they could replace Thomson with their first-year bench coach, Don Mattingly, who previously managed the Dodgers and Miami Marlins. It’s not known whether Mattingly would want the job. His son Preston is the Phillies’ GM, creating a potentially awkward situation. Thomson’s staff includes other possible replacements, starting with third-base coach Dusty Wathan.
“After Sunday night’s 4-2 loss to the Braves, the Phillies are 5-10 at Citizens Bank Park, where they had the best home record in the majors in each of the past two seasons. Their schedule will not get any easier, with the next seven games coming on the road against the Chicago Cubs and Braves,” Ken Rosenthal wrote.
The Yankees probably wouldn't want to see Mattingly go in and be the skipper of another team right now, as there's a chance they might want him to be their guy in the future. However, he would probably be willing to coach the Phillies now and not wait around for the Yankees job to possibly come open at some point if Aaron Boone doesn't do the job.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are seemingly hopeful that Aaron Rodgers will return to the organization, but the latest reports indicate that there are still a lot of things up in the air. The Steelers have to decide whether they want Rodgers to be the guy moving forward, which it seems like they do, and Rodgers needs to commit to them for at least another season.
The hope and expectation were for Rodgers to already have this decision made, but it obviously hasn't happened just yet.
Despite that, many players have come out and spoken about what they want to see happen, including newly acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman.
"I’m hoping he’s close," Pittman told Fox News Digital. "I don’t know anything — people think that we know something. Why would Aaron tell me anything?... Obviously, Aaron is a great player — look at everything he’s done," Pittman added. "We would love to have him back. At the end of the day, he has to decide that for himself."
"Being in Pittsburgh, just the vibe of driving around, everybody is wearing something sports. It’s either the Steelers, the Pirates or the Penguins," Pittman explained. "Somebody’s wearing some black and gold, which I think is awesome. They love their football there. I mean, Indy loves football, too. I’m not taking anything away from Indy fans, but it’s just the Pittsburgh — everybody knows Pittsburgh for being Pittsburgh. The Steelers, the fans. The town is set on these rivers. The stadium is right there, the scenery. It is something crazy, and I’m excited to be there and be able to play for them."
Pittman was one of the top offseason additions for the Steelers, as the former Indianapolis Colts receiver has put together a very nice career for himself. Pittman will certainly need somebody to throw him the football at a high level, and if somebody like Rodgers is the guy doing that, there's reason to believe that he can have an excellent season.
However, wide receivers are only as good as their quarterbacks make them at the end of the day, especially in pressure situations, so that's something the Steelers will have to figure out if Rodgers decides to walk away from the game after a Hall of Fame career.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) being celebrated by teammates during an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings on March 1st, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
LOS ANGELES — Ahead of Game 2 against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Austin Reaves has begun a return-to-play progression but remains sidelined alongside Luka Dončić.
“Austin has started a return-to-play progression, but we don’t have a timeline update on him,” Redick said Tuesday ahead of Game 2 against the Rockets.
The update marks a positive step for Reaves as the Lakers prepare to face a Houston team that will welcome Kevin Durant back to the lineup after Game 1.
While Reaves’ on-court work is an encouraging sign, Redick said there has been no change to Reaves' and Dončić's statuses. They remain out.
Dončić is scheduled to begin on-court work soon, according to Redick. The Slovenian was at the Lakers' practice on Monday after returning from Spain last week.
With both Reaves and Dončić sidelined, the Lakers remain shorthanded in the backcourt as they try to keep pace in the series.
That has increased the responsibility on 41-year-old LeBron James as the No. 1 option and Luke Kennard, who stepped into the point guard role and delivered a playoff career-high 27 points in Game 1.
L.A. will once again rely on those two and the rest of the supporting cast to carry the load while 56.8 points per game of their offense remain out.
For now, the Lakers are focused on keeping their season alive, awaiting the return of two important backcourt contributors.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced before an April 21 game against the Chicago Cubs that right-hander Zack Wheeler is returning to the rotation on April 25 against the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta.
Wheeler, the Phillies’ ace, had venous thoracic outlet decompression surgery last August to remove a blood clot near his rib.
The right-hander has thrown 20 innings in five minor league games. He is 0-1 with a 5.85 ERA. He has struck out 23 batters and walked five. He has also allowed three homers.
In his last outing, Wheeler allowed four runs, including two homers, on six hits over four innings while pitching for Double-A Reading on April 19 against the Somerset Patriots.
Zack Wheeler dipped back to low 90s fastballs today after sitting at 93-94 on Tuesday. He attributed that to cold weather and long innings, but acknowledged he might have to be craftier for some period of time when he rejoins the Phillies.
A healthy Wheeler could provide a boost to the Phillies’ pitching staff, which ranks 26th in MLB with a 4.79 ERA and 30th in batting average against at .276 entering the April 21 game against the Chicago Cubs.
Phillies fans celebrate Zack Wheeler’s return
While Wheeler has struggled during his minor league rehab, Phillies fans are still excited to see their ace return.
Even though there isn’t an update on the return-to-play timelines for either of the Lakers injured star guards, coach JJ Redick shared encouraging news about Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves ahead of Tuesday’s Game 2 against the Rockets.
Reaves has started his return-to-play protocol, which includes one-on-one on-court work, while Doncic will be starting his “soon”, according to Redick, who emphasized there isn’t a timeline for either player.
Even though there isn’t an update on the return-to-play timelines for either of the Lakers injured star guards, coach JJ Redick shared encouraging news about Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectReaves has started his return-to-play protocol, which includes one-on-one on-court work NBAE via Getty Images
When asked what a return-to-play progression looks like for Reaves, Redick responded, “That’s above my pay grade.”
Doncic (left hamstring) and Reaves (left oblique) have been sidelined since suffering their regular season-ending injuries on April 2.
BOSTON — V.J. Edgecombe had 30 points and 10 rebounds while playing through pain after taking a hard fall early in the game, Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 111-97 on Tuesday night to tie their playoff series at one game apiece.
Edgecombe connected on six of the 76ers’ 19 3-pointers. Maxey also had nine assists as Philadelphia bounced back after getting blown out 123-91 in Game 1.
The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday.
The Celtics cut a seven-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to 91-89 before an 11-0 run put the 76ers back in front 102-89 with just over four minutes to play. The Celtics pulled their starters with a little more than a minute remaining.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 36 points. Jayson Tatum added 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
After struggling from the field in Game 1, the 76ers needed much more from Maxey and Edgecombe. They got it, with the pair carrying the load for a team that shot 47.8% from the field, including 19 of 39 from the 3-point line.
Boston was only 13 of 47 from the 3-point line and shot 39.3% from the field overall, while committing 13 turnovers leading to 16 points by the 76ers.
Philadelphia, which was again without center Joel Embiid for Game 2 as he continues to go through a strength and conditioning program following an appendectomy on April 9, was twice without Edgecombe for brief stretches Tuesday.
Edgecombe limped off in noticeable pain and went straight to the locker room for treatment in both the first and third quarters.
He returned each time and kept scoring to help the 76ers build as much as a 13-point lead in the third.
The intensity was high throughout the game.
It hit a high point in the opening minutes when Brown was assessed a technical foul after his emphatic one-handed dunk over Adem Bona that sent the 76ers big man to the floor.
Replays appeared to show that Brown’s momentum after the jam carried him into contact with Bona, who fell to the floor and left Brown in a hovering position over him.
But referee Marc Davis didn’t see it that way and called Brown for the tech.
Stevan Thornton III, a 2027 three-star defensive end out of Cairo, Georgia, announced his commitment to Alabama on Tuesday, April 21, choosing the Crimson Tide with offers from programs such as Georgia and Arkansas.
1000% COMMITTED ❤️🐘 All glory to God for guiding me through prayer, hard work, and the support of my family. This journey didn’t come easy, but I’m proud to announce I’m officially 1000% committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide‼️@AlabamaFTBL@crob45@Cairo_Football@Coach_WRCpic.twitter.com/a7zy8lqzu1
"1,000% COMMITTED," Thornton wrote in a social media post. "All glory to God for guiding me through prayer, hard work, and the support of my family. This journey didn't come easy, but I'm proud to announce I'm officially 1,000% committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide."
Thornton is Alabama's first commitment since the Crimson Tide landed three-star defensive lineman Avrian Pauley Jr. on April 11.
What Stevan Thornton III brings to Alabama football 2027 recruiting class
Like Pauley, Thornton is not the highest rated defensive prospect in the 2027 class. Per 247Sports' composite rankings, he is the No. 812 prospect and the No. 64 overall edge.
But Thornton fits the frame of what Alabama wants out of an edge rusher, whether it's at Wolf outside linebacker or Bandit defensive end, both of which are now led by outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson. Thornton is 6-foot-5 and 207 pounds.
And he's been productive. Per 247Sports, Thornton had 91 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks for Cairo High School in 2025.
Alabama football 2027 recruiting class
Oakley Keegan: Tight end, Liverpool, New York
Colt Lumpris: Tight end, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Avrian Pauley: Defensive line, Mobile, Alabama
Trent Seaborn: Quarterback, Alabaster, Alabama
Stevan Thornton III: Edge, Cairo, Georgia
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Boston Celticsfaced off against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of the playoffs on Tuesday night, and it proved to be much tougher than Game 1.
Boston lost the game 111-97, which now levels the series at one game apiece. Here are a few takeaways from the contest.
3-Point Shooting Was Off
The Celtics struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 26% with 13 out of 50 attempts from the 3-point line. There is no way any team can win a game when they miss 37 3-pointers, but doing it in the playoffs is a recipe for disaster.
Boston lives and dies by the 3-pointer, and Tuesday night's game demonstrated that when the shots aren't falling, the Celtics struggle to secure a win.
Jayson Tatum Is Ready For The Playoffs
Tatum is just under two months removed from returning from his Achilles injury, yet he doesn't seem to be significantly affected in the playoffs so far. In Game 1, he recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and he lit up the box score once again in Game 2, notching 19 points along with 14 rebounds and nine assists.
Although the Celtics lost, it's encouraging to see Tatum perform remarkably well in the first two games.
Derrick White Has To Step Up
When the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis this past offseason, it was time for White to step up as the No. 3 player when everyone was healthy. However, he didn’t deliver his best performance in Game 2, finishing with only eight points, two rebounds and three assists while shooting 3 for 12 from the field.
If White can elevate his game as he has throughout the season, the Celtics should emerge as the favorites to come out of the East, especially given how well Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been performing.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 20: Elly de la Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits an RBI single in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 20, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds mashed their way past the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at the Trop, hitting five home runs along the way. At one point, they held a 12-2 lead – that came as they entered the Bottom of the 9th inning – before things went a little sideways for reliever Kyle Nicolas as he tried to finish off the win (1.0 IP, H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K on 42 pitches).
Let’s focus on the positives here, though, as there were many.
For one, we watched as Elly De La Cruz destroyed a pair of homers as part of a larger 3 for 6, 3 R, 5 RBI game that featured a pair of homers – both from the right side of the plate. His second homer of the night did come against Rays position player Ben Williamson pitching in a mop-up role, but Elly opted to hit righty off the righty Williamson and still managed to sock a homer.
That’s good enough stuff to take home tonight’s Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game.
Homers also came off the bats of Ke’Bryan Hayes and Dane Myers, theirs coming back to back off Rays starter Steven Matz in the Top of the 2nd. Hayes finished with a 1 for 3 night that included a pair of walks and a pair of runs scored in easily his best offensive outing of the season. Spencer Steer also homered (and walked twice), while Sal Stewart merely chipped in with a 2 for 4 night that included a trio of ribbies and another stolen base.
Despite the struggles from Nicolas late, Chase Burns (5.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 8 K on 97 pitches) was dominant for most all of his outing to lead the pitching line. He entered the Bottom of the 6th having allowed nary a run before a 2-run blast in an already-decided game ended up sending him to the showers. He pummeled the zone throughout the early goings of this one and once again looked every bit the part of a legitimate ace in the making.
The win clinches the series win for the Reds and marks their 5th straight win on this road trip. They also now sit 16-8 on the season and have opened up a 2-game lead on the rest of the National League Central Division.
DETROIT (AP) — Brice Turang drove in four runs and David Hamilton had four hits as the Milwaukee Brewers routed the Detroit Tigers 12-4 on Tuesday night.
Despite missing their top three hitters, the Brewers put 19 runners on base and scored in double digits for the second time this season. They have won five of six.
All nine Milwaukee starters reached base at least once, and Detroit catcher/knuckleballer Jake Rogers limited the damage by pitching a scoreless ninth inning.
Detroit lost its second straight after winning eight of nine.
Milwaukee used speed and small ball to take a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Garrett Mitchell led off with an infield single, took second on a walk and scored on Sal Frelick's base hit. Hamilton beat out a bunt to load the bases.
After Blake Perkins struck out, Turang lined a two-run single to right. Turang, though, got caught in a rundown between first and second and the Tigers threw Hamilton out at the plate when he tried to score.
Detroit loaded the bases with no one out in the fourth, but Grant Anderson relieved Harrison and got Javier Báez to ground into a double play. That made it 3-1, but Anderson struck out pinch-hitter Kerry Carpenter to end the inning.
The Brewers made it 5-1 in the seventh on RBI singles by Turang and William Contreras.
Milwaukee added seven runs in an 11-batter eighth, an inning that included the fourth triple of Gary Sanchez's 12-year MLB career.
Detroit scored three times in the ninth inning to cut the final margin to eight runs.
Up next
The teams continue the series on Wednesday night with the second of three games. Detroit RHP Casey Mize (1-1, 2.78) is scheduled to face RHP Chad Patrick (1-0, 0.95).
The plunge pool at Memorial Park will be around for just one year before a long-term plan is enacted to keep tradition aliveLPGA
HOUSTON — Traditions take years, sometimes decades, to take hold but they’re a vital part of professional golf. They help tell the story of the game’s most important tournaments. Think the green jacket at the Masters, or U.S. Open Sunday on Father’s Day.
But it has. In 2023, when the Chevron moved from Mission Hills in California to The Club at Carlton Woods in Houston, the players told the tournament’s organizers that they wanted to keep the pond jump alive. So the organizers dredged a pond and ringed it with gator netting to give players peace of mind.
The tradition appeared in danger this year, with the tournament moving to Memorial Park, a Houston muni that doesn’t have water on the 18th hole. But the LPGA and tournament organizers heard from numerous players about the importance of the pond jump’s legacy and so made short- and long-term plans to keep it alive. For the 2026 edition, organizers constructed a temporary plunge pool off to the right of the 18th green, measuring 15 feet by 10 feet and 4 1/2 feet deep. If a ball goes into the pool during tournament play, players will get free relief in the same way they would if they hit an approach into a grandstand.
The LPGA knows the makeshift pool is not a perfect solution and has already drawn a few eyeball rolls on social media, but given the time constraints, it was the most feasible solution. After the 2026 tournament, course architect Tom Doak will redesign the finishing hole with a permanent pond.
The temporary plunge pool on the 18th hole at Memorial ParkLPGA
Rendering of the 18th hole at Memorial Park after planned redesignLPGA
“When a tradition matters, you find a way to honor it — and bring fans closer to it, too,” the LPGA said in a statement to GOLF. “The winner’s jump has become one of the most fun and distinctive traditions at The Chevron Championship, and what makes it especially meaningful is that it was created organically by the players themselves.
“It is a nod to the championship’s history, a bridge to the future and part of creating a more engaging fan experience by giving spectators a place to connect with and experience this tradition up close. And, as always, it is entirely up to the winning player whether she wants to take the plunge.”
Stacy Lewis made the jump into Poppie’s Pond after winning the 2011 Chevron at Mission Hills. Lewis said that plunge, not how she played at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, is what most sticks with her about her first major win.
“There has been a lot of debate about the pond and the jump,” Lewis said Tuesday at Memorial Park. “I’ve told a lot of people that I don’t remember getting the trophy. A lot of things I don’t remember about that ceremony. But I remember the jump and what that felt like and how cold that water was in California.”
As the LPGA and women’s golf seek to grow in popularity, the importance of building traditions is crucial. Women’s golf hasn’t been good at that. The number of majors has gone from three to four to five. The LPGA Championship became the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Things get lost.
But Lewis and other past champions are adamant that the leap into the pond should continue. She knows the temporary pool isn’t an ideal solution but years down the road this spell won’t be remembered — only the jump will.
“What did it take, almost 20 years to develop the pond jump?” Lewis said. “Traditions don’t just happen overnight. I just think it’s so important that we keep it and that it’s — is it a little bit different this year? Yes. Does it look great? I mean, it’s up for debate, right? But somebody is still going to jump in there, and it’s still going to be — when we look back on 10 years, we’re going to put all these jumps together, and they’re all going to look the same. So I just think we’ve got to get through this year, but it has to continue.”
Lewis thought the temporary pond would “be bigger,” but is pleased with the LPGA and Chevron’s decision to keep the tradition in play. Lewis, who is 41 and retiring after this week, also believes the course will benefit from the addition coming in 2027.
“They did a really good job of doing the best they could given the situation,” Lewis said. “It’s going to be a lot better when we come back next year, and frankly, the 18th green is going to be a lot better, too. It’s going to fit more with the golf course, and now, the last four finishing holes will all have water on them.”
Given the depth of the pool, there won’t be any cannonballs this year, and the number of team members who go in with the winner will be limited. It’s even possible that the victor could forgo wading into the temporary pool.
Nelly Korda jumped into the pond at Carlton Woods in 2024. Should she be the last woman standing this week at Memorial Park, there’s no question, she’s going in.
“I think when it comes to what people think about it, you’re always going to be in a lose-lose situation,” Korda said Tuesday. “Once you kill a tradition, it’s killed forever. If you kind of look at it, maybe some people don’t like it that it’s at a different golf course, different venue. I still give props to Chevron and to the LPGA for wanting to keep that tradition alive.
“I know that there is a bigger plan for it to be a better jump into Poppie’s Pond. But at the end of the day, if I’m hoisting the trophy, like I’m going to jump in.”
And once the winner exits and puts on the tournament robe, the work will begin to ensure that tradition remains just that.
WASHINGTON (AP) — James Wood homered, Luis García Jr. had four hits and the Washington Nationals snapped the Atlanta Braves' six-game winning streak with an 11-4 victory on Tuesday night.
The Nationals scored three runs before Atlanta starter Reynaldo López (1-1) retired a hitter, and the right-hander was done two batters into the second. Foster Griffin (3-0) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings.
Curtis Mead also homered for Washington, and Drake Baldwin and Eli White went deep for the Braves.
Wood led off the bottom of the first with a walk, his first of four on the day. García followed with a single, and Jacob Young's single made it 1-0. After a walk to CJ Abrams, López issued another base on balls to Daylen Lile to force in a run. Nasim Nuñez, the sixth straight hitter to reach, singled home a run to make it 3-0.
Wood became the second Nationals player since the move from Montreal to homer and draw four walks in the same game. Bryce Harper did it on April 2, 2018, also against Atlanta.
Michael Harris II doubled in a run for the Braves in the second, but Wood led off the bottom half with his eighth home run of the season. After a single by García, López was pulled.
Baldwin's solo shot in the third made it 4-2, and White went deep in the fifth to cut the lead to one. García hit an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth.
Garcia's fourth hit was a bases-loaded double in the seventh that scored two runs. Jacob Young made it 8-3 with an RBI groundout.
The Braves scored in the eighth on a bizarre 3-6-3 putout. García fielded Austin Riley's grounder at first and threw to second, trying to start a double play. But nobody was covering the base yet and the ball went to Abrams, the shortstop, still a few feet from the bag. He threw all the way back to first to get Riley, but a run came home.
Mead answered with a three-run homer to make it 11-4.
Up next
Zack Littell (0-2) starts for the Nationals on Wednesday night against Martin Pérez (1-1).
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Nathan Church #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Lucas Casel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
A fiery Dustin May had a solid start and JJ Wetherholt continued his on-base assault while Nathan Church flexed unexpected power as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Miami Marlins Tuesday night.
It only took 4 pitches before JJ Wetherholt was on base as he ripped a 1st inning double to start the game. After Ivan Herrera struck out, Alec Burleson picked him up with a single to center that scored Wetherholt making i 1-0 Cardinals.
The Miami Marlins responded in the bottom of the 1st inning when Jakob Marsee hit a home run that hit the foam padding above the right field wall which was ruled a home run after an umpires review. Honorable mention goes to Jordan Walker, though, as he rifled the ball in from right field that would have nailed Marsee at third base if the umps hadn’t ruled the ball a home run.
The Cardinals would score again in the top of the 3rd inning when JJ Wetherholt walked and then advanced to third on a hit-and-run from Ivan Herrera. He would then score as his speed forced an errant throw by Connor Narby which sailed above the catcher making it 2-1 Cardinals.
St. Louis would extend the lead in the top of the 4th inning when Masyn Winn singled and scored on a long blast by Nathan Church making it 4-1 Cardinals.
Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman helped the Cardinals add to their lead in the top of the 5th inning as Burleson hammered a line drive to the right-center field wall for a double. Nolan Gorman then went the other way on a 2-strike count dumping a single into left field scoring Burleson making it 5-1 St. Louis.
Masyn Winn then ripped a double to left field moving Gorman over the third. That knocked starter Chris Paddack out of the game for Miami as they turned to the bullpen for help. Former Cardinal John King kept the Cardinals from adding any more runs as he was able to get Nathan Church out on a ball that almost floated over second baseman Edwards.
Jordan Walker’s arm was featured yet again in the bottom of the 5th inning when Jakob Marsee singled to right, but Jordan fired the ball back into the infield to Gorman who was able to catch Marsee venturing too far off of first base and he was tagged out in a rundown which was a key play in keeping Miami from scoring again.
Other than the awkward first inning home run to Marsee, Dustin May had nasty stuff (in a good way) as he only allowed 6 hits through 5 1/3 innings, struck out 5, only walked 1 and only gave up 1 earned run. The Marlins did make solid contact, but had little to show for it. Justin Bruihl was brought in to finish off the bottom of the 6th inning and he was able to get a groundout and a flyout to keep the game 5-1 Cardinals. Bruihl would also stay in the game through the bottom of the 7th and held the Marlins scoreless although 2 did reach base after he hit them.
Ryan Stanek was brought in to deal with the Marlins in the bottom of the 8th inning. He began by striking out Lopez, but then gave up back-to-back walks. After getting another strikeout, he walked another to load the bases. He then gave up a two-run single to Heriberto Hernández making it 5-3 Cardinals before he was removed by manager Oli Marmol. Here’s a fun fact: the name Stanek is of Slavic origin and means “one who achieves glory” which has yet to happen for the Cardinals. George Soriano was brought in to stop the run hemorrhaging which he did by striking out Norby. Riley O’Brien closed out the Marlins in the bottom of the 9th to seal the Cardinals 5-3 victory for his 7th save with some help from Pedro Pagés who made good use of the ABS system on a crucial 2-strike call. The win moves the Cardinals to 14-9 on the young season.
Offensive shoutouts to Alec Burleson, Ivan Herrera, Masyn Winn and Nathan Church who all had 2 hits for the Cardinals Tuesday night.
St. Louis will try to win the series Wednesday when they send Kyle Leahy to the mound against Janson Junk who will make the start for Miami. First pitch scheduled for 11:10am central time Wednesday.
Fantasy expert consensus rankings (“ECR”) are starting to pop up across the Internet, giving managers an early glimpse into how the market might value hundreds of players this summer. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, here are the biggest Giants busts based on ECR.
Jaxson Dart is at least modestly overvalued at his QB7 ECR. It has nothing to do with his talent. Instead, managers should consider that his rapid rookie rise was due, in part, to nine rushing scores in 14 games. He threw for only 2,272 yards. Yes, one might justifiably argue that a healthy Malik Nabers would have strongly boosted his passing numbers.
But a QB7 ranking assumes weekly startability. It also assumes he’ll once again be on pace for 100+ rushing attempts and plenty of goal-line carries. He was evaluated for concussions on four separate occasions. It’s hard to envision the Giants wanting him to be that aggressive that often. A pullback in rushing stats will equate to a pullback in fantasy numbers, pushing him outside the top eight.
Cam Skattebo’s season-ending ankle injury shouldn’t affect him entering 2026, at least not physically. But managers shouldn’t rank him as a sure-fire top-20 running back. His RB21 ECR assumes he’ll comfortably outperform Tyrone Tracy. It also assumes his body will hold up -- not an easy bet for someone with his physical running style. He’s not a guy who goes out of bounds; instead, he invites contact. He’s a risky bet to play in 14+ games.
Detroit Tigers designated hitter Jahmai Jones put a charge into an elevated fastball from Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison in the third inning, driving a ball to left field.
The play ended up with the ball in the glove of left fielder Blake Perkins, who reached over the fence to rob Jones of a home run – a key moment early on in a game that turned lopsided.
The Tigers lost, 12-4, to the Brewers on Tuesday, April 21, in the first of three games in the series at Comerica Park, with the Brewers scoring seven runs in the eighth inning.
Catcher Jake Rogers pitched for the Tigers in the ninth inning. He struck out Joey Ortiz with a knuckleball for the first strikeout of his MLB career, spanning 5⅔ innings.
The Tigers (12-12) and Brewers (13-9) meet again Wednesday (6:40 p.m., Detroit SportsNet). The Tigers have won eight of their past 11 games, but within that stretch, they've dropped three of their past five games.
Detroit Tigers designated hitter Jahmai Jones put a charge into an elevated fastball from Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison in the third inning, driving a ball to left field.
The play ended up with the ball in the glove of left fielder Blake Perkins, who reached over the fence to rob Jones of a home run – a key moment early on in a game that turned lopsided.
The Tigers lost, 12-4, to the Brewers on Tuesday, April 21, in the first of three games in the series at Comerica Park, with the Brewers scoring seven runs in the eighth inning.
Catcher Jake Rogers pitched for the Tigers in the ninth inning. He struck out Joey Ortiz with a knuckleball for the first strikeout of his MLB career, spanning 5⅔ innings.
The Tigers (12-12) and Brewers (13-9) meet again Wednesday (6:40 p.m., Detroit SportsNet). The Tigers have won eight of their past 11 games, but within that stretch, they've dropped three of their past five games.
Detroit Tigers designated hitter Jahmai Jones put a charge into an elevated fastball from Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison in the third inning, driving a ball to left field.
The play ended up with the ball in the glove of left fielder Blake Perkins, who reached over the fence to rob Jones of a home run – a key moment early on in a game that turned lopsided.
The Tigers lost, 12-4, to the Brewers on Tuesday, April 21, in the first of three games in the series at Comerica Park, with the Brewers scoring seven runs in the eighth inning.
Catcher Jake Rogers pitched for the Tigers in the ninth inning. He struck out Joey Ortiz with a knuckleball for the first strikeout of his MLB career, spanning 5⅔ innings.
The Tigers (12-12) and Brewers (13-9) meet again Wednesday (6:40 p.m., Detroit SportsNet). The Tigers have won eight of their past 11 games, but within that stretch, they've dropped three of their past five games.
Former Wisconsin guard John Blackwell is heading to Duke.
Blackwell announced Tuesday in an Instagram post that he had committed to Duke. Blackwell was one of the most highly regarded players to enter the transfer portal after he teamed up with Nick Boyd this season to give Wisconsin one of the nation’s top backcourt tandems.
Blackwell's decision was part of a productive day of commitments for the Blue Devils and top rival North Carolina. The Tar Heels, preparing for their first season under former NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone, landed commitments from Utah guard Terrence Brown and guard Matt Able from fellow instate program N.C. State.
The 6-foot-4 Blackwell had 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season while helping Wisconsin go 24-11. He shot 38.9% from 3-point range and made 2.8 3-pointers per game.
Blackwell had some of his most productive performances against Wisconsin’s toughest opponents.
Blackwell had 22 points and 10 rebounds in Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament first-round loss to High Point.
He earned third-team all-Big Ten honors from the league’s coaches and media. Blackwell didn’t make the Associated Press all-Big Ten team, which includes only a first team and second team.
That followed a 2024-25 season in which Blackwell had 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Brown, a 6-foot-3 junior, averaged 19.9 points last year with the Utes as he moves east to play for the Tar Heels, according to a social media post. Able, a 6-6 freshman, also committed to the Tar Heels according to On3 and multiple outlets after averaging 8.8 points in his freshman year with the Wolfpack.
Those two figure to slot into prominent backcourt roles, while the Tar Heels also added frontcourt depth with 6-9 French forward Maxim Logue from Florida Atlantic, according to DraftExpress, citing agency Gersh Sports. That comes after the Tar Heels had already secured a commitment from versatile 6-9 forward Neoklis Avdalas from Virginia Tech.
In other portal news, Marquette announced the additions of former Louisville forward Sananda Fru and former St. Thomas (Minnesota) guard Nolan Minessale, representing a major change in the Golden Eagles' approach to roster construction.
Marquette coach Shaka Smart had signed plenty of Division I transfers while overhauling his roster immediately after getting hired in 2021, but he hadn’t added any since. The last transfer to sign with Marquette was Zach Wrightsil, who arrived from NAIA program Loyola New Orleans in 2022.
Fru, who is 6-11, had 9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game at Louisville this season. Minessale had 19.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game for St. Thomas.
NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney is coming off the best season of his three-year career despite the fact that the Nets finished with the third-worst record in the NBA (20-62). Brooklyn went into the 2025-26 season with the goal of developing as many of the young players as possible and while Clowney played well, he knows what he needs to improve on this summer.
"Well, I think I worked on it and so I kind of did it a whole lot more so I was bound to get better at it. With that being said, I still drew fouls. I was good at that," Clowney said during his exit interview when asked what allowed him to be a better scorer going to the rim. Clowney had his best season when it came to getting to the free-throw line after being run off the three-point line, but he knows that developing counters is the key.
"But, when teams didn't foul me, sometimes I struggle to finish. Sometimes, I get caught on one foot instead of [taking the] bump, I could play off two [feet], really. The second level move like bump, step-throughs, things like that," Clowney continued. "If I can get better at that, I think that'll help me too, but ain't much to it."
Clowney, 21, finished the 2025-26 campaign with averages of 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assist per game while shooting 39.6% from the field and 32.9% from three-point range. While Clowney's shooting percentages were down across the board compared to his first two years in the league, he still managed to produce within a heavier workload and he seemed to figure out how to draw fouls at an above-average rate.
Clowney went from averaging 1.6 free-throw attempts per game in his first two seasons to shooting 3.4 free-throw attempts per contest while shooting 80.4% from the charity stripe. As Clowney admitted, he did struggle to counter defenses when the gameplan was to run him off the three-point shot so it seems like this offseason should end with him learning how to play around that strategy.
The Logansport softball team won its ninth game in a row with a 16-5 victory in five innings over North Miami on Monday at Fincher Field.
Brooklynn Hagerty hit a grand slam and had a five-RBI game while also striking out eight of the nine batters she faced in three perfect innings for the Class 3A No. 5 Berries (10-1).
Aracyn Good went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Adrienne Scott had two hits and two RBIs. Bianca Cortez had a double and two RBIs. Amilia Zaragoza and Bella Nicoles each added a hit.
Jentry Strong pitched the final two innings and allowed five runs (none earned) on three hits and one walk with one strikeout.
Logan hosts Class 4A No. 15 Harrison on Thursday.
CASTON 11, NORTH WHITE 0
Caston (6-3) defeated visiting North White in five innings. The Comets outhit the Vikings 12-4.
Jordan Middleton had a double and three RBIs for the Comets. Hadlie Coffing had two hits and two RBIs. Myli Rude and Natalie Warner each had two hits and an RBI. Abby Apperson and Ava Russell each had a single and RBI. Kylie Logan had a double and Emily Rodas and Audrey Ault added a single apiece.
Mia Mersch pitched a complete game, striking out three, walking one and allowing four hits.
CASTON SWEEPS NJ
Caston (9-2, 6-1 HNAC) swept North Judson in a rescheduled doubleheader in Fulton Monday.
The Comets won by scores of 24-2 and 17-0.
The Comets pounded out 18 hits in the opener. Parker Zimpleman had a home run, single and four RBIs. Logan Mollenkopf and Eli Holloway had three hits apiece. Gavin Mollenkopf, Brodie Howard, Carson Harness and London Herd each had two hits.
Harness got the win, allowing two runs on three hits with 10 strikeouts in five innings.
Caston had 15 more hits in game two. Tucker Woolever had a home run, single and four RBIs. Logan Mollenkopf went 4-for-4 with two doubles and four runs scored. Howard had three hits and four RBIs. Harness and Herd had two hits apiece. Holloway and Zimpleman each added a double.
Logan Mollenkopf tossed a three-hit shutout, striking out five and walking three in five innings.
PIONEER 165, DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN 201, WEST CENTRAL 215
Pioneer picked up a pair of wins at Moss Creek.
Micah Rans led the Panthers with a 36, followed by Ivan Reyes (42), Dane Bowditch (43), Brady Price (44) and Cole Franklin (49).
Class 2A No. 10 Winamac scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning and held on for an 8-6 win at Pioneer in softball Monday.
The Warriors trailed 6-5 entering the seventh. Maggie Keller doubled and Trinity Harlan followed with a single to start the rally. With runners on second and third and one out, Brody Goodman hit a go-ahead two-run single. A two-out Pioneer error allowed a third run to score.
Ava Ott and Lois Layer had back-to-back singles to put two runners on for the Panthers with one out in the bottom of the seventh. But Adrianna Hall dialed up back-to-back fly outs to end the game.
The contest was scoreless through the first three innings before the offenses picked up.
Keller led the Warriors (7-1, 2-0 HNAC) by going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Brooke Rausch had a double, single and three RBIs. Kylie Fisher had a double. Hall and Corrine Ulerick each had a single and RBI.
