Rookie's dad compares son's game to legendary Patriots Hall of Famer
Rookie's dad compares son's game to legendary Patriots Hall of Famer
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams has been a highly-touted draft pick, with multiple NFL analysts singing his praises before he even takes his first snap at the next level.
It should come as no surprise that his father, Stephen Williams, is his biggest supporter. He even went as far as seemingly comparing Kyle Williams' playing style to legendary wideout Julian Edelman, who is set to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame this year.
'I'll put it this way. If they loved No. 11, they'll love No. 18,' Stephen Williams said, via Boston Globe's Christopher Price.
The Patriots have not had the best of luck at drafting wide receivers. However, they have had modest success in developing them. Edelman is a perfect example. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft and quickly became a staple of the Patriots' offense.
Williams was one of the best pure separators in the 2025 NFL draft, and he has the ability to play in the slot and outside. He's a versatile receiving weapon with the tools to make an impact right away. In his final year at Washington State, he racked up 70 catches for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns.
A player with Edelman-like traits would be a welcome addition to a Patriots offense that has looked like one of the worst in the league over the last two seasons.
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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Michigan football's top underrated recruits of the modern era who beat the odds
Michigan football's top underrated recruits of the modern era who beat the odds With recruiting heating up for Michigan football now that official visitors are making their way to campus each weekend for the next month, we looked at the top recruits that the Wolverines have gotten in the modern era. Fans will certainly celebrate the big names that pledge to their favorite university, but what about the players who are somewhat under the radar? Michigan is not a traditional developmental school, yet it tends to do better by developing prospects that aren't of the blue-chip variety. Here, we're taking a look at the past 15 years of recruiting classes to see who rose above their station, those the recruiting services missed on that Michigan hit on, and those who had some kind of stunning disparity from one recruiting site to the next. The sites completely missed These are the guys that none of the recruiting services came close on, the ones that were so egregious that it makes you wonder if they had any idea that these players existed while in high school. Of course, one family dominates the headlines here, but they're not the only ones to make this category. These are the players that every site missed on to some degree compared to how they ended up doing in college and beyond. OL Graham Glasgow High school: Summit Argo (Ill.) Marmion Academy Drafted: third round, 2016 Class: 2011 Stars: not rated Ranking: not ranked The first of three brothers who came to Ann Arbor as a walk-on, Glasgow worked his way up to become a starter and thrived. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions, signed with the Denver Broncos, and then came back to the Lions, where he's still a starter at left guard. Easily the best story of development on the entire list. DT Ryan Glasgow High school: Summit Argo (Ill.) Marmion Academy Drafted: third round, 2017 Class: 2013 Stars: not rated Ranking: not ranked Like his brother before him, Ryan came to Michigan to play on the other side of the ball – again, as a walk-on. Just like Graham, he was drafted in the third round of the NFL draft, but injuries precluded him from having a profitable NFL career. OLB Josh Uche High school: Miami (Fla.) Columbus Drafted: second round, 2020 Class: 2016 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 701 overall (247Sports Composite) A consensus three-star, no one was particularly high on Uche coming out of high school. But, even with all of the talent that Michigan had in 2018 and 2019 (names like Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, and Aidan Hutchinson), it was Uche who led the team in sacks each year. He was rewarded by being selected in the second round by the New England Patriots. EDGE Mike Danna High school: Warren (Mich.) De La Salle Drafted: fifth round, 2020 Class: 2015 Stars: 2-star Ranking: 2034 overall (247Sports Composite) We didn't include every transfer on this list, but Danna was the first notable one. A two-star who cut his teeth at Central Michigan, he became such a great rotational edge rusher that he was selected early on day three of the 2020 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs – a team he still plays for today. LB Jordan Glasgow High school: Summit Argo (Ill.) Marmion Academy Drafted: sixth round, 2020 Class: 2015 Stars: not rated Ranking: not ranked The third and final Glasgow brother to come through Ann Arbor, the trajectory was about the same. He went from being an unranked walk-on to being a starter to being drafted into the NFL by the Indianapolis Colts. Somehow, the recruiting