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USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Four Florida football players among SI's 2026 NFL draft big board rankings top 50
Four Florida football players among SI's 2026 NFL draft big board rankings top 50 There are still 11 months between now and the 2026 NFL draft, but that does not mean we cannot start looking ahead to next spring's annual selection event. Especially if you are a fan of Florida football. The Gators currently hold the longest streak in the Southeastern Conference — and second-longest in the nation — when it comes to placing former players in the draft dating back to 1952. The early predictions ahead of next April indicated that the streak will continue for at least one more season. One of the members of the sports media to weigh in with their prognostications is Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick, who recently published his 2026 NFL draft big board rankings of the top 50 prospects, which included four current members of the Orange and Blue. Take a look below at who was mentioned and where they land among their peers. Austin Barber, OT (No. 17) "Barber plays with the physicality, balance, body control and athleticism of a starting left tackle. The 6' 6", 322-pounder rarely loses his pad level in pass protection, and he's smooth-footed with the quickness to match speed rushers. His sturdy base helps him anchor, and he's long enough to control rushers early in the snap. In the run game, he takes good angles and positions his body to seal rushing lanes, and he can also redirect edge defenders out of lanes. He's quick out of his stance and effective at the second level," Flick notes. "Barber has experience at both left and right tackle, and his game fits at either. Barber needs to sustain blocks longer in the run game, and he's a solid finisher, but he has the strength and tenacity to put defenders in the turf more often in 2025. He allowed only two sacks and three quarterback hits in 2024, according to PFF." Caleb Banks, DT (No. 26) "An ascending piece in the middle of Florida's defensive line, the 6' 6", 325-pound Banks had 4.5 sacks and 29 total pressures in 2024. When Banks uncoils his hands, people move—he's strong, physical and violent at the point of attack, moving linemen in the run game," Flick offers. "His rushes are power and effort-oriented, and he can condense pockets, though adding more nuance to his hands and plan are necessary moving forward. Banks, however, has the physical tools and competitive demeanor to be a force inside." Jake Slaughter, C (No. 43) "A first-team All-SEC and AP All-American selection in 2024, Slaughter has the smarts and athleticism to warrant next-level looks. He has active eyes, is quick off the ball and is a fluid mover when he pulls. Slaughter has a solid base and anchors well in pass protection. He does a good job displacing defenders on down blocks, and he has smooth feet with the quickness to redirect and pick up linebackers at the second level," Flick says. "The 6' 4", 294-pounder lacks great length and is controlled too often by opposing defensive tackles, and he doesn't always sustain blocks long enough to spring runs. He's best suited for a zone-based offense." Tyreak Sapp, EDGE (No. 48) "An athletic 6' 3", 272-pound edge, Sapp took a step forward in 2024, logging seven sacks and 26 total pressures. He's proportionally well built with the length and hands to discard blockers and make plays against the run, and he's quick and explosive enough to win with speed," Flick points out. "Still ascending with too many cold spells on his game, Sapp needs to find high-level consistency in 2025." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Texans tried to move up 20 spots for OT Aireontae Ersery
Report: Texans tried to move up 20 spots for OT Aireontae Ersery After Round 1 of last month's NFL draft, the Houston Texans made it clear their sights were set on landing Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery as their hopeful Laremy Tunsil 2.0. By the middle of the second round, Houston pulled the trigger, sending picks No. 58 and No. 99 to the Las Vegas Raiders to move up 10 spots and make the selection. Now in the building, Ersey can hopefully transform into a stable option at left tackle, protecting C.J. Stroud's blindside for years to come. But the Texans really wanted Ersey following his top-30 visit with the franchise in the offseason. How much were they willing to wager on his potential? According to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander, the Texans tried to move up 20 spots for the All-Big Ten lineman in a trade with the New England Patriots. "As a projected late first-round, early second-round pick, the Texans' front office thought there was a chance someone could take him early in the second round," Alexander wrote. "But the Patriots declined to take Houston's offer of picks No. 58 and 79 and a third-rounder in 2026." The report matches the recent video released by New England on its draft weekend. A pick No. 38, the Patriots were locked in on Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson to begin the second round, but two teams made offers to try and move up. Chicago was one, offering a seventh-round pick to move back one spot. According to multiple reports, that move was for Henderson. Houston was willing to give up more, but the selection was for Ersey rather than the All-Big Ten running back. 'With (Aireontae), we add a guy who brings that physicality, that mindset, that I really think helps offensive linemen be good at their job,' coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this month. 'He's done a great job at playing left tackle and still has room to grow and develop.' The Texans were hoping to improve their offensive line after the previous group gave up 54 sacks last season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times, the second-most in the NFL. Adding Ersery, a 6-foot-6, 311-pound "dancing bear," could be the spark needed for a complete culture shift. Ersery was considered the best of the Day 2 offensive tackles and comes with ample experience on the left side. He started 38 games in his final three years at Minnesota, earning a third-team AP All-American, a Big 10 first-team selection, and the Big 10 offensive lineman of the year. Ryans said the Texans would start him out of left tackle and go from there. Ersery said he's willing to do whatever the coaches ask him to do. 'That's the type of guy I am,' Ersery told reporters. 'Whenever I get out there I'm going to give it my all to protect C.J. (Stroud).' The Texans return to the practice field for voluntary OTAs this week.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What Makes David Walker a Standout Rookie?