Rausch got the start for Winamac and allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits in 3 2/3 innings. Hall allowed two runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Layer went 3-for-3 with an RBI for Pioneer (2-4, 0-1). Ott had two hits. Hallie Lebo had a double. Addison Kennell and Averi Layer each had a single and RBI. Madyson Shaffer and Ava Bell each added a single and run scored.
Layer allowed eight runs (four earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts in seven innings.
“It was a very competitive game,” Pioneer coach John Bingaman said. “We had the tying run on base. We just couldn’t capitalize. We couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it in the bottom of the seventh.”
It was the Panthers’ first game in nine days.
“I was a little concerned we hadn’t played since April 11th,” Bingaman said. “We didn’t play all last week at all, so I was a little concerned about how we would respond. We hadn’t seen much live pitching, but I thought we handled it OK offensively.”
The Warriors are back in the top 10 in Class 2A and they are the defending HNAC champions. It was their second straight win over the Panthers. Winamac coach Jennifer Belcher recently picked up her 400th career win.
“Coach Belcher does a great job at Winamac,” Bingaman said. “She always has her teams prepared, so they’re usually not gonna beat themselves. They have pretty good pitching. They hit the ball very well. So that’s always one of the top teams in our conference.”
It’s been a tough run for the Panthers just because they haven’t played much. And it’s also in the manner of which their games were postponed last week in which they would be ready to play before a heavy downpour of rain would cause the postponement. They had five games postponed in a matter of six days last week.
That will lead to a very busy week this week.
“We don’t have much time to be in misery about this because we play Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and two Saturday,” Bingaman said. “We’ve got the pitchers that can do that. We’ve just got to get a little more consistency in our game. That’s what we’re looking for.”
Liga MX is nearing the end of the regular season, and we will have a double matchweek. Cruz Azul opens the curtain by visiting Querétaro on Matchday 16 of Liga MX.
La Máquina is going through a difficult spell. Out of the Concachampions and with 8 consecutive matches without a win, they have stopped fighting for the top spot and are now looking to stay among the top four.
Cruz Azul’s XI
Larcamón knows his team needs to win no matter the cost, which is why he is holding nothing back and is sending out his best XI against Gallos.
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin in Pittsburgh on Thursday evening. In due time, we'll know exactly how the Detroit Lions are positioned to reclaim their spot atop the NFC North following a series of moves in free agency, trades and the draft.
In the meantime, The Detroit News has been working to make sure you're the most informed fan at your draft party this weekend.
From the mock drafts that give you an idea of how the first round could go, to position-by-position previews that fill you in on which classes are the strongest, to deep dives on individual prospects who could end up landing with the Detroit Lions at No. 17 overall, we've got everything you need to be ready for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here's everything newly signed Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said following the signing of his extension, the future of the Texans, plans on how to spend his sums and more.
Question: On what this contract extension means to him
Will Anderson Jr: “I've been so overwhelmed with joy these last couple days, nonstop tears, and it's been a blessing. I think, for me, I look back at it, I love what I do. I tell people all the time, they know, it's like, ‘The money, this.’ It's really never, ever been about the money for me. It's always just been about walking in my purpose and doing what God has called me to do. To be able to be here right now and be in this moment and enjoy this moment, it means everything to me. I just think about my family, everything that we endured growing up, all the hard times, everything, to get to retire my parents early, to get to see my sisters thrive, my nieces and nephews, the rest of my family. I think that's the biggest blessing for me.”
Q: On what he recalls about his Top 30 visit with the Houston Texans
Anderson: “I remember just walking in the building and I felt it in my spirit. I was like, ‘I got to be here.’ Even in the draft, leading up into the draft, I told Nicole, Nick and I had a really long conversation. But I was like, ‘Nicole, I don't care what you got to tell the Texans, I got to be in that building.’ Walking in, the staff, the coaches, the culture that I knew that DeMeco was trying to build here, it felt great. It felt right. Like I said, I always tell people, his mentality of what he wants his players to be, what he wants his staff to be, what he wants this building to be, it was easy for me to come in and play for him. I appreciate him so much. That was my favorite visit of all time. Every time I tell anybody, I was like, ‘The Texans, that's the place you want to be at.”
Q: On how he plans to grow as a player
Anderson: “I think it's staying to the process, not changing. I think it's about growth and obviously maturity. But I think it's about you just keep going in your same process. A lot of times, I'm young at this, guys will want to change or do more. I think the biggest thing that I'm going to keep with me is what [Head Coach] DeMeco [Ryans] told me when I first got here, ‘You don't got to be Superman, just go be the same person you've been when we drafted you, when you were at Alabama, the leader, the player that you were.’ That's what's been helping me succeed so far. So, just continue to be myself, continue to grow my game, grow up my teammates, have fun with them and just go play for them.”
Q: On team goals
Anderson: “It doesn't pass my mind. After the last game, that's something that, going into workouts, going into training, that's literally all I've been thinking about. Ask me about the contract, yeah, the contract is cool. But ask me about winning, that's more important. How we get over this hump, how we can get past the second round is really what's been on my mind. I think we did a really good job with free agency going to get a lot of great guys. I'm excited about this year. Like I said, I know where this team can go. We have the pieces to do it. We have the coaching staff to do it. I'm excited to get rolling and see what we do this year.”
Q: On what he is looking forward to working on this offseason
Anderson: “First, I always think it starts mental. How's your mental? How's your headspace? Getting back in the right mindset, making sure that your mind is right so you can go out performing the best you can. Obviously, for me, I still feel like in my game, I haven't even reached the period of where I want to be at in my game. I think this offseason I’m going to continue to build my body up to be able to bend or to be able to finish on the quarterback. I think that's the next step, just being able to finish on the quarterback. I've been joking with [Cleveland Browns DE] Myles [Garrett], and we've been going at it. He's like, ‘Pressures aren’t going to cut it, big dog.’ We've been going back and forth. But it's been fun.”
Q: On the bond he shares with Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and if he is proud of the culture that he has been built here
Anderson: “Yeah, I'm super proud of the culture that has been built here. Again, big shout-out to DeMeco because DeMeco did a really good job. You talk to other players around the league when you go to the Pro Bowl and they were like, ‘We don't have a foundation of who we are. We don't have anything to lean back on when things go wrong.’ I think DeMeco always preaches S.W.A.R.M. It's been brainwashed in everybody in this building from every point of the building. We swarm and just talking about our relationship, he has an open door policy. There is never a time that I can't go to him and talk to him. He's in his word as well. So, we connect on a spiritual level as well.”
Q: On which one of his sisters has been the roughest on him so far leading up to this point
Anderson: “Let me put this out here too, because my sister's been getting crazy comments and everything. My sisters are the best. I wouldn't be here without them, so y'all can chill on them. But all of them, all of them, I would say. I don't think it's just one. I think they all played a big part in helping me get to where I'm at. Like I said, driving me up and down the road, taking me to practice, trying to get out in the yard and do different things with me, buying me clothes, cleats when they had the money when my parents didn't. I think all of them played a really big part. But who get on my nerves the most probably would be ‘Riri’ [Teria Anderson]. She's here right now. But that's my best friend, though, so she good.”
Q: On when he knew he was going to be a Texan
Anderson: “I don't, because in the green room, Arizona was still on the clock, and that's a whole other conversation for another time. But Arizona's still on the clock. It was like a minute 30 left and I tell this story all the time. I promise you I'm not lying. DeMeco had called me, because at the time me and DeMeco, we had a pretty good relationship. I'm thinking he's calling me like, ‘Yeah, man, I'm sorry we couldn't get you.’ Then he told me he was drafting me, and I just went crazy, like went crazy. Like I said, I really wanted to be here. I really wanted to be a part of something very special. As you can see, we've been on the up and up and I think we're trending in the right way to get it done.”
Q: On if the investment the team makes in him take it up another notch from a leadership standpoint
Anderson: “Yeah, most definitely. I think it does, but at the end of the day, I think it's how you come into the building every day. Every day you got to come into the building and be your authentic self. No matter what you're going through, you've got to leave it at the door, and you've got to come in here and whether you're a leader, wherever it may be, you have to lead. I think that's something I've just been taught either at [University of] Alabama or throughout my years of life, is just coming here, being my authentic self, and leading in the right way that I can. So contract, no contract, they handed me a responsibility, so I had to come in here and do that for the organization, for myself, for my teammates, and just the betterment of everybody else.”
Q: On the timeline from when the extension was official
Anderson: “Yeah, I was training down in Dallas. I had to check my phone real quick, because I knew Nicole [Lynn] was on me about it. I was training, I was training, and we took a little break, and she called me, and she was like, ‘Whenever you get done, I need you to call me ASAP’. My heart kind of dropped, and I'm like, ‘I'm in here training, what's going on?’ I get home, and she calls me, and she tells me everything, and I literally just dropped to my knees. Literally just dropped to my knees in like total thanks, tears. Then I had to get on the flight the same day and I felt bad for the lady sitting beside me, because she was probably so concerned about me, because I was crying the whole flight. I was crying the whole flight. Then we FaceTimed my parents. My mom, she wasn't able to be on the FaceTime call, because she was flying back to Georgia, and my whole family just went crazy. It was just a big moment for us, like I said, it's bigger than me. I think about my family, I think about everything that we've been through, and to be able to bless them just as much as they've blessed me.”
Q: On what age he decided he wanted to be a football player and what he would go back and tell that little boy knowing the position he is in now
Anderson: “I think that's what makes the story so great, because I never wanted to be a football player. They put me in football, and I just remember going through it, and rolling around in grass. He is probably going to hate that I put him on the spot, but Coach Rod [Wright], big shout out to him. He's everything that you want to ask for in a coach. Whether it's just coaching you, being a man of God, a great husband, a great father. He's been like a father figure to me. He knows me and I've had this conversation plenty of times. The story's just funny, because it's like, God has just been working unbelievably in my life. I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be a football player. It's like the journey's just been step by step. I found out I was good in high school my sophomore year, then God was like, ‘Okay, we can go to college,’ and I'm not even thinking about college. I get to Alabama, then it's like, ‘Oh, you're great. You can go to the league,’ then I get to the league, and I'm just like, ‘Well, I know I'm good, but am I good enough to do this?’ Then God has just been, man, just how he works is just unbelievable. If I had to go back to my high school, that's when I really was like, ‘Okay, you got a chance,’ I don't even know what I would tell him, because I was just outside having fun playing with my friends, but I would tell him, ‘Man, just stay true to your authentic self. Let God lead you, walk in your light and have fun doing that.”
Q: On why this contract extension was so emotional
Anderson: “Kind of just piggybacking off what I said a couple of minutes ago, this was never… I didn't have pictures of football in my room. The Falcons were our favorite team, but I didn't grow up watching football, any of that. Life has just been, it's journey itself. It's just been, like, one at a time. When this happened, like I said, I was just thinking about nobody but my family, man. I didn't think about what I was going to get, what I was going to buy or nothing. I'm like my family is set, that's it. I think that's why I got so emotional, because these two right here, being in a three-bedroom house with six kids wasn't easy, working long nights. My mom got to work overtime, my dad working overtime. He don't get to see us like that. It meant the world for me to do what I do. It means everything for me to wake up every morning to put these shoulder pads on, to put the helmet on, and strap up, knowing what I do it for, knowing my purpose. My family is one of my biggest purposes that I do this for.”
Q: On what he thinks his late grandmother would say right now
Anderson: “’Look at little Willy go.’ That's what she would have said. ‘Look at little Will go.’ She would be so proud, She learned how to use YouTube because of me playing football. She'd probably be posting all over Facebook right now. But she was a big influence in my life as well. Walking me out the door every morning before going to school. She couldn't walk down to the stadium, so she'd stay up on the hill and watch the games. I remember one time, I don't even know how she seen this, but I had got pancaked so bad. This was when I first started. She said, ‘I seen that big ‘ol boy laying on you down there.’ I was like, “Dang’. But no, she would just be really proud and everything that I am is because of her as well. I still hold her closely to my heart and what I do, a lot of tears that they see before the games, a lot of that is for her too.”
Q: On when he decided to pursue being a football player
Anderson: “Really when I got to high school. Actually, I thought I was going to be a running back. I wore No. 28 because I wanted to be a running back like Adrian Peterson and Coach ‘Rod’, my high school coach, Coach Rodgers. Shout out to him. I'll never forget. He was like, ‘I'm moving your position to defensive end.’ And I cried. I cried. I called my mom. I was like, ‘Mom, they trying to move me to defensive end.’ And it worked out. But after my sophomore year, it worked out. After my sophomore year, I didn't play my freshman year. My sophomore year, one of my big bros took me to a trainer. I started training. I took off my sophomore year. I had a really great sophomore year in high school. Ever since then, I didn't look back. My dad put me in training. We’d have a game on Friday. Saturday morning, I'll be in training the next day, hurting. Ever since then, it's just the process, the grind never stopped.”
Q: On the process of preparing for a new season year after year
Anderson: “I think it's just the process. You got to have fun with your process. I think we do a really good job of our process here and having fun with our process. I think the people here make it really great too and make it really special. I think the locker room is what makes it really special. You have a bunch of guys that are hardworking guys that love football, that have embraced the culture. So, I don't really think it's redoing anything. I think it's just getting better and coming back and working just as hard as you did last year. We have a bunch of guys, man, that love ball. There is no question about that. So, when you say like having to do it again, man, this is what we look forward to. We get paid to do this. It's our job. I think everybody comes in with the right mindset, the right mentality. I think everybody in that locker room knows we have the guys to get it done. So, I don't think it's ever a question of like, ‘I got to do this again.’ It's like, we get to do this again. I get to go out with the same group of guys again that we had so much success last year. I know we're going to have even more success this year.”
Q: On how Head Coach DeMeco Ryans has helped shape him into who he is today
Anderson: “The one thing I love about DeMeco, he lets you be. He lets you figure it out. He lets you… [if] you're struggling a little bit, you'll talk, but he's going to let you figure it out. You're having a slow start to something, all right. That's what I love about him. He knows. He's been in our shoes before. He knows how the game works. I think that's what I appreciate about him so much because he doesn't hound you. He doesn't be all over you, and he lets you go play. I think it goes back to him being in his word as well, being grounded in his faith. I think that spreads throughout the whole locker room, seeing a head coach who's grounded in his faith, and he implements it in what he wants this team to be and how he wants this team to come up. For me, watching him lead and everything like that, as a leader I look up to him as well because I'm like, ‘He leads like this, I can maybe take a few nuggets from him, and the way he speaks, the way he has energy every day, the way he's the same guy every single day.’ We talk about coming to the building, he's the same exact guy every single day. Running sprints with us, talking crap, everything. Coming to the defensive meeting, making little jokes here and there. You just get the same guy every day, and I think that's what makes him great.”
Q: On his time speaking at a prison earlier in the offseason
Anderson: “We were up in San Francisco, I think that was during the Pro Bowl, and I had got the opportunity to go to ‘God Behind Bars’ with my agent Nicole, and it was a life-changing experience, very life-changing. Anybody that's deep in their word; the journey is something. Once you get close with God and you start on your journey, it's like that's when you start to see so much impurity in yourself and start to see the ways the world will pull you in. Sometimes it makes you question yourself, question other things. But walking into that prison and seeing how strong their faith was, and I think that's one of the biggest things that I don't think is talked about enough in Christianity is its faith-based. When I walked in there, these guys are facing life. They don't get to see their kids, don't get to see their families, but their faith was so strong in Jesus Christ. It literally changed my life because I'm out here. I'm free. I have so much free will. I can do what I want, but these guys are incarcerated and can't do much. But they're like, ‘The one thing that I can cling on to is my faith, and I know that my situation will get better.’ To be able to speak to those guys and to speak life into them is just as much as they speak life into me. It was just a very wholesome moment.”
Q: On how his parents’ hard work impacted him
Anderson: “I guess I'll start with my dad first. My dad always told me he worked in a food warehouse that was very cold. He said, ‘I don't want you doing this. I never want you working this. I don't want you to be where I'm at.’ And he invested so much into me. The times that he wasn't at work, he always took me out with him wherever he went. But when I got a chance to go to work with him and I got to see how much of a hard worker he really was, and I remember he was a barber, and you get so much free time when you're a barber. But when you start having kids and everything like that, life changes. So, to see him put that down, go get a job and provide for this family, that's somebody that I look up to. He always tells me, ‘You're not a follower, you're a leader.’ I think that's something that stuck with me as well. But seeing his hard work every morning, getting up, dropping us off at school, not getting home until 12 a.m. some nights, have to get back up, do it again, couldn't make it to my practice but can make it to my games. Then you talk about my mom, my dad was always working. She'd go to work, got to deal with all her crazy clients or whatever, and then come home and deal with our craziness. But watching both of them in their workspaces, how they deal with people, how they talk to people, how they do their due diligence on their job and walking their purpose in their job, that's something that I took with me. When I come in the building, it's easy. It's easy, not because, of course, of what they instilled in me, but because of the people that's here, because of the guys that's here, because of the staff that they've built, because of the owners, the ‘GM’, the Head Coach, the staff that we have. It's easy. Everybody has the same goal in mind. Everybody wants to win, but everybody just wants to be a better human being. When you have a group of people like that, great things happen. I think that's why we've been on the up-and-up, because we have a great bunch of people in the building that want to see this place succeed, that want to take this place somewhere that it's never been. I'm just happy that I get to be a part of it.”
Q: On what it means to see the front office focusing on drafting and developing young players
Anderson: “Me and ‘Sting’ was just talking, and I was like, ‘I'm just trying to follow in the footsteps of greatness like you.’ To be able to come in here and see those guys, how hard they work and all that they accomplished since they've been here, it was an inspiration to me, inspiration to all the young guys. Me, C.J., Tank [Dell], that whole draft class that they had after them. All those guys are really hard workers, and they go out and perform for this organization, and they go out and they make highlights all day long. So, happy to have them here. They're a big inspiration to everybody in that locker room.”
Q: On what his first splurge item will be
Anderson: “I guess the only thing that I guess I'm going to splurge on a little bit is a fishing boat. I'm going to get me a speed boat. That's it.”
Q: On if QB C.J. Stroud reached out to congratulate him and what he likes about having him as a teammate
Anderson: “He had texted me. It was great. But coming in with C.J. has been awesome. It can be kind of hard when you come in by yourself and you got to figure things out, figure people out. But coming in with C.J. was great because we had each other our rookie year and we still got each other now. But to be able to come in with somebody who's also God-fearing as well but also loves his craft, loves to get better, and loves to see the guys around him succeed and also is a leader too, it was great for me because the days I was down, he was picking me up. The days he was down, I was picking him up. We just toughed it out and we did it.”
Q: On what the city of Houston means to him
Anderson: “Houston means the absolute world to me. No offense, I love Alabama. But when I found out I was coming to Houston, I was so excited. I was so excited because it reminds me of home. Fast-paced, great food, great weather, great people. But it means everything to me to be back here. I don't want to leave. I don't. It's been fun. I'm excited about it. I can't wait to see where we continue to go and where we continue to grow. I think it's going to be a really great year.”
Apr 18, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (26) hits a RBI single against the Washington Nationals during the twelfth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
Los Angeles enters this matchup as one of baseball’s hottest teams, sitting at 15–6 (or 13–4 in some splits) and 8–2 over their last 10 games, while the Giants have struggled to a 9–13 (or 6–11) record and just 3–7 in their last 10.
The Dodgers are also coming off a dominant offensive stretch, including a recent blowout win over Colorado that showcased their lineup depth and power surge heading into this rivalry series. In contrast, San Francisco has had difficulty finding consistency on both sides of the ball, especially against right-handed pitching.
On the mound, this game features an intriguing pitching duel between Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.10 ERA, 2-1) and Landen Roupp (2.38 ERA), both of whom have been excellent early in the season. Yamamoto has not allowed more than two runs in any start, while Roupp has quietly matched that consistency, giving the Giants a legitimate chance despite the gap in team performance.
Still, with superior momentum, a deeper lineup, and elite recent form, the Dodgers enter as clear favorites in the opener of this historic rivalry.
This is a great MLB matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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Liam Coen recently explained why the Jacksonville Jaguars were comfortable moving on from Maason Smith and wanted to bring in Ruke Orhorhoro to help bolster the defensive tackle position.
But on the flip side of that, why did the Falcons want to acquire Smith and part with Orhorhoro?
Falcons' GM Ian Cunningham recently explained why Atlanta had their eyes on Smith.
“We’ve evaluated him for a while, since his time at LSU,” Cunningham said, via Falcons on SI. “Obviously, everybody knows the measurables, but it's a player that can play nose tackle and the three-tech for us. We really are excited about him in the attacking front and being able to get upfield. He is strong. He's physical. We're excited about his upside and getting him with Coach [Jeff] Ulbrich and Coach [Nate] Ollie to see him take that next step.”
Smith is listed at 6-6, 315 pounds, while Orhorhoro measures in at 6-4, 295 pounds. That size difference, which favors Smith, better suits him to "work inside," as Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski said, whereas Orhorhoro is more of an "inside to outside" defender. Stefanski adds that the usage of Smith and Orhorhoro does differ.
The Jaguars are hoping that Orhorhoro can give them some added pass-rush juice from the defensive tackle position.
This is one of those trades that provides a change of scenery for two players who were drafted by GMs who are no longer running their now-former teams. Smith and Orhorhoro now find themselves in systems that should better suit their respective skill sets, making this a potential win-win trade for both the Jaguars and Falcons.
This time a year ago, Tyler Shough was nervously awaiting the NFL draft. The Saints made him a second-round selection, the 40th pick overall, and after nine starts last season, he became the face of the franchise.
Shough is excitedly anticipating the three-day draft this week.
The Saints could take a wide receiver, and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate has already expressed a desire to play with Shough, as has Louisville wideout Chris Bell, a former teammate of Shough's.
“To get that recognition from some of those guys that are obviously really good players, elite-level talent, it’s an honor," Shough said, via Matthew Paras of nola.com. “But knowing that, we have so much more to grow. And I have so much more to grow.
"So obviously, I want to keep doing everything I can and to get some of those guys would be really good.”
The Saints have the eighth overall pick and have done homework on Tate, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson and USC's Makai Lemon. Bell is among others the Saints hosted on a top-30 visit.
“I’ve watched almost all their film from college, and just [out of] curiosity, I think all those guys have had elite-level play,” Shough said. “I think the biggest thing — at least from what I’ve seen all over the draft board — there’s a lot of talent balance.”
Shough made clear he has confidence in the wide receivers on the roster, including Chris Olave, Mason Tipton and Devaughn Vele. He organized workouts with his wideouts earlier this week at Tulane.
Shough hopes to have some new wideouts after this weekend.
"I'm exactly like you guys: I'm excited to find out [who the Saints are going to draft]," Shough said.
NEW YORK (AP) — Patrick Heaney, the only person in section 524 at Citi Field shortly before the start of Tuesday night’s game between the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins, grinned as he gazed at the sea of empty seats.
“You wouldn’t be here tonight if you weren’t a Met fan,” Heaney said.
The skidding Mets returned home Tuesday to a quieter reception than manager Carlos Mendoza and players anticipated with the club trying to snap an 11-game losing streak — the longest for the team since 2004.
“They’re not going to be happy, that’s not a secret,” Mendoza said. “Our fan base, they’re going to let you know when you’re not playing well.”
“It’s not going to be good, which is justifiably so — we’re not playing well whatsoever,” pitcher Sean Manaea said. “I just expect it to not be the friendliest of welcome back home.”
Shortstop Francisco Lindor said following Sunday’s 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs that he expected it to “get very loud” Tuesday night.
But the few thousand fans in attendance on a brisk evening in Queens — the temperature at first pitch was 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 Celsius) — didn’t get loud until the third inning, when Lindor hit a three-run homer to open the scoring and give the Mets their biggest lead since a 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on April 5.
New York entered Tuesday hitting .200 during its skid while being outscored 62-19. The Mets didn't have slugger Juan Soto for any of that stretch, but he is expected to come off the injured list Wednesday after missing the last 16 games with a strained left quad.
“I think if they can get it going today, I think the fans will rally around them,” said Josh Hudson, a Tennessee resident in town for business who was sitting in section 509 with a $15 ticket he bought on the secondary market.
Heaney, a resident of Malverne on Long Island who wore a Mets hat and 2022 playoff sweatshirt, grinned as he recalled how he ended up buying a $12 ticket and heading to the game alone.
“I couldn’t get my wife to come,” Heaney said. “I couldn’t get my kids to come. I couldn’t get my friends to come. I bought one ticket, the cheapest one I could find, and I’m going to see if I can help them turn it around.”
Mendoza, in his third season as manager after six seasons on the Yankees’ coaching staff, said he wouldn’t mind a frosty reception because he knows how fans will react if the team fares better.
“They’re also going to be right behind you when we flip it around,” Mendoza said. “We’ve seen that before, too, so it’s nothing new for us that have been here. We expect those guys to continue to support us, but we’ve got to do better for them too.
“It’s all part of it. It comes with the territory. Wouldn’t want it any other way.”
After a stellar junior year with Iowa basketball this past season, rising senior forward Alvaro Folgueiras has committed to Louisville out of the NCAA's transfer portal.
During the 6-foot-10 Spaniard's lone campaign in Iowa City, Folgueiras averaged 8.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 50% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 76.7% from the free throw line, playing around 21 minutes per game across 37 games.
However, his clutch performance during Iowa's March Madness run drastically raised his national stock after a game-winning three-point shot against No. 1-seeded Florida in the Round of 32 and his exclamation-point dunk against No. 4-seeded Nebraska in the Sweet 16.
NEWS: Iowa transfer forward Alvaro Folgueiras has committed to Louisville, source told @On3.
For Folgueiras, he now joins a Louisville squad that has quickly assembled an increasingly promising core of players entering head coach Pat Kelly's third season with the Cardinals and a program that looks to make significant noise within the ACC and in the national tournament.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
BEREA, Ohio — On the first day of Cleveland Browns voluntary minicamp, two quarterbacks received first-team snaps.
Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson each received first-team snaps during team drills during the first meaningful practice under new head coach Todd Monken. Dillon Gabriel did not receive first-team snaps.
That structure was intentional, Monken said, and a recommendation from quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian that Monken approved.
Sanders received first-team snaps initially in 11-on-11 drills.
“He was first man up,” Monken said Tuesday afternoon. “The way it was going to turn out, Shedeur was going to get more reps, some of it in [seven on seven] some of it in [11 on 11]. Team periods were slowed down [and] set up in a way for us to get a look at all of them.
“The plan was to have Shedeur get a few more reps but have Deshaun and Shedeur both have reps with the ones.”
Todd Monken said Browns intentionally structured practice for both Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson to get QB1 reps in team drills, with plan for Shedeur to get more reps pic.twitter.com/rJGwUPnw7Z
Monken said the distribution of first-team snaps will change throughout this week’s three-day voluntary minicamp. He pushed back on the characterization that Sanders and Watson are the two candidates with a chance to start.
“I wouldn't say it’s a two-man race,” Monken said. “I would just say that at every position, there’s competition. Irrespective of the reps they get, which I’ve said before, everybody ought to be competing.”
Monken praised Gabriel’s “professionalism” and “intelligence,” Gabriel saying he’s focused on controlling what he can control and running his own race.
The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round of last year’s NFL Draft and then selected Sanders in the fifth round. Cleveland acquired Watson in a trade from the Houston Texans in 2022. But since the Browns paid a handsome cost for Watson that included three first-round picks, Watson has sustained a shoulder injury and ACL tears that have sidelined him since October 2024. Between those injuries and his 11-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, Watson has missed 49 of 68 regular-season contests in his four years as a Brown.
Watson returned to practice in December after undergoing a second ACL repair in January 2025. Monken said he did not see rust from those injuries during Tuesday’s two-hour practice session.
“The ball’s coming out great,” Monken said. “I can’t get into his body to know how his body felt. But he moved around great and the ball came out great.”
Defense ahead of offense in Browns minicamp team drills
Sanders, Watson and Gabriel began practice by cycling through footwork drills and throwing routes on air. Watson’s movement was fluid during transitions and handoffs, and he spoke to players on the side after some reps including advising a tryout receiver, Keith Kirkwood, after they shared the field during a second-team, 11-on-11 snap.
Sanders hit receiver Isaiah Bond in the flat during team drills on consecutive plays at one point.
The defense got a hand on a ball from each quarterback across seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills, twice securing interceptions and once a pass breakup.
Linebacker Quincy Williams dove for a pass breakup of Watson during a first-team snap on which Watson targeted Bond. The next play, Watson hit receiver Malachi Corley in traffic on an intermediate route.
Corley had more trouble on a later seven-on-seven deep ball down the right sideline from Sanders, Corley slowing briefly along his route before speeding up too late. Cornerback D’Angelo Ross intercepted the pass.
Gabriel’s interception came after safety Daniel Thomas batted a pass and tryout safety JT Woods then caught its deflection for the pick.
Sanders said the practice, including his throw to Corley, offered an opportunity for accountability.
“I threw Malachi a go ball and he slowed down and I said, ‘Hey,’ I gave him that look [and] said ‘Bro, we can’t afford that,’” Sanders said. “So you give guys chances and some things go your way, some things don’t. But at the end of the day we had a serious, deeper connection ... So next time he got out there, lined up one on one and he was able to go get it.”
Monken acknowledged the need to improve ball security but praised the quarterbacks’ command at the line of scrimmage.
“I thought the quarterbacks functioned unbelievably today in terms of checking plays, getting us out of [audibled plays],” he said. “I thought they were in command. I never felt at one time like they were lost. I thought all the work they put in the last couple weeks leading up to today… to me, that’s the start of it. The start of it is how we function, how they lead, is there a belief system and who has the ball in their hands every play.”
What the Browns QB competition will consider
Browns general manager Andrew Berry has acknowledged the possibility the Browns draft a quarterback at some point this week. For now, Sanders and Watson appear to be the leaders in the clubhouse.
Sanders completed 56.6% of his passes in eight games, seven starts, last season. He threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in addition to rushing 21 times for 169 yards and one score.
The Browns won three of seven games he started.
Across his career, Watson has completed 66.2% of passes for 17,904 yards, 123 touchdowns and 48 interceptions with a 37-35 record in starts.
His Browns tenure has paled in comparison to his Texans production, Watson’s passer rating down from 104.5 to 80.7. The Browns won just one of seven games he started in 2024, Watson’s touchdown percentage down from his 5.3% career average to 2.3%.
The Browns will monitor which quarterback’s skill set and command of the offense will best position them to succeed from Week 1.
Last year, the Browns had four quarterbacks competing in the offseason and ultimately started veteran Joe Flacco in Week 1. And yet, Flacco was limited through practices in the spring and training camp because the Browns did not believe he needed the same amount of development that they were giving first to Kenny Pickett and then Gabriel.
Watson has a much deeper bank of mental reps at the NFL level but also has missed significant time, his last live reps coming in October of 2024.
How will the quarterbacks learn their new playbook, as they transition from Kevin Stefanski’s offense to that of Monken?
“I know how I learn,” Sanders said when asked. “Knowing that I know how I learn is great. The coaches are able to communicate in different ways to help you learn and that's why I appreciate the coaching staff, honestly.
"You could say somebody don’t know how to learn but it’s like, how did the person get all the way to this level if he don’t know how to learn?
“So then you got to change the perspective and think: Does he not know how to learn or do I not know how to communicate with him?”
Browns have a new playbook and new terminology with Todd Monk. What’s Shedeur Sanders’ process to learn it?
Shedeur Sanders: “You could some say somebody don’t know how to learn, but how did the person get all the way to this level if he don’t know how to learn?” pic.twitter.com/FU0jGFSeG4
Sanders thanked coaches for embracing him and said he did not want to make schematic comparisons between last season and this one because he wanted to focus on positivity and looking forward. He said he would review the tape and situational room for growth from last year — Sanders said Monken’s recent conversation about the importance of daily regiments resonated with him — but otherwise was trying to remove negativity from his life.
“I recalibrated my life to view everything as fun,” Sanders said.
Including the quarterback competition?
“We’re competing against ourselves,” Sanders said.“That’s not up to me. I go out there every day and focus on what I can control.
“If I focused on something I can’t control, I’d be living the wrong way.”
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 19: Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his two run home run with Julio Rodríguez #44 during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on April 19, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last week, I dropped a request in the FEED for all y’all’s hottest Mariners takes and you definitely served up some HEAT. Here is a handy ranking system:
Blake Beaven = 1 star – a fine yet fairly tepid take Chris Bosio = 2 stars – workmanlike, solid, but not earth-shattering Hisashi Iwakuma = 3 stars – an above replacement level hot take, boundary-pushing but not absurd Matt Brash = 4 stars – a very hot and BRASH take, will upset people, will get the people going Cliff Lee = 5 stars – nuclear, scorched earth-level take
Okay, let’s see what we’ve got here. We’ll start tepid and work our way up.
Poster Donguelard says: “People give Randy Arozarena way too much shit for for how productive he is.
Rating: Blake Beaven
I mean, I obviously agree with this. Randy is a good ballplayer. He definitely turns it up and turns it down as the situation requires. He is not a 100% hustle up the line every time player. He’s conserving his ammo for when he needs it, and as a 42-year-old who still tries to play sports, I respect that. He’s a couple hot streaks away or flashy catches away from being everyone’s favorite player again. Randy gonna Randy.
Poster Chris From Bothell says: “Dan’s devotion to doing lefty-righty matchups is going to directly cost the M’s at least 3 wins by the end of the season. The Padres finale on April 16 was one of those.”
Rating: Chris Bosio
I’m putting this on the tepid side of things, but still very respectable in terms of a take. Costing 3 wins can definitely mean the difference between the postseason or golf season, but I think this take would be much hotter if we were talking about Dan’s decisions costing the team 5-6 wins. Now we’re getting spicy.
MarinersFanInAZ says: “Emerson Hancock will be the second-best starter this year.