services never picked up on the family dynasty. OL Jon Runyan Jr. High school: Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Josephs Drafted: sixth round, 2020 Class: 2015 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 1132 overall (247Sports Composite) It made sense that Runyan would end up in Ann Arbor given that he was a legacy prospect. But he wasn't exactly an obvious choice to eventually start – either in college or in the NFL. Yet, in 2018, Runyan got to start at left tackle and he ended up getting picked up by the Green Bay Packers in the draft. FB Ben Mason High school: Sandy Hook (Conn.) Newtown Drafted: fifth round, 2021 Class: 2017 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 796 overall (247Sports Composite) No one loved 'Bench Mason' like Jim Harbaugh did and his persistence in inserting Mason in as a fullback paid off. His brother, John, ended up taking him in the fifth round in the 2021 draft. But as a recruit, not many top schools were clamoring for him. LB Hassan Haskins High school: Eureka (Mo.) Drafted: fourth round, 2022 Class: 2018 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 975 overall (247Sports Composite) Michigan actually tried to keep Haskins a secret during his recruitment in hopes that other schools wouldn't find out about his prowess as a running back. Though he moonlighted as a linebacker, he came on strong in his sophomore year, backing up Zach Charbonnet. Then, in 2020, we started to see just how good he could be before he became the main starter in 2021 – splitting carries with Blake Corum. TE Luke Schoonmaker High school: Hamden (Conn.) Hall Drafted: second round, 2023 Class: 2018 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 796 overall (247Sports Composite) Another marvelous find by Michigan in the New England area, Schoonmaker started to show his prowess in 2019 but didn't truly round into form until 2021. By 2022, he was one of the Wolverines' primary threats in the pass game. He was picked in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys. WR Ronnie Bell High school: Kansas City (Mo.) Park Hill Drafted: seventh round, 2023 Class: 2018 Stars: 2-star (Rivals) Ranking: 1473 overall (247Sports Composite) Perhaps the best receiver Michigan has had in the past decade, Bell outshined all kinds of supposed superior talent – including five-star Donovan Peoples-Jones and current NFL star Nico Collins. A basketball commit to Missouri State, Michigan saw something in him and nabbed him not long before the early signing period – to which Wolverines fans asked, 'Who?' His fifth year wasn't quite as prolific as his previous seasons, perhaps because he was returning to form after a catastrophic injury sustained in the 2021 season opener. But it was still good enough to hear his name called when picked by the San Francisco 49ers. LB Michael Barrett High school: Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes Drafted: seventh round, 2024 Class: 2018 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 751 overall (247Sports Composite) This one makes some sense given that Barrett was a dual-threat quarterback and came to Ann Arbor as – a football player? Thought to eventually be used as Don Brown's 'viper,' he got that chance in 2020, to mixed reviews. But late in 2022, the lights turned on and he became a standout linebacker in a more traditional sense rather than a hybrid safety-linebacker. EDGE Josaiah Stewart High school: Everett (Mass.) Drafted: third round, 2025 Class: 2021 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 749 overall (247Sports Composite) A transfer from Coastal Carolina, Stewart was picked up by Michgian as a four-star transfer. But even then, he exceeded expectations. Certainly, none of the recruiting experts anticipated that Stewart would be a third round pick, and given his lack of size on the edge, it's not surprising. The sites were definitely off, but most all of them were on the same page These are the ones who needed a little bit more development and weren't just obvious misses by the recruiting services. The consensus three-stars (or pretty close) who ended up doing much more once they had time on task. WR Jehu Chesson High school: St. Louis (Mo.) Ladue Horton Watkins Drafted: fourth round, 2017 Class: 2012 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 656 overall (247Sports Composite) It was clear when Chesson arrived in Ann Arbor that he would eventually end up being pretty good – him and four-star WR Amara Darboh. The question was more about who would be better? They both ended up about equal, and Chesson ended up being drafted by Kansas City. S Jeremy Clark High school: Madisonville (Ky.) North Hopkins Drafted: sixth round, 2017 Class: 2012 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 579 overall (247Sports Composite) Clark was what they call a 'greyshirt,' meaning he wasn't on scholarship when he first arrived on campus – that shows just how little he was thought of from a national perspective. He had injury issues while in Ann Arbor but was good enough that he was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round in 2017. S Josh Metellus High school: Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Charles Flanagan Drafted: sixth