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made it a point to focus on improving the pass rush this offseason. General manager Jason Licht added free agent Haason Reddick on a very economical and team-friendly one-year, "prove-it" deal and last season's second-round pick, Chris Braswell, has yet to find his game in the NFL, so more pieces were needed. Advertisement Licht selected Central Arkansas defensive end David Walker with the No. 121 overall pick in the fourth round earlier this month, and so far, the coaching staff has been impressed with what they've seen in rookie minicamp last weekend. Outside linebackers coach Larry Foote put his game into context earlier this week. 'Speed – he brings, I think about [60] sacks under his belt,' Foote said. 'He knows how to rush the passer. He's been a natural. I make fun of him. I told him when I was recruiting him in Temple: 'Tell this league you want to play rusher.' I was fortunate I got to coach him off the ball, but he finally found his way home. And he's a natural pass rusher. Another short guy, but he has speed that you can't coach, and he just improved. You watch him through the years. I've always been following him. His game is just getting better. When a player like that has a down year, and obviously, a lot of that has to do with him not being there and getting out there so late. "When you kind of have that inside track as a coach of knowing him as a human being and what buttons you can and can't push and whether he needs to be coached hard or whether he needs to be helped up.' Advertisement Walker was a three-time FCS AP All-American and led the FCS with 23 tackles for loss last season and added 10.5 sacks, and could add the much-needed aspect of speed to the Bucs' pass rush next season. Related: Buccaneers Earn Monster Grade After Offseason Deals Related: Buccaneers' Road Playoff Credentials Put To The Test In 2025
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball earns high grade for 2024-25 season
Wisconsin basketball earns high grade for 2024-25 season Wisconsin basketball received an 'A' in ESPN's recent report-card analysis of every team in the Big Ten in 2024-25. The Badgers tied the Illinois Fighting Illini, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans and Maryland Terrapins for the highest mark in the conference. Composed by ESPN college basketball analyst Myron Metcalf, the criteria were somewhat simple. "Part of this process is straightforward: A good team that played like a good team will earn a strong grade, and one that played like a bad team will not," Metcalf wrote. "But it will be complicated for certain teams. Some had championship dreams. Others hoped to win just a few games. Either way, we are judging each squad's season based on preseason expectations while offering grace on a case-by-case basis for any unfortunate midseason events." It's safe to say the Badgers landed in the 'hoped to win just a few games' category based on the program's preseason expectations. Projected to struggle during this past season by several pundits, Wisconsin went on to collect 27 wins and a No. 3 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Courtesy of a high-powered offensive attack, Wisconsin landed in the AP Top 25 throughout most of the 2024-25 slate. It earned wins over some of the most respected teams in the nation, including No. 9 Arizona on Nov. 15, No. 7 Purdue on Feb. 15 and Michigan State on March 15. Here's more of Metcalf's analysis on the Badgers' 2024-25 output. "Greg Gard tends to do his best work amid doubts about his team. That was certainly true in 2024-25, when his Badgers finished in a tie for third place in the Big Ten and won 27 games after losing three of their top five scorers from the previous season, including Chucky Hepburn, who went on to earn AP All-American honorable mention honors at Louisville. One media preseason poll picked Wisconsin to finish 12th in the conference standings. But John Tonje emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the college basketball season. Injuries had forced him to miss the bulk of 2023-24 at Missouri before he transferred to Wisconsin, where he earned AP second-team All-America honors (19.6 PPG)." Tonje, a Naismith Player of the Year Semifinalist and 2025 First Team All-Big Ten team selection, now looks towards the 2025 NBA draft in June. The Wisconsin Badgers will look much different this coming fall with veteran players, including Tonje, Steven Crowl and Max Klesmit, gone, plus incoming transfers Nick Boyd, Austin Rapp and Andrew Rhode entering the fold. Nonetheless, Wisconsin exceeded virtually every preseason expectation with Tonje and sophomore guard John Blackwell at the helm. Gard will look to replicate that effort with a new-look lineup during the 2025-26 season. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Team's Four-Word Message on Cutting Former Top-10 Pick Days Before First Game
There are a lot of talented players looking for new homes with the final WNBA roster cuts being made in recent days. With the WNBA season tipping off on Friday, teams are finalizing their roster, but there have been a few surprises. The Atlanta Dream moved on from the team's former starter and top-10 pick. Another notable move came from the Golden State Valkyries as Laeticia Amihere was released after scoring 20 points in her last preseason outing. Advertisement Atlanta looks a lot different in 2025 after the additions of Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones. Unfortunately, these additions led to some surprising roster moves with limited spots remaining on the Dream. Haley Jones poses for a photo before the WNBA Draft 2023 at Spring Carchietta-Imagn Images The Dream announced the team released Haley Jones on Wednesday, just two days before the franchise tips off the regular season against the Washington Mystics. Atlanta posted a tribute video to Jones after announcing the unfortunate news. "Thank you for everything @haleyjoness13," the Dream's official X account posted on Wednesday. The move comes two years after Atlanta used the No. 6 overall pick to select Jones in the 2023 WNBA draft. Jones entered The W with an impressive resume from her time with the Stanford Cardinal. The standout guard was part of the team's NCAA championship run during the 2020-21 season. Jones was a 3-time All-Pac-12 member, 2-time AP All-American and 2-time NCAA All-Tourney team player. Advertisement The former Dream guard played in 40 games for Atlanta in 2024, including 24 starts. Jones averaged 3.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season. It would be a surprise if Jones does not find a new WNBA team quickly. Related: WNBA Sends Clear Message on Brittney Griner Ahead of Season