Rating: Hisashi Iwakuma
Oooh baby, we’re cookin’ now. This is definitely a hot take, but certainly not impossible from the small sample size we’ve seen so far from the Mariners starters. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that Bryan Woo takes the top honors, and then we’ve got newcomer Hancock in second, so then how far behind are Gilbert, Kirby, Castillo, and even Miller once he’s back? If they’re all relatively close behind Hancock, then hello playoffs. If there’s big drop off, then yikes! This is a good and spicy one, well done.
Poster Nichos9 says: “Bryce Miller is coming for Luis Castillo’s job not for Emerson Hancock’s.”
Rating: Matt Brash
Woooo, boy, this is BRASH as hell. I respect it, but definitely disagree for two reasons. 1. I think Castillo’s demise has been greatly exaggerated. He’s fine and he is a crafty veteran at this point and will figure out how to keep winning games for as long as his arm stays healthy. 2. This take assumes that Bryce Miller is going to come back and really put it all together again. Sadly, I have my doubts. I want it to happen because I love Cowboy Bryce and he’s fun to watch when he is on his game, but I will believe it when I see it. Still, this is steaming hot take because of how sneakily divisive it is. Well played!
Poster YesItsRyan says: “Cole Young proves he is the best Mariners 2nd baseman since the 90’s.”
Rating: CLIFF LEE (sirens, fire alarms, Chernobyl klaxons)
Hoooo YEAH, head for the hills! We’ve got a winner right here. Let’s take a look at the highest single season bWAR totals by Mariners second basemen since 1990
Bret Boone, 2001: 8.8 bWAR
Robinson Canó, 2016: 7.3 bWAR
Harold Reynolds, 1990: 4.8 bWAR
Joey Cora, 1997: 2.6
It goes downhill pretty quickly after that, so let’s stop there. So, I admit, I did not see this coming from Cole Young after what we saw last season. Obviously it’s April, but he’s been one of the compentnt hitters in the lineup for the last month and is currently 4th in bWAR for the Mariners in 2026. That’s pretty significant for a fairly overlooked prospect (not by one Kate Preusser, I am legally obligated to say). So Yung Cole is off to a great start, he is very strong, can slug the ball, and has a pretty high baseball IQ. Can he outdo 2.6 by Joey Cora? Pretty decent chance, I’d say. Could he outdo Harold Reynolds at 4.8? We’re in big stretch territory. Possible but unlikely. How about 7.3 by Canó? I mean, the Mariners are definitely in the playoffs if that happens. That would overcome A LOT of shortcomings by other players, but is extremely unlikely. Can Young outdo Boone at 8.8? I’m gonna say that record will probably he held by Boone until the sun burns out unless Young shows up with suspiciously swollen fore arms out of nowhere and begins doing nonchalant flick of the wrist bat flips on dingers.
So, yes, I certify this take as NUCLEAR. Bombastic. Morally questionable. Scorched earth.
Okay that’ll do it for this week’s reverse mailbag. Thank you to everyone who dropped a take, I’ll include more next time. The spicier, the better. Keep an eye out for the next prompt later this week.
🚨 Line-ups ready for the clash between Pumas and Juárez
The midweek round of Mexican soccer kicks off, and the Liguilla is getting closer and closer.
Pumas are the real deal; they are in the direct fight for the top spots and to earn the advantage of hosting the final phase matches at home.
Pumas' XI
Without Keylor and without Carrasquilla due to card accumulation, the university side wants to keep up its good form and take all three points at home.
Juárez faded as the tournament went on, and after four straight matches without a win, they arrive with slim chances on paper of taking the three points at CU.
Will we get a surprise, or will Pumas take care of business with a win?
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is facing some tough questions after a potential affair with NFL reporter Dianna Russini was recently exposed. On Tuesday, he faced reporters for the first time since the news broke. His response has been the subject of many reactions online, including one from Dave Portnoy, the founder and owner of Barstool Sports.
Portnoy, who grew up in Massachusetts and is a Patriots fan, shared the video of Vrabel's response to the scandal when speaking with the media on Tuesday on his account on X, formerly known as Twitter – accompanying the video was a caption that spared no praise for how the former All-Pro linebacker and two-time NFL Coach of the Year handled the situation.
"LEADER OF MEN!" wrote Portnoy. "Let he who has not made a mistake or bad decision cast the 1st stone! We You can’t spell Vrabel without accountability! Proud to be a Patriot! An organization that does things the right way!"
It's clear Portnoy thinks that gave an admirable and appropriate response to the drama he's now entangled in, but many NFL fans aren't as happy with the response. And some are calling for punishment to be handed down, given that Russini was forced to resign from her role with The Athletic over the scandal.
Lamar Jackson (not that one) is headed to injured reserve.
Jackson (the 28-year-old cornerback, not to be confused with the 29-year-old quarterback) was placed on IR by the Orlando Storm of the United Football League last week. He was originally picked by the Storm in the 2026 UFL draft in January, totaling two tackles and one pass breakup through three games before landing on IR.
Jackson played college football at Nebraska, and he spent time with six NFL teams from 2020-2024, including a stint with the Denver Broncos in 2022. Jackson appeared in three games with the Broncos that season, recording three tackles and two PBUs.
Jackson is one of six former Broncos cornerbacks who suited up in the UFL this spring, joining Michael Ojemudia (St. Louis Battlehawks), Kary Vincent (Houston Gamblers), Quinton Newsome (Houston Gamblers), Micah Abraham (Orlando Storm) and Mario Goodrich (Birmingham Stallions).
Ojemudia was picked by Denver in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. Vincent was a seventh-round pick in 2021. UFL clubs are entering Week 5 of a 10-week regular season.
Feb 28, 2026; Moraga, California, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Adam Miller (23) goes up for a basket against the St. Mary’s Gaels during the first half at University Credit Union Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
At some point, it’s time to move on from college basketball and look for other professional opportunities.
Gonzaga Bulldogs graduate guard Adam Miller has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to The Field of 68.
The 24-year-old has played 152 college basketball games in his career.
2020-21 – Illinois Fighting Illini
2021-22 – LSU Tigers (didn’t play with a torn ACL in right knee)
2022-23 – LSU Tigers
2023-24 – Arizona State Sun Devils
2024-25 – Arizona State Sun Devils
2025-26 – Gonzaga Bulldogs
The reason that Miller has given the portal one final shot is because of the potential for a five-in-five ruling from the NCAA before the 2026-27 school year. What that means is that athletes would be given five years to compete in five seasons starting upon high school graduation or 19th birthday (whichever comes first), replacing the current four seasons in five years model. This would eliminate redshirts and most medical hardships/waivers.
It’s still extremely unlikely that Miller receives yet another year of eligibility since he redshirted in the 2021-22 campaign. Understandable why he would throw his name in the ring with all the money being thrown around across the sport.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
The New York Giants continued on Tuesday to prepare for life after Dexter Lawrence, hosting another veteran defensive tackle for a free-agent vist.
This time it was Benito Jones, a 6-foot-1, 335-pound six-year veteran who spent the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
The Giants previously hosted veteran defensive tackles Shelby Harris and D.J. Reader. They also hosted wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. this week for a visit that included a physical and a workout.
None of the veteran players have signed. It seems likely at this point that any signings would take place next week after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jones, 28, has played 71 regular-season games with 38 starts for the Dolphins and Detroit Lions. He played in 14 games with eight starts last season.
Jones projects as a rotational piece on a defensive line that has lost Lawrence via trade, along with D.J. Davidson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches in free agency.
The Giants might be spending so much time assessing veteran options because the draft class is thought to have few impact defensive tackles.
BOSTON — With a swath of reporters from New York and Boston huddled around his locker at Fenway Park on Tuesday, Cam Schlittler downplayed the online harassment he’s received from some Red Sox fans ever since he knocked their team out of the postseason last October.
Over the weekend, Schlittler, a Walpole, Mass., native who grew up rooting for the Red Sox, told the New York Post’s Joel Sherman that he’s even received death threats. However, the 25-year-old, whose father, John, is a police chief in Needham, Mass., didn’t feel the need to relay the threats to the Yankees or authorities. A Yankees spokesman added Tuesday that the club hasn’t gotten involved with Schlittler set to make his first career start at Fenway on Thursday.
While Schlittler said Tuesday that “there’s definitely been some disgusting messages” sent to him and his parents, he didn’t want to share any details with reporters.
“I’m not really worried about it,” he continued. “At the end of the day, it’s just part of the game. I have no issue with it. I’ve been dealing with it for six months, and it doesn’t really affect me at all. So I didn’t really want it to be a huge thing the other day.”
Schlittler also said it’s “pretty normal” and “not out of the ordinary” for athletes to get death threats, a sad reality.
“Now, do I expect to get more death threats here than from, you know, Cleveland when I pitch there? Yeah, for sure,” Schlittler said, though he noted that he had “great” and “respectful” interactions with fans in public when he spent a few months in Boston over the offseason.
His negative interactions have mostly come on social media, where Red Sox fans first went after him and his family before his start against Boston in Game 3 of last year’s Wild Card Series. A little “shocked” and angered by some posts he saw before the game, Schlittler, a rookie at time, went on to strike out 12 over eight scoreless innings. The gem sent the Yankees to the ALDS and the Red Sox home for the winter.
Schlittler boasted about that a few times on social media in the hours, days and weeks that followed. That led to some more hate over the offseason.
On Tuesday, he said he’s not going out of his way to seek out negative comments on social media or do his own trash talking, though it’s not something he’s shied away from.
“I said what I needed to say at the end of last year,” Schlittler said of navigating his online interactions. “There’s not much a regular season game is going to change about that. I’m not too worried about that. I’ve got a job to do. I don’t want to create a distraction for the team, so I’m just gonna go out there and do what I need to do on the mound.
“The goal is to win a championship, and whatever I can do to help the team win is exactly what I’m looking to do,” he said. “But I don’t think I’m gonna get there by messing with people on social media.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, meanwhile, semi-jokingly said, “We’re trying to have him have less of a social media presence.”
Now Schlittler, who has a 1.95 ERA over five starts, is set to face the Red Sox for the first time since that outing. He’s expecting a raucous crowd Thursday with his parents and lots of friends coming to the game.
“It’s gonna be loud,” Schlittler said, “and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Schlittler last pitched at Fenway his senior year of high school in an area prospects showcase organized by Yankees scout Matt Hyde, who eventually convinced the club to draft the pitcher out of Northeastern in 2022. Schlittler last visited Fenway in May, catching a Red Sox night game after making an early start for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate.
As a kid, Schlittler dreamed of pitching for the Red Sox at Fenway Park, but that obviously changed as he went through the pre-draft process and built a relationship with the Yankees. Still, he never imagined getting booed at Fenway, but he knows that’s about to happen this week.
As someone who attended Red Sox games as a kid, Schlittler is familiar with how harsh the Fenway faithful can be, especially when the Yankees are in town. And while he doesn’t think the American League East rivalry is “as intense as it used to be,” he did say, “I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
He’s certainly played a helping hand in that regard.
“I don’t think the goal is to just heat the rivalry up,” Schlittler said. “I think the goal is, when you’re playing division rivals, that you’re gonna perform at the best level. And if some guys, that rivalry feeds them a little bit — like it does for me — then great. If not, then it doesn’t matter.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will enter the 2026 season playing on the last year of his contract (barring an extension), and his future is up in the air.
With Baker's current deal paying him $33 million APY, it is expected that a new contract could see Mayfield seek $50 million APY, if not more, based on the current market value.
That's a big change, and if the Buccaneers, for whatever reason, aren't sold on paying Baker that sort of money (I think they are), then they might have to look towards the future at the position.
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards thinks that the Buccaneers could be one team that looks to draft a quarterback at some point in the NFL Draft.
"The Buccaneers could conceivably draft an heir apparent to Baker Mayfield, who is entering his final year under contract, but Todd Bowles has a lot on the line to compete this season," Edwards wrote. "The problem is that general manager Jason Licht has job security and may prefer to take the quarterback."
Personally, I think he will be, and he's shown he can be "that" guy for the franchise.
In two of his three seasons, Mayfield has played some of the best football of his career, and let's not forget he had the Bucs at 5-2 last season and was in the MVP discussion before the injuries took their toll.
Now, entering into perhaps a prove-it year with Tampa Bay, Baker might have to drag this team back to the postseason in order to get a new contract. Granted, I still think the franchise is all in on Baker, but that still won't stop them from drafting a quarterback.
It won't impact Baker's future (I don't think); it'll be more of a developmental prospect for the Buccaneers to have work under Mayfield.
And also, if things go south badly, it's a thread to pull for Todd Bowles.
Baylor forward Tounde Yessoufou has entered the NCAA transfer portal, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned. Yessoufou just wrapped up his first season of college basketball, deciding to hit the open market. Waco was considered home for just a short time. Now, Yessoufou turns into one of the hottest names available.
Detroit — The Pistons had the night off, but one of their biggest fans didn't.
Tom Hur, the popular social-media personality from South Korea (@KoreaPistonsFan on X, formerly Twitter), took in his first Major League Baseball game Tuesday night at Comerica Park, and the Tigers gave him VIP treatment.
Before the game, Hur was brought on the field, where he was given a signed Team Korea World Baseball Classic by Tigers designated hitter Jahmai Jones, who played for Team Korea this spring.
Then, Hur was given tickets right behind home plate, in the uber-luxury Priority Club, to watch the series opener between the Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers.
Hur has become a welcomed visitor every time he travels the 7,000-some miles to Detroit, usually to watch the Pistons, like in this first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic. But the city's other professional sports teams (and many Detroit restaurants) have treated him like royalty, too.
While Tuesday was his first major-league game, it wasn't his first time at Comerica Park. During a trip to Detroit in October 2025, the Tigers invited him to the park and presented him some swag.
The Lions and Red Wings have done the same, and last fall, Pistons owner Tom Gores treated him to a shopping spree at Little Caesars Arena.
NEW DELHI: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s dominant win over Delhi Capitals was once again defined by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive batting and a disciplined bowling effort led by Eshan Malinga. However, DC skipper Axar Patel remained calm after the defeat, suggesting no immediate panic or changes to the XI despite the heavy loss.
Speaking after the match, Axar backed his squad and stressed that the team’s overall process was still on track. He said, "No, right now it doesn’t feel like that, because the kind of cricket that is going on - if you see, obviously we are batting well and bowling well. It feels like, I think you know, when the wicket is so good, then this should be considered an off day and forgotten."
He also acknowledged missed opportunities in the field that hurt DC’s chances against Abhishek’s onslaught. "The run-out and the catch we missed - had we taken it, we could have restricted them," he said, while still giving full credit to SRH’s batting firepower.
Axar further added that even good execution sometimes fails against extraordinary batting. "If someone bats that well, and their execution is not lacking, credit must be given for such a performance... when a batsman bats like this, the coach and the captain must accept that even a captain cannot stop someone," he explained.
He also emphasised the importance of support within the team environment during tough games, particularly for bowlers under pressure.
The match itself saw Abhishek Sharma produce a breathtaking unbeaten 135 off 68 balls, powering SRH to a massive 242/2. Despite a brief fightback from Delhi’s middle order, Malinga’s 4/32 broke the chase apart as DC were restricted to 195/9.
Abhishek’s knock, supported by Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, ensured SRH’s dominance from the start, while Axar admitted that sometimes, opponents simply outplay you on the day.
Now, eight months later and one rib down, Wheeler is slated to make his return to the mound. The Phillies announced Tuesday that Wheeler is scheduled to make his 2026 debut in a start on Saturday against the first-place Atlanta Braves.
Wheeler has made five rehab starts since undergoing and recovering from thoracic outlet surgery in September. Phillies manager Rob Thomson likened Wheeler’s status as though he were at the end of spring training. Thomson told reporters Tuesday that he expects Wheeler to be limited to six innings and 90 pitches against the Braves.
“The fastball velocity's gone up. It's not where it's gonna be, I don't believe,” Thomson said, per MLB.com. “The command has been some days good, some days not as good. But I'm expecting on a normal day, weather-wise, that he's gonna have his command.
“He's really spun the ball well during all of his outings, so I feel good about him.”
<p>Zack Wheeler, seen here before and April 16 rehab start, is schedule to make his 2026 debut on Saturday.</p>
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Doctors discovered a blood clot near Wheeler’s shoulder, and he underwent a thrombolysis procedure to have it removed on Aug. 18. He was then diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome and underwent season-ending thoracic outlet surgery in September.
What is thoracic outlet syndrome?
Per the Mayo Clinic, thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when nerves or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet (the area between the neck and shoulder) become compressed. This can cause shoulder and neck pain and numbness in the fingers. In the case of venous or arterial thoracic outlet syndrome, it can also cause a blood clot, which Wheeler experienced.
Now he’s ready to return to the mound for an 8-14 Phillies team that needs a boost.
Wheeler, 35, made his third career All-Star team last season and was in the midst of a standout campaign before it ended early. In 149 2/3 innings pitched, Wheeler posted a 2.71 ERA and 0.935 WHIP with 195 strikeouts and 33 walks for a Phillies team that went on to win the NL East.
The Phillies are off to a slow start in their quest for a third straight division title and are certainly hoping Wheeler can help get them back on track.
However, Freeman is now ready to play, and as a result, Ward was sent back down to the minor leagues.
Apr 17, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) dances on second base after his double in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, welcomed London Rosemary Joy Freeman into the world, their first daughter after having three boys — Charlie, Brandon, and Maximus.
The name of their baby girl has deep meaning, as Freeman explained upon his return to the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
“So, London is her first name. My in-laws are from England, born and raised there. She’s [Chelsea Freeman] always loved the name London,” Freeman said.
“So ever since I’ve known Chelsea, it felt as if we were going to have a girl, the girl’s name was going to be London.
“And she has two middle names, Rosemary Joy. My mom’s name was Rosemary Joy Freeman. So our daughter’s name is London Rosemary Joy Freeman, after my mom.”
Freeman, after adding a girl to their family, has closed the door on them having any more kids for the foreseeable future.
“This is it. We are happily done with four. She is the perfect addition and the end to it,” Freeman said.
Now, at 36, Freeman has made it clear that he wants to play until he is 40, which would mean another four seasons.
He does have his family now set, and with his baby girl entering his life, the seasoned veteran will certainly look to close out his playing career on a high note, transition into a full-time father, and be around his children during the transformative years.
Before then, Freeman will want to reach the 3,000 hit mark, an exclusive club that is reserved for the best contact hitters and history and company that Freeman could reasonably enter if he stayed healthy.
There are six teams in the NFL who enter Thursday night with two first-round picks, and one of them is the Miami Dolphins.
After hiring a new regime in the offseason, the Dolphins traded wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos for pick No. 30 overall, giving Miami seven picks in the top 100 this year. The Dolphins are entering a bit of a rebuild, so they need all the young talent they can get for the 2026 season.
There are many ways in which the Dolphins could use those two picks to improve their team on both offense and defense. Miami did sign quarterback Malik Willis in free agency, so the team will build around the former Green Bay Packers backup moving forward.
Here are five ways that the Dolphins can use their two first-round picks on Thursday night.
Ranking 5 best combinations for Dolphins Round 1 selections
1. Miami OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 11) and Clemson CB Avieon Terrell (No. 30)
While offensive tackle is not the Dolphins most pressing need, Francis Mauigoa is such great fit to stay in Miami. The Hurricanes star would give the Dolphins a longterm option at either tackle spot along with flexibility on the interior as well.
With their second pick of the first round, the Dolphins address their biggest need on defense by securing former Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell. The 21-year-old played 39 games in three seasons for Clemson and should be able to start right away while developing at the next level.
2. Miami OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 11) and Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk
The Dolphins' desire to fix the offensive line makes Mauigoa perhaps the No. 1 target on the team's board. However, since it's unlikely the Mauigoa falls all the way to No. 11, the Dolphins would likely run to the podium if he's there.
If the Dolphins decide go with an edge rusher as their first defensive pick of the draft, they are probably hoping Faulk falls to the back of the first round. Faulk should start from day one as he develops as a pass rusher, but would compliment Chop Robinson well along the defensive line.
3. Miami OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 11) and San Diego State CB Chris Johnson (No. 30)
The offensive tackle and cornerback combination is the most common for the Dolphins two first-round picks. As offensive line is tougher to address later in the draft, Miami would likely go tackle first before focusing on cornerback later.
Chris Johnson is another late-first-round cornerback that the Dolphins could consider with their second pick of the draft. Johnson, who played 47 games at San Diego State, provides experience on the outside and would be a plug-an-play starter this year.
4. Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson and Clemson CB Avieon Terrell (No. 30)
If the Dolphins don't go with an offensive tackle in the first round, that should increase the chance that they take a wide receiver. Miami released Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle in the offseason, so the team lacks a true top wide receiver.
Tyson is a projected top-10 pick who is could fall in the draft due to injury concerns, but he'd instantly be the best wide receiver on Miami's roster. New quarterback Malik Willis
5. Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson and Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk
It's not likely that the Dolphins go wide receiver and edge rusher on Thursday night, but it's not impossible if the right players fall. In this case, the Dolphins grab two players who both fell on Thursday night in Tyson and Faulk.
This scenario is one of the more exciting possibilities for Miami with a huge upside. However, Tyson stock rose in the past week, as teams ahead of the Dolphins are intrigued by the wide receiver.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 26: Texas tight end Jack Endries answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 26, 2026 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After a lone season in Austin as the culmination of a successful career that began as a walk on for the California Golden Bears, Texas Longhorns tight end Jack Endries is preparing to hear his name called at the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. As a dependable tight end with solid hands and natural ball skills, Endries is expected to challenge NFL defenses as a pass catcher.
#Texas TE Jack Endries is one of my favorite TEs in the draft.
Solid route runner with excellent field awareness to find soft spots in zone, impressive athlete, really reliable target in the middle of the field, effective blocker, and a good catch radius. pic.twitter.com/Zztt6u5SUC
Endries’ career began as a three star prospect out of Danville (Calif.) with a commitment to Cal’s walk-on program. After redshirting his first year on campus, Endries burst onto the scene in 2023, starting all 13 games while tallying 35 receptions for 408 yards and two touchdowns. He was recognized as a Freshman All-American and became the security blanket for future Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
Endries followed this campaign with an excellent season in 2024. Despite defenses placing a greater emphasis on shutting him down, Endries led the team with 56 receptions for 623 yards and two touchdowns. He had a particularly dominant three-game stretch during which he snagged two touchdowns and produced back-to-back 100-yard performances.
During his two seasons at Cal, Endries recorded 1,030 receiving yards, which was the most by any returning Power Four tight end entering the 2025 season.
Jack Endries is going to be better in the NFL than he was at Texas
After the 2024 season, Endries committed to Texas, a decision he has said paid dividends.
“The coaching staff,” Endries said. From my first game at Ohio State to my 13th against Michigan, I look totally different. Better technique.”
As a Longhorn, Endries recorded 32 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns. Despite a slight dip in production, NFL scouts remain excited about Endries’ hands, ability to find soft spots against zone coverage, and how he can stretch a defense vertically.
Jack Endries split out in a stack. Clears the S coming down and breaks to the In and gets his head around to see Arch running out. He sits down and becomes available, then makes the difficult outstretched catch away from his body. pic.twitter.com/phxA6gJxyF
After watching Ja’Tavion Sanders and Gunnar Helms, it was evident from the season opener that Sarkisian and company found another NFL-worthy tight end. In an offensive struggle against Ohio State, Endries led the Longhorns in receiving yards.
He followed up that performance by catching two touchdowns against San Jose State while grading at 80.8, according to Pro Football Focus.
As the season continued, Endries established himself as a pass-catching threat that can stretch defense vertically and carve out space against zone looks.
In February, Endries participated in the NFL Combine. Measuring at 6’5, 245 pounds, Endries uses his frame well to box out defenders and win contested catches. At the next level, he will likely need to add more strength to his frame as his blocking can be hit or miss.
Endries’ other measurements included a 4.62 40 with a 1.59 10-yard split, a 360inch vertical, and a 9’11 broad jump.
Compared to other tight ends, Endries’ physical attributes are relatively on par. He excels at using his body, but doesn’t possesses the quickness or top-end speed to generate many yards after the catch. His build-up acceleration was evident at Texas when involved in the screen game. When Endries got a head of steam, he was dangerous, but many screen attempts were thwarted before much success.
Endries’ hands remain a strength, although he did struggle at Texas with drops. In two season at Cal, Endries dropped a single pass on 94 targets compared to four drops on 51 targets at Texas. The spike suggests some inconsistency, but his overall body of work points to reliable mitts.
First noteworthy 1-on-1 rep from @ShrineBowl practice
Texas TE Jack Endries had to push to create the separation, but also showed off some strong hands holding onto this one pic.twitter.com/otyLsdPsjz
Throughout the combine, Endries reinforced what showed up on tape — natural space creation, good use of his body, and strong hands through contact. While his blocking skills still need improvement, Endries cemented his value as a quarterback’s friend that can move the chains.
Currently expected to be drafted in Pittsburgh as a mid-round selection, Endries has the skills to carve out a role in the right system with enough upside to develop into a multi-tool threat if he can improve his blocking.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: T.J. Parker #DL55 of Clemson participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In just two days, the Chicago Bears might find themselves debating the very choice ESPN’s Mina Kimes just posed to NFL draft guru Todd McShay: if given the choice between Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald or Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which do you take?
It’s a perfect question for a team and fanbase that are rightfully obsessed with upgrading the Bears’ defensive line, which was by far the worst aspect of the 2025 squad.
“Very similar grades on both of them—I actually think it’s identical grades,” he explained. “I like Kayden McDonald a lot. I actually think there’s a little bit more in that tank as a pass rusher. What I like about him is most of the time, the zero techniques, the nose tackle, are space eaters. This dude was like fourth or fifth on that defense in tackles. He finishes.” (McDonald was fifth with 65 total tackles. No other OSU defensive tackle had more than 26.)
That defense, of course, being Ohio State’s all-world defensive lineup that included Caleb Downs, widely considered a top-three overall player in this draft class, and his mutant linebacker teammates Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. In other words, McDonald’s no mere big man, in McShay’s eyes.
But that doesn’t mean he’s definitely the pick for the Bears at No. 25, even if the Bears do badly need defensive interior players.
“With all that said, Dennis Allen, I think he’s gonna be more like 300-310 pound defensive tackles,” McShay added. (For reference, McDonald checks in at over 320 pounds and is limited as a mover relative to other prospects.)
That’s why Parker, a bigger edge whose foundation is length and strength, better fits the Bears’ prototype.
“Long arm, power. … I think that he’d be a really good fit. When you think about what the Saints had for years at edge, I think Parker would kinda fit that mold. I would take Parker there.”
Therein lies the intriguing part when it comes to Parker, especially when you consider how much success a somewhat similar profile of player in Cam Jordan had under Allen in New Orleans.
Parker, who racked up 16 sacks and 64 stops in his final two seasons, represents a balance between the Bears’ need for pass rush and run-stopping. Plus, his physical build fits Allen’s archetype for his position more closely than McDonald does at his. For the record, Parker would be this author’s pick in this scenario as well.
That said, either would be a welcome addition to a Bears defense in need of an upgrade up front. Let’s see if this is the choice that actually plays out.
Apr 19, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev (49) checks Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Vegas leads the series 1–0 after a 4–2 win in Game 1 on Sunday night in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights scored three unanswered goals in the third period, with Nic Dowd netting the go-ahead goal at 7:20 of the third, while Carter Hart made 31 saves. Utah actually held a lead in the second period before Vegas flipped the game late.
Game 2 is set for Tuesday, April 21, at 9:30 p.m. ET in Las Vegas.
That opening game showed both the challenge and the opportunity for Utah. The Mammoth proved they could skate with Vegas and got a milestone moment from Logan Cooley, who scored his first NHL playoff goal, but they also let the game slip away in the third period against a more experienced postseason team.
Vegas, the Pacific Division winner, leaned on its depth and composure late, while Utah now has to avoid falling into a 2–0 hole before the series shifts home.
This is a great NHL matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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Abhishek Sharma produced one of the most dominant knocks of IPL 2026, smashing an unbeaten 135 off 68 balls to power Sunrisers Hyderabad to a commanding 47-run win over Delhi Capitals.
On a placid Uppal surface, Abhishek dismantled a listless DC attack, striking 10 sixes and as many boundaries as SRH piled up a massive 242 for 2. He set the tone early alongside Travis Head, adding 97 for the opening wicket despite the latter not being at his fluent best. Skipper Ishan Kishan then accelerated with a brisk 25 off 13, stitching a 79-run stand in just 5.5 overs. Towards the end, Heinrich Klaasen provided the finishing flourish with a quickfire 37* off 13 balls.
Reflecting on his innings, Abhishek said the team had a clear plan to attack the powerplay but had to quickly reassess conditions. “The way we started, I felt we had a plan… but the wicket was a bit slow, so we had to re-plan it again. I just wanted to utilise the powerplay and entertain the crowd,” he said, adding that judging a par score wasn’t easy until the innings progressed.
The left-hander also credited the environment within the SRH setup for allowing him to play freely. “You have to have the backing from the captain and coach… that is very important. The environment in Sunrisers in 2024 was a game-changer. It felt like they wanted to grow the youngsters,” he explained, pointing out that such freedom has helped him express himself consistently.
Delhi’s tactics, however, raised plenty of questions. The decision to persist with part-time off-spinner Nitish Rana backfired badly as he conceded 55 runs in his four overs, with left-handers targeting him repeatedly. More puzzling was the underutilisation of frontline spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, who bowled only two overs each despite the onslaught.
The game slipped away decisively in the middle phase, where SRH hammered 116 runs between overs 7 and 15. Despite a strong start in the powerplay, DC had no answers once Abhishek shifted gears.
In reply, Delhi looked comfortable at 107 for 1 before a dramatic collapse. Eshan Malinga (4/32) and Sakib Hussain (1/29) used clever variations to dismantle the middle order, reducing DC to 107 for 4. They never recovered from that slide and eventually finished on 195 for 9.
For Abhishek, the knock carried emotional significance as well. “My parents are here… it’s a very special moment. My sister is missing today because she had some infection. So this is for you as well,” he said, while also explaining his celebration as a gesture of love for the fans who have backed the team throughout.
He also revealed how his father continues to influence his game even now. “Since U12 days, my dad has been sitting next to the screen… even when I am at the non-striker’s end, he keeps giving me instructions. It actually helps me,” Abhishek added with a smile.
With this emphatic win, SRH climbed to third on the points table, and Abhishek’s breathtaking innings not only headlined the result but also underlined his growing stature as one of the most destructive batters in the tournament.
The Dallas Cowboys decide to choose patience over panic in our three-round mock draft. Instead of trading up and giving away valuable draft capital, the front office trusted the people in building, relying on their scouting department and coaching staff to navigate this year's draft, continuing the 2026 offseason trend of zigging where many think they'll zag.
Things got a bit more complicated after the unexpected shake-up in the top-10 picks of the draft. The New York Giants' trade that landed them the Cincinnati Bengals' 10th overall pick was a shocker. The Giants now have a lot more control in the early part of the draft, changing the landscape and ultimately the approach of teams like Dallas.
But rather than force the issue, the Cowboys took a more practical approach and let prospects fall to them. The strategy was simple: with a deep defensive draft class, there would be a run on offensive players. When those players come off the board, defensive talent slides down to Dallas. By showing restraint and keeping their options open, the Cowboys have the opportunity to take some of the better defenders in the draft. They also have a chance to take an opportunistic approach and add more draft capital within the top-100 picks.
With the 12th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
Stat Line: 38 games, 121 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks
The Cowboys saw both Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs taken ahead of them, but didn't panic and selected Bain Jr. Dallas lands one of the most complete edge rushers in the draft, whose only negative has been his short arms. That won't bother the Cowboys after checking in with their pass rush specialist consultant, Brandon Jordan. Jordan has been training with Bain Jr. this offseason and gives Dallas much-needed intel on Bain Jr. that other teams will not have.
Trade alert! Cowboys trade the 20th, 152nd picks to Chicago for the 25th, 57th picks.
The Bears are hunting pressure players, and after watching Rueben Bain come off the board, they trade with the Cowboys, moving up and selecting the young edge rusher Keldric Faulk out of Auburn. The Cowboys wanted to get back into the second-round pick, and in an overpay, the Bears gave it to them. The move now gives Dallas four top-100 picks in the draft. They lose one of their fifth-round picks in the deal, but still have two in their back pocket.
With the 25th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Colton Hood, cornerback, UCF
Stat Line: 29 games, 77 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 14 passes defended
Dallas felt comfortable moving back five spots, with both Avieon Terrell and Colton Hood still available. Both have similar skill sets, but ultimately decided to draft Hood over Terrell because he's the better tackler. Hood is one of the more physical cornerbacks in the draft, with the speed to carry receivers down the field and make plays on the football. If not for teammate Jermod McCoy being in the draft, Hood would have more buzz around him as one of the better corners in this draft class. Hood can play on the boundaries or in the slot, giving this defense much-needed flexibility at cornerback. Christian Parker isn't afraid of drafting smaller cornerbacks; now, he gets another one in Dallas with Hood.
With the 57th pick in the 2026 NFL, the Dallas Cowboys select Anthony Hill Jr., linebacker, Texas
Stat Line: 40 games, 249 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 passes defended, 8 forced fumbles
After missing out on Sonny Styles, the Cowboys continue to trust their board. Dallas has to sit and watch three linebackers be selected ahead of them, but is able to land Hill Jr. with the pick they received in the Bears trade. A former teammate of DeMarvion Overshown, Hill is one of the more athletic linebackers in the draft. He is a very instinctive player with a nose for the football, and an effective blitzer. He needs to be better at getting back into coverage at the next level, but he has the speed and instincts to get the job done and be a quality starter for the Cowboys.
With the 92nd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Kamari Ramsey, safety, USC
Stat Line: 35 games, 133 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions
The Cowboys finally get their safety in the third round. Ramsey is another versatile defensive back whose stock fell due to injury last season. He has experience playing at safety and in the slot, is physical enough to cover tight ends, and has the speed to stay with receivers and running backs. He has to get better at defending the run, but he has all the tools to help Dallas in the secondary.
Overall, the Cowboys were able to fill positions they felt weak at without giving up draft picks. Finding quality starters and role players who can still help the team immediately.
The Golden State Warriors have a number of decisions to make this offseason, including whether or not to part ways with head coach Steve Kerr after 12 seasons and four NBA championships.
Questions loom about Kerr's future with the Warriors. His contract expires this summer. Even he was uncertain on what would transpire in the next days, weeks or months.
"I don't know what's going to happen. I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date," Kerr told reporters after the Warriors ended their season with a 111-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns on April 18 in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
"There's a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it's time for new blood and new ideas and all that. And if that's the case, I will be just nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise, in front of our fans in The Bay, and to coach Steph Curry, to coach Dray, the whole group. So it might still go on. May not, I don't know at this point, but we all need to step away a little bit and then reconvene."
However, it seems that signs are pointing towards Kerr not working out a deal to return to the Warriors, according to NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole. Poole reported that the Warriors' coach would not be brought back unless Kerr had a "renewed faith in his role as the franchise shifts toward the future."
Warriors leaders on Kerr's future
Kerr's future remains up in the air. Warriors star Stephen Curry just wants his coach to be happy in whatever his next step is going to be, but he is hoping that it's another year in The Bay.
"I want coach to be happy, I want him to be excited about the job. I want him to believe he's the right guy for the job. I want him to have an opportunity to again enjoy what he does, so whatever that means for him," Curry said. "However it goes, you're thankful for what we've been able to accomplish over this run, thankful for an opportunity, hopefully, to put it together, do something again next year."
In their NBA Play-In loss, potentially their final game together, Kerr embraced Curry and Draymond Green moments before the conclusion of the game and said, "I don't know what's going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you. I appreciate you."
Green, too, is hopeful that Kerr, and himself, will be back with the Warriors next season. However, Green said he doesn't believe that his coach since 2014 is coming back.
On an episode of The Draymond Green Show, the Warriors forward gave his honest opinion about Kerr's future based on conversations he's heard and the energy around the topic.
"If you ask me, I don't know that he's coming back," Green said about Kerr's future with Golden State. "If you want my opinion, just all the talk that's been going around... I think not. It just feels like that I don't know. I hope he's our coach next year."
He added: "I don't know man, it felt like that was it. Is it? I don't know. Like I said, I hope not. But for some reason it just felt like that was it and if it was man what a run it’s been. I’m so lucky to have had for 12 years Steve as my coach.
Steve Kerr coaching resume
The Warriors are Kerr's first-and-only coaching experience, which began in the 2014-15 season. He has a 604-353 (.631) coaching record in regular-season games. His postseason record is 104-48 (.684).
Kerr was named the 2016 NBA Coach of the Year. He coached Golden State to a NBA-record, 73 wins, which was a record previously held by the 1996 Chicago Bulls who won 72 games. Kerr was a backup point guard on that Bulls team.
Kerr coached the Warriors to four NBA titles in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. He was named one of the Top 15 Coaches in NBA History in 2021.
Warriors' rumors for Steve Kerr replacement
If Kerr isn't back with the Warriors, there would be a handful of suitors for him and ideal replacements to succeed the coach as the mastermind of Golden State basketball.
Golden coached at the University of San Francisco for three seasons before leaving for Florida and reportedly has a relationship with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and his family.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said more than five million tickets have already been sold to the World Cup (Frederic J. BROWN)
A new batch of World Cup tickets to all 104 matches will go on sale this Wednesday, just 50 days before the tournament kicks off, FIFA said Tuesday.
Tickets to games across the United States, Mexico and Canada will be available via FIFA's website "on a first-come, first-served basis" from 1500 GMT, the sport's governing body said in a statement.
"Along with this set of tickets, additional tickets will continue to be released to the public on an ongoing basis up until the final on Sunday, 19 July (subject to availability)," it said.
The latest batch of tickets comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino said more than five million tickets have already been sold to the tournament, which begins June 11.
The most tickets ever sold previously for a World Cup was 3.5 million, when the event was last held in the US back in 1994.
Based on the capacity of the 16 stadiums hosting this tournament, approximately seven million tickets are expected to be available in total for the 2026 edition.
FIFA has come under fire for the sky-high prices of tickets, with the most expensive ticket for the World Cup final surpassing $10,000, excluding the re-sale market.
Organizers have defended the pricing of tickets, which Infantino attributed to "crazy" demand, and used a "dynamic pricing" strategy where prices are automatically raised for high-demand matches.
On Tuesday, the Athletic reported that ticket sales were lagging for the United States team's high-priced World Cup opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles -- a claim disputed by FIFA.
"Ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup remain strong with a high degree of interest for all matches," a FIFA spokesperson told AFP.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — After losing five straight games, the University of Southern Indiana baseball team got their bearing under them just in time to face crosstown rival, the University of Evansville.
The Screaming Eagles won their final two games this past weekend against UT Martin to win their first Ohio Valley Conference series in nearly a month. But when it comes to rivalry matchups it often brings the best out of teams.
“We look forward to this every year,” said outfielder Patrick McLellan. “It’s a fun time it’s a fun game. It’s real energetic, it feels like postseason baseball cause both teams are really going for it. and they’re good and so are we.”
USI’s hitting ability gives them the confidence that they can hang with any team, including the Purple Aces. However, after splitting the series last season Southern Indiana’s senior group doesn’t want to only compete with UE they want to win.
Outfielder Khi Holiday said, “It’s a rivalry that as soon as I stepped on the campus everybody just like let me know what it was. We split last year interconference so if we get this win I’ll be able to graduate and get the next win I’ll be able to graduate with a winning season over UE.”
Southern Indiana host the Purple Aces Wednesday, April 22nd, at the USI Baseball Field at 6 p.m.
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Sean Burke will make his fourth appearance this season, hoping to bounce back from last week’s outing against the Rays. | (Getty Images)
The White Sox snapped their series drought over the weekend, taking two of three from the Athletics for their first series win since early April against the Blue Jays. They now head out to the desert to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game set. In some good news, the South Siders are shockingly not in last place in the AL Central, and officially do NOT have the worst run differential in the MLB — thank you, Kansas City, for both.
On top of that, two of their prospects were named players of the week in their respective leagues (Colby Shelton and Braden Montgomery), and left-handed pitching prospect Noah Schultz bounced back in his second start with five solid innings on Sunday, so not all is bad.
Righthander Sean Burke is making his third start (fourth appearance) of the season, and despite a rocky outing last week against the Rays, he’s been fairly solid overall this month, with a 3.86 ERA in three games (16 1/3 innings). Though he’s sitting at a cumulative 4.43 ERA on the year, his 3.77 FIP highlights that the defense could be impacting his expected performance, which wouldn’t be all that surprising considering the Sox rank 26th in fielding run value this season, according to Statcast. Burke also doesn’t walk an absurd amount of batters, ranking in the 73rd percentile for walk rate (6.9%), so if the team were more solid behind him, he might have better numbers.
Burke will face some tough D-backs hitters with Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Geraldo Perdomo already packing a punch of power at the top of the order. Though he is batting eighth, Ildemaro Vargas has had a hot start to the season, slashing .368/.390/.596 with a .986 OPS with five doubles so far.
For Arizona, righthander Merrill Kelly will take the mound, making his second start of the season after beginning the year on the IL. Kelly gave up two runs on five hits, including a homer, across 5 1/3 innings in his first outing, though shaky command led to four walks against three strikeouts. In 32 starts last season, he posted a 3.52 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP, and he tends to lean towards his cutter and changeup to shut down an at-bat.
For whatever reason, Andrew Benintendi is leading it off for the White Sox. However, the following three are the hot core in the lineup that are hopefully going to remain more consistent to help turn things around: Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas, and Colson Montgomery. And honestly, don’t leave out Everson Pereira batting fifth because after a few horrific at-bats to start the season, he has really turned it around and has been leading the Chicago offense alongside Murakami.
In the last week, Mune ranks sixth in MLB in OPS (1.311) and slugging percentage (.833), and has mashed three homers, driven in seven runs, and walked five times. Montgomery and Vargas have also mashed two bombs apiece in that same time frame, and Montgomery’s 1.117 OPS in his last five games certainly looks a lot better than a couple of weeks ago.
The first pitch on the West Coast is later, at 8:40 p.m. CT. You can tune in at the usual locations: on TV at CHSN or on the radio at ESPN Chicago AM 1000. Back-to-back series wins, anyone?
The fairytale of Leicester City winning the Premier League at odds of 5000/1 is one of the greatest stories ever seen in English football.
But just a decade on from Claudio Ranieri’s men making history and Andrea Bocelli performing “Nessun Dorma”as they lifted an improbable title, the Foxes will find themselves playing League One next season after their relegation from the Championship was confirmed.
Leicester had to beat promotion-chasing Hull City on Tuesday to keep their slim survival chances alive, but a 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium means they will drop down to the third tier for just the second time in their 121-year league history.
Leicester have suffered back-to-back relegations and a third in four years (PA)
It confirms a remarkable fall from grace for the 2015-16 Premier League champions, who were hit with a six-point deduction earlier this season for breaching financial rules. The club had bid to overturn the penalty, but an independent appeal board upheld the punishment.
Leicester are the first former champions of England to drop into the third tier since Blackburn Rovers were relegated to League One in 2017. The Foxes were relegated from the Premier League for the second time in three years last season, but this has been a troubled campaign with just one win in their last 18 Championship fixtures.
Leicester had more success following their Premier League title victory and reached the Champions League quarter-finals the following season. Under Brendan Rodgers, Leicester won the FA Cup for the first time in 2021 when they defeated Chelsea at Wembley, and came close to a return to the Champions League, finishing fifth two years in a row.
They paid the price for a dismal 2022-23 season and were relegated to the Championship, seven years on from lifting the title, with Everton staying up ahead of them on the final day. They bounced straight back, winning the Championship under Enzo Maresca, but were relegated again last season, with Ruud van Nistelrooy unable to stop their slide.
They appointed QPR boss Marti Cifuentes before the start of the season but he was sacked in January and their form has not improved under his replacement Gary Rowett. Even without the six-point deduction, Leicester would still be in a survival scrap with Blackburn and would be two points from safety with two games remaining.
Jonah Tong bounced back in a big way on Tuesday night.
After allowing six runs in 4.2 innings in his last start (April 14), Tong dominated for Triple-A Syracuse. Pitching against the Worcester WooSox, Tong set down six of the first seven batters he faced, including striking out five.
The Mets' young right-hander would push his strikeout count to six batters through three no-hit innings -- he did allow two walks. He wouldn't allow his first hit until three batters into the fourth inning when Anthony Seigler hit an opposite-field single to left field.
Tong lost his shutout in the sixth, however. He gave up a leadoff double to Nick Sogard and two batters later, Sogard came around to score on a Mickey Gasper one-out single. Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell followed with a single, knocking Tong out of the game.
Dan Hammer came on to get the final two outs of the sixth (strikeout, lineout) to close the book on Tong's night.
Tong threw 87 pitches (59 strikes) across 5.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks, while striking out nine batters. He lowered his ERA from 7.04 to 5.66.
On the offensive side, the Syracuse Mets smashed four home runs through the first six innings, including two from Ronny Mauricio.
Mauricio continues his impressive start to the minor league season, going 2-for-3 with a walk through Tuesday's first six innings. Mauricio would add his third home run of the game, smashing a two-run shot in the eighth inning.
Mauricio now has five home runs in his last four minor league games.
In 14 games with Syracuse, Mauricio is batting .315 with six home runs, two doubles, and 13 RBI.
The other two homers came from Nick Morabito and a grand slam from first base prospect Ryan Clifford. It's the third straight game Clifford has homered.
It is the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft and pundits everywhere are putting out their final predictions for the first round. No matter how much writers want to be completely impartial when they put these together, there is always a little bias that can creep in. So we decided for this final prediction, we'd let Google's AI tool, Gemini make the final predictions and we will see how it goes.
He will join the Cardinals with one season of college eligibility remaining.
The March Madness hero for the Hawkeyes averaged 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field and 33.3% from deep in his lone season at Iowa.
Folgueiras' time in Iowa City was riddled with inconsistencies. His production did not translate in the way it did for Bennett Stirtz, who was also previously a Player of the Year winner in a mid-major conference. Folgueiras, who came off the bench in all but one of his 37 appearances, still ranked third on the Hawkeyes in both scoring and rebounding last season.
Despite his rocky season, Folgueiras etched himself into Iowa lore during the NCAA Tournament. He drilled a game-winning 3-pointer to knock off 1-seed Florida and send the Hawkeyes to their first Sweet 16 since 1999. Then he scored timely buckets in crunch time during Iowa's win over rival Nebraska as the Hawkeyes advanced to their first Elite Eight since 1987.
Folgueiras scored in double-figures in three of Iowa's four NCAA Tournament games. However, his scoreless game against Illinois in the Elite Eight highlighted his unpredictability.
His regular season at Iowa did not live up to what some hoped, but his clutch plays in the NCAA Tournament helped the Hawkeyes to a thrilling run in McCollum's first season at the helm.
Now, he is moving on to the next chapter in his career.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
The Los Angeles Angels had a distinct advantage going into last night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, and it wasn’t just because they were the home team. The Blue Jays had some issues getting to Anaheim after playing the Arizona Diamondbacks—specifically, it was an issue with the team plane, according to ESPN via an AP report.
That meant the Blue Jays ended up taking a trio of busses to Anaheim, which meant a six-hour drive on a dark desert highway that got the team to its Orange County hotel at around 12:30 AM local time, according to the report.
"I felt like I was back in the Northwest League," manager John Schneider said before Monday night's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, which the Blue Jays won 5-2. "But we made the best of it. We all got here safe, and we're ready to go."
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said before last night’s game that traveling secretary told him the plane had a mechanical problem, just as Toronto was finishing up its 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
The issue was an important one, as it related to the ability to take off and land.
"There was an issue with the joystick, which is pretty important -- apparently, it's used for takeoffs and landings," Schneider said. "So, the options were to get a new plane, which would have had to fly down from Vancouver and wouldn't have landed until 10 p.m., or drive. We took a team vote, and the team voted to bus."
The one player who didn’t was last night’s starter, Dylan Cease, who flew commercial to get to Anaheim. Cease got a good night’s rest, and he wound up striking out 12 Angels in five innings, although he had to throw 115 pitches to do it.
The rest of the Blue Jays and Toronto’s staff piled into three busses, two for the players, and one for the rest of the traveling party, which included about 40 people.
"The math was a little off," Schneider said. "It worked out way better for the players, but there was a whole lot of doubling up for us. I had my own two seats, and I still had cases of water around me, and you feel bad reclining on people."
One player on the wrong side of the vote was pitcher Max Scherzer, who opted for the flight that didn’t happen. That led to some unique humor that could only happen in the modern day version of baseball.
"I got reprimanded by Max for electing to travel that way," Schneider said as he showed reporters a letter Scherzer printed out for the manager. "So we're going to go to a trial in kangaroo court.
"I was like, 'Max, why don't you just buy a plane? You've got plenty of cash.' Most of the guys who were playing [Monday night] wanted to get out of there."
More reports are now becoming public about the Vancouver Canucks current search for a new General Manager. Over the past few days, insiders have linked plenty of names to the open position, including Kevyn Adams, Ryan Johnson and Marc Bergevin. On Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet provided an interesting update on how the search is being conducted.
"I heard the reports about Kevyn Adams, said Friedman while appearing on Oilers NOW with Bob Stauffer. "I think Ryan Johnson is a big one. Like I said, I think if it was just Jim Rutherford's choice, it would probably be Ryan Johnson. I think what's interesting about this is I am starting to hear, there's probably two or three different lists. There's Rutherford's list. There's an ownership list, and there might be another one. And so I'm just curious to see how all this is going to work."
Friedman also echoed recent reports that Vancouver is conducting an extensive search for its next GM. As mentioned, numerous names have been reported over the last few days, with a variety of experience levels among the candidates. While Friedman would not confirm any names, he did point out that the search could also include some that have not yet been linked to the Canucks.
"I'm starting to hear some more names. I'm just working on confirming them. I think there are going to be some names we haven't heard yet connected to any search. And I think they are going to be at all levels. There are going to be newcomers, and there are going to be people who have had this job before. I'm just working on nailing them all down."
If Vancouver is going to be successful, ownership needs to be on board with the candidate Jim Rutherford and his team select as the next GM. The Canucks are in at a crucial point in their rebuild, and need to ensure the right person is hired to lead the organization into the future. Based on Friedman's report, the questions that need to be answered now are who is on which list and whether or not Rutherford and ownership are on the same page.
Jim Rutherford of the Vancouver Canucks (Photo Credit: @Canucks on "X")
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Some players get off to incredibly hot starts to the year. Very few keep it up, with most flaming out. Think of Chicago Cubs‘ outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong or James Wood of the Washington Nationals last year. Both put up All-Star seasons leading up to the halfway mark, then their bats went remarkably cold.
But there’s another group that starts off cold as can be before heating up. Think of Athletics‘ catcher Shea Langeliers, who put up 19 home runs after the 2025 All-Star break. That group offers hope for those who have started 2026 cold. So which hitters are on the list, and who can turn it around?
Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez
SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 11: Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Cal Raleigh #29 after hitting a two-run home run to tie the game in the fifth inning during the game between the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Eric Hiller/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The superstar duo for the Seattle Mariners have been off to a torrid start to the year. The pair has combined for a .192/.284/.574 batting line with only four home runs. That lack of production has led to the Mariners’ fourth place standing in the American League West.
Seattle is in the bottom third of MLB rankings when it comes to team batting average (.218) and OPS (.675). With the recent injury to Brendan Donovan, the duo will need to wake up, and soon, for the Mariners to contend this year.
If Seattle is hoping for a return to the bright lights of the postseason, they’ll need resurgent moments from Raleigh and Rodríguez. They don’t need Raleigh to be the historic catcher he was last year with 60 home runs, but they need something (and they need it now).
Vinnie Pasquantino
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 17: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals grounds out as Maikel Garcia #11 (not pictured) scores in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Royals‘ mainstay first baseman has struggled to start the year. Of this list, the “Pasquatch” has probably had the worst start, with a .148 batting average and .488 OPS.
The Royals have been in a similar spot as the Mariners, with their lack of offensive production leading to a last-place finish in the AL Central thus far. The club is tied for 22nd in homers (18) and 24th in average (.223) across MLB.
Pasquantino was a huge factor for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. He slugged three home runs in one game for Italy, helping lead them to a miraculous semifinal. If he can rediscover that slug in Kansas City, his year will heat up quick.
Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 14: Manny Machado #13 and Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres 4-1 in a game at Petco Park on April 14, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Despite the red-hot San Diego Padres‘ offense carrying the team to the second-best record in MLB (15-7), this superstar duo has suffered. Tatis is still without his first home run of the year. It is, by far, the longest homer drought he has had to start a season. Machado sits with an even more impotent bat, slashing .186/.330/.630 to start the year.
There’s been signs of turnaround for Fernando. He started off colder than ice, but, in his last seven games, he’s batted .318/.407/.318. The homers still have yet to come, but with a series starting tonight in Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies, it seems that the first may come in those hitter-friendly environs.
The same hope holds true for Machado, who has taken advantage of the Rockies’ high altitude playing atmosphere in the past. If he can turn it on this week, hopefully it will carry over. He’s been one of the sturdiest hitters for the Padres over his career, but it’s been an uncharacteristically lengthy drought for the third baseman.
The Entire New York Mets
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 17: Bo Bichette #19 and manager Carlos Mendoza #64 of the New York Mets lookon prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Wow, have the Mets been bad. It’s been hard to watch the orange and blue lately as they’ve struggled their way to last place in the NL East. They dropped 11 straight games and have yet to emerge from beneath that tumult.
The majority of those problems have been in offense. The pitching has been mostly solid, despite offseason trade acquisition Freddy Peralta getting off to a slow start (4.05 ERA, 26.2 IP). But the offense has been hard to watch. New York’s leader in batting average (50-plus ABs) is catcher Francisco Alvarez with a .263 mark. The team has combined for a .226 mark (23rd across MLB).
But the Mets have a good roster. Superstars like Bo Bichette, Francisco Lindor, Luis Robert Jr. and Juan Soto make up a terrifying offensive group. It’s just that none of them have seemed to click quite yet. When they do (and they should soon), Mets fans will be rewarded after an historically difficult stretch.
Apr 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
I thought this meter would be better than the hitting meter because the offense has really been the problem. But honestly? It’s not that much better. There are more positive grades for sure, but there are almost as many pitchers mired in the poop right now as the hitters, which is almost impressive. All of the high leverage relievers that had excellent starts to their seasons have since had at least one blowup each—multiple blowups, in some cases. David Peterson has lost his rotation spot and Kodai Senga is perilously close to doing the same. Though the top three in the Mets’ rotation have been mostly solid, not all is sunshine and rainbows with the pitching staff either. Just about nothing is going right with the Mets, which is, well, how these types of losing streaks happen.
Player
Last week
This week
Huascar Brazobán, RHP
Luis García, RHP
Joey Gerber, RHP
—
Clay Holmes, RHP
Craig Kimbrel, RHP
—
Richard Lovelady, LHP
Sean Manaea, LHP
Nolan McLean, RHP
Tobias Myers, RHP
Freddy Peralta, RHP
David Peterson, RHP
Brooks Raley, LHP
Kodai Senga, RHP
Austin Warren, RHP
—
Luke Weaver, RHP
Devin Williams, RHP
Like with the hitters, there has been some roster turnover since our last meter. Richard Lovelady, who pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings across two appearances on back-to-back days, is now on the Washington Nationals. Luis García, who got lit up in the series finale against the Diamondbacks, was released and picked up by the Twins on a minor league deal. When Lovelady was designated for assignment, the Mets called up Craig Kimbrel, who has been a pleasant surprise and has yet to allow an earned run in his first four Mets appearances, despite taking the loss in Sunday’s walk-off defeat for allowing the ghost runner to score. Briefly on the roster was 28-year-old righty Joey Gerber, who pitched two scoreless innings in his debut in the series opener against the Dodgers in which the Mets were shut out. But unfortunately Gerber is now on the injured list due to a blister and the Mets called up Austin Warren to replace him on the roster. Warren gave up a solo homer on Wednesday in his 2026 debut after things had already gotten out of hand. Given that Christian Scott is set to be called up to start on Thursday and Warren is one of the only optionable arms the Mets have, he may not be long for the roster either.
Things were already out of hand by the time Warren entered the game on Wednesday because Devin Williams gave up a grand slam to Dalton Rushing that put that game out of reach. That outing marked the first runs Williams surrendered as a Met. It wasn’t a good week for Williams, who also blew his first save opportunity as a Met on Sunday by giving up the game-tying run in the ninth. He did strike out three batters in the inning to limit the damage and send the game to extra innings, but a blown save it was nonetheless.
Tobias Myers started Sunday’s game because David Peterson has been jettisoned to the bullpen. They piggybacked Sunday’s game and both pitched well. Myers gave up one hit over two scoreless innings, striking out two and walking one. Peterson followed in bulk relief and pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings. It was a bounce back outing for both of them. Peterson was coming off two poor starts in a row that lost him his rotation spot and would have earned him a poop emoji too if it wasn’t for Sunday’s strong outing. Myers’ run of brilliance to start the season ended when he gave up three runs to the A’s over three innings of long relief, but the Mets were shut out in that game too. Myers also gave up one run over two innings in Wednesday’s 8-2 loss to the Dodgers.
Clay Holmes started Wednesday’s game and took the loss, despite pitching well. He gave up two runs on four hits through five innings of work, striking out four and walking one. Holmes was the starter the day Myers got roughed up by the A’s too and also took the loss in that start despite yielding just one run in 5 1/3 innings of work because the Mets were shut out. Holmes has been one of the few consistent performers on the staff and still earns positive marks, as the two L’s on his ledger are hardly his fault.
Nolan McLean has been the Mets’ best starter though, which is not all that surprising. Both of his most recent starts were games that were blown by the bullpen. On Tuesday, McLean struck out eight over seven fantastic innings, over which he gave up just one run. But of course, the Mets lost 2-1. Against the Diamondbacks, McLean took the loss despite being brilliant through six. In the seventh, he walked the leadoff hitter, retired the next better, and then allowed a single before he was taken out of the game. Both of those runs would come around to score, charged to McLean.
It was Luke Weaver who blew up in that game, allowing both of his inherited runners from McLean to score and then two more of his own for good measure. He followed that up with a nightmarish outing against the A’s last Saturday in which he was lit up for four runs. He only avoid the poop emoji because he bounced back in Chicago with back-to-back scoreless appearances in close games over the weekend. McLean’s other start was blown by Brooks Raley and that outing represented the first blemish on his record all season. He too was scored upon in back-to-back appearances, but not knocked around to the level that Weaver was. Also like Weaver, he bounced back to earn a hold in Sunday’s game.
One of the only relievers who maintained a clean sheet over this terrible stretch is HuascarBrazobán, who is, I believe, the last member of the Opening Day bullpen remaining with a 0.00 ERA. Brazobán did mop-up duty in both of Kodai Senga’s most recent starts, which were both horrific. Senga gets slapped with the poop emoji for that, but still has his rotation spot, albeit tenuously. Brazobán pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Senga against the A’s. He had a rockier outing following Senga against the Cubs, but the Mets’ defense didn’t exactly help his cause. Brazobán issued two walks to load the bases in Sunday’s game with a skinny one-run lead to protect, but escape the jam by striking out Seiya Suzuki.
In the second of Senga’s disastrous starts, Sean Manaea pitched the bulk of long relief and the Cubs piled on against him, tagging him for five runs in four innings of work. His other outing in this twelve-game span was a positive one though; he pitched three hitless innings in a tight game in the series finale against the A’s.
That outing was in relief of Freddy Peralta, who had a very good outing that day, despite the Mets being shut out (I’m sensing a theme here). He delivered a quality start, yielding just one run on four hits through six innings of work, striking out six and walking three. Unfortunately, he took the tough luck loss. He was equally sharp through 5 2/3 in Chicago, but then unfortunately issued back-to-back walks with two outs in the sixth, which both came around to score on a home run surrendered by Brooks Raley. Overall, Peralta has been solid, but gasses quickly in the middle innings.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 12: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Shohei Ohtani takes the ball in the middle game of the series between the Dodgers and Giants on Wednesday night at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Ohtani has pitched exactly six innings in each of his three starts this season, with two total runs allowed, one of them earned. In three career starts against the Giants, Ohtani has allowed two runs, one earned, in 15 innings. He had two six-inning starts with the Angels in 2021 and 2023, and last July 12 in San Francisco struck out four in three scoreless innings, as Ohtani was still in the early stages of building back up in his way back from Tommy John surgery.
CHICAGO — Billy Donovan is gone after six seasons as the Chicago Bulls coach, and the search for his replacement begins.
But first things first, as Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf are busy sifting through candidates for the next head of basketball operations, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who listed several league executives and one super-agent the Reinsdorfs plan to interview.
We can only assume they were all “sold on” Donovan as coach, since Michael said they wouldn’t hire anyone who wasn’t a Billy fan.
But now that Donovan has taken himself out of the picture, what will the next Bulls honcho be looking for in a new coach?
Someone who can rebuild the team and develop young players, show patience, communicate with the media, get along with management and help improve the team’s image with a skeptical fan base that doesn’t trust ownership.
In other words, they’ll need another version of Billy Donovan, perhaps a younger and cheaper model.
We got only a brief glimpse of what Donovan could do with a roster full of talent, back during the winter of 2021-22 when DeMar DeRozan was “King of the Fourth,” Lonzo Ball was quarterbacking the offense, Alex Caruso was evolving from cult hero to defensive star and Ayo Dosunmu was a precocious rookie.
The Bulls suddenly had an identity, and the future looked bright.
We all know what happened next — the career-altering injury to Ball, Grayson Allen’s cheap shot flagrant foul on Caruso in Milwaukee that fractured Caruso’s right wrist, and the eventual downfall from Eastern Conference leader to sixth-seed with a 7-15 finish, followed by a quick, first-round playoff loss to the Bucks.
That was their only playoff appearance during Donovan’s Bulls’ tenure. A recurring theme over the last four seasons was a lack of movement by Artūras Karnišovas to alter the direction, resulting in three play-in teams and this year’s dumping of assets at the trade deadline to better their odds at a top draft pick.
After a 51-loss season, Donovan’s teams wound up a combined 34 games under .500 the last four years, though he was absolved from any blame by Michael, and Jerry reiterated in Tuesday’s press release there “was never any question” they wanted Donovan to return.
But that probably would’ve meant more losing for Donovan, and with “Hall of Fame member” on his resume, who needs that? He deserves a chance at going out on top, and that seemed unlikely with another rebuild underway.
So that leaves the Reinsdorfs with a clean slate to hire a management and coaching combo that can resurrect a franchise with one playoff appearance — and one solitary playoff win — in nine years. Charania reported they even plan to look at Creative Artist Agency co-head Austin Brown, the super-agent who attended Evanston High and repped Zion Williamson when the oft-injured player got a five-year, $197 million extension.
Outside-the-box thinking? Maybe the Reinsdorfs are trying something new?
They desperately need to get this right. The last time Bulls fans were really excited was before Game 3 of the Bucks series in 2022 when they came home tied 1-1. The Bulls responded by losing by 30 points, their second-worst playoff loss in franchise history. They haven’t won a playoff game at the United Center since 2015, when Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah were still around and Tom Thibodeau was coach.
It only seems like a lifetime ago.
Was there anything Donovan could’ve done that would’ve changed the course of the Bulls’ history, other than asking the Reinsdorfs to replace Karnišovas a couple years earlier?
Donovan installed an up-tempo offense in 2024-25 after trading DeRozan and Caruso, but the Bulls were never more than a play-in contender, and dealt LaVine in February to end that long and dysfunctional chapter. No big offseason additions were made last summer, as the Bulls counted on Josh Giddey, Coby White and second-year forward Matas Buzelis to carry the offense.
When that failed, a trade deadline garage sale was in Donovan’s future, leading to the end-of-season crash that finally saw Karnišovas get axed.
The decision to leave was Donovan’s, and he said in a statement that he made it “to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit.” It was the right call, of course. Any new head of operations should be able to pick his own coach instead of being forced to live with the owner’s guy.
So Donovan leaves with his reputation intact, even as his win-loss record obviously suffered over the last few years. He’s a good guy and incredibly patient with the media, never losing his cool or getting upset over repetitive questions about what went wrong with his team.
Karnišovas’ poor communication skills meant Donovan almost always was the spokesman for management’s decisions, even up to the Jaden Ivey debacle last month. Hopefully the next executive is more willing to take some heat.
It’s hard for many to remember the embarrassment of the Jim Boylen era, but Donovan’s arrival immediately improved the atmosphere. When the Bulls hired Donovan in September 2020, LaVine learned about it while livestreaming a video game.
“Oh, damn, we got Billy Donovan as our next coach,” LaVine said. “Wow. That’ll be good … really good coach.”
The hiring of Donovan sent a message that the status quo was no longer acceptable, and for a while, it wasn’t.
But now the Bulls are back to being a franchise living off its 1990’s aura, almost three decades after Michael Jordan’s departure.
Fans still flock to the United Center, no matter the brand of basketball being played. It’s like Wrigley Field without the ivy.
“We’ve created this great environment, and we work hard at it,” Jerry told the Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rosenthal in 2018. “We don’t just open the doors and expect people to come in. Even if we don’t win, people leave having had a good time. Sometimes I think we’re running a three-ring circus with basketball as just a sideline. But it’s a great night.”
Maybe that’s the problem. The basketball should never take a backseat to halftime entertainment or Benny the Bull’s antics.
It’s time for the Reinsdorfs to change that, and it starts with making the right hires and putting the focus back on the court where it belongs.
The Philadelphia Eagles always seem to be so close to imploding as a franchise, but make no mistake, they still win.
With the noise around Jalen Hurts at quarterback entering what feels like a defining season, there is a sense that a new contract for the Super Bowl winner might not be forthcoming. That ESPN article really damaged the perception, didn't it?
Still, the 2026 season looms as a huge one for the Eagles, and with A.J. Brown likely to be traded to the New England Patriots after June 1, that will be one less distraction for the franchise.
However, another could be coming.
But CBS Sports' Mike Renner, when asked which team could take a quarterback early in the NFL Draft, his vote went to the Eagles.
"Given Jalen Hurts' escalating cap hits and the offense's struggles in two of the past three seasons, the Eagles might look to add depth to their quarterback room," Renner wrote. "Tanner McKee has been a great backup, but he's entering a contract year himself."
Of course, they could, and if they did, it wouldn't impact Hurts at all.
However, we know how quickly things can turn sour in Philadelphia, and if the offense and Hurts start off poorly, calls to bench Hurts will be heard.
Someone like Carson Beck or Garrett Nussmeier as a late-round pick might not be a bad idea, but they would be purely a developmental quarterback on the Eagles' roster, not Jalen's successor.
Still, we know how this NFL business works, and all it would take is a rough two or three-week stretch before some start asking when the Eagles should look at Beck or Nussmeier.
So, it could be rather problematic if the Eagles take one, but it could also be problematic if they don't.
Brian Kirby, a former MLB prospect, died on a church roof he was working on last week
Kirby was 46 and is survived by his wife and two daughters
"He was a highly skilled and experienced HVAC technician, and his loss is deeply felt," Graves Memorial Baptist Church said in a statement
Brian Kirby, a former MLB prospect, died on a church roof in Arkansas on Wednesday, April 15. He was 46.
The Pulaski County Sheriff's deputies were called to Graves Memorial Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Ark., at about 11:20 a.m., according to The Christian Post, citing a sheriff's office report. Deputies found Kirby unresponsive on the roof after using a drone to locate his body “near two air conditioning units on the roof.”
PEOPLE reached out to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, which had no further comment due to the ongoing death investigation.
Graves Memorial Baptist Church described Kirby's death as a “tragic accident” in a Facebook statement, adding that he was working on the building's HVAC system as an employee of Kirby Heating and Air.
“Tragically, he lost his life. He was a highly skilled and experienced HVAC technician, and his loss is deeply felt,” the church said in an April 15 statement, adding that church services were canceled that night.
“We ask that you please pray for the Brian Kirby family, the Kirby Heating and Air team, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking situation,” the church continued. “May God bring comfort and peace in the midst of this sorrow.”
Kirby's cousin, Allison Avra Guerin, remembered Kirby as “one of the good ones.”
“There are things of this world that I will just never understand,” Guerin wrote on Facebook. “It truly breaks my heart to its core. But, I do know the promise of eternity on the other side. And for that, I can only rejoice through the sadness knowing Brian is there celebrating until we meet again soon.”
Kirby's survivors include his wife, Jennifer Kirby, and their two daughters, according to Guerin. A celebration of life is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22.
The Cincinnati Reds drafted Kirby in the 1997 MLB June Amateur Draft, according to Baseball Reference. In 2001, the Cleveland Indians drafted Kirby in that year's MLB June Amateur Draft. He played for minor league and independent league teams from 2001 to 2005.
Featherweight contender Youssef Zalal only needed 98 seconds to finish former title challenger Josh Emmett when the two fought at UFC 320 last October.
Zalal put on a ground clinic. After taking Emmett down early in the opening round, Zalal took Emmett's back and looks to lock in a rear-naked choke. He transitioned to a triangle choke before finishing the fight with an armbar. Take a look back at the submission win.
Zalal headlines Saturday's UFC Vegas 116 fight card against former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
"Award means a lot. To get this award you have to help your team win games late. That's what i'm after more than anything is winning games. My teammates and coaches trust me with the ball in my hands and I Try my best to deliver… pic.twitter.com/ZUjNVeWJfQ
HOUSTON ― After Hannah Green’s playoff victory in L.A., she boarded a plane at 1 a.m. to took a redeye to Houston. The plane landed in Texas just after 6 a.m. She went to the golf course to check in and pick up her courtesy car, they headed straight to the Airbnb to crash. After several hours of sleep, she texted her caddie, Dave Buhai, and told him she wasn’t going to practice later that afternoon as planned.
She’d get out there on Tuesday.
“I was texting Karrie Webb and she was like, ‘I hope you're taking the day off,’ ” said Green. “And I was like, ‘yes, I am.’"
This brutal redeye schedule is the same one Nelly Korda had last year, which is why Korda skipped the JM Eagle, one of the most lucrative events on tour, ahead of the 2026 Chevon Championship.
“It was a hard decision because Walter and Shirley Wang, they put on such an amazing event in L.A.,” said Korda, “But our finishing time is 6 p.m. … it's also an hour from the airport in L.A., so getting here at proper time is really hard, almost impossible.”
Add in the terrible weather this time of year in Houston, and it’s even more of a gamble to play in L.A., particularly given that this year’s Memorial Park is a new venue.
Korda arrived on Sunday night and was out first thing Monday morning for an 18-hole practice round. As Green landed in Texas, Korda was out warming out on the putting green.
Korda's Monday practice round proved particularly useful after Tuesday’s pro-am day was a mess of weather delays and cancellations, and Wednesday calls for more stormy conditions.
Last year at the Chevron, Korda took Monday off from the golf course and then had her schedule thrown off with a lengthy weather delay on Wednesday, and then didn't come back out to the course in the afternoon when it opened up. She looked shell-shocked after an opening 77, and then rallied to make the weekend, saying later that she regretted how her early-week schedule had unfolded.
This year, by skipping L.A., she bought herself more time.
Korda hasn’t finished outside the top 2 all season, including a win at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Asked what she’s done well this year, she pointed to how she has taken care of her body and planned out her schedule.
After the win at the TOC, Korda took six weeks off from competitive golf, skipping the Asian swing, and then notched three runner-up finishes. After that stretch of seconds, Korda didn’t touch a club for four days. She instead spent time in the gym and made sure that her mind was refreshed before returning to the practice tee.
“If I'm rested, then I can give 100 percent to what I'm doing on the golf course,” she said. “I can put in extra hours instead of being out there and being like, OK, I finished this. Time to go to the next thing. Checking things off instead of working on my craft and being out there and losing myself in it.”
Nelly Korda's start to 2026 is historic
According to Elias Sports Bureau research, Korda is the third player since 1980 to begin a season with four or more finishes of either first or second.
The other two players? Karrie Webb in 2000 and Annika Sorenstam in 2001. Both went on to win the first major of the year.
A victory this week would give Korda a third career major title and her 22nd LPGA Hall of Fame point. (She needs 27 to get in.)
Korda won the Chevron Championship in 2024, capping off a run of five consecutive titles in an epic season that saw her win a total of seven events. On Monday, she took part in the annual champions dinner at Chevron, prepared by Michelin Star chef Thomas Keller, and enjoyed the company.
“I was at the current player table where everyone is playing and active,” said Korda. “Then you have the legends at one table and they're all screaming and having fun. And just listening to their stories, Pat Bradley spoke, Lydia spoke, there are so many stories that people share during those nights.
“What makes it so special is it stays in that room, and that's what's so fun about it.”
Past champions this week have the chance to drive a Bentley, but Korda went with the Cadillac Escalade, since she needed the room with sister Jessica and nephew Greyson in town this week. Every player in the field gets a courtesy Cadillac.
As for Memorial Park, Korda called it a second-shot golf course and said much of what transpires over the rest of the week will depend on the weather and how it’s set up.
And if she wins, Korda confirmed that she’ll take a dip in the new plunge pool organizers dug out by the 18th green in an effort to keep the tour’s oldest tradition alive.
Note: my usual format (citing examples for each attribute) does not display well on the site. Please click this link to access them.
Positives
Winner of the William V. Campbell Trophy (a.k.a. Academic Heisman) who just happens to be an absolute freak show of an athlete with a ridiculous catch radius.
Safe to say he was underutilized in college — especially in the red zone — since there is not a linebacker, cornerback or safety in the NFL capable of reaching the vertical plane that he can.
Quarterback background gives him an advanced understanding of where to be against zone coverage and when to get there.
While his ability to force missed tackles is a bit disappointing, he flashes immense upside after the catch.
Played mostly in the slot in his college career (70.7%) but lined up just about everywhere a tight end can line up (out wide, slot, in-line, backfield).
Did not begin playing tight end until 2023 (was once a four-star quarterback prospect), which makes the John Mackey Award winner's rise to a first-team All-American in 2025 all the more special.
Negatives
Does not play to his measurables nearly enough; a player who profiles like Calvin Johnson should dominate just about every matchup he sees in college football.
Drop rate was a manageable 6.1% in 2025, but that mark was nearly triple what it was over his previous two seasons.
A bit timid finishing on the ball in traffic, which contributed to his stunning lack of success (12-for-32) on contested catches in his two years at Vanderbilt (33.3% in 2024 and 41.2% in 2025).
Has trouble sinking his hips enough to make quick cuts at the top of his route (especially on the perimeter); this may not matter all that much against many NFL linebackers, but it will be a problem if/when he faces bigger cornerbacks or safeties.
Blocks like a former quarterback; the desire to block is there most of the time, but he is not strong enough yet in his upper or lower half to sustain it.
Somewhat concerning injury history: two shoulder injuries - one each in high school and college - that led to his transition to tight end and MCL/meniscus tears (high school).
Bottom Line
It speaks volumes when a player is so freaky that his athletic comp is at another position. More amazingly, the comp is no slouch: Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson. Perhaps it is easier to begin with what Stowers is not. While he has the frame to add another 20 pounds fairly easily, he has a long way to go before he is even an average blocker; this is not someone who is going to block a defensive end or linebacker in the run game anytime soon. It is even debatable if he has the technique or ability to negate an aggressive safety right now. He is also not an X receiver (he is not physical enough at this point despite his size) or even a Z receiver (not quick enough) at the next level either.
What he is might be just about everything else on a football field. It would be one thing if he only boasted 96th percentile speed OR if he didn't just prove he was the most explosive (vertically) tight end prospect in Combine history. He is BOTH. The NFL is full of great athletes, but the lower end of those great athletes typically play the positions that will be defending Stowers the most. Outside of a player like Nick Emmanwori, what linebacker or safety can hope to defend a player who can catch a ball that may be 12 feet off the ground? Most linebackers don't run as fast as Stowers, so how are they going to keep up with him down the seam? Outside of his insane athleticism, his value in the NFL will come as a result of his versatility and the headaches he presents to defensive schemes. Is he a big slot? What if he lines up in-line in 12 personnel and basically forces the defense to put a linebacker on him? If they put a safety on him in those situations, what does that do to the run defense and/or a team's ability to defend the deep ball? Can a defense put a corner on him if he lines up out wide? Fortunately for Stowers, he may be entering the league at the right time. With the NFL embracing 12 and 13 personnel more than it ever has, Stowers has as good a chance at becoming a player who plays 50-60% of the snaps than he might have even five or 10 years ago. There is a real possibility that he is nothing more than a slightly better version of Logan Thomas (one of the better super athletic quarterback-to-tight end transitions in recent history). However, there is a slightly better chance that he redefines what is expected from a "F" tight end if someone from the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay coaching tree gets their hands on him, especially considering how much he is lauded for his work habits.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday repeated his call for Congress to pass legislation that would rein in college sports at a time athletes are allowed to move freely from school to school and command salaries that put athletic departments in financial peril.
Trump's remarks came at a White House event honoring some 100 athletes from seven teams that won NCAA championships in 2025.
Trump this month signed an executive order that would limit eligibility to five years, allow one transfer without penalty for undergraduates, stop pay-for-play schemes and build in protections for women's and Olympic sports.
Aspects of the executive order might not withstand legal scrutiny, which is why Trump and some college sports stakeholders are asking for federal legislation that would codify restrictions and grant the NCAA an antitrust exemption to enforce rules.
Dozens of athletes have challenged NCAA eligibility rules with the hope of extending their college careers and, in turn, their ability to earn money through name, image and likeness deals. He said it's unfair for athletes right out of high school to compete against 28- or 29-year-olds.
“It’s a very precarious position the courts have left us in," Trump said, adding that the 2025 settlement of House v. the NCAA created a professional model that has led to financial instability for colleges. “And now it’s a total and complete mess. But we’re going to get it fixed up and we’ve got fantastic people doing it. So we need now Congress to act to clear up the confusion created by the courts and institute permanent reforms to protect college sports at every level, especially some sports.”
The national championship teams honored were Oklahoma State in men's golf, Texas A&M in women's volleyball, Wake Forest in men's tennis, Georgia in women's tennis, Youngstown State in women's bowling, Florida State in women's soccer and West Virginia in mixed rifle.
“Seventy-five percent of Olympians competing for Team USA played as college athletes," Trump said. “If we don’t straighten out this, we’re not going to have much of an Olympic team because you have so many of these sports, especially certain sports where it’s like the minor leagues, call it the major leagues, whatever you want. But we've trained unbelievable athletes to go in and win the gold medal. Without college sports and without your ability to go into college sports and compete and learn how to play and get better, we’re not going to have much of an Olympic team anymore.”
MADRID (AP) — Venus Williams has her sights on the French Open.
The 45-year-old former world No. 1 said Tuesday after losing her 10th straight singles match that she is considering playing at Roland Garros next month.
“Yeah, I mean, to get my feet dirty, this was a great start,” she said in her post-match news conference at the Madrid Open. “I’m not able to play Rome, I have other commitments, unfortunately, so I’m really super sad about that, actually. My husband is Italian, so we feel sad that we can’t be there. So we would love to keep it going on the clay.”
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, lost 6-2, 6-4 to 20-year-old Spaniard Kaitlin Quevedo.
Williams hadn't played in Madrid in five years. Her last tournament on clay had been at the 2021 French Open, when she lost her first match to Ekaterina Alexandrova.
“All these things take adjustments,” Williams said. “I started my practice on clay a couple weeks after Miami. I haven’t really played on clay in years. But I enjoy the clay, it’s fun. I played against a very inspired opponent today.”
Williams' last win on tour was against Peyton Stearns in the round of 16 of an WTA 500 event in Washington in July 2025. This year, she had already lost in Auckland, Hobart, the Australian Open, Austin, Indian Wells and Miami.
Quevedo earned her first WTA 1000 main-draw win, and just the second tour-level victory of her career. She became the youngest Spanish player to win a main-draw match at the Madrid Open.
“I was so surprised,” Quevedo said. “I didn’t know that was going to happen. I’m just really happy that I was able to play against such a legend on this amazing court for the first time. It was a privilege, and I’m just really happy to be here.”
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners recalled right-hander Alex Hoppe from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday and designated right-hander Casey Legumina for assignment.
Hoppe, 27, has yet to appear in a major league game. In eight games for Tacoma this season, Hoppe allowed one unearned run with 12 strikeouts against three walks across eight innings.
The Mariners acquired Hoppe on Nov. 18, 2025, from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league catcher Luke Heyman. Across parts of four minor league seasons with the Red Sox and Mariners, the former sixth-round pick has compiled a 7-14 record with a 4.55 ERA, 91 walks and 215 strikeouts in 131 career relief appearances.
Legumina, 28, appeared in eight games for Seattle this season. He went 0-1 with a 4.63 ERA, three walks and nine strikeouts. During Monday night's 6-4 loss to the Athletics, Legumina gave up three runs and took the loss.
Legumina, an eight-round pick in the 2019 MLB draft, has appeared in 73 major league games, going 5-7 with a 5.83 ERA, 39 walks and 82 strikeouts across 83 1/3 innings.
SEATTLE (AP) — Jess Fishlock, who has played for the Seattle Reign since the first National Women’s Soccer League season in 2013, will retire at the end of the season.
Fishlock, who signed a one-year deal to remain with the club, will be honored when Seattle hosts North Carolina on Oct. 2. The 39-year-old midfielder's final regular-season match is set for Nov. 1.
“It’s hard to put into words what Seattle and this club mean to me,” Fishlock, the Reign captain, said in a statement Tuesday. “This is where I’ve grown, where I’ve fought, where I’ve experienced some of the best moments of my career. We’ve built something that goes far beyond football, and I’m so proud to have been a part of it from day one. I’ll never take for granted the people, the fans and the city that have supported me through it all, and I’m going to give everything I have in this final season.”
Fishlock's 49 goals rank second on the club’s career list and her 30 assists rank first. The Welsh international was the 2021 NWSL MVP and is a seven-time all-league selection.
“She’s not only one of the best players in NWSL history, but one of the most influential figures our game has seen,” Reign general manager Lesle Gallimore said.
Fishlock played 19 years for Wales before retiring from international play last October. She made 166 appearances and scored 48 goals, the most for Wales among women or men.
Last summer, she led Wales to its first appearance in a major international tournament at the Women’s European Championship and became the oldest player to score in the competition with her goal against France.
“Jess is one of the greatest players to ever play in this league, but what makes her truly special is who she is every single day,” Reign coach Laura Harvey said. “She sets the standard with her work ethic, her competitiveness and her love for the game, but it’s also her football brain that sets her apart. She sees things others don’t, and that understanding of the game has been invaluable to this team for so many years.”
Let the always-running NFL rumor mill tell it, the Cincinnati Bengals had six or seven very high grades on NFL draft prospects the team might have hoped for at No. 10 overall.
Clearly, the Bengals didn't think those prospects would actually fall to them at No. 10, hence shocking the world by trading the selection for Dexter Lawrence.
In hindsight, the Bengals might have had a few prospects graded that highly, but they wouldn’t have been a good value at No. 10.
“Here’s Intel for you, they were going to reach on Peter Woods,” Brauddus said. “They were going to take Peter Woods at 10. They were going to reach on a defensive tackle, is what they were going to do.”
No word on why the Cowboys beat has this sort of Bengals intel, but it’s not that far-fetched of an idea.
Peter Woods was, at one point, considered a top-10 prospect. He’s now the 33rd-ranked prospect at Pro Football Focus, but it’s not hard to see why the Bengals might’ve loved his traits.
Woods, though, would also be the sort of prospect who probably isn’t worth the 10th overall pick right now.
And while Woods might go on to have an excellent career, the Bengals instead opted for Lawrence and will get immediate returns. That, rather than waiting on a 21-year-old prospect to develop for a number of years, which hasn’t been working out on the defensive line for them for a while now.
While it’s not as important as the message the Bengals sent to the locker room and fans with the Lawrence trade, the Bengals taking Woods would have been criticized and sent the exact wrong type of message.
In hindsight, that applies to most draft prospects not named Caleb Downs, who wasn’t going to fall to them, anyway.
For Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick, having Francis Ngannou back in the gym is such a good feeling on both a personal and professional level.
"When he's not here, you kind of miss a part of you, not only me but my family, my kids. Everybody loves him," Nicksick told MMA Junkie Radio. "So just having him back in the room is super important, I think, for all of us. ... He raises the standard in the room the moment he walks in the door."
Warm and fuzzy feelings aside, Nicksick is hard at work preparing Ngannou for his first MMA fight in 19 months when he takes on Philipe Lins on the MVP card headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano that streams live on Netflix on May 16 from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. According to Nicksick, Ngannou arrived at camp "beyond in shape" and "shredded," already weighing 265 pounds compared his usual 280.
Ngannou is expected to smash Lins, with oddsmakers listing the former UFC heavyweight champion a gigantic -1400 favorite to win. Not to look past Lins, but the question is what will come after May 16 for Ngannou? Considering he's shown to prefer boxing – he lost to both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in lucrative high-profile fights – instead of MMA ever since leaving the UFC in January 2023, it's up in the air.
While Nicksick said he will support whichever path Ngannou wants to take with his career, the coach does wish they could reestablish "The Predator" as a dominant force in MMA.
"It's honestly up to him," Nicksick said. "On a personal level, I think we have so much to offer in the MMA space and we're continuing to grow. Before the knee injury in the Ciryl Gane fight (in January 2022), I don't think there was anyone on the planet that was gonna be able to beat Francis, and that was a while ago. Now obviously with boxing and having minimal MMA time, it's hard because you start hitting your stride and then it's like, now we're gonna go do this and that. But I've learned to just really trust the process with him.
"It's not my life. It's not my expectations that he's going to follow. But on a personal level, I truly feel like he's the baddest man on the planet. I would love to be able to showcase that, not only for him but for the fans, as well."
But where?
Ngannou back in UFC? So you're telling me there's a chance ...
In a surprising move, Ngannou parted ways with the PFL earlier this year. And while MVP is venturing into MMA for the first time with the Rousey vs. Carano card, it's unclear how much the promotion wants to be involved in the sport.
Still, Nicksick is in never-say-never mode when it comes to a UFC-Ngannou reunion – and a superfight with Jon Jones especially.
"I'm never really gonna close the door on the UFC thing," Nicksick said. "Maybe I'm a hopeless romantic and hope they can get that Jon Jones fight and maybe ride off into the sunset. But we'll see how these guys and whatever ego they're butting heads with, if they can ever put that to rest."
He continued, "I don't know where Dana is at with the whole situation. I think that's a question you'd have to ask him. Ultimately I know Francis is a businessman, and to him, it's not about the ego or 'I don't want to fight for the UFC ever again' or anything like that. I think if the right matchup, the right opponent and the right dollar amount make sense, he's all for it. It's truly up to the promotion on what they decide."
The Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs meet Tuesday night in Game 2, with Portland looking to respond after a strong opening performance from San Antonio.
Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) goes up to dunk during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The Spurs hold a 1–0 series lead after a 111–98 win in Game 1, controlling the game from the opening quarter and maintaining separation throughout.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with a 35-point playoff debut, setting a franchise postseason debut record and anchoring both ends of the floor. San Antonio built an early lead and never trailed, while Portland struggled to keep pace offensively despite a strong outing from Deni Avdija (30 points, 10 rebounds). Game 2 remains in San Antonio, giving the Spurs a chance to take a commanding 2–0 lead before the series shifts.
Game 1 highlighted the biggest challenge in this matchup, Portland’s ability to handle San Antonio’s size and efficiency. The Spurs shot efficiently and controlled the tempo, while the Trail Blazers were limited by inconsistent perimeter shooting and struggled to contain Wembanyama inside.
Portland showed flashes behind Avdija and Scoot Henderson, but will need more balanced scoring and tighter defense to even the series. With San Antonio’s depth and home-court advantage in play, the pressure is firmly on the Blazers heading into Game 2.
This is a great NBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren makes a tackle against Mississippi State. | Matt Bush-Imagn Images
It was a shock when Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren suddenly appeared not just in the first three rounds of 2026 NFL mock drafts, but quickly became a consensus first round selection.
McNeill-Warren received little buzz during the 2025 college season, which is unsurprising playing at Toledo. National outlets tend to focus on the big schools during the season before circling back to smaller schools once the grind of the regular season is over. But once got McNeil-Warren got eyes on him, he rocketed up draft boards.
He’s a long an exciting box safety who could quickly emerge as a playmaker in a modern Big Nickel defense.
The New York Giants may be in search of a safety, or safety hybrid, to man their Big Nickel position under Dennard Wilson. Could McNeil-Warren be on their radar?
Prospect: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) Games Watched: vs. Kentucky (2025), vs. Akron (2025), vs. Washington State (2025) Red Flags: Shoulder (season-ending, 2024)
Measurables
Strengths
Best traits
Length
Competitive toughness
Tackling
Processing
Closing burst
Emmaneul McNeil-Warren is a long, smart, versatile, and highly aggressive safety prospect.
McNeil-Warren has great length for the position at 6-foot-3 with 32-inch arms. That length allows him to effectively wrap up ball carriers, attack the football and force fumbles (9 on his career, 3 last year), and be disruptive at the catch point (13 passes defensed, 5 in 2025).
He sports a high football IQ and is an active communicator in both the pre and post-snap phases of the game. McNeil-Warren is consistently directing traffic in the back end of the Rockets’ defense and plays a major role in orchestrating their post-snap coverage rotations. He has enough speed to quickly hit depth when dropping into a center field coverage zone and enough range to execute those responsibilities. Likewise, he has enough range and speed to come down and play the run from the intermediate area of the field.
McNeil-Warren typically diagnoses the opposing offense well and shows impressive processing speed mid-play. He reacts very quickly to misdirection or cut-backs from running backs, altering his pathing almost in sync with his opponents. He also has a lightning downhill trigger and flies to the ball once he diagnoses a running play.
McNeil-Warren has a very good closing burst, built on his ability to quickly stop and gather himself. He is very quick to drop his center of gravity before uncoiling to strike opponents. That allows him to hit much harder than his 201-pound frame would suggest. He seems to truly love the physical aspect of the game and has upside as a box safety thanks to his ability to knife through gaps and be a violent hitter.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
Mass
Long speed
Man coverage
Shoulder
McNeil-Warren is a good all-around safety prospect, however there are a couple concerns in his profile that could give some teams a bit of pause.
First and foremost, he is merely an adequate athlete. He lacks great long speed, quickness, and agility. He doesn’t quite have the athletic traits to be a “do it all” safety with elite range in deep zones or the ability to match up with athletic pass catchers in man coverage.
McNeil-Warren also sports a linear, lanky build at just 201 pounds, which also limits his play strength. He can be knocked around by tight ends and struggle to shed blocks from bigger receivers if he doesn’t have momentum. However, he might not have room on his frame to add much muscle without sacrificing his athleticism. One of the strengths of his game is the ability to quickly gather himself to strike opponents, and that depends on his lower-body flexibility. Gaining mass could limit that flexibility and reduce his effectiveness.
And while McNeil-Warren is typically a fast processor, there is a slight hesitation before he commits to a course of action, and he’s a “read and react” defender, as opposed to a truly instinctive one. That hesitation is more pronounced when faced with RPOs and Read-Option plays, and NFL teams could exploit that hesitation even if he makes the correct diagnosis.
Game Tape
(McNeil-Warren is the Toledo defensive back wearing 7 with long sleeves.)
Projection
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren projects as a starting safety with scheme and alignment versatility at the NFL level.
There are a few things that McNeil Warren shouldn’t be asked to do, such as match up with slot receivers in man coverage, carry athletic receivers down the field, or consistently take on tight ends as blockers.
Those, however, shouldn’t distract from the fact that McNeil-Warren is able to wear a lot of hats for a defense. He can be everything from the deep safety in a Cover-3 to an enforcer in the tackle box. Likewise, he can help enable a sophisticated coverage scheme through his football IQ and ability to rotate coverages and disguise blitz packages.
McNeil-Warren should hear his name called in the first round of the draft and will make whatever defense he lands in better.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 10: Kris Bubic #50 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium on April 10, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Kansas City Royals loss last night to Baltimore Orioles was as insane and heart wrenching as we have witnessed in awhile. I chose to laugh instead of weep when Lane Thomas got thrown out at third base in the top of the tenth inning, and there was still more insanity to go after that. That game felt like it was the 2006 Royals, not the 2026 team that I had such high hopes for.
Still, there is a lot of baseball left this season and I want to believe that the team has another 16-2 run in them like they did last year after starting slowly. Kris Bubic, who takes the mound for the Royals today, did not have his best outing last time against the Detroit Tigers. He looked like an ace the start before against the Chicago White Sox, and hopefully has the ace’s mentality to end the losing streak. Of course, the Royals will need to score some run to end the losing streak as well.
I’m sure all the Royals officials and Missouri politicians who will be attending the stadium announcement tomorrow would really appreciate it if the Boys in Blue could find it within themselves to win the game tonight.
NORFOLK, VA - FEBRUARY 29: Jordan Griffin reacts after defeating TJ Brown in their featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Chartway Arena on February 29, 2020 in Norfolk, Virginia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Ex-UFC fighter Jordan Griffin is currently serving as an active member of the United States military but he’s seeking a return to the cage sooner than later with a chance to win life-changing money.
The 36-year-old veteran is actually deployed right now for military service but he’s ready to return to his fight career after inking a deal to join the upcoming Gamebred FC lightweight tournament, which kicks off on May 1 in Miami. While booking a fight when he’s still deployed is obviously a risk because he hasn’t endured a full training camp focused only on MMA, Griffin couldn’t pass up on the opportunity, especially knowing the ultimately reward for the winner is a $500,000 grand prize.
He also knew he wasn’t done fighting yet and he couldn’t imagine a better way to return than this upcoming tournament.
“Although I feel accomplished outside of fighting I’m not done working towards my dreams,” Griffin told MMA Fighting. “At the end of the day I’m a fighter and getting an opportunity to fight in the Gamebred MMA tournament for $500K is life changing money, not only for me but most importantly my family.
“I want to come back from this deployment, go directly into this fight handle my business with a finish, and go home to my son with a pocket full of money but I need to make it to weigh-ins first!”
Griffin last fought in 2024 when he scored a first-round knockout over Travis Karppinen, which ended a four-fight losing streak dating back to his final two appearances in the UFC.
Lately he’s been completely dedicated to his military career but the chance to come back with so much riding on this Gamebred FC tournament, Griffin admits it was just too good to pass on.
That said, Griffin believes serving in the military is actually the perfect way to get him ready for such an unpredictable tournament like the one he’s entering. Gamebred FC recently relaunched with a heavyweight and lightweight tournament on the books with Griffin slated to face fellow UFC veteran Kurt Holobaugh on May 1.
“I joined the Army because I wanted to serve my country and learn new skills while finishing college,” Griffin explained. “I wanted more direction outside of fighting. While being deployed I finished 42 college credits and I’ll be graduating with my degree in information science & technology with a back ground in cyber security in November of 2026.
“A lot of the values I learned from fighting professionally I see within the army. Those values are accountability, brotherhood, and pushing yourself past limits you didn’t even know you had. It shaped how I think, how I move, and how I handle adversity. No matter what I do in life, those foundations will stay with me.”
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 17: Nilson Yanick Pereira Semedo of Benfica runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Jesse Eugen Bisiwu of Club Brugge during the UEFA Youth League Semi-Final match between SL Benfica and Club Brugge KV at Stade de la Tuiliere on April 17, 2026 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images
FC Barcelona are interested in young Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu, who recently took part in the UEFA Youth League. Club representatives were recently spotted in Switzerland for the Final Four, specifically keeping tabs on the 18-year-old Club Brugge winger during the final against Real Madrid at the Stade de la Tuilière.
It was a bit of a frustrating outing for those looking to see him in action, though, as Bisiwu barely touched the pitch in a game that eventually went to penalties in favor of the Merengues. It’s not the first time the club has watched Bisiwu, though. Sporting director Deco and scouting head João Amaral reportedly traveled to Belgium back in January and have continued to track him. That trip involved meetings with the player’s representative and his family. While his agent, Mobindi Marthi, was vocal about the interest shortly after that trip, the message coming out of the club has been a bit more measured.
The club reportedly sees the trip as part of a more general data-gathering mission rather than a finalized pursuit of just one player. Regardless, they must be tracking him for a reason. Bisiwu made a massive impression during the Under 17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he was noted for his technical ability and pace. He followed that up with a standout performance in the Youth League quarter-finals against Atlético Madrid, scoring a high-quality goal in a dominant win.
However, his involvement dropped off during the final stages of the tournament. He played only 23 minutes in the semifinal against Benfica, and his appearance in the final was essentially a cameo. He entered the game in the final minute of regulation but appeared to pick up a knock on his very first involvement. He didn’t take part in the decisive penalty shootout, either.
Bisiwu is still under contract with Brugge, meaning Barcelona would have to negotiate a formal transfer fee to bring him to Catalonia.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (98) celebrates during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
As we do every year, we take a look at the Bears’ first-round pick and the different positions the team needs, and what would make sense for the team to do. As a reminder, I will go through multiple positional cases for the 25th pick. Making the case does not necessarily mean I believe this is what the Bears should do; it simply lays out the reasons why this pick makes sense.
The Bears have some holes to fill, but if they don’t fix the middle of their defensive line, those other holes will seem pin-sized compared to the pit in the middle of the defense.
The Bears were one of the worst run-stopping units in the league last year. You can add a safety, you can add a corner, heck, you can add an edge, but if you aren’t stuffing the run in between the tackles, you are going to get gashed.
Also, we all know, very clearly, that Dennis Allen is a big fan of interior pressure. He finds it far more important than getting to the quarterback off the edge. If Dennis Allen had his way, he would have guys who can collapse the pocket in the interior of his defensive line with elite run stuffers who can set the edge on the ends of his defensive line.
When you look at the team’s personnel up front, the Bears have some guys that can stop the run on the outside, mainly Montez Sweat. Sweat is a very good outside run stuffer, and while Dayo Odeyingbo didn’t show as much and Austin Booker still needs to improve in that area, they at least have one viable guy who is above average at his position on the edge.
Who is above average at their position at defensive tackle?
The answer is none.
Gervon Dexter is entering the final year of his contract, and there have been no indications that the Bears plan to extend him. Unless he has a massive breakout season, this is Dexter’s final year in Chicago. Grady Jarrett, if he can wind the clock back to 2019 and become a game wrecker again, would be a fantastic piece in the middle. Unfortunately, Jarrett hasn’t had the same explosion the last couple of seasons and seemingly slowed another step in 2025.
If Jarrett bounces back, the defensive tackle room would certainly be in better shape, but unfortunately, there’s no reason to expect a significant bounce-back from the 33-year-old defensive tackle.
Shemar Turner? The Bears have no idea what they have at this point. Neville Gallimore? Rotational piece.
The Bears need a defensive tackle to stabilize this defense, and they need one in the worst way.
Unfortunately for the Bears, this isn’t exactly a class loaded at defensive tackle, but there are two names to consider. Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald or Clemson’s Peter Woods.
McDonald could step in on day one and significantly improve the Bears’ interior run defense. He’s a true nose tackle and a disruptive one at that. He doesn’t have the interior pass-rushing chops, but he did make strides in that department in 2025. He is a run-stuffing beast who had 9 TFLs last season and can alter an offense’s run game approach.
If you want someone who probably fits more of what Dennis Allen wants, Woods is your guy. He’s a lighter DT who has shown that he can help collapse the pocket. He had an up-and-down college career, but that also may be a part of a very up-and-down Clemson team. With Woods, there is definitely a bet on potential that he can become that true disruptive 3T that Dennis Allen would love to have. He also shows a lot of skill in the twist and stunt game as both a rusher and a picker.
The Bears need help at a few different positions, especially on defense, but if they don’t stabilize the middle of their defensive line, it could be another long season for the Bears’ defensive side of the ball.
The entrance to Pimlico Race Course in 2023, three years before demolition began to make way for a new grandstand and rejuvenated track. (Photo by Jay Cannon/Capital News Service)
The owners of the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown now own the property rights to its second leg.
Churchill Downs Inc. announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement with 1/ST Maryland LLC to purchase the intellectual property rights for the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. The $85 million deal includes “all trademarks and associated rights” associated with the two Maryland races.
“This acquisition adds one of the most iconic brands in American sports to our portfolio and is consistent with our strategy of investing in premier Thoroughbred racing assets with long-term growth potential,” Bill Carstanjen, Churchill Downs CEO, said in a statement announcing the purchase.
“In keeping ownership of the Preakness intellectual property in the racing industry, CDI will support efforts to fully realize the potential of a redeveloped Pimlico and Preakness Stakes within the Triple Crown and the broader sports and entertainment landscape,” his statement said.
The deal is expected to be completed after the running of the 2026 Preakness Stakes.
The intellectual property rights purchased by Churchill Downs remain subject to a licensing agreement from 2024. That year, 1/ST Racing entered into a master agreement with Maryland as part of a deal that includes improvements at the storied Pimlico Race Course and a consolidation of horse racing in the state.
Under that plan, 1/ST, controlled by the Stronach family, transferred control of all thoroughbred horse racing in Maryland to the state. It also transferred memorabilia and trophies and the Maryland Jockey Club.