round, 2020 Class: 2016 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 719 overall (247Sports Composite) ESPN actually had Metellus as a four-star, somewhat shockingly, given that he was listed by the recruiting services as a two-star at the time of his commitment. Thought to be collateral by fans at the time of his pledge, given Michigan's pursuit of his teammate Devin Bush, Metellus has proven to be one of the best players on this entire list. A longtime starter with the Minnesota Vikings, he's also a team captain, and he's feared as a safety all around the league. EDGE Kwity Paye High school: Warwick (R.I.) Bishop Hendricken Drafted: first round, 2021 Class: 2017 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 481 overall (247Sports Composite) Another one that ESPN was all over, having him as a four-star, Michigan fans actually lamented when Paye committed, calling him a 'Don Brown special.' Once evaluators got their eyes on him, he rose to a higher three-star ranking on 247Sports and Rivals, but still didn't rise to what he became: a first-round talent. OL Andrew Stueber High school: Darien (Conn.) Drafted: seventh round, 2022 Class: 2017 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 363 overall (247Sports Composite) A camp offer, no one thought much of Stueber as a recruit, but he ended up being a solid offensive lineman for the Wolverines. 247Sports proprietary ranking actually had Stueber as a four-star. DT Kris Jenkins High school: Olney (Md.) Good Counsel Drafted: second round, 2024 Class: 2020 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 502 overall (247Sports Composite) With an NFL pedigree in his blood, Jenkins saw the field right away as a freshman. He was arguably Michigan's best lineman by his third year, 2022, even while starting alongside Mazi Smith – who became a first round pick in 2023. A fan favorite, Jenkins was a standout on a defensive front that was rife with NFL picks. DB Mike Sainristil High school: Everett (Mass.) Drafted: second round, 2024 Class: 2019 Stars: 3-star Ranking: 589 overall (247Sports Composite) Speaking of fan favorites, there's perhaps no one on this list that Michigan fans love more than Mike Sainristil. Originally committed to Virginia Tech as a cornerback, he came to Ann Arbor as a wide receiver, but switched back to defense in 2022 – and became the best player on the entire star-studded defense at nickel. He was picked in the second round by the Washington Commanders and became a starter there almost immediately. DT Kenneth Grant High school: Merrillville (Ind.) Drafted: first round, 2025 Class: 2022 Stars: 3-star (Rivals, ESPN) Ranking: 444 overall (247Sports Composite) On3 and 247Sports were all over this one with Grant being listed as four-star, but ESPN and Rivals had him as a three-star. On3 was by far the highest on him, as 247Sports still didn't have him in their Top247. He went on to be the No. 13 overall selection in this year's draft. The overachievers Michigan managed to get some players who the recruiting services were split on – some saw them as top talent, while others not so much. But these are players who ended up being even better than even the most optimistic sites had envisioned. Regardless, it makes you wonder: what were the dissenting sites seeing? DT Mo Hurst High school: Westwood (Mass.) Xaverian Brothers Drafted: fifth round, 2018 Class: 2013 Stars: 3-star (Rivals, ESPN) Ranking: 256 overall (247Sports Composite) Hurst was projected to be a first rounder until a heart problem discovered at the NFL scouting combine tanked his draft stock. And he's the first on this list that did have a four-star ranking to at least one recruiting service (247Sports) but was seen as a three-star on the others. Even so, he was easily the best player on the 2017 team and was unstoppable in the middle of the defense. LB Devin Bush Jr. High school: Hollywood (Fla.) Charles Flanagan Drafted: first round, 2019 Class: 2016 Stars: 3-star (247Sports) Ranking: 316 overall (247Sports Composite) The No. 10 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, Bush was an absolute star at linebacker, particularly in 2018. Even though Rivals and ESPN had him as a four-star, 247Sports was lagging behind, having Bush as the 62nd-best player in the state of Florida, compared to Rivals which had him 26th. EDGE Chase Winovich – third round High school: Jefferson Hills (Pa.) Thomas Jefferson Drafted: third round, 2019 Class: 2014 Stars: 3-star (ESPN) Ranking: 290 overall (247Sports Composite) ESPN was the only one that truly missed on Winovich, but no one really thought he'd become as dominant as he eventually did. Listed as a linebacker in high school, he started there, moved to tight end and fullback, starred on special teams, then became an edge rusher in 2016 and thrived. EDGE David Ojabo High school: Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy Drafted: second round, 2022 Class: 2018 Stars: 3-star (Rivals) Ranking: 331 overall (247Sports Composite) 247Sports and ESPN were all over this one, but Rivals had Ojabo as a three-star. Yet, if it weren't for a catastrophic injury during pro day, he would have been a first-round draft pick. OG Zak Zinter High school: North Andover (Mass.) Buckingham