Stronach also agreed to provide the Woodlawn Vase trophy, awarded to the winner of the Preakness, on permanent loan to the state. The vase, valued at an estimated $7 million, is considered one of the most valuable in sports.
The state also acquired Pimlico Racetrack for $1 and leased Laurel Park for up to four years. Under the lease, the state was to pay $1 for the first year and up to $3.5 million for a fourth year.
The state also received an “exclusive and perpetual license” to the Preakness for an initial 10 years starting this July. The deal automatically extends in five year increments unless terminated by the state. As part of that license, the state is to pay a $3 million base fee that automatically increases by 2% annually. The state would also pay out 2% of the handle from races.
The announcement of the Churchill Downs deal comes a day after Gov. Wes Moore (D) and the Maryland Stadium Authority announced a $48.5 million deal with 1/ST Holdings to purchase Laurel Park. It’s the last facility in Maryland owned by 1/ST and the Stronach family.
In August, Moore helped kick off the razing of the aging Pimlico to make way for a new facility. In the meantime, the 151st Preakness Stakes will run at Laurel Park on May 16. The race is scheduled to return to its traditional home in Northwest Baltimore in 2027, when Pimlico is expected to host 120 days of racing each year.
Purchase of Laurel Park will be reviewed by the Legislative Policy Committee, and is expected to go to the Board of Public Works later this year.
Earlier this year, the stadium authority announced it had ended plans to turn a 328-acre Carroll County property known as Shamrock Farms into a training facility to support Pimlico racing. The state purchased the farm last year for $4.5 million only to determine the costs of converting in into a training facility would be excessive and environmentally problematic.
In a statement, stadium authority officials pledged to “engage in collaborative conversations” with Carroll County government officials regarding future uses for Shamrock Farms.
On Monday, the authority said the 229-acre Laurel Park facility would be redeveloped into a “best-in-class horse training facility.”
Officials said the new plan would save the state more than $50 million. Approximately $26 million of that savings will come from utilizing existing infrastructure for horse stalls rather than building new stables at Pimlico, according to the authority’s statement.
Moore, in a statement called the Laurel Park purchase “a historic step to preserve a legacy that has defined our state for more than a century”
“By acquiring Laurel Park and establishing it as our statewide training hub, we are delivering a smarter, more cost-effective path to a world-class racing future,” his statement said. “This agreement is cost-effective, creates a sustainable home for our horsemen, and ensures that the Preakness Stakes and Maryland racing remain global icons of excellence for generations to come.”
State officials said Laurel Park will become a “year-round cornerstone” of the state’s horse racing industry. Plans include up to 1,200 stalls renovated by the Maryland Stadium Authority. Also included in the plan is what is billed as a “state-of-the-art” dirt and turf track.
HENDERSON, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Isaac Johnson #20 of the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors loses control of the ball while driving against Kyle Evans #14 of the UC Irvine Anteaters during the first half of the Big West Conference tournament championship game at Lee's Family Forum on March 14, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pack picked up another commit from the transfer portal, power forward Kyle Evans from UC-Irvine. Evans is an elite defensive player; he led the nation in total blocked shots with 115 and blocks per game (3.29).
Points: 24 points, double digits 26 games, 20+ 3 games
Double-Doubles: 12
Rebounds: 10, double digits 13 games
Blocks: 8 (2x), 4+ blocks 12 games
Background:
Kyle is a 4-star transfer, ranked #105. He Born in Laguna Hills, grew up in Palm Desert.
’25-’26: Kyle transferred to UC-Irvine for his junior season. He played in every game (39) that (32-7) season, but did not start, and UCI made it to the NIT championship game, losing by a point in overtime to Chattanooga.
This past season Kyle started all 35 games and averaged 28.6 minutes. He set the Big West conference single-season record for blocked shots with 115. He was the Big West Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big West.
’23-’25: He played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Colorado State, while there he injured his hand his freshman season and only played 11 games, and he broke his thumb during practice his sophomore season and only played 9 games.
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — It took six questions before coach Todd Monken was asked something he will have to answer plenty of times over the next four-plus months.
In this case, it was why Shedeur Sanders took the opening snaps with the first team during the Cleveland Browns’ first voluntary minicamp practice on Tuesday with Monken in charge.
The 10 NFL teams with new coaches are permitted to hold an additional voluntary minicamp this week before the draft starts on Thursday night.
“He was first man up. I knew it was coming. Didn’t know who was going to ask it, but I knew it was coming,” Monken said about the quarterback question.
Sanders and Deshaun Watson are expected to compete for the starting spot throughout offseason workouts and training camp. Watson, who missed last season after tearing his Achilles tendon twice, took first-team reps during three of the five team periods.
Monken said quarterback coach Mike Bajakian came up with Tuesday’s quarterback rotation.
“The way it was going to turn out, Shedeur was going to get more reps. Some of it in pass (skeleton drills), some of it in team,” Monken said. “A couple of the team periods were slowed-down ACT, more run than they were throw. So it was set up in a way for us to get a look at all of them. The plan was to have Shedeur have a few more reps, but to let Deshaun and Shedeur both have reps with the ones.”
Monken also noted that the rotations will change over the next two days of the minicamp as well as throughout the organized team practices in May and June.
Sanders has spent the offseason in Cleveland working out. The much-hyped fifth-round pick started the final seven games last season, going 3-4 with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
“Well, this is the most important thing I have to do in my life. I have a house here. I’m comfortable, and I wanted to take everything to the next level within myself,” Sanders said. “I know with some things that I wanted to improve, and I took a lot of time to self-reflect and just do a lot of things just from a different perspective, honestly. And I think I covered a lot of ground with that.”
Sanders didn’t get much into the new playbook, other than to say it lets him play fast. He was more descriptive about his early impressions of Monken and the coaching staff.
“Coach Monken is great, and all the other coaches on the staff are extremely great. You can understand, and they embrace you just as a person, then they push you every day in a meeting room and on the field, in the weight room, it’s a new vibe, it’s a new energy,” Sanders said.
Watson — who hasn’t played in a game since Week 7 of the 2024 season — has gone 9-10 as Cleveland’s starter with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and an 80.7 passer rating.
Despite having only two weeks with the new playbook, Monken thought Watson, Sanders and Dillon Gabriel were in command during practice.
“I never felt at one time like they were lost. To me, that’s the start of it. The start of it is how we function, how they lead. Is there a belief system in who has the ball in their hands every play?” Monken said.
Gabriel started six games, going 1-5 with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He is a long shot for the starting job, but isn’t focusing on it.
“I think I’m just running my own race and focus on what I can control, and that’s mastering my reps and doing it at a high level,” he said.
Reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, and cornerback Denzel Ward were not at Tuesday’s practice. They do not have to be with the team until the mandatory minicamp in early June.
Ronnie O'Sullivan won the World Championship in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022 [Getty Images]
Ronnie O'Sullivan began his quest for a record-breaking eighth World Championship title with a dominant opening session against Chinese debutant He Guoqiang.
O'Sullivan, 50, took the first five frames and holds a 7-2 advantage, needing only three frames for victory when the match resumes on Wednesday (14:30 BST).
Elsewhere, world number one Judd Trump fought back from 4-1 behind to beat Gary Wilson 10-5 and Shaun Murphy won a thrilling encounter, 10-9 against China's Fan Zhengyi
O'Sullivan pulled out of the Masters in January and has only played in three of six ranking events in 2026, reaching the final of the World Open in China last month.
During that tournament he made a break of 153, the highest ever recorded in professional snooker.
O'Sullivan was playing at the Crucible for a 34th season and instantly took control as breaks of 72, 97 and 113 helped him into a 5-0 lead, with 25-year-old He, the world number 47, already looking defeated.
He did manage to win two frames in a row, but O'Sullivan claimed the last two frames of the session, helped by breaks of 52 and 86.
O'Sullivan will be looking to quickly wrap up the match on Wednesday and a victory would set up a thrilling last-16 tie against four-time world champion John Higgins.
Murphy defeats China's Fan in late Crucible finish
Shaun Murphy defeated Matthew Stevens 18-16 in the 2005 final [Getty Images]
Former winner Shaun Murphy scraped through to the last 16 after beating China's Fan Zhengyi 10-9 in a thrilling late-night finish to their first-round tie.
Murphy, the 2005 champion, trailed 53-17 in the deciding frame, but 25-year-old Fan missed a tough red into the middle pocket, with the Englishman holding his nerve to gain the victory.
It was the first 10-9 result of the tournament, with the match finishing at 23:46 BST in front of a packed and enthralled crowd at the famous Sheffield theatre.
Murphy had led 3-1, but after Fan, the world number 63, pulled it back to 3-3, the pair alternated frames, with Fan never leading in the match.
There had been a bizarre incident in frame 17 when Murphy was taking a shot and the light from the other table, which had been turned off as the match between Judd Trump and Gary Wilson had finished, was switched on.
Murphy made the pot, but after a brief delay, then missed his next effort while using the rest, although he still won the frame.
In the last 16, Murphy will face another Chinese player, Xiao Guodong.
A 'masterclass' from 'Rusty Ron'
Despite making that record-breaking 153 break in March - which came after he benefited from a snooker that left him a free ball, which then acted like a 16th red - O'Sullivan had claimed he was not in good form.
He did not turn up for Friday's media day, but speaking to BBC Two before the match, said his play had been "really not great for three years" and had been "very, very poor".
O'Sullivan said he was trying to change his method of snooker and added: "A lot of people will say I'm rusty, that's why I said 'Rusty Ron', I'm quite happy being called that.
"It doesn't take me a lot of practice and I don't need to play a lot of tournaments to win and play well."
But O'Sullivan quickly shook off any "rust" as he moved into a controlling position and it would be a huge shock if He was able to fight back.
Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion and one of the BBC pundits, said: "This has really been a masterclass from Ronnie O'Sullivan. It's been like watching a genius at work."
Stephen Hendry, who like O'Sullivan has won seven Crucible titles - a joint record in the modern era - added: "Ronnie O'Sullivan makes it looks easy but it's bread and butter stuff for him.
"He always dominated the players he should, it's one of the strengths of his career. You just know what you're there to do, you're there to win the match."
Trump recovers from 4-1 down to defeat Wilson
Judd Trump beat John Higgins 18-9 in the 2019 World Championship final [Getty Images]
World number one Judd Trump recovered from a slow start to defeat Gary Wilson in their first-round match.
Trump, the 2019 champion, lost four of the first five frames as Wilson, ranked 27th, moved into a 4-1 lead.
But Trump then claimed the final four frames of the session, including superb breaks of 128 and 77, to hold a 5-4 advantage.
However, Wilson, a three-time ranking event winner, made the highest break of the session with a superb 139 clearance in frame five.
In the second session later on Tuesday, Wilson made a break of 58 to make it 5-5, but Trump pulled clear by winning five in a row to seal a 10-5 success.
Trump, 36, has been top of the world rankings since August 2024 and will extend that run if he reaches the quarter-finals.
"I like being number one, it's going to be difficult to keep it unless I do really well in the next season but I take a lot of pride in it," he said.
Trump lives in Dubai but, because of the recent conflict in the Middle East, he left the area temporarily.
"I had to stay in Thailand for a month, and I managed to practice for the World Championship, but it has been more back to normal now," he said.
"Dubai is still my base, I've been back there in the last couple of weeks and everything is normal."
A downbeat Wilson, speaking to BBC Four, said: "It's just constant disappointment. I am, and always have been since the age of 13, a better player than this.
"It's a constant struggle. The yips are getting worse and I'm just riding through it."
Pullen, 20, impresses on Crucible debut
Liam Pullen and Chris Wakelin finish their match on Wednesday [Getty Images]
Liam Pullen dropped off the World Snooker Tour at the end of last season, only to regain his tour card weeks later at Q School.
The 20-year-old from York is ranked 86th in the world and had to battle through four qualifying rounds to make his Crucible debut.
Before the tournament started, he spoke of how, aged 12, he had watched the 2018 final between Mark Williams and Higgins and was left "starstruck" by a chance encounter with the Scot in a Pizza Express.
But if he was feeling any nerves, Pullen did not show it as he made breaks of 57, 63, 97 and 58, although he still finds himself 4-5 behind against fellow Englishman Chris Wakelin, a quarter-finalist last year.
Wakelin, helped by breaks of 66 and 82, holds a one-frame advantage with the match set to be played to a finish on Wednesday from 10:00.
But Pullen can be pleased with how he performed and it was another bright spot for young English players after 19-year-old Stan Moody gave 2024 champion Kyren Wilson a real scare before losing 10-7 on Monday.
China's Wu Yize, the 22-year-old 10th seed, recorded the biggest winning margin of this year's tournament as he thrashed compatriot Lei Peifan 10-2.
Wu became the fourth Chinese player into the last 16, where he will play either four-time winner Mark Selby or 2024 runner-up Jak Jones.
New York Giants fans still aren't over the fact that the franchise moved on from Saquon Barkley, but the Giants have a chance to fix that mess in the NFL Draft.
Thanks to the Dexter Lawrence trade, New York now has two first-round picks, No. 5 and No. 10, so the franchise controls the early part of the draft.
Exactly where the Giants will look is unknown, with needs on both sides of the ball, but with two picks, New York can get a difference-maker with each selection.
And for NFL.com's Bucky Brooks, he has the Giants going in an interesting direction at No.5, getting Barkley's replacement, in Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love.
“General manager Joe Schoen can atone for his Saquon Barkley mistake by adding a dynamic weapon with gold jacket-caliber traits as a runner and receiver,” Brooks wrote. “Love will team with Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers to give Jaxson Dart a stellar supporting cast that will help the second-year pro grow. In fact, this pick is only New York's first gift to the 22-year-old quarterback in this mock ...”
Well, Dart can never have enough weapons, and with Cam Skattebo's play style, it doesn't feel like he'll be able to play that way for a full 17-game slate.
So, getting Love, who could easily be the starter, and having Skattebo as his backup, who is also a quality receiver, would give the Giants a serious tandem behind Dart.
Plus, it would take the offensive pressure off Dart to make everything happen. Oh, and they get Malik Nabers back, too.
Yes, defense has glaring holes, and I'd imagine New York goes defense at No. 10, but if Love is there at No. 5, the Giants might see it as an opportunity that is too good to pass up.
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 05: Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal (93) rushes Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the Detroit Lions versus the Minnesota Vikings game on Sunday January 5, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
While the upcoming draft gets all of the attention, as it should, NFL free agency is almost a year-round event at this point in time, with a slight break after the Super Bowl. On Monday, we covered news that Cleveland GM Andrew Berry was bringing in two offensive free agents for tryouts during this week’s voluntary minicamp. On Tuesday, those two were confirmed along with nine others:
RB Sincere McCormick (reported yesterday)
OL Joe Michalski (reported yesterday)
WR Keith Kirkwood
S Patrick McMorris
CB Keenan Garber
S JT Woods
DT Fatorma Mulbah
DE Markees Watts
OL Tyler McLellan
DE Josh Paschal
DT Jacob Sykes
Paschal was a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2022 and played 36 games, including 18 starts, for the team in three seasons. The Kentucky Wildcats product put together 62 tackles, 15 QB hits, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one pass defense in those three years.
McCormock was undrafted in 2022 and has bounced around between a number of teams since then. The 5’9” running back played in five NFL games, all in 2024 with the Las Vegas Raiders, with 39 rushes for 183 yards and six receptions for 29 yards.
Watts also has three years of experience, with 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 27 games. Kirkwood has played in the NFL since 2018, nabbing 24 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. McMorris played in six games with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, and Woods was active with the Los Angeles Chargers for 13 games between 2022 and 2023.
The others have not played in a regular-season NFL game since entering the league.
The Boston Red Sox could be looking to bring Payton Tolle up to help cover innings with Sonny Gray on the injured list with a hamstring strain.
The Red Sox placed Gray on the injured list on Tuesday and called up Tyler Samaniego. Samaniego has pitched in the big leagues three times this season, each time coming in relief. He has four relief outings in the minor leagues as well. Samaniego will help in the bullpen, but the Red Sox may need a starter for when Gray's spot in the rotation comes up again.
Triple-A Worcester manager Chad Tracy noted on Tuesday that he thinks there's a strong chance Tolle joins the Red Sox later this week, per MassLive's Katie Morrison-O'Day.
"There’s a 'pretty good likelihood' Tolle goes up to the Red Sox this week, according to Chad Tracy — he’s not scheduled to pitch in Worcester this week as of now," O'Day wrote on X on Tuesday.
Tolle was in a battle for the final rotation spot in spring training. Eventually, that spot went to Connelly Early, with Johan Oviedo starting in the bullpen. Now, Oviedo is on the injured list, and Early's spot seems cemented. Early is the Red Sox's No. 3 prospect, while Tolle is the top prospect.
Tolle made his debut last season, pitching 16 1/3 innings across seven games. He had a 6.06 ERA last season. This spring, he had a 2.53 ERA in 10 2/3 innings of work.
He has made three starts in Triple-A this season, posting a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings of work. He has 19 strikeouts as well. Tolle is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball and will have a chance to prve he can find success at the big league level if he is called up again.
It was one of those games where you’d love to focus on Brighton’s performance but, at the end of yet another chastening evening it was hard to take the eyes off the Chelsea captain. There was Enzo Fernandez, standing there mostly motionless in front of the away crowd, other than shrugging his shoulders. That he was wearing the armband only two weeks after being dropped from the first team added to the sense of farce, of a club shredded by so many bad decisions.
What was Fernandez actually doing here? What was he thinking? Maybe it was an apt image in its own bizarre way, because you can say this of the entire club right now. “A sad night for the club”, as one Chelsea insider said. Most visibly, there’s just the way they’re playing. What is Liam Rosenior trying to do?
Well, whatever it is, the players aren’t responding. This dismal run has now added up to the club’s worst run since 1912.
Liam Rosenior criticised his players and accused them of putting in an ‘unacceptable’ and ‘indefensible’ display (Reuters)
As cameras constantly cut to Behdad Eghbali and the rest of the Chelsea leadership, it was impossible not to wonder whether they were deciding on Rosenior’s future there and then. No one would be surprised if a club statement was imminent.
His defeated post-match Sky interview even felt like one of those exit speeches. Rosenior spoke about how Chelsea’s performance was “unacceptable” and “indefensible”. He said he was “hurting” and that their display did not “represent this great football club”.
More words, even if these were conspicuously directed towards the players.
But, by the end, they were also amounting to some form of self-flagellation. Rosenior couldn’t even look up.
Really, though, the focus should stay on that hierarchy. They are responsible for this. They are responsible for turning a social institution into some kind of financial experiment.
They’ve made the common mistake of thinking they are smarter than the norms of a 166-year-old sport and have been shown reality. Maybe it’s a rare football morality play for private equity trying to exploit the sport.
The Rosenior appointment was really only a logical – or perhaps illogical – conclusion of all this, especially amid the widespread suspicion that he was largely appointed on the basis of being someone the hierarchy could control.
Supporters turned on Chelsea’s owners, Rosenior and the players following the 3-0 defeat to Brighton (Reuters)
That might be a little harsh on a forthright young coach, but he’s now in the sorry situation where there’s sympathy for him. It’s got that bad, as was seen with the facial expression after that third Brighton goal. Almost the saddest part is that this has become one of those appointments that has the possibility of destroying a career.
For all the jokes about Rosenior and fair criticism, he did previously enjoy respect as a promising young coach. Even leading Premier League clubs felt he was very adept at all the pure tactical elements of coaching.
The fundamental issue, however, is that you do need all the other elements of management to actually maximise such qualities. Rosenior has been found wanting there, as there have been constant insider questions about his authority over the squad.
Players have even felt he has “changed” in his short time in charge.
A ‘numb’ and ‘angry’ Rosenior said the defeat was ‘by far’ the worst moment of his coaching career (PA Wire)
Again, that shouldn’t be a surprise.
A young coach has been prematurely promoted to what was already one of the most pressured jobs in the game, made more complicated because of the “unique” approach of the ownership.
How can a team culture even be built if there’s constant transfer turnover of young players? Little wonder those like Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer might be considering their futures.
And despite all of that, Rosenior couldn’t really say no to such a job.
He was already working in the ownership group so would have known the chance probably wouldn’t have come again.
So here they are, at the end result of multiple bad decisions. Not just a 3-0 at Brighton, but a tailspin.
Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro were among the injured players to watch Chelsea’s defeat at Brighton (PA)
And worse may be to come. Can anyone see them beating Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday?
What would the ownership do? The word from inside is that they don’t have any prospective replacement lined up. Do they have any ideas?
And there’s a key final point. The opposition also represented a fitting image of something that works well, all the more so because this ownership’s one idea was to copy Brighton.
Typically, though, they got that wrong too.
There’s no point in trying to bring over everything from Brighton if you can’t also bring over their analytics.
That’s what really makes it work, and fortifies the culture.
You could ask how the Chelsea ownership missed all of this but that itself would be to miss the point.
This outcome – a comprehensive 3-0 for a club in the Championship when Chelsea were last English champions – was entirely predictable. It is the result of multiple bad decisions.
NEW YORK — The Mets are looking north to Syracuse to try and boost the back end of their starting rotation.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced Tuesday that Christian Scott was due to be called up from Triple A to make Thursday's start against the Twins.
That shuffles the deck for the Mets' rotation, with Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes starting the first two games of the team's series against the Twins, in that order, before Scott makes his first start for the Mets since his rookie season in 2024.
"I think the way Scott has been throwing the ball the last few outings in minor leagues, we knew it was going to be a matter of time that he was going to be helping us here with the big league club," Mendoza said. "
The Mets plan to remain in a five-man rotation, with Freddy Peralta opening the series against the Rockies on Friday. Kodai Senga will make Saturday's start against the Rockies, followed by McLean.
NY Mets projected rotation as Christian Scott joins
Tuesday vs. Twins: Nolan McLean
Wednesday vs. Twins: Clay Holmes
Thursday vs. Twins: Christian Scott
Friday vs. Rockies: Freddy Peralta
Saturday vs. Rockies: Kodai Senga
What Christian Scott brings to the table
The 26-year-old Scott is in his first season back after undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace in September 2024.
Before Scott sprained his UCL in his right elbow, he had made a strong impression in his first nine starts with the Mets. The Mets' fifth-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft began his career with three quality starts in his first four outings. He closed with a 0-3 record, 4.56 ERA and 1.20 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 47⅓ innings before the injury.
After allowing six earned runs in 3⅓ innings in his season debut, Scott has allowed a combined two earned runs on four hits and two walks in 10⅓ innings with 12 strikeouts in his last two starts.
"These last two, the way he's attacking, the way the ball is coming out of his hand," Mendoza said. "He's built up to a normal starter, but just the way he's executing, the way he's competing. He's a competitor."
Scott carries a mid-90s fastball while mixing in a sweeper, slider and changeup.
How does Christian Scott's presence affect David Peterson?
The Mets have already made several sweeping changes to the rotation that they brought to spring training.
Sean Manaea was moved to a bulk role out of the bullpen with a week until spring training, and now David Peterson finds himself in a tentative bullpen role after a rough start to the 2026 season.
"It'll be fluid," Mendoza said of Peterson's role. "We see him working as a reliever but he's still built up. We just got to wait and see, let it play out. He could make starts for us in the near future. When he's right, he's pretty good. There were some good signs from him on Sunday, and we expect him to continue to help us win baseball games."
In his first four starts of the season, Peterson went 0-3 with 14 earned runs in 19⅔ innings (6.41 ERA) and a 1.83 WHIP. The left-hander slid behind an opener in Tobias Myers for Sunday's game against the Cubs and had better results, tossing 3⅔ scoreless innings with a strikeout and three walks allowed.
On Monday, Sean Hannity dedicated an entire segment on his Fox News show to the Mets’ latest skid. According to the conservative host, there’s nothing wrong with the roster construction of the team and the manager shouldn’t be shouldering the blame either.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, however, is the reason according to Hannity
“And by the way, the New York Mets, they are on an 11-game losing streak... right after the Mayor met and hugged the team mascot, Mr. Met, at Citi Field on April 9,” Hannity said in a clip shared on X/Twitter, “a phenomenon people are calling ‘the Mamdani curse.’”
The Mets’ losing streak reached 11 games after Sunday’s 2-1 loss in Chicago. This has extended a troubling pattern for Mendoza that includes last season’s late collapse that cost the Mets a playoff berth.
Recent managerial decisions have drawn criticism.
On Saturday, Mendoza removed pitcher Freddy Peralta in the sixth inning of a 1-1 game, and Brooks Raley surrendered a three-run home run on his first pitch.
Sunday’s game featured an unconventional pitching plan, starting reliever Tobias Myers before bringing in scheduled starter David Peterson. Devin Williams later blew a save in the ninth inning.
In extra innings, Mendoza chose not to intentionally walk Cubs leadoff hitter Nico Hoerner with first base open and the winning run on third. Hoerner delivered the game-winning sacrifice fly.
It’s fair to note that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns expressed confidence in Mendoza on Friday before the Cubs series.
A furious Liam Rosenior accused his Chelsea players of lacking “desire, spirit and courage” and said they put in an “unacceptable and indefensible” performance as defeat to Brighton marked the club’s worst run of form in 114 years.
Rosenior said he felt “numb” and “angry” after Chelsea suffered a fifth defeat in a row in the Premier League without scoring a goal and brilliant Brighton went above them into sixth in the table with a fully deserved 3-0 win on the south coast.
The nature of Rosenior’s post-match comments were a departure from his support of a young, expensively assembled Chelsea squad, while his own future is now also in the spotlight ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley.
Rosenior was the subject of X-rated chants from the Chelsea fans at Brighton and he said the defeat, where his side failed to land a shot on target in a toothless performance, was “by far” the worst night of his three-month reign in charge.
“It as unacceptable, in every aspect of the game,” he told Sky Sports. “I keep coming out and defending the players, that was indefensible, that performance tonight. The manner of the goals we conceded, the duels that we lost. Something has to change drastically right here, right now.
“We need to look in the mirror. I need to look in the mirror. But I can't keep coming out here and defending some of the things that we're seeing. Manchester United [on Saturday], genuinely the result wasn't there but I felt we turned a corner.
“But the general attitude, the spirit was lacking - determination wasn’t there apart from three or four of the starting eleven. That's nowhere near enough for this club. I can't come out and lie. I tell the truth. That was an unacceptable performance at every level.
“The performance in terms of professionalism wasn't there. It was a really, really difficult night, the most difficult night - not even here at this magnificent football club - but in my career. Some of the things I witnessed today, I don't want to ever see again.
“If you're playing at this elite football club, or any football club, to be even accused of throwing the towel in is unacceptable. That's all I'm going to say. I'm hurting, I'm feeling numb. That doesn't represent me. That doesn't represent the football club in any way. That has to change.”
Chelsea could find themselves in the bottom half of the Premier League by the time they play their next league fixture, with hopes of a top-five finish and Champions League football all but over. Blues co-owner Behdad Eghbali was also watching on at the Amex Stadium.
The Chelsea players appeared shell-shocked as they went to the away supporters at full-time. Enzo Fernandez, who captained the Blues despite being dropped by Rosenior just two weeks ago, appeared to shrug towards the angry away fans.
(Reuters)
Rosenior, who was without the injured Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and club captain Reece James, hinted at personnel changes for the FA Cup semi-final. Rosenior said before the Brighton game that Palmer and Pedro could be available this weekend.
“I will look at the team, will look at individuals and I will look at a team I can trust to do the basics of football and we should not be talking about the basics of football at this level. It is something we have to adjust very quickly,” Palmer said.
“Tonight was not [about] tactical. This was about desire, spirit, courage and I did not see enough of that tonight. Nowhere near good enough and we have to improve that.”
There’s a difference between being snubbed…and inconvenience.
The fact that Lakers superstar Luka Doncic missed out on being named an NBA MVP finalist falls into that category. He was the inconvenience that voters didn’t quite know how to handle. Because his historic season doesn’t fit neatly into the box they’ve spent years building.
So instead, they chose to close the lid.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers knocked down the game winning shot during the game against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2026. (NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Was that the right decision? We can make the argument either way, but perhaps there’s a solution at the end of all this that can appease everyone.
Let’s start with the finalists: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Nikola Jokic.
All three are deserving. They all play on the No. 1, No, 2, and No. 3 seeds in the Western Conference. They are all the best players on their own team with elite level production on both ends of the floor. They check all the boxes.
But MVP isn’t supposed to be an exercise performed with a Sharpie and a checklist. There’s more gravitas to it. There’s the eye test. There’s the feeling in your gut when you know you’re seeing one of the best players in the world do what they do best. There’s how opposing defenses throw the kitchen sink at one player just to try and slow him down only to discover they can’t.
And nobody made us feel that way this season quite like Doncic.
Let’s start with the obvious.
He led the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game. More than 2.4 points more than SGA. Pair that with 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds and over 100 steals. Night after night, Doncic wasn’t just producing. He was dominating. No player in NBA history has ever averaged 30+ points, 7+ assists, and 7 + rebounds on a team that won 50 games or more and not won the MVP. Doncic will have now done it twice (2024).
And let’s not forget that he had to carry the Lakers on his back for most of the season.
The Lakers takeoff this season did not come with a clean runway. There was turbulence on the tarmac. An early sciatica injury to LeBron James saw him miss the first 14 games of the season. Doncic led them to a 10-4 record. Midway through the season their second leading scorer Austin Reaves went down with an injury. So did other role players. The Lakers roster felt like it was constantly being rearranged mid-flight. But through it all, Doncic was the pilot that guided them through the turbulence.
So when his teammates that were on this journey with him were asked their thoughts on Doncic not being an MVP finalist they didn’t hesitate with their answers.
“You can see he’s the MVP,” said Lakers’ forward Rui Hachimura. “I can see he’s the MVP of this league. What he does, what he brings to the game every game.”
That’s not analytics. That’s lived experience.
But unfortunately, analytics and advanced metrics is where the divide and the case against Doncic begins.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 8, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
The anti-Doncic crowd will point to his plus-4 net rating. They’ll stack that next to Jokic’s plus-10.4, SGA’s plus-14.8, and Wemby’s gaudy plus-17.3 and call it decisive. They’ll bring up the defensive metrics as well, where admittedly, Doncic lags behind. They’ll remind you, correctly, that the other finalists are all two-way players, including Wemby who at 22 years old just became the youngest and first ever unanimous player ever to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
All fair points.
But when did the MVP award become less about overall value to a team and more about the completeness of an individual player?
Not since Russell Westbrook in the 2014-15 season has a player ever led the league in scoring and not finished as a top three MVP finalist.
Doncic’s MVP campaign is messy. He’s ball-dominant. He’s emotional and racks up technical fouls like dishes. He’s defensively inconsistent. He doesn’t check every box.
And yet, in the month of March, Doncic dominated the entire league. The Lakers went 16-2 over an 18-game stretch. Doncic was the undisputed Player of the Month, breaking Kobe Bryant’s franchise record, and finishing second only to Michael Jordan with 600 points. His MVP odds surged. He went from out of the race, to second behind SGA by March 31.
“If we continue to finish the season the way we’re playing right now, and he continues to play that way — to me, he is the MVP,” said Lakers’ head coach J.J. Redick at the time.
Even Doncic was asked about his MVP case.
“The better I play, the more I go down in ratings,” he said in Spanish, half-joking, fully aware of the dialogue going on in the sports talk world.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Then came April.
In a head-to-head matchup against SGA and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Doncic had a golden opportunity to put a final exclamation point on his MVP campaign. Instead, he suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain and the Lakers lost to OKC by 43. The timing couldn’t have been worse. Doncic would miss the final five games of the season, just as voters were getting ready to make their final selections.
And there’s the rub. Sometimes MVP races aren’t just decided by numbers. They’re decided by moments. And in that moment in OKC, Doncic’s MVP slipped away.
Because the truth is, had he stayed healthy, had the Lakers lit up OKC in those two late-season matchups, had the Lakers surged to the three-seed, then we’re having a very different conversation right now. Not only would Doncic be the finalist, but maybe he’s the favorite.
So was he snubbed?
Not exactly.
But he was minimized.
Voters didn’t ignore him entirely, but they did find reasons to prioritize players who fit the evolving definition of MVP: efficient, elite on both ends of the floor, and attached to team success from start to finish.
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs during the game on April 4, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Still, the omission exposes something bigger. And that’s that the league needs to make some changes.
Changes not just to the 65-minimum games played threshold, that’s obvious. But other changes as well.
How about an NBA Offensive Player of the Year award like the NFL has?
If that award existed, then there wouldn’t even be a debate. Doncic would be holding the trophy.
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The future is bright for the Atlanta Hawks but that does not mean their present does not look great. Coach Quin Snyder just led this team to a 107-106 NBA Playoffs win over the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. CJ McCollum pulled some heroics which were unseen since his Portland Trail Blazers and the 14-point lead built by Jalen Brunson's squad disappeared. Now that they won their first postseason game, what are the expectations for the squad?
Snyder gets real on Hawks' NBA Playoffs expectations after beating Knicks
Despite clinching their division and winning over a stacked Knicks squad in the NBA Playoffs, the Hawks are a very young team. In fact, Coach Quin Snyder is coaching the 14th-youngest team in the league because his players have an average age of 26 years old. When factoring in the players that the Hawks field on the court and use the most, this average drops lower to 25.5 years old.
With the exception of CJ McCollum, Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels are just entering their primes but made huge strides in the NBA Playoffs already. So, Coach Snyder did not pressure them too much in spite of the win over the Knicks. He just expects his guys to ball out, via Ian O'Connor of The Athletic.
"Happy to be here, grateful to be here. But at the same time. I just don’t want to put a ceiling on this group. We are young and it’s the first time our core guys have been in this situation. … I think it’s also true that you can embrace the opportunity to have success in the playoffs as well," the Hawks head coach said.
Despite their age, the Hawks have been doing phenomenal to keep up with all the contenders in the NBA Playoffs. They score the sixth-most points per game with a nightly average of 118.5 points while also recording a 116.1 offensive rating. Defensively, Coach Snyder has been doing wonders for the Hawks. His squad has the ninth-best defensive rating and it is valued at 113.7.
A lot is in store for the Hawks but they found a great leader in Coach Snyder which allows them to grow while also battering down a heavy-hitter like the Knicks.
Apr 19, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) reacts against the Philadelphia Phillies after the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves got what is hopefully good news related to closer Raisel Iglesias as it was conveyed to reporters prior to tonight’s game that an MRI showed only inflammation with no structural damage to his shoulder.
Raisel Iglesias returned to Atlanta for a MRI that showed no structural damage. The Braves are hopeful his stay on the IL will be a short one. They debated about just resting him for 4-5 days, but didn’t want to go short in the bullpen
As MLB.com’s Mark Bowman relayed, the team hopes Iglesias will only stay on the IL for a limited amount of time. He last pitched on April 19 in Philadelphia. For the season, he’s pitched in eight games, tossing 8.2 shut-out innnings while striking out 11 batters and collecting five saves.
Free agent singee Robert Suarez, who led the National League in saves with the San Diego Padres last season, will likely serve as closer while Iglesias is out of action.
The NFL world was thrown for a loop on Saturday when the New York Giants agreed to trade defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft (No. 10 overall).
Although Lawrence is a high-level talent who, despite his inconsistencies, has enjoyed a solid career thus far, the consensus is that he isn’t worth a top-10 pick. Obviously, the Bengals thought otherwise, prompting them to acquire the 28-year-old over the weekend.
“Kayvon Thibodeaux was the subject of trade chatter this offseason,” NFL.com’s Jeremy Bergman wrote Monday. “After Saturday's trade of Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati, consider that chatter muted.”
“New York is now considered less likely to deal the former first-round pick, and Thibodeaux is set to play out the 2026 season on his $14.751 million fifth-year option, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday, per sources.”
“Teams had recently talked to Big Blue about Thibodeaux, 25, but as with Lawrence, it was going to take the right price for the Giants to deal him, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo added.”
Essentially, with New York cutting ties with Lawrence, the organization doesn’t have a clear incentive to move on from Thibodeau this offseason. The Bears and Packers are among the teams believed to be in the mix for the former first-round pick.
The Bears’ 2025-26 pass-rushing struggles (only 35 sacks recorded) would make it wise for Chicago to pursue the 25-year-old aggressively. Likewise, the Packers’ defense, led by Micah Parsons (who’s recovering from a torn ACL), could use some reinforcements after finishing with only 36 sacks during the 2025-26 campaign.
Based on Bergman’s report, though, it doesn’t appear as though either organization will upgrade on the defensive side of the ball by acquiring Thibodeaux anytime soon.
While Chelsea have not been involved in the Premier League title race for essentially the entire second half of the 2025–26 season, they have been in the mix for Champions League qualification, hoping to reinsert themselves into Europe's top competition after a Round of 16 exit at the hands of defending champions PSG.
Yet as the end of the campaign draws closer, that prospect seems farther and farther from reality as the Blues tumble down the standings with a late-season tailspin of incredible proportions.
Installed in January to replace Enzo Maresca, manager Liam Rosenior was hand-picked by owners BlueCo to lead the squad the rest of the season and beyond, signing a six-year contract that the club hoped would allow him to evolve into the next great Premier League manager.
Instead, as Chelsea slumped to an embarrassing 3–0 defeat to Brighton on Tuesday with goals from Ferdi Kadioglu, Josh Hinshelwood, and Danny Welbeck, it would appear Rosenior is simply limping to the finish line in his debut campaign.
The Sporting News brings you Rosenior's harsh comments for his Chelsea players after the Brighton defeat, what the defeat meant for the club, and how it could affect the manager's own position in charge.
Liam Rosenior blames Chelsea players for Brighton defeat
Liam Rosenior went straight at the Chelsea players after the 3-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex on Tuesday, holding no punches in his assessment of the match.
"It was unacceptable in every aspect," Rosenior said when asked to assess Chelsea's performance. "I keep coming out to defend the players, but that was indefensible tonight. Something needs to change drastically right now."
Rosenior questioned his team's commitment on the pitch tonight, a relatively reasonable conclusion given how miserably bad they performed.
"We need to look in the mirror, I need to look in the mirror," Rosenior said. "The performance in terms of professionalism wasn't there. It's the most difficult night in my career. Some of the things I witnessed today I never want to see again.
"I'm hurting. I'm numb. Tonight doesn't represent me or the football club in any way."
Later, in his post-match press conference, Rosenior echoed his earlier sentiments.
"I have my own ideas, I am not here to make excuses," Rosenior told the media after the match. "That was unacceptable from everyone involved with me at the head of it. That needs to change.
"It is accountability. I have defended the players at times when it was the correct thing but I can’t defend that performance. It doesn’t represent this football club, it doesn’t represent anything I ask from the group and that has to change.
"I feel numb I’m so angry. I always speak on what I see and that was unacceptable. The goals we conceded were unacceptable and that is something I have to hold my hands up to.
“I will look at the team, will look at individuals and I will look at a team I can trust to do the basics of football and we should not be talking about the basics of football at this level. It is something we have to adjust very quickly.
“Tonight was not [about] tactical. This was about desire, spirit, courage and I did not see enough of that tonight."
Rosenior's comments come on the heels of a dismal 90-minute performance in which Chelsea had just two total shots worth 0.08 xG by the 70th minute, and they finished with just six on the evening without a single one finding the target.
Meanwhile, the Blues were carved up on the other end, as they conceded 15 shots to Brighton, nine of which were on target. Chelsea looked listless on the ball, and failed to generate almost any meaningful attacking chances despite holding 54% possession throughout the game.
The loss moved Chelsea to two ugly club milestones. The defeat was their 12th straight league match without a clean sheet, their longest such run since the 1996/97 season. Meanwhile, they reached five straight top division defeats without scoring a goal, the club's longest such streak since 1912, now well over seven hours of game time without finding the back of the net.
In context of this season, the defeat saw Chelsea jumped by Brighton in the standings, dropping to seventh on 48 points, leaving them seven back of Liverpool in the fifth and final Champions League spot. Sixth could become a Champions League qualifying position, however, if Aston Villa win the Europa League, so every point is valuable the rest of the way.
Given their position near the top of a crowded mid-table, it's entirely possible that Chelsea find themselves in the bottom half of the table before they take the field again in Premier League play on May 4 against Nottingham Forest.
Will Liam Rosenior be sacked as Chelsea manager?
Liam Rosenior's position was already in question coming into this match as the club continued to dig itself into a deeper and deeper hole in the race for European places, and his job security will have eroded further with this result.
It's likely that Rosenior will get more leeway than most managers in a similar position at Chelsea. Since he joined the BlueCo-owned club Strasbourg, ownership has groomed him to be Chelsea manager, and there will be a bit of allowance for Rosenior to learn on the fly as ownership hopes he can be in his position for the long term. Sacking him, therefore, would bring with it a feeling of wasted resources should he fail to become the manager they have spent time and energy building up his career.
Yet there are also short-term questions regarding how far Chelsea could fall in the table down the stretch of the Premier League season. Even if their race for Champions League qualification is run, ownership will not want to lose European football altogether next season, and that is absolutely a possibility should this abysmal run of form continue.
It will be interesting how much longer Todd Boehly and the rest of Chelsea management will let this go before they pull the plug and hope to salvage some kind of European qualification for next season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear frontrunner to repeat as MVP, and his case for that is intertwined with his play in the clutch this season. Oklahoma City won 64 games not just because SGA was the best player in the first 43 minutes of a game, but also because of how dominant he was in the last five.
Which is why Gilgeous-Alexander was voted NBA Clutch Player of the Year, garnering 96 of the 100 first-place votes (cast by a select group of media). Hall of Famer Reggie Miller made the announcement on Peacock.
Denver's Jamal Murray finished second in the voting, just one point ahead of the Timberwolves Anthony Edwards, who was third (the 65-game rule does not apply to this award). Murray had 33 second-place votes (worth three points each) and 18 third-place votes (worth one point), while Edwards had one fewer second-place vote with 32 and two more third-place votes (20).
Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in the clutch, averaging 6.5 points per clutch game, as well as with 175 total clutch points this season, leading the Thunder to a league-best +92 in clutch minutes and a 20-7 record. What's more, he had to do a lot of that on his own — Murray was second in total clutch points with 166 but he had a lot of help in the form of Nikola Jokic (155).
The other four first-place votes that didn't go to SGA went to players who did not finish in the top three. Cade Cunningham got one and finished fourth in the voting, Jalen Brunson (who won the award last year) had two first-place votes but finished fifth, and the Nuggets' Jokic got one first-place vote but finished sixth.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JANUARY 20: Jasmine Jasudavicius of Canada prepares to face Priscila Cachoeira of Brazil in a bantamweight bout during the UFC 297 event at Scotiabank Arena on January 20, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
No. 7-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius returned to the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Karine Silva on the main card of UFC Winnipeg this past weekend (Sat., April 21, 2026) inside Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
But her performance wasn’t the only thing people were talking about.
“It’s so funny,” Jasudavicius told Ariel Helwani today. “I’m literally probably the only person in the gym — you go to a practice at 11 am, and you ask everyone to show what is in their lip, I guarantee everyone has a Zyn in. I’m one of the only people in the gym who doesn’t use nicotine pouches. It’s so funny that everyone said I had one during my fight.”
So what was it?
“I train with gum,” Jasudavicious explained. “I was warming up with it, and I’ve fought with gum in the past. I just forgot to spit it out before the walkout, so it was still in my mouth. Whatever, it’s better than a toothpick…I think it’s hilarious — I don’t really care. I just like that people were talking about it.”
No controversy. No violation.
Just a simple case of pre-fight routine gone viral.
While nicotine isn’t banned, its use can fall under scrutiny depending on athletic commission rules and stimulant regulations — but in this case, there’s nothing for officials to review.
Funny enough, the UFC recently signed a sponsorship deal with FRE Nicotine Pouches, adding a little extra irony to the situation.
As for Jasudavicius, she improves to 6-1 in her last seven fights and is already eyeing another step up in competition, calling for matchups against top contenders like Maycee Barber, Erin Blanchfield, or Alexa Grasso.
For complete UFC Winnipeg results, highlights and discussion click here.
BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) celebrates after a play during an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Ever since his parents bought him a plastic Cincinnati Bengals helmet and big Fathead wall posters of his favorite players — receiver Chad Johnson and quarterback Carson Palmer — when he was 5 years old, BYU tight end Carsen Ryan has dreamed of playing in the National Football League.
“It has been a big focus of mine ever since I can remember,” he said.
This weekend, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Orem native will take a big step toward realizing that dream, either as a late-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, or as a priority free agent. Last December, after the Cougars edged Georgia Tech 25-21 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Ryan was not showing up on many mock draft boards despite a highly productive solo season at BYU.
But the buzz around Ryan has steadily been growing, and his performance at BYU’s pro day in March after he disappointingly didn’t receive an invitation to the NFL combine in February has caused a lot of NFL teams to move in for a second look.
“Yeah, I like my chances (of getting an NFL opportunity) quite a bit,” Ryan told the Deseret News on Monday. “There has been a lot of really good stuff come out about me. I know a lot of teams like me and my skill set as a player. I think the odds are, from what I’ve been hearing lately, that I will probably get drafted.”
Ryan and his agent, Carter Chow of Red Envelope Sports, the son of former BYU and Utah assistant coach Norm Chow, believe he could be picked anywhere in rounds 5-7, which are on Saturday.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Carsen Ryan,” said another agent who does not represent him. “One thing working against him, however, is that this is a very deep tight end class.”
Ryan said that whatever happens, he and Chow “have a plan” and that he is confident he will be in an NFL camp next week, one way or the other.
“If I go undrafted, it is not the end of the world,” he said. “It could be a good thing for us, too. … You get a little bit more guaranteed (money), and you can kind of pick where you go. There’s some positives to (not getting drafted).”
At BYU’s pro day, Ryan ran a 4.66 time in the 40-yard dash, did 23 reps on the bench press and recorded a vertical jump of 33.5 inches. Then he started showing up on some NFL draft boards.
Carsen Ryan competes in the 40-yard dash at BYU’s Pro Day in Provo on Friday, March 20, 2026.
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Laura Seitz, Deseret News
In his “The Beast” draft preview for The Athletic, draft expert Dane Brugler gave Ryan a fifth-round grade and noted: “More coordinated than explosive; offers a mix of pass-catching and blocking.”
It is that versatility — the ability to block as well as run crisp routes and catch the football — that has piqued the interest of NFL scouts.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Ryan at No. 14 on his list of top H-backs and fullbacks, but didn’t include Ryan on his list of top 23 tight ends.
Pro Football Focus called him “the best late-round prospect” at the tight end position in the draft.
Intense training pays off for Carsen Ryan, Chase Roberts
After he caught eight passes for 120 yards in the bowl game to push his season totals to 45 catches for 620 yards (and three touchdowns), Ryan went to Los Gatos, California, to train with California Strength along with BYU receiver Chase Roberts — who was profiled by the Deseret News on Monday — and other NFL hopefuls.
“I feel like my explosiveness really got a lot better,” he said. “I really leaned out, focused on really eating healthy and getting my body composition to where I wanted it to be. My explosiveness took a big step, and I got a lot quicker. I was really happy with that progress as far as speed goes.”
Linebacker Jack Kelly, Roberts and Ryan represent BYU’s best chances of having a player picked in the draft after the Cougars were shut out last year. Other hopefuls include safety Tanner Wall, cornerback Mory Bamba, long snapper Garrison Grimes, kicker Will Ferrin and offensive linemen Austin Leausa, Weylin Lapuaho and Isaiah Jatta.
Ryan, who played for UCLA and Utah before transferring to BYU for his final season, earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors after averaging 44.3 receiving yards per game for the Cougars.
“I feel like I had a really good pro day, and ever since then I’ve been doing a lot of Zoom calls with teams, and a couple of visits with teams, which meant a lot,” he said.
Which NFL teams are interested in BYU’s Carsen Ryan?
The former Timpview and American Fork star said he went on visits to Minnesota and New England, and believes the Vikings and Patriots are among the teams most interested in him. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions have also spent a lot of time talking to him via Zoom.
BYU tights end coach Kevin Gilbride, who coached tight ends in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and New York Giants, said making a 53-man NFL roster will be difficult for Ryan, but doable.
“He has an incredibly bright football intelligence. He has a really tremendous desire to do things the right way,” Gilbride said. “He’s physically tough as well. So it is the complete package. … He could be an eight- to 10-year NFL vet. That’s how strongly I feel (about his prospects).”
Ryan said he’s always been a Bengals fan, but would obviously love to play for any team willing to give him a chance. He picked the Bengals because he shares the “same” first name as Palmer (spelled differently) and loved Johnson’s nickname — Ochocinco.
He said he will pay particular attention to the draft on Saturday, when rounds 4-7 are held, at his parents’ home in Orem with his fiancée, Jayne Basso. The couple met when Ryan played at UCLA and will get married on June 26.
If he does get an NFL paycheck, Ryan says he will buy a new golf club, a driver, because his last driver “was super old” and broke a month ago. He’s also got his eye on a new truck.
But first things first, he says.
“I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m happy with how it has gone, so far.”
BYU Cougars tight end Carsen Ryan (20) looks at the defense as he runs the sideline after making a catch as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025.
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Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Washington has been a popular projected pick for the Seahawks since the NFL Combine. Hype broke out after his athletic testing painted a picture of an extremely high-ceiling for an RB prospect. Since Kenneth Walker left for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, Seattle is expected to draft another highly ranked prospect at the position to replace the Super Bowl MVP as the lead back in their offense. With measurables like this, Washington has a leg up in key indicators of potential on other Day 2 RBs to be a primary target for that situation.
Mike Washington Jr. is a RB prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.88 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 28 out of 2305 RB from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/OTZGjE5m5Opic.twitter.com/cUaJFSdovI
Washington’s speed and explosiveness make him one of the favorites to replace Walker’s big-play ability. His size suggests he’ll be able to hold up as an NFL lead back for a plenty of carries as well. However, if that were the entire picture, he wouldn’t sit around into the late second-round. There are certain concerns that make it more likely he’ll even sit around til the Seahawks’ No. 64 pick or later.
First off, he struggled to take care of the football in college. He fumbled 10 times over the course of the last three seasons, and three times in just 14 games in 2025. He’s also a poor pass protector. Those are two keys to a modern, Shanahan-style offense, and part of the reason Zach Charbonnet received just as many snaps as Walker for most of the 2025 season. John Schneider consistently mentions he values those skills above other, flashier athletic traits, too.
There’s a chance the Seahawks don’t draft a running back at all, going with the less “exciting” in-house options rather than replacing Walker’s home-run hitting style. Considering their track record and Schneider’s recent comments on the radio, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. If they do want that extra offensive weapon, Washington has a high likelihood of becoming a Seahawk this weekend.
With Willis no longer on the roster, the Packers' quarterback depth behind Jordan Love is lackluster, with Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord. Green Bay must solve this issue before the start of the 2026 campaign, as they basically have no issue behind Love.
Will Levis could be possible Packers trade target
The Packers could look towards the draft to address their quarterback need, but if general manager Brian Gutekunst wants to add a backup with experience, trading for Will Levis from the Tennessee Titans would be a savvy move.
Levis didn't play in 2025 after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason, and his future in Tennessee is bleak with last year's No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward locked in as the quarterback of the future.
In his lone season as a starter in 2024, Levis struggled, throwing 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, posting a 2-11 record, and being benched multiple times.
However, the Kentucky product still has room to grow and has a ton of arm talent, so Green Bay should look to take a flyer on Levis and place him in Matt LaFleur's quarterback-friendly system.
How much will it cost for Packers to acquire Levis?
Green Bay shouldn't have to give up more than a late Day 3 pick for Levis, whose trade value shouldn't be too high after missing 2025 and playing poorly in 2024.
The Packers have two picks in the seventh round and a selection in Round 6. One of those picks could be used in a trade with the Titans for Levis, who would be a solid replacement for Willis as the backup to Love.
MADRID (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz is only 22 years old but there's already talk about the next generation of talented Spanish tennis players.
And one of them has the same first name of all-time great Rafael Nadal — 19-year-old Rafael Jódar, who has been making headlines in Spain and across the tennis world thanks to a rapid rise through the rankings.
Jódar, who like Nadal also goes by the “Rafa” nickname, made it to the top 50 just ahead of his debut at the Madrid Open on Wednesday.
Another promising star is 20-year-old Martin Landaluce, who just recently broke into the top 100 in the men's rankings.
“The two of them will mutually help each other to keep improving and reach the top," Alcaraz told the ATP Tour. "They have a great future.”
Jódar was outside the top 600 just a year ago. He entered the top 100 in March and is up to No. 42 in the world in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday.
“I try to handle the pressure as I have done since I was little,” Jódar said. “I’ve always been a very calm person both on and off the court. I know there’ll be moments when things don’t go as well as they have in recent tournaments. In those moments, you prove whether you’re mentally strong. Those moments will also make me stronger."
Jódar advanced to the semifinals in Barcelona after three straight-set wins. He lost in three sets to eventual champion Arthur Fils in the semifinals. The Spaniard won his first tour-level trophy in Morocco earlier this month.
“I knew I was doing things right," Jódar said. “These last few months have gone very quickly for me and I’ve played a lot of matches. I can’t say I could have imagined it. But I’m very happy to have started the clay swing like this, having played so many matches gives me a lot of confidence for this Madrid tournament.”
Jódar, a U.S. Open boys’ singles champion, competed for the University of Virginia last year before deciding to turn pro.
The Madrid native will make his debut in the Madrid Open against 109th-ranked Jesper de Jong. Jódar said he used to come to the Madrid Open as a spectator when he was younger. He also joined Spain's 2024 Davis Cup team to help the team train.
“I’ve never set myself a goal,” Jódar told the ATP. “I have to take it tournament by tournament, it’s my first year on tour. I think I’m still a young player and I’m discovering a lot at these tournaments. I need to gain experience, compete against these kinds of players. I don’t set targets for the future, just take it tournament by tournament and do my best."
Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, called Jódar "an outstanding player."
"I’ve been following him and I think he’s broken into the tour really quickly,” Alcaraz said.
Landaluce's rise
Jódar and Landaluce both participated in the Next Gen ATP Finals, the tournament that features the world’s top 20-and-under singles players of the ATP. Jódar beat Landaluce, but both failed to advance past the round robin.
Landaluce, a member of the Rafa Nadal Academy, arrived at the Madrid Open ranked No. 99 after having reached the quarterfinals in Miami for his best-ever finish in an ATP Masters 1000 event. He fell to Jiri Lehecka in the last eight.
“It’s very special to see myself there (in the top 100),” said Landaluce, also a U.S. Open boys' singles champion. “It’s something we’ve all wanted to achieve since we were young. I’ve never set a specific ranking goal, but now that I’m in this position, I believe I can go further, and that’s what I intend to do.”
The second-ranked Alcaraz recently practiced with Landaluce, whom he called “an incredible player.”
The other Spaniards in the top 100 are Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at No. 24, Jaume Munar at No. 38, Roberto Bautista Agut at No. 93 and Pablo Carreno Busta at No. 94.
Rams coach Sean McVay says receiver Puka Nacua "looks great" and is "doing really well" during offseason workouts. Nacua was in rehab after a string of off-field incidents before workouts began. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)
Star receiver Puka Nacua will fully participate in voluntary offseason workouts, the Rams are getting closer to another contract adjustment with quarterback Matthew Stafford, and coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead hope backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo decides to put off retirement and return for a third season and possible Super Bowl run.
McVay and Snead addressed those topics and the NFL draft on Tuesday during a videoconference with reporters.
Nacua led the NFL in receptions last season but also was involved in a string of off-the-field incidents the last few months, including an alleged biting incident that led to a civil lawsuit. Those situations put the brakes on any immediate discussion between the Rams and Nacua about a massive extension for the fourth-year pro.
Nacua, 24, “looks great” and is “doing really well,” McVay said. McVay declined to detail discussions he’s had with the All-Pro, who was a finalist for NFL offensive player of the year.
“He and I have a great relationship,” McVay said. “Feel really good about kind of the direction we’re going.”
Stafford, 38, led the Rams to the NFC championship game last season and is the reigning NFL most valuable player. According to overthecap.com, he is due to carry a salary-cap number of $48.3 million this season.
But Stafford has no doubt demanded, and will receive, a raise and a possible additional year in a deal that the Rams acknowledged two years ago is essentially a year-to-year situation.
“Progress has been made,” Snead said of negotiations.
There is no timeline, Snead said, “but don’t expect any drama, per se.”
Garoppolo, 34, has backed up Stafford for two seasons, and he has been invaluable.
Last year, with Stafford sidelined for training camp because of a back issue, Garoppolo ran the offense and prepped the defense with a skillset honed during a 12-year career that included a Super Bowl appearance. Stafford joined workouts before the season and remained healthy throughout, but Garoppolo was perhaps the most valuable insurance policy in the NFL.
Last season, Garoppolo played on a one-year contract and earned $4.5 million, according to overthecap.com.
McVay expressed confidence in fourth-year pro Stetson Bennett, but said he was hopeful that “when the time is right,” Garoppolo will “change his mind,” and return.
“You leave the door open,” McVay said when asked if there was a point that Rams would press Garoppolo to return. “I don’t think you want to press. What you don’t want to do is ever force a guy to play if in his mind he’s ready to move on.
“But you don’t want to minimize that, ‘Hey, if you do decide you want to play, let’s make sure it’s here with us.”
The Rams have the 13th pick in the NFL draft, which begins Thursday in Pittsburgh. They have one pick in the second and third rounds, one in the sixth round and three in the seventh.
Receiver, offensive line and edge rusher are among the positions the Rams could address with their first top-15 pick since they selected quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in 2016.
"There's a lot of possibilities," McVay said. "We don't control what happens in those 12 picks before, and so what we've done is a lot of contingency planning and a lot of conversations, and feel really good about that."
McCallum pitcher Max Satterwhite throws in the second inning of the District 24-5A game between the McCallum Knights and Anderson Trojans at Northwest Pony Field, March 31, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
Westwood 4, Vandegrift 3 (9): Juan Perez’s walkoff two-run single in the bottom of the ninth gave the Warriors a crucial win for their playoff hopes. West Morgan threw a complete game with four strikeouts and went 2-for-3 at the plate for an impressive individual game. Perez finished with three RBIs and Justice Moore and Kellen Szymanski both tallied two hits.
Vandegrift 8, Westwood 1: Carson Tan threw a complete game, scattering four hits and striking out three, Marshall Linenberger went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, Tyler Miller finished 1-for-2 with two walks, a double and an RBI and both Dax Van Stavern and Caiden Qualls drove in runs to lead the Vipers.
Hutto 6, Vista Ridge 5: Oliver Medina went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs, Aidan Eierdam drove in two runs and Kellen Littles had an RBI double to lead the Hippos. Carson Fields threw a scoreless seventh inning to earn the save.
Vista Ridge 4, Hutto 0: Drew Wells struck out five and only allowed one hit in five shutout innings, Jake Waddell went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs and Luke Burke finished 2-for-3 with an RBI as the Rangers moved closer to a playoff berth. Andrew Klemett tossed two innings of scoreless relief and had an RBI single and Ryan McCann had an RBI double in other notable performances for Vista Ridge.
Round Rock 19, Stony Point 4: Luke Broaddus went 3-for-3 with three doubles, five RBIs and two runs scored, Maddox DePriest doubled and drove in two runs, Jack Appl and Drew Harthcock both had two hits, and Max Min tripled, walked and drove in three runs as the Dragons swept the series.
Round Rock 15, Stony Point 5: Jack Appl went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs, Omar Rodriguez finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs, JP Kazmann went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Drew Harthcock, Luke Broaddus and Quinn Barthelette all had two hits as the Dragons rolled in Game 1 of the series.
McNeil 8, Manor 0: Jayden Campos went 2-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and three runs scored, Andrew Mata had a two-run double, Justin Sandusky belted an RBI triple and Tyler Schwarz struck out six in four innings to pace the Mavericks.
McNeil 12, Manor 2: Tyler Schwarz went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs, Andrew Mata finished 1-for-2 with a double, three walks and two RBIs and both Sean Crowe and Jaydon Campos tallied two hits and an RBI as the Mavericks won the first game of the series.
District 26-6A
Lake Travis 7, Akins 0: Luke McBride struck out 12 in seven shutout innings and Nelson Molina went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs as the Cavs moved closer to the district title. Westin McDaniel and Will Fanning both threw an inning of scoreless relief, with the former striking out the side. CJ Hansford, Elliott Proppe and James Tudor all drove in runs.
Westlake 10, Del Valle 1: Owen Strain went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, Lance Hayashi finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, Austin Knox belted a two-run double and Ripken Street had two hits as the Chaps completed the series sweep and clinched a playoff spot.
Bowie 4, Austin High 0: Louis Olmeda fanned 11 in five shutout innings and Devin Loane went 3-for-3 with two RBIs to lead the Bulldogs, who swept the series and have qualified for the playoffs. Maddux DeFilippo threw two innings of scoreless relief with three strikeouts.
District 23-5A
East View 12, Elgin 1: Andres Uzcategui struck out six and didn’t allow a hit or earned run in four innings and went 2-for-4 with a triple, double and RBI as the Patriots moved closer to securing a playoff spot. Cameron Turner finished 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs and Turner Stepehens went 2-for-2 with a home run, double and four RBIs to lead the East View offense. Tommy Rice belted a two-run double and Trey Rodriguez had two hits in other notable performances for the Patriots.
Weiss 8, Pflugerville 1: Amari Maxwell went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, Jace Rodriguez drove in two runs and Rhema Benjamin struck out six and scattered three hits in five innings as the Wolves took a big win for their playoff hopes.
District 24-5A
LASA 2, Cedar Creek 0: Alex Johnson tossed a shutout, striking out 11 and scattering six hits, Connor Willie had an RBI single and scored a run, and Joaquin Gonzalez had two hits as the Raptors completed the series sweep and clinched a playoff berth.
McCallum 1, Dripping Springs 0: Blaise Kizer belted an RBI double to score Tommy McIntyre and Max Satterwhite scattered seven hits and struck out four in six innings to lead the Knights to an impressive non-district win. Jake Gramling retired the side, striking out two, to earn the save.
Anderson 8, Westlake 5: Darek Paiz went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs and tossed an inning of scoreless relief and Connor Comeau finished 3-for-3 with a triple and solo home run as the Trojans took a notable non-district win.
District 25-5A
Hays 3, Liberty Hill 0: Ryan Kume tossed a one-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts to lead the way as the Hawks took an impressive series sweep. Ryder Pearson’s two-run single paced the offense.
Hays 2, Liberty Hill 0: Chase Kume struck out eight and scattered four hits in 6 1/3 innings and Ryan Kume hit a solo home run as the Hawks won Game 1.
Cedar Park 6, Glenn 5: Brandon Washburn went 3-for-3 with a double and RBI, Cooper Camacho finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and both Evan Daly and Carter Frith had two hits as the Timberwolves clinched a playoff spot.
Leander 10, Lockhart 1: Kipton Field threw a complete game with 10 strikeouts and Tyler Moorman went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs to lead the Lions.
BOSTON — With a swath of reporters from New York and Boston huddled around his locker at Fenway Park on Tuesday, Cam Schlittler downplayed the online harassment he’s received from some Red Sox fans ever since he knocked their team out of the postseason last October.
Over the weekend, Schlittler, a Walpole, Massachusetts native who grew up rooting for the Red Sox, told the New York Post’s Joel Sherman that he’s even received death threats. However, the 25-year-old, whose father, John, is a police chief in Needham, Massachusetts, didn’t feel the need to relay the threats to the Yankees or authorities. A Yankees spokesman added Tuesday that the club hasn’t gotten involved with Schlittler set to make his first career start at Fenway on Thursday.
While Schlittler said Tuesday that “there’s definitely been some disgusting messages” sent to him and his parents, he didn’t want to share any details with reporters.
“I’m not really worried about it,” he continued. “At the end of the day, it’s just part of the game. I have no issue with it. I’ve been dealing with it for six months, and it doesn’t really affect me at all. So I didn’t really want it to be a huge thing the other day.”
Schlittler also said it’s “pretty normal” and “not out of the ordinary” for athletes to get death threats, a sad reality.
“Now, do I expect to get more death threats here than from, you know, Cleveland when I pitch there? Yeah, for sure,” Schlittler said, though he noted that he had “great” and “respectful” interactions with fans in public when he spent a few months in Boston over the offseason.
His negative interactions have mostly come on social media, where Red Sox fans first went after him and his family before his start against Boston in Game 3 of last year’s Wild Card Series. A little “shocked” and angered by some posts he saw before the game, Schlittler, a rookie at time, went on to strike out 12 over eight scoreless innings. The gem sent the Yankees to the ALDS and the Red Sox home for the winter.
Schlittler boasted about that a few times on social media in the hours, days and weeks that followed. That led to some more hate over the offseason.
On Tuesday, he said he’s not going out of his way to seek out negative comments on social media or do his own trash talking, though it’s not something he’s shied away from.
“I said what I needed to say at the end of last year,” Schlittler said of navigating his online interactions. “There’s not much a regular season game is going to change about that. I’m not too worried about that. I’ve got a job to do. I don’t want to create a distraction for the team, so I’m just gonna go out there and do what I need to do on the mound.
“The goal is to win a championship, and whatever I can do to help the team win is exactly what I’m looking to do,” he said. “But I don’t think I’m gonna get there by messing with people on social media.”
Aaron Boone, meanwhile, semi-jokingly said, “We’re trying to have him have less of a social media presence.”
Now Schlittler, who has a 1.95 ERA over five starts, is set to face the Red Sox for the first time since that outing. He’s expecting a raucous crowd Thursday with his parents and lots of friends coming to the game.
“It’s gonna be loud,” Schlittler said, “and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Schlittler last pitched at Fenway his senior year of high school in an area prospects showcase organized by Yankees scout Matt Hyde, who eventually convinced the club to draft the pitcher out of Northeastern in 2022. Schlittler last visited Fenway in May, catching a Red Sox night game after making an early start for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate.
As a kid, Schlittler dreamed of pitching for the Red Sox at Fenway Park, but that obviously changed as he went through the pre-draft process and built a relationship with the Yankees. Still, he never imagined getting booed at Fenway, but he knows that’s about to happen this week.
As someone who attended Red Sox games as a kid, Schlittler is familiar with how harsh the Fenway faithful can be, especially when the Yankees are in town. And while he doesn’t think the American League East rivalry is “as intense as it used to be,” he did say, “I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
He’s certainly played a helping hand in that regard.
“I don’t think the goal is to just heat the rivalry up,” Schlittler said. “I think the goal is, when you’re playing division rivals, that you’re gonna perform at the best level. And if some guys, that rivalry feeds them a little bit — like it does for me — then great. If not, then it doesn’t matter.”
Former Saint Mary’s forward Paulius Murauskas has committed to Arizona State via the NCAA Transfer Portal. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Murauskas is following his head coach Randy Bennett, who accepted an offer to take the reins at Arizona State after the school fired Bobby Hurley.
Murauskas started in all but one of his 33 appearances for the Gaels this past season. The 6-foot-8 standout averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 32.2 minutes per game. He shot 48.2% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.
For his efforts, Paulius Murasukas was named an All-WCC First-Team selection. He also earned this honor in the 2024-25 season. Murauskas transferred to Saint Mary’s ahead of the 2024-25 campaign after spending his true freshman year at Arizona.
He only recorded 23 appearances for the Wildcats. He averaged 2.7 points in 5.1 minutes per game.
Paulius Murauskas is originally from Lithuania. Before entering the collegiate ranks in the United States, Murauskas spent three years in the LKL, the top basketball league in Lithuania. Murauskas also represented Lithuania in the FIBA U18 European Championships, leading the entire tournament in scoring.
At the time of his commitment to Arizona State, Murauskas was the No. 8 overall player and No. 3 power forward in On3’s 2026 Transfer Portal Player Rankings. With Murauskas by his side, Randy Bennet is excited for his debut campaign at the helm of ASU.
“It was going to take a special situation for us to leave Saint Mary’s, and I am energized, driven, and focused on taking over Sun Devil Basketball, a program I am very familiar with and grew up watching,” Bennett said. “We are in the best basketball conference in the nation and I look forward to the opportunity and am excited to meet everyone who wants to help this program reach our goals in the new landscape. My staff and I will be ready for the challenge.”
The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened on April 7 and closes on April 21. The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the men’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes don’t have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
Runners cross the finish line Credit: @mettleevents via Storyful
NEED TO KNOW
A runner at the 2026 Delaware Running Festival lost first place after celebrating too early near the finish line
Joshua Jackson surged ahead in the final seconds, winning the marathon by just two seconds over Carson Mello
The dramatic finish, captured on video, has gone viral with over 10 million views and sparked online reactions
What looked like a victory lap quickly turned into a last-second loss for one marathon runner.
During the 2026 Delaware Running Festival on Sunday, April 19, a runner who had been leading the race slowed down just feet from the finish line — only to be passed in the final seconds.
The dramatic moment, captured on a finish line camera by timing company Mettle Events, Inc, shows runner Joshua Jackson sprinting ahead of Carson Mello to claim first place.
Jackson ultimately completed the 26.2-mile race in 2 hours, 43 minutes and 12 seconds — beating Mello by just two seconds.
In the now-viral clip posted by @aktiv8edleem, which has amassed more than 10 million views, Mello appears to ease up as he nears the finish, raising his arms in celebration before realizing too late that Jackson is closing in behind him.
Within seconds, Jackson surges forward, crossing the finish line first in a stunning reversal that has since sparked a wave of reactions online.
"Never celebrate til you cross the finish line!!!" one user commented.
"Where did that extra Battery come from? He was so far behind. WOW," another wrote.
"He was taking that victory stroll too soon! 😂" someone else chimed in.
A third responded, "Gotta run through the tape my boy 😂."
The Portland Trail Blazers are back in the playoffs for the first time in five years, and they’re taking a noticeably different approach to the postseason.
The Blazers’ two-way players didn’t fly with the team to San Antonio for the start of its first-round series against the Spurs, a head-turning cost-cutting measure that was first reported by The Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin. Even though two-way players — who are on contracts that allow them to split time between the NBA and the G League — aren’t eligible to play in the NBA postseason, it’s customary that they make playoff trips with their NBA teams. After all, two-way players from the other seven playoff road teams this past weekend traveled to games, per ESPN.
That’s not the only discrepancy between this year’s Blazers and other postseason teams. When Portland will host Game 3 and Game 4 of its series versus the Spurs, the Moda Center won’t be colored with festive playoff T-shirts. In Game 1, the Spurs’ notably illustrated an eye-popping turquoise, pink and orange pattern that paid homage to the team’s old logo and to the Fiesta San Antonio festival that takes place annually in April.
While that change may or may not be a money saver, it’s easy to understand why people are Portland are growing increasingly suspicious of an organization that’s reportedly been quick to slash expenses since a group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon purchased the Blazers for $4.25 billion, a sale the NBA approved on March 30.
<p>Tom Dundon previously developed a cost-cutting reputation after he took over as the owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)</p>
Soobum Im via Getty Images
Dundon is a 54-year-old Texas billionaire who thrived in the auto loan business, has collected pickleball assets and, as mentioned above, also owns the NHL’s Hurricanes. He bought the Hurricanes in 2017 and, according to a Tuesday report from The Athletic’s Jason Quick, swiftly cut costs, even firing the team’s broadcasters and dedicating fewer resources toward coaching staff salaries.
Since, though, Carolina has emerged as a force to be reckoned with — this season marked the team’s eighth straight with a postseason appearance, and three of those trips have resulted in an Eastern Conference finals appearance.
“I think he thinks this is just the beginning,” an anonymous team source told The Athletic. “I think he thinks this is just what taking over franchises is, where you have to change things. He said he went through a lot of rough times in Carolina … but ultimately all people care about now is winning. So what I think is accurate is him being cheap as it relates to stuff that in his mind does not impact player performance.”
The Athletic’s report Tuesday outlined a culture shock in Portland, where Blazers personnel were treated lavishly under the ownership of the late Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft and owned the franchise from 1988 until his death in 2018. His sister, Jody, carried the torch in the subsequent years.
But now, with Dundon at the helm, the Blazers are reportedly operating with frugality, even at the expense of optics.
Last week, a Sports Illustrated report from Chris Mannix detailed how Blazers staffers were asked to check out of their Phoenix-area hotel rooms hours before the first team bus left for Mortgage Matchup Center, where the Blazers later beat the Suns in a play-in tournament game that secured Portland the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
This was all reportedly by design, so that the Portland would steer clear of late-checkout fees. In The Athletic’s report, it noted early checkouts were required of all traveling party members, except the team’s players and coaches, and that it was an order from Dundon.
Is this approach bleeding into the coaching search?
What made the Blazers ending their playoff drought in a jam-packed West particularly remarkable this season was the fact that they did so under interim head coach Tiago Splitter, a 41-year-old former NBA center who’s been filling in for Chauncey Billups.
Splitter guided Portland to a winning record and a spot in the playoffs and, recently, has had to also navigate a stream of rumors surrounding the position he currently occupies, as head-coaching search reports have mounted, per The Athletic. A team searching for a coach while it’s currently in the postseason is a practice that deviates from the norm and can come with scrutiny.
While an anonymous team source reportedly told The Athletic that Splitter is “is going to be the leading candidate,” the Blazers have had contact with several other candidates, a list that reportedly has included Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz, Iowa head coach Ben McCollum, former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and former New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
“Of all the things reported on Tom, the one thing that is not true is the coaching thing, that he is trying to get someone for $1 million to 1.5 million,” an anonymous team source reportedly told The Athletic. “It’s just not true. He’s talked to everybody, and of course, some coaches he talks to would be less expensive than others. The goal is to find the best person.”
To Dundon, winning is paramount. Tending to his image isn’t of equal priority.
“In the list of things I care about, it’s lower,” Dundon said, when asked at his introductory Blazers news conference if he cared if he was liked, according to Front Office Sports.
“I don’t think anybody who says ‘they don’t care what people think’ is telling the truth. But I think I care more about my character than my reputation. … If we need to make a decision that’s best for the Portland Trail Blazers, I’m gonna make those decisions. It doesn’t mean I’m gonna love doing it.”
“First and foremost, I really want to thank David Blitzer, all of Devils ownership, Josh Harris, and also Bob Myers, Tad Brown, not just for hiring me today, but also 12 years ago,” Mehta started. “I can certainly tell you that my career would not have been the same without these guys. And it’s a thrill. It’s a dream, frankly, to be back here.”
The local boy has come home—where he was previously employed as the Director of Analytics—but now in a much different role.
However, he’s been back before. When the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup—both in 2024 and 2025—Mehta brought Lord Stanley back to New Jersey on his day with the trophy.
For Mehta, it’s always been New Jersey.
He fell in love with hockey here. He fell in love with the Devils here. And it’s why he’s in the position he’s in today.
Mehta’s opening press conference didn’t unveil a ton. It’s just the 48-year-old executives second day on the job. He revealed he’s had at least one conversation with everyone in the organization, including coaching staff and every player on the roster.
What is did reveal was his optimism in the parts the Devils do have already.
“I’m extremely optimistic about this team,” Mehta said. “We have a lot of talented players, and I really, truly believe that these talented players are about to hit an inflection point and get over that hurdle. It’s my job to make sure that this roster is consistently flush with the necessary amount of talent to be a championship team, and I intend to do that.”
And while that’s all well and good, it’s the results that will speak the loudest.
So, what were the biggest takeaways from his introductory press conference?
Everything is Under Evaluation
Mehta cut the head off the snake at the start of his introdctory press conference. He explained everyone and everything working under him is up for evaluation.
It also extends to his personal cabinet, the supoorting coaching staff, and the scouting department.
“As for the short term, going forward, there’s going to be a period of assessment of all players, coaches and staff,” Mehta explained. “No decisions are made on anything pertaining to that. As David [Blitzer] kind of alluded to, it’s literally day two for me.”
So, there’s no answer today as to who the head coach will be when the puck drops in September. And no, we don’t know the level of urgency to lock up some key pending free agents.
We’ll find out soon enough, however.
Of note, when asked who he wants to be most like as a GM, Mehta said, “I want to be most like Sunny Mehta.”
In a copycat league, that’s certainly the right mindset to be going into this position with.
Spending to the Cap
There’s this narrative that the Devils’ owners are cheap and won’t spend where it’s necessary.
Uh, have you seen the networth of the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment enterprise?
With Devils’ co-owner David Blitzer in attendance, he answered the question everyone, including Mehta wanted to hear.
In fact, Mehta sat up in his chair when he heard the answer. There’s no leash on the new Devils GM. He’s free to spend however he sees fit.
“It’s fair to say we intend to spend to the cap,” Blitzer explained.
We’ll see what that looks like in the offseason. However, it’s not the strongest crop of free agents. That doesn’t mean Mehta can’t wheel and deal for top talent on the trade market. It’s fascinating to know there are no reins attached.
However, Mehta’s giddy reaction to Blitzer’s answer was obvious. It’s clear he’s excited to dig in and put his fingerprints on the Devils’ roster.
Familiar Territory
Yes, Mehta grew up in Wycoff, New Jersey after moving to the Garden State at the age of four years old. Sure, he played high school hockey in Ramapo, New Jersey.
However, that’s not why Mehta is in familiar territory as the new GM of the Devils.
Mehta arrives in the Florida Panthers organization in 2020 as the Vice President of Hockey Strategy and an Analyst. The Panthers were still in turmoil. They finished the season prior with a 35-26-8 record, and lost in the qualifying round of the playoffs during the second half of the Covid cutoff season.
However, it was from that point on the Mehta helped the Panthers ascend into the two-time Stanley Cup Champions. Yet, not without some tweaks. Mehta is looking to do the very same thing for the Devils.
“I see a lot of similarities [in New Jersey’s roster] because when I got to Florida they’d had some recent tough times,” Mehta explained. “But they had some very, very talented players. There are some things we needed to keep and some things we needed to change.”
After consecutive first and second round exits, Mehta had a hand in sending key players Johnathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk in a blockbuster deal.
That’s when the Florida culture changed.
The Panthers then made their second-ever run to the finals, but ultimately lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. And then, they broke through as back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions in 2024 and 2025.
“I think the biggest thing is I kind of alluded to already that decision making process I was fortunate enough to work under my last boss, Bill Zito. We had slightly different backgrounds in the sense that he went into law, I went into finance. But, he also is a person who grew up in hockey, like myself, and he’s also a person who never played professionally, per se. But I think Bill’s biggest strength, and our biggest strength as a group in Florida was this idea of having a diversified group of people with different backgrounds in hockey and having different viewpoints. Bill did a phenomenal job of aggregating those different viewpoints and coming to a decision, and that’s exactly what I intend to do here.”
In the last 15 years, only three players at selected at pick No. 25 in the NFL Draft have made the NFL’s All-Pro Team. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (2020), center Tyler Linderbaum (2022), and linebacker Dont’a Hightower (2012), who was a two-time selection and three-time Super Bowl champion.
This isn’t to set in doubt for the Chicago Bears or their fans, but it just isn’t a great spot to draft, and honestly, the Chicago faithful will take it. Since 2015, the Bears have picked in the top 10 eight times, and the last time they had a first-round pick No. 20 or higher was in 2013.
This will also be general manager Ryan Poles’s fifth draft with Chicago, each of which he’s drafted in the top 10, minus his first season when the Bears didn’t have a first-round pick.
With that all being said, Chicago can really do just about anything at No. 25, from trading up, because they have the assets in this draft and in future drafts, to trading back to acquire more draft capital, or just stay put.
The defensive line was the weakness last season, both against the run and in pressuring the quarterback, and it works well that the 2026 NFL Draft class is primarily defense-heavy. But again, with the Bears picking at No. 25, they have to play this waiting game more than ever, and see how the board falls.
Staying put at No. 25
This scenario puts Chicago in the mix for several potential personnel adds. Defensive tackles will be available, and I might be that nearly all of them could be there for the Bears to choose from. Kayden McDonald, the run-stopper; Peter Woods, the versatile but raw prospect; Caleb Banks, an athlete but has some injury questions; or Christen Miller, the slightly undersized but powerful player.
Every pick is a risk, but at No. 25 it’s about weighing your options, getting a feel for what players could be falling, the ones as a team you like, on tape and in person. Staying put at No. 25, I see it going one of two ways, and it will either be on in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball or on the offensive side.
Shoring up the trenches
The Bears cannot neglect that if an offensive tackle is available with good value, especially late in the first round, they jump on. I believe Chicago either goes left tackle, Caleb Lomu from Utah, or edge rusher Akheem Mesidor from Miami, obviously, if available.
Players like Keldric Faulk, T.J. Parker, and Zion Young could also be in play, but I feel Young is where Chicago draws its line on how far down they reach. With 35 sacks a season ago, getting help opposite of Montez Sweat is a must, and it will go a long way for the secondary.
Safety first
Now, another option for the Bears, and the only way I see them ignoring the trenches, is if safety Dillon Thienenman is still there. Chicago lost both starting safeties in All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. And even with Coby Bryant, there's still a starting job to be filled, as well as depth to fill out. But even then, the defensive line is still the top priority in my eyes.
Trade back
With a deep edge rusher and defensive tackle draft, if Chicago opted not to look for a future left tackle replacement, trading back with a team looking to get into the late first round, like the Arizona Cardinals or Tennessee Titans, could benefit to address nearly all three defensive positions in round two. This would mean Chicago would acquire a third second-round pick and take an edge rusher, safety, defensive tackle, or center.
There was some tentative whistling of Real Madrid when they took to the pitch, but nothing like the reception they were given following the Spanish Supercup defeat to Barcelona. There were also instances of individual whistling for both Mbappe and Vinicius.
Mbappe breaks Real Madrid goal drought
Los Blancos took the lead after 32 minutes, with Mbappe picking the ball up in the inside left channel. His deflected shot wrongfooted Antonio Sivera, and crept in at the near post. It was the end of an eight-game goal drought for Mbappe.
Vinicius apologises to the fans
In the second half, Vinicius doubled the lead after five minutes. Similarly to the first goal, Vinicius was fed in the inside left channel, and from further out, Vinicius whipped the ball into the same corner. After scoring, he put his hands up in a gesture of apology.
Kayshon Boutte’s absence from the first day of the New England Patriots’ offseason program did not come unannounced.
According to MassLive’s Mark Daniels,Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stated at his press conference on Tuesday that Boutte notified the team beforehand that he’d be foregoing the voluntary program.
“Don’t really try to have a sense of anything why guys don’t come,” Vrabel said, via Boston Herald's Doug Kyed. “It’s voluntary. But I will tell you that Kayshon has communicated, which I texted him and told him that I respected him for doing so."
According to Schultz, Boutte's name has come up with other teams around the league, believing that he might be made available for a trade. He is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the Patriots could be on the verge of a major shift at wide receiver. The team signed Romeo Doubs in free agency, and a trade for Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown is still reportedly "on the table."
Boutte recorded 551 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns in 2025. He finished third for New England in receiving yards last season behind Stefon Diggs (1,013) and Hunter Henry (768), as well as second in receiving touchdowns behind Henry (7).
The Louisiana native will have the opportunity to join the Patriots for voluntary OTA’s beginning on May 27, before mandatory minicamp starts on June 15.
The New England Patriots' 2026 offseason was much less of a neckbreaker than the first month of head coach Mike Vrabel's employment. Still, the Patriots brought in several new players after claiming the AFC Championship.
Among the newcomers is longtime Buffalo Bills fullback Reggie Gilliam. Gilliam played each of his first six seasons with Buffalo before signing a three-year, $10.8 million contract to join the Patriots.
Fullback is not exactly a premier position in today's NFL, so you can imagine my confusion when the Patriots' latest signing news broke.
Westover has made just over $1.3 million in his two-year NFL career. He is set to make just $1 million in 2026, but the fact remains that not many teams in the league carry two fullbacks. He played in all 17 regular-season games and all four games during the postseason run.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is likely planning on using these two pieces as "B" backs. This involves moving the players from the typical set -- halfway between the quarterback and halfback -- to traditional tight end alignments.
They could be featured with their hand in the ground, as well as offset on the ends of the line of scrimmage. The Patriots are weak at tight end, so perhaps the staff sees Gilliam and Westover as players who can pick up the slack in that room.
The signing is a headscratcher, but not necessarily a bad one.
More than just a vacation hotspot, sports play a major role in everyday life on the islands, particularly at the high school level. Countless college and professional stars began their athletic journey somewhere on Hawaii’s eight main islands. Names like Carissa Moore and Michelle Wie West, Al Noga and Sid Fernandez, Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa, headline an all-star cast.
Like any state across the U.S., the high schools have been an extremely integral part of sports history, setting the stage for the greats from the past and present.
Which high schools in Hawaii are considered the best for athletes in 2026?
According to one study conducted by Niche, which accounts for survey feedback from students and parents—accounting for "reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school"—and data from the U.S. Department of Education, these are the top 25.
25. President Theodore Roosevelt High School (Honolulu)
Clemson dropped its weekend series to UVA, 2-1. The Cavaliers took the Thursday and Saturday games, with the Tigers picking up Friday’s contest. Clemson drops to 25-16 on the season and continues to suck out loud in ACC play at 6-12.
Here’s how it went down…
Thursday: 4 – 6 – UVA
Win: Zatkowski (6-0)
Loss: Knaak (2-4)
Clemson scored the opening runs of the game with a Luke Gaffney two-run bomb in the second, to put the Tigers ahead. That lead, however, was short-lived as Clemson ace Aidan Knaak couldn’t close out an inning, giving up a two-out, three-run home run.
Jacob Jarrell pulled the Tigers even in the top of the sixth with a no-doubter to center field, but much like in the second, UVA answered back in the bottom half of the inning, and you know what, I’m going to pull this inning directly from the official box score because I think y’all need to see how dumb this looks:
Virginia 6th – TIROLY singled to shortstop. DIDAWICK reached on a fielder’s choice to shortstop; TIROLY out at second ss to 2b. JOHNSON hit by pitch; DIDAWICK advanced to second. S. HARRIS walked; JOHNSON advanced to second; DIDAWICK advanced to third. WEATHERSPOON doubled to right center, 3 RBI; S. HARRIS scored; JOHNSON scored; DIDAWICK scored. PERROTTA walked. HARRISON to p for KNAAK. HOLMES infield fly to c; PERROTTA advanced to second on a dropped fly by c; WEATHERSPOON advanced to third on the error. GRACIA intentionally walked. BECKER flied out to lf to left center. 3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 3 LOB.
This is just bad baseball and needs to be called out as such. Knaak was pulled after he lost the strike zone yet again, and Clemson’s defense, not to be outdone, was also bad. They were lucky to get out of this inning without taking on more water, but in the end, UVA did enough damage to score the game-winning run in the sixth.
The Tigers tried to rally late but couldn’t string together enough success to get the job done. They had runners on first and third with one out in the 8th inning, and walked away with a single run after Jason Fultz struck out swinging to end and strand a runner.
It looked like the Tigers may extend the game in the top of the 9th, with Lichtenberge and Gaffney reaching on back-to-back one-out singles, but the Tigers couldn’t capitalize on the baserunners. A weak dribbler down the third baseline from Bryce Clavon ended the game with the fizzle.
Friday: 5 – 1 – Clemson
Win: Sharman (5-1)
Loss: Jaxel (4-1)
Clemson evened the series on Friday with an outstanding outing from starting pitcher Michael Sharman. Sharman went 8 innings, striking out 7, walking one, and giving up 1 run on six hits.
The Tigers’ offense opened the scoring yet again, with a two-out solo shot from Nate Savoie in the top of the 3rd, starting things off on the right foot. Unlike in the opener, Clemson didn’t immediately give up the lead; instead, they enjoyed the spoils of their labor for an inning before UVA tied the game in the bottom of the 5th on a fielder’s choice that brought home a Cavalier from 3rd base.
After Clemson left two on base in the 6th inning, they bounced back in the 7th to score three runs on 5 hits, with Nate Savoie’s second home run of the game providing two of the three runs. A Bryce Clavon single to right field that brought home Jarrell accounted for the third run. Despite scoring three, the Tigers left another two runners on base at the end of the inning. Luckily, it didn’t matter.
UVA attempted to give the Tiger the game in the 8th inning, loading the bases with a single, a walk, and a hit by pitch, but all they could muster was a single run off a Tryston McCladdie walk. The other three batters with an opportunity to end the game struck out. That’s right, bases loaded, with no outs, and the Tigers could not put a ball in play.
Despite the offense putting me into a rage, Clemson closer Hayden Simmerson took the mound in the bottom of the 9th and cooled things down, putting the Cavaliers down in order on three consecutive fly outs to end the game and give Clemson a chance to win the series on Saturday.
Saturday: 4 – 5 – UVA
Win: Hartman (8-0)
Loss: Nelson (1-3)
For the third time in the series, the Tiger offense struck first, with a Jacob Jarrell single driving home Tryston McCladdie. Virginia answered immediately by going yard in their first at-bat of the game to even the score.
This was a bullpen game for Clemson, with Dane Moehler starting the game and giving up a run in his two innings of action. Danny Nelson took the mound in the 3rd inning and gave up a two-out solo shot to give UVA the lead. Virginia repeated the one hit, one run, inning in the fourth with another solo shot off Nelson.
The Clemson offense stirred in the top of the 5th, getting two runners on, but based on my limited understanding of the game, striking out isn’t a good way to score runs. The Tigers ended the inning with two hits, two strikeouts, and 0 runs for their efforts.
Virginia figured out a way to turn three hits into a run in the bottom of the 6th inning. I’ll give some credit to the Clemson pitching staff. They dug in and limited the damage in what could have been a game-ending inning with a couple of clutch strike-outs, including Ariston Veasey coming on and getting a strikeout to end the inning with two UVA players in scoring position.
The Tigers turned a number over on the scoreboard for the second time in the game to cut into the 4-1 UVA lead in the 7th inning on a Savoie RBI double that plated pinch runner Dylan Harrison, but couldn’t further cut into the lead, stranding Savoie at 2nd. Clemson’s momentum didn’t last, as UVA’s Harrison Didawick provided the home fans with their second souvenir of the game off his bat.
Clemson came into the 8th inning down 5-2, and promptly cut the lead by a run when Luke Gaffney opened the inning with a solo shot to left. After a UVA pitching change, Bryce Clavon welcomed him to the game with a solo shot to right field that cut the lead to 1 run, with one out in the inning, but the Tigers refused to capitalize on a Virginia error that allowed Jack Crighton to reach base, ending the inning with another crucial 2-out strikeout by Harrison.
One run separated the teams when Clemson took their at-bats in the top of the 9th, and things looked promising when Tyler Lichtenberger started off the inning with a single. Two line-outs to the left and a weak Luke Gaffney pop-up to the center promptly extinguished all hope.
Clemson drops the game and the series to the 9th-ranked Cavaliers. There were ample opportunities to change the outcomes of both losses, but this team can’t buy a hit with runners on base and can’t hold a lead for more than a 1/2 an inning.
Clemson takes on USC Upstate tonight (Tues, April 21) at Doug Kingsmore. The game starts at 7, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Marist transfer Justin Menard will join the Rams for the 2026-27 season. Menard announced his commitment on Instagram on April 21.
Menard averaged 12.9 points and 3.8 assists per game last season for Marist.
Menard was a Third Team All-MAAC selection who led the Red Foxes in scoring (12.9 points per game), assists (3.8 per game), steals (1.3 per game), total three-pointers made (57) and free throw percentage (.926). He was also named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Championship Team after averaging 17.5 points per game, six assists and 3.5 steals per game in the conference tournament.
It's the second season in a row CSU has added a Marist transfer. Josh Pascarelli joined ahead of the 2024-25 season from Marist and has become a key 3-point shooter for the Rams.
Menard and Pascarelli didn't play together at Marist. Menard played his freshman season of college basketball (2024-25) at Iona, where he averaged 5.5 points per game.
Menard shot 36% from 3-point range last season. He will now join CSU's back court with the point guard position open to competition for the 2026-27 season.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel finally released a statement about the ongoing controversy surrounding his relationship with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
Although he didn’t call her by name, he admitted he had some explaining to do to his family and the Patriots about the pictures they saw of both of them together.
“I’ve had some difficult conversations with people that I care about. My family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive. We believe that in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me, that starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. You never want to be the cause of a distraction. There’s comments and questions that I’ve answered for the team, and with the team, we’ll keep those private and to ourselves.”
Social media was quick to respond to Vrabel’s comments.
“Mike Vrabel watching Dianna Russini take all the criticism.”
“#PatriotsMikeVrabel is a disgrace to the NFL and his family. If Dianna Russini lost her job, Vrabel should lose his. Especially after tampering to try and acquire #Eagles, WR A.J. Brown.”
#Patriots Mike Vrabel is a disgrace to the NFL and his family. If Dianna Russini lost her job, Vrabel should lose his. Especially after tampering to try and acquire #Eagles WR A.J. Brown. https://t.co/5zspkeW5nx
Some fans, however, think it was no big deal, and it’s no one’s business.
“For the record, I have no interest in what is happening in anyone's marriage other than my own. Just didn't (and don't) understand what the point of Mike Vrabel meeting with the media was. He didn't acknowledge doing anything wrong or apologize or address speculation that he previously called laughable. Totally fine to keep it private, I just don't understand what the purpose of today was. If it's just something that isn't going to be addressed, release a one paragraph statement.”
For the record, I have no interest in what is happening in anyone's marriage other than my own. Just didn't (and don't) understand what the point of Mike Vrabel meeting with the media was. He didn't acknowledge doing anything wrong or apologize or address speculation that he… https://t.co/KcDTPY4Ajc
Kentucky Basketball has made a surprise addition to the roster, landing a commitment from Zyon Hawthorne, the brother of Braydon Hawthorne, who just announced his return on Tuesday.
The news of Zyon’s commitment came about an hour after Braydon made his announcement, as the two brothers are now slated to suit up together in Lexington.
The 6-foot-2 combo guard is a West Virginia native who played at Huntington Prep this past season and currently does not have an evaluation at any recruiting website. He reportedly held scholarship offers from Wichita State, Arkansas State, Radford, La Salle, and Bethune-Cookman, according to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim.
This is likely one of those back-end roster spots that were previously for walk-ons but now count toward the total 15-man roster limit. Kentucky now has nine players confirmed for next season.
Here are some brief highlights of Zyon in action below.
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Though the 2026 NFL Draft is only days away, teams continue evaluating players already on their rosters. After a busy free-agency period, clubs have begun workouts to assess their lineups.
The Indianapolis Colts stayed active during the opening week of free agency. They retained wide receiver Alec Pierce and used the franchise tag on quarterback Daniel Jones.
Jones has been recovering from an Achilles injury since late last season, which raised questions about his availability early in the year. Now, the Colts have provided an encouraging update. Head coach Shane Steichen told the media that Jones has already resumed dropping back and throwing at this stage of his recovery.
Achilles injuries often require a long, grueling rehab process. However, Jones appears ahead of schedule, marking a significant development according to Steichen.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) stands on the field during the National Anthem before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Back in the game
This progress is a major boost for both Jones and the Colts. Without the eighth-year veteran out of Duke University, the team collapsed late in the season and missed the playoffs. Jones had guided the Colts to a 7–1 start and appeared on track for a career resurgence after joining the team following his 2024 stint with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Colts’ momentum shifted after a tough road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Four games later, Jones’ season ended prematurely after an injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Now, the Colts aim to reestablish themselves as contenders in the AFC South, but they will need a healthy Jones to do so. The organization remains committed to negotiating a long-term deal with him.
In 13 games with Indianapolis, Jones threw 19 touchdowns to just eight interceptions, surpassed 3,000 passing yards, and added five rushing scores.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) yells at the line of scrimmage Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Before his time in Minnesota, Jones entered the league as a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, selected by the New York Giants. He spent six seasons in New York and earned a significant contract following his playoff run in 2022.
He fell out of favor with the Giants two years later and ultimately parted ways with the team in a mutual decision. Now, he stands as a central piece of the Colts’ future.
Cole Palmer: Paul Scholes names stumbling block in United’s transfer bid
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has outlined one major “problem” holding up the club’s signing of Cole Palmer from Chelsea.
Palmer transfer talk
Palmer continues to be strongly linked with a move to United, despite his recent assertion that he wants to stay at Chelsea beyond the upcoming summer transfer window.
In an interview that dropped on the eve of United’s 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, Palmer revealed that he had held talks with the Chelsea hierarchy and was consequently confident about the club’s direction. There have been rumours that he is unhappy in London and would welcome the opportunity to return to Manchester.
Despite coming through the ranks at Manchester City, the England international is a boyhood United fan and idolises Wayne Rooney.
His form has declined since Enzo Maresca’s departure and Liam Rosenior’s arrival as his replacement in January. Injuries have also not aided Palmer, who has managed nine goals in 20 Premier League starts this season.
Ryan Giggs has endorsed United’s move for Palmer, suggesting that the playmaker would perfectly complement Bruno Fernandes in the heart of United’s creative setup. However, Scholes has suggested that he would have Palmer at United “all day long” if Fernandes were not at the club.
Scholes’ remarks
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes said of Palmer, “He’s struggled of late, big time. I know he’s had injuries and he played in the summer, someone said he played the last three summers… he’s a maverick-ish.”
“The only problem I see with signing him is where does he play? He doesn’t play instead of Bruno Fernandes.”
“Now, if Bruno Fernandes goes in the summer then, yeah, all day long.”
Addressing Fernandes’ future, Scholes added, “I think he’ll be one of them where, every single summer he’s at United, he’ll get linked with something, the Saudi thing or something.”
“I think it will come up again this summer.”
Fernandes will be aiming to get closer to breaking the Premier League assist record when United return to action on Monday against Brentford. His assist for Matheus Cunha against Chelsea took his season tally to 18, two shy of the all-time high 20 mark, currently held jointly by Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan’s pursuit of a sweep of the Italian league and Cup titles is still alive.
The Serie A leader came back from two goals down for a decisive 3-2 win over Como in the second leg of the Italian Cup semifinals on Tuesday.
Hakan Calhanoglu scored twice and Petar Sucic had the winner in the 89th minute after Martin Baturina and Como captain Lucas Da Cunha scored either side of halftime.
The first leg ended 0-0.
Atalanta hosts Lazio in the other semifinal on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
The final is scheduled for May 13.
Meanwhile, Inter could clinch the Serie A title as soon as this weekend.
Calhanoglu started the comeback with a long, powerful shot and then equalized with a header in the 86th. Three minutes later, Sucic traded passes with Calhanoglu and scored amid a crowded area.
The Patriots have fullback Jack Westover back on their roster.
Westover signed his exclusive rights free agent tender from the team on Tuesday. That tender prohibited Westover from speaking with other teams and the start of New England's offseason program marked a sensible time for him to formally re-sign with the team.
Westover entered the NFL as a tight end, but moved to fullback last year. He appeared in every game last season and caught one pass in the regular season as well as one in the playoffs.
The Patriots signed Reggie Gilliam as a free agent last month, so the two men are now set to compete for playing time on the Patriots offense this season.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel finally addressed the elephant in the room: his situation with NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
The New York Post released pictures of the pair at an Arizona resort. Both denied any wrongdoing, but in the past week, Russini resigned from her job at “The Athletic,” and Vrabel finally spoke to the press about it.
Vrabel said he had some difficult discussions with the people in his life, but you have to wonder whether the Patriots will have a difficult discussion with Vrabel about this situation.
Although he never officially admitted to anything, his comments raised eyebrows about why he would say anything at all if, as he has claimed in the past, he had done nothing inappropriate.
But there was no doubt he was referring to his relationship with Russini and whether it went from professional to personal.
While Russini has stepped down from her position, Vrabel has yet to face any consequences; in fact, there were reports that the Patriots were trying to pay off the New York Post not to post Vrabel and Russini pics.
Which leads us to this question: should the Patriots punish Vrabel?
Most people aren’t calling for his firing, but some feel as if Vrabel deserves some kind of reprimand from the team. Maybe a one-game suspension or a fine.
But even with that, in the eyes of some, that still may not be enough to repair the damage that’s already been done to both parties by this controversy.
"The Jacksonville Jaguars have made the following roster moves: Agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons to trade DL Maason Smith in exchange for DL Ruke Orhorhoro (Oh-row-row-row),” the organization stated. “Waived OL Cooper Hodges.”
After only appearing in eight games as a rookie in 2024-25, Orhorhoro competed in all 17 of the Falcons’ regular-season contests and recorded 25 total tackles (13 assisted and 12 solo) and 3.5 sacks on an Atlanta squad that narrowly missed the postseason.
Conversely, Smith appears to be moving backward after a somewhat respectable rookie campaign in Jacksonville (10 solo tackles and seven assisted tackles, and three tackles).
However, during his sophomore campaign, the LSU product was relatively ineffective in 13 contests. Smith recorded only 11 assisted tackles and four solo tackles while failing to log a sack.
As a result, the Jaguars sent Smith to the Falcons for Orhorhoro, clearly believing that the latter has a far higher upside and will be a more seamless fit with Jacksonville.
Of course, time will tell whether the Jaguars’ late-April trade pays dividends for the organization in the foreseeable future.
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