Brown & Nichols School Drafted: third round, 2024 Class: 2020 Stars: 3-star (247Sports) Ranking: 249 overall (247Sports Composite) Rivals and ESPN both understood the assignment and had Zinter as a four-star. 247Sports, however, listed him as a three-star. Given that he quickly became (as soon as his sophomore year) the best offensive lineman on a star-studded group that won two straight Joe Moore Awards and a national championship, it's at least worth pointing out. DT Mason Graham High school: Anaheim (Calif.) Servite Drafted: first round, 2025 Class: 2022 Stars: 3-star (ESPN) Ranking: 247 overall (247Sports Composite) Called the 72nd-best defensive tackle by ESPN and 49th by On3, Graham ended up being the first one taken in this most recent NFL draft. The other sites got on board around the time that Michigan identified him, listing him as a four-star. But On3 and ESPN lagged behind on this one. Still, even as the No. 247 player in the country as a recruit, he was still awfully underrated. Does Michigan do more with less? In some ways, it appears so, as the Wolverines have had better luck putting three-and four-sars into the league. Yes, there have been five-stars who became first-rounders, but just as often, the lower-rated players who developed ended up being high-end NFL draft picks.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Peyton Manning hit a house with his tee shot, and Scottie Scheffler couldn't stop from laughing
Peyton Manning has endeared himself to fans across sports and pop culture with his willingness to make fun of himself and not take himself too seriously. But the Hall of Fame quarterback also shows his fallibility in unscripted moments, as demonstrated by a tee shot he took while playing in the Memorial Tournament pro-am in Dublin, Ohio. Anyone would probably look bad while paired with Scottie Scheffler, ranked No. 1 in the world and the recent PGA Championship winner. Even someone who's won two Super Bowl championships and five NFL MVP awards. Advertisement Playing with Scheffler on Wednesday, Manning showed that he's probably still very good at football but maybe not so much at golf. Or perhaps he was intimidated by the two-time Masters champion standing behind him as he teed off. Regardless of the reason, Manning knew immediately after swinging that his shot was in trouble, yelling "fore" a couple of times before we hear why he was justifiably concerned. The next sound heard on the video recorded is of Manning's ball hitting a house — loudly. Maybe it was the siding of the house that made such a resonant sound, but it sounded as if something had exploded. Without knowing exactly what the result was, it was enough to make Scheffler bend over in laughter. He acknowledged the huge noise by saying, "Good morning, sir," then added, "That's too much." Advertisement Maybe Scheffler just knew that Manning was embarrassed by hitting a house. Try to avoid hitting that rather large structure to the side of the fairway. Or perhaps Manning did actually cause some notable damage, which is why he began slowly stepping backward, as if he was Homer Simpson backing into the bushes in that famous meme. No word on whether any of the other celebrities playing in the pro-am — including Steph Curry, Nick Saban, Larry Fitzgerald, Ryan Day and Luke Bryan — also launched golf balls into nearby houses. Or perhaps they just didn't have anyone nearby recording video when they teed off. Advertisement Yet it may not have been nearly as funny if those guys had shanked an embarrassing shot, especially without the best golfer in the world in the background laughing at the result. None of those celebrities probably would have been taunted by their younger brothers on social media. Eli Manning wasn't going to let such an opportunity go by without comment. "I'm so proud," Eli said, likely echoing the sentiments of many who watched that video. TNT has not scheduled a 2025 edition of "The Match," but Manning and Scheffler created an excellent preview for the exhibition if organizers decide to move forward with an event.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
2025 Rookie Stat Prediction: Ashton Jeanty
2025 Rookie Stat Prediction: Ashton Jeanty The Las Vegas Raiders made a tempo setting move when they took Memphis running back Ashton Jeanty at the top end of round one in the 2025 NFL Draft. A Heisman finalist and one of the best players in the country, Jeanty is a slam dunk for a team wanting to forge a new identity under head coach Pete Carroll. With Las Vegas boasting a new quarterback in Geno Smith who can put up the deep ball as well as anyone in the league, Jeanty should have plenty of opportunity with teams unable to load the box against him. Given Jeanty should be the easily number one back on the team, and that he should be the tempo setting engine that makes the offense move, he should see plenty of action throughout the season and be one of the leagues most productive backs. Given his skillset and the amount of opportunity he will get, expect Jeanty to be the heavy favorite for 'Offensive Rookie of the Year' as he should be one of the top producers at his position. Prediction: 1,300 rush yards, 550 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns
